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

Hakahura · 09-07-07, 03:51 PM

Well.... I'm British.... and I think its great!

Camaero · 09-07-07, 04:05 PM

I'll still take a Harley.

Give me a flat black V-Rod!

SUBMAN1 · 09-07-07, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hakahura

Well.... I'm British.... and I think its great!

A rare breed...

Hakahura · 09-07-07, 04:12 PM

Well I'm British, which in my eyes means I'm NOT european!

Plus, getting my knee down has been my religon for well over a decade.

2 wheels good, 4 wheels bad!

Kapitan_Phillips · 09-07-07, 04:25 PM

Go Goldwing

Camaero · 09-07-07, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitan_Phillips

Go Goldwing

Hakahura · 09-07-07, 05:06 PM

Go NC30

sunvalleyslim · 09-07-07, 05:08 PM

Nice story Neal. You had me going for a moment. Believing you were a great motorcycle rider. A classic story from a guy that probably has never even ridden a Harley.
Having riden Hondas, Moto Guzzis, Kawasakis, BMWS, and Harleys, I will say each bike does have its good points and weak points. I have liked each bike, but for different reasons. I still have my Harley Road King, and also a KZ1000 Kawasaki. For a cruise down lifes highway, I like my Harley the best. The reason there's so many choices for motorcycles out there is because different people want different things.
So Neal my friend, tell me if you have ever ridden a Harley, and not a sportster either, and what you think of the a Harley Davidson or if not just keep pedaling down the road, you'll get there eventually...........:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

FIREWALL · 09-07-07, 05:11 PM

And then you woke up from your nap. :rotfl:

2006 FATBOY here. Got it from a guy that owed back child support. In my state you don't pay , in the crowbar hotel you stay. :p

09-06-07, 09:24 PM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,383 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 __________________

09-07-07, 03:51 PM	#7
Hakahura Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Posts: 785 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well.... I'm British.... and I think its great! __________________ Sir Humphey Appleby, GCB, KBE, MVO and MA. Britain's Greatest Orator, well bar that Churchill fellow.

09-06-07, 09:53 PM	#2
d@rk51d3 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,951 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"

09-07-07, 04:05 PM	#8
Camaero The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA, Massachusetts Posts: 1,477 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	I'll still take a Harley. Give me a flat black V-Rod! __________________

09-07-07, 04:12 PM	#10
Hakahura Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Posts: 785 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well I'm British, which in my eyes means I'm NOT european! Plus, getting my knee down has been my religon for well over a decade. 2 wheels good, 4 wheels bad! __________________ Sir Humphey Appleby, GCB, KBE, MVO and MA. Britain's Greatest Orator, well bar that Churchill fellow.

09-07-07, 04:25 PM	#11
Kapitan_Phillips Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Swansea Posts: 3,903 Downloads: 204 Uploads: 0	Go Goldwing __________________ Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into.

09-07-07, 05:06 PM	#13
Hakahura Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Posts: 785 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Go NC30 __________________ Sir Humphey Appleby, GCB, KBE, MVO and MA. Britain's Greatest Orator, well bar that Churchill fellow. Last edited by Hakahura; 09-08-07 at 12:17 PM.

09-07-07, 05:08 PM	#14
sunvalleyslim Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 1,142 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	Nice story Neal. You had me going for a moment. Believing you were a great motorcycle rider. A classic story from a guy that probably has never even ridden a Harley. Having riden Hondas, Moto Guzzis, Kawasakis, BMWS, and Harleys, I will say each bike does have its good points and weak points. I have liked each bike, but for different reasons. I still have my Harley Road King, and also a KZ1000 Kawasaki. For a cruise down lifes highway, I like my Harley the best. The reason there's so many choices for motorcycles out there is because different people want different things. So Neal my friend, tell me if you have ever ridden a Harley, and not a sportster either, and what you think of the a Harley Davidson or if not just keep pedaling down the road, you'll get there eventually...........:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: __________________ Crew member/ decommission member TM2(SS)(SD) 3/68-7/70 DIESEL BOATS FOREVER USS SEGUNDO (SS398)

09-07-07, 05:11 PM	#15
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	And then you woke up from your nap. :rotfl: 2006 FATBOY here. Got it from a guy that owed back child support. In my state you don't pay , in the crowbar hotel you stay. :p __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ??? Last edited by FIREWALL; 09-07-07 at 05:24 PM.