Street Sweeper- A Haiku

Oh street sweeper, white

Do your job well my dear friend,

I don't want to die

Variety is the Spice of Life!

  Harleys, Hondas, dual sports or sportbikes, what's your flavor?   With so many different motorcycles, it is hard to choose.   Some like the laid back, stretched out cruisers like a Harley Davidson, or one of the metrics like the Kawasaki Vulcan or Honda Shadow, others like Sportbikes like the Kawasaki Ninja or the Suzuki Hayabusa.   With the sheer variety of motorcycles on the street today, there is something for everyone.  Every style, shape and color is out there.   For the most part, anything you choose to ride is good.   No one can really say anything if you like your bike, and it fits you.  Well, they can, but they shouldn't.    Just like one should never discriminate because of the color of someone's skin,  so to should the choice of motorcycle be.   It amazes me how you get die hard brand fans.  Some Harley guys have a hard time even acknowledging that other bikes exist, and some of the sportbike persuasion really hate the cruiser guys.  Why?  It makes no sense at all.  We're all out there on 2 wheels (except the Trike guys,  they have 3).   We are all taking a greater risk in pursuing our love of motorcycling.   If you don't like the specific motorcycle, then fine, it's ok.   No one will force you to adore a bike you don't like.  The problem is when you start to hate the riders of the motorcycles that you don't like.   These guys and gals are our brothers and sisters in the great big, human family.   They have found the bike they like, and are probably as pleased as punch to tell you about it.  We should be glad that they found what they like, and be willing to give the wave when they pass.

 The nice part is, that if we can get this habit down,  then maybe, just maybe we can start to break down some other discrimination type barriers....  Maybe....

I Can Drive 55

Motorcycles like mine are more than capable of doing 100 miles per hour plus.  That being said, why would I want to?   I hear guys all the time talking about how they did 100mph along the highway, or how they "really opened her up" while dodging traffic.   This solidifies my opinion that people have become stupid.  See this sign on the left?   It is what we call a Speed Sign.  It shows you what the Speed Limit is for the road you are on.  If your bike is doing any speed faster than the posted sign, then you are breaking the law.    The very law you signed a document saying you will obey.  (Yes, check with your licensing bureau, I'm sure they have a copy of the affidavit you signed.
Now, I like the Adrenalin rush just as much as the next guy, but a ticket, or worse, an accident is not worth the extra thrills I get for rolling on the throttle.   For instance,  there were 2 cases of motorcyclists riding in severe excess of the speed limit in Spokane this evening.   Both bikes were going faster than 100mph on I90 (posted speed limit 60).  One of these individuals plowed in to the back of another car.   I'm certain that at this very moment, if his brain is still working, he is feeling regret over the decision to push the limit of the law.   What possesses a person to do this?  Why do these idiots insist on being disobedient to the authorities that set the law?   The numbers on the signs are the maximum safe limit.  If you go faster, you are no longer being safe.   If you are no longer being safe, your risk increases exponentially.   If your risk increases and you don't take steps to conform to safety standards, you run the risk of a Ticket, Jail, an Accident or a Mortuary.   It's dangerous enough riding a bike, no need to make it worse.      I hope they catch the 2nd guy before he hurts himself, or others.   I really do.

Spokane River Flow...

Yes, I will let the cat out of the bag.  I am from Spokane.   Lately I have noticed that riding a motorcycle has become a blood sport.  Spokane drivers have forgotten how to flow.   The caged ones are so secure in their own big boxes that they have forgotten that they are not the only ones on the road.  They chatter on their Cellphones and barely hold the wheel while doing so.  Traffic should be like a river, flowing ever forward.   You don't see Salmon with cellphones, nor do you see Sunfish applying makeup.   You never hear of a Ten Trout Pileup on the Columbia.    Be like fish people!  Pay attention to the flow.  It will get you where you want to go.  You will be happier, less stressed an you won't kill a motorcyclist by your tunnel visioned stupidity. Take this car (or whats left of a car).  The driver of this vehicle turned in to traffic.  Because of the need to talk on a cell phone, the driver didn't pay attention to the Honda that was rapidly approaching them.   Now, I don't know if you have seen many wrecks, or have a basic understanding of the physical limitations of the human body, but I am certain that you understand that neither the driver or the motorcyclist survived this accident.  This is an actual thing.  This is a true accident, it really happened.  A cell phone was verified to be a factor in this accident.   In almost every Country, State, County, City, Suburb, It is illegal to operate a vehicle while distracted.  The fines for driving distracted vary, but the pain from murdering someone because you couldn't wait to tell your friend that you got invited to prom.... well, that is a higher price than any fine.