Motor Cycle -- Am I mad

[Wedg1e]

AND
Don't underestimate the social side of biking,I've joined a few new forums,been on a number of organised rides,travelled to quite a few bike nights etc

Its definetly more dangerous than a car, but so much more rewarding

My mates and I have for several years had what we call The Bombing Run, when we hit the Continent in a mad mile-munching, beer-swilling, pork-knuckle-noshing long weekend (well it started that way, we're up to 6 days now ) usually in late May but last year in early September. The general plan is to take in twisty roads and mountain passes; most of the guys have a vague interest in the Wars so we've managed to include the Arras memorial (to find one guy's grandad), Colditz castle, the Eagle's Nest, the Mohne dam, Arnhem, the Nuremburg courthouse ... and so many Alpine passes I've forgotten but including the obligatory Stelvio, Brenner, Grossglockner, Giovo and the infamous B500... we've tried to ride the road from the opening sequence of The Italian Job... watched Astons testing at the Nurburgring... nipped into the Czech Republic and had lunch in Prague... had wheel-bearing failure in Switzerland, speeding fines in Italy and shredded tyres in Austria... this year we've skipped it and are raiding Scotland instead (if the border's still open ) but plan to 'Bomb' through the Pyrennees next year.
Incidentally I ride a sodding great tourer so don't think this is all about head-down, ****-up Power Ranger heroics; we swap bikes and then spend hazy evenings verbally ripping each other's weapon of choice to bits One year we were based in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (it's a good spot for circular routes) and a couple of the guys fancied a day off so bimbled up the road to Schloss Neuschwanstein, the castle that inspired Disney's, ate ice-cream and took photos.
You probably wouldn't bother in the car...

Not from one of the boys' trips, here's one of the few photos I can find on this hard drive... me rolling on to the Gironde ferry a few years back, it was 32 degrees (Nursy was carrying my lid):

...and somewhere near Cap Cerbere on the Spanish border...

 

[Bede]

Here's my new toy

 

[Robotstar5]

I took the fairing off my Fazer...

 

[Pete.]

Just for info lads, the thinking on the lifesaver has changed, in certain conditions at certain speeds, its deemed to be dangerous, its still got its place in your safety pack, but make sure you have a scanned and clear zone in front of you before you do a shoulder check which it is sometimes called now.
There is a new breed of motorist out there now, he/she HAS seen you, but does not give a toss because they know you will take avoiding action, or in the worst case, they will be OK, and can trot out SMIDSY.
And if you do do a shoulder check/lifesaver, can you actually see more than you can see in your mirrors??-because helmets have changed, mirrors have changed, we now have armour in the shoulders of jackets.
Looking is one thing seeing is another.

This has always been true IMO. Only a nutter would perform a lifesaver without checking they are safe in front. If it's not safe to make one abort the maneuver and hold station.

 

[Wallace]

I took the fairing off my Fazer...

Looks good like that.

 

[shakyman]

i like" naked" bikes.... been looking for one ...but bought this instead at the weekend...

 

[octo0072000]

seen going past the shops yesterday
scooter on L plates driver dressed mini skirt, tee shirt, flip flops, and a push bike/cycle helmet
just no hope for some people

 

[ajlelectronics]

I used to be a Star Rider motorcycle instructor a long time ago. When I had students turn up like that, they got sent home to change.

 

[norlander]

 

[octo0072000]

View attachment 65190

nothing like gravel rash

 

[octo0072000]

a cartoon from OGRI say's it all about car drivers

 

[norlander]

a cartoon from OGRI say's it all about car drivers

LOL-but we have to move on, SMIDSY as I said can now be-"yeah, I saw ya, but if ya don't give way, ya gonna come off worse, so sue me". The life saver, when I did my last advanced refresher, was changed to watch what the planks in front are going to do, because they do it faster than days of yore.
You can often deal with a rear end or side clip better than nutting a motorised box coming the other way. More traffic, more rush in life, more phones and communication, more priorities in life than good driving standards etc.

 

[atomant48]

More traffic, more rush in life, more phones and communication, more priorities in life than good driving standards etc.

You're right - and maybe true of some of the bikes now too. I've just got a new GS after being away from riding for quite a few years. There must be 20 or more switches on the handlebars, satnav to fiddle with,.... I seem to spend a lot of time thinking "what's it doing now" as I'm riding along and do find myself having to concentrate on the important task - watching out - a lot more than I remember.

 

[dobbslc]

I seem to spend much of my time looking at the speedo just making sure I'm not over the speed limit. I suppose it's ok now to mow down a ped as long as I was under the limit!
Anyone driven through Camden lately? The bloody 20mph speed limit is very hard to stay under unless you're in first gear (in a van) put it into second and before you know it you are rolling along at 30mph right through a "safety" camera!
No wonder it's bad out there these days with all the Sat navs, and other distractions in a modern car, have you seem where some nob's stick the Sat navs in the middle of the screen now!

 

[atomant48]

I seem to spend much of my time looking at the speedo just making sure I'm not over the speed limit

Cruise control!

 

[Richard.]

Here's my new toy

That's a nice clean example. When is the test. I was given one of those as a curtesy bike when the zx was having dyno work. They are great machines so easy to chuck about. They do go well also. You'll like that.

 

[rosinante]

You're right - and maybe true of some of the bikes now too. I've just got a new GS after being away from riding for quite a few years. There must be 20 or more switches on the handlebars, satnav to fiddle with,.... I seem to spend a lot of time thinking "what's it doing now" as I'm riding along and do find myself having to concentrate on the important task - watching out - a lot more than I remember.

Hi
I am thinking of getting a sticker made for my rear window apologising for my bad driving cos I am busy with one of the following,

On the phone
Texting
Eating
Drinking
Smoking
Pratting around with the sat nav cos I have`nt a clue where I am going
Wondering what that button on the dash does
Sorting the in car entertainment
Reading
Picking my nose
Braking abruptly cos there is a speed camera,
A combination of some of the above
All of the above

Seriously though I am more than a little concerned about getting on the bike when rebuilt,[being delivered next Saturday], because these distractions are common, assuming I can stay upright on the thing.!!
Will update as and when.
Chris

 

[norlander]

You'll be fine, the fact that you are concerned shows you are mentally prepared,just never take anything you think a driver is going to do for granted, you mentioned GPS/satnav, and phones.
A more recent aspect for bikers to watch out for is drivers making sudden manoeuvre at speed because they have received an instruction or call from satnav/phone.
Most bikers watch for cars pulling out of junctions/exits into their path, but you need to be aware that an oncoming vehicle might suddenly swing across your priority, if that happens to coincide with you doing a shoulder check, your time to react is greatly reduced.
So basically, be prepared for muppets at all junction configurations and take it easy until the old skills come back and some new ones for todays driving standards are learnt.
Looking forward to your update.

 

[Wedg1e]

Cruise control!

I have cruise control on my bike, but it doesn't work past 130. Er, KPH, officer

 

[Farside]

I have cruise control on my bike, but it doesn't work past 130. Er, KPH, officer

My cruise control is my thumb resting on the switch block. The throttle spring is light, so no strain involved.