177mph

So you're getting rid of the cycle? Why not have both - like me. I just alternate. The ZX-11 when I want to do 177 - and the carrera when I want to do 155. Its very simple really....

Black993

+1 That was fun to read


Beautiful car, enjoy it!

fnckr

I'm 31, after 6 yrs of riding I married. After two years of marriage I finally decided to show her some of the roads I ride. We took her Jeep and the dog because some of the roads are near streams for swimming and hiking.

We stopped for the view at Hawks Nest (cliffside road in NY). A rider panicked on one of the minor curves and hit the wall at speed. His body bounced to the ground as his bike, spilling its juices across the road, slid at her Jeep, bounced off of the tire, and halted five feet from us. The full-face helmeted rider was dead on impact and attempts to revive just caused blood to froth and bubble from his open mouth. My wife sat in the Jeep for an hour crying while I waited for the state police to unblock the rode and to hear my account. I rode "Vader" twice after that before selling him. I still vow to get a small dirt only bike. Perhaps the rider was unaware, unskilled, or over his limits, but I know myself and there were a few close calls. I've had one minor skin rashed moto accident already. Don't know many who have survived two.

Sorry for the gruesome description. My wife and I fought for six weeks about the decision and in the end I just decided I wasn't afraid of death, but I am afraid of becoming disabled. The same could happen with my driving style in "Jessica" or crossing the street, but why increase my chances.

And besides "Jessica" doesn't require any "protection" I can just mount her and ride away. With "Vader you never knew so I ALWAYS wore the gear. ALWAYS!!

Stealth 993

WOW, that would scar me from riding. That's not a good story!

I like the Jessica story, most of us had one at least once in our lives. Congrats on the car, & have fun with it!

Edward

Hahaha!!! BTDT (giving up the bike, that is). Congrats!!! I can tell you're bitten

I do regret being bike-less at times, but all of which is quicky ameliorated as soon as I see "her" in the garage ...even more so as soon as I turn that key. Whoa! And to hurl into a corner ...no regrets; only that inner thrill and satisfaction from "the real deal." Long-term love is a beautiful thing. Married for life? ...no question!!!


Edward

fnckr

Yes sir! I'm smitten!!

NoSubEDU

wait until you take her on a proper date (to your local track).

dcdude

"There are fast riders, and there are old riders, but there are no old fast riders."

I used to work for American Honda and had my pick of whatever I wanted to ride. The general craziness and inattention of LA traffic caused me to hang up the helmet. The birth of my daughter only served to confirm my decision. I've been down once on the street and once playing supercrosser in the dirt, but my job now is to provide for my family, so my body is no longer my own to abuse.

Someday, if I move to the country I'll probably get a 4 stroke trail bike to putt around on, but that's about all the riding I forsee.

Van1

Sad story for sure. As a rider, driver (track events included), and flyer, all forms of transportation are about proper instruction, education, safety precautions, and risk management. I take something away from each incident I hear about and apply it to what I do. But in the end, I will not give up bikes, cars, or planes for other's stupidity. But I will learn from them.

TAI2

Hey Tom: Great description, I love it. Take her to an AutoX as soon as possible or at least the Car Control Clinic on May 18th. You will love her even more.

bluejam

I also gave up the two wheels for my four-wheeled black beauty. A knock-dead (no pun!) H-D Deuce. I had my close calls even with so many years experience. People just don't see bikes, no matter how much chrome and bright paint. And I am also afraid of trying to roll a wheel chair at the beach.

But it was basically finances that required the departure of my "Purple Passion" to be able to acquire my Black Sugar.
No regrets what-so-ever. I never think of my bike when I am with my 993.
Congrats on your decision. It was the right one. Jessica is gorgeous and stunning!

fnckr

Ooo, Black Sugar looks nice and clean. Definitely not as much scarring as Jessica.

Van1, Yasou file! Eimai kai ego patriotis. Yenimenos stin Athena kai yirnao kathe xrono. I told the same argument to my wife. I am very good at understanding risks and attempting to mitigate them as much as possible. In the end the deal was struck to get a P-car. I've rationalized it to myself, and probably rightfully so given the idiots on the roads in NJ, similarly to "bluejam", that I don't want to be "rolling a wheelchair on the beach."

Of course, that doesn't mean I'll never get on a bike again, or won't try to see Jessica's top speed. But, it was a good deal and I took it.

bluejam

Clouds and the shade of a big wing can be very forgiving on black but when the sun shines on her, the rock chips scream at me.
I am about to give DrChip a try.

As for motorcycling, I will be renting a V-Rod a couple times this summer. I cannot rrrrresist!

Rinty

I'm another motorcyle refugee. The process sort of started last year when Lawrence Grodsky, one of the leading motorcycle safety experts, hit a deer and was killed. That really got to me. Then last summer, I was riding my BMW R 1150 RS west of Monashee Pass in B.C. and, at a speed of about 140 km/hr, a doe jumped in front of me and I missed her by inches. This was the latest in a series of close calls over the years, so I thought I better get out while the getting was good.

I've always wanted a Porsche, so I ordered Paul Frere's book, studied it, and here I am.

I'm sure that the Arena Red sun roof coupe that's presently parked in Utah will help me get over it......

Rinty

mrsullivan

no offense meant to any motorcycle riders...but I have never understood the willingness to take that risk... I am all for living life, but then there is just outright death wishing... even at modest speeds, you are really not very protected from circumstance even beyond your control on the road...and not much room for error

i have a very good friend (my college roommate) that is now an ER doc...and he has talked to me about this in very black/white terms... MOST of the time, a motorcycle accident is fatal or completely disabling, there is not a lot of wiggle room there

anyway, dont mean to sound preachy or be a downer, but all of this is to say - CONGRATULATIONS on getting into something both more fun and a LOT safer!