My dog, a large Black Lab, Has this behavior where when he sees another dog it's full speed straight line until he's right on top of that dog. Not to fight...to sniff his butt! The other dogs are usually pretty intimidated when they see this big fucker coming at them full speed.
I was out riding yesterday and about 1/4 mile ahead a Harley pulls onto the road loud and aggressive. (Actually it's hard to tell if it really is aggressive because it's loud anyway. The Harley's bark is definitely worse than it's bite!) So anyway, just like my dog, before I know it I've twisted the wrist and I'm headding full blast for this guy. I don't what I have in mind when I do this, it just happens. So when he sees me in his rear view, instead of accelerating he backs off. I'm on top of him and hitting the brakes hard. I guess the road wasn't dry after the last rain, and it was an inherently oily intersection, cause I locked up. I straightened and got control in plenty of time but must have awakened a sense of emergency in the Hog rider, cause he got going. All right... this is more like it. He was doing OK till the first curve then I was sniffing his butt again by half way around. (Fun maneuver to brake after the curve apex with lots of lean.) But my Qualifiers held nicely. He sped up again, when he got his bike upright, but the same thing happaned at the next curve. After only two curves he pulled over and waved me by.
I don't understand what gets into me, but like my dog, I love to sniff other bikes tailpipes. I have yet to encounter another bike whose tailpipe I couldn't sniff.
I guess the Harley guy got intimidated cause I swear I saw a wet spot under his bike as he was pulling over...

* Last updated by: Sharkey on 1/3/2010 @ 12:37 PM *

Reminds me of how much I miss riding season. I long to raise some hell again.

WOW...

You guys are street racing against Harleys these days???

Wish we had mods that could delete this thread...

shark did you have all 4 of those hid's glaring in hie review mirror...lol

You guys are street racing against Harleys these days???

Tell me you won't real them in if they nibble.

Gee, didn't mean to offend you Mass...

I'm just a country boy. I rarely even see another bike when I'm out. When I do I prectice catch and release with whatever. Doesn't have to be a trophy to play with it for a while!

Man up and take it to the track! There won't be any Harleys there,
but I guarantee you that young kids on their 600s will walk your 14.

Hope this thread doesn't make it to a Harley forum... or gsxr one.

Poor Sharkey-got clobbered for gamin a Harley.Bro-I kick their arses all the time I'm out.Can't find any 600's up here, or 1000's that'll run with me!!!They never leave the safety of the streets here with the traffic lights to save em.Those Harley riders-fun as all get out to cruise up behind em-follow em for a good spell.Just kinda hang back.It aint long before they're pullin over and wavin me by.Normally I just make sure they're lookin in their rearview there,and tip my hand to let em know I aint interested in passin em.Sure makes em uncomfortable!!!!WoHoooo!Then,just as they calm down-hit an open stretch-let er loose!Gone baby.Ya-they're always talkin doo doo about "jap crap" when they're in a group..................."young kids on 600's will walk your 14"....LOL!!They friggin BETTER be able to at the track!Let me catch one out here on the open canyons!Already've meeted out justice to a few!!!I wouldn't expect to give em a spanking on a track.Not sayin I couldn't though-if I practiced that is. ...now I've run some FJR's and such- that's a fairly equal(?) game.Guy was hittin the curves and all at 140-nice-but he ran out of top end.Flew by him when it was safe-ya-but he was hangin right in there-had that puppy leaned WAY over-very nice!!!!Course my bird wasn't even breathin hard.Was just gettin warmed up!Said before-the "racer boys" won't get out where ya can really run.Too bad really.There's little competition up here in the Big Sky!!!!I couldn't even get a guy on a 14 to run with me up by Glacier Nat'l Park(not in the park).Tried like heck to bait him on-he wasn't goin for it.Go figure?I finally left him behind-got to my gas up destination.Filled up,had me a bit of a break-here he comes-cruising right in and stops.Guy wouldn't even say "howdy"...nothin.I was gonna talk for a bit...so much for that-I left him lickin his(well,you know).

* Last updated by: blue07 on 1/3/2010 @ 9:17 PM *

Some people take the whole 'who's faster' thing too seriously. It's all in fun as far as I'm concerned. If a Hardly rider wants to try to be competitive, I know that's probably going to be a pretty safe and easy race so I take them up on it. Iv'e seen what riders on smaller bikes can do to me under the right conditions. They're playing the same game. They have an edge so they take it because it will be easy and a hell of a lot safer than going up against another guy on a 600. It's fun for and i enjoy it too even if i lose. If they they try to dust me from a stop light, the tables are turned again and it's no different than the Hardly rider. The gauntlet was dropped and I answer the challenge as long as it seems safe.

You know, I had a blast racing a couple guys on fast bikes for over a mile last fall but it wasn't really racing. I'm not dumb enough to get too close to someone I don't know when we're doing 160 mph. Just enjoy the thrill of running around with someone. It doesn't matter whose in front. All that matters is that you don't overstep your threshold of fear and you live to tell about it.

The problem I run into more often than not is coming up behind a huge group of Hardlies an eighth mile long puttering along through the twisties on a sunny day. If it would get them moving just a little faster I would be happy to pretend race them.

One more thing, the guys who give up are smart...it's the ones that won't give up. I let them go rather than watch them die and I have given up plenty of street races myself. With a smile of course.

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/3/2010 @ 10:14 PM *

Ya Rook-You are right-it really isn't about speed,or who can "win".If I'm running someone-which isn't often-if it looks or feels like it's gettin out of hand,either in my abilities,or the other guy's startin to squirm,I end it.It's not for some "trophy" somewhere!.It's all about "ridin and enjoying the thrill of pacin with someone".Or alone.Me and my bike.I've had three Harleys-they were okay-for what they were made to be.But they'll NEVER match the smoothness or performance of my Ninja.That is always on my mind when I pass em.They think their Harley is just SO IT.My bike is as smooth at 30 as it is at 180+.That's one of the things that's so very cool about our Ninjas.So when I fly on by(safely of course),and accelerate on,I'm really feeling a good feeling about my choice in Motorcycles.They've NO idea how much fun and satisfaction the Big Ninja is!!!Most of em are too busy thinkin about "image".Gotta tell ya-I look GOOD on my baby.56 yrs old and a perfect fit!(no brag,just fact!) It's tempting to just get out and ride without a helmet-you know "dance" with the Harley crowd a bit(they're EVERYWHERE here during riding season).I'm pretty sure MOST of em think "friggin kid there,ya-he'll get himself killed-kids!" If they could see my greying hair and my not-so-young lookin face-they'd probably be stunned!!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 1/3/2010 @ 10:27 PM *

I have an entirely different experience with Harley-Davidsons. I pass them and keep going. So I would never have a chance to see them wave as I go by or see them pull over.

I'm gone. Long gone.

The wifes Uncle Jeff keeps his 2008 SuperGlyde in my garage so I ride it when I want and if I have his bike when he comes over he will take one of mine which is usually the 14. When on his I do my usual 70 to 90 cruising speed and get funny looks from other HD riders when I pass them.

CAUTION: Cornering is NOT an option on this bike.

How about scooters? You guys race against those too?

I have an entirely different experience with Harley-Davidsons. I pass them and keep going. So I would never have a chance to see them wave as I go by or see them pull over.
I'm gone. Long gone.

Sharkey and Rook race them though...

What would I think of the mental state of someone in a Porsche
street racing me (driving on my ass like Sharkey described) while I'm doing the groceries
in my Jeep?

There are scooters out there that can beat a Harly so I guess I would have to.

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/4/2010 @ 8:37 AM *

What would I think of the mental state of someone in a Porsche
street racing me (driving on my ass like Sharkey described) while I'm doing the groceries
in my Jeep?

More importantly, what would he think if you tried to outrun him?

OK Stan, point taken. Not everyone is out there to race. If I'm in my Carolla, I just make sure I'm not driving under the speed limit and keep a steady pace. They can pass me when there is an opportunity...or if they were to honk and flash their lights, I'd probably assume it was an emergency and let them pass.

Scooter, blown Mustang, Hardly it's all fair game on the 14. If they look like they want some they usually get it.

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/4/2010 @ 8:52 AM *

Wish we had mods that could delete this thread...

Oh, did I have a good laugh on this line.

GroupThinkControl Police, HELP! It's like Sharkey is in his own backyard, hanging his paisley undies out to dry. You drive by calling the police you want that "Close Line(s)" taken down, you be a drive-by looking at men'z undies an shit all on your say so.

40,000 laws this year we need one more on the wish list?

I do race Porches. Gotta admit though, I prefer following to leading. When I'm following all I have to do is match their speed!

It's the way of the world, though. The young bucks have to challenge us old warriors to prove their worthyness. I'm the first one to admit that after 45 years in the saddle I'm starting to slow down. I didn't even have a bike till I was 18 years old and could buy my own. Some of these kids start riding at 3-4 years old! I spent my late teens riding 20 foot waves in Hawaii. (Can't do that anymore. But I still ride 6-8 foot.) However I bet I could beat most of those 600 guys in a downhill ski race though. I can still do 60 MPH on skis.

Anyway...I'm finding out that I'm not the only one with "that urge" to catch another bike when I sight one. (which is what this thread was originally about.) It really had nothing to do with bragging about catching a Hardly...like that's a big deal. Most guys around here on Hardlys have to take Geritol breaks.
I guess the "urge" is my version of having someone to ride with. Like Blue sez, everyone knows when to quit. For me it's not so much of a race as a comradery.

Hay Hub, how'd you know I had paisely underwear?

* Last updated by: Sharkey on 1/4/2010 @ 10:41 AM *

I do race Porches

They usually don't put up much of a fight around here but what a blast when they do.

When I see ANY bike WAY up ahead-I ALWAYS haul a#% to catch em.I love showin off my "jap crap".

If they look like they want some they usually get it.

haha best quote!

hehe, I'ma equal opportunity street racer.

Got to be careful riding behing those Harleys, parts do come off and they hurt !!!

If you guys think you have all cagers number,
try this guy- The GOG of rallying Sebastian Loeb...

Your text to link here...

* Last updated by: masszx14 on 1/5/2010 @ 8:12 PM *

Or his teammate Dani Sordo...

Your text to link here...