Born to be wild – part I

'You see things vacationing on a motorcycle completely different. In a car you’re always in a compartment, and because you’re used to it you don’t realize that through that car window everything you see is just ‘ TV’. You’re a passive observer and it is all moving next to you.

On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re completely in contact with it all. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming. That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff you walk on, it’s right there, so blurred you can’t focus on it, yet you can put your foot down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never removed from immediate consciousness.'

Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Have you ever ridden a motorcycle? Maybe you ride it every day?

I would like to present you three types of them.

First part is about HD/chopper ;)

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod

source: http://pl.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plik:Harley-Davidson_VRSCA_V-Rod.JPG&filetimestamp=20060214002747

Harley was created by three man: William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson and Walter Davidson. In 1901 the work on this legendary motorbike has began. The rumor says the first carburetor was made from tomato cans. Two years later three motorcycles with a capacity of 25 cubic inches, which can develop speed of 72 km/h came into being. In the next three years 50 HD (called Silent Grey Fellow) were produced and sold.

First motorcycle H-D Silent Gray Fellow 1903r.,

source: http://www.tiger.gsi.pl/historiaHD.htm

In 1909 there was created a symbol of Harley Davidson – two-cylinder V-shaped engine. The American Army became interested in Harley Davidson. During testing, the military realized that HD is a bike reliable even in a difficult terrain. They were needed to wage the war with Mexico and later in Europe. The beginning of the war caused a shift into the production of WLA model. It came to Poland with the Soviet army. As part of the loan The Red Army war received from the United States nearly 29 thousand of these machines.

For those who loved WLA Harley Davidson created a BAD BOY model.

1995 Harley-Davidson FXSTSB Bad Boy

source: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1995-harley-davidson-fxstsb-bad-boy.htm

Chopper

Replica of chopper used in 'Easy Rider' movie,

source: http://pl.wikipedia.org/w/index.php

Chopper was created in the late 50th in United States. The motorcyclist riding on Harleys came to an idea to make their bikes lighter to increase their performance. They took off unnecessary elements (e.g. front fender, wide front tires, lights). Chopper-type motorbikes were popularized by the movie 'Easy Rider'.

And you?

Do you ride motorbikes?

Do you prefer motorbike or car? Why?

How do you like HD/chopper – type motorbikes?

Source:

Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

http://www.tiger.gsi.pl/default.htm

http://pl.wikipedia.org/