Do you ever envy those rocket ships with 1WD?
Discussion
It only take 5 minutes to get your gear on & off, in terms of time saved for me it's over an hour difference if I take the car, even travelling to Birmingham for a meeting in the summer my colleagues & I left our office in Central London, the time difference was over an hour & half so plenty of time to get changed. 
Pan Pan Pan said:
I rode motorbikes years ago when it was all I could afford. But I knew then, I was not a `natural' biker so (when I could afford it ) switched to cars. Nothing wrong with bikes, only in `my' ability to ride one. But there seem to be some on here, who seem to want to continually oppose anyone who makes a different choice in their mode of transport to them. Whether they actually believe in what they are doing, or just want to put up a diametrically opposed view (to any topic) to just create an argument, is difficult to say. (As some of those posting on the VW diesel cheat topic who want diesel cars banned will testify to )
Users of motorized vehicles of all kinds, should stick together, rather than criticizing the motoring choice of others (I know this because I have criticized the motoring choice of others in the past, and then realized that doing so was not very bright, in a world where some elements of society want private transport banned.
I envy those who have either grown up with, or developed the skill to ride a big bike safely and well on todays roads, unfortunately I did not, but even now like the idea of having just a smallish motor bike in the garage. (wonder if anyone does a diesel bike? The Russians perhaps?)
Users of motorized vehicles of all kinds, should stick together, rather than criticizing the motoring choice of others (I know this because I have criticized the motoring choice of others in the past, and then realized that doing so was not very bright, in a world where some elements of society want private transport banned.
I envy those who have either grown up with, or developed the skill to ride a big bike safely and well on todays roads, unfortunately I did not, but even now like the idea of having just a smallish motor bike in the garage. (wonder if anyone does a diesel bike? The Russians perhaps?)
CorbynFTW said:
liner33 said:
Its often forgotten that people die driving cars and even trucks ....all the time, if people knew how vulnerable they are they would no doubt drive differently , at least bikers understand this
Bikers tend to die (or break a pelvis, leg etc) a lot more easily than someone cocooned in a car, bus, truck, tank etc etc.Mechanism of injury is a b
h isn't it.I'd love a bike, however as carefully as I'd ride, there are always other road users who wouldn't be as careful.
In my opinion (get that?) It's not worth the risk.
A post I made early stated that you have to ride with a mind set that you are responsible for your own safety. If you ride around expecting people to accommodate you and the speed a bike is capable off, your loading the dice against you.
But once again, it isn't for everyone (much like a kit car or an Elise isn't).
Some cars can be astonishing fast, but the idea of a bike which can nicely cruise around town but go to astonishing speeds combined with the sound of a 4 cylinder at 11000rpm can be a thrill seekers dream, where adrenaline flows through the veins of someone riding one, because they bloody love it.
Do I envy them? Of course I do! I'm not trying to say cars are crap though. In the end, the bike and the car can't be compared, like apples and bananas.
Do I envy them? Of course I do! I'm not trying to say cars are crap though. In the end, the bike and the car can't be compared, like apples and bananas.
Hungrymc said:
CorbynFTW said:
liner33 said:
Its often forgotten that people die driving cars and even trucks ....all the time, if people knew how vulnerable they are they would no doubt drive differently , at least bikers understand this
Bikers tend to die (or break a pelvis, leg etc) a lot more easily than someone cocooned in a car, bus, truck, tank etc etc.Mechanism of injury is a b
h isn't it.I'd love a bike, however as carefully as I'd ride, there are always other road users who wouldn't be as careful.
In my opinion (get that?) It's not worth the risk.
A post I made early stated that you have to ride with a mind set that you are responsible for your own safety. If you ride around expecting people to accommodate you and the speed a bike is capable off, your loading the dice against you.
But once again, it isn't for everyone (much like a kit car or an Elise isn't).
deltashad said:
Elises may break but they are hardy little cars. I had a few bumps but always came out without a scratch.
im not saying Elise's are dangerous. But they're certainly higher risk than say a big Discovery. I've had a few offs on various motorbikes over 20 years. Never had worse than cuts and bruises.
Doesn't really mean anything does it?
I only mentioned Elise's to show there is a broad range of risks people will accept (and indeed a broad range of people's preception of risk). It's irritating as a biker (who drivers fast cars more than I ride bikes) to hear so much crap about the inevitability of serious injury or death on a bike - normally from someone who has little or no experiance of them.
I said further up. I've lost friends in cars, never in bikes. That doesn't make cars more dangerous. I ride and I drive in a way that allows me in the most part to be in control of my safety. I see situations developing all the time that I stay away from (how many of the dash cam videos show an accident that really was avoidable?) You can make bike riding reasonably low risk if you ride accordingly, and that doesn't even have to mean slow everywhere.
One thing:-
I can never understand what UK bikers mean about "freedom".....
What is free about being cooped up in leathers on a freezing cold day, wearing a full faced helmet you can hardly see through, gloves, boots etc?
As a motorcyclist, my idea of freedom would be cruising along route 66 on a Harley chopper, wearing a piss pot or even no helmet, on a lovely summer's day.
I can never understand what UK bikers mean about "freedom".....
What is free about being cooped up in leathers on a freezing cold day, wearing a full faced helmet you can hardly see through, gloves, boots etc?
As a motorcyclist, my idea of freedom would be cruising along route 66 on a Harley chopper, wearing a piss pot or even no helmet, on a lovely summer's day.
I'd never talk about the 'freedom' of a bike. Transport generally gives freedom, but It's not why I ride a bike.
Piss pot, chaps and a chopper do nothing for me. But it's fine that others love it.
Maybe it's like cars? Some people like lively agile cars, some like big cruisers....
It is really odd how everyone has an opinion about bikes and bikers. More so that so many people try to justify why they 'don't get it'.... It doesn't matter, it isn't for everyone, don't stress if motorbikes are not for you.
Edited to add..... That's not meant to be having a go at you Wacky, it's just an observation about the general tone of bike threads on here.
Piss pot, chaps and a chopper do nothing for me. But it's fine that others love it.
Maybe it's like cars? Some people like lively agile cars, some like big cruisers....
It is really odd how everyone has an opinion about bikes and bikers. More so that so many people try to justify why they 'don't get it'.... It doesn't matter, it isn't for everyone, don't stress if motorbikes are not for you.
Edited to add..... That's not meant to be having a go at you Wacky, it's just an observation about the general tone of bike threads on here.
Doing your CBT is a good way to know if bikes are for you or not. £100 for a day of learning to ride and by the end of it you'll know for sure if it's for you or not. It'll also give you a much greater appreciation of what the bikers on here are all banging on about.
When I'm king of the universe, CBT will be mandatory for everyone.
When I'm king of the universe, CBT will be mandatory for everyone.
Hungrymc said:
I'd never talk about the 'freedom' of a bike. Transport generally gives freedom, but It's not why I ride a bike.
Piss pot, chaps and a chopper do nothing for me. But it's fine that others love it.
Maybe it's like cars? Some people like lively agile cars, some like big cruisers....
It is really odd how everyone has an opinion about bikes and bikers. More so that so many people try to justify why they 'don't get it'.... It doesn't matter, it isn't for everyone, don't stress if motorbikes are not for you.
Edited to add..... That's not meant to be having a go at you Wacky, it's just an observation about the general tone of bike threads on here.
It's OK....Good post.Piss pot, chaps and a chopper do nothing for me. But it's fine that others love it.
Maybe it's like cars? Some people like lively agile cars, some like big cruisers....
It is really odd how everyone has an opinion about bikes and bikers. More so that so many people try to justify why they 'don't get it'.... It doesn't matter, it isn't for everyone, don't stress if motorbikes are not for you.
Edited to add..... That's not meant to be having a go at you Wacky, it's just an observation about the general tone of bike threads on here.
Each to their own as you say, but going out on a freezing cold day in driving rain is not really my idea of "fun".....Nice Summer's day....heaven.
Rawwr said:
Doing your CBT is a good way to know if bikes are for you or not. £100 for a day of learning to ride and by the end of it you'll know for sure if it's for you or not. It'll also give you a much greater appreciation of what the bikers on here are all banging on about.
When I'm king of the universe, CBT will be mandatory for everyone.
I cannot agree with point 1:-When I'm king of the universe, CBT will be mandatory for everyone.
In the days of 5 x days DAS I had the CBT on day 1, and 1 x day on the 125. I nearly quit there and then. I just did not "get it". Day 3 I moved to the 500 and it all clicked. So if I had just done the CBT, I would have likely not bothered pursuing further.
I completely agree with point 2:-
That being said, I also if king of the universe, would make CBT mandatory. I believe the skills learned by other vehicle users, for that 1 day on a bike, would reduce accidents on the road (not just involving bikes) more than any other advanced driver training I have seen/done.
You would have had to have done point 1 though, to appreciate the point being made in point 2 though!
Hungrymc said:
It is really odd how everyone has an opinion about bikes and bikers. More so that so many people try to justify why they 'don't get it'.... It doesn't matter, it isn't for everyone, don't stress if motorbikes are not for you.
Bikers are also generally very dismissive of cars and drivers.
deltashad said:
Hungrymc said:
CorbynFTW said:
liner33 said:
Its often forgotten that people die driving cars and even trucks ....all the time, if people knew how vulnerable they are they would no doubt drive differently , at least bikers understand this
Bikers tend to die (or break a pelvis, leg etc) a lot more easily than someone cocooned in a car, bus, truck, tank etc etc.Mechanism of injury is a b
h isn't it.I'd love a bike, however as carefully as I'd ride, there are always other road users who wouldn't be as careful.
In my opinion (get that?) It's not worth the risk.
A post I made early stated that you have to ride with a mind set that you are responsible for your own safety. If you ride around expecting people to accommodate you and the speed a bike is capable off, your loading the dice against you.
But once again, it isn't for everyone (much like a kit car or an Elise isn't).
MarshPhantom said:
Hungrymc said:
It is really odd how everyone has an opinion about bikes and bikers. More so that so many people try to justify why they 'don't get it'.... It doesn't matter, it isn't for everyone, don't stress if motorbikes are not for you.
Bikers are also generally very dismissive of cars and drivers.
I'm not generalizing about drivers or riders or anyone else (as you are in your second sentence). I'm just pointing out that we have to read the same old crap about organ donors, all lunatics, gimp suits etc from people who have no clue, no experiance and no idea. I've been riding 20 years, I understand the risks as I do with fast driving. I ride and drive to the conditions and circumstances.
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