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My Race with a Harley!!

Started by aviationfred, October 19, 2018, 09:24:12 PM

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aviationfred

My Race with a Harley.

I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy.
I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of mountain road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the bends have warning signs that
say "MAX SPEED 35 mph.

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those
big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.

I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. Three corners later, I was on his mudguard. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.

Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out-power me.
His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to out-brake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him.

Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of
his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.

But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back.
I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles
before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards.
I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done in the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him.

Though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the mountain and I had preserved the proud tradition of one of the best bits of Japanese technology.

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life.

And, some of the credit must go to Fujy cycles as well, they really make a great bicycle...

Fred
I'm not the fastest FJ rider, I am 'half-fast', the fastest slow guy....

Current
2008 VFR800 RC46 Vtec
1996 VFR750 RC36/2
1990 FJ1300 (1297cc) Casper
1990 VFR750 RC36/1 Minnie
1989 FJ1200 Lazarus, the Streetfighter Project
1985 VF500F RC31 Interceptor

Millietant

Quote from: aviationfred on October 19, 2018, 09:24:12 PM
My Race with a Harley.

I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy.
I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of mountain road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the bends have warning signs that
say "MAX SPEED 35 mph.

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those
big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.

I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. Three corners later, I was on his mudguard. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.

Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and out-power me.
His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to out-brake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him.

Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of
his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.

But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back.
I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.

Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles
before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards.
I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done in the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him.

Though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the mountain and I had preserved the proud tradition of one of the best bits of Japanese technology.

I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life.

And, some of the credit must go to Fujy cycles as well, they really make a great bicycle...

Fred

LOL Fred - and there I was think you were on a ride-on lawn mower  :biggrin:
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

Troyskie

1984 FJ1100 Ms Effie brand new :)
1984 FJ1100 Pearlie, stock as.
1985 FJ1100 Mr Effie 647,000K and still running hard.
1985 FJ1200 'Yummy' takes a licking & keeps on ticking
2013 Trumpy Tiger 800, let's do another lap of Oz

After all is said and done, more is said than done :)

TexasDave


Great story Fred and as a Hardly owner very true.

Dave
A pistol is like a parachute, if you need one and don't have one you will never need one again.