Great story Digger.
What you didn't comment on was your 17yo grandson's riding skills on a big 1800.
How'd he do?
At 17 (before MSF training or cycle license endorsements existed), my first bike was a 650 BSA Lightning (really too big for a learner), and the very first day I rode it to HS, I laid it down in the big school buss oil slick in front of half the school. To a lot of laughter. Neither me or the bike was damaged, but I took weeks of ribbing for that one.
He is a very cautious driver so far. He did great. He listens to my words of wisdom about motorcycling with other riders. He rides behind me and I make sure we dont break speed limits in small towns... dont want him to get a ticket because of me...and I try to set an example for him to drive friendly, stay staggard, leave plenty room for stopping and not ride too close to the driver ahead of you. Had to talk to him yesterday about not doing rolling stops at stop signs. He did better after that. We rode early yesterday and in the morning saw 4 cars being stopped in small towns and I explained to him small town police have a quota of tickets to write every day to financially pay for themselves and equipment so they like to get their quota of daily tickets out of the way early ....so mind your manners especially in the morning hours. At least thats my theory. Anyways...he has shown no aggression while riding with me...the old grandpa. Parents, my son and wife, wont let him ride unless with me or his dad just yet. Basically he is on probation...ha. He really enjoyed the ride yesterday.
Excellent Digger. All good advise.
Small towns around here are the same way.... looking for revenue.
I've never liked having to put my foot down at stop signs. I tend to roll in slow, brake to a stop for a tenth second and go through without putting my foot down (unless I have to wait my turn). Years ago I had a cop stop me and tell me I didn't put my foot down. "But I came to a full stop sir." "Try harder kid. " But I got no ticket.
I bend the rules all the time, but I'm always looking all over and mirrors for cops when I do it. Also, after 35 years, I know every single hideout spot they might be sitting in my local riding.
Got pulled over once in Manassas National Battlefield Park last year (for speed, passing dump trucks) for the first time in 20 years, and the young fed cop gave me a pass (after I apologized and was polite and nice, with a perfect driving record). The guy had found a brand new hidey hole.
