Motorcycles

[SeaCat]

If you lived in a place like southern Florida would you ride a Motorcycle?

I know the inherent risks in riding, I know the dangers. Yet I am more than tempted to buy myself a bike,

Now tell me, if you lived in a place like this with roughly three hundred days a year of riding weather would you own and ride a bike?

Cat

 

[R. Richard]

Cat:
I used to ride. There is no way in the world I would again attempt to ride in a big city type environment. I had guys tailgate me about two feet off my rear wheel at 70MPH. I had guys creep up on me when we were stopped in traffic, with one guy actually nudging my rear wheel. I had a guy come over a traffic divider into my lane when I am trying to get on a freeway and come at me at maybe 60MPH [I had a tire iron vibrate loose and it tumbled forward into the windshield of the oncoming car, lucky for me.]

If you live in a rural type environment, maybe it is practial. I would not even think about riding in a big city enviroment. JMHO.

 

[Weird Harold]

If you lived in a place like southern Florida would you ride a Motorcycle?

No, for two reasons:

1: I don't consider "four PM" thunderstorms "riding weather." Florida is just too wet, if only a couple of hours a day, for motorcycling.

2: Palmeto Bugs -- Close relatives of what the Thai call "baht Bugs" and I've seen what a Baht Bug does to a motorcycist at 50 MPH: I peels him off the bike as efficiently as a head high piano wire would.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Only idiots ride bikes in Florida. ONLY IDIOTS.

In May I watched a young guy die when an old woman pulled in front of him from a side street. He saw it coming. He tried to go around her. As he swerved she goosed the car and nailed him. His bike hit the door column. He flew up into the air and landed head first on a concrete curb. The impact smashed his helmet.

His brother sped home and alerted their mom.

She arrived and her reaction was awful.

My brother-in-law was literally destroyed riding his bike. A drunk hit him head-on at night. He looked like road-kill.

My son owns two Harleys. He's an idiot.

 

[rgraham666]

Nope. I don't drive or ride. Bad idea with my poor reflexes and lousy situational awareness.

I'll stick to Toronto which has a great public transportation system.

 

[jomar]

Get a Hummer ragtop.

 

[TxRad]

Cat, One word answer: Ride

To the ones that think bikes are dangerous: Bikes are not dangerous. Idiots on bikes and drivers of cars that don't look for bikes are dangerous. The best way to ride is to realize that you are invisible once your leg goes across that bike. Ride accordingly.

Cat, look for an 04 or newer Yamaha V-Star. Excellent bike and low maintenance. A windshield is a must and so is a light bar on the front. Those extra two lights add width and visibility to the bike plus extra light for night riding.

I've been riding for more than 45 years. Any questions, feel free to ask. I've also taught rider safety.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

In Florida bikers can count on a few things being the rule all the time. Rain. Heat. Humidity. Bugs. And old bastards on the roads.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Thats Death flirting with you, Cat, listen to him.

 

[cloudy]

We have a Kawasaki Vulcan, with all the bells and whistles, and then even more aftermarket stuff added on to it.

Like Tx said, you just have to ride smart.

 

[TxRad]

In Florida bikers can count on a few things being the rule all the time. Rain. Heat. Humidity. Bugs. And old bastards on the roads.

So? And that's different from everywhere else, how? From your comments, I take it you don't ride. Sorry for your loss but as for me being the voice of death, get real.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

TXRAD

When I was young and stupid and the world was less congested I had a Ducati. That was like...1969.

I've seen too many bikers get killed.

I think youre Death flirting with me. I'm not interested.

 

[TxRad]

TXRAD

When I was young and stupid and the world was less congested I had a Ducati. That was like...1969.

I've seen too many bikers get killed.

I think youre Death flirting with me. I'm not interested.

I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to Cat.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

TXRAD

Unspecified referential indices will do it every time.

 

[Weird Harold]

To the ones that think bikes are dangerous: Bikes are not dangerous. Idiots on bikes and drivers of cars that don't look for bikes are dangerous.

I don't think Motorcycles are dangerous, I think Florida is a dangerous place to ride them. Just as metropolitan areas (where snowbirds congregate) in Arizona are dangerous places for bikers.

 

[SeaCat]

Hey all,

Thanks for your comments.

A bit of history, I used to ride, a long time ago. (1984-1987 to be exact.) I loved the hell out of it even though I wasn't in the best place for riding. (Germany)

I have been watching the "Bike" accidents down here for quite some time. Most of them I have been able to attribute to sheer stupidity, on the side of the riders. (Many of them riders of the crotch rockets.) In three years I have seen/read about five accidents that couldn't be attributed to excess speed or other stupidity on the case of the rider. (I helped at an accident scene where a motorcyclist hit a car doing over 100mph. Damn near cut the car in half.)

As for the type of bike I'm thinking about. I'm looking in the 600-700 cc range for several reasons. The first is this would have enough power to haul my wife and myself. (My wife weighs in at a whopping 135 pounds and I weigh 150 pounds.) It has the gas mileage and it would be light enough to handle easily in downtown areas. (Without being too light for cruising.) Oh and we don't really plan on taking it on the highway that much.

Any ideas on a good bike? (I'm not really looking at brand new due to costs.)

Oh and I am a firm believer in protective clothing and helmets.

Cat

 

[popcorn2721]

This is what ya need....

This is what ya need 506CI of Chevy power on two wheels...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/popcorn2721/506.jpg

I myself would love to have this bike...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/popcorn2721/prostreet_l.jpg

Or hell, I would even settle for this one...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/popcorn2721/f2_12_sb.jpg

This however, is what Ill likely end up whit...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/popcorn2721/CHOPPER.jpg

 

[R. Richard]

Oh and I am a firm believer in protective clothing and helmets.

Cat

Truly it is written, "Better the horse's hide than mine!" A horsehide jacket will sort of flake off if you spill, absorbing some of the damage the rider would otherwise get. I have not checked riding clothes for some time, but I would spend a lot of time finding out what the best new stuff is [best protection, NOT best style.]

 

[SeaCat]

Truly it is written, "Better the horse's hide than mine!" A horsehide jacket will sort of flake off if you spill, absorbing some of the damage the rider would otherwise get. I have not checked riding clothes for some time, but I would spend a lot of time finding out what the best new stuff is [best protection, NOT best style.]

I still have the Horsehide riding leather that I wore while racing. (Complete with Armadillo.) If and when we buy a bike my wife will also be outfitted with a Horsehide Jacket for the winter months.

They do have a new riding coat out that has gotten my attention. It is a mesh jacket made of I believe Kevlar. From the looks of it this thing will save you from the road rash but it isn't padded. (It is mesh for riding in hot climates like mine.) I'll have to look into this a bit more.

Cat

 

[cloudy]

This is what we have, only with more.....stuff on it:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photos/Web/vulcan_black.jpg

 

[SeaCat]

This is what we have, only with more.....stuff on it:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photos/Web/vulcan_black.jpg

Sweet ride. My wife likes the backrest. (It would help her with getting used to riding shotgun.)

Cat

 

[R. Richard]

I still have the Horsehide riding leather that I wore while racing. (Complete with Armadillo.) If and when we buy a bike my wife will also be outfitted with a Horsehide Jacket for the winter months.

They do have a new riding coat out that has gotten my attention. It is a mesh jacket made of I believe Kevlar. From the looks of it this thing will save you from the road rash but it isn't padded. (It is mesh for riding in hot climates like mine.) I'll have to look into this a bit more.

Cat

Good stuff! However, you also want motorcycle jeans. Ordinary mall jeans are OK for the mall. However, proper motorcycle jeans are heavier fabric and the best brands have Aramid/Kevlar/Steel reinforcement in 'road rash areas.' [Armadillo really not needed here, but OK!]

Don't forget gloves and boots.

I see people riding in shorts, tee-shirts and flop flops. DON"T DO IT!

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I've considered a scooter for around my midwest town 5 months a year.

I never saw the attraction of big, heavy loud motorcycles on straight American highways or interstates (mountainous or some coastal areas excepted of course). It just looks uncomfortable. I do remember marveling at the pazzi ragazzi (crazy boys) screaming through the hair-raising curved of the Chianti Mountains of Tuscany on their Ducattis, etc. - it was rather glorious, although I shudder to think of the body count.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

My current bike has 18 speeds and 1/10th horsepower.

 

[R. Richard]

I've considered a scooter for around my midwest town 5 months a year.

Check out a moped. No license to buy and no insurance required [considered to be a bicycle.] The usual moped laws focus on horsepower and 'rated top speed.' If you can find a 'motorcycle moped,' with perhaps 17 inch wheels, go for it! The usual 10 inch wheel mopeds require a VERY good helmet during the snow and ice weather, since you will spend more time on your head than on the little wheels.

The little wheels allow a storage area under the moped seat. Thus, you will need a backpack with the 17 inch wheels guy, to carry groceries home, etc.