[Evans, Marv]

I started riding in 1968 and rode for several years as my only means of transportation. I've had bikes off and on but never a Harley. They just never seemed my kind of bike. A number of guys I've known for a long time got bikes (mostly Harleys) and have since given them up. They used to say they "made them feel free." I suppose since I rode for quite some time as transportation, that's how I view a motorcycle - transportation. It's a given that it's really enjoyable to ride on nice days, but I don't get out on days less than that. I'm lucky I live out of town where the roads are more fun as opposed to freeway use. My neighbor, who has ridden since his early teens (in his 60s now) and used his Harley almost on a daily basis, was taking his wife to work in the city at 5:30 AM Friday and hit a dog on the freeway. The bike went down, they went sliding. He got cracked ribs, road rash, and cracked pelvic bone. She came out of it OK and is a little sore in places. I guess the old saying, "It's not if but when" is pretty true. I've been down once already a long time ago. I agree with the traffic assessment about congestion and inattentive drivers. My bike is pretty old sport bike - a 2003 model, and I'm not planning on getting a newer one. I still see Harleys parked in front of restaurants our here and also see lots of sport bikes, but I think the older crowd is in the process of going by the wayside.