Qball
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2A Bourbon Hound OG
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I've been riding motorcycles my entire life. A lot of folks out there avoid riding motorcycles that are known to be very powerful and fast. I understand the reason behind such thinking. It takes a rider with experience to handle a powerful motorcycle, especially one that has a lot of torque and weight.
However, there is a very good reason for owning and riding a powerful bike versus riding a less powerful bike. This reason becomes evident when riding on an interstate highway during rush hour in a moderately sized city.
Yesterday, I took my 2014 VMAX out for a leisurely ride to go visit some former employees and pick up some mail they were holding for me. I live in N. High Point and took I-40 over to East Greensboro (Creek Ridge Rd.) to pay them a visit.
When I started to leave after my visit, it was around 5:00, rush hour. I decided to ride north up Elm-Eugene through downtown Greensboro and pick up Friendly Ave. over to Green Valley Dr. and then Benjamin Parkway (Bryan Blvd.)
When I got to Benjamin Parkway, I realized that traffic was fairly heavy. However, as I went through a few lights, the traffic started moving at a good pace and continued to do so as I transitioned onto Bryan Blvd. I can't recall exactly where I was on Bryan Blvd. when this took place, but soon after Benjamin Pkwy became Bryan Blvd., I was riding along in the middle lane and had a Guilford County Sheriff's Deputy car to my left, another car to my right, a car right on my butt behind me, and a car coming down the entrance ramp to my right that was matching the speed of the car to my immediate right. The closest vehicle directly in front of me in my lane was around 200 - 300 yards ahead of me.
I was in top gear (5th) and seeing the danger of being between two cars and having a third closely on my tail with another entering the freeway to my right on the other side of the vehicle directly to my right, I decided to twist the throttle. I didn't twist it all the way. It just required a quick twist about halfway for a second or two.
My bike instantly propelled me to a safer position leaving the Sheriff's Deputy car to my left, the other car to my right, the car trailing close behind me, and the car entering the freeway to my right, all very far behind. No downshifting or extreme throttle inputs were necessary. Just a mild twist of the throttle and some situational awareness, and all was good again.
The Guilford County Sheriff's car stayed in the left lane and eventually passed me after I rapidly slowed down once things were safe. With a blip of the throttle I hit 90mph from 55. I was prepared to explain the reason had I got pulled over. He kept on going like nothing happened.
Big powerful bikes can be safe if used properly with experience.
However, there is a very good reason for owning and riding a powerful bike versus riding a less powerful bike. This reason becomes evident when riding on an interstate highway during rush hour in a moderately sized city.
Yesterday, I took my 2014 VMAX out for a leisurely ride to go visit some former employees and pick up some mail they were holding for me. I live in N. High Point and took I-40 over to East Greensboro (Creek Ridge Rd.) to pay them a visit.
When I started to leave after my visit, it was around 5:00, rush hour. I decided to ride north up Elm-Eugene through downtown Greensboro and pick up Friendly Ave. over to Green Valley Dr. and then Benjamin Parkway (Bryan Blvd.)
When I got to Benjamin Parkway, I realized that traffic was fairly heavy. However, as I went through a few lights, the traffic started moving at a good pace and continued to do so as I transitioned onto Bryan Blvd. I can't recall exactly where I was on Bryan Blvd. when this took place, but soon after Benjamin Pkwy became Bryan Blvd., I was riding along in the middle lane and had a Guilford County Sheriff's Deputy car to my left, another car to my right, a car right on my butt behind me, and a car coming down the entrance ramp to my right that was matching the speed of the car to my immediate right. The closest vehicle directly in front of me in my lane was around 200 - 300 yards ahead of me.
I was in top gear (5th) and seeing the danger of being between two cars and having a third closely on my tail with another entering the freeway to my right on the other side of the vehicle directly to my right, I decided to twist the throttle. I didn't twist it all the way. It just required a quick twist about halfway for a second or two.
My bike instantly propelled me to a safer position leaving the Sheriff's Deputy car to my left, the other car to my right, the car trailing close behind me, and the car entering the freeway to my right, all very far behind. No downshifting or extreme throttle inputs were necessary. Just a mild twist of the throttle and some situational awareness, and all was good again.
The Guilford County Sheriff's car stayed in the left lane and eventually passed me after I rapidly slowed down once things were safe. With a blip of the throttle I hit 90mph from 55. I was prepared to explain the reason had I got pulled over. He kept on going like nothing happened.
Big powerful bikes can be safe if used properly with experience.
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