My name is Robert. I'm 53 years old.  A Leo.  I like long walks off short piers, quiet evenings at home plotting revenge against people that teased me in high school, and moonlit strolls on the beach while wearing 80 lbs of dive gear.  I hate clowns and Harleys.  I hate clowns.  No, really.

By the numbers then...

Name:  Robert Arance.  Born in Argentina to parents.  Two of them.
Location:  Somewhere in the hills west of Castaic, Free Republic of Southern California.  I have food, water, and guns.
Bike:  2006 S2R 800, bought on September 18th, 2009
How long:  Rode nearly every day from June 1980 to April 1988.  Started up again yesterday (just kidding!  it was last Friday).  Life...aint it grand?

Things to share:  I like big women.

My old rides:  

1960  Llama

1978 RD400, bought used (500 miles) and stock from a co-worker, spent every other paycheck for the next 4 months on tricking it up. Really wanted a SR500 but the RD was an offer I couldnt refuse.  A real canyon carver and track-day bottle rocket, but on the first trip I took on it that was over 100 miles, I decided I needed a 4-stroke.

1979 Kawasaki 550A1...not mine, belonged to Keith Code and he let me ride it after paying him to attend his second ever California Superbike School.  I hear he had some success with that.  

1979 Suzuki GS550, bought new in the crate in late 1980 when no Kawi dealer wanted to sell me a GPz550 for sticker.  Spent every other paycheck for the next two months on tricking it up and by the time I was done with it, it outran and outhandled a GPz 550 for $500 less.  I declared victory and sold it.  

1982 GPz750, bought new from a dealer kind enough to sell it to me for sticker.  Spent very little leaving it well enough alone.  Later added a Shoei sport fairing (sorta BMW RS-ish).  Sold it when I bought a GTI in 1988.  

The Norton belonged to my friend Larry.  I include it in the photo because I look good on it.

Spent the next 21 years driving and racing various cages (Golf ITB, Formula Vee, shifter karts, Spec Miata).  Divorce put an end to all that frivolity a few years ago.   Started scuba diving so had to eventually sell my Miata for something a tad more practical (hard to stow diving gear in a Miata with a full roll cage) and bought a station wagon (Totally unnecessary name dropping: the guy that bought my Miata is Pete Brock's son!  Pete Brock...as in BRE Datsun 510s and Shelby Daytona coupes?  How old are you people? Kids these days...)

I was struck down with motorbike disease again (it had only gone into remission, never actually cured) a few months ago after watching a 24 hour marathon of Long Way Round/Long Way Down/Race To Dakar, and "Faster".  Shopping for used bikes I was amazed to find a nice Duc just inside the upper limits of my budget and in my weakened state of mind, bought it.

Which brought me to this forum.  DMF has been an invaluable source of information, providing me with the knowledge to make an informed purchase.  I have met several fellow members that have offered me cheap and even free parts to help me modify my bike to suit me, and I'm am grateful for their help.  Tip of the tam o'shanter to Nick at VDS for his input and expertise.  This is a great site and I look forward to taking part in the process.

Cheers!

Rob

Welcome Robert, that's one of the best introductions I've seen!

Ha! Nice Llama.

I know you've already been knocking around in the gear and mods section. IF you've got questions on how to set up a Monster for old far... fellas - you might pop in the CAM local board. We've gt a couple fellows who value their comfort and might have some good thoughts for you, but they rarely venture outside the local board.

Quote from: somegirl on September 21, 2009, 09:24:46 PM
Welcome Robert, that's one of the best introductions I've seen!

+1. I like the pics, Robert. Especially that Norton!

Hi~
i'm a Leo too! but I prefer long walks on the beach  [moto]
i hate clowns.. with a passion.

wait.. is your bike orange or not? i'm very confused... 

Quote from: orenjimonster on September 23, 2009, 09:21:15 AM
Hi~
i'm a Leo too! but I prefer long walks on the beach  [moto]
i hate clowns.. with a passion.

wait.. is your bike orange or not? i'm very confused... 

Whoah...seperated at birth...

No, the bike is red.  I'm orange.   My last name is Italian for orange...I'm a Leo...I was divorced in 2003...

So when do you wanna go for a ride?  Some great un-scorched roads up my way.