I raced a Harley today

Onkel Neal · 09-06-07, 09:24 PM

As you know, I'm a long time Suzuki rider. One of the Subsim readers, a young guy, sent me this e-mail today.

I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy.

I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of country road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH".

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone. I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering, three corners later, I was on his fender. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another. Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out power me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to out brake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.
But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done.

In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him. Though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the valley and I had preserved the proud tradition of another of America's best bikes. I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Trek as well. They really make a great bicycle...

d@rk51d3 · 09-06-07, 09:53 PM

:rotfl:
Classic!

StdDev · 09-07-07, 08:26 AM

"Now Nortons and Indians and Greeves's wont do
They dont got the soul of a Vincent 52"

Hakahura · 09-07-07, 09:13 AM

Absolutely brilliant Neal!

Really so funny. Your going to get a lot of grief of any Hog riders around here though!

You know I miss my last Suzuki now I’m on a Honda.
Used to own a RG500 Gamma they don’t make them like that anymore. How I miss that savage 2 stroke powerband.

Tchocky · 09-07-07, 09:15 AM

Excellent stuff

SUBMAN1 · 09-07-07, 03:05 PM

Don't let any of the Europeans see this - They will start a thread about how irresponsible this is!

-S

09-06-07, 09:24 PM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	I raced a Harley today As you know, I'm a long time Suzuki rider. One of the Subsim readers, a young guy, sent me this e-mail today. I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of country road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH". I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone. I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering, three corners later, I was on his fender. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another. Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out power me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever. My only hope was to out brake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good. But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror. Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him. Though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the valley and I had preserved the proud tradition of another of America's best bikes. I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Trek as well. They really make a great bicycle...

09-07-07, 09:13 AM	#4
Hakahura Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Posts: 785 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Absolutely brilliant Neal! Really so funny. Your going to get a lot of grief of any Hog riders around here though! You know I miss my last Suzuki now I’m on a Honda. Used to own a RG500 Gamma they don’t make them like that anymore. How I miss that savage 2 stroke powerband. __________________ Sir Humphey Appleby, GCB, KBE, MVO and MA. Britain's Greatest Orator, well bar that Churchill fellow.

09-07-07, 09:15 AM	#5
Tchocky Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,874 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Excellent stuff __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

09-07-07, 03:05 PM	#6
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Don't let any of the Europeans see this - They will start a thread about how irresponsible this is! -S __________________

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09-06-07, 09:53 PM	#2
d@rk51d3 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,952 Downloads: 207 Uploads: 0	:rotfl: Classic!

09-07-07, 08:26 AM	#3
StdDev Legend of the Sea Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: the Great Wet North Posts: 635 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	"Now Nortons and Indians and Greeves's wont do They dont got the soul of a Vincent 52"