An interesting afternoon - Dodge Viper, Toy run and bikes!

[mattb]

Well we got back from lunch today and I managed to convince the wife that what was needed before putting up the Xmas lights was a quick blast to clear the head - she bought it
Gearing up and getting out there it was a bright but chilly (50F) Mississippi afternoon. I headed for the quieter roads and after 10 mins and a few overtakes I saw a shiny red low slung beastie in front of me. I crept up on it and realized it wasn't a Ferrari (don't think there is one of those in Mississippi?!) but a Dodge Viper with huge rear tires. Thought my recent Metzler M5's were expensive but dread to think what a set of those babies must cost? Anyway was cruising faster than the Viper so waited for an appropriate place to overtake but he suddenly accelerated. I thought initially to let him go but then thought I'm must defend the honor of the bike and the brand so rolled on the throttle (in 6th) and pulled up with him. He then booted it again and still without changing out of 6th I managed to pull him back very quickly. I honestly don't think he was trying real hard but it felt good that even rolling on this bike has AMAZING pull. Anyway we both realized it was a nice Sunday ride and with both our honor in tact we chilled back to cruising speed. As we came around the corner we were faced with 20-25 motorcycle cops with all the blues and twos going!!! Turns out they were riding shot gun for what must have been a toy run of I estimate 100+ bikes - every last one of them a Harley. I did feel a bit embarrassed to be going the other way and not doing something more worthwhile then chasing Vipers but it quickly past Then a further 10 mins down the road, the Viper having pulled off, a Ford F-150 pulled out in front of me going very slowly. It's speed, or lack of it, giving away that something was not quite right. I figured it out quickly as one of the mountain bikes in the back dropped off the tailgate and bounced down the road towards me. Gentle squeeze, get it biting and then big squeeze and pulled the K13 to a halt and looked at the guy running to pick up his lost bike. A quick high speed blast to blow out the cobwebs and then home an hour and a half later just in time to get the red wine open. Completely forgetting about those lights - ah well there's always tomorrow. But that quick ride showed me again why I have so much respect for the big - the acceleration and the braking capability combined package must be a match for most "normal" road bikes?? Merry Xmas to all and SAFE riding.

[ato1300s]

Great story. One of my old supervisors owns a Viper, I think he said that a set of tires runs about $1200. I could be wrong though. I would assume that they last a little longer then motorcycle tires. I would be willing to bet if you would have down shifted, the viper would have been left eating your dust. I love rides like that.

[mattb]

You know Tim it's amazing how you can go out with no planning and just have such great fun even on your own on a bike. My issue is why did it take me so long to get on a bike? Years of conditioning that bikes are dangerous and un-safe I think? It's not the bike it's the dude twisting the throttle though. But also the bikes we ride do provide some added protection through ABS, traction control, heated grips, etc.

[ato1300s]

I often find myself defending motorcycle riding against those who feel that it is an unsafe activity. Most of the time it is the rider who puts themselves into bad situations. Of course there are other situations that we cannot account for like bad drivers, but with training we can sure minimize these situations as well. Bikes sure have come a long way, and they are getting safer for riders. I took a MSF course when I was just thinking about riding. Then I bought a bike and fell in love with everything motorcycles. Ride safe.