Metric Road Bike article

I do carry my cell phone in my bags.As far as GPS, I just take maps with me.I would like an intercom but my g/f says if she wants to talk to me she'll let me know and we can pull over.LOL. But, to each his own.If someone wants to carry/use the technology like that, more power to them. I will be upset when some government type tells me I have to use them to prevent me getting lost. I reserve the right to get lost on my motorcycle.

[rflnomad]

Well, we just got in from a 150 mile ride about 5 minutes ago. Had 1 VM on the cell.
It is interesting here; we all have different opinions for different reasons. TopCat; We too thought about the intercom but we never really researched it alot. Hand signals do us OK.
I do ask for direction when ( not 'if' ) I get lost. It's neat asking older people in a hardware store or diner for help. 99.9% love talking about bikes and it is good conversation.
We are both county workers so we are off for MLK day. Headed out by Okeechoibe past all the dairy and beef ranches. All 2 lanes, all nice. Windy but 60 degrees plus.

I have a scala rider bluetooth headseat. Only my friends have the number. I ride solo a lot so sometimes they just check in to see if I'm home. Not a distraction.

"only my friends have the number"................ "I ride solo a lot"

......... 'nuff said.

[oldbiker]

I carry my cell phone for emergencies. Paper maps. When they fail I stop and ask someone for directions. If I'm on the wing I don't usually play the radio. I like to hear what's going on around me. Especially horn blowing blue haired old ladies.

[dui546]

First and foremost...I gotta tell you that I do love technology. It is pricey but worth the peace of mind. I also pick and choose when and where I want to use it and that is rarely on local rides. However, I think it is good to have capabilities when you take a road trip. Especially if you are riding alone or in areas that you are unfamiliar with. It's just a matter of convenience. The beautiful thing about having caller ID on the cell phone/gps is that you don't have to answer any call from anyone you don't want to talk to.

[davidjones1]

I do the same as most, I carry the cell phone but do not use while riding the wife will every now an then too check on the kids, the gps is more of toy then anything else however it is nice to see the next gas station or diner is coming up.
ride safe.

[dogdoc]

I agree with dragon dont need any of the contraptions, just a distraction from why we ride. And yes my back decal says Lonewolf, No club just like somebody else. :-)

[basco]

Tell me again what did we do before cell phones :)

Before cell phones we just did what we do now. Rode and hoped nothing went wrong.It seems to me the places that I think I would most likely need a cell phone is where I get that no bar, no signal .

[Bdog]

No tech stuff here..just ride..no heated stuff either..more clothes..very seldom a motel ..camping..very basic way of travelling..although I do carry a map so I can find the back roads. As someone else said..when I do get lost..its a great way to meet people and ask them where the heck am I.

[ross]

I do have a cell phone. It stays at my side even when I am driving the cage. I do not believe ANYONE should talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time. I personally have had two bad experiences with other drivers attempting both at the same time and I was lucky with the outcome both times. Others have not been so lucky...

I do use a GPS and really like it. For one it actually helps you enjoy the ride, especially when you are in strange places with the routes programmed. That way you are not on edge hoping you do not miss your turn off or drive right on past highway ?? and miss your turn.

A GPS can even be more interesting when you program it wrong. Ask me how I know this ::) ::) :-[ :-[

MY GL1800 has all the extras, radio, cb, and GPS along with the intercom system.

My Nomad only has the GPS. I do have the Lowrance Iway 500 and the new 600 both. They do have MP3 players in them which I do use occasionally.

[bomadgary]

All I have is my cell phone, turned off and in the pocket of whatever riding jacket I'm wearing. No need for anything else.

[rlfaubion]

I appreciate all the additions on my bike today vs. what we ran back in the old days. They include:

Windshield
Lowers
Floor Boards
Passenger Boards
Crash Bars
Hard Bags
Keyed Ignition Switch
Locking Front Forks
Turn signals
High & Low Beams
LED lights
Front Fenders
Horn
Speedometer
Fuel Gage
Rear Shock Absorbers (vs. hardtails)
Front Brake
Hydraulic Brakes (vs. mechanical)
Hand Clutch (instead of foot clutch)
Foot Shifter (instead of hand shift)

And not to mention shaft drives, water-cooled engines with offset cylinders and five-speed transmissions.

It's enough, I don't feel the need for more..... Plus one of the best things - you don't have cops pulling you over on a daily basis. Oh and motorcyle parking was not in the equation. In fact some time back Cal Neva Casino at North Shore Lake Tahoe once paid a group of us not to park there!

These are to good ole daze!!!!

[dui546]

I have another motorcycle in my garage that I ride to feel those good ole days (1981 Yamaha Heritage Special). I totally enjoy it and it definitely takes me back to my senior year of high school when my uncle purchased it new and tossed me the keys. I was able to buy it when it was offerred to me after a several years in the military. I have kept it although other bikes that have come and gone. It is totally original (including the paint) with only 16,074 miles on it as of this date (I just looked). It does have a hydraulic front brake but it is somewhat high tech for the day because it has both "electric" and kick start capabilities. I have changed the tires a few times, replaced the chain and both sprockets and the electrical brushes. I also had to change the air filters due to a break down of the foam. Other than that...she is original and when I thought about selling it my 23 and 21 y/o daughters threw a fit because it is part of their first memories.

HOWEVER, as much as I enjoy "short" country throw back rides on my 27 year old registered antique...I want what I paid for and "more" in my Nomad. It was my present to me.

You rough riders made me think back to a 1947 motorcycle that my uncle had for awhile. I rode that thing a few times and it was a total work out. Shaking and vibrating, with literally no bounce shocks, and it would occaisionally make your right calf black and blue because it kicked back when you tried to start it. Some would probably argue that it was far more of a "real" man's motorcycle compared to the Nomad...I think not. In its day I am sure the original owner thought it was "state of the art." Heck, I bet he might of even carried a compas.

[ds06nomad]

I carry the cell phone in the bags, turned off until I need it (usually the end of the ride, to check for emergency messages from home, etc.) No maps, no GPS, no bluetooth. Part of the "therapy" of riding, for me, is to escape all that crap. If I need directions, I write them on a post-it and shove it in a pocket. that's about it....

ds