The Original 'Ode To Joy' thread

[Xyzzy]

We have had two fairly severe accidents on our road bicycle. Well, technically we were off of the road bicycle at the time of the accident, but you get the idea. Fortunately, we were not hit in the head but we did get some pretty awesome roadrash and a tore up wrist.

We have wrecked our BMX bicycle once and it was pretty bad. Even with a helmet on it conked us pretty good. We have not been back to race since late last summer and where we live now there are no tracks. The bike is now our official Subway bike, since Subway is a little more than a mile away and we eat supper there every day.

We have wrecked our mountain bike countless times but we have never hit our head.

In the back of our mind there is one little fact that keeps us a bit worried. We have read studies that show that repeat concussions are almost additive and that they can lead to severe impairment or even dementia. We have had five serious concussions thus far so we are kind of approaching the scary end of the scale.

At least that might explains a lot of our erratic behavior!

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

Now we picture ourself riding in a much more subdued manner. In our life we have been exposed to some dangerous situations, and not very much scares us, but we are genuinely scared shitless with this motorcycle. When we finish every ride we are shaking and soaked in sweat. (It is 100°F, though! And the bike radiates an incredible amount of heat.)

In summary: It is probably not a beginner motorcycle. It scares us a lot. We need protective gear. We will purchase and wear protective gear. It sure is a lot of fun even though it scares us. A lot.

It's good that you are scared at this stage. It's very much a survival characteristic.

Paul

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

In other uninteresting news, we spent some of the forum donations on a helmet and gloves this morning. We had to drive to Memphis to get them. It figures our first ride with the gear is our first wreck!

We purchased an optional tinted (light smoke) visor, which should be mandatory equipment. No more squinting! We have no idea why a piece of plastic costs $50, however.

Shoei is a good make. I've a Shoei-shaped head and so have been using them for many years now. Different helmet manufacturers make slightly different internal shapes and mine happens to match Shoei's best. I've always been shocked at the price of visors but they are made to tight constraints. European legislation is very strict with regard to their mechanical and optical properties (non-shatter, scratch resistance, clarity, etc) so this may well have something to do with it. It's a global market so the US gets to enjoy European standards whether they want them or not, the same way that Californian legislation killed off leaded fuel and the 2-stroke bike engine throughout the world.

Beware of riding in the dark with a tinted visor. You won't be able to see well enough. In some parts of the world, the UK for instance, it's illegal to wear a visor which is more than a specified, and quite low, opacity.

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

Apparently, motorcycles do not have fuel gauges. (Guess how we know.)

Mine does!

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

Next week (?) we plan to get a leather jacket with the plastic skeletal stuff built into it. And maybe some sort of boots that do not look dorky. (We are somewhat tempted to purchase a jacket like Doctor House wears.)

Also, today we got whacked right in the center of the visor by a huge bug, probably a dragonfly, since it is apparently mega dragonfly season here. We are glad that the visor was there!

Our biggest concern with the helmet deal was a loss of peripheral vision, but that proved to not be a problem. The reduced wind noise is an added benefit. We think you could go deaf from long term exposure to wind noise.

Thanks for the advice so far and any future advice!

Jacket: good. The "plastic stuff" will be kevlar in a quality jacket. My guess is that your gloves probably contain kevlar struts too.

Q: How do you tell a happy motorcyclist?
A: By the flies on his teeth.

You can certainly go deaf from wind noise. I've severe high-frequency hearing loss from a combination of riding bikes and from spending far too long in air-conditioned machine rooms listening to cooling fans. It's too late for me to do much about it now but even so I use foam ear plugs when on long distance and/or high speed trips. You don't have a screen on your bike to deflect the wind so ear plugs would probably be a good idea, especially if your hearing is still relatively good.


Paul

[xilman]

I just finished the Listener crossword for the first time in several years!


If you don't know what I'm on about, http://www.listenercrossword.com/ might provide a clue.

[davieddy]

Originally Posted by xilman

I just finished the Listener crossword for the first time in several years!


If you don't know what I'm on about, http://www.listenercrossword.com/ might provide a clue.

"Brief Encounter":

"Let's go into the drawing room and relax over the ListenerTimes crossword".

Celia Johnson: "My dear, you have the most peculiar idea of relaxation"

David

[Xyzzy]

Had we known, before purchasing it over the Internet, that a motorcycle jacket weighs nine pounds, is hot enough to make an Amish guy buy an air conditioner and fits (after providing the manufacturer disturbingly intimate and detailed measurements) like a sausage skin, we probably would have declined to order it.

But, since it is here, and because it really looks like it could be more protective than a tee shirt, we will wear it.

At least it smells nice. (For now!)

[petrw1]

...nuff said...

[Xyzzy]

The red bike has been exchanged for a much less vicious bike.

Over the course of around 500 miles, we experienced several "interesting" situations that we were not prepared to deal with. Even though we approached everything from a very analytical manner and thought we had a handle on things, the bike was just too violent for us. It was supremely comfortable, light, easy on fuel, beautiful and a technical marvel but it was also, apparently, one step removed from a real racing bike and entirely inappropriate for street use. We hesitate to legislate things but we wonder if a bike like that should be available to anyone who is of age and has the money.

The old bike had 154BHP and the new one has 57BHP, so the new bike is much more friendly and forgiving. The power delivery on the new bike is similar to a tractor rather than a light switch.

We are not usually a fan of cruiser bikes but this one seemed intriguingly cool. It has a reliable engine, shaft drive and a pretty comfortable riding position. It probably is not suited for a long trip or for road racing but it does make us look especially beautiful as we cruise the neighborhood.

We are working off of this DVD right now. We think it is amazing how effortlessly they maneuver those heavy bikes around.

So, a lesson was learned. It cost us a lot of pride and some money. But, we are alive.



Snake1: Note the "area under the curves" in the dyno charts attached.

[NBtarheel_33]

I wouldn't mind trying out one of these: http://en-us.spyder.brp.com/home.aspx. Seems like the learning curve would be a little less steep. And not having to get the whole "leaning to turn" thing down would help. I think that part would always make me feel like I was falling off the bike!

[davieddy]

Originally Posted by NBtarheel_33

I wouldn't mind trying out one of these: http://en-us.spyder.brp.com/home.aspx. Seems like the learning curve would be a little less steep. And not having to get the whole "leaning to turn" thing down would help. I think that part would always make me feel like I was falling off the bike!

Love the music. Could only be ZZTop. The track is "Tush" (the meaning
of which I now know).

As for "leaning to turn" have you ever tried cornering while remaining
vertical?. There is a famous Law passed sometime around 1700 which
dictates that you will move in a straight line unless something
(e.g. the road) pushes you sideways.

David

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

The red bike has been exchanged for a much less vicious bike.

Good. Your life expectancy has almost certainly increased by a significant amount.

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

We hesitate to legislate things but we wonder if a bike like that should be available to anyone who is of age and has the money.

Over here you are not allowed to ride a bike with an engine over 125cc, except in certain constrained circumstances, until you pass a full driving test. The test is quite rigorous and professional instruction is, I believe, obligatory.

Originally Posted by Xyzzy

We think it is amazing how effortlessly they maneuver those heavy bikes around.

Like most things to do with biking, it comes with practice. When I was riding my GL1100 Goldwing the all-up weight (fully fueled, luggage loaded and with two riders) was significantly over half a ton. The Pan-European isn't so far short.

Paul