SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - November, 2005

Name:   Rob Capozzi

Nickname:   Throttle

Marital Status:  Married

Location:  Leesburg, VA

Hometown:  Being a former Army brat, my hometown is where ever I am.

Children:  Nope

Age:  35

Occupation:  Government Financial Management Systems Consultant

Current motorcycle(s):  '89 Honda CB-1 and an '05 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
Just happened across the online forum at Delphi and was happy to see a chapter in my backyard. I joined in July of 2005.

How long have you been riding?
Been riding for over 15 years. A bunch of friends were getting into motorcycles shortly after high school and I got sucked in!

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
Yup. Took the Advanced MSF course back in the early 90's. I plan on taking it again in '06 to brush up a little with the new bike.

What was your first bike?
My first bike was a great learner. It was an '87 Honda 600F "Hurricane". Hey...any bike named "Hurricane" has learner's bike written all over it, right?!

How many bikes have you owned?
Only four bikes. My two current scoots, plus the '87 Hurricane and a '90 Suzuki GS500E

Why do you ride?
I do it primarily because it is just sooo much fun. Something about throwing a leg over a motorcycle and blasting down the road that makes me smile.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
Hmm. Never really rode with an organized group before. I have done plenty of back road burning with groups of crazy riders, though I wouldn't consider it organized. More like everyone for themselves and the last-one-is-a-rotten-egg type of group.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
Mostly comfort and safety mods. Seats, LED brake lights, brake modules, light bar, handle bars, grips, steel braided brake lines, and passenger floor boards.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
I'm anxiously awaiting my windscreen for the V-Star. Especially now that the weather is turning.

What is your dream bike?
I've always liked Ducati, but never owned one. Really I'm more about the adventure than the wheels.

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
I prefer twisties. It's a sickness from my sport bike riding. Straight-aways are ok as long as you dangle some twisties in front of me.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
Oh I don't have one yet...

What is your favorite riding route?
Well there was this little twisty road that connected Tennessee and NC. I think it was 19/23 and maybe 25. I would take that route when visiting my buddy in Asheville, NC. I-40 in TN (use to be I-181) would take me from I-81 to the base of the mountains and that little twisty road took you up, over, and down into NC. Boy that was a fun road. I'd run that thing so hard, I had to rest at the end because my wrists would ache from the hard braking into the corners.

Do you ride your bike to work?
Every chance I get. The commute is far more enjoyable on two wheels.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
Well, rumor has it that I once did a quick burst of an indicated 145mph on a straight-away down a stretch of road. (I was trying to get to another twisty road!)

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Early spring. Winter is on the way out and the mornings are nice and brisk and the afternoons warm up just right. Makes for good riding.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
I've been down twice. I wasn't hurt either time due to my safety gear. The first time was on a race track (Summit Point, WV, actually). I was coming out of the last turn heading for the straight and ...oops...ran out of track as I drifted out on the exit. The bike was totaled. I learned that a bike doesn't need a rider to keep going. The bike picked itself back up after dumping me off and continued down the straight to cross the start/finish line. I also learned that you can get on the throttle too early exiting a corner.

Second time was making a left onto a side street. The road was a bit damp and I remember telling myself: "Hmm, maybe you should brake a bit earlier and not get in the turn so hot since the road is a bit damp. It's probably very slick." Well, I didn't listen to myself and I did a little low side. No damage to the bike, but I did rip my rain suit. I learned to listen to my little internal voice more closely.

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
Never have, but I am interested. Sounds like a good challenge and I do like road trips.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
I've ridden from VA to Daytona, FL and back for spring break on my little CB-1. So that was a little over 700 miles one-way with a stop over in Asheville. I don't recommend the CB-1 for long trips like that.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
Probably the cold. I use to ride to school year round and 15 degrees at 60mph is just miserable. I couldn't stick my hands far enough into the motor to get them warm. The only thing worst than the cold like that is cold plus rain. Yuck!

Do you know how to work on your bike?
Yes. I do most of the work on the bike. I don't get into engine rebuilds but I have rebuilt carbs, valve adjustments and such.

What is your favorite road song?
Don't have one.

What was your most adventurous ride?
Probably that trip to Daytona Florida for Bike Week.

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Other than hitting the tail end of Bike week in Daytona, I really haven't done any rallies.

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
My wife, Michele. She's normally with me on our group rides. Other than commuting, she's
almost always with me when I ride.

Off the cuff from...Throttle
I've only been with the group for a few months, but Michele and I have had such a great time on every ride. We'll just have to white knuckle it until spring when the group starts riding again. Besides...I need to get to work on all those house projects I've been neglecting.