Why Bikers Are Tough

[ethics]

Thought it was all perception but after I've been riding I know why. Riding a bike builds muscle and strength. You can NOT ride a bike with out that happening.

That is all. :P

[MNeedham73]

Just wait until you move up to a heavier bike. ;)

[ethics]

I am sure, although my theory is that this is built up more on the go vs. standing/centering the bike.
I bet you cruiser boys don't lean your bikes as much as we do. ;)

[MNeedham73]

I guarantee we don't. Dragging floorboards on the pavement is a little disconcerting at times. ;)

[ethics]

I can imagine. I believe those are retractable though so don't be scared, it's only a warning!

[MNeedham73]

Oh yeah, they fold up. Have found out a few times already. ;)

[Brazbit]

I bet you cruiser boys don't lean your bikes as much as we do. ;)
You would be correct, there is no need to. However we do it with reps over time. Putting several hundred miles in each day with a far heavier bike (plus passenger, loaded saddle bags, trunk, and occasionally a trailer) more than makes up for practically dragging you knees on quick jaunts.

I quite enjoyed competitions so if I was not dragging my floorboards or pegs I did not feel I was doing it right so whenever I was solo I not only put in the miles but also drove much more aggressively than your average touring bike rider.

I couldn't really do that as often with Els on the bike as she loved to sleep in the back seat and that made me nervous about riding aggresively. Although even with her back there I would attempt to keep up with the aggresive riders, just in a slightly more sane way, and as such often reach the top of a mountain pass or a rest stop several minutes before the main group. That really irked my mother the first time, I think my dad was a bit proud though. The guy I was following was simply amazed as I was the youngest rider in the group and as such he never expected me to be able to keep up.

[Kluge]

I can ride my Boulevard in a straight line with no hands, and right-handed only at 60 or 70 is definitely possible for quick visor swipes, etc. Lefty-only means pulling in the clutch and coasting the bike, but still possible for shorter intervals. If your bike has to be muscled at normal times, what happens when you ride on poorly-surfaced roads? I suggest getting some practice riding perpendicular to the road, too. There are few if any banked turns inside NYC limits, but when you do get on one the yellow 'XX mph' signs usually tell you the no-lean speed of a country curve. The benefit is minimum change in applied forces if you happen upon anything slippery so you'd be more likely to stay balanced until the slippery wears off.

[ethics]

If your bike has to be muscled at normal times, what happens when you ride on poorly-surfaced roads?

You know, you are giving some excellent advice here, James. Seriously. You've pointed out the obvious and something even I neglected. IF you are muscling your bike, you are doing something wrong (unless you are stopped or getting gas and pulling up, etc...). If you are muscling the bike ON THE ROAD, there's an issue. The only time I have to do that is when I am leaning the bike and that's only because this is the type of bike/riding that's very different from cruising.