Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'cruiser'.
Found 18 results
-
While riding with a friend in his pickup I noticed he had a radar detector. It was plugged in but on the transmission hump and facing the passengers door. " Fat lot of good that is going to do" I thought. Then it went off and a minute later we went through a radar trap. A fluke I figured. Then it went off again and a police cruiser passed us going the other way. Then a few minutes later it went off again and stayed on. I finally spotted a cruiser about three cars behind us. Obviously when you get zapped with the radar it bounces around inside the cab a few times. What is the cumulative amount of radar you are exposed to? Around here you can go through 3-4 traps in a day. Does anyone know of a study which takes in the total effect of multiple zappings inside the cab?
-
Neighborhood Hazard (or: Why the Cops Won’t Patrol Brice Street) I never dreamed slowly cruising through a residential neighborhood could be so incredibly dangerous! Studies have shown that motorcycling requires more decisions per second, and more sheer data processing than nearly any other common activity or sport. The reactions and accurate decision making abilities needed have been likened to the reactions of fighter pilots! The consequences of bad decisions or poor situational awareness are pretty much the same for both groups too. Occasionally, as a rider I have caught myself starting to make bad or late decisions while riding. In flight training, my instructors called this being “behind the power curve”. It is a mark of experience that when this begins to happen, the rider recognizes the situation, and more importantly, does something about it. A short break, a meal, or even a gas stop can set things right again as it gives the brain a chance to catch up. Good, accurate, and timely decisions are essential when riding a motorcycle…at least if you want to remain among the living. In short, the brain needs to keep up with the machine. I had been banging around the roads of east Texas and as I headed back into Dallas, found myself in very heavy, high-speed traffic on the freeways. Normally, this is not a problem, I commute in these conditions daily, but suddenly I was nearly run down by a cage that decided it needed my lane more than I did. This is not normally a big deal either, as it happens around here often, but usually I can accurately predict which drivers are not paying attention and avoid them before we are even close. This one I missed seeing until it was nearly too late, and as I took evasive action I nearly broadsided another car that I was not even aware was there! Two bad decisions and insufficient situational awareness…all within seconds. I was behind the power curve. Time to get off the freeway. I hit the next exit, and as I was in an area I knew pretty well, headed through a few big residential neighborhoods as a new route home. As I turned onto the nearly empty streets I opened the visor on my full-face helmet to help get some air. I figured some slow riding through the quiet surface streets would give me time to relax, think, and regain that “edge” so frequently required when riding. Little did I suspect… As I passed an oncoming car, a brown furry missile shot out from under it and tumbled to a stop immediately in front of me. It was a squirrel, and must have been trying to run across the road when it encountered the car. I really was not going very fast, but there was no time to brake or avoid it—it was that close. I hate to run over animals…and I really hate it on a motorcycle, but a squirrel should pose no danger to me. I barely had time to brace for the impact. Animal lovers, never fear. Squirrels can take care of themselves! Inches before impact, the squirrel flipped to his feet. He was standing on his hind legs and facing the oncoming Valkyrie with steadfast resolve in his little beady eyes. His mouth opened, and at the last possible second, he screamed and leapt! I am pretty sure the scream was squirrel for, “Banzai!” or maybe, “Die you gravy-sucking, heathen scum!” as the leap was spectacular and he flew over the windshield and impacted me squarely in the chest. Instantly he set upon me. If I did not know better I would have sworn he brought twenty of his little buddies along for the attack. Snarling, hissing, and tearing at my clothes, he was a frenzy of activity. As I was dressed only in a light t-shirt, summer riding gloves, and jeans this was a bit of a cause for concern. This furry little tornado was doing some damage! Picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and leather gloves puttering maybe 25mph down a quiet residential street…and in the fight of his life with a squirrel. And losing. I grabbed for him with my left hand and managed to snag his tail. With all my strength I flung the evil rodent off the left of the bike, almost running into the right curb as I recoiled from the throw. That should have done it. The matter should have ended right there. It really should have. The squirrel could have sailed into one of the pristinely kept yards and gone on about his business, and I could have headed home. No one would have been the wiser. But this was no ordinary squirrel. This was not even an ordinary pissed-off squirrel. This was an evil attack squirrel of death! Somehow he caught my gloved finger with one of his little hands, and with the force of the throw swung around and with a resounding thump and an amazing impact he landed square on my back and resumed his rather anti-social and extremely distracting activities. He also managed to take my left glove with him! The situation was not improved. Not improved at all. His attacks were continuing, and now I could not reach him. I was startled to say the least. The combination of the force of the throw, only having one hand (the throttle hand) on the handlebars, and my jerking back unfortunately put a healthy twist through my right hand and into the throttle. A healthy twist on the throttle of a Valkyrie can only have one result. Torque. This is what the Valkyrie is made for, and she is very, very good at it. The engine roared as the front wheel left the pavement. The squirrel screamed in anger. The Valkyrie screamed in ecstasy. I screamed in…well…I just plain screamed. Now picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a slightly squirrel torn t-shirt, and only one leather glove roaring at maybe 70mph and rapidly accelerating down a quiet residential street…on one wheel and with a demonic squirrel on his back. The man and the squirrel are both screaming bloody murder. With the sudden acceleration I was forced to put my other hand back on the handlebars and try to get control of the bike. This was leaving the mutant squirrel to his own devices, but I really did not want to crash into somebody’s tree, house, or parked car. Also, I had not yet figured out how to release the throttle…my brain was just simply overloaded. I did manage to mash the back brake, but it had little affect against the massive power of the big cruiser. About this time the squirrel decided that I was not paying sufficient attention to this very serious battle (maybe he is a Scottish attack squirrel of death), and he came around my neck and got IN my full-face helmet with me. As the faceplate closed partway and he began hissing in my face I am quite sure my screaming changed tone and intensity. It seemed to have little affect on the squirrel however. The rpm’s on The Dragon maxed out (I was not concerned about shifting at the moment) and her front end started to drop. Now picture the large man on the huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a very ragged torn t-shirt, and wearing one leather glove, roaring at probably 80mph, still on one wheel, with a large puffy squirrel’s tail sticking out his mostly closed full-face helmet. By now the screams are probably getting a little hoarse. Finally I got the upper hand…I managed to grab his tail again, pulled him out of my helmet, and slung him to the left as hard as I could. This time it worked…sort-of. Spectacularly sort-of, so to speak. Picture the scene. You are a cop. You and your partner have pulled off on a quiet residential street and parked with your windows down to do some paperwork. Suddenly a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a torn t-shirt flapping in the breeze, and wearing one leather glove, moving at probably 80mph on one wheel, and screaming bloody murder roars by and with all his strength throws a live squirrel grenade directly into your police car. I heard screams. They weren't mine... I managed to get the big motorcycle under directional control and dropped the front wheel to the ground. I then used maximum braking and skidded to a stop in a cloud of tire smoke at the stop sign at a busy cross street. I would have returned to fess up (and to get my glove back). I really would have. Really. But for two things. First, the cops did not seem interested or the slightest bit concerned about me at the moment. One of them was on his back in the front yard of the house they had been parked in front of and was rapidly crabbing backwards away from the patrol car. The other was standing in the street and was training a riot shotgun on the police cruiser. So the cops were not interested in me. They often insist to “let the professionals handle it” anyway. That was one thing. The other? Well, I swear I could see the squirrel, standing in the back window of the patrol car among shredded and flying pieces of foam and upholstery, and shaking his little fist at me. I think he was shooting me the finger… That is one dangerous squirrel. And now he has a patrol car… I took a deep breath, turned on my turn-signal, made an easy right turn, and sedately left the neighborhood. As for my easy and slow drive home? Screw it. Faced with a choice of 80mph cars and inattentive drivers, or the evil, demonic, attack squirrel of death...I’ll take my chances with the freeway. Every time. And I’ll buy myself a new pair of gloves. Thanks to my buddy Ted Webb!!
-
Introducing BaggerShield's new line of universal cruiser shields. These high quality windshields offer a chrome billeted aluminum mounting system that will fit any bike with 7/8" or 1" handlebars (call about fitment to bigger bars). The height and angle of these shields can be adjusted in order to find the right position to fit your riding style. Like the rest of our shields, these are made of crystal clear, aircraft grade Lucite and are proudly made in the USA. Remember to get your 10% off forum member discount code before ordering. Also, receive free 2-3 shipping to anywhere in the USA or Canada. http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb402/BaggerShield/Liberty-Freedom.jpg
-
I got a feeling I'm the only venture owner here that's 26 years old lol is anyone close to my age? I know I ride a grandpa cruiser but still lol
-
Linda and I were making a trek back to my house on a 65 mph divided four lane with uncontrolled entries and topped a hill and saw three police cars in the road. The light from them was so bright, it was hard to see much of anything. With it being about 10 pm and traffic, I was afraid to slow down too much, but as we passed, I did see a black and silver cruiser type bike laying in the road at an intersection. I am now watching the local news and nothing has been reported yet. It sure did give us both a sickening feeling. RandyA
-
Jeff wants a new cruiser... and I want to ride to work with him! Leslie
-
Back in August, an Indianapolis cop killed a biker while he was on duty, drunk in his cruiser. The new county prosecutor has re-instated charges against him on 7 felony counts. http://www.theindychannel.com/news/26493263/detail.html
-
I joined the sight to gather information before I purchase a RSTD. I was hoping that I could get some questions answered so any help will be appreciated. I've owned a Honda ST1300 and am now driving a V-STrom. The V-strom is fine for short trips, but I'm 57 and would like something a little more comfortable, less susceptable to crosswinds, and better for 2 up riding. I've never owned a cruiser so I was wondering. How much engine heat do you get on hot days? How does the RSTD do in the twisties in the mountains? Can you get through the corners without constantly dragging? How does the performance of the engine differ from a typical 2 cyliner cruiser like a RoadStar? Is the RSTD a little anemic starting out without reving the motor? Like I said, any help will be appreciated. PrairieParson Lubbock, Tx.
-
I just picked up an 83 venture royale.....can A vmax engine bolt in? the second gear is out and I was wondering if I picked up a good running vmax engine...would I get a bit more powerfull cruiser. I also drive a warmed over Bandit 1200, which is all customed, so I am looking to build a cool ass cruiser now for some highway rockin and rolling.........
-
I came across this First Gen while surfing ebay this morning. I thought I would pass the info along because frankly, if I cant buy it, I'd rather see someone who loves and appreciates Ventures pick it up before someone buys it just because the price is low for a "like New" cruiser. The pics are amazing, the listing says the bike has under 3k original miles on it. Check this out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290415067710&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Hope someone from here gets it! george
-
I didn't have the pleasure of knowing this gentleman. All I know is what is in these articles. The accident happend in Flowood, MS, one of the bedroom communities in the greater Jackson, MS area. It says he was riding a Yamaha cruiser and someone turned left in front of him Be careful out there, they ARE out to get you!!!
-
I was amazed to see that on page 11 of the December 2009 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser, my "letter" to the editor was published. The amazing thing is, it was a tweet. That is, I messaged the editor via Twitter, and it was published! Dave
-
So I scored a pretty good deal on some cruiser pegs at the harley shop last weekend. KuryAkyn part #7995, the application is for softail models 1985 and up. Basically it's a small peg with an offset. Really like the look of this one so I figured I can make it work. The pegs don't come with the ring for around the crash bar as I'm sure on the softail it's a straight bolt on into a pre-tapped hole. Bought 2 1" rings and stopped and picked up a couple of half inch nuts on the way home. Assembly went well but having trouble getting the rings on crash bar to quit slipping once I put foot on it. They want to push away when I go to rest my foot on them. Any suggestions? Was thinking rubber from inner tube might work. I think I had this kinda problem with the last pegs when I bought them too and those where for this application but I removed a washer and that did the trick these didn't have the washers so it's as tight as it can get right now. Idea's please... Thanks in advance. Oh total cost was less than 80 bucks. Thanks again.
-
It has been a bad weekend in this area. The first accident happened at 2am Sunday morning when a 30 yr old rider drove into the back of police cruiser at a high rate of speed totally destroying the bike and also totaled the cruiser. The second was on Sunday evening when a 21 yr old girl pulled out of a driveway and onto the highway, the Harley driven by a 55 yr old man tried an evasive maneuver but hit the car in the drivers door sending him through the air, he passed away from his injuries this morning. I guess you have to be ever vigilant of your surroundings, but you can't control what other people do, I'm sure everyone becomes more cautious when something like this happens. Ride safe everyone. Condolences to their families.
-
I have an 07 RSV with 1 busted & 1 rashed/cracked saddle bags. I have opportunity to get new/used bags that are off a Royal Star Custom Cruiser. I checked the "bandit" site and the stock #s are off a didget or so from ea other - but they look identical and have the same 9.3 cu in capacity. I think that they are the same bags. Anyone know if these are identical/same (except for lettering of model name on the hinge plate)? -
I can see Charlie on this one for sure:stirthepot: http://www.metricthunder.com/news/2007/10/24/yamahas-next-cruiser/
-
We're getting excited about our next purchase, that most likely being a Venture or a Tour Deluxe. We're interested in knowing how many here are on their second Star Cruiser style, and/or those on their second Venture, or those who traded up to the Venture, or down to the cruiser. We don't give a rat's ass about the chirp or other known traits of these motorcycles. We're kinda almost sold 100% on the V-4; but which style: Full boat with all the bells and whistles, or enjoy life a little longer in cruiserville. Oh yeah, hopefully we'll be able to test ride both this weekend in Daytona.
-
Pull in that clutch when you see a cruiser.....A Police blitz for noisy mufflers and helmets each a $110.00 fine
(Custom).thumb.JPG.9e28ea2111ab3dc9d16dacf3023dbe7d.JPG)
