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Member Bio: Peter Chang |
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Member Bio: Peter Chang |
Born: 1972 (makes me 38, or 39 depending when this gets published). Currently residing in Heidelberg.
Got my M license in 1999. I was living with my parents until 1999, and they did not allow motorcycles at home. Snuck off to Conestoga College to do the bike course with borrowed helmet. First bike was purchased in 2000, a 1992 Yamaha FZR600, from Stratford Cycle for about $4000, including 2 helmets. Putted around Stratford, and did a couple of rides to cottage in Muskoka. Joined a Yahoo Group on it.
Second bike was purchased in 2002 or so -- memory's fuzzy -- a 2000 Honda VFR800 (green). Joined OntVFR and the "big list", and met a lot of interesting people on the lists. Did the second OntVFR trackday (2003?). Was slow, but had a blast. Did FAST1 with some others from the OntVFR group in 2003/4. Met a lot of interesting people in person.
Bought a skid full of StainTune exhausts in a group buy from Australia. Went to Pearson airport to pick them up, and stuffed them into my Jetta. Some listers may remember that group buy. Bought a trailer to use for trackdays and roadtrips. Trailered to WDGAH8.
The second bike came to an end after an encounter with a Chrysler Concorde in Waterloo in 2006. It had just over 50,000 km on the odometer.
Third bike was bought in Quebec in 2006; trailer came in handy. Surprise! It's a 2000 Honda VFR800 (green). In 2007, I got introduced to the Dragon on a trip to Deal's Gap with a few OntVFR members.
Fourth bike was acquired in 2007, a 2000 Honda CBR600F4. Rashed up, high mileage, very much previously experienced. I use it as a trackbike. I've done a handful of trackdays, have fun, but am still slow. Sold the CBR in 2009 to finance a new toy.
Where I live in SW Ontario, the riding isn't really that interesting, the majority of the roads are straight and flat. However, the food's good. I've met a bunch of OntVFR listers for breakfasts at Angie's Kitchen on a Saturday morning in St. Agatha. St. Agatha is also the home of the list admin Robyn. Conversation and tire kicking are definitely better than the local riding. I enjoy reading and posting to the list and the general camaraderie. Enjoy riding in Muskoka (3 hours away) and in the Smokeys in the US.
I'm riding less these days (about 2000 km in 2010), but do enjoy it when I do get out. Part of that is because I bought a new summer toy a few years back that cuts into riding time (2001 Porsche Boxster S - great commuter vehicle - I commute about 40km on country roads to work). I'll keep the bike on the road for the next couple of years. It's probably not worth a whole lot now given it will turn 11 years old this year, but it still handles well (Ohlins in the back, Race Tech in the front). We cottage a lot in the summer, and I'm probably going to leave my bike up at the cottage for a few weeks in the summer.