Motorbikes and Riding - Page 3

Calv · 5th September 2002, 22:26

My brother was into 50cc mopeds when younger. He saved up for ages and got a secondhand bike. He only rode it on the road a few weeks before he got wiped up by somebody else on a bike. He was OK although the bike was a write-off. So he got a brand new Yamaha FS-1E and rode that for a few more weeks until a drunk driver turned right straight in front of him. He was catapaulted over the car and landed about 30 feet away in the road. Taken to hospital where they found he had fractured his pelvis so he spent 6 weeks on traction.

The driver was prosecuted and we sucessfully sued him for damages, but my bro still walks with a slight limp and has a weak pelvis. He hasn't looked at a bike since

I stiil prefer tin cans.

Laurieheels · 6th September 2002, 04:32

Too much horror, not enough encouragement!

The general rule as a rider is this - ride like you're invisible, because for most people, you are.

Drivers are bad, but the idea of a bike is not to use it for riding on crowded highways, it is to take it to places where there is not much traffic and enjoy the feeling the ride gives.

I know the dangers involved, but I still need to try it.

As for not seeing me on a sport bike, and on a harley, it's not going to happen. I only like sport bikes, I think Harleys look... crude in a way. I need a bike that would suit my personality.

And there is more than leather for protection. However, I think the best idea is just to learn slow and become a good rider. It is dangerous, yes, that is part of the thrill. But it only becomes dangerous and harmful if people ride that way. A good rider is a safe rider, and doesn't mess around in traffic.

Firefox · 6th September 2002, 21:03

What colour bike would you chose, L?

Laurieheels · 7th September 2002, 02:50

Well, a friend has black and grey, I think that is a great pattern. Red and silver would be nice, or all silver. I think silver is great, and a bit more visible.

And of course, I would wear all black. Or black and another colour that complimented my bike. it all depends on whether or not I pick up a riding suit or get leather.

Firefox · 7th September 2002, 12:19

I think I'd like black and sliver or electric blue and silver. I'd definitely go for all black leathers so some contrast with the bike would be nice.

Yamyam · 7th September 2002, 23:02

Yeah, if I could zap off somewhere that's not particularly crowded, and I didn't have to take my little one with me, then I'd think about it.

Call me odd, but I don't really want a mode of transport that I can't take my little one on. Like I said earlier, motor-trike for me!

Otherwise, I'm going to have to stick to my cage. But I'm one of the rare drivers who can see motorcyclists, and treat them with courtesy. It's quite astonishing how much more polite bikers are than your normal road users. One helpful signal, like "I know you're there, feel free to overtake" almost always gets a friendly wave.

Tech · 8th September 2002, 03:02

I ride my 50cc aprilla SR50 around london 4 days a week, then around kingston upon thames on fridays going to and from work every week, and i wear my 4" chunky heeled boots on the bike without any problems, and the boots also give me the advantage that i can now reach the floor on both sides of the bike when stationary, which i had to stretch to accomplish before, so less pain in the groin now :o

The only downside is that my knees are now up where the handlebars are, my bike is a nice color though, its black and red...

this is exactly the bike i ride, its a V reg and i have been riding it for the last 2 years

http://www.hooterscooter.co.uk/images/sr50-racing.jpg

its unbeleivably reliable, and nippy at 60mph top speed

Laurieheels · 9th September 2002, 03:44

It's a cute little bike... for scooting about it is great. I have heard a few people suggest that a very low cc bike would be good for training, but n the road to a super sport, it might ber a bit under powered. One does need something with a bit of a kick to learn the twisties.

It had a great colour scheme on it though. :)

The issue with heels and bikes is more for the emergency issues, a high speed manourver that goes a bit wrong, and faced with doing something to prevent your ride from going down, you need some good reaction time.

I think it is possible, but whether or not it is practical remains to be seen.

As for the contrast of colours with the leather... maybe, but when looking at the colours bikes come in, a racing suit looks to be a better compliment than the black leather treatment.

Of course, all of this will have to wait for March... I think that I would be happy buting leather pants in the interm, just for the sake of owning them. And matching them with leather boots that havea nice stiletto heel.

Yeah.

DesertHeeler · 9th September 2002, 19:38

Laurie,
Considering what your goal is, I think your first bike should be about 500cc. Anything smaller and you will get very rapidly bored with it.

I don't know how practical pointed toe stilleto boots on a bike would be, but I don't see a problem with boots with a square or rounded toe and a tallish block heel. You need a heel to keep your feet on the pegs.

Firefox · 9th September 2002, 21:06

500cc seems huge, especially for a first bike. I was chatting to my mate last night and he reckoned 100 or 200 was much more sensible until you get experienced.