Wetrudgeon
Supercharged
All:
Forgive this lengthy post, but some of you may find amusing our little Sunday afternoon riding experience.
We went out for a jaunt on the Beast to view the spring wildflowers (in full bloom just now in rural North Central Texas). The weather was beautiful and the ride quite pleasant.
On the ride home, we stopped to take on fuel. In the parking lot near where we refueled we noticed a young gentleman and lady standing along side a late model HD Sportster. It was a nice bike; looked to be of the 1200cc persuasion, Vance and Hines pipes, saddle bags and wind screen. (We have always rather liked HD Sportsters.) As we finished refueling and remounted, the young couple also mounted up and we both found ourselves leaving the fueling spot and easing out onto the open highway at the same time and in the same direction. The young fellow inexplicably then decided to “hammer down” his Sportster with the apparent intent of showing the old toot on the Triumph his tail lights in an impromptu race.
His decision proved ill advised. We seldom race or ride aggressively, having long ago outgrown such things. But this lad clearly threw down the gauntlet (Figuratively. He was wearing no gloves.); and on a whim we decided to call his bluff and “apply the whip.” The Beast, of course, answered; and the matter was decisively settled almost as quickly as it arose. We never exceeded 3500 rpm or 75 mph, but we went from a slow roll to highway velocity at a rate that a Sportster running two up can only dream of. We expect that the look on the youngster’s face was priceless; but we are left to wonder because our rearview mirrors tend to be a bit “fuzzy” when the Beast is giving strong effort.
Not sure what caused the young man to make such a poor choice of a “victim.” He may have had unrealistic expectations regarding his bike. Maybe he had a mind to show off for his sweetie. Or perhaps he simply was not familiar with the Rocket Roadster and its acceleration capabilities (he is now better educated). Regardless, we think it unlikely that our Sportster friend will “bow up” at another Rocket any time soon. We must admit the episode was pleasurable.
We trudge on.
Forgive this lengthy post, but some of you may find amusing our little Sunday afternoon riding experience.
We went out for a jaunt on the Beast to view the spring wildflowers (in full bloom just now in rural North Central Texas). The weather was beautiful and the ride quite pleasant.
On the ride home, we stopped to take on fuel. In the parking lot near where we refueled we noticed a young gentleman and lady standing along side a late model HD Sportster. It was a nice bike; looked to be of the 1200cc persuasion, Vance and Hines pipes, saddle bags and wind screen. (We have always rather liked HD Sportsters.) As we finished refueling and remounted, the young couple also mounted up and we both found ourselves leaving the fueling spot and easing out onto the open highway at the same time and in the same direction. The young fellow inexplicably then decided to “hammer down” his Sportster with the apparent intent of showing the old toot on the Triumph his tail lights in an impromptu race.
His decision proved ill advised. We seldom race or ride aggressively, having long ago outgrown such things. But this lad clearly threw down the gauntlet (Figuratively. He was wearing no gloves.); and on a whim we decided to call his bluff and “apply the whip.” The Beast, of course, answered; and the matter was decisively settled almost as quickly as it arose. We never exceeded 3500 rpm or 75 mph, but we went from a slow roll to highway velocity at a rate that a Sportster running two up can only dream of. We expect that the look on the youngster’s face was priceless; but we are left to wonder because our rearview mirrors tend to be a bit “fuzzy” when the Beast is giving strong effort.
Not sure what caused the young man to make such a poor choice of a “victim.” He may have had unrealistic expectations regarding his bike. Maybe he had a mind to show off for his sweetie. Or perhaps he simply was not familiar with the Rocket Roadster and its acceleration capabilities (he is now better educated). Regardless, we think it unlikely that our Sportster friend will “bow up” at another Rocket any time soon. We must admit the episode was pleasurable.
We trudge on.