To Motorbike Owners (well Not Limited Too Lol)

[R-PWR]

Hey Guys

I ride a 2008 Model R1 got carbon pipes and a few other bits and pieces .

Motorbikes are very safe in terms of the control you have whilst on them, althought the environment whether it be the cars or rain or tram tracks are what are the factors you need to be aware of. Also gear is very important and can be the difference between getting up or not getting up.

Over all I ride for myself on the road and you have to as a bike rider, most cars are unaware of bikers and if they bump you your in the grave and they say oops i didnt see you.

Bikes are the fastest and smallest things on the road so that means we are capable to get away from everyone, so when I ride im either ahead of everyone or at the back, but never with the traffic. Always you must leave a way of escape and be very aware of your surroundings if your not an aware person don't get a bike!

Riding is the most fun ever though I had a 10 sec GT-R and it was nice but fuel, maintenance and cops = not worth it.

My bike does a 9 sec pass, I am never over it and the thrill is 2nd to none, not to mention cops don't really care and to top it off all the wankers and show boat riders who are inexperienced DIE so you dont have to many dickheads on bikes for long compared to the long list of tools in there cars.

Anyways thats my bit for the day, for next summer will be getting a Ducati 1198s so looking forward. My brother has a GSX-R 750 K9 and just did a full titanium carbon system on it with power commander and its amazing to ride, so agile and so much more usable power. My thousand give you the feel like hold on for dear life

Oh btw most motorbike rider respect each other and wont force you or egg you on to do something your not comfortable to do so always go at your own pace, remember a mistake can be FATAL. I also used to own a k7 GSX-R 750 and would definetly recommend them there an amazing bike, ridden an Ducati 848 but I was more of a fan of the GSX-R but you cant be the V-Twin sound. Get a loud exhaust helps people know your around which you need on a bike police usually understand this and dont mind as opposed to a car.

Edited April 16, 2010 by DR-ENVY

[Cowboy1600]

Ladies and gentlemen, exhibit A - the kind of motorcyclist I was talking about in my last post. Not saying that there's anything wrong with this kind of attitude...each to their own...but in the same respect, please don't criticise others for giving people warning of how dangerous it is - because it is, no matter how dangerous the rest of life can be.

There's no harm in reducing some risks in life and still having fun. It's like saying "why bother wearing a seatbelt when you're driving, because you have more chance of developing cancer than dying in a car accident".

But you are misdirecting people if you make it out to be a death sentence.

Yes, it is more dangerous than driving a car, but that doesn't mean it's dangerous.

Every year people choke to death eating an otherwise harmless morsel of food. In fact it'd be interesting to see the toll of choking on food vs riding motorbikes. You wouldn't warn someone against eating cause it's potentially deadly.

Same goes with motorbikes. Yes, they are more dangerous than cars but the odds are still with you. Most motorcyclists will experience a lifetime of riding without major injury or death.

And your seatbelt analogy is wrong. If I were to say to you don't wear a helmet, then it would hold. But I'm not. I'm saying that motorbikes aren't the evil death machines that many people make them out to be.

All I'm doing is providing a second side of the discussion. Just as you are able to tell people that it is more dangerous than cars, I'm allowed to put those risks into context.

[JEPPE]

Ladies and gentlemen, exhibit A - the kind of motorcyclist I was talking about in my last post. Not saying that there's anything wrong with this kind of attitude...each to their own...but in the same respect, please don't criticise others for giving people warning of how dangerous it is - because it is, no matter how dangerous the rest of life can be.

There's no harm in reducing some risks in life and still having fun. It's like saying "why bother wearing a seatbelt when you're driving, because you have more chance of developing cancer than dying in a car accident".

Word Birds, If you're on a bike relying on the 'chance' of not injuring yourself then you're just going to tempt it.

Stats are the truth, nothing more and there are even more accidents unreported that we don't hear about. You can never be too safe on a motorcycle. Dirt road or track.

[Rowdyr32]

Yep, a bike is a bike, a 2 stroke dirt bike is exactly the same to ride as a 1300 Hayabusa. You gotta be f**king kidding me.

And not sure what you mean about all of us keyboard bashing and needing to get out there and give it a go considering nearly every one posting in this thread rides bikes

You might ride and give it a go but do you ride to the limit? I don't know you but most bikes on the limit road or dirt slide very similar from my experiance. After riding dirt a lot you don't poo your pants when the backs sliding on the road out of corners or start bucking (power out and don't backoff where if you did backoff you would crash)or when the bike kicks because the rear wheel wasn't touching the ground and was sideways when breaking hard into a corners.

Well if you have riden a new 2 stroke 250 dirty its takes a lot more control than a hayabusa. I'm not kidding anybody. You can cruze on a road bike with ease. Hit powerband with only a medium amount of throttle on a new 2 stroke dirt bike expecially on road and you'll end up on your back sliding down the road before you've even realized whats happened. Road bikes they lift a lot slower and a lot more controlable power.

By the sounds of it most of you have ridden bikes but I have been riding with many guys who talk up how good they are at riding and I'm nothing special but still kick their ass. So they were pretty bad. I read a proffesional motorcycle review in a mag where a guy ran a high 11 on a busa. WTF any monkey even my unco mates could crack a 10 without trying so I'm just trying to say that some people talk the talk but are shit riders giving info to guys who can ride a lot better and have a lot more experiance.

I'm with Cowboy1600. Your all just scare mungers pretending bike are the most evil road going object in the world. In all my years of riding and yes Birds I lane split in moving traffic have only ever had a few times where things could have gone bad if I wasn't concentrating. The old man has ridden for 50 years and has only ever broken bones. Inc riding through Europe for many years. He has had a few mates die from bike but it doesn't stop him. Some people have a real passion for it.

Agree one of the posts here. If your not confident don't do it. I hate guys who lane split at the lights and then take off like grandma's or ride only just in control. You will die! They rate the same as cylcists. Most are try hard Harley's or scooters. Really glad none of you have mention getting one of them yet. Lots of respect.

I've been a road user from since probably your parents were your age so I've had lots of experience.

I a nutshell off road is ftw. Fast while not being REALLY fast. Plummeting down a fire access track in the power band in top gear only meters away from trees, rocks and the edges of the track is a real buzz.

Over the decades I did it I came off most rides (that how you tell how fast you can go) and only broke bones once. Off road riders rarely get killed or badly injured although it does happen. Mind you that can happen just walking down the road.

Sure it's a cheap and convenient way to travel but one day something really bad is going to happen. And most of the time you wont see it coming.

On road riders routinely get killed or badly injured sad but true.

This is just my opinion re motor bikes. I still have a DRZ400E. Great bike I must clean it up and ride it more.

I love getting out in the bush with a few mates cruzing around fire trails but don't really like them due to 4x4's and other riders. The go is all of the goat trails that run off these tracks between tracks. Some flowing and fast and others tight and technical. Thats what I really like the different styles required in so many different terains.

The enduro 4 bangers are the go. They just go and go and go. DRZ400 I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about them.

Some good point Mistamidget. If you want to go bush I have mates out there every weekend so hit us up it you want a ride. We need some more quick riders to try and beat my fast mates.

Dr Envy you made some good point to. I've never egged anybody on to do somthing they would/could hurt themselves badly. Also agree on the if your not aware don't ride. Prob the biggest point people need to know. I've never crashed a car on the road or ever had a speeding fine in either bike or car due to always knowing whats around. Have stacked the road bike but one time was doing a stoppie behind a mate and the other was at the end of the street after it had been resurfaced only with loose gravel and no signs. Bit councils fault and some mine.

Bit of a bored rant for you all...

[Rowdyr32]

Word Birds, If you're on a bike relying on the 'chance' of not injuring yourself then you're just going to tempt it.

Stats are the truth, nothing more and there are even more accidents unreported that we don't hear about. You can never be too safe on a motorcycle. Dirt road or track.

Birds and Charlie. Why do you ride then? If you know the odds are against you and dislike the idea of hurting yourself.

Of course people tempt the inevitable. There is a chance your going to eat it badly at some stage. We're not dumb. Those of us that do push it like a rush and it is an easy fix with a bike. I like the saying "If you don't try you'll never learn". I'll give most things a go. Even if I can't do it properly I'll try it to see and learn from there.

Its all a mental state. I take a calculated risk on all things I do. If I know I can't do it without guaranteeing a date with the hostpital I won't do it. If I know I can kind of or should be able to its worth a try. Wish I could do impromptu crazy things but I'm to sensible.

I've met Birds and he was a nice guy but seems very straight and sensible. Not the kind to go hard and push it. Am I right? Ride sensibly in most peoples eyes all of the time. Don't try doing anything with real risk on the bike due to the chance of stacking? Haven't done over 200kmh on the road on your bike?

There are two stories to every tale. You have made your point that bikes are bad and you both obviously side sensibly with as little risk as possible. If you like living that way it is probably wise. Odds are you don't push a car very hard either.

From all the people I know who are quick car drivers on the track they nearly all ride bikes apart from Newton and a couple others. If you know the ones I'm talking about they all have the give it a go attitude!

The ones who don't have bikes don't seem to be able to push the extra little bit. They just don't have with the confidece to push out the times their cars are capable of mainly due to thinking to much about consiquences.

Life is short and your dead a long time so you might as well live it.

[Birds]

But you are misdirecting people if you make it out to be a death sentence.

Yes, it is more dangerous than driving a car, but that doesn't mean it's dangerous.

Every year people choke to death eating an otherwise harmless morsel of food. In fact it'd be interesting to see the toll of choking on food vs riding motorbikes. You wouldn't warn someone against eating cause it's potentially deadly.

Same goes with motorbikes. Yes, they are more dangerous than cars but the odds are still with you. Most motorcyclists will experience a lifetime of riding without major injury or death.

And your seatbelt analogy is wrong. If I were to say to you don't wear a helmet, then it would hold. But I'm not. I'm saying that motorbikes aren't the evil death machines that many people make them out to be.

All I'm doing is providing a second side of the discussion. Just as you are able to tell people that it is more dangerous than cars, I'm allowed to put those risks into context.

Missing my point there mate, I'm not making riding out to be the worst thing you can do because I agree there are plenty of things in life that can kill you. I'm just warning the newbies about some precautions they can take because they might want to have fun and at the same time value their life more than you do. There are aspects to riding that don't get taught when you get your licence. Whilst everyone is chanting the mantra that other drivers are the biggest risk for motorcycles (and this is largely true), I'm there saying that riders also have a part in it - I'm willing to bet that alot of the time when a car has blindsided a motorbike, the motorbike was sitting in a position he/she shouldn't have been or did something of a silly manouvre. I'm not telling you experienced riders who probably have more experience under your belts than me to be careful on the road - we're talking about people who have done a day or two of riding on asphalt basketball court at HART and the following weekend are straight on the road ready to become a temporary citizen as we like to call ourselves. I don't care how safe you say riding is - it would take you and about 20 others to convince me otherwise given that's about how many people I've met who now carry pieces of steel in their bodies or got off lucky and lost only their bike fairings.

The point of the seatbelt analogy is that cars, like alot of things in life, are dangerous but there are certain precautions you can take that can influence the outcome of a given situation. There is nothing wrong with me warning newbies of these for riding a motorbike - it's very easy to get lost in the thrill of riding and forgetting how fragile the human body is. I'd sooner scare someone away from riding completely (if you think that's what I'm trying to do) than they find out the hard way.

Birds and Charlie. Why do you ride then? If you know the odds are against you and dislike the idea of hurting yourself.

Of course people tempt the inevitable. There is a chance your going to eat it badly at some stage. We're not dumb. Those of us that do push it like a rush and it is an easy fix with a bike. I like the saying "If you don't try you'll never learn". I'll give most things a go. Even if I can't do it properly I'll try it to see and learn from there.

Its all a mental state. I take a calculated risk on all things I do. If I know I can't do it without guaranteeing a date with the hostpital I won't do it. If I know I can kind of or should be able to its worth a try. Wish I could do impromptu crazy things but I'm to sensible.

I've met Birds and he was a nice guy but seems very straight and sensible. Not the kind to go hard and push it. Am I right? Ride sensibly in most peoples eyes all of the time. Don't try doing anything with real risk on the bike due to the chance of stacking? Haven't done over 200kmh on the road on your bike?

There are two stories to every tale. You have made your point that bikes are bad and you both obviously side sensibly with as little risk as possible. If you like living that way it is probably wise. Odds are you don't push a car very hard either.

From all the people I know who are quick car drivers on the track they nearly all ride bikes apart from Newton and a couple others. If you know the ones I'm talking about they all have the give it a go attitude!

The ones who don't have bikes don't seem to be able to push the extra little bit. They just don't have with the confidece to push out the times their cars are capable of mainly due to thinking to much about consiquences.

Life is short and your dead a long time so you might as well live it.

I ride because as dangerous as I think bikes are I still love it. As I said before (and I think this is largely in agreement with your thoughts), you do need a certain apathy (call it ignorance is bliss) towards risks in life to be able to enjoy riding. That doesn't mean I shouldn't do what I can to avoid risky situations. I've also got no issues with you or cowboy doing your own thing on bikes, that's your life not mine. And yes there is no doubt a correlation between balls and how much you get out of riding or driving your car around a racetrack. But this thread is full of people who are wanting to get their learners / full licence and alot of them are coming straight from cars - they need to know about both sides. They already have an idea about how fun it can be, that's what is making them get a bike in the first place - no harm in knowing the "not so fun" side to it aswell.

I'm not as straight up as you might think (ask anyone who was in tail with me on the GOR cruise) - that might be a first impression I've accidentally given you and I apologise for it, but I do believe there's a time and a place for things. Life with risks, but playing them smart and calculated...taking precaution...having a backup plan. I, like you, recognise that life is short and you're dead a long time - but I figure you can have fun and still do what you can on the left hand to stretch things out for as long as you can. I see people dying of terminal illness by no choice of themselves - to be completely reckless with my own life when I have the good fortune not to receive the same fate as them, feels kind of selfish to me.

[JEPPE]

+1

It's fine if you want to go straight onto a thousand from a learner bike, it's fine if you want to go straight onto a thousand full stop. I'm just thinking of my own experiences, I started on a 250 and did 50,000 k's in 2 years of hammering that things brains out and constantly on the edge of stafety, there were a few accidents and it was mainly because of my inexperience, having the need to rush which I believe only subsides with time. Rushing on a thou has far worse consiquences than rushing on a 250(Maybe not everyone rushes as a new rider, but everyone I have met so far has, it's unfortunately a fact of riding. This experience has come from attending Net Rider Mystery Rides 3 nights a week where new riders frequent).

Staying on the 250 for a while after my restrictions ended was the best thing I could have done. My skill was increasing at the same rate that it would have been on a bigger bike, but the fact that the acceleration wasn't as quick as bigger bikes saved me in more than one instance. When I moved onto a bigger bike I was more than ready and they both didn't get a scratch (apart from my gixxer having the head-on)

Your experiences are obviously different, maybe you were born to ride. But I am just basing my opinions on what I have seen, and regardless of my age I have seen a lot.

As to taking part in an extremely dangerous sport. After my accident I bought the Skyline and have commuted in a car since then. I removed registration from my bike yesterday as I was riding it maximum once a month on the road to see mates, the rest was on the track, and it wasn't worth paying the money. I enjoy extreme sports and I do many but I never push myself passed the point of efficiency. I'm not about to take a 450 out in the bush... 250 is plenty and for good reason, it's just the way it is.

[iseekool]

Hahah I know that a major reason of buying it filling up $20 a week is a lot better than $80, and your right about parking, legally if there is enough space for a wheelchair to get pass you can park on the side walk. But you should really get your license it really is an amazing feeling, just don't get no vespa

I've never been on any motorcycle or any other motorised 2 wheeler.

I just came back from Taiwan, where I've lost my 2 wheel virginity - I was a passenger on my friends bike - It was a "vespa" style scooter. She sure know hows to ride. Weaving in and out of traffic at 40 to 50km/h is pretty hair raising...

I know it's a "vespa" - but I definately come to appreciate how you motorcyclists feel. It's just fun, so free, with the adrenaline of almost getting cleaned up by someone's blind spot - have to be alert.

Now I want to ride solo!

[Birds]

Yep, short of skydiving (which I haven't done and can't compare), it's one of the free-est feeling things you can do. Shame about the safety gear though...