well, i think its time for me.

[Smokescreens]

thinking its time to hang up the boots and helmet. been flirting with the idea for about a year and im not even looking forward to spring for me to ride anymore. i get more and more frustrated with people seamingly not able to drive without looking into the screen of the phone. constantly worried im going to get rear ended or side swiped is not enjoyable to me. i paid off the bike this fall so i have the release of lien letter for my 2017 electraglide. i can sell it now that way but i also have a appointment at the end of march and if i still have it then i will transfer it into my name and i can just sign the title over that way too. same thing just one piece of paper vs two.

if you know anyone looking for a dark side branded bike let them know.

still not leaving untill you guys kick me out though, lol. even if i havent posted much i do lurk. just working way to much overtime to be posting much.

[Brad_G]

Well glad to see you're still lurking at least. It really is a shame if it comes to that. But I can understand your concerns. Driving in a car with these people around is aggravating enough....it does make riding a bike a scary proposition. Maybe when the weather breaks you'll have an itch to get out there and this will just be a case of the long winter conundrum.

[Lug Nut]

Getting a different type of toy? Side x side? Boat? Can't give up motorized fun altogether!

[Smokescreens]

Getting a different type of toy? Side x side? Boat? Can't give up motorized fun altogether!

i had my 17 scat pack charger that i let go. to many electrical issues and dodge didnt even try to fix it. just bought a 2018 mustang gt to take its place. so i have a fun toy at least. im thinking aboit getting into autocross next year to see how i like that. drag strip is fun too but autocross is closer so i can do it more often.

[davej]

Sorry to see you go Jason. I understand you have to do what feels right though. I know I quit riding a couple times for a few years at a time. I did it when raising kids and working alot like you do. Hell I quit 1 time for almost 10 years but always had riding in the back of my mind. I have slowed down quite a bit since I moved from your area where all my riding buddies lived but I don't think I will ever quit riding again. Even if it is only a few miles a year I will get in a few good rides. Also I hope you never leave here you have always been a great asset to this community.

[Jclevesque]

Yep too bad you want to quit riding. Been great reading all your mods on your old bike especially the air ride setup and more. Heck, I even caught your ball milled addiction too lol. All in all I really do understand your thinking. It is not just young people, it is all types and ages of people that are distracted. JC

[EP Roadie]

Sorry to hear but got to do what feels right, I will say I'm not the everyday rider I was a few years back but I do like to jump on for a cruise to blow out the cobwebs And I do keep to the open areas not in congested city or highway traffic for peace of mind to enjoy the ride.

[MrSinister]

Dude! I truly know the feeling. I've actually only recently started riding on the street again, as I spend the majority of my time on the track. Getting back on the street has made me realize how much more attentive I have to be, even compared to Road Racing. I hope you don't stray too far away, still need to bend your ear as much as possible...LOL...

[boomerA]

I can agree with you about the inattentive drivers! I usually feel a bit safer, since I'm going to work @ 10PM and coming home @ & AM. All the asshats moving here to Texas from Cali and New Yawk are making things worse. I haven't been riding since November, because I had back surgery (lumbar laminectomy), but during my stay in the rehab hospital, my room was on a fairly active street, and hearing the 'bikes going by on the nice days was audible torture! I hope to return to riding when cleared by mt doctor, but I don't think I'll quit just yet (not written in stone!)

[brianmac]

Well you guys know my spin on this one. I remember as a teenager riding Yamaha TX 750 when we put them up for the winter and you don't get to ride you develop the fear of riding. Maybe it's some kind of cabin fever. Now you guys don't know that I ride the motor scooter everyday ,one of the other, and people try to get you once or twice a week sometimes but you just got to be ready for it . Hell I don't even wear a helmet, but I don't want to open up that can. No I don't live in a big city with crazy ass traffic jams and crazy ass Pakistani cab drivers. But I did learn to drive the motorcycle on Long Island and I would travel through New York City on occasion. It's all about speed control traffic control watching your mirrors be wary of blind intersections. You just got to figure every idiot out there is going to try to kill you. If you if you're riding skills are good and you don't have to think twice about what button to hit what pedal to grab should be good to go, and if not practice practice practice, or take her updated driving class.

[DEEPHATE]

Though I agree about the inattentive and distracted drivers it's sad to hear that your hanging it up. Please do stick around.

[Duke]

Damn Smokescreen, don't ever give up, as long as you have your health, and mind? Just take those old back roads for clearing your mind, and relaxing.

[Doc_V]

Shame to hear Jason, but it's understandable, especially after all you've been through. I am glad to hear you'll be sticking around though. Stay safe.

[Smokescreens]

yeah, not going anywhere. but i just havent really been riding. i have less than 5,000 miles from when i bought it in 2017. just a few short rides a year after a fresh oil change.

[Lifeguard]

Age...safety....other interests.....we are what we are. Sometimes it is not what we are doing right now but what we are in general that we forget. Whatever you do it must be interesting but those interests change over time. I don't have the concerns about drivers but then again I ride out in the country where there aren't many people but safety is something I too think about. I think it is machines that we are attracted to and so if it is a machine then do it. Bikes, cars, guns, or whatever we all just like machines.