LSA News

No. 60, December 2004

Beneath the Helmets

(story continued)

(For instance, in the summer, after a warm day, it's refreshing to ride by the mint fields near Junction City and smell the mint as the fields are watered. It's also fun to see the new animals in the spring and the changing of the leaves in autumn. You can do this in a car but you don't get the real feel for the sun or the rain or the way the leaves smell!)

7. What do you like best about motorcycling?

• Because I'm a passenger, I have time for uninterrupted thought. Considering how busy we all are, even at home, this is a luxury that I wouldn't want to do without!

Judi Byrum:

1. What is the year and model of your current ride?

• 1992 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electra glide.

2. What other motorcycles have you owned, if any?

• The 1st bike was a Triumph Bonneville, then we sold it and got a '70 Harley-Davidson Sportster. When the family continued to grow, we got a Yamaha Enduro. I did my first wheelly on it before running it into the chain link fence. After that it was a Marco, Husqvarna (Husky) Bultaco, Yamaha Midnight Special, BMW, Honda Goldwing, several different size Honda dirt bikes, and a Suzuki. We've down sized our bikes and now have one street bike, the Harley Electra Glide, and five dirt bikes. Because we love to ride safely, we've taught our children, and grandchildren, to ride in the dirt before they get on the street.

3. What would be your dream bike to own?

• For years we've adding many extras to our bike: pipes, cam, headphones in our helmets, CD player, arm rest, cruise control, chrome, etc., and now we have it the way we want it.

• I was 12 years old when I took my cousin's street bike for a ride.

5. Do you commute to work, ride for pleasure or both?

• Pleasure, and fun rides

6. Do you have a favorite ride? If so, please detail. There are so many trips we've done, but I would say it's either the San Juan Island's, or Hwy 101 in California through the Red Woods.

7. What do you like best about motorcycling? It's the freedom you feel when riding, and the excitement of the next hill!

Faye Chadwell

1. What is the year and model of your current ride?

• Right now, I have a 1986 Honda 250 Rebel. Here is a photo.

2. What other motorcycles have you owned, if any?

• This bike was my first bike.

3. What would be your dream bike to own?

• If I had a lot of money and less sense, I would love to have an antique red Indian Scout 101 (c1928-31). Check out this one. Since we are pipedreaming here, perhaps it ought to have a sidecar to tool the yellow lab around in. Other dream bikes: an antique black 50-53 Indian Chief is one badass bike; a bright yellow 2005 Ducati Monster 620 or 800, just about any recently owned or new black Fat Boy, or a brand spanking new Victory Hammer. I am buying a new bike in the next year but it will likely be a 2005 Harley 883L Sportster or an 883 Custom Sportster, a Triumph Bonneville, or a Honda Shadow VLX or a VLX Deluxe. Something affordable and not too monstrous.

4. How long have you been riding?

• I have been riding since 1997.

5. Do you commute to work, ride for pleasure or both?

• Mostly I commute to work because you can't beat the free parking across the street from Knight Library. But I ride for pleasure occasionally.

6. Do you have a favorite ride?

• Yeah, anytime I pull out of the parking space across the street and leave work! Mostly rides out in the county but nothing I return to over and over again except riding along Dillard Road or Fox Hollow to get a view of the valley. Because my bike isn't big, I don't go on long extended rides.

7. What do you like best about motorcycling?

• I never kiss and tell, but since you asked: wind, leather, chrome, and rolling on the throttle.

Beth Singler:

1. What is the year and model of your current ride?

• 1988 FXRS.

2. What other motorcycles have you owned, if any?

• 250 Suzuki and 883 Harley Davidson Sportster

3. What would be your dream bike to own?

• I've always thought I might like to have a customized Titan.

4. How long have you been riding?

• About 7 years

5. Do you commute to work, ride for pleasure or both?

• I do both.

6. Do you have a favorite ride?

I really enjoy riding up the Mckenzie, but really, anywhere there's a river to follow. There's nothing quite like the beauty of a river or an ocean to enjoy while cruising on my bike.

7. What do you like best about motorcycling?

• I really enjoy riding up the Mckenzie, but really, anywhere there's a river to follow. There's nothing quite like the beauty of a river or an ocean to enjoy while cruising on my bike.

Mark Watson:

1. What is the year and model of your current ride?

• My new baby is a 2005 Yamaha blue FJR1300. It's ready for two-up touring with hard case saddlebags and a matching Givi trunk. To keep the fingers warm, I add heated hand-grips. The bike also features ABS, an electronically adjustable windshield, shaft drive and 145 hp at 8000 rpm.

2. What other motorcycles have you owned, if any?

• My first motorcycle is still running strong--a 2004 Honda Rebel

3. What would be your dream bike to own?

• It's nearly impossible to settle on a single motorcycle but, in the dream bike category, I'd probably say a radical custom from Roger Bourget's Bike Works, Inc. Something like this!

4. How long have you been riding?

• A little over a year. I took the Team Oregon motorcycle training course at Lane Community College in August 2004. I purchased the Honda at Cycle Sports shortly thereafter and have honing my skills since then.

5. Do you commute to work, ride for pleasure or both?

• Both. The motorcycle is a great way to get to and from work on a daily basis. It's even better for longer rides on the weekend.

6. Do you have a favorite ride?

• I don't have a tremendous amount of experience as yet, but the ride from Cougar Reservoir to Oakridge on the Aufterheide highway is absolutely gorgeous. The road features great scenery and wonderful curves.

7. What do you like best about motorcycling?

• There is a reason why we talk about driving a car and riding a motorcycle. The car is designed to shield you from the environment, the best vehicles providing a luxurious retreat with all the amenities of a cozy den, while a motorcycle puts you right out in nature. To be sure this means that you are going to get wet, but it also means that you can experience the sounds, smells and sights of your surroundings in a very vivid way. I must also confess to loving the thrill of smacking the throttle and feeling the instantaneous response of the machine as it leaps ahead, gobbling pavement and the sound of the motor as the RPMs climb and the exhaust shrieks

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