Featured Rider: Carol Stone King
Rider Contributor
June 14, 2011
Filed under Reader Showcase
Featured rider Carol Stone King talks about riding through Custer National Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Piaa lights and why you don’t see motorcycles parked outside psychiatrists’ offices.
Carol Stone King
About you:
Name: Carol Stone King
Age: 57
Male or Female: definitely F
Location: Tulsa OK
Motorcycle: 2007 Ridley AutoGlide TT
Years Riding: 7
Miles logged: lots, haven’t kept track and haven’t looked back
Favorite Road: anywhere in the Black Hills, just not during rally week
About your ride:
What breed of rider are you? Describe your ideal day of riding to us. Sun shining, about 78 degrees, wind in my face with no particular place to go. I’m a cruiser kind of girl and love to travel on my bike, destination is secondary. If it’s a day ride, I head over to NW Arkansas and ride the twisties around Eureka Springs and Fayetteville.
You’re cruising on your favorite road, what does it look like? Can we go too?? Where is it? I don’t really have a dream road. It’s all good whether I’m riding the Great River Road along the Mississippi in Missouri, through the mountains into Red River NM or through rural Oklahoma. It’s riding with a few good friends and sharing the joy.
My current favorite road is in Custer National Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota and if you haven’t been yet, you need to go. Only not during the Sturgis Rally, too many people on motorcycles. I love the majesty of the scenery and the challenge of the roads. But there are too many roads I have yet to ride, so I can’t call one my favorite. Ya never know what’s around the next curve.
Carol's 2007 Ridley AutoGlide TT
We all have one motorcycle accessory or aftermarket product we can’t live without—what’s yours? Lights! I’ve put light bars on every bike I’ve owned. For me, it’s about visibility. I’m going to add Piaa lights on to the crash bars… err… engine guards, too. Also, engine guards. I’ve dropped every bike I’ve owned except the Ridley, not to mention they’re a good place to mount highway pegs.
What is your favorite motorcycle of all time? Why? The old Indian Chiefs, late ’40s through ’53. Those beautiful, art deco lines flow. They are just plain sexy. The new ones, from Gilroy CA and the current incarnation, don’t have the heart and soul of the original.
Is there grease under your fingernails? Got any bike improvements, maintenance tips or general tech advice everyone should know about? Well, when I was (much) younger, I used to help the guys work on their cars and loved having dirty hands. Now, my wonderful husband does all the maintenance and upgrades on our bikes. (He has 2 Victorys, an ’03 Touring Cruiser and an ’05 Vegas 8 Ball.) Bottom line is that there is no better maintenance than preventative maintenance. Change the fluids on schedule, check the tires for tread depth often and replace if needed.
Half helmet or full helmet? Why? That question can opens a can of worms. In town, I wear a half-helmet on the road. I could go into all the stats comparing helmet states and free states (the fatality rates are virtually the same), and debunk the “public burden” argument (for the most part, riders carry better insurance than auto drivers); but basically in town at slow speeds that helmet could save my life. At highways speed, what kills riders most is trunk trauma, massive internal injury and a helmet would not have changed the outcome. Ultimately, I believe it’s a personal choice.
Let’s get philosophical…
Pinstriping detail on Carol's AutoGlide TT
Why do you think people ride motorcycles? I think there are as many reasons as there are riders. But you don’t see motorcycles parked outside psychiatrists’ offices.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer a new rider? Take the MSF Basic Rider Course. If nothing else, it will show you that you are not cut out to ride a bike. Then practice, practice, practice and when you’re done, practice some more.
Who is the coolest motorcyclist you know? Why? Jeez, hard choice. My friend, John P. He’s ridden for decades, has 2 Harleys, a vintage Norton, and an old Honda and does the work on all of them. He’s on the board of the MRF (Motorcycle Riders Foundation) and walks his talk. He’s brilliant and a true renaissance man; and he’s passionate about motorcycles. Not to mention he’s a damn nice guy and good friend.
It gives me great inspiration to read articles which pertain to women of any age who are riding. I just purchased another motorcycle at 52 after 15+yrs non riding, and ppl think I’m nuts. Who said women can’t ride…I loved this article on Carols adventurous spirit.
RideRightON Sista!!!
[Reply]
I’m a 65-yr-young woman who has had bikes since the 60s…before you had to have an endorsement on your license. I have had to sell a few of them to pay college tuition for my husband, and am currently without my favorite of all time, the Virago 1100 which lets me be flatfooted on the ground. Short women need love too!!
I would probably buy a Victory if they would make one for short ol’broads.
[Reply]