Motorcycles

[schism-]

I'm very seriously looking at getting into the motorcycle world, that is, riding one around, learning the ins and outs, etc etc. Just wondering what people thought about these so called deathtraps, and if anyone has had any experience they wouldn't mind sharing, since some people are trying their very bestest to keep me away, yet I'm interested enough to persevere.

[Mr Stabby]

well I'll tell you this, I have driven cars, but nothing is the same as a bike, granted I was on nothing more than a lil 50cc moped (so ok not the best of things to aid your question) but its still a feeling thats better than being stuck in a box...

and its only a deathtrap if your an idiot....simple really...

[Kali]

i won't tell you not to ride a motorbike - in italy, everyone's on a motorbike or motorino once they turn fourteen, so i suppose it's in my blood.

since you asked, however, i will tell you what happened to all three of my mam's brothers.

the youngest loves cars more than motorbikes, and as such hasn't had too much trouble with them. the odd broken bone here or there - but he turned his passion into a career, and now has a bicycle and motorbike shop in oxford, and is doing quite well for himself.

the other two are a different story:

the middle brother [younger than my mam] used to be heavily into golf; he loved the game almost as much as he loved motorbikes. as the result of a crash, however, he can no longer play because of the damage it caused to his right shoulder - he can't lift his arm far enough to make a shot.

the worst however, is the eldest brother [older than my mam] who, as a result of a motorbike crash has huge metal rods through his leg. they very neary had to amputate it, but didn't. regardless, however, he can't use it - he walks with great difficulty, and had to give up his job [which consisted mainly of driving] because he simply couldn't do it anymore, as his leg couldn't take pushing the pedals for too long at a time [and he had to do long distances]. so as a result he's out of a job, not very mobile, and always in extreme pain.

those are my stories, but it's still up to you.

[Mr Stabby]

but we can say much the same bout car drivers, I could tell you stories till im blue in the face....

the bottem line is, as long as your not a idiot, or go near idiots, then it doesnt matter what you drive or ride, you should be ok....

[Kali]

there is a slight difference though:

when you're in a car, you have the entire exterior of the car to protect you. on a motorbike, the most you can have is a helmet, and lots of padding.

and yes, i know that in car crashes, you can get crushed, or injured with broken glass and whatnot. what i'm saying, though, is that the risk of bodily harm is more likely in a motorbike crash than a car crash.

but both are dangerous unless handled correctly, as dean says.

[Mr Stabby]

ah but heres a slight difference between the two, I mean im by no means saying motorbikes are safer, but the majority or riders are safer than car drivers because of this lack of protection, car drivers get careless and complacent, I have been hit now 4 times by cars over the years, never once by a motorbike, yet by logic they are faster, much faster and they are harder to see, and are less protected, but yet, never been hit by them..

[Kali]

i wouldn't count on motorbikers being more careful - it's too much of a generalisation to stake a bet on.

out here, for example, apart from the harley davidson club [which is made up of middle aged men who go leisurely biking as a group every friday, and are no harm to anyone] the motorbikers out here are a health hazard to themselves and everyone else on the road. the ride around without helmets, without t-shirts most of the time, and perform stunts in the middle of the highway [and while it may be impressive for those of us watching, you can see all cars either slow down or speed up to stay as far away as possible].

i wouldn't count on motorbikers being any more conscious of safety than car drivers - at least, not as a whole.

i reckon that anytime you're on the road, no matter what you're driving, you need to be watching out.

it might not be a car or a motorbike that crashes into you.

it might be a lamppost.

[Mr Stabby]

haha yea true......ok granted where you live they are dickheads.

but over here they are more safer, I mean shit, you can hit a lampost at 30 mile an hour in a car and just fuck your car up and you should be able to walk away, do the same on a bike and your brown bread most likely....aka dead...

my point stands valid though, your more aware on a bike cos its so easy to go down....once you look past all the 16/17 year olds on mopeds....then the rest are generally safer...

[junki]

Don't do it!!!
I snowboard in a reckless, extreme, perhaps foolish fashion. I kayak in floods and have nearly died doing it twice. I have been shot and stabbed. It all ain't nothin' - - but I will never, ever, ever get on a street motorcycle again.
1. Pavement is his tougher than flesh - so are trees, cars, etc.
2. Drivers don't see you well - I was sideswiped by a car and wrapped a Katana around a telephone pole.
3. Think of car accidents that you have had - would you have survived if you had been on a bike?

Do something else for your thrills - crack is safer.

[Mr Stabby]

I really wouldnt listen to junki, personally schism, its up to you, but take this on board, start on a smaller CC bike first...dont try getting on the biggest thing a licence at your age will let you, cos that could lead to an accident.

[junki]

That's right schism, you should certainly listen to Psychosis after he imparted wisdom such as this:
"I have been hit now 4 times by cars over the years, never once by a motorbike, yet by logic they are faster, much faster and they are harder to see, and are less protected, but yet, never been hit by them.."

So I guess it is safe to ride a motorcycle because Psychosis has never been hit by one. Fascinating.

[bigsmalls]

well I'll tell you this, I have driven cars, but nothing is the same as a bike, granted I was on nothing more than a lil 50cc moped (so ok not the best of things to aid your question) but its still a feeling thats better than being stuck in a box...

and its only a deathtrap if your an idiot....simple really...
yay go mopeds
i have a 50cc honda moped lol
but ya motorcycles are sweet ive drven a 125cc dirtbike too and that was soo much fun
so what if you can get hurt if you crash. your smaller than a car so u can usually avoid accidents ive even done it on my moped so whatever other people say just drive m0torcycles 4 life.

ps. a word of advise start out on a 250cc at the most or you will kill yourself

[Mr Stabby]

ps. a word of advise start out on a 250cc at the most or you will kill yourself
yea, though depends what their laws on are on age and on size's of engine capacity..

That's right schism, you should certainly listen to Psychosis after he imparted wisdom such as this:
"I have been hit now 4 times by cars over the years, never once by a motorbike, yet by logic they are faster, much faster and they are harder to see, and are less protected, but yet, never been hit by them.."

So I guess it is safe to ride a motorcycle because Psychosis has never been hit by one. Fascinating.
as apposed to your logic where in one breath you said not to do it, and that its the worlds most dangerous thing to do........Oh dear fucking christ run for for the fucking hills....

accidents are caused by morons...simply put...if you cause an accident your a moron, or if your in a accident, its normally a moron whos casued it....mine were mostly by drivers running red lights or failing to signal at a junction....

but hell I never said go for it, I just said its up to him.....your the one telling him not to do it....

[Yugoloth]

I'm very seriously looking at getting into the motorcycle world, that is, riding one around, learning the ins and outs, etc etc. Just wondering what people thought about these so called deathtraps, and if anyone has had any experience they wouldn't mind sharing, since some people are trying their very bestest to keep me away, yet I'm interested enough to persevere.
Invest in a full helmet and leathers or body armor, and take a motorcycling course. There are a few tricks you can learn like how to lay down the bike in a crash that can save your life.

[Demento]

Get a dirtbike. They are more fun anyways. 2005 CRF 250X = fun shit.

[schism-]

I'm not a fan of dirtbiking. Personally, I'm looking at bikes such as a 250CC 1999 Yamaha Zeal or a 500cc Suziki GS500E or Kawasaki ER5. None of those are full feldged sportsbikes, and I don't plan to ride them as such. I'm not a maniac who'll speed and do stunts, I'm more into it as a form of easy, efficient transport with a bit of fun on the side

[Kali]

I'm more into it as a form of easy, efficient transport with a bit of fun on the side
for some reason, i want to say 'get a minivan'.

[schism-]

Another key reason is that within Australia, you are unable to drive a car for your first year of licensing unless you have someone with an unrestricted license in the car with you. Obviously, there can not be, and is no restriction like this with motorcycles. If I had the money I could be riding around town in a week.

[Yugoloth]

for some reason, i want to say 'get a minivan'.
I had a minivan. I wanted it so I could carry all of my friends around. Then, I didn't have any friends... because I drove a minivan. God damn minivan!

[Demento]

for some reason, i want to say 'get a minivan'.
Yea.. but he wants the 'little bit of fun' on the side. Minivan doesnt equal fun. UNLESS you remove all the seats, and make it a shag wagon.

[Kali]

yes, that's what i was implying.

perhaps i should start making things more obvious.