Motorcycles

[Beat]

I'm kind of considering getting one sometime. Who rides here? What do you have?

[LadyJaye]

Pink and I both ride. What sort of bike are you looking for?

[Beat]

Oh, awesome. What do you ride?

Well, I've always been more interested in a cruiser style bike. Because I think the idea of jumping on a bike and just riding a long distance sounds intriguing. However, sport/street bikes are pretty cheap and are good at getting you from point A to point B with little gas consumed. Leaning towards a sport bike right now.

[spirilis]

I ride, mine's a large scooter ("maxi-scooter") though. Will say that while I haven't actually rode a sportbike on the street, the seating position looks uncomfortable as hell (and I've tried sitting on them at the local powersports dealer--still feels uncomfortable as hell).

Highly recommend taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's basic rider course though. Not sure if it costs you much down in NC, but up in PA it's free for state residents.

Long distance riding is nice... but mentally exhausting IMO. It's quite a treat to travel with your senses so close to nature--you can touch the pavement, feel the subtle changes in humidity and temperature the moment you pass through them, feel the sun on your back all the time, but after 2 hours of riding I feel desensitized like I need a nap lol.

[LadyJaye]

Oh, awesome. What do you ride?

Well, I've always been more interested in a cruiser style bike. Because I think the idea of jumping on a bike and just riding a long distance sounds intriguing. However, sport/street bikes are pretty cheap and are good at getting you from point A to point B with little gas consumed. Leaning towards a sport bike right now.

Mostly we rode one of the ones my father had - the last one I rode was a Honda CB400, which is a vintage bike. Made me so tense, not wanting to drop it, that I don't think I'll ride it again. lol

Well, there are so many to choose from now - do you have it narrowed down to one or two makers yet?

[Beat]

Highly recommend taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's basic rider course though. Not sure if it costs you much down in NC, but up in PA it's free for state residents.


Funny you mention this. Being in the service it's a requirement that you take this course (and nicely enough, on Uncle Sam's dime) before you can operate a motorcycle. I'm trying to take this course soon. I don't have to have a motorcycle to do it, so I'll probably sign up for it either way whether I decide to buy or not.

You make a good point about the long distance riding, I'd probably zone out and get desensitized too haha. Also, if I'm long distance traveling, I NEED music. Listening to music on a bike isn't really easy to pull off...

[Beat]

Mostly we rode one of the ones my father had - the last one I ride was a Honda CB400, which is a vintage bike. Made me so tense, not wanting to drop it, that I don't think I'll ride it again. lol

Well, there are so many to choose from now - do you have it narrowed down to one or two makers yet?
hehe. That's another draw to the smaller sport bikes. I'd be nervous with a big hog...

I'm looking at Yamaha.

[BryNTP]

You have to pay for the MSF course here in NC but still worth it. My biggest trouble was finding a spot when I took it in the Spring. But now in the Fall you shouldn't have a problem.


Edit: just read your post!

[spirilis]

Funny you mention this. Being in the service it's a requirement that you take this course (and nicely enough, on Uncle Sam's dime) before you can operate a motorcycle. I'm trying to take this course soon. I don't have to have a motorcycle to do it, so I'll probably sign up for it either way whether I decide to buy or not.

You make a good point about the long distance riding, I'd probably zone out and get desensitized too haha. Also, if I'm long distance traveling, I NEED music. Listening to music on a bike isn't really easy to pull off...

*cough* music on the bike? hehe...

The laws regarding earplugs, speakers and such vary from state to state, and I'm pretty sure this is illegal in both the state where I live (PA) and the state where I work/do most of my riding (MD), but I wear in-ear phones that hook into an ipod. It works pretty well for me.

I use Etymotic Research's 6i-isolator (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx) earplugs under my full-face helmet, with the ipod in one of the interior pockets of my jacket. The earplugs do a decent job of reducing outside noise, so extended highway riding is tolerable. Can't change playlists or volume with the ipod in the jacket, so you have to find a comfortable volume for the whole ride, but I can hit the ff/rw/playpause button through the jacket (sometimes tricky and I often hit the wrong button but it's usable).

One point to note though: those 6i isolator earplugs claim they deliver good bass. Bullshit. They sound excellent for all the other frequency bands (including treble) though.

[Anja]

If you haven't ridden before, beat, it's probably a good idea to start with a smaller, lighter, less expensive bike and work your way up. When you have your accident - not if - it's good to trash the cheaper one first. Heh. Silly, but practical.

I started with a 350 Honda that I could afford and could afford to drop. And I did drop it. Only once, but once is enough to learn something.

I bought two other bikes over the years, quit because my reflexes have slowed down and deer and that other driver couldn't be trusted. Spring came, I got the fever again and went out and bought myself another.

This one's got three wheels - converted Harley 1200CC Sportster. And I'm back in the game.

Edit: More. This idea of listening to music while you ride is appealing and I used to do it. But I wouldnn't anymore.

Two things: If you don't use earphones you run the risk of aggravating a lot of people driving around you. And you probably don't want to do that because hostile folks in cars are a biker's natural nemesis!

And the second is that I find, with the earphones, I'm prone to what someone around here called the "cell phone bubble."

I find it a safety must to be able to hear vehicles approaching from my rear and I think I ride better when I can hear the sound of the bike's engine.

And I don't think I need music when I've got all the sensory stimulation traveling by bike provides.

It's a great way to travel.

[LadyJaye]

double post

[LadyJaye]

No music. When you're on a bike, you are at the mercy of the people in cars around you, and you can't depend on them be alert to your presence. You're at a serious disadvantage, so you need all of your senses working.

[Jack Flak]

No music. When you're on a bike, you are at the mercy of the people in cars around you, and you can't depend on them be alert to your presence. You're at a serious disadvantage, so you need all of your senses working.
(Ha, yeah, holds true for the unmotorized two-wheelers as well)

[Anja]

One more thought. Not everybody finds biking to their liking. It looks like fun, feels like fun on those rides you get with others. And gives a sense of freedom I've seldom found elsewhere. But it can frequently be a real pain in the pocket.

It depends on where and how much you ride, of course. But if you want to be hardcore, you're going to get stuck in hellacious storms, encounter icy roads, those dang hostile drivers, dogs who think it's funny to take a bite out of a passing snack or just bark enough to distract you. People sometimes won't notice you and cut you off - plan at least one unexpected trip to the ditch.

The clothing in order to be safe, if you care to have it, will cost you a small fortune. You'll probably discover that you'd like good eyewear and it doesn't come cheap if you want something that stays on and works well.

You'll get sore, wind- and sunburned. And a long ride is guaranteed to tire you out by the time you get there. It takes some energy to ride and pay attention.

There was a time when I just got tired of the hassle.

But, yes. It gets in some people's blood!

[LadyJaye]

(Ha, yeah, holds true for the unmotorized two-wheelers as well)

Heh, yeah! True. I marvel at the bicyclers that decide to ride on the street, because there's no way I'd do that on something without a motor. Too dangerous.

[spirilis]

TBH, the music is a sketchy topic with motorcycling, and it's definitely one of those "do so at your own personal risk" kind of things. Just like riding a motorcycle in the first place. I keep the volume on the low side and hit the pause button the moment I know or detect I need utmost heightened attention. Sometimes you don't have the luxury of knowing that ahead of time, and that's where music becomes a problem.

Wearing earplugs (w/o music), OTOH, is pretty much mandatory if you're going above 45MPH. It will seriously degrade your hearing if you don't wear them. When I first started riding I tried my daily commute a few times without earplugs, and I had concert-ear for 3 days afterward. You need to make sure the plugs aren't *too* effective (to the point that you can't hear cars coming up from behind) but they need to protect well enough. Around 20dB is ideal for me. 30dB makes me feel like I'm in an isolated bubble but ~10-15dB still hurts after 2 hours worth of riding.

[LadyJaye]

Wearing earplugs (w/o music), OTOH, is pretty much mandatory if you're going above 45MPH. It will seriously degrade your hearing if you don't wear them. When I first started riding I tried my daily commute a few times without earplugs, and I had concert-ear for 3 days afterward. You need to make sure the plugs aren't *too* effective (to the point that you can't hear cars coming up from behind) but they need to protect well enough. Around 20dB is ideal for me. 30dB makes me feel like I'm in an isolated bubble but ~10-15dB still hurts after 2 hours worth of riding.

The earplugs are great. I have a big bag of them. They really are necessary, you're right. Especially if you're going to be doing a lot of highway riding. There are several bike catalogs that sell earplugs at the right decibel rating.

[Trinity]

Pink and I both ride. What sort of bike are you looking for?

You two just got even hotter!


Like others have mentioned, start smaller till you're comfortable. Go test ride different bikes, when it feels right it just feels right.

[millerm277]

I just finished fixing up a 1980 Honda CM400T that had been sitting for 4 years. Nice bike, changed the sprocket on it so that it cruises on the highway at a lower RPM (lost a little bit of acceleration, but it's got plenty). I want to get new tires though before I trust it for more than a ride around the block, as rubber degrades over time, and these are 11 years old.

[spirilis]

I just finished fixing up a 1980 Honda CM400T that had been sitting for 4 years. Nice bike, changed the sprocket on it so that it cruises on the highway at a lower RPM (lost a little bit of acceleration, but it's got plenty). I want to get new tires though before I trust it for more than a ride around the block, as rubber degrades over time, and these are 11 years old.

very cool!

[Kanamori]

Get a deathmachine... it's pretty much how I plan to die. Honestly though, the only time I've had more fun than riding a motorcycle on curvy highways is playing lasertag on speed, which is really hard to beat.

[AwesomeCakes]

I rode on a motorcycle for the very first time today. I think I'm in love.

[Usehername]

I admit I'm very attracted to the idea, but living where I do there's not enough months of the year where one can ride it to make it a practical investment. It's purely an expensive toy for the summer months up around here.

[ajblaise]

If I moved down south or out west I'd really like to get one. Can't decide between a Harley or a crotch rocket.

[Anja]

Weather is a big reason why you have to have a tough disposition if you want to ride daily. Wind is a nuisance nearly everywhere. There are winds on the prairie here which will have you riding at a 45 degree angle, then you pass a grove of trees and the wind "disappears" for a moment and you have to rebalance fast.

Here a grove close to the road is a red flag. In the winter that's where the spots of ice will be. And the doggies. And the deer.

I've ridden two days in driving rain so heavy that I could scarcely see and felt like I was drowning. The bike hydroplanes which is really a thrill when you meet a semi and you're afloat on the road.

And here we can have snow from October to April.

But it doesn't mean you can't ride. In the day we just put the bikes away from Dec. to March. I've ridden in freezinng weather. If you like to ride there is good equipment to protect you from the elements.

I have a girlfriend in Florida who is sixty and she travels soley by cycle. This summer she went to Colorado for a vacation. She has, more than once, traveled all the way to Canada by bike and has electric boots and gloves. Says she can put on seven hundred miles a day.

I don't call this traveling. I call it masochism! Iron-butt riding. Heh.

There are a lot of people, (certainly not INFPs) who seem to think the goal of riding is how many miles they can rack up in a twenty-four hour period. Sunday afternoon ride? "Yeah, we put three-hundred miles on today."

Weather, bad drivers, all that stuff. It's a person's choice what they are willing to put up with. I just plain like to ride enough to deal with it.

[Beat]

If I would have been stationed in California there'd be no question of getting a bike. Probably would have gotten it a while ago. The whether is too nice, too many months of the year not to take advantage. Coastal NC isn't the ideal place to be when it comes to weather, but it could be a lot worse.

Also, I wouldn't listen to music when I ride. That's why I'm leaning towards the sportbike. I'd want the cruiser for the advantage of more comfortably riding longer distances but have realized I can't listen to music on a long drive on a bike without risk, so screw that; I'll just use my car. :D

[Anja]

Well, good luck. And fun and safe riding!

I'm not sure if it's national or not, but in MN, now all new riders must pass a course. My kids and I took it years ago and it was excellent. Learned a lot of things I thought I already knew!

I highly recommend classes.

[Grayscale]

some things to consider:

-dont get an expensive bike as your first, as someone mentioned. this way when you drop it or decide you dont like the style/need more power you can easily sell it down to another beginner rider. they're easier to resell and retain more of their original value.

-motorcycle riding is dangerous, you need all your senses. a big reason not to listen to music is because not only does it limit your senses by covering nearby tire noise, it also means youll need to use your tachometer to shift gears, meaning your eyes are not on the road for those moments. without sound, ive found you can keep your eyes on the road almost the entire time by guessing speed based on other cars and RPMs based on your engine noise. either way, if you continue to ride a motorcycle you can probably count on getting into at least one accident. if you wear the gear, chances are you will not be seriously injured but if you arent prepared for the distinct possibility of injury then a motorcycle isnt for you.

-youll need to factor in the cost of equipment, training for licensing, etc. motorcycle leathers can get spendy (and you should wear them if you like your skin) and so can helmets. remember that youll need to wear protective gear all the time... so the whole "jump in your car and take off whenever" is something we take for granted that you just cant do on a motorcycle. you have to babysit your gear wherever you go and consider weather conditions, i really advise against motorcycles as a primary form of transportation because you can't always rely on having the time and conditions to use them. cars are sooo much more convenient, even if they arent nearly as fun. :)

I've ridden two days in driving rain so heavy that I could scarcely see and felt like I was drowning. The bike hydroplanes which is really a thrill when you meet a semi and you're afloat on the road.

my personal favorite is the wobble you get from grooved pavement

[Jack Flak]

if you continue to ride a motorcycle you can probably count on getting into at least one accident.
This is probably the most important thing. It's just a matter of time, then another matter of time, and so on. My dad was a motorcyclist for many years, and he has the wires in his jaw to prove it (He didn't crash just the once, either). Same thing with road bicycling, fwiw. Open-two-wheeled-vehicles are much more crash prone than closed-four-wheeled-vehicles. And when you crash, you get hurt.

Add: I read about an old friend I hadn't talked to in years dying in a motorcycle wreck on the local newspaper's website. No helmet=fatal head injury.

[Beat]

Thanks for the responses and advice, everyone. :nice:

[Anja]

Good points, Gray

Just hadda come back for another peek. And you brought up something I thought of mentioning. That you can just jump on and ride. Some people do, but I don't think it's a good idea. It's pretty time-consuming to get ready to ride, probably more so for women than for men. And traveling time sometimes takes longer.

And yeah, you get to where you're going and then you may want to keep an eye on your leather coat, your helmet, whatever. I've learned to make my jacket my purse. But if it's hot out it gets to be a pain hauling it around with you. For that matter, keep an eye on your bike! Mine locks. But people think it's cute sometimes to hop on for a joke, or hang on it and get fingerprints all over the wax job. Two no-nos.

I do think most bikers are fatalists about the sport. I remember asking my husband for a refresher about what to do if a deer jumps out and he reminded me like this: "Hang on and enjoy the ride."

You don't see a whole lot of old motorcyclists who like to have a few beers before they ride. At least walking ones. . .

No attempt to disuade anyone from riding cuz it's great. Just those are things I learned through trial and error.

We love our bikes, yeah? Here's a story about that. My neighbor was coming home on the freeway and she came across an accident. Being in the medical business, she stopped to sit with the young man who was sitting on the median.

She said that there was a crack in his head and she could see his brain tissue. His first words to her, "Is my bike okay?"

[Metamorphosis]

I'm kind of considering getting one sometime. Who rides here? What do you have?

Don't have one yet, but I get blue balls thinking about it and it's pretty much my only motivation for working. Plan on getting something like a v-star 650 or Honda shadow 750 by the summer. Suzuki m/c/s 50's look nice but more expensive.

You should take a look, here:

TMW Motorcycle Forums and Bike Pic Photo Gallery (http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/index.php)

[Anja]

Add: I read about an old friend I hadn't talked to in years dying in a motorcycle wreck on the local newspaper's website. No helmet=fatal head injury.

And sometimes helmet = lying in bed on a machine for the rest of your life so a lot of bikers prefer bad accident = a nice headstone.

Helmets rarely are effective for speeds over thirty mi. per hour and if you've ever dropped your helmet you've already damaged it's effectiveness. At any speed helmets often break your neck.

So you've just gotta make an informed choice on this one.

[millerm277]

I admit I'm very attracted to the idea, but living where I do there's not enough months of the year where one can ride it to make it a practical investment. It's purely an expensive toy for the summer months up around here.

Expensive? I think not. Maybe if you want a new one, but you can find 80s bikes in very good shape for under $1500, possibly under $1000 if you get lucky. Insurance is pretty cheap too.

[Anja]

I only pay forty a month on insurance but as someone else mentioned there are many hidden expenses.

[Usehername]

Expensive? I think not. Maybe if you want a new one, but you can find 80s bikes in very good shape for under $1500, possibly under $1000 if you get lucky. Insurance is pretty cheap too.

I'm not really talking about the bike itself so much as the way insurance works here. My ESTP boss just got licensed and has said it'd be cheaper for him to continue to drive his Suburban everywhere than to get a bike insured.

[Metamorphosis]

I'm not really talking about the bike itself so much as the way insurance works here. My ESTP boss just got licensed and has said it'd be cheaper for him to continue to drive his Suburban everywhere than to get a bike insured.

I don't know how it works in Canada, but here it depends entirely on the kind of bike you get + age. A smaller cruiser is going to be a hell of a lot cheaper than a supersport.

[Oberon]

I want one of these, please:

http://www.khulsey.com/motorcycles/vintagebike-images/vincent_black-shadow_series-c.jpeg

[6sticks]

I want one of these:
http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_small/files/articles/studentrads_0.jpg

Wearable Motorcycle (http://www.popsci.com/category/tags/jake-loniak)

[Jack Flak]

And sometimes helmet = lying in bed on a machine for the rest of your life so a lot of bikers prefer bad accident = a nice headstone.

Helmets rarely are effective for speeds over thirty mi. per hour and if you've ever dropped your helmet you've already damaged it's effectiveness. At any speed helmets often break your neck.

So you've just gotta make an informed choice on this one.
Hmm. I take issue with some of that, but I'm not quite in the mood for extensive research. Are you sure you're not talking about CPSC rated foam bicycle helmets instead of DOT approved motorcycle helmets?

[Oberon]

I can say with some confidence that if you wreck while pushing a modern sportbike near its limits on public roads, the primary purpose of your helmet is to ensure that when your head is found, it will be readily identifiable.

[Jack Flak]

I can say with some confidence that if you wreck while pushing a modern sportbike near its limits on public roads, the primary purpose of your helmet is to ensure that when your head is found, it will be readily identifiable.
The same holds true for car bodies as helmets if we're really talking limits.

[spirilis]

Motorcycle helmet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_helmet)
Standards testing

Most motorcycle helmet standards use impacts at speeds between 4–7 m/s (9–16 mph). At first glance, this is confusing given that motorcyclists frequently ride at speeds higher than 20 m/s (45 mph). This confusion is relieved by understanding that the perpendicular impact speed of the helmet is usually not the same as the road speed of the motor cycle and that the severity of the impact is determined not only by the speed of the head but also by the nature of the surface it hits. For example, the surface of the road is almost parallel to the direction the motorcyclist moves in so only a small component of his velocity is directed perpendicular to the road while he is riding. Of course, other surfaces are perpendicular to the motorcyclist's velocity, such as trees, walls and the sides of other vehicles. The other vital factor in determining the severity of an impact is the nature of the surface struck. The sheet metal wall of a car door may bend inwards to a depth of 7.5–10 cm (3–4 inch) during a helmeted head impact, meaning that it generates more stopping distance for the rider's head than the helmet itself. So a perpendicular impact against a flat steel anvil at 5 m/s (11 mph) might be about as severe as a 30 m/s (67 mph) oblique impact against a concrete surface or a 30 m/s perpendicular impact against a sheet metal car door or windscreen. Overall, there is a very wide range of severity in the impacts that could conceivably happen in a motorcycle impact. Some of these are more severe than the impacts used in the standard tests and some are less so.

The speeds are chosen based on modern knowledge of the human tolerance for head impact, which is by no means complete. It is possible to deduce how well the 'perfect' helmet outlined in the Function section of this page would perform in an impact of a given severity. If currently available data suggest that the rider is unlikely to survive in such an impact, regardless of how well his helmet performs, then there is little point in demanding that helmets be optimized for this impact. On the other hand, if an impact is so mild that the rider is unlikely to be injured at all so long as he is wearing a helmet than that impact is not a demanding test. Modern standards setters choose the severity of the standard test impact to be somewhere between these two extremes, so that manufacturers are doing their best to protect the riders who can be helped by their helmet during a head impact.


^ the velocities cited there I saw elsewhere: http://www.bikersrights.com/statistics/goldstein/goldstein.html

So the tolerance is actually ~9-16MPH on the helmet itself, which means you're bound to be severely injured if you hit a surface perpendicular, but not nearly as bad if you're moving predominantly parallel to it (i.e. falling to the ground and sliding). In fact, assuming you never come perpendicular to any objects (and just slide), the actual speed might not matter much with a sliding impact. The rest of your gear might determine fatality moreso in that scenario.

[Oberon]

The same holds true for car bodies as helmets if we're really talking limits.

Oh, I don't know. Provided that you're strapped in, the airbag deploys, and you avoid major obstacles like bridge abutments and oncoming semis, your odds of survival are pretty good.

Admittedly, that's a great many caveats. Best to avoid the situation altogether.

[Grayscale]

I can say with some confidence that if you wreck while pushing a modern sportbike near its limits on public roads, the primary purpose of your helmet is to ensure that when your head is found, it will be readily identifiable.

i disagree... statistics show that in about half of fatal motorcycle accidents a helmet wasnt worn. the common other contributors are speeding, drinking, and lack of proper training.

the majority of motorcycle accidents are not fatal, it really depends on the accident, though. the only major risks to someone who is wearing all of the proper gear is a high-side crash or being struck by another vehicle, everything else is quite survivable. most crashes are low-sides and as long as they are not run over by a car, then the friction created by sliding on the ground usually slows them down enough so that smacking into a divider isnt deadly if the rider isnt speeding excessively.

with that said, there is always guys like this one who crashes through taco bell at 150 mph... i guess the drive-thru wasnt going fast enough. basically, just dont act like a retard, like popping wheelies through rush hour wearing a t-shirt and jeans, you'll probably be okay, and on the safer side of the statistics.

http://www.pittspeed.com/uploaded/snuffx-dot-com-tabo-bell-motorcycle-crash9.jpg

[Oberon]

i disagree... statistics show that in about half of fatal motorcycle accidents a helmet wasnt worn. the common other contributors are speeding, drinking, and lack of proper training.


...but our statements are not in opposition to one another. :huh:

[Grayscale]

if im not mistaken, you are saying that a helmet will not make a difference in a high speed accident, i was pointing out that the correlation between fatal accidents and the rider not wearing a helmet would suggest otherwise.

there are also plenty of accidents in professional motorcycle racing where the participants dont get broken into hundreds of little bits. :D

if you hi-side at that speed, though, yeah, helmet is probably just a head bucket. :sick:

another big problem is motorist awareness. because most people who drive cars have never ridden a motorcycle, they dont "relate" to the visual and are actually less likely to notice them. thats when they pull out into an intersection and whammo, the rider takes a short flight over the hood. thats the sort of thing motorcycle riders have nightmares about.

[kyuuei]

I've been scared of them for a great portion of my life, so I've made a personal goal to get one and overcome that fear of them by taking the time to learn and ride one.

So! I suppose after I buy my house that'll be my next financial investment.

[Anja]

Hmm. I take issue with some of that, but I'm not quite in the mood for extensive research. Are you sure you're not talking about CPSC rated foam bicycle helmets instead of DOT approved motorcycle helmets?

We were active in ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) for a number of years. And unless they are making motorcycle helmets differently those were a couple of facts that our lobbyists in Congress used to oppose a mandatory helmet law. It could have changed, Jack. I know there are strong arguments on both sides and I'm too lazy to go researching, too.

I think just leave it to the individual. Darwinism.

[Jack Flak]

I'm almost always on the side of freedom. I don't believe helmet laws should be mandatory...But to say they probably won't save your ass if you wreck is taking it a bit far.

[Grayscale]

:cry:


YouTube - Motorcycle crashes with a car! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5fflbJMuto)

[Anja]

I see some did thinking and research on this.

My point remains that a helmet could possibly save your head from severe injury but you probably won't be very happy with the state the rest of your body is in. And the speed does not have to be high at all.

Denim is worthless in the case of road rash at any significant speed at all. It'll shred in seconds and so will your dermis and epidermis and maybe a few muscles and tendons along with them. The effect is similar to third-degree burns. If the body area is large enough it can kill you. That's ignoring the bone breaks altogether.

Then there's that nasty little matter of crushing your neck bones. I don't think a bicycle helmet could do that. Maybe they design motorcyle helmets now that won't also.

[Anja]

I see you just posted, Jack. I don't think I said that a helmet "won't save your ass."

[Jack Flak]

Anja, it appears you have a gigantic bias because you're defending the right to not wear a helmet.

Imagine, if you will, being dropped upside-down from four feet straight onto your head. Rather be wearing a helmet? I would.

[Anja]

Anja, it appears you have a gigantic bias because you're defending the right to not wear a helmet.

Imagine, if you will, being dropped upside-down from four feet straight onto your head. Rather be wearing a helmet? I would.

Nah, sorry. As usual I'm just not interested in arguing for entertainment.

Take it, leave it or put it on the back burner for consideration. . .

[millerm277]

I'm not really talking about the bike itself so much as the way insurance works here. My ESTP boss just got licensed and has said it'd be cheaper for him to continue to drive his Suburban everywhere than to get a bike insured.

I don't think so....for minimum coverage on my bike for a 19 year old rider, it's $231 for the ENTIRE year. Even upping it to maximum everything, it still is under $1000 for the year. (Note....I ride a 28 year old bike, if you're riding a brand new Ducati or Hayabusa, your costs are probably going to be a lot higher...)

I can say with some confidence that if you wreck while pushing a modern sportbike near its limits on public roads, the primary purpose of your helmet is to ensure that when your head is found, it will be readily identifiable.

Yes and no. If you hit something, you're dead for sure. However, if the bike slides out from under you, and you are just sliding on the road, a helmet and good jacket give you a pretty good chance of walking away without serious injuries.

[Jack Flak]

Nah, sorry. As usual I'm just not interested in arguing for entertainment.
Entertainment has nothin' to do with it!

[Grayscale]

this isnt related, but.

fat man gets run over by car

cant... stop... laughing.

i am a terrible person.

[Oberon]

I'm almost always on the side of freedom. I don't believe helmet laws should be mandatory...But to say they probably won't save your ass if you wreck is taking it a bit far.

Depends on the wreck. If you just lay the bike down, that's one thing. Run into anything substantial at speed, though, and you're toast, helmet or not.

[Pink Lime]

I'm kind of considering getting one sometime. Who rides here? What do you have?

......... Also, if I'm long distance traveling, I NEED music. Listening to music on a bike isn't really easy to pull off...

A little late to the thread but I ride. I currently have a kawasaki Zx-6R and a kawasaki ZX-10R. And I listen to music, gotta have music. I just bought an extra pair of headphones that I slipped into the helmet - they do the job just fine.

[Usehername]

I don't think so....for minimum coverage on my bike for a 19 year old rider, it's $231 for the ENTIRE year. Even upping it to maximum everything, it still is under $1000 for the year. (Note....I ride a 28 year old bike, if you're riding a brand new Ducati or Hayabusa, your costs are probably going to be a lot higher...)



Yes and no. If you hit something, you're dead for sure. However, if the bike slides out from under you, and you are just sliding on the road, a helmet and good jacket give you a pretty good chance of walking away without serious injuries.

I'm not American. We have different insurance. I don't know any numbers, but my boss literally was licensed this past weekend and talked about how expensive it is relative to him driving his 'burban.

[millerm277]

I'm not American. We have different insurance. I don't know any numbers, but my boss literally was licensed this past weekend and talked about how expensive it is relative to him driving his 'burban.

Suprising how different it is in Canada.

["?"]

I want one of these:
http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_small/files/articles/studentrads_0.jpg

Wearable Motorcycle (http://www.popsci.com/category/tags/jake-loniak)I read that article. It's an interesting concept but it seems uncomfortable and not very functional for distance riding. I was interested in the name of MBTI, of viewing the number of SPs who would respond to this thread. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, that I share Gray's sentiments.

[Anja]

I think that there are a lot of Introverts who enjoy cycle riding. How many ways can you travel hundreds of miles in the company of others without having to speak?

[Pink Lime]

How many ways can you travel hundreds of miles in the company of others without having to speak?

I agree, in a group - yet isolated...........

[Oberon]

I would like to own one of these:

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/img/classic/Classic.jpg

[Pink Lime]

I would like to own one of these:


What appeals to you about the Royal Enfield?

[Oberon]

What appeals to you about the Royal Enfield?

The look, the price, the fuel economy, the fact that it's different.

That it can be maintained with a basic set of hand tools.

[Pink Lime]

It does look unique and simple. I hope you get one soon. Do you currently ride?

[Oberon]

No, although I have a good friend who would let me learn on his Suzuki Savage. I would very much enjoy the Enfield; I generally enjoy all things retro.

[entropie]

BMW K1200S, uff hot :heart:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-BMW-K1200Sc.jpg

[Beat]

I don't think I'll be getting one anymore. Not now anyways. Gonna be deploying soon and I don't need the extra bills...

[millerm277]

That it can be maintained with a basic set of hand tools.

The only things I used while rebuilding my Honda were 2 sockets and a socket wrench, screwdrivers, and an impact wrench/impact driver. (28 years later, having never been removed, some of the stainless steel bolts required more force than I had..). If there hadn't been stuck bolts/screws, I could have conceivably taken apart almost the entire bike with the tool kit under the seat.