Holy hell,
Washington state, that would be amazing[sm=drooldude.gif] I used to be into photography alot and I have seen so many beautiful pictures from that state, to ride up there would be a dream. I will tell my wife that I am shipping my bike up there, with me following it lil. I might have to take you up on that offer sometime. Do you come across many bears up there?

 

I just traded in my ZX9R sportbike (similar to what the kid was riding). I did however know my limits, but my need for speed passed and I want a different challenge and adventure. I specifically picked the a small displacement bike for the low cost and because 250cc is adequate (when properly tuned) for everything this bike was designed to do. Riding over 70mph is not one of them.

But with both bikes you definitely need to pay close attention to the cars around you. I actually feel much mor evunerale and open on this bike since it's lighter, higher up and has less plastic in front of me. On the other had, I fee like I'm more out in teh open and the "free" feelign that is the heart of true motorcycle enthusists. This bike bike does that very well... better so because of it's all terrain capabilities compared ot a sportbike.

 

The best thing you can do for yourself after you get your license is to do a course. I have done several Stay Upright course (aussie riding school) and they are worth every cent. It doesn't matter if you ride only dirt the experiance is a lifesaver .. and great fun.

 

Let's be honest here, motorcycle riding is a sport, that when the consequences of our actions are not considered, can be a very dangerous activity.

Now that being said, I ride and I ride a lot. Most of the time I use my motorcycle to commute back and forth to work, a distance of 35 miles. The motorcycle gives me excellent gas mileage, is economical and provides for an enjoyable commute. You have to have a completely different mindset when you ride a motorcycle as opposed to when you drive a car, truck or SUV.

On a motorcycle, you are much more vulnerable than when in a cage. You must dress with all your proper protective gear to give you the proper protection in the event of a mishap. If you don't wear the proper protective gear, I'm quite sorry, but you are not, at least in my opinion, a dedicated motorcyclist.

When you ride, you must learn how to ride with an attitude - that attitude must be that everyone you encounter is out to run you over! Once you get that proper attitude and it is one of defense, not offense, you should start to do just fine. You must think that the other person is going to do the most stupid thing you can think of. Then when they do something stupid, like come to a stop in the middle of the road for no reason, you have already prepared yourself for their action. If you are reacting to the actions of others, you do no have the proper mindset for riding in traffic. You should have anticipated their moves and do what you had planned to do when they made that move. It provides for a much safer time riding.

Motorcycling is a sport that is fun, just get your skills to a level where you can enjoy riding in all sorts of venues!

 

Bears, yes. The last couple years of riding, I saw at least one bear per trip, more often then not. I almost ran over a cub that darted across the road, near Snoqualmie pass, two years ago.

Most of the time, they run away, though, one almost got my dad. He stopped to talk to some folks in a pickup with a tripod in the bed and asked what they were taking pictures of. They replied by pointed over his should, "The bear". It was a very large black bear. My dad started taking pictures of it, when they then quickly packed up, got in the truck and took off. My dad looked back and seen it was getting a bit too close and was too curious for his comfort, so he tried starting the bike, but, the battery had been giving him grief and it wouldn't start immediately. He got it started and was accelerating as fast as he could, with the bear hot on his tail, when that truck returned and sideswiped the bear into the ditch, giving my dad a chance to get away. They pulled up along side of him about a mile up the road and asked if he was ok, since they said that they thought it got his leg, when it swiped at him. He replied, "It did?", looked at his leg and his pants were ripped all the way up to the knee. Luckily, he was wearing cheap slacks that ripped easy, otherwise he would have been pulled off the bike.

But, most of the time, they run away.

I've also seen all kinds of deer, elk, owls (snow and spotted), coyotes, grouse, and all kinds of other birds, squirrels, chipmunks, lizards and other varmints run across the road ahead of you on the trail/forest roads.

It's nice to have so many forestry roads so nearby in this state. I have ridden the various forest roads in the Duval area a couple dozen times and have still yet to hit every one of them and that is only about an hour from my house.

There's some great riding all around Enumclaw, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker and pretty much, all through the Cascades and Eastern Washington. I would like to try out the forests of Oregon someday, though. I've already ridden all of the dunes in Oregon and that is a blast with an ATV. If it was closer, I would have kept my ATV, in fact.



Now, to the topic on hand, yes, I ride the streets. I've been riding street bikes since I was able to get a permit, about 24 years now and am I still uneasy riding on the freeway. I avoid the freeway like the plague. Too many people either don't pay attention, don't care, or, are literally out to run you off the road. It's even worse now with all the idiots talking on their cell phones while driving.

You just need to be hyper-aware of your surroundings, always assume that something may be stopped in the middle of the road around every corner and if someone is tailgating you too much, just pull over and let the bastage by. Be prepared to have someone make a left turn in front of you, as well, at any time. Keep aware of where vehicles are located around you and where you can dive towards, in an emergency.

I prefer the twisty back roads and I also prefer to keep it under 50mph. Because, if I crash, it's like sliding along a giant belt grinder with 20 grit sandpaper loaded in it. =)

Laters.