driving standards of road users

[ColinEssex]

Hi Em, it didn't take you long to join the anti Hardly Drivable brigade!!!

They really are disgusting machines though arn't they?

I'm unclear as to your dislike of Pan Europeans though

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

They really are disgusting machines though arn't they?

Extremely overrated? Yes

Waaaay too overpriced? Absolutely

Disgusting? Don't think I'd go quite that far.

 

[ColinEssex]

Seriously though - I know we make fun of them.

And yes they are overpriced and overrated, but there are some things that conjour up certain images of the USA, and those images are what the USA does best - the classic Harley, the Mustang, the chrome laden Chevvy's, the Wurlitzer jukebox, the glass Coke bottle etc etc

Sadly those images refer back to the 50's - modern USA images are not so good.

Col

 

[emcf]

Hi Em, it didn't take you long to join the anti Hardly Drivable brigade!!!

They really are disgusting machines though arn't they?

i like the noise, well, for a short period of time but just don't see the attraction. completely useless for the sort of riding i do but each to their own i suppose! can't see myself filtering down marlebone road at 8 in the morning very easily with a big fat harley under me. the dozy car drivers might hear me a bit earlier though!

I'm unclear as to your dislike of Pan Europeans though

Col

not really a dislike to be honest....i can see myself on one eventually. i guess i was just trying to rile you and rich

anyway, here's a bare-faced attempt to wind you two up -

Top Ten Reasons Why Pan Euro Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.



although here is the relevant list for us sportbikers........no 10 is especially apt for me!

Top 10 Reasons Sportbikers Don't Wave:

10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

 

[ColinEssex]

Em, don't forget I had one of your hair driers for a day and believe me, its not as quick as a Pan Euro

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

I don't know, things could be looking up...for the first time in 30 years, Ford is making a nice looking Mustang I know where I can get a working Wurlitzer, too

 

[ColinEssex]

I don't know, things could be looking up...for the first time in 30 years, Ford is making a nice looking Mustang I know where I can get a working Wurlitzer, too

When we bought our jukebox. The chap had loads of different ones, he had a Rock-Ola (1960's) for £9000 ($18,000) and a fully restored Wurlitzer 1962 for £15,000 ($30,000)

Ours at home is an NSM (German make) that holds 100 CD's - I'd love a Rock-Ola or Wurlitzer but can't afford it.

Col

 

[Bodisathva]

When we bought our jukebox. The chap had loads of different ones, he had a Rock-Ola (1960's) for £9000 ($18,000) and a fully restored Wurlitzer 1962 for £15,000 ($30,000)

Ours at home is an NSM (German make) that holds 100 CD's - I'd love a Rock-Ola or Wurlitzer but can't afford it.

Col

Should I assume you're not interested in the 1960's models that Wurlitzer is currently making? (They still have a 45rpm option available, too)

 

[ColinEssex]

Should I assume you're not interested in the 1960's models that Wurlitzer is currently making? (They still have a 45rpm option available, too)

I've not seen those, but as we live in a bungalow, I wouldn't have the room now!!!

Col

 

[emcf]

Em, don't forget I had one of your hair driers for a day and believe me, its not as quick as a Pan Euro

Col

so i won't be able to out-run the fuzz if they come looking for me?

 

[Bodisathva]

so i won't be able to out-run the fuzz if they come looking for me?

not even if they're on Hardleys

 

[Rich]

i like the noise, well, for a short period of time but just don't see the attraction. completely useless for the sort of riding i do but each to their own i suppose!

I am reminded of the sad tale of the son of a well known family down here. He passed his direct access as soon as he was old enough, bought a blade, went for a ride around one of the popular roads down here and rode at 90mph straight into the back of a van waiting to turn right.
Take care that you don't become another statistic

 

[Fifty2One]

very few people who think they are equal to professional drivers are actually even close to that standard...
people have to learn to drive so that they do not disrupt others (even the foolish and slow minded ones) on the roads

 

[emcf]

not even if they're on Hardleys

well, if they come on hardleys then i'll get my pushbike out

 

[emcf]

I am reminded of the sad tale of the son of a well known family down here. He passed his direct access as soon as he was old enough, bought a blade, went for a ride around one of the popular roads down here and rode at 90mph straight into the back of a van waiting to turn right.
Take care that you don't become another statistic

will do rich, i've had enough minor scares so far to keep my mind on the job......

i shudder at some of the antics i've seen bikes do, although most seem a lot safer and aware than the moped lot. i had one pull up in the green cycle box at the front of a queue at lights.....idiot boy plonked himself right in front of me when there was ample room to be courteous and not block other traffic, but they don't seem to realise/care

i did have a nice straight line lock up on monday eve - was going to the rugger club along some heavily tree lined street and ended up skating a few yards on the leaf mulch jumped on the front brake too hard as a speed bump surprised me...managed to get over the bump ok when the front started rolling again little scares like that on very quiet roads are the sort i can handle (and learn from).....i'm going to get a set of crash bungs for xmas in case of any low speed drops.

 

[ColinEssex]

Nice day for riding into work today.

-3c and very foggy, ice on roads and car drivers, many with NO lights on.

so i won't be able to out-run the fuzz if they come looking for me?

I saw police video on the TV where a cop on a Pan Euro was "chasing" a kid on a stolen Speedfight 50cc scooter. The Speedfight was flat out at 35mph The kid honestly thought he could outrun the Pan!!

Em - country roads are good where you get sun and shade. The road is dry in the sun but slippy in the shade, usually on bends.

In Essex this year we've had 16 bikers killed and 202 with serious injuries.
ref

This is lower than previous years though, I think we had 30 biker deaths in 2002

Col

 

[emcf]

Nice day for riding into work today.

traffic in london pretty bad today too....was stuck on high holburn for 10 mins and couldn't filter as the whole road was jammed up by a couple of those bendy buses. those things may carry a load of passengers but the drivers really struggle to manouvere through heavy traffic and tight london streets.

glad i bought the underglove inserts last week...hands were still like blocks of ice though, i think i'll have a word with santa to see if he can find me a pair of oxford heated grips!

In Essex this year we've had 16 bikers killed and 202 with serious injuries.
ref

This is lower than previous years though, I think we had 30 biker deaths in 2002

Col

interesting that a lot of the fatalities seemed to be on dry roads in good weather....there's a lesson there for me i think. also interesting to note how the numbers of serious and fatal injuries go shooting through the roof for bikes above 125cc and that all fatalitites in '06 have been male.

once the spring time comes i'll be heading over essex way (cold norton area)to play golf with an ex-work colleague. going to take the bike and have a ride on the country roads too, guess i'll have a look at the essex police website before going over just to remind me to go easy.....

 

[ColinEssex]

Heated grips?? yes, I have them on the Pan, they are brill. A good set to buy are the Daytona ones, I've had those and they're really good and they have a variable heat controller. Not a bad price at around £60.

The problem in Essex is we get alot of "summer softee" riders, they have these fast bikes, overcook it on the country roads and slam into a tree or car because they think they're Valentino Rossi with their colour coded full leathers etc etc.

I have to say that male riders of that ilk are also egged on by peer pressure in a group to ride beyond their capabilities, they have difficulty controlling the bike at speed and push hard to try to keep up with the more experienced riders.

Col

ps - the sun is out now but still cold, frost not melted yet

 

[Bodisathva]

The problem in Essex is we get alot of "summer softee" riders, they have these fast bikes, overcook it on the country roads and slam into a tree or car because they think they're Valentino Rossi with their colour coded full leathers etc etc.

I noticed a lot of noobs appearing with the increase in gas prices. Lots of people that just, very obviously, aren't comfortable with their bikes (and usually the little lady on the back doesn't look too confident either ). Worries me a little when I see them because you know that not only will they end up adding more negative press to those of us on two wheels, but from that deer-in-the-headlights look about them, god only knows how soon they'll find out how ready they aren't.

was 70 F Monday...almost took the bike xmas shopping, but figured I'd look like Santa trying to bring the presents home

 

[emcf]

I noticed a lot of noobs appearing with the increase in gas prices. Lots of people that just, very obviously, aren't comfortable with their bikes (and usually the little lady on the back doesn't look too confident either ). Worries me a little when I see them because you know that not only will they end up adding more negative press to those of us on two wheels, but from that deer-in-the-headlights look about them, god only knows how soon they'll find out how ready they aren't.

i was prompted to buy a moped as i was sick of the stinkingly hot tube in the summer and i was/am a bit uneasy about how simple it is for any nutter to blow up a tube train if they so wanted. I reckon a lot of others over here have taken it up (moped or real bikes) over the past 18 months....you can see some folk really struggling to control their bikes at low speed. I reckon that to take pillions you should have to do an extra bit in your test......that mych weight on a bike must alter the handling significantly.

was 70 F Monday...almost took the bike xmas shopping, but figured I'd look like Santa trying to bring the presents home

you've just given me a brilliant idea.....reindeer antlers for the sv! i'll get one of those comic releif red noses and then my bike will be rudolph! not sure what plod would say if i got pulled over though....