I started riding dirtbikes when I was probably 10. I/we had a Honda Z50A, then my own XR75. I was no racer or trick rider, but I enjoyed it very much. And as an early teen, I would ride my XR75 on the streets, no gear (or even a helmet), no lights (it had none) at night, obeying no laws - a total rebel and yeah, it got me in trouble, but no crashes/injuries. After that XR, I owned one or two other bikes, but never loved anything as much as that XR and the freedom it gave me.

After parenthood, we started going on camping/riding trips with family and friends - the SoCal deserts and Pismo/Oceano dunes mainly. We collected some buggies and quads. For some reason, I thought those were safer than bikes, at least for myself, but I injured myself pretty good on the quad (a Suzuki Z400) a couple of times (trying things that are much easier on two wheels) and eventually we sold all that stuff due to lack of use.

A couple of years ago a friend and bandmate who was previously a Harley owner/rider but got out after bad accident was telling me he's riding again, but just a couple of 125cc Hondas he owned, as local commuters: A Monkey and GROM. I fell in love with the idea of owning a small bore Honda again and the GROM looked really fun! So I bought a used 2022 model after six months or so investigating and shopping and I've been riding that just for fun locally - you may have seen my recent moto-VLOG Synchronet release announcement video.

Last weekend I took/passed the two-day California Motorcycle Safety Program and got to ride a couple other bikes (a Suzuki DR200 enduro and a Kawasaki Eliminator, my first cruiser) and so now I'm on the hunt for my next bike! I'm thinking a Honda CB500X or NX500 (the successor to the CB500X). I'd mostly be riding on street, but like the idea of taking it on trails when I get the chance. So a small adventure bike sounds like the right fit for me. I do think the Honda CRF300L would probably work fine, but I like the idea of the additional comfort if/when I ever go on the freeway, that the CB500/NX500 would provide. I'm not married to Honda or anything, but it is my preference.

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet "Real Fact" #89:
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Re: Motorcycles
By: Digital Man to All on Thu Mar 19 2026 07:26 pm

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

A couple years ago, I seriously considered getting a motorcycle license and a motorcycle, but whenever I consider doing that, I remember that I've known people who have been in motorcycle accidents (and one fairly seriously injured one time) and I drop the idea..

However, I always liked the Honda street motorcycles they made in the 80s to mid 90s or so. If I were to buy a new motorcycle, I might buy a Honda Shadow or similar.

Nightfox

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Re: Motorcycles
By: Digital Man to All on Thu Mar 19 2026 07:26 pm

Howdy,

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

After I got my bike license (in my 30's), I owned a Suzuki GSX-R - loved riding it. Rode it everywhere...

I did a few off road rides with a mates bike, which I also enjoyed, but I think I preferred the speed of the road bike.

I cant believe I never got caught speeding - it was too easy to not notice I'd be doing 140k/h on a city freeway that should only be doing 100 (or 80 when its busy).

On country rides, I'd easy be going 180k/h (our highways are 100). Admittedly that was 15+yrs ago. It'd be too hard to average that speed now with ANPR cameras everywhere.


...ëîåï

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Digital Man wrote to Gamgee <=-

Re: Re: Motorcycles
By: Gamgee to Digital Man on Fri Mar 20 2026 08:25 am

I know there's no great revelation in that viewpoint, and it's shared by many. There are some very fun things in life to do, that just don't
pass the risk-vs-benefit test. YMMV.

I don't currently have the confidence or desire to ride (much) around other vehicles. Just side/residential roads that are pretty empty, but even that I'm aware, can be dangerous (it's likely the vehicle you
*don't* see that gets ya). The main thing is to wear all the gear, all
the time, and know the limits of your abilities. Most motorcycle
accidents happen because the rider is cornering too fast or expects
other road users will obey right of way/laws, and they don't. Knowledge
is half the battle. :-)

That's a good approach, and you're right on all counts there. Be safe!




... Do NOT look into laser with remaining eyeball.
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Re: Motorcycles
By: Digital Man to All on Thu Mar 19 2026 07:26 pm

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

Not me... but one of my dearest friends rode competitively until he passed away a few years ago at the age of 60+. It was a hoot to see him competing against all of the young kids... He travelled all around the east coast doing this. It was his greatest love...

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Digital Man wrote to Gamgee <=-

I don't currently have the confidence or desire to ride (much) around other vehicles. Just side/residential roads that are pretty empty, but even that I'm aware, can be dangerous (it's likely the vehicle you
*don't* see that gets ya).

I don't even want to drive in a car without airbags these days!
California has had cell phone driving laws for how long - yet I still
see people holding up cell phone, usually driving under the speed limit
on the highway because they're not paying attention.


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Re: Re: Motorcycles
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Digital Man on Sat Mar 21 2026 09:49 am

Digital Man wrote to Gamgee <=-

I don't currently have the confidence or desire to ride (much) around other vehicles. Just side/residential roads that are pretty empty, but even that I'm aware, can be dangerous (it's likely the vehicle you *don't* see that gets ya).

I don't even want to drive in a car without airbags these days!
California has had cell phone driving laws for how long - yet I still
see people holding up cell phone, usually driving under the speed limit
on the highway because they're not paying attention.

Want to learn a bit and feel better just go down some old roads that are winedy or however you spell it. And keep in mind the curve speed signs a bit.. Balance is pretty much the only thing you need to have, other than knowing how to work the mechanical aspect.. Should be fun riding a bike, not hindering, and if ya don't have fun, then maybe a bike isn't for you maybe?

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Re: Motorcycles
By: Digital Man to All on Thu Mar 19 2026 07:26 pm

I started riding dirtbikes when I was probably 10. I/we had a Honda Z50A, then my own XR75. I was no racer or trick rider, but I > enjoyed it very much. And as an early teen, I would ride my XR75 on the streets, no gear (or even a helmet), no lights (it had
none) at night, obeying no laws - a total rebel and yeah, it got me in trouble, but no crashes/injuries. After that XR, I owned > or two other bikes, but never loved anything as much as that XR and the freedom it gave me.

After parenthood, we started going on camping/riding trips with family and friends - the SoCal deserts and Pismo/Oceano dunes
mainly. We collected some buggies and quads. For some reason, I thought those were safer than bikes, at least for myself, but I
injured myself pretty good on the quad (a Suzuki Z400) a couple of times (trying things that are much easier on two wheels) and
eventually we sold all that stuff due to lack of use.

A couple of years ago a friend and bandmate who was previously a Harley owner/rider but got out after bad accident was telling m > he's riding again, but just a couple of 125cc Hondas he owned, as local commuters: A Monkey and GROM. I fell in love with the id > of owning a small bore Honda again and the GROM looked really fun! So I bought a used 2022 model after six months or so
investigating and shopping and I've been riding that just for fun locally - you may have seen my recent moto-VLOG Synchronet
release announcement video.

Last weekend I took/passed the two-day California Motorcycle Safety Program and got to ride a couple other bikes (a Suzuki DR200 > enduro and a Kawasaki Eliminator, my first cruiser) and so now I'm on the hunt for my next bike! I'm thinking a Honda CB500X or
NX500 (the successor to the CB500X). I'd mostly be riding on street, but like the idea of taking it on trails when I get the
chance. So a small adventure bike sounds like the right fit for me. I do think the Honda CRF300L would probably work fine, but I > like the idea of the additional comfort if/when I ever go on the freeway, that the CB500/NX500 would provide. I'm not married to > Honda or anything, but it is my preference.

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

When I was younger I had a Honda CB360 which I rode until it dropped a valve. A friend of mine traded that for his CB400 which ran
great. I rode it for a couple years until I moved to Alaska. A few years ago I decided to get a bike again and picked up a 1981
Yamaha 750 Midnight Special which someone was giving away for free. It needed the carbs rebuilt, the front calipers weree hanging
off because the brakes weren't working. Someone had put taller handlebars on and didn't replace the hose so the master cylinder wassitting at a 45 degree angle and pumping no fluid. The seat was pretty much shredded and finally the electrical system wasn't
charging. I rebuilt the calipers and master cylinder. I replaced the handlebars with the corrrect ones. I rebuilt the carbs and gotit running. I searched out the electrical problem to a broken connection on the stator and repaired it, which according to the
manual was a 'non-user servicable part. FinallyI had the seat recovered and all was right in the world. Last year I bought a 1980
Honda CB900 Custom and have been riding it when the weather and schedules cooperated.


Greg
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Re: Motorcycles
By: Greg Meckel to Digital Man on Fri Mar 27 2026 07:13 am

all was right in the world. Last year I bought a 1980 Honda CB900 Custom and have been riding it when the weather and schedules cooperated.

Nice! 2-finger (wheels) down. :-)
--
digital man (rob)

Steven Wright quote #1:
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