aft@pucc-h (Klosky) (01/30/84)
re: the first motor scooter freeway blues.
1. If you are out on the freeway, a big bike is better than
a small bike because it is both more stable and faster.
A 350 hondog two up at night on an interstate is nothing
short of a nightmare.
2. You don't have to be able to get both feet flat on the ground
to ride a big bike. I am about five seven and weigh 135 lbs
and enjoy my KZ1000, even though I can't back it up into a
parking spot without dismounting.
3. Disk brakes are better than drum brakes for street applications,
except possibly in the rain. Disk brakes stop the bike quicker,
and require much less service than drum brakes.
4. Mag wheels are more reliable and require less maintenance
than spoked wheels.
5. Handle mounted fairings and windshields are UNSAFE. Fairings
should be mounted to the frame, if installed at all. In general,
a bike with a fairing is more difficult to handle, but
the fairing can transform marginal motorcycle weather into
good motorcycle weather, especially in cold climates.
6. Four stroke bikes are more complex and heavier for a given power
output than their two stroke counterparts, but more reliable
in general. Two stroke bikes have a narrow power range, which
means that you have to keep the revs up and shift all the time.
And someone has to be resonsible for oiling down the highways.
7. Clothing is very important. I always subtract twenty to thirty
Fahrenheit to start. The composition of the soles of your shoes
is another important issue. If you wear smooth soled boots most
of the time and switch to sneakers for a trek to the corner,
you may be in trouble if you put your foot down while rolling.
8. The pros and cons of used bikes: A three year old 750 is
much less expensive than a new 400, and built better, too.
There are quite a few things to consider when comparing prices.
Condition of the tires, chain and sprockets, motor, gearbox
and looks should be considered. If you want to ride a Norton,
good luck finding parts.
9. The cost of such trinkets as sissy bars, crash bars, highway pegs,
riding hats, a cover, and whatever may make a used bike more
attractive. Dealers of new bikes may offer added discounts when
the extras are bought with the package.
10. If you ride two up a lot, you might look into a backrest.
A backrest adds luggage capacity. Get the one piece custom one
from the dealer, as the universal ones don't fit anything right.
11. Learning to ride requires a lot of practice. A big parking lot
at the stadium on a quiet sunday is a good proving ground. Feel
the limits of the bike's performance. You should not venture
to the roadways until you can bring the whole affair to a screeching
halt from 60mph. After you have mastered the parking lot after
maybe 20 hours of practice, then consider riding a well known
lightly trafficked route over and over. Move up to progressively
more dangerous rides slowly, in stages.
the first months are the most dangerous, BE AWARE,
peter
p.s. If you want the bike to go to the right, which way do you point
the front wheel? david@tekig.UUCP (David Hayes) (02/06/84)
Can you extoll the virtues of countersteering for us all??
That is how all two wheelers steer anyway, but consciously
knowing and practicing this method can greatly increase
your control over the bike.
Go ahead, try it with your bike, turn the bars left and see
how fast you end up on your right cheek.
======
Question - How many motorcyclists out there have to put
up with that line you hear every time someone
finds out you ride a cycle "You mean you ride
one of those DEATH MACHINES?"
tektronix!tekig!davidken@ihuxq.UUCP (ken perlow) (02/09/84)
-- >>> Question - How many motorcyclists out there have to put >>> up with that line you hear every time someone >>> finds out you ride a cycle "You mean you ride >>> one of those DEATH MACHINES?" Far worse is the inevitable quip when you've ridden to work on any morning morning it's below freezing, and you're taking off your gear, waiting for the elevator: "Isn't it cold out there?" Or there you are at a light. It's raining hard. Some a**hole driving a stratocruiser pulls up in the right lane, rolls down the window and says: "Aren't you wet?" AAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHH!!! $%^#$**&^! Any bikers out there figured out some snappy comebacks? -- *** *** JE MAINTIENDRAI ***** ***** ****** ****** 09 Feb 84 [20 Pluviose An CXCII] ken perlow ***** ***** (312)979-7261 ** ** ** ** ..ihnp4!ihuxq!ken *** ***