Motorcycles, I am too scared to ride one, so should I just insult the people that do

[Pastiche]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

To be fair the statistical probability of your death is 1 no matter what you do.
Cars and bikes just speed the process up a bit.

Tell that to Walt Disney

[pylon]

I can actually empathize with a lot of what the non riders are saying. Myself, I cannot stand wide open pipes on Harleys, they serve no purpose. Loud pipes save lives is the biggest bunch of BS going. With modern cars being so well insulated for sound you cannot hear anything until it is too late.

There is an idiot on my street that goes wide open down the street at 5 times a day on his Harley and sets off car alarms. He does this up until 2 in the morning. Just last night I went down and talked to him, rider to rider, and told him I would call the cops if he keeps it up as it is inconsiderate and illegal and it wakes me up at night. I always go down the street at idle or just above, as I live in a dense condo area, and it is not fair to the locals. So I get what you guys are saying about the noise levels, it can be very annoying.

Personally I stick with the factory pipe option on most of my bikes, as they are usually no louder than a car unless you are revving it past 8 or 9000 rpm. On my current bike, people are shocked at how quiet it is under normal conditions. I am planning to change out the pipes on my current bike, to an after market pipe that is baffled, and just gives the bike a better tone, while minimally increasing the volume. The sound level at full throttle would be equivelant to a stock Porsche 911, so it is reasonable.

Anyway, not every biker is in this super secret club where we defend the actions of the idiots that partake in the same hobby. There are those of us out there that are considerate riders.

[Devils'Advocate]

I have mentioned in two previous threads that I'm buying this the second it becomes available in Ontario (it's available in Calgary at All Seasons Motorsports):
http://www.zoomilife.com/images/vectrix/vectrix.jpg

So,
#1) It's 100% electric and makes virtually no noise at all, but as a motorcyclist (or in my case a maxi-scooterist), you should be driving defensively anyway. It does come with a horn if you need to be heard. Being heard all the time is obnoxious.
#2) As for WHY, I've always loved the feel of a motorbike. And, for example, I have ball hockey on Monday nights. If my friend can't make it, I'm not going because public transportation doesn't go to this particular rec. centre. And I don't need a full car.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Bent Wookie

While people have the right to ride/drive whatever they want, from a personal standpoint, I don't understand the desire to ride a motorcycle.

If it's necessary to do a public awareness campaign warning others that it's motorcycle season and to be aware of them, that's kinda a slap in the face that your vehicle is perhaps not the safest ride.

I recall being in a plastic surgeons office. He had a poster in his waiting room that read, "Support your plastic surgeon, ride of motorcycle".

The desire to ride a motorcycle is for the same reason anyone does anything that involves risk. It's fun.

As for the public awareness campaing, it's not a slap in the face at all. A lot of accidents for motorcycles are caused by inattentive drivers in cars who don't see the cyclist. And it's nice to hear radio adds reminding people that there are things out there to look for that haven't been around for a while.

It's the same as the adds talking about school and playground zones, is that a slap in the face of kids that thier parks aren't that safe?

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Is it any differant than your typical red neck Albertan that just has to own the Supersized Deisel truck with blue bottle pipes?

Quoted for truth.

It could not have been said any better.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by Bent Wookie

While people have the right to ride/drive whatever they want, from a personal standpoint, I don't understand the desire to ride a motorcycle.

If it's necessary to do a public awareness campaign warning others that it's motorcycle season and to be aware of them, that's kinda a slap in the face that your vehicle is perhaps not the safest ride.

I recall being in a plastic surgeons office. He had a poster in his waiting room that read, "Support your plastic surgeon, ride of motorcycle".

If I could explain the desire to ride a bike, I'd be a VERY rich man. I'll take a crack at it though. When I'm in a car, I drive through the mountains. When I'm on my bike, I experience the mountains. Dunno, it's like trying to explain why you love a sunset (seriously) or why the Mona Lisa is the greatest portrait painting ever.

As for the public awareness comment....it's a solid point and I found it interesting. That said, I'd think that the embarrassment belongs to all the auto drivers that need to be reminded (year after year after year) that they should be paying attention? Seriously - put down the blackberry for 15 minutes. Stop applying your makeup. Get your hand outta your pants (seen twice this week, ewww).

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by WilsonFourTwo

Get your hand outta your pants (seen twice this week, ewww).

Dohh!! I thought I was alone.....

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Bent Wookie

While people have the right to ride/drive whatever they want, from a personal standpoint, I don't understand the desire to ride a motorcycle.

Glad to hear you finally say it's a right and not a privilege.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

So,
#1) It's 100% electric and makes virtually no noise at all, but as a motorcyclist (or in my case a maxi-scooterist)

Scooters get a bad rap as it is. I think you are compounding the problem (and inviting snickering) calling yourself a maxi-scooterist.

[burn_this_city]

I dont exactly buy into the loud pipes save lives mantra but an electric motorcycle seems more dangerous than a gas one.

[Jetsfan]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Is it any differant than your typical red neck Albertan that just has to own the Supersized Deisel truck with blue bottle pipes?

Like Money Guy Said above. it doesn't matter if it's a bike, car or truck. If it is being driving respectfully and not owned and driven by an absolute jackass you won't even notice it.

Exactly.

Altering any vehicle so that it makes a huge noise to call attention to yourself is pathetic and sad.

[metallicat]

For those that care, my new Suzuki SV650 just hit the road last night for the first time - awesome.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

If you're too scared then go put some training wheels on a little kiddy bike, puss.

But seriously, I am going to take lessons this year, buy a bike, and get my license. So I hope everything goes well!

Actually the thought of a bike has crossed my mind occasionally. It's the fear of my wife as I pull into the driveway that prevents it though, not riding!

[Buzzard]

Some good posts that show there are responsible riders out there.

Can't say so much for this one though...no explanation really necessary, I think he says it all.

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

DON'T BUY A HOUSE CLOSE TO A MAIN ROAD Numb Nuts!!!!!

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Is it any differant than your typical red neck Albertan that just has to own the Supersized Deisel truck with blue bottle pipes?

Like Money Guy Said above. it doesn't matter if it's a bike, car or truck. If it is being driving respectfully and not owned and driven by an absolute jackass you won't even notice it.

You're right there....mostly. The difference is that Supersize Diesel guys generally don't roll into Black Diamond en masse every weekend. Therefore monster truck guy is likely more welcome than biker guy. I'm sure if packs of 5-10-15 supersize diesels rolled into town ALL weekend long, EVERY weekend, they'd be hated on as much as bikes there, which is the point of the whole argument....the noise.

[TRIX]

^^^ haha

I laugh at this statement only because when you see any patch town, Drayton, Rocky at certain times of the year, Pincher, Edson, Hinton, etc. etc....that's what it is, en masse of diesel pickups every friking day.

I drive a diesel, I have it chipped, it has a Banks exhaust, it is mildly lifted, 2" inches in the front, 1" in the back...the reasons, more ground clearence, better fuel mileage, bigger tires = easier on the suspension and truck also better ride. Black smoke will come out if I stomp on it, however I only do that in emergency situations to accelerate away from a hazard, it wastes fuel!!!!

I don't like the rep my truck gets from other s around who drive 8" lifts with 40" tires, stomping on it every chance they get...just like I am sure other riders don't like people with v-twins revving them up and down 17th ave all day long. I personally don't like either situation.

Drive and Ride considerately, that`s all anyone can do, hopefully it catches on and hey, wouldn`t that be swell? I think so

[HOOT]

What did I miss?

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by TRIX

^^^ haha

I laugh at this statement only because when you see any patch town, Drayton, Rocky at certain times of the year, Pincher, Edson, Hinton, etc. etc....that's what it is, en masse of diesel pickups every friking day.

I drive a diesel, I have it chipped, it has a Banks exhaust, it is mildly lifted, 2" inches in the front, 1" in the back...the reasons, more ground clearence, better fuel mileage, bigger tires = easier on the suspension and truck also better ride. Black smoke will come out if I stomp on it, however I only do that in emergency situations to accelerate away from a hazard, it wastes fuel!!!!

I don't like the rep my truck gets from other s around who drive 8" lifts with 40" tires, stomping on it every chance they get...just like I am sure other riders don't like people with v-twins revving them up and down 17th ave all day long. I personally don't like either situation.

Drive and Ride considerately, that`s all anyone can do, hopefully it catches on and hey, wouldn`t that be swell? I think so

I think the bad rap from diesels comes from the Dodge guys with the super loud exhaust. Even with a chip and exhaust our trucks arent very loud except at wide open which doesnt happen much driving around town.

[Mad Mel]

F'ing cagers.

Being able to hear a bike is a safety feature, but it doesn't have to be ######ed loud. Anytime there's two lanes of traffic going one direction, on a motorcycle you will pass through cars' blind spots. If you have a brain, you don't stay there, but it's unavoidable that you'll be there temporarily. In that spot, hearing you is probably how the driver will know you're there, since god knows most car drivers are too stupid to actually check their blind spot. That said, most bikes are probably loud enough in factory form if you aren't burbling along at 2000 rpm.

[ResAlien]

I'm confused, what is this thread about? Bikers are awesome or lame? What the funk. Also, I do not own a bike and no urge to own one. I gamble enough with my liver as it is, I don't need extra pressure.

[Buzzard]

^This thread kind of started here.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=90295