Author Topic: National new distressing? (Read 3413 times)

350Four · « **on:** July 30, 2008, 05:57:45 AM »

I'm a little distraught...last night's national news said that MC registration was up 20% due to gas prices and that a good portion of that was folks pulling old bikes out of their garages and barns that have been sitting for 20 years and getting back on the road. They showed a guy reviving his 82 Yamaha. While I like the thought of people fixing up their vintage iron, I can see the market for these bikes getting real stupid. The next news will be "motorcyle injuries up 20%". Yesterday at the dealer I overheard a guy saying he didn't know anything about motorcycles but he wanted to buy this one (pointing to a Ninja-and not the 250). It's bad enough we have to watch for cars, now we have to keep an eye out for inexperience on two wheels. Maybe they'll flunk the MSF course required here in FL.

Cvillechopper · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2008, 06:01:21 AM »

Funny you would post this. I just heard on our local news that motorcycle fatalities are down in VA about 20% from the same time last year. They're attributing it to the extra $$ spent on motorcycle safety campaigns. Of course it's just in the past several months that the squid count has gotten drastically higher...

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2008, 07:53:52 AM »

I know "motorcycle" accidents are up bigtime here in Chicago, but if you do some research almost all of the "motorcycles" are actually scooters. Nothing better then seeing some Lincoln Park trixie with sunglasses bigger then her face with a i-phone in one hand and a smoke in the other trying to navigate her brand new pink scooter down Michigan ave (and believe me, it happenes allot)...

cleveland · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2008, 08:02:17 AM »

Quote from: ProTeal55 on July 30, 2008, 07:53:52 AM

I know "motorcycle" accidents are up bigtime here in Chicago, but if you do some research almost all of the "motorcycles" are actually scooters. Nothing better then seeing some Lincoln Park trixie with sunglasses bigger then her face with a i-phone in one hand and a smoke in the other trying to navigate her brand new pink scooter down Michigan ave (and believe me, it happenes allot)...

When she gets plowed over because she was not paying attention, she will sue and probably win.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2008, 03:21:29 PM »

I saw that news report too and I can totally see the trend. Lot more 80's UJM's driving around these days. I was just kinda glad that at least someone (the bike dealers/mechanics) is seeing some good out of these days of high gas prices and poor economy.

chrislib · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2008, 04:30:17 PM »

Well, you can count me in with that group. My bike sat unused for the better part of 5 years. it took obscene fuel prices (my daily is a diesel) to get me off my butt.The upside is I have noticed a few "vintage" bikes on the roads out here, I saw a fella on a very nice 550 the other day...too bad he was headed the other way.

BobbyR · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2008, 05:29:17 PM »

I imagine with these "road warriors" coming back onto the roads there may be far more accidents. With more accidents you will probably see more regulations. The helmet laws will make a comeback and maybe mandated armored jackets etc. Politicians need to seem like they are doing something.

74cb750 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2008, 03:47:48 AM »

Every year I attempt to have our helmet law repealed in Vermont, and every year I am rebuffed by our politically correct legislators.

Maybe I should try to get them to pass a mandatory safety course for new riders instead. It has been shown to reduce the number of fatalities I hear.

tramp · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2008, 05:35:53 AM »

they say that most fatalities are from unlicensed riders
a safety course is a good idea
riding without a helmet is a great idea
just 1 second before you get hit

UnCrash · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2008, 07:35:26 AM »

Quote

Every year I attempt to have our helmet law repealed in Vermont, and every year I am rebuffed by our politically correct legislators.

Maybe I should try to get them to pass a mandatory safety course for new riders instead. It has been shown to reduce the number of fatalities I hear.

You should move to Maine, no helmet --- or title laws (for vintage vehicles )

heffay · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2008, 08:38:24 AM »

i've watched newbies in arizona, at the shops that i worked at, pull out from the shop after a quick run thru of their new rockets and dump it before they get out of sight.

they look exactly like baldy from pinks when he dumped the zx14... not bald, in the way they went down.

BobbyR · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2008, 09:29:03 AM »

Quote from: 74cb750 on July 31, 2008, 03:47:48 AM

Every year I attempt to have our helmet law repealed in Vermont, and every year I am rebuffed by our politically correct legislators.

Maybe I should try to get them to pass a mandatory safety course for new riders instead. It has been shown to reduce the number of fatalities I hear.

Great idea, and maybe they should include a Motorcycle awareness compoent into the Automobile Drivers instruction.

heffay · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2008, 09:31:04 AM »

Quote from: 74cb750 on July 31, 2008, 03:47:48 AM

Every year I attempt to have our helmet law repealed in Vermont, and every year I am rebuffed by our politically correct legislators.

Maybe I should try to get them to pass a mandatory safety course for new riders instead. It has been shown to reduce the number of fatalities I hear.

so, you don't want to wear a helmet but you're an advocate for motorcycle safety? i don't get it.

Cvillechopper · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2008, 09:53:45 AM »

Quote from: heffay on July 31, 2008, 09:31:04 AM

Quote from: 74cb750 on July 31, 2008, 03:47:48 AM
Every year I attempt to have our helmet law repealed in Vermont, and every year I am rebuffed by our politically correct legislators.

Maybe I should try to get them to pass a mandatory safety course for new riders instead. It has been shown to reduce the number of fatalities I hear.

so, you don't want to wear a helmet but you're an advocate for motorcycle safety? i don't get it.

I can understand it. While I think the Government has the obligation to keep one safe from others (i.e. require training to prevent unsafe drivers/riders) I don't think they have any right to protect you from yourself. If a person wants to take their life into their own hands, without increasing any risk to others, they should not be interfered with. It's the same as the argument for legalization of recreational drugs, etc. As long as you're not endangering others, do what you want.
Libertarianism, Darwinism, both??? Anyway you look at it, I like it. I'll call you a fool for riding without a helmet but fight like hell to protect your right to be an idiot.

ColinMc · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2008, 10:39:25 AM »

Quote from: Cvillechopper on July 31, 2008, 09:53:45 AM

I'll call you a fool for riding without a helmet but fight like hell to protect your right to be an idiot.

LOL I love it!!! Awesome quote! I'll have to steal that one sometime

Joel · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2008, 10:48:37 AM »

I'd agree that a mandatory safety course is more valuable than mandatory helmets. How you handle your bike affects others more than whether or not you wear a helmet.

ColinMc · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2008, 11:08:43 AM »

The ONLY problem I have with making the MSF course mandatory, is that i'm an instructor and as of now people take the course because they want to. That makes it fun for everyone, the people there want to learn. If it's mandatory it'll start loading up with people that are mad they have to take the course and it won't be nearly as fun or educational for both the instructors and the students. If everyone is having fun and happy to be there it's much more conducive to learning.

I'm in NY, so it isn't mandatory here yet...

dusterdude · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2008, 11:13:30 AM »

yea,its like getting a dui when your on a riding lawn mower or a moped.who the hell is goin to get hurt if you hit something,certainly not the guy in the car.

tortelvis · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2008, 11:54:52 AM »

I had a customer in Florida who went from a 250 Ninja straight onto a ZX1400! So far he has crashed 4 times at an average of $2000 a pop. Every single time it has been "not my fault", always the other guy. The words "I had to lay it down" are frequent from him. One was being cut off by a truck, one was "the front end just went". I can't decide which of the last two is my personal favorite; "a dog hit my back tire at 60mph" or "my 4 yr old pushed it over" (opposite the side stand!) I have been swamped by guys pulling 20 and 30 yr old bikes out of the shed coz of gas prices. Scary stuff!

ColinMc · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2008, 12:11:23 PM »

What scares me the most about older bikes that people pull out is the tires, and the rubber brake hoses/components...that stuff doesn't age well and might look ok just from a casual inspection scary stuff

Joel · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2008, 08:14:36 PM »

Quote from: ColinMc on July 31, 2008, 11:08:43 AM

The ONLY problem I have with making the MSF course mandatory, is that i'm an instructor and as of now people take the course because they want to. That makes it fun for everyone, the people there want to learn. If it's mandatory it'll start loading up with people that are mad they have to take the course and it won't be nearly as fun or educational for both the instructors and the students. If everyone is having fun and happy to be there it's much more conducive to learning.

I'm in NY, so it isn't mandatory here yet...

I hadn't thought of that. Maybe they should add a section of points for attitude and good citizenship like grade school.

BobbyR · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2008, 06:19:24 AM »

Quote from: tortelvis on July 31, 2008, 11:54:52 AM

I had a customer in Florida who went from a 250 Ninja straight onto a ZX1400! So far he has crashed 4 times at an average of $2000 a pop. Every single time it has been "not my fault", always the other guy. The words "I had to lay it down" are frequent from him. One was being cut off by a truck, one was "the front end just went". I can't decide which of the last two is my personal favorite; "a dog hit my back tire at 60mph" or "my 4 yr old pushed it over" (opposite the side stand!) I have been swamped by guys pulling 20 and 30 yr old bikes out of the shed coz of gas prices. Scary stuff!

This proves Darwin was right!

ColinMc · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2008, 07:06:30 AM »

There is a funny Ducati video somewhere of some guy test riding a ducati, or pulling it out of the shop or something....i think it might even be a 1098. He pulls forward a few feet, stalls, and falls over lol. My first "bike" I rode home with no experience but it was a Malaguti Phantom . Google that one

scootskate · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2008, 08:25:24 AM »

I see the points already mentioned. A positive outcome that may happen, is with more bikes and scooters on the road, car drivers may become more aware that they are sharing the roads.

heffay · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2008, 08:52:01 AM »

or get more pissed off that they are sharing the roads... don't forget, some people despise bikes and their riders. $:-\$

News:

Author Topic: National new distressing? (Read 3413 times)

350Four

scootskate