| Author |
Message |
David Jones (Dave)
Junior Member
Username: Dave
Post Number: 199
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 6:19 pm: | |
While I do love motorcycles, and have had many over the years, every time I see one that trips my trigger, I make my wife promise me that she will not let me get one...
I am one of the lucky few that have driven my head into the pavement on a bike, and come away with only a scar to remind me why I don't need a bike. |
Mark Izzo (Tdf355)
Junior Member
Username: Tdf355
Post Number: 74
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 5:20 pm: | |
Ive had over 40 bikes in my life. I havnt had one in the last 10 years. I know a guy who was doing less than 30 mph , hit some sand and is now paralyzed from the neck down. He has a nice Mopar collection now. What good is it, he cant even go for a ride in them, let alone drive em. The guys on crotch rockets now are pretty amazing riders but as the bar gets raised, so will the deaths. I owned some crotch rockets back in the Ninja days and watched insurance skyrocket as deaths increased. I always get the urge to get another bike and when that happens, I get on my stand up Superjet and bomb some waves. Its a lot less painfull hitting the water, trust me!! You can die or get hurt doing anything in life so dont let the horror stories scare you off if you really want to do it. |
Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 1355
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 4:06 pm: | |
One of my relatives in italy got killed on his bike. The first ride i ever got on a bike was on his when i was there. It was so freaking fast. Last year 3 guys were riding down the saw mill pkwy, i dont know if anyone is familiar with that, but in between chappaqua and pleasantville heading south there is a rise followed by a turn. The bikers hit this at probably well over 100, there is a 50mph sign there. 2 of them dropped their bikes and i think one slid into the other rider, they slid for 1/4th a mile and in the end i think 2 were dead. It seems every few months something bad happens on that corner, a car always ends up upside down in the woods killing someone, it happened to a kid in highschool who i knew when i was in 8th grade. |
Horsefly (Arlie)
Junior Member
Username: Arlie
Post Number: 101
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 3:38 pm: | |
Jack, (Giles27), I forgot about one more motorcycle victim. A friend of mine has a sister, and her boyfriend was killed back in the sixties in a motorcycle accident. Just one more for the record. |
Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member
Username: Manu
Post Number: 344
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 12:20 pm: | |
This ZX7 has full Akrapovic race exhaust system. Various carbon-fibre bits but most of all a big-bore kit which increases engine capacity. It's actually more like a ZX9 - except in a lighter engine and chassis.
My friend only got it about a month ago and the weather around here hasn't been conducive to riding - 160mph is absolutely no problem. That would be no problem to a stock ZX7 either. |
Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 1349
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 11:52 am: | |
Theres a big difference between a ZX-7R and an R1 or Busa, or any bike 1000cc and over. A friend of mine had a ZX-6R and it topped out at 140, i cant imagine a 700 is that much faster. |
Manu Sachdeva (Manu)
Member
Username: Manu
Post Number: 343
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 8:55 am: | |
My best friend rides a ZX-7R Ninja - just the other week he had a race with Lamborghini Diablo SV.
He was doing 140mph alone in the outside lane of the Motorway when to his disbelief he looks in his mirror and a Diablo is waiting for him to move over.
He moves over gives the thumbs up signal and then both guys drive up to 160mph.
The cat and mouse continues as the Lambo gets held up in traffic but then the Diablo driver catches up.
My friend told me they both turned off the Motorway and onto some twisties where despite getting his knee down and his bikes 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds, the Diablo just walked away from him.....
I love Motorbikes. |
ross koller (Ross)
Junior Member
Username: Ross
Post Number: 203
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 8:43 am: | |
was driving my tweaked m5 on an italian autostrada about 5 years ago, doing about 140ish, when i see this spot in my rearview mirror coming up fast. got passed by a guy on a motorcycle doing at least 160, and he just kep right on going.....
i actually love motorcycles and have had a few minor ones in my life. but now i can't see owning one since i think it would be a deathwish....i would be too tempted to drive it very fast, and then theres everybody else you have to rely on not to hit you.... |
Christian (Christiank)
Member
Username: Christiank
Post Number: 353
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 11:00 pm: | |
I prefer girls lifting their shirts (no bra) when they see me in my TR. No need for bikers showing me their brain on the asphalt. Just saw one last week with one of those fancy WWI helmets. The thing broke in half when he hit the floor and with it his scull. |
wm hart (Whart)
Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 419
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 10:26 pm: | |
Nah, not a Morgan. Sorry, i'm a bit braindead, i'll go check my post war Brit sports car references and get back to you. (Thing had a nice banjo style steering wheel, too). |
Robert McNair (Rrm)
Junior Member
Username: Rrm
Post Number: 127
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 9:30 pm: | |
G.Peters right on about the S2k! I have driven a couple of these and they are very impressive cars.Roel I bet the r1 breaks 0-60 in the 2 second range as my 1987 yami fz did 0-60 in 3.3 and that was quite a while ago. |
Jack (Gilles27)
Member
Username: Gilles27
Post Number: 494
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 8:05 pm: | |
How's this for irony. Shortly after my "fatality" entry, we left to drive to the suburbs for a party. On the way, traffic backed up, at the front of which was a pretty brutal accident scene. Wrecked motorcycle, dead rider. |
martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member
Username: Mw360
Post Number: 497
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 7:29 pm: | |
Bill Hart,
Could that have been a Morgan ? |
Roel de Fouw (Spawnz)
New member
Username: Spawnz
Post Number: 7
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 6:07 pm: | |
I say its hard not to love a machine like the yamaha R1. That thing is just beautiful. And performance wise out of any car's league.
With a 0-60 time of 3.1 secs, and a redline of 15500 rpm, I just got to get me one of those someday.
I say let's not compare cars with bikes. They're just two completely different things. I mean i wouldnt dare driving a bike in the rain for that matter. Wouldnt like it either i think. Wet.
Afcourse they dont come anywhere near a Ferrari (except performance wise), but (fortunately) not just everyone can buy one of those toys. I say a bike is a good alternative then. If i'll never be able to buy a ferrari, for the thrill of driving, i'd get myself a bike indeed.
Just my opinion.
|
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 1645
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 9:05 am: | |
I consider myself a good driver, no accidents in over a million miles, but not a performance driver. I have always owned cars that were better performers than I am. |
wm hart (Whart)
Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 417
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 8:55 am: | |
Never underestimate the other guy. I blew by a miata, of all things, driving my 550 coupe, about a year ago, on the Taconic, and was suprised when he returned the favor, a few short seconds later. This was not about skill, but assuming he had the right stuff on the twisties, he would have been hard to beat in that little car. I had a similar experience more recently, with an old english sportscar; honestly can't remember right now what it was, not a big austin-h, but something about the size and look of an old xk-120; damn thing was driven hard and well thru a series of easy sweepers, and then, dropping off the hi-way of "s'" onto a country road, steep downhill curves and bad surfaces, the guy was going faster than i felt comfortable with, in a car 40 years newer (and almost that much pricier). I'll always place my bet on the "better" driver, not the "better" car. |
G.Peters (Wfo_racer)
New member
Username: Wfo_racer
Post Number: 26
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 2:37 am: | |
David,
You didn't race "one of those S2000" because you couldn't beat him , check the auto mags regarding 0 to 60 times. Brakes from 60 to 0 are better on the S. Your comments imply that you have never had a ticket and you say you drive a sports car. I picked up a S a few months ago as my errand car and after less then 13,000.00 in mods (super charger , springs , brakes ) it will run in some instances better than my 360. And before the chants start of it isn't a Ferrrari I will agree. But to the little Honda's credit it doesn't leak fluids like the F car every few weeks. Right now the 360 has sat for 3 weeks waiting for my cracked header to be replaced. I enjoy reading the posts of the self righteous who claim I will only push the car on the track. Fine how often do they track their cars and why drive on the street if you don't drive the hell out of the car. To the great unwashed the image of Ferrari is speed and if you can't or won't produce the goods you are setting yourself up for confrontations. I have had the 360 now for 7months and have around 8100 miles on it. I enjoy my Ferrari sponsorship ( The Warranty) and have gotten to know my service manger on a semi regular basis. My point to this is that it seems like several people that post here drive like old men (for the record I'm a geezer family man of 40 with 2 boys ,a 3 year old and a 1year old ).As for racing a bike, you'll get beat. Any modern 600 cc or greater sportbike will spank most sportscars on the road today. If the pilots have equal skills you may have a slight edge in certain corners but will get smacked on acceleration.
WFO |
David A. Spear (Detailman)
New member
Username: Detailman
Post Number: 14
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 12:51 am: | |
Since I am new to the world , I havent had any bikes try to race, but this man who was about ten years older than me was reving the crap out of his engine at a red light (he was driving one of those Honda S2000) and his ego must have been so big and he was paying too much attention to me that he didnt see the sherrif dept patrolman to his left , and the cop flashed his lights and siren then he immediately stoped and wouldnt even look my way again. |
Jack (Gilles27)
Member
Username: Gilles27
Post Number: 492
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 5:54 pm: | |
Horsefly, you're fortunate. I've had 3 friends be buried because of motorcycles. It's one thing when they're f---ing around, but one of the guys, wearing a helmet, was cornering slowly and rode over a discarded piece of pipe on the road. He fell and snapped his neck. Needless to say, I've got a bit of a taste in my mouth regarding cycles, and it isn't very sweet. |
IJVPF355 (Ijvpet)
New member
Username: Ijvpet
Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 5:17 pm: | |
Most bikers with "crotch rockets" really give'r almost every time they see me on the highway. Three weeks ago, I was cruising about 90 as I passed two bikers. Right away I see them speed up to catch me. I enjoy a little competitive dragging, but at about 160 mph, I see the road curving ahead... these boys slowed A LOT later than I did to take the curve and just continued on like it was nothing. The level of skill to even attempt some of these stunts is amazing. I don't know whether to give them credit or call them crazy! |
Ben Cannon (Artherd)
New member
Username: Artherd
Post Number: 40
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 4:04 pm: | |
I'd love a '748 duke, but I'd have to have my own private track for it. No way I'll ride on the street with gravel, water, deer, dirt, potholes, rain, DEER, *other horrible drivers*, and deer, on the road...
Best!
Ben. |
Anthony Randazzo (Antroc)
New member
Username: Antroc
Post Number: 10
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 10:35 pm: | |
I also have a Ducati, Monster 900s(red). Haven't riden it much lately. Having too much with the 308. We have 3 other Italian bikes in my family. My one brother has a Ducati 748 that has custom paint and engine work done by Fast by Ferraci and a MV Augusta Senna. My other brother has a Ducati Monster 900s(yellow) |
Robert McNair (Rrm)
Junior Member
Username: Rrm
Post Number: 126
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 10:32 pm: | |
When I first started riding bikes people were always telling me their horror stories about accidents but I always said it would never happen to me as I am a careful rider and don't ride under the influence etc. but I did wind up in a very bad accident which left me with a 12 inch rod and numerous screws and a piece of my hip in my leg and the accident was 100% the fault of the other driver. I am not trying to scare anyone off riding but just pointing out how careful we have to be. Live life to the fullest but do it with caution! |
James (Jim_red308)
New member
Username: Jim_red308
Post Number: 34
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 10:28 pm: | |
Ken, I hate to burst your bubble, but these guys on their bikes don't care if you're driving a ferrari or not.They refer to themselves as extreme bikers. We just had a front page spread on a couple of these idiots who drive down the highway doing 80mph + and riding, yes, backwards on their machine! Oh yeh, the guys can do the wheelies at 100+ also - and it has nothing to do with having a ferrari or not - you just happened to be the cherry on the sundae for them that night that's all. My advice is get the heck out of their way - sooner or later they will crash & burn & better it not happen against your beautiful 308! |
G.Peters (Wfo_racer)
New member
Username: Wfo_racer
Post Number: 25
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 9:46 pm: | |
Bill,
Enjoy the bike , ride at your own pace and take small bites in your learning curve. I ride a turbo Hayabusa and that is the most fun of all my vehicles. I fear nothing on four wheels on that. 0 to 100 in less than 4.5 seconds. Don't listen to those that preach you'll die on a bike. The first time you drag your knee in a corner or spin the rear tire on corner exit or two wheel drift the bike , all I can say is WOW. These skills will translate to your car driving also. A riding school like Freddie Spencer's program in Vegas is a good way to learn to begin to have some hooligan style fun.It always makes me laugh when you see a sports car /bike ridden or driven like a little old lady.Or if the car is parked checking there tires and the middle part of the tires is worn and the outer edges still have the nipple castings .Ride or drive like your on a qualifying lap or don't be a poseur . Car are fun in there own way but nothing compares to "absolute power that corrupts abosolutely".
WFO,
|
Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
Member
Username: Caribe
Post Number: 381
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 7:22 pm: | |
Bill, Congrats on your bike! I had a Ducati 916 until not long ago, and I miss it dearly. They are great bikes with a great racing history. I have riden motorcyles for over 15 years now and never had a spill. Perhaps just luck, but common sense and deep concentration are required full-time while on two wheels. Enjoy it all you can, but be safe! |
Horsefly (Arlie)
Junior Member
Username: Arlie
Post Number: 97
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 7:03 pm: | |
Motorcycles? Here's my personal experience:
1.One uncle who walked with a limp all his life
from a bad motorcycle wreck.
2.One old aquaintence who broke an arm and/or leg
and walks with a cane after a bad motorcycle
wreck 20 years ago.
3.One high school friend whose arm is permanently
paralyzed after a bad motorcycle wreck
back in 1973.
4.One home town aquaintenance who broke his leg
a few years ago in a bad motorcycle wreck.
Do I see a pattern here? YES. No motorcycles for me thank you.
|
wm hart (Whart)
Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 416
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 6:49 pm: | |
Yep, Ducati 750 S ie (grey/carbon fiber/red wheels) with Sil Motor carbon fiber high pipes. I am going slowly and methodically, and my fear is outweighed by my enjoyment. It is a huge learning curve for me, and every ride brings new insight. I also enjoy the experience in a much different way than driving the cars: much more immediate, more visceral, every body movement or flinch on the throttle has an immediate reaction; no disguising bad technique. Thing sounds awesome, too! |
Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 1339
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 6:24 pm: | |
Bill, so you did get a bike? What kind? |
wm hart (Whart)
Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 413
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 5:56 pm: | |
I had a similar experience last year, shortly after i got the barchetta and was cruising back from a romp near Bear Mtn. I was passed vigorously by some hooligans on sports bikes, a few of whom gave me positive hand signals. As we all cruised up to a stop light, say 100yds ahead, one of the guys popped a very impressive wheelie for my benefit (doing , i don't know, maybe 75-85 mph ) and held it. I was impressed. Some of these guys are amazing, and i assume this guy, like alot of others, was barely more than a kid. Ah, to be fearless and feel invincible.
Tell ya one thing: since i started riding about a month ago, my driving skills and concentration have improved, and i have slowed down.And if you think SUVs and tailgaters are a pain in the ass when driving your Ferrari, try having to deal with them when you are riding about 400lbs of engine/frame/wheels. |
Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 1337
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 4:46 pm: | |
I could never own a bike, i would be dead within a month. |
Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 296
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 4:31 pm: | |
Regardless of skill level the margin for error at that speed is nil. That is why i sold my bikes. And it is rarely your fault. Look at how many times you dont see a bike until the last minute. ever been rear ended in your car???? Now be on a bike with 2 tons at 35 mph plowing you from behind. Feneder bender any other time not to a biker. You ever meet me ask to see the scars! |
Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member
Username: Originalsinner
Post Number: 295
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 4:28 pm: | |
So you are simply saying 2 organ donors passed you on 95.
By the way. Be careful there. sometimes there is a statey inbetween newtown and sesame place/langhorne exit.He sits on the end of the ramp.Better running from Newtown to river. |
William Huber (Solipsist)
Member
Username: Solipsist
Post Number: 305
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 4:28 pm: | |
I just takes one fall & their hamburger. I don't have respect for someone being reckless. Take it to the track. It's not something you can walk away from. |
Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 1330
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 3:03 pm: | |
Some bike riders are very skilled. I've seen people ride wheelies up to 110mph, a 160mph wheelie seems a bit optimistic though. IT takes brass ones and a little bit of stupidity to ride one of those. A friend of mine had a nija ZX-6, which is a really small 600cc bike, and it was still terrifyingly fast. 9 grand for a maclaren f1 killer isnt bad at all. |
Harlan Mott (Hmott3)
Junior Member
Username: Hmott3
Post Number: 151
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 2:36 pm: | |
darwin award candidates in the making. |
Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member
Username: Miami348ts
Post Number: 2498
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 11:02 am: | |
just a matter of days till they are DEAD ! another statistic |
Bob Campen (Bob308gts)
Member
Username: Bob308gts
Post Number: 266
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 11:00 am: | |
They must have been late for the Mensa meeting |
TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member
Username: Tifosi
Post Number: 1115
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 11:00 am: | |
that is nuts, if they fell they would have probably sued you for instigating |
Ken Ross (Kdross)
Junior Member
Username: Kdross
Post Number: 93
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 10:57 am: | |
Last night my wife and I were returning from New Hope, PA and driving my 308 QV on I95. While driving home we passed two guys riding their sport bikes. As I passed them I honked and gave them a thumbs up. By this point we were all doing a leisurely cruise at 90 mph (there was no traffic in our direction), and the two bikes did the must incredible (and stupid) thing I have ever witnessed. They did a wheelie at 90 mph and took off! Yes, these two guys were driving close to 140 mph and doing a wheelie on I95. Once they slowed down and let me catch up (I am not allowed to drive too fast when my wife is in the car), I then down shifted at 80 mph and took off letting the bikes hearing the wonderous sound of the engine. After about a minute the bikes passed me doing wheelies in speeds in excess of 160 mph. Knowing that we were pushing our luck I slowed down to 70 and continued onward. |