Motorcyles and trailers - split from America's Quietest Roads
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Malamute
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I rode quite a lot in my youth and into my 20s, sometimes doing 15-20K miles a year on the bike. I stopped riding in the late 80s, in part because I knew several people that had been killed or seriously hurt riding, and id had a number of close calls with animals and car drivers paying no attention or not caring about bikes. Getting a dog was also a large factor.
After trading riding the danger of bikes for the safety of roaming around alone in grizzly country, camping, hiking, sleeping on the ground, I hurt my back pretty badly, much of that stopped. Along in there a little go-a-round with leukemia got me thinking about safety.....
Being bored out of my mind in the midwest while taking care of an aging parent, I had the misfortune of going into a bike shop to see a friend, and saw the 1949 H-D Panhead custom sitting on the floor for sale. Dang, it was the first time id payed any attention to bikes in ages, it started the spark again. I didnt get the '49, but did get a bike. I figure I may as well do what I like and enjoy, nobody knows how much time they have, or whats going to get you, follow your dream. Id rather not be sitting around after its too late and regret not doing it.
All the people I admire in life have been doers, not worrying about if its safe to go explore wild places, fight indians and bandits (or intruding Europeans), cross oceans, fight wars against tyrants and dictators, etc.
Im not a drinker, but this makes me grin when I read it, just because he was still out there doing it.
After trading riding the danger of bikes for the safety of roaming around alone in grizzly country, camping, hiking, sleeping on the ground, I hurt my back pretty badly, much of that stopped. Along in there a little go-a-round with leukemia got me thinking about safety.....
Being bored out of my mind in the midwest while taking care of an aging parent, I had the misfortune of going into a bike shop to see a friend, and saw the 1949 H-D Panhead custom sitting on the floor for sale. Dang, it was the first time id payed any attention to bikes in ages, it started the spark again. I didnt get the '49, but did get a bike. I figure I may as well do what I like and enjoy, nobody knows how much time they have, or whats going to get you, follow your dream. Id rather not be sitting around after its too late and regret not doing it.
All the people I admire in life have been doers, not worrying about if its safe to go explore wild places, fight indians and bandits (or intruding Europeans), cross oceans, fight wars against tyrants and dictators, etc.
Im not a drinker, but this makes me grin when I read it, just because he was still out there doing it.
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I've seen it myself when an older man who has never been a regular motorcycle rider starts riding and ends up getting hurt. On the other hand those old guys who have been riding all their life are safer riders and have a good understanding of their limits. IMO a trailer detracts from the riding experience and compromises safety. Same with a side car. They have their purpose but an unencumbered bike is best.
I've owned several sidecars on Vespas to Goldwings and also several trailers. I used to tow a 15 foot canoe to remote mountain lakes with my Vespa. I'm almost 70 and have been riding since I was a kid.
I've owned several sidecars on Vespas to Goldwings and also several trailers. I used to tow a 15 foot canoe to remote mountain lakes with my Vespa. I'm almost 70 and have been riding since I was a kid.
At least nowadays all states require riders to have separate testing for a motorcycle license. A rusty rider can also choose to attend AMA or other refresher courses that are available. I've ridden since I was 15 but have had several longer periods since then when I didn't own a bike.
Probably what comes into play most for older riders is reduction in reaction times,more problems with vision and maybe rider fatigue affecting them more. I did risky stuff on hot bikes when I was younger but that sure isn't the case these days. As Tx2 pointed out though, you're taking a chance everytime you get on one!
Probably what comes into play most for older riders is reduction in reaction times,more problems with vision and maybe rider fatigue affecting them more. I did risky stuff on hot bikes when I was younger but that sure isn't the case these days. As Tx2 pointed out though, you're taking a chance everytime you get on one!
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I used to ride in tee shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes with a open face helmet.
Now I ride a dual sport with a full face helmet, motocross boots, knee protectors, motocross pants, a protective shirt with kidney, spine, shoulder, and elbow protection, and heavy gloves. Up armored.
Now I ride a dual sport with a full face helmet, motocross boots, knee protectors, motocross pants, a protective shirt with kidney, spine, shoulder, and elbow protection, and heavy gloves. Up armored.
Didn't know that. I've checked the specs and prices and see that they are too heavy, too slow and too pricey for my needs. From what I've read they are 'USA made' but have Subaru motors.
Cushman 2 scooters are a unique niche option for someone who remembers the old Cushmans and now with some extra time and money wants to own one, and has 6 grand and a garage to park the scooter in. They are slow, heavy, mostly impracticable, and not at all suited for the mobile lifestyle. But they look cool at the local car show or in front of the neighborhood biker bar.
I only mentioned them because of Cushman scooters pictured earlier in the thread. I was not suggesting anyone go out and buy one!
I only mentioned them because of Cushman scooters pictured earlier in the thread. I was not suggesting anyone go out and buy one!
If I could find a scooter at a 'steal' price I would go for one. I go into town once a week in my van and that's a 30 mile round trip. I also go a couple of times a week to a C-store that's just 5 miles away. I've been saving gas by using the BMW for those trips instead of the van.
It gets 3 times better MPG but is still overkill for a short jaunt like that. Also, it's 1/2 mile on a dirt/gravel road up to the county road and I have to be pretty careful on the beemer.
Something like one of those new Cushmans would be a much better choice. Or maybe a Honda Ruckus.
It gets 3 times better MPG but is still overkill for a short jaunt like that. Also, it's 1/2 mile on a dirt/gravel road up to the county road and I have to be pretty careful on the beemer.
Something like one of those new Cushmans would be a much better choice. Or maybe a Honda Ruckus.
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Malamute
Well-known member
Thats almost as much as i paid for the 84 H-D Low Rider.
They actually go on dirt and gravel roads pretty well, the low center of gravity makes them feel pretty stable.
Since I've been thinking about actually trying to do the TAT (at least part of it) and there's a nifty 2019 Yamaha TW200 on Craigslist, I thought I'd post a couple of inspiring pics. If I can finally come up with a cot or sleeping pad combo that would let me and my bad back sleep comfortably, I would try to spend all summer on something like this:
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True to the original Cushman scooters, which were too heavy, too slow.
I bought one used around 1965. At least the new ones have a OHV motor with 14HP, mine was a flathead motor with around five HP.
In 1966 I upgraded to a used 1965 Honda S90 motorcycle.
My father rode a Cushman Eagle around Fairchild AFB in the mid 1950's. Base speed limit was 25 mph, and he would get speeding tickets with its top speed of 35 mph.
Same year I bought a new CB160 for a first bike. I had several friends that had S90s.
Gone2day; I live right on the TAT (well my front yard butts up to it) in Arkansas. That rig would not be anywhere near ideal for the TAT or your back. As a minimum I would sell that trailer and put the money into hotel room reservation. If you make it to Arkansas look up the TAT Shak.
^^ You're right it wouldn't be ideal but then the ideal rig and what I can afford are two different things 
. Having to be realistic, I probably wouldn't be able to haul a bike 2000 miles out to TN and start from there. Since I'm in S.E. Arizona, I would instead take the CDR up thru NM to where it connects to the TAT in CO and on to Oregon. So probably won't be passing thru Arkansas. I do remember seeing something about the TATShak or similar on ADVrider. Nice to see support like that along the route!
If I'm able to do it I would be going really slowly over a couple of month's time and there's no way I could afford a motel every night. I would likely check locations that had motels with cheap weekly rates and do that a few times for a good rest and do maintenance. Camping as much as I could handle to keep the costs down. According to the TAT site the avg. rider covers 200 miles/day. I would shoot for half of that or less. Plodding along and smelling the flowers....yep.
I'm also wanting to ride something that's a little different and a TW200 would fill the bill.
I've never ridden one but with those fat tires it seems like you'd never get stuck. If I had a trailer at all it wouldn't be as big or heavy as the one shown.
Have you done any of the TAT?
. Having to be realistic, I probably wouldn't be able to haul a bike 2000 miles out to TN and start from there. Since I'm in S.E. Arizona, I would instead take the CDR up thru NM to where it connects to the TAT in CO and on to Oregon. So probably won't be passing thru Arkansas. I do remember seeing something about the TATShak or similar on ADVrider. Nice to see support like that along the route!If I'm able to do it I would be going really slowly over a couple of month's time and there's no way I could afford a motel every night. I would likely check locations that had motels with cheap weekly rates and do that a few times for a good rest and do maintenance. Camping as much as I could handle to keep the costs down. According to the TAT site the avg. rider covers 200 miles/day. I would shoot for half of that or less. Plodding along and smelling the flowers....yep.
I'm also wanting to ride something that's a little different and a TW200 would fill the bill.
I've never ridden one but with those fat tires it seems like you'd never get stuck. If I had a trailer at all it wouldn't be as big or heavy as the one shown.
Have you done any of the TAT?
In your defense the TAT has been traversed on everything from unicycles, mopeds, CT90s on up to Goldwings and Harleys. So anything is fair game. I've seen some strange rigs and fascinating people come thru the Shak. If noting else, a TW200 would be a reliable machine. Remember that few TAT plans survive first contact so stay flexible and good luck in your travels.
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