Hi Guys,
We have just moved over to Calgary Alberta from Toronto although I'm originally from the North-East of England.
Been riding for 27 years and probably had over 20 different bikes. The standouts for me were probably the 2-stroke screamers that I used to own.
This would include a Suzuki x7 (250cc Air Cooled twin), a UK Yamaha RD250LC (liquid cooled - we went everywhere and carried everything on that bike including a TV unit :mail1:), a gorgeous UK RD (RZ) 350 that was stock black & red (it only lasted me one month before I smashed into a pickup truck with it - oh to be young and daft again).
I started out on 4-strokes (little guys from 50 - 125 cc) (in the UK the biggest bike that you could ride when you were 17 was a 125cc then so that's what I already had) but was overtaken by a twit on a Lambretta scooter while going to work and was highly embarrased.
That very weekend I traded in my 1985 Honda 125 Superdream, had my first go on a stroker, was hooked, and exchanged it for a 1981 Suzuki x5 200cc twin. The dealer was amazed and told me I'd be losing money on the trade but I didn't care ---- never again would I be overatken by that twit on the Lambo.
Since coming to Canada I have owned a Yamaha RZ350 and this 1993 FJ1200.
We could only bring so much stuff to Calgary so I sold the RZ to a friend in Toronto - it was hard but had to be done :cray:
I had bought the FJ in 2005 to go touring on (it has the full Givi Wingrack setup on it) but didn't get around to doing much with it.
This was because my wife (she's a keeper) decided that we should start motorcycle sidecar racing up & down the Eastern Seaboard.
(http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q343/mickboyle/RaceMay2_147.jpg)
This is a picture of our first win - we are on the yellow 600cc F2 and there is a 1000cc F1 behind us.
This is what the bike looked like with the skin off and with the old (95) YZF600 Thundercat engine before we upgraded it to a 2008 Yamaha R6 engine.
(http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q343/mickboyle/IMG_4352.jpg)
The bike was a genuine Isle of Man TT racer which was imported from England.
We raced all over the place including Road America (Elkhart Lake), and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
We also won the North American F2 Sidecar Championship in 2010.
By the way that's my missus hanging of that thing - it would do up to 225KPH or about 140MPH - she was amazing on it.
You have to have blind faith that your passenger is in the right place when going around corners (you can't the passenger) otherwise the bike won't steer at all.
One of the greatest things about sidecar racing was the crazy bunch that did it. We had everything from Lawyers to Truck Drivers.
It didn't matter what you did so long as you could drink beer and give it as good as you could take it.
Slagging everybody off and having a good laugh was mandatory - well it was if you wanted to fit in.
I even managed to get us on National Canadian TV and had a well known comic (Rick Mercer) on our bike.
You can see the TV show segment here if you'd like to see what Sidecar racing was about .....
RMR- Rick and Motorcycle Sidecar Racing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l8XCeZxSPU#ws)
Now that we have finished racing and have moved to Alberta - I really want to rekindle my love affair with bikes.
It's been ages since we had the time to enjoy motorcycling and there are some amazing mountains (and roads I presume) nearby.
The FJ is currently at my local dealer as it was leaking piles of fuel from the carb overflows when running. I need to find the back half of a front mudguard (fender) as the exisitng one cracked when the bike fell over in our trailer. Also need to find a small plastic cover that covers up the screws (on the RH inside of the fairing) which fasten the windshield on.
Mods that I'd like to try are Avon Azaro tyres, and a new rear shock. Also like to get the front end setup properly.
Be nice to meet up with folks that (primarily) like to have a good laugh and are not pretentious Harley riding twits - sorry but most of them that I have seen are ... If you are not then I'd love to meet you.
In the UK it didn't matter what you rode - you were a biker and you looked out for each other and helped each other out.
Sorry for the long winded intro - but there you have it in a very big Nutshell.
Mick
Looks like a hoot, Mick! :good:
Welcome!
Great intro friend....
happy to have you on board with us!
those sidecars have to be a rush to ride :good2:
KOokaloo!
Frank
Fantastic intro! Good clip of side car racing, have not seen much lately. Like watching figure 8 races, the wipe-out with the monkeys hanging over the edge is imminent. Although I imagine it isn't any more risky than all the other vehicle racing. You are gonna fit right in with this group. get your self to an FJ rally and ride and hangout for a long weekend. Welcome to the Kookaloo zone...
Welcome here. Good group here.
Dan
Holy Smoke Mick!!
What an intro.... Yea, a missus that would hang off a sidehack racing sled at 140, is a keeper. Does she ride?
Welcome to our forum. We have a diverse group of blokes who are most definitely not "Harley twits" You will fit in just fine.
Let us know how we can help you with your FJ. I hope you can join us at a future FJ rally. Cheers! Pat
Welcome to the group Mick, lovely intro, brought back memories of when a couple of my mates back in NZ ran a 750 waterbucket outfit (only the one class in those days). They actually won a NZ chamionship as well. The driver gave me a spin at the local airport (my dad was the airport manager and another mate's dad was the control tower boss, and on weekends they would let us go out and let off steam on the runway :) ) I couldn't believe the acceleration or the braking.
Anyway, I think you have found the right group to get connected with. The knowledge and help on this forum is unbelievable. I just wish I could get over to the US to partake in a rally to actually meet up with some of the guys on this forum, couldn't even make the Downunder rally . . buggar.
Enjoy the FJ, stay upright, and watch out for that strange disease "Moditus unendingus"
Cheers Dazza
Have always loved the science of Sidecars (and also sidecross). Only got to swing on a short cicuit outfit once in my life.--That`s why I still got one. Loved the Vid. You guys are seriously mad. Which is all the credentials ya need here to feel completely at home and comfy. :crazy: Welcome aboard Mick. Doug
Always glad to see another Canuck join the group! You will find lots of valuable FJ (and sometimes non-FJ) related information here, not to mention the sheer entertainment value! Great video from the Rick Mercer Report! I believe you will fit in this group just nicely...
Ben Zwart
London, ON
1992 FJ1200
1997 KZ200
welcome aboard .
great intro and vid .
Welcome! What a cool way for you and the Missus to "bond".
Nice video I saw some video in high definition on cable a whille back that was awesome.160 mph on the back straight going into a turn has to be a hoot for the monkey.
Thanks for all of the kind words guys ..... It's a trek for us but we may well end up at the fj rally yet ...
Pat - you asked if my missus rides a bike.
We were at the Calgary motorcycle show 2 weeks ago and even a lowered CBR250 was too tall for her as she is only 4ft 11in tall and couldn't reach the ground properly.
She'll have to stick to the FJ for now.
Take care all !
Mick
Quote from: mickboyle on February 06, 2012, 07:50:49 PM
Thanks for all of the kind words guys ..... It's a trek for us but we may well end up at the fj rally yet ...
Pat - you asked if my missus rides a bike.
We were at the Calgary motorcycle show 2 weeks ago and even a lowered CBR250 was too tall for her as she is only 4ft 11in tall and couldn't reach the ground properly.
She'll have to stick to the FJ for now.
Take care all !
Mick
Sounds like your gal could use an Alligator...
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html)
Quote from: rktmanfj on February 06, 2012, 10:27:45 PM
Sounds like your gal could use an Alligator...
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html)
Did I read that right? MSRP $35k? No wonder Danny boy didn't sell many.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on February 06, 2012, 10:39:14 PM
Quote from: rktmanfj on February 06, 2012, 10:27:45 PM
Sounds like your gal could use an Alligator...
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html)
Did I read that right? MSRP $35k? No wonder Danny boy didn't sell many.
Well, yeah... there is THAT issue to overcome. :scratch_one-s_head:
Quote from: rktmanfj on February 06, 2012, 10:27:45 PM
Sounds like your gal could use an Alligator...
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/dan_gurney_alligator_motorcycle/index.html)
35K? 35K?!? They are proud of their low-slung bike, eh?
Dan
Edit: oh, I see this sentiment has already been expressed.... Oops. I read all recent back to front, and if a thread looks lively, I'll open it in new window, and read the entire thing before chiming in. -this just did not seem like such a thread, -guess I was wrong...
Hi Mick. :hi:
Great intro :good:.I had an rz250 and then an rz500 when I was young & daft :crazy:.Great bikes.
Cheers and welcome! :drinks:
Jeff P