Oh baby, baby...

[SachAccess]

I am very fond of motorcycles since childhood. Since this is mainly Access forum, I was bit hesitant about expressing my views here.
But post reading all the above posts, I have some courage now.

In the last one decade, I had few motorcycles and scooters. I enjoyed them all.
Riding gives me freedom; it is my rewind activity.
One thing I missed sorely during covid lockdowns were ride back to home from the office at day end.

Though fortunately am a motorcycle enthusiast, primary mode of transport in my country is two-wheeler.
Being a motorcycle enthusiast is just plus point for me. We have just 22 cars per thousand people here.

From the above posts, I get an impression, I might be wrong too.
That in USA, motorcycling is mainly a lifestyle product. It is kind of sport activity to indulge in.
Certainly not a primary commuter purpose. Or is it both commuter and sport activity too.

 

[Cronk]

Since this is mainly Access forum, I was bit hesitant about expressing my views here

If the Water Cooler forum can accept posts on Genital Mutilation and Sexual Orientation, then motor cycles is pretty tame.

 

[SachAccess]

If the Water Cooler forum can accept posts on Genital Mutilation and Sexual Orientation, then motor cycles is pretty tame.

Yes, that thread was instrumental for expressing my views.

 

[moke123]

From the above posts, I get an impression, I might be wrong too.
That in USA, motorcycling is mainly a lifestyle product. It is kind of sport activity to indulge in.
Certainly not a primary commuter purpose. Or is it both commuter and sport activity too.

It depends where you live. My motorcycle season runs from around late May to just around now. Too cold in the mornings to ride now.

I take my bike to work every chance I get. The only impediment is the forecast. I also have to travel frequently during the day and I don't have anyone looking over my shoulder as to where I am so I get to take "the long way" wherever I go. Living in the mountains with no traffic to speak of, I get to take some amazing rides. It kind of takes the "work" out of work.

 

[SachAccess]

'Living in the mountains with no traffic to speak of' that is the best topography one can have for riding.
Just the quiet roads, amazing nature and you with your bike.
Have a nice day ahead.

 

[NauticalGent]

Since this is mainly Access forum, I was bit hesitant about expressing my views here.
But post reading all the above posts, I have some courage now.

Confirming what Cronk said, this is the thing about AWF that I find appealing.

...in USA, motorcycling is mainly a lifestyle product. It is kind of sport activity to indulge in.
Certainly not a primary commuter purpose. Or is it both commuter and sport activity too.

I would agree. I have lived in Japan, Spain and Italy and the number of two-wheeled motorizes vehicles (TWMV) used for primary transportation is much greater than here in the USA. There are a number of reasons for this I reckon, but in my opinion, I contribute it to:
1. There is really no advantage to riding over driving. Most states do not allow TWMV "lane splitting" (driving between cars to a traffic light)
2. Our roads are much wider and newer than most older countries
3. Businesses do not provide TWMV parking areas like other countries do
4. Laws or too restrictive (in some states) to make it fun

 

[SachAccess]

I agree with you @NauticalGent , thanks for the response. Have a nice weekend.

 

[moke123]

1. There is really no advantage to riding over driving. Most states do not allow TWMV "lane splitting" (driving between cars to a traffic light)

You have to get caught first.
Much easier to get ahead of traffic on a bike.

3. Businesses do not provide TWMV parking areas like other countries do

But you can park in areas that cars cant.

4. Laws or too restrictive (in some states) to make it fun

I ride down into Connecticut occasionally (no, not to visit Pat) which has no helmet law. I must say it does not feel right to ride without a helmet.

 

[NauticalGent]

I must say it does not feel right to ride without a helmet.

I hear you. They are optional in Italy and although I did do it on occasion, it felt REALLY weird

But you can park in areas that cars cant.

Not here in VA. They have to be in approved MC parking or in a regular parking spot. The good thing is that businesses are given a lot of latitude when it comes to parking lots for their establishment. Places like Wally-World have HUGE concrete aprons that would work great, but if you park on it - or even ride on it - all hell breaks loose (if you aren't quick enough!)

I ride down into Connecticut occasionally (no, not to visit Pat)

I think you two would get along fine IRL. Both of you are capable of sharing opposing views like responsible adults...

 

[moke123]

but if you park on it - or even ride on it - all hell breaks loose (if you aren't quick enough!)

For reasons left unsaid, I never get issued tickets! (knocks on wood)

edit: Actually about 10 years ago I got a ticket and filed to fight it. As I walked into the courtroom, the judge just said "Dismissed" before I could even breach the bar or say a word.

 

[moke123]

@NauticalGent

 

[NauticalGent]

Yeah...about that...

She told them that she didn't want to take a test drive until she was ready to buy...

I explained to her that the purpose of a test drive was in fact to GET you to that point. She wouldn't budge so there you have it.

I could have argued a bit more but I choose which hill I die on VERY carefully.

 

[NauticalGent]

Maybe you could venture down this way and take her for ride...?

 

[moke123]

Maybe you could venture down this way and take her for ride...?

It's 38 degrees this morning. Ain't happening till spring.

I didn't even test drive before buying mine. Sat on one in the showroom. Went back 2 days later with a check in hand.
They delivered it to my house 2 weeks later. I did visit it when they were taking it out of the shipping crate before final assembly.
A little impulsive but Y.O.L.O.

Just remember X-Mas is coming. You could just surprise her.

 

[moke123]

Bump for @NauticalGent cause spring will be here before you know it.

 

[NauticalGent]

Thanks Moke! We were just talking about this...

 

[The_Doc_Man]

I was curious about getting some kind of motorcycle. My stepdaughter had a Honda Shadow which was really nice, all black and chrome, and was big enough to have some power but small enough for her to manage it if it tipped. But I kept on thinking back to my college days and a guy we will call OJW, who played guitar for a while in the band when I played organ.

Time passed, got my degrees, quit the band, and started work for a company that made control systems for pipelines and maritime (oceanic) engine consoles. OJW was there as an engineer for the maritime consoles. One day, in walks OJW with a brace on one arm and bandages out the wazoo. He had tipped the bike while it was still moving and tried to erase himself on the road surface. I think he said concrete. The scab from THAT brush-burn was about mid-forearm to shoulder. He said his head and neck were OK but he did have a mild concussion because the helmet did its job with regard to something metal on the side of the road. Never saw the helmet again, and from what I recall, never saw his motor again either. OJW said he was convinced that the incident was a message from God. Of course, I'm a serious skeptic on that point, but if that's what he wanted to believe, I wasn't going to correct him.

 

[moke123]

Last August/September my buddy's father was cruising along at @ 45 mph up in the mountains and was broadsided by a deer. Banged himself up pretty bad but nothing too serious. Mostly cosmetic damage to the bike. He was back up and riding within a month.

I must admit I wasn't totally disappointed when my daughter decided to sell her bike. She rode it a couple years and it was a fun activity for us. She 's happy she could cross owning a bike off her bucket list. As a bonus, she can sell it for more than she paid for it.

 

[NauticalGent]

I've laid it down before, even had a bad one in Italy. EVERY single instance was because I did something wrong. I still get a little shy on sharp turns but I'm not going to let my candy-butt feats stop me from riding.

Missy had yet to lay one down and she is always kind enough to remind me of it...

 

[moke123]

My second bike was a 1982 Suzuki GS450. I bought it somewhere around 1996 or so with 2800 miles on it. Looked factory new. Not a scratch anywhere or even a smudge on the chrome. When I first took it to the Suzuki dealer to get inspected they were amazed by the condition. Some years later I bought a Yamaha V-Star and sold the Suzuki to a friend in my office.

About 2 months later he was riding home from work and went around the left side of a truck that was halfway through a right turn into a parking lot. He laid it down as a car was making a left turn out of the parking lot right in front of him, the truck blocking everyone's view. He made out much better than the bike. I loved that bike and regret ever selling it. So many memories. It broke my heart.

Knock on wood, I've never had to lay one down and most of my close calls were the *%^#@! cars fault. I'm pretty laid back when I ride because what's the hurry? I've done the 100+ mph thing and frankly don't find it to be that much fun. Can't enjoy the mountain scenery when it's just a blur and you're holding on for dear life.