|
2 Articles writen by Dal in the Montana Rider:
Motoring Under the Big Sky Spring/Summer 2004
Touring Driving Outside the Box
It's often said Montana is a place where you need to live
outdoors. As cars become more and more insulated from the
outside, using a motorcycle becomes more inviting. On a
motorcycle you can feel the differences in ambient air
temperature as you climb a mountain or descend into a river
bottom. You can smell the pines or sage in the summer heat,
the freshly fallen rain or newly mown hay.
Touring riders have enjoyed these special connections with the
outdoors as long as there have been motorcycles. Actually the
first transcontinental crossing of the U.S. with a motorized
vehicle was done with a motorcycle in 1903, the same year the
first Harley-Davidson was built. By 1914 the Billings
Motorcycle Club was founded; can you imagine the roads?
Early in the century riders toured on any motorcycle they had,
but before long manufacturers built specialty "touring bikes."
In the 1950s these were plush BMWs of up to 600cc, Indians and
Harleys. By the 1970s the Japanese companies started creating
very dependable touring bikes of increasing size and comfort.
Amenities were added, including exotic stereos, heated grips
and seats, trailers, CB radios - almost anything a car might
have.
While these specially built touring bikes are nice, especially
if you haul a passenger, they are not necessary. If you sit by
Old Faithful and just watch motorcycles the actual tourists
use, you'll see everything - every size and every vintage. One
time I saw a bike pulling a trailer with a 17- foot canoe.
If you travel as a couple, times are changing. It is becoming
increasingly common for the traditionally female passenger to
want to take part in the action. It can get boring just
sitting there as a passenger, a passenger that may have
trouble communicating en route unless the couple has some sort
of intercom hooked up.
One way or the other, if you want to ride much, you better
make sure your significant other supports the habit, either by
riding along or getting a second bike. The second bike can be
smaller since it doesn't need to haul as much gear. Couples
often make the mistake of forcing the less experienced rider
on too big of a bike.
Kawasaki Motors reports that some of its models are being
bought by up to 38percent women riders. In a sport that
traditionally is 90 percent male, this is a good trend. If you
are in the market for a second bike, the height and width of
the seat is of critical importance. There can be some
alteration but getting it right directly from the factory is
best. Shop around and ask others who have done some research.
Another swiftly growing segment are the "returning riders."
These folks rode motorcycles when young but quit to raise
families; and they have been a key element in ridership
growth.
After a two decade lay-off some are a little rusty in basic
skills, plus their new bike is bigger and more powerful than
the one they fondly remember. So, any new or returning rider
should take one of the training courses offered around the
state by the Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety Program
headquartered at MSU-Northern in Havre. Call 1-800-922-BIKE
for details.
<1st Article>
|
