Supporting your ride

[Ozarkryder]

Another thread got me wondering - ever sat down and listed everything that is connected to you being a rider? I did the list, and almost scared myself!

The list of riding gear is 2 legal size pages long. My list is on the left side of the pages and Gloria's is on the right. Everything from 6 helmets between us, many gloves for all weather, cooling vests, heated jacket liners, even underwear I got to make long rides more comfy.

Not just gear - when we bought the house, first thing we did was build a shed for the bike and trike. Then we started the inside. Added a 30'x28' garage so the bikes would have a comfortable place to live, and a shop area.
When it came time to get a new truck, it was one with an 8' bed just in case one of the cycles had to be hauled somewhere.

We have talked about selling everything and becoming full-time RVers. Would have if the economy and house markets hadn't tanked. Gas got spendy, and as a side effect dropped the value of my V8 pickup to nil. The plan is to still
become full-timers, just will be later than we would have. The thing is with this, getting rid of the bike and trike is not an option, so we would get a toy hauler to live in.

Our vacation time is spent with family (some who ride) and friends (most ride) planned around motorcycle events. It seems almost everything we do somehow comes back to our riding. Can't inagine a life without motorcycles in it.

So I'll say we are riders. It's not something we do, it is what we are.

And I suspect we aren't the only ones around here. :yes:

BTW - I am not in any way condeming those that see being a rider as something that they do.:no: All kinds make the world, and it's more interesting with all of the differences. Besides, they'll come around.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

I'm coming around real quick! I have lived the horses lifestyle for 30 yrs. and it was all consuming. I still have horses, but most are in the retirement pasture and I plan on getting no more. Now the trike and motorcycle life is fast becoming the lifestyle. If I could only sell this 150 acre farm. It is a thorn in my side! Woke up this morning after a severe storm last night and saw horses where they should not have been horses. My dog kept trying to warn me last night, as he wouldn't stop barking. I rent out two of my barns and they were their horses that got out. I have tree limbs and patio umbrella's in the swimming pool, at least three 30 foot sections of fencing down, and my 3 acre yard that I need to mow is now covered in limps and sticks and exploding garbage from my can. I haven't checked the rest of the farm yet. What fun......any one want a lovely 150 acre horse facility with 20 miles of 4 rail oak fencing? I guess I got off of the subject, sorry, but just to show how a lifestyle can cost boo coo's of money!

 

[Nana]

OUCH! Sounds like it could have been a very dangerous storm!!! I hate to hear the mess, trouble, time, and expense of the damage for sure! However, I am so glad you all are actually personally OK. It might have been very different!

 

[Juju]

As someone who has lived through a few hurricanes and come home to major storm damage, I sympathize, IHP! But, like Nana, I'm glad to hear that YOU are OK.

Ozark, I know just what you're talking about. Before I was a motorcycle/trike rider, I was a bicycle rider (still am), and that had already taken over much of my life in the sense of garage space, drawer space for cycling-specific clothes, basket of helmets and gloves and cycling shoes, assortment of bags, tow hitch on the car to accommodate a bicycle rack, etc.

Now I find the same thing happening with gear for the trike--specific clothes, basket of helmets and gloves, boots, assortment of bags--do I detect a pattern here? And because our house is on pilings and the enclosed space under the house was filled up with workshop and bicycles and the Chief's HD Road King (2 wheels), we (and when I say "we," I mean "he") had to enclose another space between the pilings to shelter the trike.

It's like The Blob (remember that old movie?)--engulfing everything in sight! But we're not running away from it like Steve McQueen and his friends in the old movie--we're loving it! hyes:

 

[saybel]

Ozarkryder
You're braver than I am, I don't have the courage to look into what I have and what I payed for it.

Ironhorsepilot
Wow... glad you're OK, must have been a shock when you got up.

 

[Ozarkryder]

SfSfSF... The wierd thing is that I started out this post thinking I would just list the stuff we own because we ride. It is a long list, but I was wondering what gear everyone else had. It turned to be a philosophical post of how riding is so much of our lives instead of a roll call of riding gear and support equipment.

saybel sez:
You're braver than I am, I don't have the courage to look into what I have and what I payed for it.
Not really so brave - Pretty much had to make the list when we got a new insurance carrier and wanted to make sure the accessory coverage would cover it all.


So.What gear,equipment or additions does everyone have because they ride?

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Ok, I'll keep to the subject this time,

I have 4 coats..2 leather, one cordura(Sp) for winter and one mesh for summer. I pair of chaps, 3 pair of boots, 4 or 5 pair of gloves, two helmets, one 3/4 and one 1/2. 6 pair of sunglasses, one rain suit, one zumo gps, long underware and silk long underware, baclava(can't spell that either) lots of attire for the head. I know there is more, but can't think right now. Oh, and all kinds of luggage. At least 6 pieces.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Hey I started this thread and didn't stick to the subject in the first post!

Been thinking about getting some luggage, what do you have? Stuff like T-bags or the Kuryakyn Grantour bags?

 

[BlueTrinity]

Ozark, Take a look at the GranTraveler by Kuryakyn.

I bought one when at Sturgis last fall and it is perfectly designed for the Tour Pak rack. The smooth shape follows the lines of the trike and in my opinion, really compliments it.

It is a bit smaller than the GranTour, but with the trike's storage, we find it to be an excellent size and carries everything we need to take into the motel room without having to invade the trunk.

Patty loves the detachable pockets and pouches along the outside where she can get into her "important" stuff without opening the trunk, Tour Pak or luggage.

Besides all that, If we need to take more than all that will hold, we'll need to hook up the trailer anyway.

Keeping true to the thread, like Saybel, I wouldn’t even want start listing what’s on the trike, much less all the riding gear and other “stuff” that we have acquired over the years. God has blessed me with the financial stewardship ability to maintain my obligations to Him, while supporting my family, including putting three children through college. And then he has allowed me to have enough left over to support my enjoyment of motorcycles and trikes.

That is neither boasting nor complaining, but a testimony of His grace and faithfulness to me.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Ozark...We have the Harley Pillion Mounted Touring bag, and Harley expandable luggage rack duffle bag, plus a t Bag system we bought at a Rally, don't know the brand, not real expensive. Plus we have 2 hard bag liners and 2 tour pak liners. Now I want the TG nylon luggage that fits in the trunk.