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So far I'm at a 100% wave rate for ladies walking one miniature horse and a pomeranian down the sidewalk of the main road in my town. That was one person, but it makes up for all the batwing-fairing harley riders that don't wave back. You know what I love though? Riding in 40/50 degree weather. It's so refreshing.
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Sep 14, 2012 19:41
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Wulframn posted:It's about 50/50 here. Further, the motorcycles are about 50/50 cruisers/sport bikes. Seems most of the guys riding sport bikes at my school don't do the helmet thing. I guess if you only use the bike to get the four blocks from your apartment to campus in an area where you can do at most 25 mph you can rationalize not needing one.
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Sep 14, 2012 19:46
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Covert Ops Wizard posted:Seems most of the guys riding sport bikes at my school don't do the helmet thing. I guess if you only use the bike to get the four blocks from your apartment to campus in an area where you can do at most 25 mph you can rationalize not needing one. That rationalization is such bullshit. If you crash your bike going 20 miles per hour and hit your head on pavement without a helmet, you're hosed. If you're going 70 miles per hour and you hit your head while you're wearing a helmet, you're probably still hosed, but it seems like it'd make more sense to wear more gear at city speeds. You're more likely to get hosed up navigating intersections and turning and god I hate those people.
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Sep 14, 2012 19:51
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You don't have to be moving at all. If you are six feet tall, and someone sneaks up and kicks your legs out from under you, and you fall backwards and smack your head on the pavement without breaking your fall with your arms or whatever...your head is going more than fast enough to crack your skull wide open and kill you. Incidentally, now that I ride a motorcycle I feel kind of naked riding my bicycle with a helmet that only covers the top of my head.  Things that happened today that I enjoyed: - realizing that whoops, that highway right next to the windy beach is constantly covered with a thin film of sand even if it doesn't look like it, leading to locking up the rear tire and accidentally leaving a 20-foot skid mark right in front of a cop (who either didn't notice or didn't care) - following a van with the license plate TTTTTTT - giving a honk and huge double thumbs-up to a guy in a 2-piece Dainese leather suit and an expensive-looking full-face helmet, riding...a little Honda scooter - discovering that the shopping cart return carrel thingy makes a very nice private motorcycle parking spot: 
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Sep 15, 2012 03:44
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Strife posted:You know what I love though? Riding in 40/50 degree weather. It's so refreshing. As the weather gets colder, being out on the bike feels more like an adventure. The fewer motorcyclists you pass during that weather also tend to give you a more enthusiastic "fellow fool in the cold" reaction as well.
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Sep 15, 2012 04:33
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When I was heading south from Edmonton a couple of weeks ago at higher than the posted limit, passed a loaded up BMW when it was about 9C drizzling rain, and they had Australian plates so were obviously in the middle of a big tour. Slowed down, Gave them a big thumbs up and and got a retro in return. You don't do that poo poo in cars. slidebite fucked around with this message at 06:36 on Sep 15, 2012 |
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Sep 15, 2012 06:32
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Strife posted:If you're going 70 miles per hour and you hit your head while you're wearing a helmet, you're probably still hosed, but it seems like it'd make more sense to wear more gear at city speeds. Tell that to guys out on the track who ride their face along the asphalt at 100mph and live to tell the tale. If you're out riding and get in an accident it's probably going to suck a lot and you're probably going to be in a lot of pain for a while; but if you were wearing all the proper safety gear and a full helmet you'll more than likely be fine in the long run. I'm defending this because of the number of fuckers who tell me "Helmets don't matter at real world speeds," or "Helmets cause broken necks". Sure they cause broken necks, if you're wearing a helmet two sizes too large so it can roll around your head and increase twist rate. Sagebrush posted:You don't have to be moving at all. If you are six feet tall, and someone sneaks up and kicks your legs out from under you, and you fall backwards and smack your head on the pavement without breaking your fall with your arms or whatever...your head is going more than fast enough to crack your skull wide open and kill you. True this - a lot of people don't realize just how fragile your head is. Your skull can withstand a smack from a baseball bat, but your brain is so delicate that, while your head may not be split open, you probably won't wake up after that smack. Incidentally, I can personally attest to the fact that your skull is strong enough to withstand full velocity hits; when I was a kid my sister was playing with a golf club and I came up behind her. I got smacked in full swing right on the side of my skull. Not even a bruise - but boy did I have a concussion. Also, from a medical point of view, some people are interested to find out that "cracking your skull open", a skull fracture, is rarely fatal. Back on topic: I can't wait for the cooler weather to start really hitting here. I love the cold and I can't wait to cruise around town in "winter" (Florida, so sub 80 temps) weather.
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Sep 15, 2012 06:34
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Sagebrush posted:- discovering that the shopping cart return carrel thingy makes a very nice private motorcycle parking spot: Unless that slot goes unused, parking there is pretty dickish.
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Sep 15, 2012 14:44
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Nah, that one was empty and there was another cart return thing closer to the grocery store that people were actually using.
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Sep 15, 2012 18:50
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Flying shopping carts... the unexpected menace
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Sep 15, 2012 19:03
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Sagebrush posted:Nah, that one was empty and there was another cart return thing closer to the grocery store that people were actually using. Fair enough, I used to work at a supermarket so I'm a bit more sensitive to parking lot tomfoolery 
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Sep 15, 2012 23:37
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Sagebrush posted:Nah, that one was empty and there was another cart return thing closer to the grocery store that people were actually using. What about the car *right next to you* who now has to push his/her cart to the further cart area. Don't park there. Not only are you being a dick, just think about someone having a bad day and just shoving their cart into that area with your bike in it anyway because "that rear end in a top hat parked his bike in the loving clearly marked cart corral" aventari fucked around with this message at 19:34 on Sep 17, 2012 |
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Sep 17, 2012 19:32
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It was a strip mall with like 30 different stores, the grocery store was on the diagonally opposite corner of the parking lot, and I was in the Comcast outlet for like 10 minutes. Jesus.
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Sep 17, 2012 19:55
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Sagebrush posted:Jesus. I usually just park up on the curb right at the front by the store entrance. That way I am both getting the best most lazy spot possible, also not occupying a cart return.
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Sep 17, 2012 20:02
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Now you know what it's like talking to you, Sagebrush. I love riding again after coming back from a short vacation.
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Sep 17, 2012 20:03
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Sagebrush posted:It was a strip mall with like 30 different stores, the grocery store was on the diagonally opposite corner of the parking lot, and I was in the Comcast outlet for like 10 minutes. Jesus. clutchpuck posted:I usually just park up on the curb right at the front by the store entrance. That way I am both getting the best most lazy spot possible, also not occupying a cart return. If the store layout allows, I'll often park right next to a bike rack, which is generally about 10' from the front door.
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Sep 17, 2012 20:38
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Obviously you just need to print a suitably sized magnetic sticker and put it on the sign when you park there. Like so:
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Sep 17, 2012 20:44
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slidebite posted:Nah, it's a dick move. It's like taking a cripple spot because you'll "only be a sec" Agreed. Also, bad form to nose into a parking spot like that. Have fun if there's a slight grade there.
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Sep 17, 2012 22:45
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Backov posted:slight grade As a new rider I only made that mistake once. Struggling your new bike out of a spot backwards while people (girls) watch is a Top 5 Thing I Don't Like
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Sep 17, 2012 23:59
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The easy way out of that is to hop off and push it around. A hand on the grab rail and one on the grip gives you good leverage.
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Sep 18, 2012 01:35
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My bike so well balanced on it's center stand that I will often spin it around 180 in a parking spot if the situation calls for it. (Though backing in is my preferred method.)
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Sep 18, 2012 14:20
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I don't have five, but this past weekend I took my '76 RD400 on 140 mile round trip on the interstate. That's the most miles it's seen in probably eight years. Going 90 on a 36 year old bike with clip-ons and high speed tucking past semis is loving great. Also taking a giant personal project on a 100+ mile ride without breaking down is a pretty nice confidence booster. Now please excuse me as I find some wood to knock on.
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Sep 18, 2012 17:31
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Collateral Damage posted:Obviously you just need to print a suitably sized magnetic sticker and put it on the sign when you park there. Like so: This is a hilarious and amazing idea and I'm pretty sure it would completely throw security guards off. I'm all for it.
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Sep 19, 2012 08:35
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clutchpuck posted:The easy way out of that is to hop off and push it around. A hand on the grab rail and one on the grip gives you good leverage. This is what I do most of the time, otherwise I'll do the ole' swivel it around on the sidestand trick.
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Sep 19, 2012 10:00
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Xovaan posted:This is a hilarious and amazing idea and I'm pretty sure it would completely throw security guards off. I'm all for it. There's a parking area in one of Atlanta's major suburbs that is signed as "Scooters Only. <250 CCs". It's been my dream for a while now to add an extra 0 to that sign.
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Sep 19, 2012 11:49
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Going to a state park, discovering interminable lines of soccer-mom vans clogging up the roads, and using the expedient abilities of my Ninja to swiftly pass them (albeit a bit illegally) and slice through the emptier stretches of twisties in the park. While watching the tachometer needle blur furiously up and down, and enjoying the sonorous wail of the bike as it penetrates through my profoundly-deaf eardrums.
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Sep 20, 2012 01:32
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First day of fall when it's cool enough in the morning to pull out the heated gear. So warm and toasty all over on the way in this morning. Was only 50 but it felt great. Crappy part is breaking in new heated gloves and the general loss of feel going to cold weather gloves.
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Sep 20, 2012 01:44
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the walkin dude posted:Going to a state park, discovering interminable lines of soccer-mom vans clogging up the roads, and using the expedient abilities of my Ninja to swiftly pass them (albeit a bit illegally) and slice through the emptier stretches of twisties in the park. I _just_ did this at Yosemite, and it was incredible. The roads full of SUVs and minivans riding their brakes and crawling around each corner were great because it makes it even easier to pass them 
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Sep 20, 2012 02:26
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the walkin dude posted:Going to a state park, discovering interminable lines of soccer-mom vans clogging up the roads, and using the expedient abilities of my Ninja to swiftly pass them (albeit a bit illegally) and slice through the emptier stretches of twisties in the park. While watching the tachometer needle blur furiously up and down, and enjoying the sonorous wail of the bike as it penetrates through my profoundly-deaf eardrums. Green bikes are the best kind.
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Sep 20, 2012 02:28
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I think I'm forever a customer for Kawasaki just based on the color.aventari posted:I _just_ did this at Yosemite, and it was incredible. The roads full of SUVs and minivans riding their brakes and crawling around each corner were great because it makes it even easier to pass them Any pics of your bike at Yosemite? the walkin dude fucked around with this message at 03:12 on Sep 20, 2012 |
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Sep 20, 2012 03:10
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clutchpuck posted:Green bikes are the best kind. I will one day own a green bike. I am still too new to enjoy all of the benefits of riding a motorcycle - like passing and filtering... ah, illicitly.
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Sep 20, 2012 03:12
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Backov posted:Also, bad form to nose into a parking spot like that. Have fun if there's a slight grade there. Oh god, I did this yesterday on my Goldwing. The kind without a reverse gear. And there was an incline in this case. An '82 Aspencade weighs 700 lbs. gently caress me. (Actually it was just slightly annoying.)
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Sep 20, 2012 06:57
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I live in PA, so it's illegal, but I was late to work the other day so I split past the extremely long line at a light and scooted up to the very front about 30 seconds before the light turned green. Two cars behind me, a guy in a panel truck gave me a long honk and the finger when I turned around. Sorry guy I inconvenienced in no way whatsoever. I gave him a cheery wave before I zoomed off.
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Sep 20, 2012 07:33
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I'll get that too if I split to the front of a light. Granted, it's not legal here either, but what's the point in taking up space in line if we're able to zoom off before anyone else? I think it's just that people want you to wait since they have to 
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Sep 20, 2012 15:27
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AncientTV posted:I'll get that too if I split to the front of a light. Granted, it's not legal here either, but what's the point in taking up space in line if we're able to zoom off before anyone else? I think it's just that people want you to wait since they have to Not legal here either but when it's 100+ degrees and I just want to get home I do this without thinking about it. A few honks, some middle fingers and an occasional shout but that's the worst so far.
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Sep 20, 2012 15:49
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I've had people try to race me off the line to prevent me from getting ahead of their luxury sedan. I don't think they realize how fast motorcycles are.
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Sep 20, 2012 16:13
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I have that often. Need one gently caress of a car to beat most bikes, even if the bike isn't even aware he's in a race at first.
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Sep 20, 2012 16:50
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Let the
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Sep 20, 2012 17:17
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LOL. I generally let most win as they're the same assholes who get right on your rear end after you blow them out of the water.
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Sep 20, 2012 17:26
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AncientTV posted:I'll get that too if I split to the front of a light. Granted, it's not legal here either, but what's the point in taking up space in line if we're able to zoom off before anyone else? I think it's just that people want you to wait since they have to This is my logic. If we're in line then we're taking up as much space as a car in that line and contributing to congestion. Bikes can accelerate a whole poo poo-ton faster than cars can so we should be allowed to go to the front of the line. I like to park on the sidewalk at most of the shops I frequent, like Wal-mart and Target. I have permission from the store managers at the locations to do so. However, one of my favorite things about motorcycling is some of the incredulous remarks made in reference to this practice. (  is usually a woman with bundled panties) : *parkin' mah bike*: *approaches* Excuse me, sir, but you need to park in the lot like the rest of us.: It's ok! I clarified with Wal-mart, especially, on this issue and they would prefer it if motorcycles did not park in the lot. (To discourage us from using the handicapped egress/cart corrals/etc.): Fine! Then I'm going to start parking my SUV here, too!: *walking into the store*: Excuse me, but is that your motorcycle over there?: Yes ma'am, it is! How may I help you?: Oh, I just wanted to warn you that it may not be here when you come back out. I'm going to call and have it towed for parking illegally.: Ok! Well, let me know if you need any help, I know the number of a nice tow service. *goes inside*: *sitting on my bike as I lock the forks right after parking, notices a woman approaching behind me and looking at my plate* May I help you?: Oh, I'm just taking down your plate number.: Any specific reason?: Just... going to go call the police and report you for being a dick.: Ok! Well, my name is <full name> and I live at <address> if they need to mail out a citation.: *dumb struck*Those are incidents I had happen. I'm a polite guy raised with a strong sense of Southern hospitality, but we have a lot of northerners here and they can be quite abrasive (no offense ya'll) so I try to do my best to explain to them, briefly, that motorcycles have permission with our local wal-mart to park on the sidewalk, etc. Unfortunately most of them are just pissed that we get special treatment so they just have to call and complain somewhere. I'd have loved to have had the transcript from the tow-truck call. 
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Sep 20, 2012 17:43
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