Announcing the Amiga.org Motorcycle Club.

[klx300r]

...Each bike, like it's owner, has a personality of its own, and tends to amplify those tendencies in their respective owner.  

Sport bikes are owned (primarily) by younger people who still feel that they're invulnerable and immortal.  As such, putting 150 hp at their disposal in a 400 pound package capable of 200mph has never been a good idea, but until the authorities REQUIRE people to have certain levels of training for each type bike, there ya go.

The problems you see are more a problem of regulation, training, and lack of police action.  If the police cared enough to crack down (as they do here in my area of the States), then you'd see a lot less of that type crap.

Cruisers (generalizing) are owned by older, middle aged people who just want to enjoy getting from place to place with a bit of style.  They don't particularly do 300 - 400 mile days, but they might, on occasion, get on the bike and go bar hopping.

Touring Bikes (again, generalizing) tend to be owned by middle aged or older riders who enjoy being able to -- on a whim -- pack up a suitcase, then ride in any given direction, usually long distance, with or without their significant other.   Think of them as the Winnebego of bikes..

hey..what about us enduro riders :-)

[Wayne]

hey..what about us enduro riders :-)

Ah, Enduro.. the Hybrid of motorcyclists.   The ones who can't really figure out where they fit in, so try to do a bit of everything when they can.  Schizophrenics we used to call them back when I was a youngun...



Seriously, Enduro riders barely even factor into on-the-road driving around here, so I simply forgot.  I cannot remember ever seeing one driving down the roads here as a matter of fact.

Wayne

[Damion]

1 out every 3 car drivers thats moving in Greek roads you will see that they are using their phone while driving, another 1 every 3 cars are still using their phones while driving but they are using a bluetooth device. Even if using phone by bluetooth is legal, its still distracts the attention of driver out of the road and its dangerous. Most accidents are because of lack of attention, and that is something that car drivers are by far exceeding bike riders.
Also, lighter vehicles can go faster and safer than larger ones, even if that distinction in most countries laws are between tracks and all other vehicles, it should be another category : bikes
Also because of the above reasons bikers don't feel secure (and they are not) by being near of larger vehicles, and my suggestion is : overtake when its safe to do, or if the larger vehicle is speeding, slow down for it to get far away, and then continue with your cruising speed.
many car drivers , especially in cities with much traffic do the opposite of defensive driving.
as you see, in everything in life, there are bad people and good people.
But just think, in a collision between car and a bike who will survive and who will not.

Well said - there are good and bad drivers regardless of what they ride/drive. I regularly make eye-contact with drivers who then proceed to pull out right in front of me, many of them on the phone while they do it. I also encountered one horrific experience last summer, where a couple of kids (obviously drunk or high) literally attempted to run me down in their truck, without any provocation whatsoever.

No doubt there's also the small group of inconsiderate or uneducated bikers. The two biggest "risk factor" groups are the stereotypical 18-year old kid who's parents buy him a GSXR as his first bike, followed by the 50-something group of guys, who haven't been on a bike in 20 years or more, and think they can handle an 800 pound hog whilst hopping from bar to bar.

I also agree that stiffer regulation and training can make a difference. In my experience, the more educated the rider, the less likely they are to take risks or behave foolishly - regardless of their amount of actual riding experience. Spending time reading books, and researching how and why most motorcycle accidents happen *will* save your ass.

IMO, a tiered licensing system is a good idea. No child should be allowed on public roads with a 100+ horsepower bike, period. Older folks returning to motorcycling should have to undergo thorough training before receiving a license. While you'll never eliminate all the idiots, stiffer regulation would definitely thin the herd IMHO.

[Damion]

Wayne,

Sport bikes are owned (primarily) by younger people who still feel that they're invulnerable and immortal.  As such, putting 150 hp at their disposal in a 400 pound package capable of 200mph has never been a good idea, but until the authorities REQUIRE people to have certain levels of training for each type bike, there ya go.

My younger brother recently bought a new GSXR-750. The bike is insane - it's much faster than my 1200 Bandit, you could easily get yourself in mortal trouble before you have time to think. While the bike is fantastic to ride (for short bursts anyway), the fact that _anyone_ can roll into a showroom and buy one of these, without even having a valid license, is simply ridiculous.

[Wayne]

My younger brother recently bought a new GSXR-750. The bike is insane - it's much faster than my 1200 Bandit, you could easily get yourself in mortal trouble before you have time to think. While the bike is fantastic to ride (for short bursts anyway), the fact that _anyone_ can roll into a showroom and buy one of these, without even having a valid license, is simply ridiculous.

I totally agree.  Been watching some show on SPEED Network about motorcycles when they point out that the GSXR 1100 that people can go out and buy is only a "de-tuned" version of the race track record holding bikes.

Why would anyone need something like that?

Wayne

[motorollin]

Again, motorcycling isn't for everyone.  All I can ask is that you accept that not all motorcyclists are insane, dangerous, and rude.

Of course, and I meant no disrespect to those motorcyclists who don't fall in to one of those categories. You just don't see many of them where I live...

Spend some time around the local GoldWing chapter and you'd be literally bored to death.

:lol: If I wanted to be bored to death I'd stay at home and do the literature review for my dissertation. Oh wait, that's what I *am* doing

[amiga92570]

I agree with Motorollin, and when My son wanted a bike at age 18 I purchased a suzuki 175 and he was enrolled in a DMV approved riding school which I am sure he would have rather avoided. He did however ride that bike for two years with no incidents. He has progressed to a honda shadow 750 since then. I myself have taken two track days training and two rider safety courses in my riding carreer. I guess its time to start thinking about the senior course in a couple years. A friend at work took it and he said it was halarious watching all the new senior riders. I can't wait. I disagree that all sport riders are dangerous. I for one have a desire to buy a new BMW s1000rr. I do not plan to race it on the street. I do appreciate the power and also respect it. I do not do stunts and rarely speed when traffic is present. I also love thinking about the technology beneath me while riding.

Do you need a blizzard ppc card in the amiga? No, but just knowing that you have the technology and can use it daily is enjoyable.

By the way, please move any PPC discussions to their appropriate forum, it was just an example.

One other point, I have seen videos from England, Europe on youtube and it appears that they are the king of bikes. Out here in California you can drive all day without seeing one bike(at least in my area). I think motorcycles are used more in Europe than the USA so maybe there are more incidents. Regardless of where you ride you should be aware of the terain and use your head.

Hey Wayne, I would love to go on a ride sometime. My brother lives in Georgia, if I ride up there sometime maybe I could detour.

[amigadave]

I disagree that any increased mandatory training will significantly reduce motorcycle stupidity, I mean accidents.  There is too much regulation in the world already.  What might decrease stupid behavior would be more severe punishments for the stupid, be they on motorcycles, cars, using guns, carelessly using other dangerous tools or recreational items, etc.  Then make sure everyone knows the penalties for their stupid behavior if they are not responsible with their actions.  Individual responsibility should be taught to all young people in school and parents must be responsible for the actions of their children, until they are old enough to be responsible for themselves.

I am now 53 years old and ride my Suzuki 400 DRZ super moto pretty well after not being on two wheels for about 25+ years, but I must admit that the first month of riding again, I had a little incident.  I was riding the Kawasaki KLR650 to work one morning, probably the 4th or 5th time on a bike after the long gap of not riding.  I was at a stop light in traffic and was surprised by the light change, as I was expecting the left turn light coming towards me to activate first, so I was not prepared to move.  I sort of paniced and ended up popping the clutch and pulling the highest and longest wheelie of my life all the way across the intersection.  So high that I had to take my feet of the pegs and lay on the seat and tank to prevent from going all the way over.  I managed to get the front wheel back on the ground and drag myself back onto the seat and make it to work safely, but it was an extreme adrenelin rush and not something I ever want to repeat.  My Suzuki 400 DRZ with aftermarket performance exhaust and a couple of other mods has the same, or more horsepower as the 650 Kawasaki did, but it is much lighter and more fun to ride on the twisty mountain roads.

I don't know if I will ever be a big heavy bike rider, like the harley's and over 1000cc japanese, or german bikes.  My very first bike at age 16 was a 175 CZ trials bike.

[boglo]

Ok, these guys that are swerving in and out from lane to lane are the 1-2% that give the rest of us a bad name. Not to worry though one day they will be the subject of someones horror story, or a red stain in the road.
I ride fast, but not crazy. I lane split (no law against it in Cal), but I do it with common sense. Ive been riding for 40+ years, and best I can say about the crazies is there is a level of performance in most sport bikes that most can just not comprehend. When you get a 20 something on one of these bikes, they just feel they are on another level above any car.
But I agree with Wayne, these are a small % of the total population of bikes out there.
Also to look at from the other side, there WAY more bone heads out there driving 6000lbs steel coffins weaving in and out of traffic, while talking on the phone, drinking their coffee, radio blasting, ect.
But I don't think all car/truck guys are crazy nut cases, just 1-2%..

boB

[amiga92570]

I agree with dave partially, Punishment for certain things can help, but only so much. A lot of these guys do not fear getting hurt or incarcerated. How do you punish that?

Amigadave:  Quote [I was at a stop light in traffic and was surprised by the light change, as I was expecting the left turn light coming towards me to activate first, so I was not prepared to move. I sort of paniced and ended up popping the clutch and pulling the highest and longest wheelie of my life all the way across the intersection. So high that I had to take my feet of the pegs and lay on the seat and tank to prevent from going all the way over]

Dave, first you should never ride while you are see inanimate objects (stop light) come toward you.

Second, You should never keep throttle open while sitting at a traffic light. Its a bummer when you let the clutch out.

[amigadave]

......Dave, first you should never ride while you are see inanimate objects (stop light) come toward you.

Okay, I should have typed stoplight, not stop light, but it was not coming toward me.

Second, You should never keep throttle open while sitting at a traffic light. Its a bummer when you let the clutch out.

I did not have the throttle open while sitting at the light, but in my rush to get out of the way of the morning traffic that I had snaked my way through to get to the front position in between lanes at the stoplight, I gave the bike a little too much throttle and the clutch slipped out of my hand too quickly.

I would have given almost anything to be a bystander with a video camera at that intersection that morning so I could have caught it on tape.  It must have been very impressive to some and hilarious to others.

[amiga92570]

@Boglo: you have me beat by about 7 years. I am also in California, I would agree with what you said 100%.

[amiga92570]

@amigadave, I am sure now if you did something like that someone would have it on youtube, haha...

[motrucker]

At the mo. I only have the dirt bike. Working on another 1200cc Sportster though, as money trickles in.
I've been riding since 1964 - bought the first new bike in 1966.

[huronking]

Well, Wayne- I live about 55 miles north on Monteagle Mountain. Lets just get some people together and ride... If you'll be seen around a Harley that is...

Ah, Enduro.. the Hybrid of motorcyclists.   The ones who can't really figure out where they fit in, so try to do a bit of everything when they can.  Schizophrenics we used to call them back when I was a youngun...



Seriously, Enduro riders barely even factor into on-the-road driving around here, so I simply forgot.  I cannot remember ever seeing one driving down the roads here as a matter of fact.

Wayne

[amigadave]

@amigadave, I am sure now if you did something like that someone would have it on youtube, haha...

It was only about 3 years ago when it happened.  Scared the $#!t out of me, but I am feeling comfortable riding once again.  It just took me a few months of riding to get the hang of it again.  :roflmao: