I've only been riding for about 3yrs. My husband has been riding since he was about 10yrs old, so about 35yrs.
John, my husband, used to race vintage Honda motorcycles(1970'S ish). Here in oregon/washington area is alot of mud/muck and the other end of the spectrum... desert racing w/ his Kawasaki 500(the green machine). He's an awsome rider, which is wonderful when your learning to ride on the back or on your own. I went through our local motorcycle class at a community college. their wait list is like 6 months.
My bike is not a harley, but a Honda Shadow. It looks and sounds like one, but not near the cost... we have a family to raise and feed. We're not into brand names... we're into the best combination of cost, reliablity, and fun-ability... good lookin' bike is a definate plus.
I absolutely love riding on my own, but I also love riding with my husband(it's great to sit behind you love and "trust". it's been awhile since I was on the back. the last time I was on the back was last summer when we took an early morning spontaneous ride to the coast(1.5hrs away) just to go to breakfast at a wonderful resturant... Camp 18
(celebrates the historic logging community).
How often do we stop... we have really never checked. My husband is such a layed back person that not much bothers him, so he just takes my lead... since i'm the less experienced rider, I almost always lead, so where ever I go/stop he goes, it doesn't matter to him... he just likes the riding. It's much safer and more enjoyable if everyone takes a break whenever someone wants/needs one. We'll eventually get to wherever we're going.
I also try to make sure that I don't take too many liquids, unless it's hot, cuz my bladder is the size of a pea.
I heart
this bunch of custom builders: Jesse James, Billy Lane,Arlen Ness and the late, great and legendary old school builder... Indian Larry
.
Have you been riding long or do you have that hole inside you that needs to be filled and think, "I want to ride, too" as you're sitting in your car/truck on a gorgeous sunny day(that's when I knew it was time)?
We also spend our vacation time with the kids and dogs, camping. We spend our time out in Central Oregon(more desert). We find a remote spot, so the dogs can roam and we can ride. Everyone has dirt bikes, but me... I have a quad(my knees can't take the rough ride of a bike). We're in the process of selling our kids(15 & 16yrs) bikes. Our son has outgrown his and my daughter wants a quad.