I'll be going home in a few weeks, and I'm going to start bugging my DH to fix the motorcyle he bought for me. He bought me a Yamaha 500cc bike, and I think it is a virago model, but don't quote me on that. I do know it is one of the "V" bikes though.

As a reward for my DH getting his band, I enrolled him in a motorcycle saftey class, since that is something he always wanted to do, but felt like his weight was a barrier. (he weighed close to 600 pounds when he took the class.... )

Okay a quick poll, how many have bikes, and how many are frequent riders?

How many bikes to you own collectively? 2

what kind of bikes, and how big? both are Yamaha kawasaki Vulcan bikes, DH as a 750cc, mine is a 500cc

do you always wear protecive gear? if not, why not? I always wore full-face helmet, gloves, boots, heavy jacket. or a rain-suit. Didn't always wear good pants.

have you ever taken a safety class? yes, I took the CHP safety course

have you every had an serious accident? Yes, please see below

I used to be an avid rider. I say "used to" becaue I had a terrible accident when my son was a baby. Not only did I have to deal with the trama from the actual accident, but I also had to deal with doctors from hell who thought it would be a good idea to torture me and inflict emotional damage. (they would debreeed my leg without any pain medications, then yell at me for crying and tell me things like "so I guess you won't ever ride a motorcycle again, RIGHT?!)

I had to have one of the skin graphs redone a few years back, and the plastic surgeon who did the new one was an avid bike rider. He told me that every couple of years someone would come in in such terrible shape that he would sell his bike. Then he would buy a new one a year or so later. He really encouraged me to start riding again.

I know what air does to your shirts/jackets while riding - my grey jacket puffs up so much somtimes that I look like the Stay-Puff Marshmellow Man!!

Bike: 03 Suzuki Volusia

Training: MSF safety course

Gear: All the time - CA is a helmet state

No accidents (knock on wood)

Oh Betty, I just have to laugh! The visuals are just great! You wild woman you!

Betty, what size shirts do you need now? I can look through mine ...Celeste

Thanks, probably a 1x now or 18/20. I find that the Harley clothing runs really small compared to the other clothing, do you? I always have to try on everything I buy there as one size fits and the next one in the same size don't.

I’ve got a Yamaha (old XV750, not a Virago though), and my wife has a smaller Honda Rebel. We both ride pretty regularly when the weather’s good, mostly on weekend trips or quick rides out of town. My rule is always jacket, gloves, boots, and full-face helmet, because I learned the hard way after taking a spill years back, it’s not worth skipping any gear.

I’ve never done an official safety class, but my wife did the MSF beginner course last year. She came back with a lot of practical street tips that honestly made us rethink how we ride together.