Posted on 01/15/2005 12:38:29 PM PST by martin_fierro
Oh, I understand that all too well.
NHTSA knows nothing about motorcycle safety. Their incompetence is legendary.
The people who have the highest number of fatalities and accidents has been in the same group for decades. Its the people who have had their motorcycle for less than six months and have never taken a safety/rider class. Also many of those accidents relate to people without motorcycle license. (don't need one to BUY a motorcycle.)
This also does not consider the fact that 80% (NHTSA's own numbers) are the fault of the automobile not the rider. This article is written with the assumption of motorcycle is at fault.
The incompetence of this article does not consider the fact that older people can affort a Harley after all those years.
These articles are to counter the recent trend of rejecting mandatory helmet laws. IOW the rejection of the nanny state.
last boomers were 1964, per the census. 1965 starts gen X.
That was my point.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 which states the requirements for helmes only tests helmets for 15mph and has ZERO, ZIP, and NADA stardards for neck stress.
(shorthand is FMVSS 218)
One last point hemets are not certified by the DOT. The manufacturer self certifies compliance with FMVSS 218. The snell standard has no effect at law, only DOT certified by the manufacturer matters.
When I get on my bike, I say "Lord, it's a good day to die.". And, what a way to go. 22 dead in Maine, 29 in New Hamshire...la de da, WOW, that made a real dent in the population, didn't it.
These sick pencil pushing idiots have nothing better to do. Maybe they need a reason to up insurance rates or medical costs, as if we aren't paying enough already.
...Oh yeah. Since when is 39 a baby boomer?
PEOPLE THAT RIDE MOTORCYCLES ARE INSANE!
Thank you. That is all.
I hope you live to a ripe ooolllldddd age...bored out of your skull.
I hope you live to a ripe ooolllldddd age...bored out of your skull.
Now I waited all day for a "come back",,,, and that's it? Bored? OK,, how about this...
ANYBODY WITH OPEN PIPES IS A MENACE!!
Thank you. :-)
ANYBODY WITH OPEN PIPES IS A MENACE!!
Insane menace checking in...
I recommend an MSF course for anyone thinking about getting into riding...the answer I get most often is that it's too expensive. Makes no sense to me to spend $10,000 plus on a scooter then complain about a few hundred more to learn the basics.
$10K???
Sporty's are $8,5K
Jap Crusers are $11K
Hog's are $18k(ish)
What comes in at 10?
Oh, and remember--
ANYTHING MORE THAN 2 CYLS IS CHEATING!!
Thank you! :-)
It's raining. I'm home. It sucks. Skull is OK. :-)
2002 BMW R1150GS:
Yea, but I bet you will tell it to at least 10 people in the next week... if you haven't already.
Nice bike. Best braking system in the world.
And, NO. I wouldn't tell that joke! Ewwwwww!! LOL!
That is what I used to have before the dumb bi**h mentioned in post #26 hit me. After that got totalled I got a K1200RS. I really want a new R1200GS. My friend just got one and absolutely loves it. My main gripe with the 1150 was it needed about 10 more HP. They fixed that with the 1200.
Unfortunately, with today's cagers, the back of your bike better light up like a Christmas tree when your stopping.
Fortunately for us, todays charging systems have kept up with the need.
Also---Are those all BMW model #'s? I looked at a few when the brake system came out, what, back in 95 or so? 98? I dunno, I'm hardcore old school, I didn't really pay that much attention. :-)
It did! The rear brake light flashed and the turn signals were also set to flash when the brake was engaged... Didn't help. I watch my mirrors a lot more now and if in doubt run it.
Also---Are those all BMW model #'s? I looked at a few when the brake system came out, what, back in 95 or so? 98?
Yea, they are all BMWs. Check out the R1200GS. It is incredibly cool. Amazing machine. The brake system has gone through a few generations since it first came out.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/r1200gs05first/
One of the best things about BMW is the dealers will let you have test rides. Go check one out. :)
Unfortunately too true.
I've been riding for well over 35 years, and I have a saying I am fond of repeating to those people who say to me " Ya know, I been thinking about buying a motorcycle...I haven't ridden in 20..25....30 years..."
I always remind them that a deaf, nearsighted little old lady in a GEO Metro can and will take them out...most don't or won't believe it...the ones who manage to survive the first few months without crashing or parking it, always seem to bring it up when relating their latest "there I was story".
I still ride with a MC, and would much rather ride than cage it, but I always assume that I will go down....not if, but when...
One evening about 23 years ago, after a tough day for our sick 8 month old boy, he finally fell asleep. A short time later, a straight pipe H-D went cackling by our house. I looked at my wife, noticed her anger, and that she briefly glanced at the well stocked gun cabinet.
Now, I knew she wouldn't have done something stupid, but it just goes to show that people with loud stereos, cars, bikes, etc. don't realize that they can be disturbing other people. Some folks work 3rd and are trying to sleep, for example.
My mother-in-law was an RN for over 28 yrs and refused to let any of her 5 kids have a cycle until they were on there own. She saw a lot of lives maimed or ended because of the inherent dangers of cycle riding. But I agree that the gov'ment needs to stay out of this and other matters.
Got lots of on and off road bike experience, but prefer a horse for true leisure riding (not to mention the help they are in working cattle). In the words of Winston Churchill: There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man. In the words of my younger son: A horse is "way cooler" any motorcycle.
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