I started riding dirtbikes when I was probably 10. I/we had a Honda Z50A, then my own XR75. I was no racer or trick rider, but I enjoyed it very much. And as an early teen, I would ride my XR75 on the streets, no gear (or even a helmet), no lights (it had none) at night, obeying no laws - a total rebel and yeah, it got me in trouble, but no crashes/injuries. After that XR, I owned one or two other bikes, but never loved anything as much as that XR and the freedom it gave me.

After parenthood, we started going on camping/riding trips with family and friends - the SoCal deserts and Pismo/Oceano dunes mainly. We collected some buggies and quads. For some reason, I thought those were safer than bikes, at least for myself, but I injured myself pretty good on the quad (a Suzuki Z400) a couple of times (trying things that are much easier on two wheels) and eventually we sold all that stuff due to lack of use.

A couple of years ago a friend and bandmate who was previously a Harley owner/rider but got out after bad accident was telling me he's riding again, but just a couple of 125cc Hondas he owned, as local commuters: A Monkey and GROM. I fell in love with the idea of owning a small bore Honda again and the GROM looked really fun! So I bought a used 2022 model after six months or so investigating and shopping and I've been riding that just for fun locally - you may have seen my recent moto-VLOG Synchronet release announcement video.

Last weekend I took/passed the two-day California Motorcycle Safety Program and got to ride a couple other bikes (a Suzuki DR200 enduro and a Kawasaki Eliminator, my first cruiser) and so now I'm on the hunt for my next bike! I'm thinking a Honda CB500X or NX500 (the successor to the CB500X). I'd mostly be riding on street, but like the idea of taking it on trails when I get the chance. So a small adventure bike sounds like the right fit for me. I do think the Honda CRF300L would probably work fine, but I like the idea of the additional comfort if/when I ever go on the freeway, that the CB500/NX500 would provide. I'm not married to Honda or anything, but it is my preference.

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?
--
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Synchronet "Real Fact" #89:
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Re: Motorcycles
By: Digital Man to All on Thu Mar 19 2026 07:26 pm

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

A couple years ago, I seriously considered getting a motorcycle license and a motorcycle, but whenever I consider doing that, I remember that I've known people who have been in motorcycle accidents (and one fairly seriously injured one time) and I drop the idea..

However, I always liked the Honda street motorcycles they made in the 80s to mid 90s or so. If I were to buy a new motorcycle, I might buy a Honda Shadow or similar.

Nightfox

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Re: Motorcycles
By: Digital Man to All on Thu Mar 19 2026 07:26 pm

Howdy,

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

After I got my bike license (in my 30's), I owned a Suzuki GSX-R - loved riding it. Rode it everywhere...

I did a few off road rides with a mates bike, which I also enjoyed, but I think I preferred the speed of the road bike.

I cant believe I never got caught speeding - it was too easy to not notice I'd be doing 140k/h on a city freeway that should only be doing 100 (or 80 when its busy).

On country rides, I'd easy be going 180k/h (our highways are 100). Admittedly that was 15+yrs ago. It'd be too hard to average that speed now with ANPR cameras everywhere.


...ëîåï

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Digital Man wrote to All <=-

I started riding dirtbikes when I was probably 10. I/we had a Honda
Z50A, then my own XR75. I was no racer or trick rider, but I enjoyed it very much. And as an early teen, I would ride my XR75 on the streets,
no gear (or even a helmet), no lights (it had none) at night, obeying
no laws - a total rebel and yeah, it got me in trouble, but no crashes/injuries. After that XR, I owned one or two other bikes, but
never loved anything as much as that XR and the freedom it gave me.

After parenthood, we started going on camping/riding trips with family
and friends - the SoCal deserts and Pismo/Oceano dunes mainly. We collected some buggies and quads. For some reason, I thought those were safer than bikes, at least for myself, but I injured myself pretty good
on the quad (a Suzuki Z400) a couple of times (trying things that are
much easier on two wheels) and eventually we sold all that stuff due to lack of use.

A couple of years ago a friend and bandmate who was previously a Harley owner/rider but got out after bad accident was telling me he's riding again, but just a couple of 125cc Hondas he owned, as local commuters:
A Monkey and GROM. I fell in love with the idea of owning a small bore Honda again and the GROM looked really fun! So I bought a used 2022
model after six months or so investigating and shopping and I've been riding that just for fun locally - you may have seen my recent
moto-VLOG Synchronet release announcement video.

Last weekend I took/passed the two-day California Motorcycle Safety Program and got to ride a couple other bikes (a Suzuki DR200 enduro and
a Kawasaki Eliminator, my first cruiser) and so now I'm on the hunt for
my next bike! I'm thinking a Honda CB500X or NX500 (the successor to
the CB500X). I'd mostly be riding on street, but like the idea of
taking it on trails when I get the chance. So a small adventure bike sounds like the right fit for me. I do think the Honda CRF300L would probably work fine, but I like the idea of the additional comfort
if/when I ever go on the freeway, that the CB500/NX500 would provide.
I'm not married to Honda or anything, but it is my preference.

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

I no longer own/ride but wanted to share my perspective on why...

As a teenager and young adult, I rode many types of bikes, from a Honda Elsinore CR250 (very serious dirt bike, scary fast) to various street
rides. Had a few minor mishaps but nothing serious. Then I got
married, had kids, and had no money/time for riding any more.
Eventually I could have again, and have debated the subject with myself
many times, and have made the firm decision not to do it any more. The
reason is probably obvious - the danger. I'm confident in my own
abilities to ride, but the obvious problem is the multitude of idiots on
the roads. You can do everything right, and will still die if there's a serious accident that wasn't even your fault. The bike will LOSE, every single time, in a crash with a car/truck. The odds are stacked, and in
a bad way. I have too much to live for and too much to lose, so I
choose to not do it.

I know there's no great revelation in that viewpoint, and it's shared by
many. There are some very fun things in life to do, that just don't
pass the risk-vs-benefit test. YMMV.



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Digital Man wrote to All <=-

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

Years ago, I had a Yamaha Special II 400. Nice little cruiser bike for
San Francisco, I'd be petrified to take it over 45 mph. The battery had
died, I had it locked to a pipe, came back to find it gone. I decided if
I ever bought another motorcycle, I'd get one heavy enough that you
couldn't pick it up and put it in a truck. :(



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Re: Re: Motorcycles
By: Gamgee to Digital Man on Fri Mar 20 2026 08:25 am

I know there's no great revelation in that viewpoint, and it's shared by many. There are some very fun things in life to do, that just don't
pass the risk-vs-benefit test. YMMV.

I don't currently have the confidence or desire to ride (much) around other vehicles. Just side/residential roads that are pretty empty, but even that I'm aware, can be dangerous (it's likely the vehicle you *don't* see that gets ya). The main thing is to wear all the gear, all the time, and know the limits of your abilities. Most motorcycle accidents happen because the rider is cornering too fast or expects other road users will obey right of way/laws, and they don't. Knowledge is half the battle. :-)
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #6:
David St. Hubbins: He was the patron saint of quality footwear.
Norco, CA WX: 96.9øF, 26.0% humidity, 4 mph SW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
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Digital Man wrote to Gamgee <=-

Re: Re: Motorcycles
By: Gamgee to Digital Man on Fri Mar 20 2026 08:25 am

I know there's no great revelation in that viewpoint, and it's shared by many. There are some very fun things in life to do, that just don't
pass the risk-vs-benefit test. YMMV.

I don't currently have the confidence or desire to ride (much) around other vehicles. Just side/residential roads that are pretty empty, but even that I'm aware, can be dangerous (it's likely the vehicle you
*don't* see that gets ya). The main thing is to wear all the gear, all
the time, and know the limits of your abilities. Most motorcycle
accidents happen because the rider is cornering too fast or expects
other road users will obey right of way/laws, and they don't. Knowledge
is half the battle. :-)

That's a good approach, and you're right on all counts there. Be safe!




... Do NOT look into laser with remaining eyeball.
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Re: Motorcycles
By: Digital Man to All on Thu Mar 19 2026 07:26 pm

So who here owns/rides and what kind of bike(s) do you have?

Not me... but one of my dearest friends rode competitively until he passed away a few years ago at the age of 60+. It was a hoot to see him competing against all of the young kids... He travelled all around the east coast doing this. It was his greatest love...

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Digital Man wrote to Gamgee <=-

I don't currently have the confidence or desire to ride (much) around other vehicles. Just side/residential roads that are pretty empty, but even that I'm aware, can be dangerous (it's likely the vehicle you
*don't* see that gets ya).

I don't even want to drive in a car without airbags these days!
California has had cell phone driving laws for how long - yet I still
see people holding up cell phone, usually driving under the speed limit
on the highway because they're not paying attention.


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