So I’m dropping one more thing which is more unique to our country (I think) but at the same time feels much safer than the regular system in most countries. While in most of the countries you need to turn left while there is oncoming traffic is moving as well on the opposite side, and you need to wait until you can go, we have a dedicated traffic lights for left turns which goes green only when the oncoming traffic from opposite side has red light. There are junctions which the left turns on both sides is green, so only left turn is permitted at the duration of it, and the forward traffic is halted. We are prohibited to turn right on red lights, but we do have a dedicated right turn lanes on most places which you can go without waiting for a traffic light, but you must give pedestrians the right to cross in case there are any, and you must yield for the merging lane to be free as well. I’ve added a photo for each scenario to visualize it for you guys :) Let me know if this system sounds safer for you, or just annoying 😆

So Dan started an interesting conversation today about how the licensing system works in the USA and the UK, and I wanted to share how the system works for us in Israel: So let’s start with the basics: We have 3 levels of licenses for motorcycles here - 1) The most basic one is called A2. You can get this permit from the age of 16, and it grants you the access to all kinds of motorcycles up to 125cc \ 14kW engines. 2) The middle class permit is called A1. This permit can be achieved only once you reach the age of 18, and it grants you the ability to ride all motorcycles up to 500cc \ 33kW engines. 3) Lastly you have the A permit which you can ride whatever. But in order to get it, you MUST own a motorcycle for at least 1 year, get experience with it, and only then you can apply to it. All of the above (except the last one) requires to pass a theory test. and all of the above (including the last one) requires you to pass a course with the motorcycle + get into the real road with the instructor \ examiner and pass the real world test. There are two exceptions though: 1) if you already own a B license (vehicles up to 3500KG, or 4000KG for those with licenses before 2006), you can skip the theory exam and take only the course and road exams for the A2 license. 2) if you are already 18 and has a B license, you can skip the theory exam, and get an A1 permit right away skipping the A2 step. There is one more exception which is applied to all license permits: In case you did your permit on an automatic motorcycle \ scooter, your license permit will be limited to Automatic only! And one more thing - you must have your motorcycle checked yearly at an official tests institute. I hope this info will be useful for you all 😁

A local group of riders had a Canada Day ride, and we were all supposed to wear Hawaiian shirts.

I was at the Harley Davidson dealer today to support the Veterans charity run, and they were offering a free gift if you took a test ride. I absolutely adore my 2018 Ultra Limited, but it's a very heavy bike at 920 lbs, so if I didn't have a second 500 lbs bike, I'd consider trading mine in for it, but as it is, I have no intention of getting rid of it. The ST is listed at 119hp, but my engine is much stronger, and the ST is 210 lbs less than my Ultra Limited, so there's that. The bike handles "almost" as well as my BMW S1000XR, but not quite as well, and about 40hp less at least. So my final decision, it's a really nice bike, has the good things that Harley is legendary for, but handles better than any other Harley I've ridden. If you want a Harley for sound and torque, but you want performance as well, get the Low Rider ST. I'd probably change the exhaust, move the controls forward, and put a cam in it. And that's it, I'd leave it for 2 years until the warranty is up. Although I might get rid of the stock Dunlop tires ASAP.

Took my first ride around my community. Beforehand, I was nervous. Was I going to make those turns? Am I going to stall out at the light? It turned out BEAUTIFUL. The crisp air hitting my face while I was riding. I felt Amazing! This week, I’ll be riding to work for the first time.