[goats_hogs]

Ok, rant and ravers. Not really one to bitch or complain much, kinda a live and let live type of guy. But last night, I felt I went back in time to the "bikers are bad news" days. Here's what happened.

Got off work, bike in the parking lot just begging me to take her out for a spin. I went the long way home, and went thru a town only 9 miles from where I live, and have for my 46 years on this rock. Started looking like rain in most all directions but the one I just came from, and where I was at the time. It's not a large town, maybe 15,000 to 20,000. Decided to grab a sandwich at the local fast food, and take it to a quiet place. I went down a dead end street, that ends at the local old folks home. There is a curve, then up a long hill to the place. I parked the bike in the curve, wide road, and I was out of anyone's way. That curve overlooks a nice field, some woods, and with the clouds rolling in was a pleasent place to just chill a bit. I ate my sandwich, took my time, and then walked up the hill to put the trash in a waste basket. The clouds were still dark in my home direction, but looked to be clearing out soon, so I just hung out waiting out the weather. I had been there maybe 25 or 30 min tops. Look up, and here comes one of the local police, and he just blocked the road in. about 3 minutes later, 2 more show up and they come down to have a talk with me. Now mind you, this is a city street, and I'm not bothering anyone at all. They said they had a call that I'd been casing the joint, been there well over an hour, and was acting suspicious. Luckily the one officer had seen me riding thru town about 1/2 hour ago, and said he knew that was a lie. Now I'm not a small guy, stand just about 6'4" and weight in around 260. Thing is, I wasn't even looking in the direction of the old folks home, except when I took my trash up to the can. I remember it being more like that 15-20 years ago, but I thought those days were long gone. Cut my hair 2 years ago, when it went gray and brittle. Few tats, but nothing like sleeves. Just don't understand some people.

I'm glad the cops were pretty cool about it. They were with the general attitude that most have, and the one kept his hand on his handgun the whole time even though it was in the holster. Could have been worse I guess.

I'm done, thanks for letting me vent.

Later, Brent

[Goose]

I don't know that just being on a motorcycle had a lot to do with it now days. Heck, all the gangs and drugs and stuff around, I get suspicious pretty easily, too, though I nromally just make sure I'm locked and loaded rather than calling cops.

Now, I was a clean cut young college student driving my 67 malibu up in New Albany in about 1972, summer. I was there to sell family bibles door to door, and got pulled over and check out because I had a Texas plate on the car! They searched the car. All I had in the trunk was books and sales supplies and mops and stuff for where I was to rent. Settled in later. But, now there's a probable cause, eh, a Texas plate?! Indiana is a weird place.

[chucktx]

one more point of view....ya was near and old folks home, and all they remember are the "old media hyped up biker gang days"........all they see now is jeperady, and wheel of fortune........
chuck

[SPORSTERBOY]

PARANOID, I GET A EYE FULL EVERYTIME I DRIVE BY A COP. ON MY SCOOT OR RIG. I JUST NATUALLY LOOK SUSPICIOUS. BIKES ARE LIKE TATTOO'S NOW, ACEPTABLE. EXCEPT FOR ALL THOSE STILL SET IN THERE WAYS. LOOKS LIKE THERES GOING TO BE ALOT MORE BIKERS SOON, THE WAY GAS IS LOOKING

[GreyBear]

Well the old days are dead in some ways but in some locales they are alive and well. When i first moved up here i got pulled over so many times i go to know most of the cops first names and what their kids little leagues batting average was....which helped. Slowly they realized i wasn't here to start a meth lab or crack house or rape pillage and plunder and so now they just wave. I cut my hair off a few years back too and now the heads shaved...hell that is worse than long hair lol. But when you look like a Somoan and ride a Harley it scares the straights...whatcha gonna do? Ride Free.......

[scooter]

Good to hear that people just never change, yanno?

scoot

[Killer-B]

Yup, well, as Greybear says, I use to be pulled over and, umm, detained, checked out, questioned on a regular basis, don’t know why. I thought that was all over and done with since the Harley fad has taken hold and a lot of cops are riding. Well just last week, here come the blue lights,,, good morning sir, was I speeding? “Nope“, says the cop, your license plate is suppose to be horizontal and NOT vertical, may I see your license and registration…

[GreyBear]

One reason I stopped going to Daytona was such as that. Seat too low, bars too high, mirror too small, license plate had too many reflectors....spell it all $$$$$. Been going to Myrtle Beach Bike week for 3 years now....What a blast. Ya really gotta screw up and be stupid to get jacked with. And they do it twice a year May and Oct. Some serious good times and the local law enforcement STOPS TRAFFIC so people can get in and out of the Harley Stealership and other hot sites..... sure the hotels jack the prices and all but I can live with that, supply and demand. But instead of treating you like faceless rolling ATM's the city opens it's arms......
Ride Free.......

[SPORSTERBOY]

Hopefully There Are More Out There Like Me. Learning From The Ol" Schooler's And Keeping Values And Traditions, And Respect. Bikers Will Always Be Feared And Suspicious In Our Time. Although As The Years Pass, It Becomes Acceptable. Then It Will Be The Norm. Do You Drive A Ford Or A Toyota?



2 Fords And A Harley! American Made Baby!
At Least To A Certain Degree?

[Sleepy]

Haven't had a lot of luck with 'em. ..tripping around the snowbanks with a Saturn...great bad weather car. Bikes, Harleys are OK, comfy safe. The Italian Bikes are impractical as hell..but man! what a ride. The old school guys I have nothing but respect for. I ain't old school, ain't new cool, used to be a riding fool. I just gotta be a little less busy..ride safe fellas

[Goose]

You Drive A Ford Or A Toyota?

i gots a Chevy 3/4 ton conversion van with a 15 mpg small block in it. My wife has a 40 mpg Toyota echo that laughs at my GoldWing. I think I'll be riding my 200cc dual sport bike (street/trail) a lot more if gas goes any higher. That thing gets 80 mpg just around town. I can flog it at 50 mph on the highway if I'm payin' five bucks a gallon... Little old ladies don't get scared of a guy on a dirt bike, or at least I've never seen it happen.

[Sleepy]

we're over 4 bucks a gallon here now..sheesh!!!!

[GreyBear]

$ 4.00 a gallon? Sheesh is right. I was bitching cause I had to give $2.90 for hi test today. As to Fords etc, I have a Dodge Ram 4 X 4 with 318....I used to thing it was a good combination of power and gas milage....before gas started going screwy.
And while I am on the subject of gas prices.....if I hear one more dumb sob throw the price of gas in Europe at me, I am gonna bitch slap them. Yeah I know they have been paying a lot more for a lot longer....so what? Look at the way thier transportation systems are and look at ours. I have a friend in Marsielle that never uses her car unless she wants a joy ride in the country...how many people could get to work, shopping etc here with no wheels? From where we are the closest grocery is almost 5 miles. Now I know that in the John Wayne film the "Quiet Man" Maureen O'Hara described that as "just a good stretch of the leg". And if I had that sort of country to wlak in I might consider it the same. Here walking 5 miles on a 2 lane road dodging log trucks and red necks is more like a video game. This country isn't set up for public transit. Should we have see what was coming and done more? Hell yes! But that doesn't help anymore than any other arm chair quarterbacking on Monday, helps win the game that was played Sunday.
We need some leadership that is A) in touch with reality. B) isn't bought and sold to the highest bidder. And that means from local all the way up to the Big Guy. I love this country...but I sure as hell hate what it is fast becoming......sorry for the rant.
Ride Free ......

[goats_hogs]

Hey thanks for all who chimed in. I'm over it now, I don't carry many grudges long. Life's just too short to waste it on something like this. Talking here gives me a chance to vent it out, and let it go.

As for the gas prices, I hear you all on that one too. We can vent it out, but that one comes back evertime we have to pump some of the dead dinosaurs. I got rid of my 4x4 last summer, just before the Katrina crap that has given them the open door to the price we have now. I picked up a Chevy fullsize with a 6 cyl and longbed for hauling and such. I also got a 1998 Olds 88, comfortable car with low miles and good gas milage. Average is around 26 mpg. Not what I would normally choose to drive, but I have less than half (for both of them) what I paid for the last Z71 I owned, and I bought it 1 year old then. I'd only have the truck, but I live 30 miles one way to work, and the Delta was cheap.....

Later, Brent

[SPORSTERBOY]

Well All Be In A Geo Metro Before Long, And Then Ride'n Those Weed Eater Minni Choppers