I am a sinner!

[dreamaker]

I store my Valk in the back garage, and the only action it has seen, is the ride from the back garage to the front garage. I put 600 more miles on my bicycle then my Valk. BAD BAD BIKER!!! Well I went back to work and haven't had time to ride, I get home from work, and something behind me is dragging, I think it is my ass. Got to get the body back in shape, working circles around 30 yr olds is a pain.

[Gavin_Sons]

If you're working circles around 30 year olds, you're doing something wrong. They have it figured out so they can do as little as possible and still keep a job. Then some older guy comes in working circles around them and they slack off even more and let you pick it up. Smart guys   

[sandy]

Ride the Valk to work.

[Willow]

Some folks are intentionally motorcycle riders.  Some are not.

If someone finds himself in a position of lots of miles but very few on a motorcycle then for his own safety he should put that motorcycle up for sale.  

One needs to know that that advice comes from someone who has been twice hospitalized, or is that thrice, in the past eight years while putting a lot of miles on his motorcycle.  One could reasonably question the validity of his assessment.

 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Some folks are intentionally motorcycle riders.  Some are not.

If someone finds himself in a position of lots of miles but very few on a motorcycle then for his own safety he should put that motorcycle up for sale.  

One needs to know that that advice comes from someone who has been twice hospitalized, or is that thrice, in the past eight years while putting a lot of miles on his motorcycle.  One could reasonably question the validity of his assessment.

 

your assessment is probably valid. Even if they have your name engraved on the room door in the hospital. 

[dreamaker]

Well, I am not ready to cash in my chips in yet, I have been riding legally since '69 and in about '71 I laid down my bike and tried to save the bike and tore all the ligaments out of my shoulder. After that I learned to respect the bikes, and have no crash and burns to report. I can still handle the bike with no problem, I considered selling it for some new toys, but never did. We have been together since 2002 and would hate to see her leave. Only have about 26K on it or so, but have a few scratch and dings, I ride her for my sanity and peace of mind.  Generally don't ride with others, because they seem to want to go from bar to bar, so I pass. Once my body gets back into the groove, I'll do some riding.  Just been retired too long!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well, I am not ready to cash in my chips in yet, I have been riding legally since '69 and in about '71 I laid down my bike and tried to save the bike and tore all the ligaments out of my shoulder. After that I learned to respect the bikes, and have no crash and burns to report. I can still handle the bike with no problem, I considered selling it for some new toys, but never did. We have been together since 2002 and would hate to see her leave. Only have about 26K on it or so, but have a few scratch and dings, I ride her for my sanity and peace of mind.  Generally don't ride with others, because they seem to want to go from bar to bar, so I pass. Once my body gets back into the groove, I'll do some riding.  Just been retired too long!

At 26k in 14 years you can't be too sane. (Sorry, couldn't resist) ride as much as you are comfortable riding. 

[dreamaker]

Well, I am not ready to cash in my chips in yet, I have been riding legally since '69 and in about '71 I laid down my bike and tried to save the bike and tore all the ligaments out of my shoulder. After that I learned to respect the bikes, and have no crash and burns to report. I can still handle the bike with no problem, I considered selling it for some new toys, but never did. We have been together since 2002 and would hate to see her leave. Only have about 26K on it or so, but have a few scratch and dings, I ride her for my sanity and peace of mind.  Generally don't ride with others, because they seem to want to go from bar to bar, so I pass. Once my body gets back into the groove, I'll do some riding.  Just been retired too long!

At 26k in 14 years you can't be too sane. (Sorry, couldn't resist) ride as much as you are comfortable riding. 

That's OK, I am not trying to set any records, I just try to impress the guy that pays my bills. When I get the bug, I sometimes pack a sleeping bag and tent, with a pocket full on money and see where I end up. No plans and no direction, slept in a few ditches in my day, no place to camp, just an adventure. People at camp ground treat me like royalty, lot of kind people out there believe it or not. Funny thing though!!  You can take the biggest Butt Head around, run in to them up north and they can be some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

[art]

I had the riding bug bad. I bought my first bike in 94 after 25 years off riding due to a crash in 68 on my Norton. My wife was due with my Son so I quit riding. In 94 I bought a 89 Wing and put 60000 miles on it in 4 years then a Shadow Aero another 86000 miles in 4 more years. I then bought a new Wing in 02 and crashed the next day with 18 miles on it due to a lady running a stop sign. A few months later I got a 02 Valk and put 160000 miles on it until a slow speed crash in Feb. 2014. I sold and stopped riding since I got injured and was supposed to be riding with my wife. We had a spat and I went out alone. Damn glad she wasn't with me so I called it quits.I loved riding and even now wish I could go. To top it off my Son owns a Triumph dealership.

[solo1]

I quit riding last year after riding off and on since 1947.  I wasn't a high mileage rider and so I knew that I had to profit even more from reading about others mistakes.  I read David Hough's books, and the original Hurt Report. I read every accident report i could find.

Riding should be a constant learning experience. Trust no one, especially potential left turners.

Lots of what I read, I put into use. I tried to learn for every mile that I rode. I  might've been lucky but only had one small accident.  In 1948, a left turner made me scramble fro the rear brake (no front one) on my 1935 HD flat head.  I could not disengage the foot "suicide clutch" and, as a result, I got dragged a short distance with no injuries

Since then, no accidents of any kind except dropping the bikes more times than I want to mention..
Luck or?  I quit when I knew my body wouldn't handle emergency situations very well any more.

[dreamaker]

When riding my bike, I have two major enemies, texters/cell phones and now it is up and coming in my area, are blacked out driver and passenger windows, and sometime windshield, all blacked out. Point is I can't determined those driver intentions. When I ride my bike, I am always creating possible scenarios, in my head and it keep me sharp. For example I don't buzz through three or four way intersections, whether there is no sign, or green light, I treat them like someone is going to run the intersection or the light and ready to stop. I don't get sandwich between cars in traffic, always try and leave myself a way out, if possible. Stopped at lights I never ride close to the vehicle in front of me, and I watch those mirrors, like they were my first born. Sounds like allot of work, but its not, it is a second nature to me.

[BF]

Some folks are intentionally motorcycle riders.  Some are not.

If someone finds himself in a position of lots of miles but very few on a motorcycle then for his own safety he should put that motorcycle up for sale.  

One needs to know that that advice comes from someone who has been twice hospitalized, or is that thrice, in the past eight years while putting a lot of miles on his motorcycle.  One could reasonably question the validity of his assessment.

 

That's in the works.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Some folks are intentionally motorcycle riders.  Some are not.

If someone finds himself in a position of lots of miles but very few on a motorcycle then for his own safety he should put that motorcycle up for sale.  

One needs to know that that advice comes from someone who has been twice hospitalized, or is that thrice, in the past eight years while putting a lot of miles on his motorcycle.  One could reasonably question the validity of his assessment.

 

That's in the works.   

I'm sorry to hear that BF.  Only you know what's right for you. 

[Rams]

If you're working circles around 30 year olds, you're doing something wrong. They have it figured out so they can do as little as possible and still keep a job. Then some older guy comes in working circles around them and they slack off even more and let you pick it up. Smart guys   

It is now as it always has been, work goes to those that will do it.

Generally speaking, most supervisors only want to see the work accomplished, who does it isn't nearly as important.   I said, most supervisors.    I'm a hard ass and will admit it.   If my co-workers aren't pulling their weight, I have options and will exercise those options but, only if I'm forced to do so.   I didn't use to care and would carry most of the work load without saying anything but, two operations on the old ticker makes ya think about doing all the heavy work while someone half your age sits back on their ass.   There isn't a person I work with, for or those who report to me that will say I don't pull my own weight plus some but, part of my job is also to ensure everyone is contributing.   The smart ones you describe don't make it unless they pull their share of the load and to be honest, I don't give a damn if they don't.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If you're working circles around 30 year olds, you're doing something wrong. They have it figured out so they can do as little as possible and still keep a job. Then some older guy comes in working circles around them and they slack off even more and let you pick it up. Smart guys   

It is now as it always has been, work goes to those that will do it.

Generally speaking, most supervisors only want to see the work accomplished, who does it isn't nearly as important.   I said, most supervisors.    I'm a hard ass and will admit it.   If my co-workers aren't pulling their weight, I have options and will exercise those options but, only if I'm forced to do so.   I didn't use to care and would carry most of the work load without saying anything but, two operations on the old ticker makes ya think about doing all the heavy work while someone half your age sits back on their ass.   There isn't a person I work with, for or those who report to me that will say I don't pull my own weight plus some but, part of my job is also to ensure everyone is contributing.   The smart ones you describe don't make it unless they pull their share of the load and to be honest, I don't give a damn if they don't.

So... You are a "pain in the ass" and a "hard ass" ?

[Rams]

So... You are a "pain in the ass" and a "hard ass" ?

That kind of depends on your perspective, those who consider me a "PITA" are not my subordinates and people I consider good friends even if I think their filter is clogged up. 

People that consider me a "hard ass" are those who attempt to do less than what they are getting paid to do.   

To you, I'm the guy that owes you an Iced Tea if you ever get your ass to Kentucky.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

So... You are a "pain in the ass" and a "hard ass" ?

That kind of depends on your perspective, those who consider me a "PITA" are not my subordinates and people I consider good friends even if I think their filter is clogged up. 

People that consider me a "hard ass" are those who attempt to do less than what they are getting paid to do.   

To you, I'm the guy that owes you an Iced Tea if you ever get your ass to Kentucky.   

hopefully one day my friend.

[Rams]

So... You are a "pain in the ass" and a "hard ass" ?

That kind of depends on your perspective, those who consider me a "PITA" are not my subordinates and people I consider good friends even if I think their filter is clogged up. 

People that consider me a "hard ass" are those who attempt to do less than what they are getting paid to do.   

To you, I'm the guy that owes you an Iced Tea if you ever get your ass to Kentucky.   

hopefully one day my friend.

Caveat:  You do realize that you only get the Iced Tea if you bring that cute little wife along don't cha? 

[dreamaker]

If you're working circles around 30 year olds, you're doing something wrong. They have it figured out so they can do as little as possible and still keep a job. Then some older guy comes in working circles around them and they slack off even more and let you pick it up. Smart guys  

It is now as it always has been, work goes to those that will do it.

Generally speaking, most supervisors only want to see the work accomplished, who does it isn't nearly as important.   I said, most supervisors.    I'm a hard ass and will admit it.   If my co-workers aren't pulling their weight, I have options and will exercise those options but, only if I'm forced to do so.   I didn't use to care and would carry most of the work load without saying anything but, two operations on the old ticker makes ya think about doing all the heavy work while someone half your age sits back on their ass.   There isn't a person I work with, for or those who report to me that will say I don't pull my own weight plus some but, part of my job is also to ensure everyone is contributing.   The smart ones you describe don't make it unless they pull their share of the load and to be honest, I don't give a damn if they don't.

I don't think you are hard assing, you just want people to do what they are paid to do, Simple, not rocket science. One sad thing though, one of the guys, (and I am not kidding), needed measurements, of course everyone knows what a measuring tape is, RIGHT!  The guy was taking a cross dimension using the tape, I asked him the size. he said "127 and a half and three notches"  I looked up and waited for him to start laughing, but he looked at me with a serious look. I was speechless, my brain came out of gear. The guy didn't know how to read graduations on measuring devices, he seen them as notches rather than 1/16ths, WOW. The sad thing is, the guy works hard, and really tries, and in school he took various Fab/ Machining classes in school. This guy is in his '30's, nice too.  So bottom line what do they teach in school?? Another thing, my best mentors were hard asses, but they were Fair!

[Gavin_Sons]

If you're working circles around 30 year olds, you're doing something wrong. They have it figured out so they can do as little as possible and still keep a job. Then some older guy comes in working circles around them and they slack off even more and let you pick it up. Smart guys  

It is now as it always has been, work goes to those that will do it.

Generally speaking, most supervisors only want to see the work accomplished, who does it isn't nearly as important.   I said, most supervisors.    I'm a hard ass and will admit it.   If my co-workers aren't pulling their weight, I have options and will exercise those options but, only if I'm forced to do so.   I didn't use to care and would carry most of the work load without saying anything but, two operations on the old ticker makes ya think about doing all the heavy work while someone half your age sits back on their ass.   There isn't a person I work with, for or those who report to me that will say I don't pull my own weight plus some but, part of my job is also to ensure everyone is contributing.   The smart ones you describe don't make it unless they pull their share of the load and to be honest, I don't give a damn if they don't.

I don't think you are hard assing, you just want people to do what they are paid to do, Simple, not rocket science. One sad thing though, one of the guys, (and I am not kidding), needed measurements, of course everyone knows what a measuring tape is, RIGHT!  The guy was taking a cross dimension using the tape, I asked him the size. he said "127 and a half and three notches"  I looked up and waited for him to start laughing, but he looked at me with a serious look. I was speechless, my brain came out of gear. The guy didn't know how to read graduations on measuring devices, he seen them as notches rather than 1/16ths, WOW. The sad thing is, the guy works hard, and really tries, and in school he took various Fab/ Machining classes in school. This guy is in his '30's, nice too.  So bottom line what do they teach in school?? Another thing, my best mentors were hard asses, but they were Fair!

   I learned how to read a tape when i was 5. calipers took a little longer, now we have digital calipers. They make everything dummy proof anymore. Well, except for measuring tapes, i think you can even get those dummy proof.

[dreamaker]

I have seen digital tapes, but I wouldn't trust them, I school in math we were using slide rules, you want your eyeballs to fall out of your head!!
I my experiences I have found three kind of basic bosses. The first is a good boss, knows how things work and rarely ever has to  raise his voice or having to discipline people because, people would clime walls to pleased him. The second is a Pacifist  type, just does what he has to do to get by, don't like disagreements, confects or having to discipline others, tend to act only to put fires out. And the third is, an Axe Handel Manager, rarely complements, or encourage others, self centered, asks why things are taking so long, talks down to others, degrades, belittles and rarely has good thing to say to his workers.  Just based on my experiences!!

[Rams]

Well, I probably qualify as all three kinds depending on who you talk to.   

This is my perspective, I grew up on a farm/ranch in Kansas.  We had cattle and horses in addition to crops.   One of my Dad's passions was his team of horses.   At one point we had a four horse hitch.   Dad was always looking for another horse that matched up to the group in size, color and disposition.   That meant we went through a lot of horses seeking a perfectly matched set.   Some times the size was right but, the color or disposition was off so, he'd search for another horse.   Several times we found the right horse in both size and color but, his/her disposition (let's call it work ethic) was less than the other two or three.

We always trained (broke) the horses solo then gradually worked them into the team.    You could always tell the lazy one that wasn't pulling it's share.    All of the horses got my or Dad's attention, the work ethic and team effort dictated who got positive or negative re-enforcement.   If that didn't work, then down the road they went.

That's not to necessarily compare people and horses but, I'm pretty sure that teams of dogs with sleds, horses pulling wagons and stage coaches people working on a common task have some similiarities. 

[Jess from VA]

Well, I probably qualify as all three kinds depending on who you talk to.   

This is my perspective, I grew up on a farm/ranch in Kansas.  We had cattle and horses in addition to crops.   One of my Dad's passions was his team of horses.   At one point we had a four horse hitch.   Dad was always looking for another horse that matched up to the group in size, color and disposition.   That meant we went through a lot of horses seeking a perfectly matched set.   Some times the size was right but, the color or disposition was off so, he'd search for another horse.   Several times we found the right horse in both size and color but, his/her disposition (let's call it work ethic) was less than the other two or three.

We always trained (broke) the horses solo then gradually worked them into the team.    You could always tell the lazy one that wasn't pulling it's share.    All of the horses got my or Dad's attention, the work ethic and team effort dictated who got positive or negative re-enforcement.   If that didn't work, then down the road they went.

That's not to necessarily compare people and horses but, I'm pretty sure that teams of dogs with sleds, horses pulling wagons and stage coaches people working on a common task have some similiarities. 

Hey Ron.... this sounds like an excellent way to find a wife.   

Not that I'm looking.

[Rams]

Well, I probably qualify as all three kinds depending on who you talk to.   

This is my perspective, I grew up on a farm/ranch in Kansas.  We had cattle and horses in addition to crops.   One of my Dad's passions was his team of horses.   At one point we had a four horse hitch.   Dad was always looking for another horse that matched up to the group in size, color and disposition.   That meant we went through a lot of horses seeking a perfectly matched set.   Some times the size was right but, the color or disposition was off so, he'd search for another horse.   Several times we found the right horse in both size and color but, his/her disposition (let's call it work ethic) was less than the other two or three.

We always trained (broke) the horses solo then gradually worked them into the team.    You could always tell the lazy one that wasn't pulling it's share.    All of the horses got my or Dad's attention, the work ethic and team effort dictated who got positive or negative re-enforcement.   If that didn't work, then down the road they went.

That's not to necessarily compare people and horses but, I'm pretty sure that teams of dogs with sleds, horses pulling wagons and stage coaches people working on a common task have some similiarities. 

Hey Ron.... this sounds like an excellent way to find a wife.   

Not that I'm looking.

Hey bud, if that's your story, you stick to it.   I'm already harnessed and hitched up so, I have no concept of what "looking" is like.  Almost 35 years.    Not my fault, I had no idea what I was getting into. 

[Kye]

Reading some of these posts is really motivating me to get out and ride... I cannot stand the thought that one day I'll be too senior to take the Valk for a spin. But then, I'm not quite 40 yet, so I've got plenty of time to get my head around that.

Good on you guys who are sensible enough to know when the time is right to hang up the helmet.

[dreamaker]

If you want to ride long time, then keep healthy, don't eat junk, and pay attention around you. Generally people get hurt when they get too confident, watch those mirrors.