------------------------------- ------------------------------- --------- 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 canyon 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 outpower me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.
My only hope was to outbrake 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 horspower and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the canyon 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 Schwinn, as well. They really make a great bicycle.
whqqsh,
Feb 22, 3:41am
sort of like a mack truck V a go kart huh!,,, wouldnt be too proud about beating the truck around a twisty kart track though. remember horses for courses.
rustihammer,
Feb 22, 4:00am
Great stuff!
pup2,
Feb 22, 4:50am
lol Brilliant
74nova,
Feb 22, 5:03am
What were you riding!
carstauranga001,
Feb 22, 5:26am
You must have a small bike. My ST1300 would beat any HD in the twisties and on the straights.
Love it, I've sent a link to a couple of tractor riding mates.
desmodave,
Feb 22, 9:12am
Nice story .Did ya write that or was it a copy and paste as i suspect.It seems all to familiar.
johnf_456,
Feb 22, 9:24am
Classic
stabi360,
Feb 22, 11:20am
copy and paste as im illiterate i do have a nice story about a ducati around here somewhere
gunhand,
Feb 22, 4:25pm
I have a nice story about a Ducati.The story is pick your battles and use your brains, I know I have them most times LOL.Never think because you were riding a Hayabusa that you can take on a late model Ducati with rider wearingmatching leathers and helmet on tight twisty roads. For a brief momment I thought he might have been a poser. Hmmm He wasnt at all. Hayabusa's while good bikes are not made to corner hard (tight ones anyway) and do have there limits. Now, put it in its correct hunting ground and thats a different story lol. I also have a story bout trying to race a Porshe in a XD Fairmont Ghia. V8 it was, I wasn't awhere a chassis/body could flex that much. Gave that race away to very quickly. That was bout 20 years ago. Some things just stick in your mind a.
headcat,
Feb 22, 4:41pm
You really shouldn't pick on old people.
i-n-horz,
Feb 22, 5:05pm
Here's one just for you desmo.
On the first day, God created the Heavens, the Earth, and the road through to Picton, but he wasn't happy. His Falcon Ute would sway on the corners, crawl up the Elevation and use heaps of juice. On the second day, God took a new track and created the Honda step thru. He enjoyed the wind in his hair, it was fun and used bugger all petrol, but still crawled up the hills. So, on the third day, God created the Honda Four and it flew up the hills. With four into ones, it sounded better, it never broke down but the corners remained a problem. Yet he had tasted power and craved for more. Thus, on the fourth day, he added two more cylinders to his Honda and created Adrenalin. His insurance premium doubled and it cost a fortune to get the tappets done. He also created fear and the cliché ???enough is enough". On the fifth day, God pulled a few cones, had a rap with Willy G and created the Harley-Davidson. He would cruise up and down the Kaikoura coast in top gear and try to pick up pussy. He would get off on the note, but the hog was too heavy, broke down a lot and handled like the Ute. Then on the sixth day, he made the Bonneville. It sounded good. His bike was light and for the first time, the corners were fun and it handled. He even got some pussy at the Junction Hotel. God was stoked, but the vibration gave him a pain in the arse, and if he??
desmodave,
Feb 22, 5:16pm
And rightly so i-n-horz .Junction Hotel aye the old drty J .To be honest ya probably could have scored some loven riding a jappa.
muzz67,
Feb 22, 5:21pm
is it possible to ride a bike with nails throuigh ya palms!
desmodave,
Feb 22, 5:23pm
Let us know as im quite curious myself
pebbles61,
Feb 22, 5:25pm
That joke must be 15 years old.lol
peacebird15,
Feb 22, 8:50pm
I was riding my rg50 to makara, climbing the hill (badly on a 50cc bike) when a couple harleys passed me and one took the piss by peddling with his legs as he went passed and giving me a patronising wave. On the downhill I figured I might catch em, and passed them both. One of them didnt care but the peddler took exception and chased hard and loud. Was close at times but I beat him to the beach with a bit to spare, he wasnt to happy, but his mate thought it was hilarious his 1340cc was beaten by a 50cc. Neat guys, good times.
blackdotlova,
Feb 22, 9:15pm
Reminds me of the clown on one (harley) just the other day having his mid life period. Pull up with his front wheel by my drivers door in line of traffic at the lights and ask if i'm going to pull over so he can pass to go three car ahead to a red light, He seemed to get quiet taken back when i told him no as if i should have moved. What a tosser, I hate the clowns that ride in the middle in peak hour traffic and just hope some one turns in front of them.
sifty,
Feb 23, 6:21am
That's ok, they stopped design work on harley's in the 1930's.
bounce16,
Feb 23, 7:03am
1947 technology at 2012 prices
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