Kneepucks stay in storage - resisting old temptations...

SVsick50

SVsick50

Well-known member
So, this is BARF, so I'd expect the flames about putting your knee down on the street, but it would be dishonest to say I didn't do it in the past. A lot. Going waaaaaay too fast for the street. So many people preach about street safety, yet watch them in the twisties and the hypocrisy oozes out. I know this, because I used to be that guy.

I'm one of the old BARF'ers from around the way, have a lot of experience with motorcycles, trackdays, dirt and supermoto (see newbie's guide to supermoto in that forum), but now as a father/husband/mortgage payor my approach to motorcycles is much different. My family is my entire world. I actually really just like riding - and doesn't have to be fast. Even though I don't have chicken strips, the shaming of those with them doesn't bother me (and shouldn't bother you). I have passenger pegs on my bike now, and yes, I'm cool with just posing :ride :laughing

I have a 2 piece zip-in jacket pants combo without knee sliders. Just a cafe-racer style suit that I love, and wears well. I have this inner battle about donning a one piece suit again, with knee slider velcro, and taking those sliders out of storage and putting them on. I know I will get to the point of dragging on them again.

Rationally, I have stepped away from Fast and Furious behavior - this is something I put away over 15 years ago. Emotionally - however - I feel if I get that suit, I will put those pucks on again, and I will be dragging through turns.

I have decided - as some sort of weird, emotional speed governor - to keep the knee pucks in storage and leave them there as a memoir. I used to ride with some people that have since died as a result of riding too fast in the twisties, and I think doing "what I have to do" to come home after a ride is worth the inner "shame" of the self-imposed slower riding behavior. Maybe I've gone from the days of "leading the A group" to nowadays of "chilling back with the C group" :teeth

Anybody else take such an oddball approach? I feel like its almost tricking myself, but I think it works better - for me - than just backing off the throttle. I know I simply can't resist, so I have to put up obstacles to make me resist.

Note: No trackdays for me. Been there, done that, countless times... there's kinda no use for me at this point in my life or what I want out of riding.
 
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moto-rama

moto-rama

Well-known member
If I am dragging-knee on public roads, there are always Bots-Dots to tell me it's time to get a new patella/ meniscus.
 
SVsick50

SVsick50

Well-known member
Blankpage said:
Midlife crisis?
Click to expand...

People make fun of me because they say I’m going through midlife crisis due to the activities I love, like BMX, martial arts and motorcycles. But I’d say it’s not much of a crisis if this is the happiest I’ve ever been. I’d think that “crisis” would mean conflict, but nah! Life is good! :)

Got a beautiful, loving wife, a son that any man would be proud of and we’re financially stable. We’ve created this great family life that gives way for our individuality, as well. Isn’t midlife crisis for those who are conflicted because they’re miserable, and feel need to buy a corvette or Harley? I got a 13 yr old SV and I drive a Subaru Crosstrek :laughing
 
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bikeama

bikeama

Super Moderator
Staff member
Great post.

Agree with Bud that pucks are for the track. When riding on the street I find working on riding smooth makes for a better ride for me. You just have to let the riders who are pushing beyond a safe street pace go. You know you could stay with or even pass them if you wanted. for most riders, age and maturity come together, but not everyone. And yes as we age our reactions may not be as quick as before. Keep learning and improving does not have to mean going faster. Enjoy your ride. :ride
 
O

ocoas

Well-known member
Dion Rides said:
People make fun of me because they say I’m going through midlife crisis due to the activities I love, like BMX, martial arts and motorcycles. But I’d say it’s not much of a crisis if this is the happiest I’ve ever been. I’d think that “crisis” would mean conflict, but nah! Life is good! :)

Got a beautiful, loving wife, a son that any man would be proud of and we’re financially stable. We’ve created this great family life that gives way for our individuality, as well. Isn’t midlife crisis for those who are conflicted because they’re miserable, and feel need to buy a corvette or Harley? I got a 13 yr old SV and I drive a Subaru Crosstrek :laughing
Click to expand...

You’re not having a mid life crisis, you’ve become your parent!
 
Maddevill

Maddevill

KNGKAW
Congratulations on finding a safe attitude. I've seen too many guys so intent on dragging knee that their riding technique suffers greatly. You can go PLENTY fast on the street without dragging your knee.
My motto is
" The track is a test of your skill.
The street is a test of your nerve."

Mad
 
Butch

Butch

poseur
Staff member
This time thing... it changes folks.

Awesome that it has put you in are good place. Do you have a dirtbike? You might not need the motocross rush anymore. 15 miles per hour on singletrack is pretty satisfying for me.
 
Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
moto-rama said:
If I am dragging-knee on public roads, there are always Bots-Dots to tell me it's time to get a new patella/ meniscus.
Click to expand...


Exactly. Whammy has found them once a many moons ago doing stupid ish in the street.
Was probably one of the most painful adventures ever.

Long story short, from that day on the pucks get tossed and I don't even try track ish on the street.

NO I didn't need any surgery... I was very lucky. but it hurt like hell for weeks.
Whammy doesn't ride with pucks and the S on his chest is long gone.
 
SVsick50

SVsick50

Well-known member
Butch said:
This time thing... it changes folks.

Awesome that it has put you in are good place. Do you have a dirtbike? You might not need the motocross rush anymore. 15 miles per hour on singletrack is pretty satisfying for me.
Click to expand...

I rode dirt for quite a bit about 10 years ago. It’s fun, but a huge commitment and I’d rather put that time/effort to BMX, which is super satisfying:). But I know! I remember just spending so much time in meditation on double Black Diamond trails and it being sooooo fun.
 
Reli

Reli

Well-known member
Puck-dragging doesn't necessarily mean you're going too fast. You can drag knee in a fucking parking lot going 30.

Nor do you need to drag knee to go fast, so..........I wish people would stop using it as some kind of indicator of "I'm fast / too fast / etc."
 
Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
Reli said:
Puck-dragging doesn't necessarily mean you're going too fast. You can drag knee in a fucking parking lot going 30.

Nor do you need to drag knee to go fast, so..........I wish people would stop using it as some kind of indicator of "I'm fast / too fast / etc."
Click to expand...

Who did such a thing???:wtf
 
sasquatch

sasquatch

Well-known member
Hey Dion
Still have the SM Hooligans shirt.
Still have the motor hitch carrier, just got back from Baja using it.
Still have the SM
And the dirt bike
And the Tuono
And the rest
And I just like to ride, knee sliders are still on the leathers, but have not seen the ground since Infineon in about 2006.
Got sun up here in Portlandia today, and the roads should be dry by noon.
 
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