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Maybe this is a new thread. "Exercises motorcyclists should do...."

Maybe I don't understand your point.

I have a 5'4'' friend who weighs 110 dripping wet that rides a harley soft tail with 1600cc that weighs a good 700lbs. She's about as weak as a newborn kitten, can't even bench 40lbs. Yet she's not had a single problem with her motorcycle. She's even been through a harley woman's course and in the process learned to pick up her own bike in the event that it falls.

Just what shape do you need to be in to ride? I've never experienced a situation where you need to be strong or in shape to ride a bike except maybe if you have your sidecar hooked up poorly.

storysunfolding wrote:Maybe I don't understand your point.

I have a 5'4'' friend who weighs 110 dripping wet that rides a harley soft tail with 1600cc that weighs a good 700lbs. She's about as weak as a newborn kitten, can't even bench 40lbs.

Harley's have their weight down quite low, but I'm impressed a 110lb woman can effectively *deadlift* a couple hundred pounds.

So there's one exercise motorcyclists should do. Deadlift/Hacksquat.

It's more of a squat than a deadlift. Hands in back, pulling up while pushing against the seat with your bum. There's a few videos out there of small riders picking up fully loaded Goldwings with the proper technique.

oxbow1 wrote: here is the nut....I really like the Nighthawk it is in beautiful shape and I got it for a good price.I don't know if I should just suck it up and get used to it or do I get rid of this great bike for a smaller one and by the end of the season wish I had my old bike?

Have you considered buying a SECOND bike? How's your cash availability? If you can scrape up $800-1000, you could probably find yourself a little ole beater UJM and keep the Nighthawk until you're more comfortable.

Like you say the 750 is in good shape and you got it for a good price. If you can afford to, why not keep it?

P

I didn't say I was weak I put on some tonage being imobile for 3 months and stoned on pain killers following surgery.I have been working out to get in shape.
But there is no need for you to come across like an arrogant prick because you are a bored retiree that hangs out at the gym.
I've worked construction my entire adult life and I'll out hump any gym rat young or old any day.
mabey you were trying to help and didn't know how to articulate it, if thats the case thanks for the info.

as far as mopeds go, like your daughter they are fun to ride you just don't want your friends to see you

DOWN Boys, Gals, Everybody!! Pleeeez!

Bubba apologized, and has been lacerated nicely for his remark. Can the whole weight/shape thing rest now?

Oxbow1, that's a bummer about the knee. Have you been able to ride already? I realize you've had the Nighthawk for a while now, so I guess the knee hasn't really been a factor in your trying to get acclimated to the bike. What's really interesting is the idea that a one-hour rides aren't sufficient to start to get comfortable. I didn't know that. I thought a lot of short rides would be ideal, then building up slowly.

It's great that you have bike pals that are going to help you sort this out. I'd like to know how it ends up.

First of all, it's pretty sad that everybody has essentially beaten Bubba down to the point that he's shivering in a corner apologizing, dropping sad-face emoticons like a little wussy. I understand that this is a motorcycle forum, but the fact is that it was Bubba's opinion and it was on subject. And it was on point.

Secondly, good job to Bubba for going to the gym three days a week. Most people will never have the type of discipline and consistency required to maintain any sort of physical conditioning.

Being physically fit may not be a prerequisite for riding a motorcycle well, but it certainly helps if the unthinkable happens and you find yourself thrown off your machine through no fault of your own. Don't devalue the benefit of leading a healthy lifestyle, which working out is a definite part of.

Now... back to on topic. I had a Vulcan 750 as my first bike. Same deal as Ox; it was in great condition, and I got it for a great price. I rode it for several thousand miles in varying conditions, but there was something about it that just didn't seem "right" to me. I finally ended up selling it on Ebay and getting a Ninja 250. It was the best thing I ever did for my motorcycling life! I was so much happier riding the Ninja, because it is so nimble and so light. Basically, if you're having second thoughts about your Nighthawk, I would seriously move on to something else. Good luck with your decision, and your knee!

I got knocked out of the box in August, just as I was really starting to get my groove on.so this season is like starting all over again and because I'm still rehabbing my knee I guess the weight of the bike is causing me some concern, I don't want to have to stop it from going over and blow out my knee, I hadn't been on anything heavier than my bicycle until last week and that first trip around the lake left me wondering where my confidence went.But I'll get it back.
as far as the barbs between me and the other guy, we're both from NJ and Jersey guys are born busting on eachother, so we've got thick skin.
nothing personal just busting chops.
it's not like I read his post and went...(wait a minute! I'm fat! when did that happen?!)
It's all good here, thanks everybody

Nick Pimpin wrote:First of all, it's pretty sad that everybody has essentially beaten Bubba down to the point that he's shivering in a corner apologizing, dropping sad-face emoticons like a little wussy. I understand that this is a motorcycle forum, but the fact is that it was Bubba's opinion and it was on subject. And it was on point.

Secondly, good job to Bubba for going to the gym three days a week. Most people will never have the type of discipline and consistency required to maintain any sort of physical conditioning.

Being physically fit may not be a prerequisite for riding a motorcycle well, but it certainly helps if the unthinkable happens and you find yourself thrown off your machine through no fault of your own. Don't devalue the benefit of leading a healthy lifestyle, which working out is a definite part of.

Now... back to on topic. I had a Vulcan 750 as my first bike. Same deal as Ox; it was in great condition, and I got it for a great price. I rode it for several thousand miles in varying conditions, but there was something about it that just didn't seem "right" to me. I finally ended up selling it on Ebay and getting a Ninja 250. It was the best thing I ever did for my motorcycling life! I was so much happier riding the Ninja, because it is so nimble and so light. Basically, if you're having second thoughts about your Nighthawk, I would seriously move on to something else. Good luck with your decision, and your knee!

First of all......it's quite amazing that as a brand new member with a total of one post, that you would find your way to this particular thread and comment.

Second of all.....believe me....Bubba is not shivering in a corner.....

Thirdly.....is that you Bubba?