MUST tell this story!

[Punx Clever]

I'm not saying that I don't go over the limit from time to time, and I'm not saying that I don't get annoyed when on a spirited ride through the twisties when I get held up by grandpa and grandma going 10 under.... I am saying that expecting someone else to break the law or change their riding habits because you want to go faster is ridiculous. 

I'll also point out that I ride the speed limit 95% of the time... I usually find myself catching up to the guys doing 10 over at the next light.  A good lesson taught me to hold back on the throttle about two years ago, and I will NEVER change how I'm riding because of someone else.

Would you be mad if you got held up at a bar because the "jackass" in front of you in line only ordered one beer when you wanted to tear it up with three or four tequila shots?

[kopfjäger]

I would just pass when you can. No reason to get all frustrated, it may cause other problems. If it was a Desmo and I was on my 690 Duke, I would pass while riding a wheelie. 

The other day I was riding the Monster with a buddy on his Electraglide. We came up on a pick-up truck who was doing the posted 45. He heard me and looked in his mirror. He was puffing on a smoke, and when he was done flicked it out the window. (no worries).

I was hugging the center line and my buddy was back to my right. The guy put on his signal, so I down shifted to get ready to pass. As he turned in the gravel driveway, I blew past, but he stopped with the length of the tail gate still in the road causing my buddy to make a quick move on the big Harley.

We easily could have stopped and between the 2 of of us made pudding of his bone structure, but not worth the hassle. 

[Drunken Monkey]

I'm going to disagree with most of the folks here:

If you buy one of the fastest bikes on the planet and don't ride it above the speed limit, I think you're a tool.

A lot of designers, engineers and craftsmen put a lot of effort into building a machine that's meant to really sing when ridden hard, and if you tool around on it at the speed limit you're not honoring their work.

To hell with the "you spend the money you do what you want with it" attitude. It's vulgar consumerism at it's worst.

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[Timmy Tucker]

I'm going to disagree with most of the folks here:

If you buy one of the fastest bikes on the planet and don't ride it above the speed limit, I think you're a tool.

A lot of designers, engineers and craftsmen put a lot of effort into building a machine that's meant to really sing when ridden hard, and if you tool around on it at the speed limit you're not honoring their work.

To hell with the "you spend the money you do what you want with it" attitude. It's vulgar consumerism at it's worst.

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

I don't know why, but when I read this, I hear it in Don Draper's voice.

And I think you're absolutely right.

[Raux]

I kinda agree with the "his license may be in jeopardy" post. If he normally did ride the D16 like you would, he probably is nearing the limit on points.

When I was a kid (early 20s) there was a horse farm we would go ride at. Most of them were trail horses, nose following the tail of the one in front, kind of horses. But there was this one, had real spirit, and I asked the owner why no one was riding her. He said people don't like how she likes to run off on them. So, me being me, I said I'll take her out. The owner actually was happy as the horse was usually pissed being penned up. Of course the horse wanted to run, but instead of fighting her, I went with it, we ran it. It was great and the horse loved it and responded to my every wish, even when i wanted to slow it down later.
But there were some other "experts" out there that felt I was abusing the horse by pushing her too hard. Which I was only going as fast as she wanted, but whatever.
When I came in the owner was confused, but not pissed. He could see the horse was tired, but her demeanor was great. But the 'experts' had told him I was pushing her, I told him I didn't hold her back. But he still wouldn't let me ride her again.Every time I went riding I would visit the horse and she was superfriendly to me, but would nip at others... was I wrong??? I don't think so.

Point of the story, everyone has their opinion of what a horse should do and how they should be ridden. Ultimately, it's up to the owner on how it's ridden.

[MadDuck]

I'm with DrunkenMonkey too.  The only time I'd ride such a bike like that is within a known speed trap area outside a residential/business district and I'd try like hell to avoid those places. Sorry, a bit only, but, about the rest of you, and you know who you are, I have my doubts.  [moto] 

[kopfjäger]

Let's just say the day before that ride, a friend of his was killed in a Moto accident. Who knows what was going on in his mind at the time.

[Betty]

Very amusing post I reckon.

I understand what people are saying about letting the D16 have a go ... but seriously! Its a race bike with a licence plate ... it should not be ridden the way it was intended on the street. For all we know (though I doubt it was the case) he was riding gingerly because he had just about shredded his tyres but still had to get home. But he was just riding the way he wanted for his own personal comfort zone at that time.

He was not being a completely inconsiderate arsehole as evidenced by his pulling over to allow cars to pass. It is not inconceivable that he wanted to ride with other riders and felt that if you wanted to pass it was more possible on a bike if you weren't happy to follow. Ironically your hubby was happy to follow which just makes it all the more comical.

To be honest if I had someone tailgating me and leaning on the horn I am the sort of person that would probably move to a couple of kms/hr below the limit and not move aside so long as I didn't endanger myself or anyone else.

However, if he was flogging it on the straights and dawdling round the corners so as I would catch him mid-corner ... now that would really piss me off. If I couldn't safely pass I would pull over and give him space.

[kopfjäger]

Oh the horn blowing thing. I almost forgot. Lame at best. 

[tankerbutt]

Next time lay off the horn and GO AROUND!!! if you want to ride like a bat out of hell (which I do) just do it and don't get so pissed off when others follow the law.

Ps... why are you holding onto this for so long, gotta let some things go 

[kopfjäger]

Ps... why are you holding onto this for so long, gotta let some things go 

I have a guess. 

[DoubleEagle]

I ride like I'm the Prince of the road .

When ever I encounter a slower rider(s) than me ...I just blow by them as soon as there's daylight between us.

I don't give it a second thought.

Let them ride however they want to ...I'm on a mission from God !

Dolph        [moto]

[Outlaw1100]

I think that having to sometimes follow slow vehicles on fun roads is just a fact of life...I learned long ago that getting mad or frustrated about it doesn't do you any good.  And it doesn't matter if it's an old Ford pickup or a Ferrari Enzo that is holding you up - you can't do anything about it so chill out and pass when you can.

Don't forget that any energy spent frustrated or angry takes some of your attention off the road and puts you at some level of risk.

The best thing you could do next time that happens is hang back in the straights so you can still have fun in the corners...that way you catch him coming out of the corners and can enjoy the sound of his bike. 

Oh yeah...and...chill out...

[Privateer]

[KRJ]

   Well said, Privateer.....