I've come to the conclusion that road bikes are suicidal.
Anyone complaining that they can't hit max speed because someone is in front driving sensibly is a knob. Likewise anyone doing a DAS then jumping on an R1 is a knob.
The last time I rode my SP1 on the road I was hit by a pheasant then ended up sideways on an oil spill round a blind bend. Its been up on paddock stands for almost a year now not being touched - and it won't be getting ridden anytime soon as I'm sitting here with a broken ankle and wrist from a motocross spill.

Any decent car will be faster than a bike on anything other than a nice smooth racetrack - and, as already discussed on here somewhere, if you take it to its ultimate then a car will always be quicker, thats why F1 cars lap quicker than GP bikes.

Furthermore, anyone calling themselves a 'biker' is probably gay. And anyone professing to be a 'real biker' is gay and still lives with his mum.

Any decent car will be faster than a bike on anything other than a nice smooth racetrack - and, as already discussed on here somewhere, if you take it to its ultimate then a car will always be quicker, thats why F1 cars lap quicker than GP bikes.

Furthermore, anyone calling themselves a 'biker' is probably gay. And anyone professing to be a 'real biker' is gay and still lives with his mum.




http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m295/nidoes/stfu.gif

(quote)i think your all middle aged it consultants that are gay and live with there perants(un quote):lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m295/nidoes/stfu.gif

Nido you must be a lot brighter than you come across...

You still live with your mum don't you?

Nido you must be a lot brighter than you come across...

You still live with your mum don't you?


lol, in a different country! :D My family are in the UK.

My reply was more meant to mean don't start the whole "bikes vs cars" speed thing as it's been done to death so many times!

I've come to the conclusion that road bikes are suicidal.

Any decent car will be faster than a bike on anything other than a nice smooth racetrack - and, as already discussed on here somewhere, if you take it to its ultimate then a car will always be quicker, thats why F1 cars lap quicker than GP bikes.

Furthermore, anyone calling themselves a 'biker' is probably gay. And anyone professing to be a 'real biker' is gay and still lives with his mum.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/andythejock01wrx/stfu-noob.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/andythejock01wrx/stfu-noob.jpg

:lol1::lol1:

In that case, please allow me to proffer the most sincere of apologies;)

Accepted ............. thank you.

:lol1::lol1:

;)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/andythejock01wrx/Itsillegaltokillthem.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m10/andythejock01wrx/stfu-noob.jpg


"STFU - NOOB" - You've only been here 5 minutes yourself knobhead :Whatever_

I'm guessing you're a 'real biker' eh?

"STFU - NOOB" - You've only been here 5 minutes yourself knobhead :Whatever_

I'm guessing you're a 'real biker' eh?

If I've been here for 5 minutes, you've been here for 30 seconds ! :lol1:

Precisely what response did you anticipate when you said "Anyone that calls himself a "biker" is probably gay" ? :Whatever_

I used to work in motorcycle publishing, having ridden a bike continuously since age 16.

Three funerals in three years (one was a double), a mate in a wheelchair for life and countless colleagues with broken limbs. All these people were very good riders.

That was enough for me, and when my son came up to biking age I caved in - the bike had to go. Utter hypocrite I know, but when it's your own lad with a known self-preservation disorded, no way was he getting on the road on two wheels.

I see loads of weekend riders on big bikes and spotless new leathers. They always want a race, yet clearly don't know how to ride properly. I just let them go now. Today's superbikes are just too fast, our roads too crowded and not what they were 25 years ago. Any rider without a lot of on-going experience is going to hurt themselves :(

Richard.

PS Sorry to be gloomy about one of the loves of my life. Times change.

Hi Richard,

You'll be talking about Chris Dabbs presumably? (Jointly) gave me my first break in bike journalism when he was with What Bike? back in the day...

I understand what you mean, though funnily enough it was my dad's anti-bike stance (having been a biker himself) that got me into it in the first place. My daughter is now coming up to biking age and, while I'm not actively encouraging her, I'm not going to stop her either. She has to make her own way. Having said that, if she really wants to ride then I'll do all I can to steer her down the track route rather than the road one. She's already said she wants to be the first female World Superbike champion...

SB

SB, yes it's Chris Dabbs in the wheelchair. The trauma he and his family have been through, and Chris's bravery, are beyond my comprehension.

The couple that died were industry colleagues when the rider wanted to take his friend's wife over the mountain on the IoM. Another very experienced colleague died on a scooter. It's all utterly gut-wrenching.

Worst of all was another colleague's funeral where his wife and kids had their hair died in MCN colours. That was just too much for me.

Take care of your girl, and don't let your own skill, expereince, and good luck, blind you to the realities of biking today. Falling off on a track day is bad enough, but NOTHING compared to the risks of road riding. I have too many friends killed or maimed that it is impossible to argue that they were just stupid or unlucky. On the other hand, nobody personally known to me has ever died in a car.

Very best regards,

Richard.

Hi Richard,

Conversely I have more friends and family who have died or been terribly injured in car accidents than on bikes. I honestly believe that when it's time, it's time. My sister in law, for example, wouldn't accept a lift on my bike because it was too dangerous but was killed as a front seat passenger in a stupid car accident that should have been nothing more than minor damage.

I'm very aware of the risks that Laura may be taking, and I hope that she's been around me and other bikers enough to be aware of them as well. I've hurt myself plenty badly enough in the past, and have the scars to show it, most recently just a couple of years ago. The fact that it was on the track rather than the road is why I'm sitting here writing instead of using a medium to get through. But then again, at road speeds the accident may not have happened at all - I don't know of anyone highsiding on the road!

I ride about 50,000 miles a year and don't intend to stop. Aware of the realities? I should say so...

Cheers,

SB

Precisely what response did you anticipate when you said "Anyone that calls himself a "biker" is probably gay" ? :Whatever_


The type of person that insists he is a real biker is the type that wears full leathers to ride quarter of a mile to the pub and sit bragging all night.
I'm on lots of forums and a common thread is "are you a real biker" - what follows is then lots of numptys going on about fair weathers riders and how many miles they do.

Most blokes I know who have been around bikes all their lives couldn't give a monkeys about being a 'real biker' or not, they just do what they do.
Anyone trying to convince people they are a 'real biker' is probably a twat (instead of gay).

On motorcycle danger...
I'm sitting here with a broken arm and leg after an enduro race accident, its not the first and I doubt its the last motorcycle injury I'll pick up. I've had more injuries from track and dirt bikes than road bikes but the road injuries have been much worse, the last one put me in hospital for months and will affect me for the rest of my life. The track/dirt injuries are typically less severe which will heal with no or little residual effects.

We've all got mates that have died (including my brother) but thats life, we knew it could happen. My kids aren't encouraged to have road bikes, if they choose to do so then I'll do all I can to keep them on track/dirt but I won't labour it. I'll buy my kids track/dirt bikes if they ask but if they want a road bike they have to finance it themselves.
It makes my blood boil when I see aggressive parents MAKING their kids ride (usually schoolboy mx), its really not on, its a dangerous sport and kids shouldn't be pushed into it, I've seen kids forced to race who were crying.

My mate that rides enduro/mx with me is considering packing in because he saw me come off and saw my injuries, personally I just see it as an occupational hazzard and can't wait to get the plaster off and get back riding, as I said this isn't my first injury. For most of us getting injured is something we accept and almost get used to, he has never had a bad spill and my little off has reminded him it can happen.

I think some of these born again riders or blokes that encourage their kids too much think accidents don't happen.

Icarus, there's a lot of sense in what you say. Especially the parents living vicariously through their kids. And the folk who judge whether someone's a 'real biker' or not by the number of days a year they ride.

And for what it's worth, your definition of a real biker is probably spot on - they just get on with doing what they do.

It would be easier to accept your opinions, though, if you weren't so confrontational about it (earlier posts, not this one)...

SB

'Tis a bit of a lottery for sure. Riding motorcycles is a dangerous game no doubt about it and I am always sorry to hear about people who are injured or killed. There's no consolation to be had and "wise words" with the best intentions can appear somewhat trite in comparison with the magnitude of coming to terms with a loved ones crippling injury or death.

Unfortunately, if you hang around bikes for long enough, you get used to it.

I hesitate to use the term "biker" myself. It always conjours up images of mustachioed men with peaked caps and clad in leather. Erm. Or is that just me then?

Screwd.

The type of person that insists he is a real biker is the type that wears full leathers to ride quarter of a mile to the pub and sit bragging all night.
I'm on lots of forums and a common thread is "are you a real biker" - what follows is then lots of numptys going on about fair weathers riders and how many miles they do.

Most blokes I know who have been around bikes all their lives couldn't give a monkeys about being a 'real biker' or not, they just do what they do.
Anyone trying to convince people they are a 'real biker' is probably a twat (instead of gay).

On motorcycle danger...
I'm sitting here with a broken arm and leg after an enduro race accident, its not the first and I doubt its the last motorcycle injury I'll pick up. I've had more injuries from track and dirt bikes than road bikes but the road injuries have been much worse, the last one put me in hospital for months and will affect me for the rest of my life. The track/dirt injuries are typically less severe which will heal with no or little residual effects.

We've all got mates that have died (including my brother) but thats life, we knew it could happen. My kids aren't encouraged to have road bikes, if they choose to do so then I'll do all I can to keep them on track/dirt but I won't labour it. I'll buy my kids track/dirt bikes if they ask but if they want a road bike they have to finance it themselves.
It makes my blood boil when I see aggressive parents MAKING their kids ride (usually schoolboy mx), its really not on, its a dangerous sport and kids shouldn't be pushed into it, I've seen kids forced to race who were crying.

My mate that rides enduro/mx with me is considering packing in because he saw me come off and saw my injuries, personally I just see it as an occupational hazzard and can't wait to get the plaster off and get back riding, as I said this isn't my first injury. For most of us getting injured is something we accept and almost get used to, he has never had a bad spill and my little off has reminded him it can happen.

I think some of these born again riders or blokes that encourage their kids too much think accidents don't happen.

Fair enough Icarus. It wasn't so much sentiment I reacted to as the language used. I think SBradley and Hoppy have made some poignant comments.

Have removed the first pic I posted (kept the second one cos I like the image of the wee puppy being growled at !).

Fair enough Icarus. It wasn't so much sentiment I reacted to as the language used. I think SBradley and Hoppy have made some poignant comments.

Have removed the first pic I posted (kept the second one cos I like the image of the wee puppy being growled at !).


You don't have to remove it mate, this is an internet forum and I won't get upset.

I suppose I come across as a bit blunt but thats what I'm like normally, it just comes across a bit aggressive on forums because you can't see my smile or body language.

I just have a general dislike of the bearded derri boot wearing clan, who demand you do things their way or else you are a hooligan. These are the people usually referring to themselves as real bikers and if you don't do what they say, usually IAM or something equally over-hyped then you are a hooligan.
Actually I think most of them control the ACU as well.

The type of person that insists he is a real biker is the type that wears full leathers to ride quarter of a mile to the pub and sit bragging all night.
I'm on lots of forums and a common thread is "are you a real biker" - what follows is then lots of numptys going on about fair weathers riders and how many miles they do.



:thumb:

I generally find that 'Real Bikers' are no different to the purists you find in any hobby or pastime, you need only look at the SUL Mafia on this very site to see that.
At the end of the day, they are all best avoided:nono:

For me Viz summed the whole purist breed up best when they created the Real Ale Twats:D

Doesnt matter what you ride / drive or how old you are its the ignorance, arrogance and plain incompetance that we ALL display SOME of the time, which is excusable I suppose, as opposed to those who display those characteristice ALL of the time that really annoys.

I suppose if you are a "born again" and buy a bike whose abilities and performance are so beyond your capabilities you might display some of the characteristics mentioned, when we all first started it was a progression from 125cc and slowly working up through the bikes we could afford to some sort of pinacle, but by the time you got there you at least had some experience skills and understanding of whats going to happen next. However I know a few idiots who have been riding all their lifes and they are still ignorant arrogent and incompetant

Does it matter you can pass your test 25 years ago, have 2 years experience back in the 80s and tomorrow go and buy a GSXR1000. Probably. but thats your choice, and so long as you build your confidence up and get all those skills back whats the prob?

After all we have all made mistakes, misjudged corners, overtaken when we shouldnt, get the red mist and go bananas, etc etc, but some of us have been lucky to have been doing it all of our riding careers

However I do it less now than I did,

The sad thing is do it in a car and you get away with it, on a bike you cant (well not for ever anyway)

So what ever you ride, keep it on the grey stuff and enjoy, life really is too short. Discuss

Nichb:thumb:

Grumpy old git rant over (flame suit on)

Cool. Group hugs all round (but NOT in leathers ! :lol1: ).