SCRC Loudoun VA Featured Member - April, 2008


Name:   Rick Coffman

Nickname:   Fidget

Marital Status:  Dionisia and I will have been married 23 years next month.

Location:  Herndon, VA

Hometown:  San Pedro, California - Port of Los Angeles

Children:  I have two great kids. My son is 21 and a Jr at VT studying BioChem and a video game fanatic. My 18 year old daughter is a freshman at UVA and playing Rugby on a club team.

Age:  56

Occupation:  Marketing and Sales Director - Mortgage Finance

Current motorcycle(s):  06 V Star 650 and 07 FJR 1300

How did you hear about the SCRC and when did you join?
A month after getting my bike I was gassing up at Sheetz in Charles Town. Guy next to me, a W.VA native, was filling up his Harley Ultra and asked where I was headed. As we were both headed anywhere,we spent the next 10 hours riding in W.VA. He said he had ridden with SCRC Loudon a few times and suggested I try it out. So, about a year later, tired of riding solo all the time, joined in October, '07.

How long have you been riding?
In August, two years

Have you ever taken a motorcycle safety course?
I took Larry Grodsky's Staying Safe Neo Alpine course. This was 2 days of up and down and around the Blue Ridge. From Warrenton to down around Buena Vista and back. I'm taking Reg Pridmores CLASS Street Course at VIR in June on the FJR.

What was your first bike?
The V Star. Great starter bike

How many bikes have you owned?
Two so far. One per year. Probably can't keep that up,

Why do you ride?
My childhood, and still best friend, got me focused. He said it would definitely fit me to a T. It's the best buzzs since I surfed as a kid. I love the freedom, focus and solitude riding brings.

Have you ridden with an organized group before?
No, this is the first.

What modifications have you done to your bike?
On the V Star- Exhaust,Air Charger, Rejet, Risers and Beach Bars, Kury Grips and Mirrors, Passing Lamp bar and lamps, Fender Rack and removed signal bar putting lights in back of Hard Bags.
On the FJR - Nothing yet.

What accessories do you want to add to your bike?
Done on the V Star
On the FJR - Heli Bars, Sliders, Cee Bailey Screen, Russell seat and some larger tail lights on the hard bags, Givi Trunk.

What is your dream bike?
Bigger Cruiser...Dont know which one yet.

What kind of riding do you like to do — straight-aways or twisties?
Definitely twisties. Thats why I went to the FJR. I like the Cruiser for around town on weekend but the FJR is just a dream in the curves.

If you have a nickname, how did you get it? Tell the truth!
RickyRey...Has nothing to do with riding. When I was in L.A. and working odd jobs during school, a southern guy I worked with just added Rey to Ricky and it stuck. Thinking about changing it to a riding handle -Oddball... The tank driver in Kelly's Heros. Similar souls.

What is your favorite riding route?
In VA, anywhere west of Route 29 and off the super slab. Love the BRP but the speed limit is a little confining.

Do you ride your bike to work?
No. Too many knuckleheads doin to many other things than driving.

What is the fastest you’ve ridden?
95 on the FJR and did not even know I moving that fast. Thought I was doing about 80.

What is your favorite time of year to ride?
Spring and Fall.

Have you ever been down? If so, how were you hurt and what did you learn from the incident?
Yes. Dropped it in curve on Route 9 on the way to Paw Paw. I was going a bit hot into the turn, with my new Staying Safe skills mind you, and high sided. Since I ride ATGATT, I only bruised my hipp and forearm and ground my helmet up. Nursed the bike home. Slowly... I learned that too much false confidence too soon aint a good thing. I do now subscribe to the notion that a new rider needs at least 4000 miles in the saddle to even have a clue about riding....and maybe then some.

Have you ever done an "Iron Butt" ride?
No. Can't see the fun in it. It's got to be fun. I guess I might be classified a Flower Sniffer. I ride a couple hours and take a break and so on.

If not, what is the furthest you’ve ridden?
About 400 miles. I'm a fair weather rider. Daylight and sunny skies suit me fine.

What was the worst weather in which you’ve ridden?
See above - Im sure sooner or later I'll have to do the rain dance.

Do you know how to work on your bike?
Yes. Very little. I change the oil and simple things. Everything else to a good mechanic.

What is your favorite road song?
Have not ridden with tunes yet. Im adult AD. Theres always a tune in there somewhere. Just cant pin it down.

What was your most adventurous ride?
After having my license for one month, I rented a Harley Heritage Softail in Palm Springs, CA. Rode up 74 out of Palm Springs and over the San Jacinto mountains on 234. About 60 miles of big sweepers and tight twisties going up the mountains from about 2600 ft to 9000 ft and then down. Very steep up and down. Big bike. Big fool riding it. Had a blast.

What rallies or events do you like to attend?
Afer having looked at all the big annual events, I can't a reason that I would want to go. Id rather be out riding with a few good friends. The smaller the crowd, the better.

Is there someone who rides "two-up" with you?
No. Oneup is still challenging at times. I took the pillion off my V Star for that very reason.