Moto Learners Permit - woo hoo!!

flyersfan31

flyersfan31

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Mar 31, 2006
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Freiburgfan31
Visited the local PennDOT office, and came away with my Motorcycle Learner's Permit!!!

The guy was surprised how fast I finished the test. I said, "Well, it's a test, so I studied." He said, "Yeah, well, most people don't study. Then they fail."

I've worn down my wife's resistance to a motorcycle like a dentist's drill on a cavity. My argument was something like this, "Well, I already ride my bike on public roads with nothing but some lycra and a helmet. Plus I go flying in those little airplanes all the time. If anything, this is SAFER." (That's kinda along the lines of "we can't afford NOT to buy a motorcycle."):D

Soo, time to buy a bike, take that MSF class, hit the open road!!!!!!!
 
flyersfan31 said:
Visited the local PennDOT office, and came away with my Motorcycle Learner's Permit!!!

The guy was surprised how fast I finished the test. I said, "Well, it's a test, so I studied." He said, "Yeah, well, most people don't study. Then they fail."

I've worn down my wife's resistance to a motorcycle like a dentist's drill on a cavity. My argument was something like this, "Well, I already ride my bike on public roads with nothing but some lycra and a helmet. Plus I go flying in those little airplanes all the time. If anything, this is SAFER." (That's kinda along the lines of "we can't afford NOT to buy a motorcycle."):D

Soo, time to buy a bike, take that MSF class, hit the open road!!!!!!!
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Congrats!!!

You did fill in the organ donor part? :D There is a big need for those things.

Gary
 
flyersfan31 said:
Visited the local PennDOT office, and came away with my Motorcycle Learner's Permit!!!

The guy was surprised how fast I finished the test. I said, "Well, it's a test, so I studied." He said, "Yeah, well, most people don't study. Then they fail."

I've worn down my wife's resistance to a motorcycle like a dentist's drill on a cavity. My argument was something like this, "Well, I already ride my bike on public roads with nothing but some lycra and a helmet. Plus I go flying in those little airplanes all the time. If anything, this is SAFER." (That's kinda along the lines of "we can't afford NOT to buy a motorcycle."):D

Soo, time to buy a bike, take that MSF class, hit the open road!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the deranged world of Two Wheels.

Last night Janet said, "Are you going to get new tires on the bike soon?"

She likes going for rides, but since the tires on there now are shredded, I have to get new tires.

I love that logic.
 
flyersfan31 said:
Soo, time to buy a bike, take that MSF class, hit the open road!!!!!!!
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Don't be hitting the road. Trust me, that hurts. Keep the rubber between you and the ground.

Welcome to the two wheel asylum.

Just like a pilot license, a motorcycle license is nothing more than a license to learn. Stay proficient and always ATGATT.

Ride and fly safe.
 
Welcome to the asylum indeed. Andrew, ping me off-thread and I can get you hooked up with a group of biker scum that you may enjoy... and some PoA'ers are members over there, as well :)

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
so when you get your bike,.. you going to get a full cover for it with straps like your plane :rofl:
 
flyersfan31 said:
I've worn down my wife's resistance to a motorcycle like a dentist's drill on a cavity. My argument was something like this, "Well, I already ride my bike on public roads with nothing but some lycra and a helmet. Plus I go flying in those little airplanes all the time. If anything, this is SAFER." (That's kinda along the lines of "we can't afford NOT to buy a motorcycle."):D
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So basically you lied to Christine right:rolleyes:
 
dmccormack said:
Andrew -- why type road bike do you ride?

I think it's time to upgrade my 26 lb steel Pinarello Stelvio....
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Which one of us?

I have a nice light 24# Specialized which I enjoy immensely. I have had my eye on a custom IF steel or TI bike for a while, but I just can't bring myself to spend the scratch on it. Every time I get close... I second guess myself and move on.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
astanley said:
Which one of us?

I have a nice light 24# Specialized which I enjoy immensely. I have had my eye on a custom IF steel or TI bike for a while, but I just can't bring myself to spend the scratch on it. Every time I get close... I second guess myself and move on.

Cheers,

-Andrew
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Sorry -- should have been specific!

I'm in serious climbing country here with plenty of 10-12%+ slopes on every loop.

I'm looking for a lighter, stiffer bike -- and may even slap a triple on there (I know, I know...)
 
Andrew. Please be careful. As a motor cycle rider since I was 9, I know its the other guy you have to watch out for. I am sure you know this, but just take it easy and stay to the less used backroads.

Oh yeah, and stay off the Schuylkill.
 
Anthony said:
Andrew. Please be careful. As a motor cycle rider since I was 9, I know its the other guy you have to watch out for. I am sure you know this, but just take it easy and stay to the less used backroads.

Oh yeah, and stay off the Schuylkill.
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Good advice!!!!!

When you're ready, come on out for a nice long ride in SW PA and WV -- holy twisties, batman....
 
dmccormack said:
Sorry -- should have been specific!

I'm in serious climbing country here with plenty of 10-12%+ slopes on every loop.

I'm looking for a lighter, stiffer bike -- and may even slap a triple on there (I know, I know...)
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Nothing wrong with a triple. I once found shame in it but now I like having a bailout gear if I'm on a long (100+ mile) slog.

How much do you want to spend? You can always get a nice custom IF XS (Ti and CF), or go with Cervelo...
 
astanley said:
Nothing wrong with a triple. I once found shame in it but now I like having a bailout gear if I'm on a long (100+ mile) slog.

How much do you want to spend? You can always get a nice custom IF XS (Ti and CF), or go with Cervelo...
Click to expand...

When I started riding again after we moved here -- my Pinarello still had a crit corncob on the rear, and a 42/53 up front.

Not exactly ideal for this terrain.

A triple would make it more likely I would be adventurous in my route choices!
 
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vontresc said:
Wel, Yes, but I know that I can shave way more weight off of me than I ever could off my bike :D

Besides I've climbed my steel Gunnar Roadie across the rockies twice, and it wasn't so bad.
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I don't know how many miles I have on my steel Pinarello -- maybe 40,000?

I had three solid 8k/years.

I climbed it up Mt Mitchell, NC, and Beech Mountain (2,300' up in 4 miles).

I rode it in the Adirondacks, the Blue Ridge, the Alleghenies, and in countless races.

But -- it flexes, it's heavy, and the PINARELLO label on the side is almost completely gone.
 
vontresc said:
Wel, Yes, but I know that I can shave way more weight off of me than I ever could off my bike :D
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Just curious especially since I've only been on steel bicycles such as mountain bikes and 10 speeds and such especially for non racing: Is having a near zero mass bicycle under you actually a major advantage over one that has some mass to it? I never seemed to care for the super lightweight bicycles I've been on and a heavier motorcycle handles much better in real world conditions.
 
Well when you are a skinny little professional bike racer, shaving a few grams here and there is helpful. For a fat ass such as myself, comfort and reliability are more of a factor :D. Having said that you still wouldn't want to ride a Schwinn Collegiate (read tank) up l'Alpe d'Huez :yikes:
 
fgcason said:
Just curious especially since I've only been on steel bicycles such as mountain bikes and 10 speeds and such especially for non racing: Is having a near zero mass bicycle under you actually a major advantage over one that has some mass to it? I never seemed to care for the super lightweight bicycles I've been on and a heavier motorcycle handles much better in real world conditions.
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Until you have to pedal uphill.

Bike weight is almost unimportant for flat time trials (which is why aerodynamics trump weight). So a 6'1", 175 bike racer like me could really put the hurt on the rest on the flats because the larger mass made up for the slight aero disadvantage.

As soon as you start to go uphill, every once counts. So the tiny guys (5'3", 130) had the advantage going up hill. Given that you lose alot mre time going uphill than you can usually make coming downhill, lightweight climbers such as Alberto Contador win big races.

This also explains why tandems are the fastest human-powered vehicles in existence on the flats. As soon as the road goes up, the inefficiencies kick in and the tandem pair is at a disadvantage (the same two riders would go up faster on two bikes then togtehr on one).


IIRC, the UCI and Tour de France limit bike weight to a minimum of 14 lbs.
 
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This Andrew has a Felt Z15 carbon, and LOVES it!!!!! So smooth, so light (maybe 15lbs), it is a great bike. The Z model is Felt's "relaxed racing geometry" so not quite as bent-over as full-racing spec. DuraAce components all around. Simply fantastic.

I also have a Specialized Transition Pro aero bike for triathlons. A slight bit heavier (18ish lbs), but the aero makes a big difference when you can't draft. It's also nice to have aero bars to give your back a break.

Stay tuned to this station for a report on my motorcycle. Hopefully next week.
 
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