Cars R OK, but what kind of motorcycle do you have

This is my fifth BMW.

Although this is not in the spirit of the thread, I must say this. In my profession we call motorcylcle riders organ donors. I don't own a bike but did enjoy the small low speed, off road, trail and dirt track riding many years ago (?30 years). I have a question for all of you how many have had an accident?

Mechans: Definitely not in the spirit of this thread...and by the way I worked in a ER and I've cornerworked on the race track. Inexperienced riders with lack of protection being taken out by cars not paying attention (cars turn in front of motorcycles is the number #1 accident - guys get your flashing front headlight modulators to help wake these cagers up). The other accidents are youth involved in single vehicle accidents...just like when they are in cars...

I choose not to live in a bottle, it's Saturday morning and I'm gearing up to hit a little town on the outside of town and get my coffee and some breakfast in a little dive!

But to answer you question: I've had probably about 30+ high speed get offs on the race track road racing motorcycles over the years because I was pushing either too hard or was taken out. I walked away just a little sore. Proper Protection (full leathers, back protector, racing armour, racing gloves and boots, and periodic new helmets) and riding in a controlled environment are key here. This type of experience translated onto the street = Zero accidents on the street in 20 years of riding.

Oh yeah I should add that now I have a modified Kawasaki Z1000 and a soon to be unrestricted Kawasaki ZX-14 with approx 196hp/114ft/lbs of torque to keep in the spirit of this thread! My Moto Guzzi unfortunately keep stranding me every other ride due to my poor dealer support (can't fix a simple problem), so it's sold.

Mechans

I have been riding about 12 years and have had about 12 accidents, mostly minor and mostly my fault, with only one not so serious injury.

Cytocycle is correct - proper protective clothing makes a huge difference and having learned to ride in the UK, where they take biking a bit more seriously, I have always worn boots, pants, jacket, gloves and full face helmet every time I get on the bike.

This won't prevent you from breaking your or back in a high speed incident, but it can eliminate many other horrible injuries. Perhaps more importantly, it shows a type of discipline and respect for the dangers of riding which is also a key to not becoming an organ donor.

In a comprehensive study of motorcycle injuries and fatalities, the DOT discovered the 3 most significant risk factors:

1) No Helmet!?

Doh...now I am all for personal freedom and perhaps not legislating this, but riding without a helmet is just plain stupid.

2) Sobriety?!?

Doh....Getting on a bike intoxicated is more than plain stupid, I might say suicidal.

3) Lack of "Visual Conspicuity"

This phrase translates roughly to "the car that mowed you over on your bike didnt see you"

Here, there are some counterintuitive statistics:

160 + MPH "sport bikes" which Cytocyle and I favor are "significantly UNDERrepresented in the accident data compared to cruiser or Harley type bikes.

On the surface, riding a bike with 150+ HP that can out accelerate any car on the road may seem more dangerous than cruising down to the grocery store on your Harley on a sunny Sunday.

In fact, however, you can get killed driving your Harley into the back of a car or a tree going as slowly as 25-30 MPH - especially if you're wearing jean shorts, flip flops and a bandana on your head after a few beers down at your local biker bar.

So if you want to try motorcycling, be sure to do the following

* always wear proper, protective clothing, and a brightly colored or white, full face helmet and factor a budget for all of this into the price of your bike

* understand that cruiser bikes are less visible to cars

* ride as if you are invisible, and every car is trying to hit and kill you

* ride as if you NEVER have the right of way - that includes green lights and intersections where the other guy has a stop sign

* Assume cars NEVER slow down or stop at red lights, stop signs and intersections

* take as much training as you can and read and study continuously

Bikes are great. Have fun. Ride Safely.

cwlondon

The two biggest causes of motorcyle injuries are rider inexperience and rider impairment. Car drivers are a major road hazard, but they can be dealt with by sober experienced riders. It's easy to ride a motorcycle, but it takes skill to deal with traffic. My girlfriend just got a Ducati and I've been teaching her what I know. The vast majority of the discussions are about traffic awareness and having the confidence to properly react to the unexpected.

I've been riding for over 25 years and have had nearly a half dozen minor get offs. While I attribute my longevity to my sharply honed rider skills there is an element of luck. I'm just glad to keep on riding.

AS always, ride like you're invisible because to most cagers, you are!!!

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As far as being a dangerous sport, well, that's hard to deny. Experience and good training, as well as common sense all pay off. Also, as has been pointed out, wear the best protective gear you can buy. Learning to ride in the dirt is a HUGE benefit as there is no better (and arguably safer) way to learn how to control a motorcycle. The very best riders I are all experienced dirt riders. The skills you learn in the dirt, where traction is a frequently scarce commodity, translate directly to the street. I've known many a dirt rider who thinks it crazy to ride in the street, not because they can't, but because of the other traffic and potential consequences. Interesting given my recent experience (see below).

I've been riding since 82', so 25 years now. What I've determined is best expressed by Robin Williams character in, hmmm, was it the move Dead Man(?): "Either you're a smoker or you're not a smoker. Determine which one you are and live with it." The same could be said about motorcyles (and any other of life's pursuits, which is the point the character is trying to make). I tried to quit riding once, but it didn't last long. They didn't have the patch back then though. OK, yes, I've been down a few times in 25 years. Nothing tragic though. You might ask same question of those who've driven a car for that long: how many of you have had a car accident? Really, what's the point. There's also a chance you're struck dead by some disease, or the victim of some terrible accident while walking down the street. Do you let those things determine how to live your life?

I say all this in a rather unique position: my leg is up on my knee scooter to keep the swelling down. I have a 4-inch incision scar on my right foot, and another smaller scar just below that one. Beneath the scars two large screws hold the bones of my feet together while the tendons heal. I am one month into a 14-18 week recovery, most of which is non-weight-bearing on that foot, from a lisfranc dislocation in my foot. Yes, you guessed it, from a motorcycle accident. The worst I've had in 25 years of riding and the only serious injuries ever incurred from riding (and I've been rear-ended by cages on the pavement twice). All that and I couldn't have been going more than 20mph up on a very remote and beautiful dirt road up on Entiatt Ridge. I've also dislocated my left shoulder. It was a stupid mistake having misjudged an obstacle, and I could have sustained the same injuries had I been riding a bicycle. Yes, I was wearing full protective gear and heavy boots. My helmet saved me from a head injury.

What will I do when I can walk properly again? Get back on my bike and ride, of course. How many of you who've been in an auto accident never drive a car again? When I had my accident I was on a camping trip with a group of about eight other riders. One was a middle-aged woman, who was riding pavement with her boyfriend on her Ducati (she had a Harley at home as well). Her occupation was as an ER Nurse. I asked her what kind of serious accidents she sees the most of at the metropolitan hospital she works at. She said that outside of automobile accidents, probably lawnmower accidents (mostly missing digits), believe it or not. Guess you folks who are mowing your lawns better think twice next time you get that death machine out. Maybe we should all just lock ourselves into a small room with a toilet a sink and a slot in the door where food and water is delivered three times a day?

Marco

Ah, I found the correct quote from "Dead Again" which is better than what I remembered, and quite to the point. The character Robin Williams plays, Doctor Cozy Carlisle, a de-frocked shrink working as a grocery clerk:

"Someone is either a smoker or a nonsmoker. There's no in-between. The trick is to find out which one you are, and be that. If you're a nonsmoker, you'll know. "

Marco

Just a plain old boring 1990 *BMW K100RS, solid as a brick, fairly lofty, heavy, staid, adequate and ............boring. The only motorcycle that one can fall asleep on. Dream hooligan tool is a Triumph speed triple.

*add a turbo and surprise the plastic fantastic brigade (well, in a straight line anyway).

Ducati Sport Classic (2006), Burnt Orange. Most exciting bike I've had, but service level at Duc leaves something to be desired. Mostly BMWs before.

Hatari

Re "service level at Duc"

Are you referring to:

* Reliability of the bike?
* Responsiveness of Ducati North America
* or Responsiveness of your local authorized Ducati dealer?

Thank you,

Cwlondon: The bike has been pretty reliable. I've been extremely frustrated with my dealer, the dealer I bought it from is a little shady too. I've had one significant issue and Ducati North America should be whipping the dealers into shape - but alas, no luck there.

Answer to your question is the dealer network (they're famous for this lack of organization, slow service), at least in my neck of the woods and Ducati NA. The bike is fantastic. Everyone should own a Duc, but now I know why everyone doesn't.

Hooray for the protective gear recommendations when riding. I believe in personal choice, but grimace when I see some kid and his girl on a sportbike in shorts, tee shirts, and no helmets.

Wanted to mention that there are back protectors available. They are a little uncomfortable at first, but when you get used to it you won't even notice that you have it on. Also protects the bottom of the neck a little.

Jim S.

Wanted to mention that there are back protectors available. They are a little uncomfortable at first, but when you get used to it you won't even notice that you have it on. Also protects the bottom of the neck a little.

I always wear some kind of back protection when riding. I'd agree that it really doesn't take much effort to add it, and you won't notice it beyond initially putting it on (though sometimes it will effect airflow on hot days - still, after time it is not noticed). There are also many jackets that have spine protectors integrated into them. Bohn Body Armor makes some good spine protection in various sizes, one of which integrates into the Aerostich jackets (rider wear of choice of the circles I ride in). In addition there have been many recent advances in developing more comprehensive protection for the spine and neck in the form of motorcycle airbags, and hard solutions like BMW has been looking at. I was recently in Hawaii where motorcycle wear seems to be limited to t-shirts and flip-flops, largely because of the heat and humidity. Regardless the sight makes me wince. I'm all for freedom of choice, and where the helmet laws are concerned I see it as a Darwinian way of thinning out the population of really stupid people. The only problem with that is ultimately it jacks up all our insurance rates and perpetuates biker stereotypes that other stupid people seem all too willing to embrace.

Just as the room is as critical a component as any other in our systems, just as important as the protective gear motorcyclists wear is the attitude which has been echoed here by many experienced riders: Ride as if you are invisible to others. I also do everything I can to make myself visible to others, such as high-beams and auxiliary lights on-always during daytime hours. Our brains perceive distance and speed via our two eyes (much like our two ears can perceive dimensional perceptual cues). An oncoming vehicle with a single light is far more difficult to gauge speed and distance. Two lights spread as far apart as practical on a bike will lend at least some band-aid to that. As a car approaches the two wide-spread lights appear to go from small and close-together to wider-and-wider spread apart. This is a vital cue to oncoming drivers to help gauge oncoming speed and distance, as well as being more noticeable simply by having multiple lights. A single light practically obliterates that cue and makes it more difficult to gauge oncoming speed. THE most frequent accident for motorcycles in a multi-vehicle accident is being cut off by a motorist turning left in front of an oncoming bike (this from the dated Hurt Report, seems to be confirmed over and over in more contemporary studies of accidents). The most frequent reason given was that the driver either did not see the biker or did not realize how quickly they were approaching.

Regardless of all you do to make yourself noticeable, I would still ride like you are invisible to others. The consequences of not doing so in this country are far too great. In many other countries there is a far greater respect and awareness of motorcycles and scooters and bicycles on the road. Perhaps as gas becomes far more expensive, and more people in this country turn to these alternative forms of transportation, there may be some small steps in that direction. Banning hand-held cell phone use while driving on public roadways would be a step in the right direction, IMO. But now I digress, as usual.

Marco

Ducati's are to bikes as Ferrari's are to cars. They look gorgeous and oooh lala (as they say in France), but, to unreliable, sorry, I think you maybe ok for the first 10000*** miles, but after that, at the least a top end rebuild is looming. First sign of a gray cloud and they rust as only Italian machinery can. Now if Ducati could match BMW or Honda for reliability and quality of parts, then I am sure they would sell more. IMO.
***If you are Carl Foggarty then full engine rebuild after 60/80 miles!!lol
Ps What ever happened to the US dominance of the GP's in days of old?

1986 Honda VFR700 Interceptor....20 years old and still reliable....oh....and a lot of fun too.

Update: Traded the '98 1400 Intruder on a '98 Yamaha Royal Star with 3000 miles and lots of chrome!

Hatari and others

This thread is overdue for an update, but on the subject of Ducatis, I finally gave up.

My yellow 1098, as gorgeous as it was, spent most of its life in the shop, and I spent most of that time wanting to kill both the dealers and Ducati North America.

It seems that DNA doesnt make it so easy for them to get reimbursed for warrantee work.

But rather than fight to change the system, suck it up, or disclose that to their customers, the dealers just spew a lot of BS about what is covered, or whether or not your bike is really broken, because its better to focus on ripping off their presumably rich customers for $1000 oil changes, under the guise of a "12,000 mile service"

To be fair, lets not forget they have to make sure the headstock is secure and the headlight is pointing down the road or whatever.

So having believed that like the latest generation of Ferraris, it was finally possible to own a Ducati as a daily driver, I now feel like an idiot who was taken to the cleaners by a high maintenance mistress before getting dumped and losing half his net worth.

So as of May, I am commuting on a BMW S1000RR, Motorrad Edition.

This bike is so smooth and easy to ride around town that I worried for the first few weeks that it was a bit too boring, and had no personality.

Now that I am comfortable revving it to 14K, however, I must say there is absolutely nothing like it that I have ever ridden - an unbelievable bike.

So far, in about 6500 miles, I have had one significant problem and the dealer fixed it, no questions asked.

Highly recommended.

because its better to focus on ripping off their presumably rich customers for $1000 oil changes, under the guise of a "12,000 mile service"

Never seen a Duke with 12k on the clock, well not working anyways,lol. Dukes have got that premature whizzbang factor.

Gawdbless,

A good point re mileage - yes one of the criticisms of Ducati owners is that they are poseurs who never actually ride motorbikes.

I suffered through more than 25,000 miles on my 1098, although tough to say how many actually, because the odometer broke too!

On the exceptional day when it was running perfectly, I must say it was wonderful and sounds like no other bike.

In the meantime, I am enjoying the BMW, and may get a Honda Repsol or Yamaha R1 for a hopefully reliable back up.

1980 BMW R100T with an S fairing. Not the fastest or best stopping bike in the world but I love the simplicity. Being able to remove the exhaust, head, cylinder and detach the wrist pin in under 45 minutes with little more than a couple of sockets and wrenches is what makes the airheads an ideal "everyday" machine. Road side repairs aren't nearly as worrisome as they are on modern bikes. It's nice to hear of other riders out there on the 'gon. I assume all of you wear ear plugs while riding? ; )

2 1981 Maico 490's
1 1981 Maico 250
1 1978 Maico 440
1 1979 Maico 440
1 1983 Maico 490

2002 Harley Davidson Night Train

I have two

2006 ZX10R
2008 GSXR 1000

I like my 10R but love my GSXR. My Gixxer is heavily modified putting about 180 hp to the ground.

Honda ST1100 ABS - made the switch a year and a half ago from a cruiser to this tourer. It's an amazing combination of poise and agility, a very pleasant way to cover lots of miles, either straight or twisty.

For anyone familiar with the weather in and around NYC this winter, I thought you might be interested to know that other than 2 or 3 days, I have continued to ride > 80 miles every day in and out of midtown on the BMW S1000RR.

It has started right up on the first try, even in 15 degree weather yesterday, and the DTC and ABS set to "rain" mode have worked perfectly on slippery roads.

So a 193 horsepower race bike with lights, or a daily driver and winter commuter car, depending on your perspective.

Highly recommended.

My very first motorcycle was a BMW. Here's the reason I got it.

I had a friend who lived on E. 93rd and when I visited him I always checked out the BMW with the Earles fork parked on the sidewalk a house down from my friend's. Winter comes and the bike never moves. Whether it's raining, icy or covered with snow, the bike sits there uncovered. It's now towards the end of winter and I'm sitting on the front stoop when the owner of the BMW comes out. He dusts the bike seat off, fiddles with the carbs and the bike started on the first kick. I was totally blown away! I had to get me one.

Personally I think you're a little crazy riding in urban areas in bad weather. One of the most memorable rides I ever took was in 8" of fresh snow thru the upper Eastside into Central Park. I took a few laps around the park slipping and sliding the whole way. The park was nearly deserted except for the cross country skiers and occasional dog walker. In the northern parts there wasn't even tire tracks in the snow. I used my legs as outriggers and rode until my feet got frozen.

Stay crazy!

Onhwy61

The older BMWs are well known for being very robust, and I hope their first real sports bike lives up to the reputation.

Rain, shine, wind, hot and cold year round in NY and London, I am now going on 15 years, 10 crashes, and fortunately no serious injuries.

Having learned to ride in the UK, I wouldnt go to the corner store without full face helment, boots and head to toe protective gear.

As you might imagine, you are not the first to suggest I am nonetheless crazy, but after all these years I somehow find the riding position and exposure to the weather ultimately less stressful than being stuck in a car in traffic.

my first was a suziki rotary re-5. anybody remember that one? then a ducati 500 one cylinder. went to bmws and had a 600 with a german made haberman fairing and a bmw 650. loved every one of them. now i stick to 4 wheels.

When people question why I commute on the bike all winter in Seattle I tell them it's just like getting to ride a Jet Ski to work every day.

Sfar,

People just don't get it at all, and in particular how any sane person could tolerate going fast outside in the winter.

So I sometimes like to ask them if they have ever heard of the sport of skiing.

Cwlondon - Yeah, I'm a skier, too, and as one of my skiing buddies said, there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing choices.

2005 BMW R1200RT and 2006 Vespa Granturismo 200. One for the highway, one for the city, like 2-channel and 7.1 channel.

As an audiophile and biker with 40 yrs of riding experience, I don’t know how I missed this, but I think it’s time to resurrect this thread:

My current stable:
2013 Ducati Diavel Carbon
2003 Kawasaki ZX-12R
2001 Aprilia Mille R
1994 Harley Road King.

Past Rides:
2001 MV Agusta F4 750
1996 Bimota SB6R
1996 Ducati Supersport SP
1990 Harley Fatboy
1992 Dave Perowitz custom stretched HD FXR
1990 BMW K-1
1978 Suzuki GS1000
1974 Harley Shovelhead Sportster
1975 Kawasaki 650
1972 Honda 125
1968 Penton 125 (my first and only dirt bike )

I currently own a Yamaha Road Star 1600. About 75K miles and running perfectly. Bought new in 2000. Put about 50K on it the 1st 4 years, lots of cross country travel then. 

Previous bikes:
Honda 50 sport - 1966-67
Yamaha 180 street - 1967-1969
Yamaha 250 Dirt - 1970-1971 (on Okinawa)
Honda 500 four- 1971 (on Okinawa)
Yamaha 650 twin street - 1971-1973
Kawasaki 750LTD - 1981-1982
Yamaha 1100 Virago - 1999