Motorcycles.

[Cobra93]

A few years back, in the summer, I was behind this dude on a motorcycle wearing cut-off jean shorts, no shirt, no helmet, and a pair of sandals.

I hope that guy didn't fall, because he'd have had no skin left.

If he'd been wearing a Harley T-shirt, he would have had the complete Harley riding ensemble.

[Eye of the Tiger]

If he'd been wearing a Harley T-shirt, he would have had the complete Harley riding ensemble.

Actually, no. Most of them wear do-rags for some modicum of head protection.

[Cobra93]

Actually, no. Most of them wear do-rags for some modicum of head protection.

Right. You got me there.

[Soup DeVille]

Actually, no. Most of them wear do-rags for some modicum of head protection.

Those usually are there to keep the combover in place.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Those usually are there to keep the combover in place.

[Cookie Monster]

I'm riding to schoool all this week. I carry my helmet around because it's $300 and my bike doesn't have helmet locks. If it bothered me, I'd get a cheap helmet that I wouldn't mind leaving on my bike, and/or I'd get a helmet lock. My gloves go inside of my helemt. My jacket stays on my back or I carry it. Somehow, I still manage to carry a cup of coffee to class along with my gear and my backpack. There are also these things called "lockers", which some schools have, and they let you keep stuff in them. Safety pants? I dont have any, so I just wear jeans - better than shorts, anyway.

Helmet and gloves I could carry. Jacket and pants: no thanks.

[Minpin]

Helmet and gloves I could carry. Jacket and pants: no thanks.

guess youre stuck ridin the bud your whole life if you dont want to make sacrifices.

[Cookie Monster]

guess youre stuck ridin the bud your whole life if you dont want to make sacrifices.

True.

I'll just get a fun car to drive.

[Tave]

Helmet and gloves I could carry. Jacket and pants: no thanks.

He doesn't carry his pants dude. He puts them on his legs.

As far as the jacket--I have to wear a jacket to school all the time. I would be pumped if it came with a motorcycle.

[Cookie Monster]

He doesn't carry his pants dude. He puts them on his legs.

As far as the jacket--I have to wear a jacket to school all the time. I would be pumped if it came with a motorcycle.

Even in the summer?

And he wears jeans. I don't like wearing jeans all week. I probably sound nit picky but it's more of a hassle than it's worth.

[Champ]

Found a new track in Blaine (30mins from my house) that has a paved section and dirt section.  It used to be used for RC cars, but has been dormant for a few years.  The motorcycle people contacted the owner, and he is letting us run it for the rest of fall and then next summer.  He said we could do whatever we wanted to the dirt track.

There are talks of making a supermoto course, using the pavement then over onto the dirt!



I also plan on making ice tires so that we will be able to have fun on the frozen lakes in the winter!

Picking the 50 up tonight!!!!!!

[Tave]

Even in the summer?

And he wears jeans. I don't like wearing jeans all week. I probably sound nit picky but it's more of a hassle than it's worth.

You're right. Figuring out ways to cope with the elements is an integral part of riding, and if you're too big of a pussy to do it, you probably shouldn't be on a bike.

[Cookie Monster]

You're right. Figuring out ways to cope with the elements is an integral part of riding, and if you're too big of a pussy to do it, you probably shouldn't be on a bike.

It's not worth the hassle of having a bike as an only vehicle.

[the Teuton]

I just saw a Triumph bike yesterday.  It had the guttural growl of a Harley but with a higher, peakier pitch like a Japanese sport bike.  It really sounded kinda cool.

[Eye of the Tiger]

True.

I'll just get a fun car to drive.

But then you have to carry those car keys around. What a PITA.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I just saw a Triumph bike yesterday.  It had the guttural growl of a Harley but with a higher, peakier pitch like a Japanese sport bike.  It really sounded kinda cool.

They sound awesome. My bike sounds more like a pissed off lawnmower, which is odd because it also has a parallel twin. That might be because the Triumph's cylinders share one crank pin, while my EX500 has two that are 180? off... or maybe I'm making that up.

[Raza]

Triumphs are awesome.

I wear jeans all the time anyway.  What do you wear, Rags, wool trousers? 

[Cookie Monster]

Triumphs are awesome.

I wear jeans all the time anyway.  What do you wear, Rags, wool trousers? 

Cargo shorts/pants. I have 1 pair of jeans.

[Raza]

Cargo shorts/pants. I have 1 pair of jeans.

Oh, right.  I forgot that you're 12.

[Cookie Monster]

Oh, right.  I forgot that you're 12.

Jeans are stupid. They are too tight and they suck for biking and walking.

They look cool though.

[MX793]

They sound awesome. My bike sounds more like a pissed off lawnmower, which is odd because it also has a parallel twin. That might be because the Triumph's cylinders share one crank pin, while my EX500 has two that are 180? off... or maybe I'm making that up.

Triumph doesn't only make twins, most of their modern bikes are triples, which have a gruntier sound than a 4 but higher pitched than your typical twin.

Their twins (currently only used in their retro bikes, IIRC) are 360 degree parallel twins in contrast to the 180 degree twins that most Japanese parallel twins are.

[Raza]

Jeans are stupid. They are too tight and they suck for biking and walking.

They look cool though.

You need parachute pants. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Triumph doesn't only make twins, most of their modern bikes are triples, which have a gruntier sound than a 4 but higher pitched than your typical twin.

Their twins (currently only used in their retro bikes, IIRC) are 360 degree parallel twins in contrast to the 180 degree twins that most Japanese parallel twins are.

Yeah, that's what I thought about the twins. I don't know what makes a 360 twin better or worse than a 180, but the 360 definately sounds better.
Triples? Yes, a Street Triple 675 is exactly the bike I want right now - the Speed Triple would just be waaaay too insanely powerful for me, but the Street is purrrfect.

[MX793]

Yeah, that's what I thought about the twins. I don't know what makes a 360 twin better or worse than a 180, but the 360 definately sounds better.

A 360 has more even firing.  It's sort of like having a big, single cylinder 2-stroke.  Power stroke every 360 degrees of crank rotation.  From an engine vibration standpoint, it's pretty piss poor (also like having a big single).

180s are a little smoother running from a vibration standpoint (having the pistons 180 degrees helps balance the weight a little, but introduces some other vibe issues), but the firing is uneven.  You have a power stroke at 0 degrees, 180 degrees, and then you don't have another one for another for 540 degrees.

[Champ]

Picked the 50 up last night, this thing is fast!  Hits 40 without much fuss.  Will wheelie in all the gears if you aren't careful with the throttle!

[heelntoe]

pics!

i test drove an old 100cc bike today. thinking about trading the scoot for it.

[Champ]

Gonna try to get some this weekend!

[S204STi]

How about a Kawasaki ER-6n?  http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=894

Looks kinda cool, sort of a competitor with the naked SV650?

[S204STi]

Also noticed that Suzuki is working on a SV650 replacement called the Gladius, which should also be priced lower according to a Cycleworld article.

[Raza]

Picked the 50 up last night, this thing is fast!  Hits 40 without much fuss.  Will wheelie in all the gears if you aren't careful with the throttle!

What did you get?