BS: Motorbikes again!

Subject: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 May 03 - 03:50 AM

As the now proud owner of a Honda CX500 custom I thought I would start up a bikes thread again. Strange coincidence is that I now have 2 x V reg Hondas. 1 is a 2000 i.5is Civic and the other is a 1980 motorbike! Imported from the US in 1995 and with only 17000 on the clock (No - I couldn't believe it either - Thought it had been round the clock but it seems genuine!) Had a little ride around yesterday and loved it:)

Any takers? Anyone fancy a UK mudcat bikers get-together?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: mooman
Date: 19 May 03 - 04:21 AM

Would love to Dave but a current pecuniary embarassment now means I have to sell by beloved Yamaha Virago in the near future.

(:>(

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Hrothgar
Date: 19 May 03 - 05:28 AM

You're at risk of getting an opinion from Sorcha!

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: GUEST,Egal
Date: 19 May 03 - 06:36 AM

Know what you mean mooman, had to sell my beloved GPZRX 1000

And yes there was a tear in my eye.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: saulgoldie
Date: 19 May 03 - 09:11 AM

I loved my CX and later its big brother, the 650. Loved the feel of the motor, and the rock-solid reliable power and torque. Always got steady good gas mileage, too. Be aware that the stator motor (electric generator type thingie) is prone to going out at anywhere after 50K miles. That is about the only flaw on these that I am aware of. Would have kept mine, except that that happened to me when I had no money. (Fix runs about $1,000 unless you do it yourself.)

Now I love my Pacific Coast (800 V-twin, like the Shadow, but with "body by Tupperware"). Still haven't fingered out 'zactly how to carry my guitar, though. And I won't do the Arlo Guthrie strap it over my back thing, cause it could fall off too easily.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 May 03 - 09:12 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 May 03 - 09:18 AM

I dread to think how long ago it was that I last saw my Suzuki - probably as I got into the ambulance. No real injuries but some kind person called the paramedics and had to go with them. It did save me more ambarrassing moments as it all happened outside the local doctor's place and he was holding ante-natal consultations at the time, and I had been led into his office by panicing bystanders. Bike was a write-off.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 19 May 03 - 11:06 AM

I currently trying to flog my Suzuki GN250 in order to buy something a bit bigger. I only got into biking about 3 yrs ago but love it and am slowly working my way up through the engine sizes. Thought I'd try the Honda CB500S next (the one with a bit of fairing on it). Of course the Honda garage up the road don't want my Suzuki so have offered a low price and so far no takers to my newspaper ad. So I'll just have to wait a bit longer....

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: KateG
Date: 19 May 03 - 01:31 PM

Will somebody please popularize the quiet moterbike! We live out in the country on a road favored by bikers. One Honda or Suzuki going by is bearable, but 20 Harleys has us wimpering for mercy. And when they stop in front of our house (we live on a corner) to discuss their route we get the added pleasure(?) of listening to their choice in music as well as the manditory engine revs. We've completely given up pickin' on the front porch. We may have looked picturesque with the dulcimer, guitar, mando etc. but it has become too painful.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 May 03 - 01:38 PM

Ask my son 'Crash' about wrecking with no health insurance........up to $8,300. 00 so far.........

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 May 03 - 04:21 PM

Seems that this is in danger of turning into an anti bikes thread... my Honda CB125 is also up for sale - I haven't been able to ride for a year because of (unrelated) health problems, and now I can't afford to go back for retraining as my CBT and theory will expire in 5 weeks time.

Still love riding though.... friend has just bought 2 new ones and will give me a ride on the 1300 soon.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Phot
Date: 19 May 03 - 04:28 PM

Yippie! Someone else who hates Harleys. I think its a great idea to go out for a ride with other Mudcatters, any down here in Devon? I have a Triumph Daytona T595, which got a bit mangled on the way to Bridgenorth Festival last year, but its all ok now, all we need now is a bit of sunshine.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: GUEST,Egal
Date: 19 May 03 - 07:38 PM

Dearest Sorcha, we all take risks in our painfully transient lives, i can well understand anyone being "anti" bike, perhaps because the risk factor of an accident is 30% higher than driving a car.
however, should you talk to most "bikers" they will certainly tell you that the risk is worth it.

I've been a biker for 30+ years with only one accident, which was my own fault and fortunately only dented my pride.

Bikers are a unique breed and in general understand and accept the risks they take for the feeling of "freedom" two wheels gives.

Almost all accidents are caused by bad drivers of cars.

I sympathise unconditionally with your situation and wish you and your son only the very best.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: DonMeixner
Date: 19 May 03 - 09:52 PM

Shall I dust off the Old Ariel Square 4 just once more?

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: mooman
Date: 20 May 03 - 06:23 AM

You have a Square 4 Don?!!!!

I fondly remember stripping one of those down and rebuilding it with my Dad when I was about 12.

Sorcha, I really and unconditionally empathise with you and your son on this and wish him a speedy recovery. Luckily, although I have been a biker for 33+ years, I never had a spill or an accident and tend to agree with Egal on this. According to my insurance broker, 90% of all bike accidents are caused by careless car drivers.

I'm really going to miss my bike!

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: saulgoldie
Date: 20 May 03 - 06:55 AM

Yes, most people resent the Harley noise. All the bikes I have ever ridden are only barely louder than an average car, and softer than most sports cars.

On risk: Interestingly enough, I got into a discussion the other day at work with my student aides about the risks we take in life. Yes, motoring is a large one. But so are smoking, drinking, many sports and so-called sports, and even getting out of bed and out of the house. As adults--since this does not apply to minors who cannot yet make these choices--we must choose our risks carefully and accept the possible consequences in favor of the pleasure that comes from the activity.

In the case of the students, the first part was about smoking, as I 'caught" one of them smoking cigs (or "fags" if you like). The discussion curiously morphed into one about motorcycling, as the smoker was also a biker wannabee. When we were done, she decided that she still wanted to be a biker, and she also wanted to continue smoking. Me, I am going to motor to work today before it rains again.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Alba
Date: 20 May 03 - 07:20 AM

Hey Don. Do dust off the Ariel:>) Beautiful Bike. I learned to ride on an Ariel Square 4. My Dad's. My boyfriend at the time was very sceptical about a "girl" riding a Bike but 35 years later I think he may have been wrong there LOL.
I run a 72 Triumph Bonneville. Love Triumphs. They are my Bike of Choice.
I can't imagine not riding my Bikes. Even bought this Triumph when I came over to the States to live.
My Partner rides a Harley and he and I are in the process of rebuilding a Triton.
Not ride my Motorbike!!!!...can't imagine that.
Happy and Safe Riding Folks this Summer and keep it shiny side up!
A:>)

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 May 03 - 07:28 AM

The CX is pretty quiet. On the subject of accidents I can honestly say that the first thing I ever did on a bike was rode it into a wall! I got on my shiny black and chrome Lambretta GT200 pulled in the clutch, put it in 1st, let out the clutch and wham! There was me on the floor and the scooter, still stood, leaning against the side of the shop.

Didn't put me off though:-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Micca
Date: 20 May 03 - 07:56 AM

and this might amuse you Biker freaks Link Here

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: GUEST
Date: 20 May 03 - 10:17 AM

be glad that motorbikes amke some noise, they are alive at least, not the sterile car. By the way, they make less noise than a car, as road noise, and there is a 100Db european noise limit for modern cycles.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: mooman
Date: 20 May 03 - 10:34 AM

You shouldn't have mention Tritons Alba! You now have me reminiscing about the one I used to have when I should be working ! 650 Triumph pre-Bonneville engine (can't remember the exact model) in a Norton wideline frame. Drop handlebars and arse-in-the-air racing seat!

As I got older I progressed to the more comfortable raised bars sit-up-and-beg style of bike.

Ah....those were the days!

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: DonMeixner
Date: 20 May 03 - 11:20 AM

Yes I do have a Square 4. Lovely machine. Revell plastics, 1/32 scale. Red and chrome. But I dust it offdaily along with my Bugatti Coupe, Hispano-Souizza Phaeton, and my Hawker Hirricane.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: The DeanMeister
Date: 20 May 03 - 11:33 AM

Just upgraded to a Triumph 955i Sprint ST. She sounds gorgeous, looks sexy, and goes like the wind! And she proudly diplays a Union Jack...

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 20 May 03 - 12:18 PM

I was at a Gordon Tyrell gig last Friday and he sang Richard Thompson's classic - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning. What a great song and Gordon does it really well. Anyway, we were chatting about bikes after the gig and Gordon told me that there is a mistake in the lyrics - apparently as the VBL was a racing machine, it never had any ignition keys. Towards the end of the song though, James (the dying bike owner) hands his girlfriend Red Molly the keys to his bike! So did Richard T get it wrong? Not that it makes much difference 'cos I still love that song!!

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Jim Colbert
Date: 20 May 03 - 12:45 PM

Kate,you're spot on about the loud Harleys (and their clones.) I've ridden mostly stock-exhaust bikes through the years, currently have a new Kaw ZR7s and a 75 CB400F and a 78 SR500 thumper. I too wish I could figure out a way to safely carry a guitar but I don't think it can be done.

I've ridden mostly hondas through the years, favorites being a 74 XL250 and my old 76 400F with yoshimura kit... had a BMW R65 for two years but never quite learned to like it.

Guest, there are noise levels here in most states as part of the state inspection, btw, but usually the guys put their baffles in for the safety inspection (kind of like your MOT) but pull them back out when they get home. Many are extremely offensive, and I don't know what kind you guys are listening to, but an unbaffled or "off-road only" piped Hog is plain and simple, way louder than any stock car I can think of in pure dB terms. It's really a blight on the public image of motorcycling. I enjoy a "throaty rumble," btw- the old Triumphs used to have gorgeous sounding exhausts- but a lot of these are just plain nasty sounding these days!

jim
pennsylvania, USA

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Phot
Date: 20 May 03 - 04:02 PM

Jim, most Harley dealers over here, [UK] are MOT centers and turn a blind eye [ear!] to straight through exhausts. That said, so does my Triumph dealer! Loud pipes have their place, and I think that you don't take the p*%$ in populated aeras they're ok, or get tugged by the fuzz. [pulled by the cops]

P.S. Anyone have a Thruxton Velocette I can photograph?

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: KateG
Date: 20 May 03 - 07:08 PM

Quote: "Loud pipes have their place, and I think that you don't take the p*%$ in populated aeras they're ok, or get tugged by the fuzz. [pulled by the cops]"

Why should rural folks have to put up with loud noise that their city brethren are spared? After all most of us chose the country for its peace and quiet.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-bike. I have enjoyed many a ride in my day, and wouldn't mind owning a bike if I wasn't spending all my money on musical instruments. I just have problems with activities that make life miserable for innocent bystanders. My peeve extends to smoking in public, loud car stereos and other things of that ilk Chalk me up as a hopeless curmudgeon.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: GUEST
Date: 21 May 03 - 07:59 AM

The special flaps they design-in on the exhausts of Lamborghini's &/or Aston Martins are excruciatingly annoying in the extreme. In the turning heads stakes, conspicuous consumption is not nearly enough. So they have to make a lot more low frequency noise at tickover just to get the attention of people who don't give a damn what car they are driving.

Bikes use less roadspace and only modified bikes make too much noise in my experience.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Phot
Date: 26 May 03 - 02:47 AM

Bank holiday Monday, no rain! The sun is shining, I'm off for a ride over Dartmoor and then to Sidmouth for an ice cream.
Is anyone else out today?
Keep em shiny side up!
chris.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Toasties
Date: 26 May 03 - 11:07 PM

Arnie, are sure it was Vincent Black Lightning and not Vicent Black Shadow? The VBS does have a key, as I recall, (I've only seen one in real ridable state), and the song does indeed mention the giving of keys...

Also, working with a couple of Harley riders, loud pipes save lives. Ok, they are annoying, too, but having ridden for 20 years, I can testify my Triumph's rumble saved me from a couple of mindless drivers, by alerting them that I was there, somewhere.

The debate on loud pipes still rages in my office. Not that they shouldn't be loud, but how much is enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 May 03 - 06:26 AM

As a mostly car driver, I'd agree about the loud pipes being lifesavers. I've just spent a week driving into work through London traffic. A couple of times I've been about to pull into another lane when the rumble of pipes has alerted me to the fact that the motorbike that was 20 yards back on my right has now moved up to my blind spot on the left and I would have pulled straight into him if I'd completed my signalled manoeuvre. I've never hit one yet, being a bit more aware of them than most non bike riding drivers, but it's been a near thing on occasions, mostly because the rider has come up behind me on my near side, has a quiet machine and I've neither heard nor seen until he was overtaking me on the inside. If you can't see a car in your blind spot, what chance has a motorbike got?

While I appreciate and sympathise with the problems of loud pipes as a nuisance - I can hear the Harley 3 blocks away when he starts up in the morning and gets home at night - I really do think the lives they save balance out.

Does anyone else think that a 2 week spell on a bicycle and a motorbike ought to be part of the car driving test? I was a cyclist first and was stunned at the amount of times I became invisible to drivers. Moving up to motorbikes was the next step, you could get out of the way quicker, but even so, it's amazing just how many drivers don't think to look, let alone actually see you! No wonder pack rides are so popular!

When I'm driving, I always try to make room for bikers, mainly so I can drool over the machine and the leather as it ticks past.... but I see some bloody dangerous practices out there, from drivers and bikers alike!

Having said that, I think I'll always prefer to be on a bike, albeit now restricted to pillion only.

Anyone passing London want to give a deprived biker a ride any time? Let me know when you're coming through and I'll be waiting with me lid and leathers... just say the word!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 May 03 - 07:29 AM

I'd give a depraved biker like you a lift on me pillion anytime, Liz:-)

If I don't get deuwn sawf soon are you coming oop north?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Motorbikes again!
From: Phot
Date: 27 May 03 - 08:33 AM

LTS, don't know about coming up to the smoke in the next few months, but if your coming down to Sidders bring your gear, or I should have a spare jacket and lid, if you fancy a pillion.

Chris
P.S. Yes it has got a loud pipe.