Why do you like to post bike pictures?

[SheRidesABeemer]

When I got my MC endorsement, almost 10 years ago now, I didn't think very much about where I'd be going on a motorcycle. I'd been on the back of a bike off and on (figuratively speaking) for 15 years. A ride meant going two towns over for dinner, or maybe an ice cream. For a long trip maybe we'd go around the Lake. A long trip was about a half day.

Shortly after I was licensed, I met this guy who had this picture on his computer screen background. It was a picture of his bike stopped on a road out west - Montana or Wyoming I think. I was completely enthralled by not only the picture but the prospect that someone could undertake such a trip, on a motorcycle. At the time I didn't dream that I could be that person, but I never forgot that image.

Here on this site, those pictures are sort of ho hum. We out do each other with the cool places we've been and places we've seen, on our bikes. But whether I post here or on my blog, or on another riding forum, I do it to inspire someone else. The lurker who didn't even imagine where s/he could go on a bike.

And thank you for all of you who continue to inspire me to go places and take better pictures to remember those places by!

9/18/99 The earliest picture of me on my first bike.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/2233953654_65c39491f8_o.jpg

[SNC1923]

I like to post bike pictures to share my adventures. It allows me to combine my two life-long hobbies. I've taken some great trips, and I enjoy looking at these pictures over and over and over. . . .

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/72312292-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/64483503-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/23541889-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/175108286-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/27494000-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/94591323-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/214335925-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/214234768-XL.jpg

[lamble]

As I usually ride alone, I frequently forget to include my bike in the pictures I take. Likewise, I never include myself in shots, unless obscured in someway, it's just a habit that's become a rule.


http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/212689219-L.jpg

A passing stranger took this, hence the poor framing.

[BMWDEAN]

Inspired by "lamble" --

<img border=1 src=http://bmwdean.home.att.net/power-nap.jpg>

[lamble]

Sometimes my back feels like that too!

[37071]

The trip was fall 88 and it was warm. It is now cold and 20 years have passed. This pic brings back a very happy memory.

[torags]

Gail I couldn't help myself...

Not exactly ATTGATT.... Went down in Belgium later on that trip... got scraped up pretty good

1971 London & Marbella, Spain

http://torags.smugmug.com/photos/74835641-M.jpg

[rkasal]

When I got my MC endorsement, almost 10 years ago now, I didn't think very much about where I'd be going on a motorcycle. I'd been on the back of a bike off and on (figuratively speaking) for 15 years. A ride meant going two towns over for dinner, or maybe an ice cream. For a long trip maybe we'd go around the Lake. A long trip was about a half day.

Shortly after I was licensed, I met this guy who had this picture on his computer screen background. It was a picture of his bike stopped on a road out west - Montana or Wyoming I think. I was completely enthralled by not only the picture but the prospect that someone could undertake such a trip, on a motorcycle. At the time I didn't dream that I could be that person, but I never forgot that image.

Here on this site, those pictures are sort of ho hum. We out do each other with the cool places we've been and places we've seen, on our bikes. But whether I post here or on my blog, or on another riding forum, I do it to inspire someone else. The lurker who didn't even imagine where s/he could go on a bike.

And thank you for all of you who continue to inspire me to go places and take better pictures to remember those places by!

9/18/99 The earliest picture of me on my first bike.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2256/2233953654_65c39491f8_o.jpg

Mighty fine bike, there.

[grossjohann]

As I usually ride alone, I frequently forget to include my bike in the pictures I take. Likewise, I never include myself in shots, unless obscured in someway, it's just a habit that's become a rule.


http://lamble.smugmug.com/photos/212689219-L.jpg

A passing stranger took this, hence the poor framing.

Exhausted, drawn and quartered?

[torags]

A little more nostalgia and hopefully some inspiration to tour Europe, which is perfect bike tour country.

The first triumph is a couple we met in Europe, we traveled together to see the Gran Prix in Monaco.

1970: my Triumph is the second one picked up in London, 4000 miles later I blew that engine in southern France.

Me and my bride off the cliffs of Monaco. We will celebrate our 49th anniversary in March. I had somewhat more hair then (well a lot more)

http://torags.smugmug.com/photos/74833769-M.jpg

This is 2004 Bikeweek Daytona, my bride is still a fox

http://torags.smugmug.com/photos/74964041-M.jpg

We don't tour together nowadays but oh the memories of the roads......

[2BikeMike]

I like to share my pictures much like everyone else I guess, to inspire others and to show where I've been. I find that others rider's pictures inspire me to make more motorcycle trips. The picture below was taken on the way up to the top of MT. Washington, June 2006. That trip was so great, it left me wanting to go back.

[Cliffy777]

Why do I take pictures on the trip?
Because if I don't somebody named SRAB always posts: "This thread is worthless without pictures."


(did I win the prize?)

[kbasa]

Because they make me smile.

Tina, West Yellowstone entrance.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/219451846-L.jpg

[kbasa]

Because they make me realize how good I have it.

1990 or so. Me and Tina heading across NY state to Cooperstown, then Niagara Falls.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/219459338-L-1.jpg

[kbasa]

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/219451815-L.jpg

[lamble]

Exhausted, drawn and quartered?

In a State!

Four States actually, none of which were exhaustion, nor sartorial from the look of my dishevilment.

[Stuff2C]

My memory sucks and my hard drive might crash.

[rocketmanli]

With life as hectic as it is, it seems my whole world revolves around work, work, work. Family is important too. Work is what I do. Family is my foundation.
My bike is WHO I AM. On the road, my R1200C and I become one.

Inspiration to buy my BMW in the first place, and beautiful places to ride all come from folks like you. I hope to pass that torch on to others sitting on the fence, watching life go by.

[BONEY]

http://www.beachbus.net/BMW/rides/Torrey_sp_04/images/Torrey_web058.jpg

[GlobalRider]

Here on this site, those pictures are sort of ho hum.

The only pictures that I find ho-hum are those taken in someone's driveway or in a dough-nut shop parking lot; you know...a pic I would normally see in a sales brochure.

We out do each other with the cool places we've been and places we've seen, on our bikes.

Now those I like as long as they include interesting scenery that shows what the area is like. Whether anyone is trying to out-do anyone :dunno...something I've never considered considering how lousy my pics are.

But it is those pic and video presentations at club meetings and on forums that do inject the craving to see whats at the far end of the horizon and beyond.

[Burnszilla]

Been there done that. Got the photo.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2363/2119455708_36c26697ca_b.jpg
Big Sky Country.

[SheRidesABeemer]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/2250885885_8d5d0f9e10_o.jpg

[Rapid_Roy]

I like looking at them even more, but I never did post bike pictures until I joined a forum on the 'net.

[GrafikFeat]

I like to post things I've seen and share travel experiences.
Since most of my travel to explore is done by motorcycle...
And this is a motorcycling community...
The rest is evident. :)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_popper/4036696183/" title="1978 HiViz. by GrafikFeat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/4036696183_6be74e1daf.jpg" width="500" height="352" alt="1978 HiViz."></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_popper/4357869755/" title="1981 Yamaha XS650 Special II. by GrafikFeat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4357869755_91f085da18_z.jpg" width="640" height="457" alt="1981 Yamaha XS650 Special II."></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_popper/4765845209/" title="A Saturday Morning on Long Island, 2001. by GrafikFeat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4765845209_8013f6a256_z.jpg" width="640" height="457" alt="A Saturday Morning on Long Island, 2001."></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_popper/2446210714/" title="Mt Rainier on 2 Wheels by GrafikFeat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2446210714_14f1cb62c2_z.jpg?zz=1" width="512" height="640" alt="Mt Rainier on 2 Wheels"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim_popper/4338055397/" title="BMWMOA ON May 2008 by GrafikFeat, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4338055397_dcb2bb651a_z.jpg" width="496" height="640" alt="BMWMOA ON May 2008"></a>

The left image was supposed to be the cover on the right... But I didn't have a high enough resolution shot. Grrr!

:bikes

[GSteve]

It seems that every time I, or someone else, posts photos of a bike at a recognizable location, a conversation is soon started with someone wanting to know more about the trip.

Most of us have experienced a similar phenomenon as we travel by motorcycle. Whenever we stop for gas, food, or lodging someone will strike up a conversation about our travels and when they used to have a motorcycle back in "the old days". I dare say, those experiences are why many of us chose to explore by motorcycle. It's the same here, except the chatter is with other like minded folks.

http://gsteve.smugmug.com/Travel/Motorcycle/Arctic-Circle-Trip-2004/IMG35/9938761_tRs56-L.jpg

http://gsteve.smugmug.com/Travel/Motorcycle/TexMex-2007/Burrito-541-copy/140809786_pZUP6-L.jpg

http://gsteve.smugmug.com/Travel/Motorcycle/TDF-2008/TDF-2527-copy/250909378_6r3vs-L.jpg

http://gsteve.smugmug.com/Travel/Motorcycle/Ripio-Rangers-Reunion-Ride-1/Grants-Pass-Garberville-001/601598195_o5Tvr-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/792125705_baT8j-L.jpg

[SeabeckS]

Yup, like Steve says, posting pictures can lead to some interesting conversations about places we've been, etc, etc. His pic of the "O'Brien Cop car" elicited a response from me, as I took a similar picture of my Ducati 900SS/SP a few years ago...

And here's one of my favorite pictures...taken a couple of years ago as I was riding my new to me bike from Louisville, KY to it's future home in the Everwet State... :whistle

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14323&stc=1&d=1219885290

[Raptor02]

I had traveled a fair bit and finally bought a camera after seeing all my friends pictures of places we had visited. One acquired, said image machine was always with me in a backpack or tank bag ready to capture a moment for posterity.

I love motorcycles and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow motorcyclists, so it is natural for me to point my camera in the direction of my motorcycle, and those of my fellow riders. The scenery is a bonus.

As a final note, thanks to the riders for sharing and posting their images and videos.
JC
http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Vintage-Moto-Joe/XL250RaceTX01/1158926873_wi5Jv-L.jpg
My first bike, a 1977 Honda XL250.

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/1993-US-GP/Kocinski/1163152128_it9Se-L.jpg
Laguna Seca, 1993. John Kocinski won on the Cagiva.

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Mt-St-Helens-2007/DSCN1393/478112741_EFZ3f-L.jpg
My wife at Mt St Helens WA.

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Good-Samaritin-Rid/DSCN3006/647802148_UkPB5-L.jpg

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Fall-Ride-Pacific-Northwest/DSCN0136/489739170_ytQMP-L.jpg

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Weekend-with-Bernie/DSCN3586/846853243_brYXX-L.jpg

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/BMWOA-Rally-Redmond-OR/DSCN4071/942093294_Vy8P7-L-2.jpg

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Photography/Panoramas/i-X8C6Dm5/0/XL/ChuckPanJPG-XL.jpg

http://raptor02.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Fetching-Whitneys-GS/i-Rmd4FH7/0/L/DSCN4826-L.jpg
The reason for carrying a camera? To have more pics of my wife and I out and about enjoying life.

[pffog]

Why bikes, the grand kids make funny faces, and the camera adds 5 -10 lbs to adults.

http://www.easy-clan.com/ski/europe2011/2011%20small/Nate%20small/P1020135_1066x710.jpg