2-wheeled hams

[ka8kho]

Do your hobbies also include motorcycling? If so, what do you own...and does your rig incorporate any radio gear?

I own a couple of Honda Valkyries, and my XYL rides a GL1100 'Wing. We use CB as our primary bike-to-bike communications medium, but I'm giving serious thought to equipping one of the Valkyries (an Interstate) with some form of HF/VHF mobile rig. An IC-706 or similar unit with a remote-mount capability would be ideal for this; I could throw the "guts" in the trunk and mount the control head on the bars.

(If I could just get her to pick up a study guide...!)

Pity that most cycle manufacturers treat the electronics enthusiast as an afterthought; unless you're a competent
tech-type, interfacing ham or other aftermarket comms gear to a bike's audio system is painful at best. NO standardization of connector functionality (or types). Documentation is also somewhat hard to come by, but the various rider's groups are a big help here.

Anyone else on here ride?

[KC9EOG]

I used to have a Honda cb 650. It was scary how many people didn't seem to see me. I mostly drove around in the country as a result. I've been thinking of getting a little 250 CC bike to cruise around town once the station is complete, which means never! Maybe someday. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ad5qb]

Been riding since I was a kid, currently ride a 2001 Yamaha V-Star Custom (the 650). Thinking about going up to the 1100 in the spring, the 650 does well on the back roads, but I could use a bit more power when on the highways.

Haven't tried mounting any radio equipment on it, I'd rather keep my full attention on the cagers around me when I'm riding http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Also, see the Hams and Harleys (http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=7;t=62271) thread on this forum.

[W5MEJ]

Quote[/b] (ka8kho @ Dec. 20 2004,19:59)]Do your hobbies also include motorcycling? If so, what do you own...and does your rig incorporate any radio gear?
Motorcycles are more than a hobby to me...I got rid of my last four-wheeled transportation about six years ago!

My daily rider is a Triumph TT-600, but I also have a GL1100, and an old Yamaha XS-650. #I've never put any radio gear on any of the bikes, though. #I've never felt the urge to operate "motorcycle mobile", but I have seen some pretty nice installations on the Goldwings.

Ride safe!
Chuck

[NV5E]

KLR650 here, wife has an XS650. No radios on either one, yet. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Rob

[K7FE]

I bought my first motor scooter at 13 and was licensed to drive it at 14 (Nevada allows that). #I have had a number of bikes and prefer offroad like scrambles. #I seldom ride now, but still can when the opportunity presents itself. I have used my Icom 706 on a two wheeler.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[KI4FCP]

I for one have a 1200 XL Custom HD, too loud for a radio although when parked I use my VX2 Yaesu. #hi hi http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KI4IDF]

My "other" hobby is a 2003 Honda GoldWing that's dressed out more for safety and comfort than it is looking like a Las Vegas light show. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

No rig on the bike yet since the newer GoldWings are all plastic and aluminum (the Honda provided CB radio has enough problems with TX/RX because of this).

Proud member of Southern Cruisers Riding Club (SCRC) and GoldWing Road Riders Association (GWRRA).

73 - and Happy Holidays to one and all!

[N3LGN]

Back in 1976 My first real(and new) Motorcycle was an XS 650 Yamaha, I put a Vetter Winjamer on it and equiped the thing with a lafayette <sp> 23 channel CB.
Later on in life (1993ish) I bought a 1300 Yamaha Venture Royal I had an Alinco 590 2m 440 on that. I am now riding an 04 GL 1800. (My 02 was totaled when I got T-Boned a year ago) I am planning on installing an FT-90 when I get off my lazy duff and do it. I did a rid with a few folks before my 02 was totaled. One fella had an HF rig installed. For an antenna he had a hustler mounted on the trailer hitch of his GL 1800 I forgot what the radoi was, but the small Yeasu comes to mind. I have considered installing an IC-706 on my wing but the lack of ground plane would pretty much make the HF bands usless.

[KA4DPO]

Got my first bike in 1967, a Honda Scrambler. Got a Bultaco 250 in 68 and jumped on the Southern California motocross scene. In 70 bumped up to a Yamaha MXB-400 & did Supercross, Same year got into Desert racing. 73, got a YZOW 400 & also got the CMC #1 plate for a brief period taking it away from J.N. Roberts and Malcom Smith.

No more bikes now, got all the scars I need. Famous quote made by every automobile driver I saw from the pavement, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you".

[k5phw]

I ride a '02 Suzuki Bandit 1200 and the g/f rides a '81 Yamaha 650 Maxim. I have been riding one thing or another since 1966. Be safe all!


73 Clyde
Happy Holidays!

[W0LC]

1500 Intruder Cruiser. No radio on it yet. Would ruin the looks of it.

[WA2ZDY]

I used to ride, but my last bike took a permanent dump some years ago. Now my health is such that I don't think it's a safe idea for me to ride.

My son's Godfather has an Icom 706 on his 2003 Police Special. THAT is a ride and a half! Unfortunately I don't feel the small ATAS is a very effective antenna. I really don't know how many contacts he's made with it on HF, if any at all. I just don't have a good feeling about it. I do know he's used it on VHF/UHF and it works satisfactorily.

Ride safe!

[sv1eex]

Hey all,
I am driving a 2003 Aprilia Pegaso 650....I have managed to adapt the back trunk so that a mobile monobander whip can be attached..I am currently using a HCF-40L whip from maldol for 40m operation along with my FT-857D.The rig is powered with a 17.2Ah solid state battery that is also hidden in the trunk. 2 cables come out of the trunk on for the PTT+earphones and 1 for the front face control that is attached to the steering wheel.
for counterpoise I use a coil that resides on the side of the trunk..
Of course I dont operate when in motion i prefer to pull over and talk ...

On an alternate scenario a dual band v/u whip is used for local qsos..

[V8AGW]

At last a thread for bike gearhead hams http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I currently ride a goldwing, vmax and scoot. On rides we normally use handhelds c/w helmet earpiece. In this sweltering heat of Brunei and neighbouring jaunts to Sabah & sarawak... just use good ol hand sig...hehe http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
rideondude

[KG6SXT]

I have a BMW R1150RT, which I am trying to decide, "Which radio to add?" I was looking at FT 8800, mounted in the tailcone with the faceplate on the left side of the fairing, just above the speaker.
Only problem, which I will put to the group, can I convert (easily) the rj-45/11 plug for the mic to a mini din plug for PTT/mic/earphones???