I'm seriously considering giving up this whole "car" thing.

[Wolfe]

I agree that UnoMOTO is overreacting, but only a smidge. I'm in full agreement with him on this --

By all means this isn't the first thread since I have been here that someone mentions a motorcycle only to be followed by multiple "your going to eventually die" type of comments. We get it already don't you think?

It's really irritating to me to see that Toronado's thread has been hijacked and turned into this huge motorcycle safety mess. This has gone far, far beyond "caring about Toronado and warning him to be careful," as Sage put it. Any time any sensible motorcycle rider goes out on his/her bike, they are assuming a higher level of risk, and they know it. They don't need several people who have likely never ridden a motorcycle to harp at them about skin grafts and ER sightings. Do everyone a favor and save those talks for the riders who aren't sensible.

We appreciate the concern, we understand what you are telling us (much moreso than some appear to think), and I am not directing this at anyone in particular in this thread. But Toronado is a smart guy. He knows what he's getting into. Let him make his own decision, and let this thread simmer down to motorcycle make/model suggestions and little else. Please?

 

[Jim Prower]

Well, Just in case my suggestion got lost...

Stage II motorcycle, after beginner: Medium cruiser, Pref. Japanese
Stage III Motorcycle: Honda Goldwing...

 

[FastEddie12]

Don't listen to 'em.

I have 2 bikes, a sensible Bandit 600 (excellent starter bike, btw, will do anything you want this side of the Paris-Dakkar, and let you make mistakes without looking like a prat), and a wonderful '02 GSX-R750, which is phenomenal.

I ride for the following reasons:

1. I can get where I want to go in the time I expect it to take.
2. I can park when I get there.
3. I can overtake, well, anything really, at my leisure.
4. A line of five cars behind a truck on a country road does not put an end to my enjoyment of that road.
5. Every journey is an adventure.
6. I don't have to put up with any crap from from the jealousy-ridden, self-absorbed, pompous, sanctimonious gits that populate our roads these days. (This ain't a dig at anyone here, just an observation from my 60,000 mile a year job...)

To survive you must ride as though no-one else can see you, because they are not looking, they are daydreaming/changing the CD/arguing with the gf/doing their makeup/getting unusual satisfaction, as car drivers like to do while they're driving. Don't be surprised if they do something stupid, and NEVER overtake next to a junction. Because they WILL turn right in front of you.

I've stopped falling off now, at least for the last 7 years, by following this advice. Watch side roads like crazy and if you do find someone pulling out in front of you, bear in mind they will probably not stop, because they are looking the way they are going, not towards you.

Pick your moments to do stupid stuff, as you would in a car, and give people space to be stupid.

PS, Taking the GSX-R to the Nurb again tomorrow. I'll be rubbish, but I don't care. I'll be THERE!

 

[UnoMOTO]

Bravo...FastEddie12...Bravo! You have a way with words that my temperamental rump fails to get across. That’s a fantastic job of explaining what it means to ride.

 

[FastEddie12]

Four wheels good, two wheels better...

 

[Famine]

NEVER overtake next to a junction.

Roadcraft 1.01. This should be taught to everyone as basic training (that and "Always ensure that you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear").

PS, Taking the GSX-R to the Nurb again tomorrow. I'll be rubbish, but I don't care. I'll be THERE!

Watch out for feisty blondes in Transit vans...

 

[jammyozzy]

To survive you must ride as though no-one else can see you, because they are not looking, they are daydreaming/changing the CD/arguing with the gf/doing their makeup/getting unusual satisfaction, as car drivers like to do while they're driving. Don't be surprised if they do something stupid, and NEVER overtake next to a junction. Because they WILL turn right in front of you.

Always ensure that you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear.

I was taught all of these things, several times, over the course of my CBT.

 

[Dave A]

Nope...Me neither

I'm confused as to why you quoted my last post as bashing motorbike riders. All I did was comment and provide an example on how jeans are not a good substitute for leathers as someone had said they were a couple of posts earlier. I'm in no way against bike riders provided they are sensible. I'm not into bikes at all, I had an accident on one when I was young, I wasn't seriousely hurt but I guess it just put me off them pretty early on. The thing is, on a bike your much more vulnerable, so you should take more care. Like you said, a lot of accidents are caused by bikes colliding with cars, regardless of who's fault it is the bike and it's rider will come out worse. As I sai, I'm not against bikers, but I do think you need to be very sensible about riding a bike.

With regards to bike and car collisions, often it's the bikers fault as well as it often being the cars fault. I've seen bikers driving on the inside of a carright in their blind spots and over taking ont he inside, that's not sesnible. I've been pulling onto a motorway and a bike has been on the motorway some way back and he's actually sped up to get past me before I pull on as I'm coming up on a relatively short slip road, that's not sensible and if I hadn't noticed he suddenly gained 15-20mph in speed I'd have pulled right into him, guess who'd probably be dead right now, not just that, but I'd have to live with the fact that I'd killed someone. Also his actions of speeding up mean I had to slow down, forcing me to slow down as I'm trying to join 70mph flowing traffic puts me in a potentially more dangerous position. On the flip side, I've seen a car pull out of a side street infront of a bike because the driver just hadn't noticed him and ofcourse, a driver in a car could easilly not let me onto a motorway by speeding up not just a bike. My point is that you can't lay the blame soley on one side. I've seen both be dangerous and it's thoes dangerous people irrespective of what they drive that I wish we're off the road. My many anti-road racing rants should be enough proof that I'm not totally against bikes and for cars.

 

[UnoMOTO]

Sorry Dave A but you just reinforced everything I was just ranting about. I was irked that everyone had a bad motorbike guy story and doesn't hesitate to share it with us. Your reply here was that your not bashing motorcycles but still preceeded to tell yet another story of how you might have mowed down a biker if you hadn't been watching.

 

[Orion]

I ride for the following reasons:

1. I can get where I want to go in the time I expect it to take.
2. I can park when I get there.
3. I can overtake, well, anything really, at my leisure.
4. A line of five cars behind a truck on a country road does not put an end to my enjoyment of that road.
5. Every journey is an adventure.
6. I don't have to put up with any crap from from the jealousy-ridden, self-absorbed, pompous, sanctimonious gits that populate our roads these days. (This ain't a dig at anyone here, just an observation from my 60,000 mile a year job...)

+REP!!

I would like to add that you can also get in front of everybody at red lights.

Since Toronado doesn't seem like a speed demon or reckless driver, he should get a decent bike, nothing fancy. I don't know about motorcycles like that, so I will search on what seems to be perfect for a everyday bike.

CNG

 

[Joey D]

. I don't know about motorcycles like that, so I will search on what seems to be perfect for a everyday bike.

Once again the Virago is a great bike for everyday riding.

 

[rovens]

Ill pitch in my tuppence. Ive just turned 21 and im dieing to get a bike, im not worried that ill be stupid on it, but i have to accept that i might meet and idiot in a car, if i was in a car as well then im going to get hurt, but if im ona bike im probably going to get hurt a whole lot more. Not going to stop me but i think the most important thing is accepting that even if your are the most careful rider around you have to factor in other idiots on the road.

Still i say go for it though.

 

[Garak]

As some of you may know, I rarely, if ever, drive my Blazer. I use it to go places more than 10 miles away, which happens maybe once every two weeks. So, I'm thinking about getting a motorcycle licence and a motorcycle, for all of the benefits it has

I'm no rabid environmentalist, but I do remind people that cars aren't a necessity, particularly in a city with some form of public transportation or when there are stores reasonably nearby. I see nothing wrong with a motorcycle as a practical choice. I have a motorcycle, a truck, and a bicycle. When the weather permits, the bicycle gets the most use.

If you do need to go out and buy something, such as a bag of groceries, one can accomplish a lot by simply going to the neighbourhood store. The big grocery store is cheaper, but burning expensive gas to save a bit on groceries is rather dubious. I've gone an entire month at a time without even starting any of my motorized vehicles. I haven't starved to death or had to forgo any purchases, either.

 

[crimson_menace]

Hey, Toronado.

Bikes are good fuel efficient vehicles. If you can get a streetlegal dirtbike, do so. They work great offroad & on paved surfaces. And they got good gas mileage, perfect for someone in your age category.

If you're looking for a car that is relatively inexpensive & good on gas, check out your local Hyundai or Kia dealership. If you can find one used, get it. Good little cars for not too much.

Good luck.👍

 

[FastEddie12]

Thanks CNG! I don't care what they say about you, I think you're all right!

A couple of things about bike choice:

1) Bikes are very job specific (which is why I have 2). By that I mean that most bikes do 1 thing really well, but can be a pain in the ass if you try to do anything else on it. For example, a sportsbike is great at going reeaally fast, but rubbish for going to work everyday, mostly because of the tyres. When worn, a rear tyre "squares off", ie the bottom of the tyre where you spend most of your time wears much more than the edges, giving the tyre a squareish profile which feels awful; and a sportsbike tyres is worn out in about 3000 miles. A touring tyre lasts longer, but feels rubbish on a sportsbike. So choose a bike that suits what you're going to do with it or be prepared to put up with some big compromises.

2) An all-rounder, like a Bandit, Fazer or VFR, will do most things well , and allow a novice to explore many different aspects of biking and choose his way: sports, touring or cruiser. You will also stand out less, which, while you're learning and making mistakes, is definitely an advantage... Mind you a friend of mine bought a Diversion, the Ford Focus of motorcycles, but bizarrely chose a yellow one, which is a bit like jumping up and down and shouting "LOOK EVERYBODY, I'VE BOUGHT THE FORD FOCUS OF MOTORCYCLES!"

3) Definitely build up from a smaller bike to a bigger one. Not because you'll kill yourself , but because you will find it very difficult to learn to go round corners properly if the engine is constantly trying to pull your arms off . You'll also learn more by trying to compensate for your lack of power than by using the power to compensate for your lack of ability. And everybody hates rich gits with flash bikes that can't ride, and everybody respects a guy on a less powerful bike that can keep up with the big boys .

4) Don't spend too little: £1000 will just buy you a heap of trouble. 5 years old or less is a good general guide, so think £2000+.

5) Allow money for proper kit because it works. The first time I was warm on a motorcycle was when my sister gave me some hand-me-down leathers from her hubby.

 

[Duke]

+REP!!

I would like to add that you can also get in front of everybody at red lights.

And yet, our motorcyclists are all upset about being typecast as dangerous road bandits...

 

[Sting]

[*]Less space for stuff.

Trike? Three wheels safer than two. Tad more space

 

[UnoMOTO]

I would like to add that you can also get in front of everybody at red lights.

CNG

Right...so you can be the first one to get T-boned by the guy who runs the red light going the other direction. That's always a plus in my book. 👎

 

[Joey D]

If you do need to go out and buy something, such as a bag of groceries, one can accomplish a lot by simply going to the neighbourhood store. The big grocery store is cheaper, but burning expensive gas to save a bit on groceries is rather dubious. I've gone an entire month at a time without even starting any of my motorized vehicles. I haven't starved to death or had to forgo any purchases, either.

We live in America, there is no such thing as a neighborhood grocery store, they are all big supermarkets built around were people do not live.

 

[Dave A]

Sorry Dave A but you just reinforced everything I was just ranting about. I was irked that everyone had a bad motorbike guy story and doesn't hesitate to share it with us. Your reply here was that your not bashing motorcycles but still preceeded to tell yet another story of how you might have mowed down a biker if you hadn't been watching.

which was to reinforce the fact that bike riders can't always blame car drivers for colisions and vice versa, and it's not like I never have a bad street racer story to share either. Stop taking this to heart, your acting like it's ofensive to you or something.

 

[UnoMOTO]

OK OK...Why should I defend motorcyclists on a car game website anyway? [/off to find like minded fellows]

 

[Tornado]

When the weather permits, the bicycle gets the most use.

And the same applies in my case. As some may know about my automobile usage, if it isn't within riding distance, there is a good chance I'm not going to see it.

If you do need to go out and buy something, such as a bag of groceries, one can accomplish a lot by simply going to the neighbourhood store. The big grocery store is cheaper, but burning expensive gas to save a bit on groceries is rather dubious.

There is an Aldis and Big M within half-a-mile of my house. I want a bike mostly because it is similar to the bicycle I always ride now but allows for more flexibility in distances without compromising too much fuel in the process.

When worn, a rear tyre "squares off", ie the bottom of the tyre where you spend most of your time wears much more than the edges, giving the tyre a squareish profile which feels awful; and a sportsbike tyres is worn out in about 3000 miles. A touring tyre lasts longer, but feels rubbish on a sportsbike. So choose a bike that suits what you're going to do with it or be prepared to put up with some big compromises.

That is something I didn't know. Thanks.

 

[jammyozzy]

You can get multi-compound tyres that have a strip of hard compound rubber along the centre and two strips of softer compound rubber either side - the idea is to combat the tyres squaring off without compromising cornering grip. From what I've read they're supposed to be very good. 👍

 

[Orion]

Right...so you can be the first one to get T-boned by the guy who runs the red light going the other direction. That's always a plus in my book. 👎

That is if they are not looking around before they move. Just like crossing the street. Toronado uses his brain unlike some other motorcyclists. That is the reason why someone one a motorcycle got T-Boned by a 20-ton bus, because he decided to run red lights. It really depends on the rider, not the motorcycle.

Thanks CNG! I don't care what they say about you, I think you're all right!

!! That really means alot to me, since I've been getting burned like hell lately. 👍

 

[Duke]

That is if they are not looking around before they move. Just like crossing the street. Toronado uses his brain unlike some other motorcyclists. That is the reason why someone one a motorcycle got T-Boned by a 20-ton bus, because he decided to run red lights. It really depends on the rider, not the motorcycle.

And motorcycles, like bicycles, are supposed to obey the traffic laws and rules of the road - the same rules that cars should. That means NO ZIPPING UP BETWEEN ROWS OF CARS just because you can.

If you want courtesy from other drivers, you need to give courtesy to other drivers.

 

[TopHat]

Also, a little factoid that I have learned.

Don't show off in front of other riders.

I got damn near killed today because some moron on a Kawasaki just "had to do that killer wheelie".

Ugh.

 

[Eric.]

We live in America, there is no such thing as a neighborhood grocery store, they are all big supermarkets built around were people do not live.

Objection! I happen to work in one of those "neighborhood grocery stores".

I'm still wanting a motorcycle, but my brother was one of those jerks that wheelies and everything else, so now my dad believes that sportbikes are only good for going fast and screwing around on. Damn...Looks like it'll have to wait a while.

And to think, people had made fun of me riding my CRF150 in the woods because I never rode it hard. Oh well.

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

Hey, Toronado.

Bikes are good fuel efficient vehicles. If you can get a streetlegal dirtbike, do so. They work great offroad & on paved surfaces. And they got good gas mileage, perfect for someone in your age category.

A dual sport? They are okay, but their partial-knob tires give them less traction on pavement and dirt, as they aren't fully suited for either. Plus, their road-legal weight add-ons (steel gas tank, lights, battery) make them an utter bitch to pick up in an off-road wipe out.

 

[forza2.0]

Know of guys who have had half their friends killed whilst on bikes. Its gone to the point where those guys beg their friends, along with the wifes to ditch the bikes.

One guy got his head decapatated after a car pulled out on him.

Link removed

 

[Famine]

Know of guys who have had half their friends killed whilst on bikes. Its gone to the point where those guys beg their friends, along with the wifes to ditch the bikes.

One guy got his head decapatated after a car pulled out on him.

There's no real need to post a link to a video featuring a fatal motorbike crash, now is there?

Incidentally, bodies are decapitated. Heads are disembodied.