I keep hearing from people that riding a motorcycle is way too dangourous

[olds]

What are those? At first I thought they were triple trees, then noticed the roller bearings, I'm stumped.

The clean one is the one I used to lower my bike. I've always called it the dog bone but my terminology may be wrong.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Thanks and I agree with you to an extent. I was adamant about not getting a motorcycle in my 20s. Im almost to mid 30s now and sometimes I give my long standing opposition to riding a review and I always decide against it. I'm sure I would approach motorcycling with respect and learn carefully and not hotdog it even if the temptation is so great! The reason is my second reason in my post and that is the attention and skill levels of my fellow motorists who drive far bigger and heavier vehicles than I do. Unlike my own urge to hotdog, other drivers are something I cannot control. This thread is peppered with anecdotes about seemingly safe riders who were safely and responsibly riding when somebody smeared them into the street. I don't know...I just see examples of stupidity everyday when I drive a car and its hard to just ignore :\

I've had people cut me off on the freeway, change lanes without seeing me. I've always been able to avoid them so far and I think that is due to being alert and riding defensively.

Still, I realize that you cannot anticipate everything and that someday it may catch me out but I enjoy riding far too much to give it up. I rode to work twice last week because it has been so beautiful here lately. Even commuting is fun.

I work with a number of guys who ride, two of whom have been hit by cars in the last 2 years. One guy was side swiped on the freeway but he managed to keep from going down. He bruised his hand and rashed up the bike a bit but is otherwise okay. Guy who hit him changed his story so his insurance company refused to take responsibility. The other guy was hit by a woman who turned left into the side of his bike. He commutes nearly every day on a Ducati Multistrada and that was the bike he was hit on. Broke his ankle and totaled the bike. He was limping around for a few months but has made a full recovery and bought a newer Multistrada to replace his older one. He is back to commuting on it daily.

 

[sze5003]

The worst is when cars want to race you. I had an m3 rev it's engine at me at a light. I just look over and shake my head. Then of course you get ahead so they get on your ass. People are so dumb some times.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

The worst is when cars want to race you. I had an m3 rev it's engine at me at a light. I just look over and shake my head. Then of course you get ahead so they get on your ass. People are so dumb some times.

I think most of these guys just want to see/hear you run the bike more than actually race you.

FWIW these people, although dangerous, are FAR less dangerous than the inattentive mom in her hybrid not paying any attention.

 

[theApp]

Yeah, running without belt covers is not smart. It just takes a small bit of debris kicked up to get in there and ruin your engine. I see guys running with no belt covers or the Rizoma open covers but I would be too worried about something getting caught in the belts to do that.

My friend with the Multistrada put the belt covers back on but hadn't done it yet when I shot that video. We had just finished bleeding the rear brake and fired it up for the first time after all the work we did (I helped him with the valve adjustment-just so I would be better prepared to doing it myself on my bike, clutch slave cylinder and bleeding the rear brake-both of which I have done on my bike).

Did he rent the fancy Ducati tool to tension the new belts? Or used the more common allen key test that I see a lot? I was able to do mine with my phone and a guitar tuner app, which was actually pretty amazing when I saw it working. Can also use a PC + microphone and some audio recorder that tells you the frequency also. Not sure what the Monster wants on tension, the 748/916/996 Desmos want 110Hz+-10Hz...

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think most of these guys just want to see/hear you run the bike more than actually race you.

FWIW these people, although dangerous, are FAR less dangerous than the inattentive mom in her mommy wagon SUV not paying any attention.

Fixed that for you. I've seen more people not paying attention in their stupid useless vehicles than hybrid owners by far.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Did he rent the fancy Ducati tool to tension the new belts? Or used the more common allen key test that I see a lot? I was able to do mine with my phone and a guitar tuner app, which was actually pretty amazing when I saw it working. Can also use a PC + microphone and some audio recorder that tells you the frequency also. Not sure what the Monster wants on tension, the 748/916/996 Desmos want 110Hz+-10Hz...

He used the allen key method. I have a guitar tuner so plan on using the allen key method and then I'll check it with the tuner.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Fixed that for you. I've seen more people do dumb shit in their stupid useless vehicles than hybrid owners by far.

I found that hybrid drivers (not just women) were by far the most dangerous people on the road.

They just seem to be in their own little la-la land, derping along. I got to where I would give them 2-3 lanes of distance at least. Hell even in my car I pay close attention until they're out of range.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I found that hybrid drivers (not just women) were by far the most dangerous people on the road.

They just seem to be in their own little la-la land, derping along. I got to where I would give them 2-3 lanes of distance at least. Hell even in my car I pay close attention until they're out of range.

That has not been my experience at all and I do notice these things. Pickup truck drivers and soccer moms in SUVs are the worst and/or most aggressive assholes on the road.

 

[gorcorps]

My desire to ride has yet to trump my hated for other drivers. I just can't take the risk and it's too easy to die on a bike because of something out of your control.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That has not been my experience at all and I do notice these things. Pickup truck drivers and soccer moms in SUVs are the worst and/or most aggressive assholes on the road.

Shrug, pickup drivers in my area are a little aggressive but at least they're paying attention.


9 times out of 10 when someone lazily pulls out RIGHT in front of you it's some moron mouth breather in a hybrid. Or when someone drifts across the lane when not paying attention it's a hybrid.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that hybrids still don't make sense $$-wise OR environment-wise. So you get a certain type of person who drive them.

 

[sze5003]

My desire to ride has yet to trump my hated for other drivers. I just can't take the risk and it's too easy to die on a bike because of something out of your control.

Ehh..there is risk in everything honestly. Skydiving is risky but I still want to get my class A license. You just need to ride like a noob for a couple of months and go slow watching for all the retards who aren't paying attention. When I pull up next to a guy in a car and I see him using the phone I pull up and knock on the window lol and ask him to put the phone away. Believe it or not they actually listened a few times.

Shrug, pickup drivers in my area are a little aggressive but at least they're paying attention.


9 times out of 10 when someone lazily pulls out RIGHT in front of you it's some moron mouth breather in a hybrid. Or when someone drifts across the lane when not paying attention it's a hybrid.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that hybrids still don't make sense $$-wise OR environment-wise. So you get a certain type of person who drive them.

I hate hybrids. I hate when they roll up behind your wheel with no space and you can't hear anything because they don't make noise under 10mph.

 

[pauldun170]

That has not been my experience at all and I do notice these things. Pickup truck drivers and soccer moms in SUVs are the worst and/or most aggressive assholes on the road.

Absolutely agree.

As soon as you see the little stick figure family on the back windshield, you are guaranteed some woman yapping on her cell phone, getting ready to yell at you for daring to
1. Coming to a full stop at a stop sign
2. Existing in the lane that she feels she is entitled to be in
3. DARED to use the passing lane for passing when it is quite obvious the left lane is for her personal usage.

The best is the angry "You go" motion at an intersection where she clearly has the right of way but doesn't know the rules. So she tries to wave you to go.
THAT one drives me nuts.

Pickup drivers
Guaranteed game of
1. Lets see how close I can get to your rear bumper at any given speed.
2. Lane drifting. How they did before they invented turn signals
3. Jumping the red to make that left turn before the traffic in the opposing lane gets a chance to hit the gas
4. Coffee cups and cigarette butts - The window flicking game

 

[JulesMaximus]

Shrug, pickup drivers in my area are a little aggressive but at least they're paying attention.


9 times out of 10 when someone lazily pulls out RIGHT in front of you it's some moron mouth breather in a hybrid. Or when someone drifts across the lane when not paying attention it's a hybrid.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that hybrids still don't make sense $$-wise OR environment-wise. So you get a certain type of person who drive them.

:thumbsdown: Now you're just trolling.

Give your money to the oil companies or give your money to the auto manufacturer.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

:thumbsdown: Now you're just trolling.

Give your money to the oil companies or give your money to the auto manufacturer.

I have more of an issue with the environmental impact of manufacturing and then disposing of the batteries.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

<snip>

I hate hybrids. I hate when they roll up behind your wheel with no space and you can't hear anything because they don't make noise under 10mph.

I know, then at the redlight they get out and berate you for your choice of car, how stupid the color of your shirt is, and how if you don't ride a literbike you're an idiot. They just seem so full of hate and pessimism, I don't get it. 😕



:whiste:

 

[sze5003]

Absolutely agree.

As soon as you see the little stick figure family on the back windshield, you are guaranteed some woman yapping on her cell phone, getting ready to yell at you for daring to
1. Coming to a full stop at a stop sign
2. Existing in the lane that she feels she is entitled to be in
3. DARED to use the passing lane for passing when it is quite obvious the left lane is for her personal usage.

The best is the angry "You go" motion at an intersection where she clearly has the right of way but doesn't know the rules. So she tries to wave you to go.
THAT one drives me nuts.

Pickup drivers
Guaranteed game of
1. Lets see how close I can get to your rear bumper at any given speed.
2. Lane drifting. How they did before they invented turn signals
3. Jumping the red to make that left turn before the traffic in the opposing lane gets a chance to hit the gas
4. Coffee cups and cigarette butts - The window flicking game

Ha this is spot on no matter where in the US you live.

 

[pauldun170]

Around my area, there isn't really any thing different between Prius drivers and regular drivers.
The owners that I know bought them because they make great commuter cars and on top of that there is a decent amount of room in them for the price.
Its just another car around here.

 

[rstrohkirch]

It's interesting that you guys are stereotyping other drivers based on what they drive. I do it based on age and sex as I don't find vehicle types to be consistent at all.

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's interesting that you guys are stereotyping other drivers based on what they drive. I do it based on age and sex as I don't find vehicle types to be consistent at all.

Oh there's some trolling going on for sure. Don't get too caught up in the nonsense being spewed here at the moment.

 

[Greenman]

The clean one is the one I used to lower my bike. I've always called it the dog bone but my terminology may be wrong.

Got it. It works differently on a V-Rod, just a little bracket that changes the upper shock mounting point.
I know a lot of guys with lowered V-Rods, and I mean LOWERED. I've never understood why someone would want to reduce the lean angle of a bike that can just barely hang with a Greyhound buss in the twisty's.

 

[sze5003]

I don't mind my SV lowered. We have hill areas here and it helps if I can plant both feet on the ground at lights. I've leaned enough with it on turns that it scrapes the foot pegs but if it was oem height that would not happen and I would not feel like I am about to fall off. So I'm going to check if my dog bones are adjustable this weekend if not, I'll buy oem. I wear cortech latigo AR boots and I believe even at oem height I should be able to plant both feet.

I definately prefer the comfy seat position as opposed to say an r6 or cbr. I also liked the yz6r from Yamaha but I could not find one used and it was more expensive as it just came out last year I believe. It has smoother throttle than the SV but it's a bit heavier and has regular handle bars.

 

[RampantAndroid]

everything in life carries risk. some people skydive. some people fly planes. some people do base jumping.

the question you need to answer is: do you think riding a motorcycle is worth the risk?

for me, the answer is absolutely yes. there is nothing like being on a bike.

This - having done skydiving (and broken an ankle on a bad landing) it's all about risk and training. I was getting certified and guided into a bad landing...make sure you have good instructors (place I went to had a death 2-3 days after I broke my ankle. I gave up on certification.)

 

[sze5003]

This - having done skydiving (and broken an ankle on a bad landing) it's all about risk and training. I was getting certified and guided into a bad landing...make sure you have good instructors (place I went to had a death 2-3 days after I broke my ankle. I gave up on certification.)

I'm thinking about doing the certification but I've got the freefall down it's guiding the chute to the drop zone that I feel would be difficult. There is only one or two zones near me, I believe crosskies and free fall adventures are part of the same unit.

I'll try doing one jump a month because it's expensive but I feel like riding is less dangerous. Once you jump you have no control until the parachute opens...on a bike you can go as as slow as you want.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I'm thinking about doing the certification but I've got the freefall down it's guiding the chute to the drop zone that I feel would be difficult. There is only one or two zones near me, I believe crosskies and free fall adventures are part of the same unit.

I'll try doing one jump a month because it's expensive but I feel like riding is less dangerous. Once you jump you have no control until the parachute opens...on a bike you can go as as slow as you want.

You have control, and in fact it's all about that control - getting stable and pulling WHILE stable (and if that fails, just pulling and then pulling your reserve if your main fails.) Then it's about starting when you're not stable and getting stable and so on.

Under the chute it's simple. Find something to see wind direction and speed, get upwind of the DZ and then do your turns (start downwind at 1k, crosswind at 400, upwind at 200, flare at 10-12 feet, PLF.) I broke my ankle because they had me do a full flare WAY too high and my chute stalled. I hit HARD. Walked it off, but found out months later I'd broken two bones.

Do the ones where you jump at 14k feet with two jumpmasters on your first flight...DON'T do static lines. They're a waste. Also, don't go to skydive snohomish...