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GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: solman on December 16, 2007, 09:24:53 PM

Title: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: solman on December 16, 2007, 09:24:53 PM
With all the stresses of work and family life, I find that riding one day a week aggressively really helps me get thru the weeek.   I tried to go a week without a good ride and found myself going stir crazy.:taz:  As hard as I tried not to go out today, I finally had to go for a quick ride.  It gives me the mental clarity that I need to forget about everything else for a few hours.  Some use driinking, some use drugs, I use riding.  What do you do to get yourself thru the week.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Sven on December 16, 2007, 09:32:14 PM
Here, December and January are the rainiest of our year.  And like today, when it's not rainy, it's sunny and C-O-L-D.  So winter is a bit of a challenge.  But before Christmas, there will be a warmer day when I'll suit up and burn off a few gallons out among the cotton fields.  (You know, like you have there in AZ!)

Nine months out of the year, I get my lift on my commute to work.  There's this place where the road narrows from seven lanes to two, and there are no cross streets, and I like to get ahead of as many cars as possible.  I justfy those 117 MPH in a 45 MPH zone bursts by the fact that getting ahead of even a couple cars means one less period sitting at a light at the bottom of the hill.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: solman on December 16, 2007, 09:39:14 PM
Yea, I know that some are limited due to seasonal problems.  I guess it wouldn't bother so much not to ride if that was the case for me.  Luckily it isn't the issue most of the time.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Heyu on December 16, 2007, 10:19:05 PM
 I have cabin fever and would love to be able to go for a ride it's the best thing there is. Motorcycles the only drug that works every time for every problem :beers:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: solman on December 16, 2007, 10:21:47 PM
I have cabin fever and would love to be able to go for a ride it's the best thing there is. Motorcycles the only drug that works every time for every problem :beers:


That is a truism, probably why I broke out for ride today.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on December 16, 2007, 11:17:19 PM
I ride for recreation everyday but only as a reward to a good work out. If I don't work out I don't feel like I deserve to ride, a personal thing.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: GooseMan on December 17, 2007, 12:32:52 AM
I havent been on my bike since October...I'm starting to go nuts!  :taz: Sigh...only 3-4 more months of winter.... :annoy:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: interfuse on December 17, 2007, 01:51:57 AM
A few months ago I was having some relationship problems -- riding was about the thing keeping me sane. Now that it`s winter here I spend most of my time dreaming about riding.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: solman on December 17, 2007, 01:56:17 AM
So I am guessing that I am not the only one that uses riding to stay on the sane side of life.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: pmackie on December 17, 2007, 02:18:00 AM
Yea...riding does it for me as well, either dirt or street...

But when I've had a really stressful time a work, there is nothing like a good multi-day, multi-province/state ride with a few good buddies to really readjust the attitude.

However, my bikes been parked since mid Oct as well, and only 3-1/2 months to go, either dirt or street. We will be breaking out the skiis next week, as the local hill just opened. Skiing with my kids will take the place of riding for the next 12 weeks, and I should get out most weekends.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: speedwaymaniac on December 17, 2007, 08:21:35 AM
sadly i was in the same situation as interfuse. Riding is wonderful for me its the best form of escapism, once I'm on the bike i CAN'T be sad for anything more than 10 minutes, simply because riding is so enjoyable, even in the cold and wet.
Secondly if you're not in the right frame of mind on a bike you'll end up road-kill before long, so i always snap into place pretty quick for that reason if no other.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: smooth operator on December 17, 2007, 09:15:31 AM
I havent been on my bike since October...I'm starting to go nuts!  :taz: Sigh...only 3-4 more months of winter.... :annoy:
  I hear ya bro,I'm going to have alot of mind clearing to do come spring! I need to get a bike with knobbies and studs for the winter!
     Dan
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on December 17, 2007, 12:30:56 PM
I work out and get my cardio up to release stress which also force the release of opiates from the brain, a natural narcotic pain killer which causes euphoria with only positive effects. Then I get on my bike and ride and savor only the ride flight for what it is, freedom. Without the opiates its just not the same. Incidentally when released from the brain the effect last for 3 to 5 hours. 
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: solman on December 17, 2007, 01:08:22 PM
I work out and get my cardio up to release stress which also force the release of opiates from the brain, a natural narcotic pain killer which causes euphoria with only positive effects. Then I get on my bike and ride and savor only the ride flight for what it is, freedom. Without the opiates its just not the same. Incidentally when released from the brain the effect last for 3 to 5 hours. 

My brother does the same thing, he uses a punching bag.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on December 17, 2007, 01:50:01 PM

Whatever as long as it releases that pent up energy and the exhaustion causes the release of that brain elixir. I think that why allot of folks suffer from depression because like a bike that sits too much we get loaded up. So if I miss a work out day, I punish myself by not riding so I can get back in the groove.
I work out and get my cardio up to release stress which also force the release of opiates from the brain, a natural narcotic pain killer which causes euphoria with only positive effects. Then I get on my bike and ride and savor only the ride flight for what it is, freedom. Without the opiates its just not the same. Incidentally when released from the brain the effect last for 3 to 5 hours. 

My brother does the same thing, he uses a punching bag.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Pidgey on December 17, 2007, 03:25:52 PM
For me it's speed........I love going fast  :roll: At the right time and place of course.
I need some speed to unwind, piddling around town in traffic fighting the Wallymart and Home Depot crowd doesn't do it for me. :bigok:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on December 17, 2007, 05:03:03 PM
Same here only on my dirt bike. Just a few moments ago after a 6.5 mile workout I jumped on my 450X and did 10 miles of high speed single track negotiating between rocks and small jumps 90 & 180 degree turns, hill climbing and drop offs feel great on a bike that weighs 240 pounds and has 50 HP. But I also get my enjoyment on the B1250 out here on rout 66 where there is not a car or cop in sight for miles and plenty of road whoops to make your stomach drop and the bike almost airborne at 100 MPH.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: PitterB4 on December 19, 2007, 12:14:03 AM
Here, December and January are the rainiest of our year.  And like today, when it's not rainy, it's sunny and C-O-L-D.  So winter is a bit of a challenge.  But before Christmas, there will be a warmer day when I'll suit up and burn off a few gallons out among the cotton fields.  (You know, like you have there in AZ!)

You're near N'ville?  It was sunny and in the 70s there last week!  I was there Tuesday (I think... maybe Wednesday... I loose track of cities and days....).
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Sven on December 19, 2007, 12:28:05 AM
ROB, down toward Memphis.  Yeah, the weather has been all over the map here the past couple weeks.  The daily highs in December (so far) look like they are pulling lottery numbers: 64 - 70 - 46 - 55 - 62 - 39 - 54 - 71 - 73 - 53 - 73 - 69 - 46 - 37 - 45 - 52.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: aussiebandit on December 19, 2007, 02:17:54 AM
If I've had a particularly bad week then I'll take the long way home on Friday, this can at times mean a 200km ride instead of the usual 10km.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Mongo on December 19, 2007, 05:28:36 PM
Shit I've got three generations of women in my house riding is he only thing that clears my mind, thank god I can ride year round! :bomb:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Vidrazor on December 21, 2007, 12:28:36 AM
As some of you may know, I went out of my way to make sure I could all year 'round, right down to the 'teens. I think I'd go nuts if I couldn't ride at least once every week or two. I know some you can't ride at all past a certain time in the year, but some of you could if you really wanted to. It's all a matter of having the right gear.

Snow's melted enough, and it's actually above freezing here in the NY area right now, so I took a ride to a cafe I frequent where I'm writing this. It's about a half-hour jaunt from my place, but I may take a longer way home.

Airing the mind... :bandit:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on December 21, 2007, 12:45:56 AM
Maybe one day they will have Moto-Caffe where you can take your bike in winter and be able to role your bike onto a dyno-time virtual simulator and while getting the latest performance tuning data, ride your own bike through simulated 3D location anywhere is the world, even sharpen your skills with problem simulation like avoiding a crazed blonds in a corvette's trying to run you over. 
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: ippo on December 21, 2007, 11:40:25 AM
Maybe one day they will have Moto-Caffe where you can take your bike in winter and be able to role your bike onto a dyno-time virtual simulator and while getting the latest performance tuning data, ride your own bike through simulated 3D location anywhere is the world, even sharpen your skills with problem simulation like avoiding a crazed blonds in a corvette's trying to run you over. 
I drove ww golf gti simulated monte carlo race.The car was real one.Markus Grönholm drove compenttion and it was
copy to computer same time.You felt all holes and bumps.
Simulated tell your time and average speed.Appliance pay 160.000$.Not home use.
more info-foto:http://www.simrac.com/
http://www.simrac.com/ choose RALLISIMULAATTORIT and english flag.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: ciso on December 28, 2007, 12:36:28 AM
I moved to an area that has a great deal more rain than what I am used to but I do actually find a break in the clouds on odd days and ride.
My wife understands and thinks I am nuts when it is under 40 degrees but she never says a word, just gives me the look.
I deal with a lot of stressful situations during the week at work, riding, messing with the bikes is the only release that works any more.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Sven on December 28, 2007, 01:44:20 AM
I deal with a lot of stressful situations during the week at work, riding, messing with the bikes is the only release that works any more.

What, like you can't get good weed up there?

Ha ha.  I agree with the riding part, even at 40 degrees (but riding in rain is not very relaxing for me).  I don't get as much fun from workin gon the bike, but I think the same sort of methodical work from tearing apart a PC and rebuilding it, or struggling through some web design or editing pix is along the same line.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: ciso on December 28, 2007, 10:45:26 AM
I deal with a lot of stressful situations during the week at work, riding, messing with the bikes is the only release that works any more.

What, like you can't get good weed up there?

Ha ha.  I agree with the riding part, even at 40 degrees (but riding in rain is not very relaxing for me).  I don't get as much fun from workin gon the bike, but I think the same sort of methodical work from tearing apart a PC and rebuilding it, or struggling through some web design or editing pix is along the same line.

I leave the weed to the younger crowd.....
Used to love the tech side also...but I am the security side of IT and have to deal with the retarded cats mostly and that includes my staff.
That's why the bikes are my outlet, so very different from what I have to do on a routine basis day after day. But I do love my work but also need the real life stuff.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Red01 on December 30, 2007, 10:41:45 AM
What, like you can't get good weed up there?

Ha ha. 

No, that the OTHER Vancouver...  :lol:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: LowRyter on December 31, 2007, 11:50:09 AM
nothing like twisting that throttle and feeling B12 torkkkk.....and finding a steep curve and leaning it over and feeling that back tire stick when you hit the apex and GAS IT.........

With all the weather, I didnt get the B12 out in nearly a month.  But yesterday it was sunny and got up in the 50s.  Probably the longest that bike has sit, since I bought in 1998 and put 61k miles on it.   :annoy:

It was SO COLD (How cold was it?).  It was so cold, I had to finally use jumpers to have enough Amps to kick it over.  It ran on 3 cyl for five minutes.  It finally started to clear.  I took a few minutes and put my gear on.  Re-started, and smoooth as butttttaaaaaaa.  Tires felt like wood, the roads were sandy.  But after 60 miles and new gas it was carving pretty good.  :clap:

We usually get a several days in the winter like, a few days in 60s.  Nothing but rain, ice, snow & wind.  I missed the sun more than I did the Bandit.   :taz:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: B6mick on January 01, 2008, 12:05:11 AM
With all the stresses of work and family life, I find that riding one day a week aggressively really helps me get thru the weeek.   I tried to go a week without a good ride and found myself going stir crazy.:taz:  As hard as I tried not to go out today, I finally had to go for a quick ride.  It gives me the mental clarity that I need to forget about everything else for a few hours.  Some use driinking, some use drugs, I use riding.  What do you do to get yourself thru the week.

Yep me too. My ex use to throw my lid at me and tell me to go for a ride around the block( around the block where we lived was a 3 hr trip) and get a attitude adjustment.
At least she was right about something. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Its good for the soul. some need church, the saddle is my church. :motorsmile:

Just don't tell my butt that right now, The Minister of War and I just got back from a 2000k round trip in 3 days up in the Snowy Mountains, and back down the east coast. And because we are 1 bike down, (the rex is sick) we did it totally loaded up and 2 up on the brilliant B6, in the middle of a efen heatwave nothing under 40C phew. hellaluya brothers.

http://cid-c5b57dcb740b13ba.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Rocketjock on January 01, 2008, 01:32:23 PM
Shit I've got three generations of women in my house riding is he only thing that clears my mind, thank god I can ride year round! :bomb:

You too Mongo? Exactly the same situation here. Luckly, they've got their horses and I've got my horsepower. We go our separate routes. Alot! Which is why I had to pick up a winter bike. The Klr's not as fast but I still enjoy letting off steam with it. The cold and wet has been a challenge but I've almost got that licked. This morning is a New Years Day gathering and ride into the logging roads around here with a local group. Complete with a cookout serving up Dogs and refreshments at a remote lake.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: solman on January 02, 2008, 12:05:15 AM
Funny thing happened to me while clearing my mind.  While I was busy clearing my mind, my tire was clearing the last of the rubber on my rear tire.  I left the house with rubber on the rear.  When I got home, I had a ton of steel cord showing on my rear tire.  I found out something about Pirelli's.  You can start can go from having rubber to steel cord with no warning. 
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: smooth operator on January 02, 2008, 05:16:20 AM
Funny thing happened to me while clearing my mind.  While I was busy clearing my mind, my tire was clearing the last of the rubber on my rear tire.  I left the house with rubber on the rear.  When I got home, I had a ton of steel cord showing on my rear tire.  I found out something about Pirelli's.  You can start can go from having rubber to steel cord with no warning. 
  Its not just Perelli's, keep an eye on those wear bars in at the thinest spot (middle). When they start getting close, get a new tire. The last of the tire goes REAL qick.  Dan
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: solman on January 02, 2008, 09:04:50 AM
I've never had that extensive of a problem with some of the other brands.  Neat about them is that the tire didn't square off like some of the other brands.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Pillage on January 03, 2008, 07:03:42 AM
As some of you may know, I went out of my way to make sure I could all year 'round, right down to the 'teens. I think I'd go nuts if I couldn't ride at least once every week or two. I know some you can't ride at all past a certain time in the year, but some of you could if you really wanted to. It's all a matter of having the right gear.

Snow's melted enough, and it's actually above freezing here in the NY area right now, so I took a ride to a cafe I frequent where I'm writing this. It's about a half-hour jaunt from my place, but I may take a longer way home.

Airing the mind... :bandit:
Absolutely, I think I would lose my mind if I didn't ride at least every other week during the winter.  As long as the roads are dry I'm all set.  I just don't ride as hard this time of year because sometimes it's too cold for the tires to warm up enough to keep a decent grip on the road.  Too bad you are in NJ my riding buddies put their bikes away in Nov and don't get out again until April or May.  :roll:
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Red01 on January 03, 2008, 01:27:52 PM
Funny thing happened to me while clearing my mind.  While I was busy clearing my mind, my tire was clearing the last of the rubber on my rear tire.  I left the house with rubber on the rear.  When I got home, I had a ton of steel cord showing on my rear tire.  I found out something about Pirelli's.  You can start can go from having rubber to steel cord with no warning. 
  Its not just Perelli's, keep an eye on those wear bars in at the thinest spot (middle). When they start getting close, get a new tire. The last of the tire goes REAL qick.  Dan

I've heard this same complaint about Metz Z6's... partly because no tread gooves cross the center of the tire.
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: banditone1250s on January 03, 2008, 08:47:14 PM

 I know that regardless of the weather, I can "always" clear my mind when I ride. And further more, it is the absolutely best way to do that. I think that it is because to really ride hard and do it safely, it takes 100% of our concentration and we do not have any time to think of anything else. At least that is the way that it is for me. No matter how tough of a time that I having, I can get on the Bandit and in 2 minutes the worries are all gone, for a little while at least. You know what they say... "You'll never see a motorcycle parked in front of a shrink's office." Banditone1250s...

  There is a thin line between fear and respect...Feel free to cross it every now and then... :lol:
Title: deciding on tires
Post by: banditone1250s on January 03, 2008, 09:10:43 PM


     I finally went out and bought a set of Avons and I hope that they work out okay. They seem like a good tire but I really haven't  had a chance to really lean on them much. I will get to the testing in the spring though you can bet on that. Any one in here have any experience with these tires? I'd like to hear some feed-back if any one has any on these tires.. I appreciate it all ...Banditone1250s...
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: speedwaymaniac on January 04, 2008, 02:10:30 PM
I had some old Avon Azaro's (not 100% on the exact model) on my B4 and i personally thought they were great. In the dry there was plenty of grip, feedback was pretty nice. They did take a while to warm up in the wet (but then most tires do so..)

Wet weather in general was average not wonderful by any means and give it too much brake you were next to guaranteed to slide a little but all in all i thought they were a great set.

Personally on my 600 the only one's i can truly say anything about are Bridgestones BT020's they made my bike feel much more responsive, they stick well on the road, seem to be lasting well and on top of all that there good in the wet and cold (plenty of that in the UK). Only downside to these are there expensive but as the old saying goes "You get what you pay for!"
Title: Re: Riding to clear your mind
Post by: Red01 on January 05, 2008, 09:17:54 AM
I've read in the UK magazines about how popular the BT020 is.  And I don't have any bad experience with them.  Just for whatever reasons, they don't seem to be as popular here in the States and because of that, they're one of the cheaper top name brand tire models you can put on a Bandit.