Unsafe, irresponsible, 'ooligan behaviour!

[ceebie13]

Can someone please enlighten me as to exactly what the fascination is in performing circus tricks on your bike. Surely, all the usual manoeuvres can do nothing but damage or strain either your bike, your brain (and then your wallet!). Seems daft to me. I'm all for a bit of fun, but with both wheels quite definately terra firma. Each to their own I guess. What thoughts do you have?

[placidfemme]

Can someone please enlighten me as to exactly what the fascination is in performing circus tricks on your bike. Surely, all the usual manoeuvres can do nothing but damage or strain either your bike, your brain (and then your wallet!). Seems daft to me. I'm all for a bit of fun, but with both wheels quite definately terra firma. Each to their own I guess. What thoughts do you have?

I think its the challenge... it does take a lot of skill to master some of those stunts...

[Matt Bleck]

don't knock it till ya try it.

I personally love the feeling when I get the back or front wheel of the ground more than 1/2 a metre

[bobsmith]

Just the same reason people do anything else... such as skydiving, base jumping, aerobatic flying, cooking, gardning and flying rc helicoptors. Because it's FUN! and it's a challenge. Just because of something can be considered dangerous, and another may not think it's so fun, why should that stop another from enjoying that activity as long as they're not endangering anyone else?

Say take RC heli flying for example, many people while learning to fly RC helis and progressing on to 3D aeros on RC helis spend thousands of dollars on repair bills, new helis, etc and I have heard of people who have made fatal mistakes and killed themselves (very rare though) does that mean people shouldn't fly RC helis? No! It doesn't matter how dangerous an activity is, people should have freedom to do what they want with their own life regardless of what others think as long as they do not endanger anyone else. I just don't see why this socialistic society is soooo obsessed with saving people from themselves that they can't focus on people that needs saving from others (ie, victims of crimes, etc..)

[R6_kid]

is it really unsafe and irresponsible? Most of the time those in the seat doing these acts actually take others in to consideration and dont do it to show off, they do it because they enjoy it. It's another level of skill that many riders will never attain, and if you didn't know there is some pretty decent money in it if you get good enough. I'm guessing your doing this as a pisstake, but if your not why dont you slip the clutch a little in first next time you give your CB some tits and see how you enjoy the feeling of a 'light' front end.

[Fishy]

ADRENALIN FIX :niceone:

[ceebie13]

is it really unsafe and irresponsible? Most of the time those in the seat doing these acts actually take others in to consideration and dont do it to show off, they do it because they enjoy it. It's another level of skill that many riders will never attain. ..... I'm guessing your doing this as a pisstake, but if your not why dont you slip the clutch a little in first next time you give your CB some tits and see how you enjoy the feeling of a 'light' front end.

I take on board all that about skydiving etc. I wasn't knocking it... I did say "each to their own" after all, but watch this video and let us know what you think.

http://www.superbike.co.uk/video/youbeenframed_news_94285.html

[Deano]

but watch this video and let us know what you think.

http://www.superbike.co.uk/video/youbeenframed_news_94285.html

Sometimes you kick, sometimes you get kicked.

[marty]

not everyone likes living in a nanny state with rubber mats underneath every step.

i don't even own a bike anymore, but living on the edge occasionally helps with reality checks when they're needed. and yeah, most times you win, sometimes you lose. it's the feeling that you just might lose if you fuck it up that drives some of us to step up to the line and be counted

[Ixion]

Never been able to see the point of it m'self, on road (off road is obviously another matter). I find that I get places faster and easier with all wheels on the ground. And I've never had any interest in having people notice me on the road.

But, to each his own, if people want to, it's not usually going to affect me. Just seems a bit silly, like boi-racers doing do-nuts. At least wheelies are quietish.

[-JC & Eleanor-]

Man second negative post our friend bob has posted!!!

"whats the point in living if you cant feel alive"???

JC

[carver]

Can someone please enlighten me as to exactly what the fascination is in performing circus tricks on your bike. Surely, all the usual manoeuvres can do nothing but damage or strain either your bike, your brain (and then your wallet!). Seems daft to me. I'm all for a bit of fun, but with both wheels quite definately terra firma. Each to their own I guess. What thoughts do you have?

cause its fun and a good workout...i do stoppies, wheelies, slides, ect all the time, tis good fun.
a light bike and a empty carpark is all one needs for practice :beer:

[nudemetalz]

Damn !!! that link CeeBie13 provided was wicked !!
That guy went down hard.

Anyway, you ever seen World # 1 Stunter Christian Pfieffer doing stunts on the latest BMW 800S...now that is something else !!!
(http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/com/en/fascination/motorsports/onw_video_freeriding_pfeiffer.html)

[98tls]

Wheelies are fun.........simple....the TLs seems to want to do them even if i dont:whistle:

[SwanTiger]

My thoughts are; I enjoy the challenge of completing an objective at a level of personal satisfaction. I also understand that other people differ with their likes and dislikes; So I also see satisfaction in grasping an understanding of their desire to find the same personal satisfaction through other mediums.

[bobsmith]

Man second negative post our friend bob has posted!!!


Man, that was one of my more constructive posts. If you want to see the meaning of negative posts, read my last 699 posts...

[chanceyy]

Wheelies are fun.........simple....the TLs seems to want to do them even if i dont:whistle:

yes but the TL needs to choose a better time to do them .. not when a cop is coming towards you .. :buggerd: :whistle: :spanking:

[98tls]

yes but the TL needs to choose a better time to do them .. not when a cop is coming towards you .. :buggerd: :whistle: :spanking: yea.........been meaning to speak to it about that.........:whistle:

[Motig]

No problem with people doing whatever they like on their bikes, BUT I do have a problem if they do it where it will influence the general publics perception of all bikers to be brainless pratts just existing to scare granny and take up hospital space. In other words have fun but just be aware of who your audience is when you do it (a bit like safe sex?). I think this might be what ceebie13 is getting at.

[Brett]

Personally, i love stunting, riding a 250 makes it hard tho, wheelie's seldom last more than 20m, and stoppies so far are limited to about 10-15m, however both are the fault of the rider, i am sure there are guys out there who can go mad on 250's.
RIders do it for the personal chllenge as well as teh buzz it gives. Try it for yourself, if you dont like it, dont do it, but you may turn to the darkside:cool:

[DingDong]

Wheelies are fun.........simple....the TLs seems to want to do them even if i dont:whistle:

Shit I have the same problem with mine... but usually I leave that stuff to the dirt these days... I have to accept that after 25 years of practicing I'm just no good at it... and I'm getting too old for that shit.

[chanceyy]

yea.........been meaning to speak to it about that.........:whistle:

and after to speak to "it" ...... what about the rider .. :lol:

he needs a :spanking: for losing control ;) cause its no fun being :buggerd: by the boys in blue :lol: :whistle:

[onearmedbandit]

I take on board all that about skydiving etc. I wasn't knocking it... I did say "each to their own" after all, but watch this video and let us know what you think.

http://www.superbike.co.uk/video/youbeenframed_news_94285.html

What do I think? It happens, in all situations, all in styles and manners of riding. So you highlight one crash, where are all the vids of guys not crashing? What about the vids of guys falling off at the track, or the guy going a little too hot into or out of a corner. Why do we ride bikes at all if the possible consequences are injury or death?

I've been pulling high speed one armed wheelies for ages, had the bike wobbling around at 180km/h on the back wheel and haven't fallen off yet due to it. But I have crashed at the track, been taken out by a car, and crashed on the road. To my mind a controlled wheelie is no more dangerous (in fact less so) than trying to stuff it up the inside of someone and binning it.

[scumdog]

ADRENALIN FIX :niceone:

I get that from work .

I ride to relax.

[ceebie13]

No problem with people doing whatever they like on their bikes, BUT I do have a problem if they do it where it will influence the general publics perception of all bikers to be brainless pratts just existing to scare granny and take up hospital space. In other words have fun but just be aware of who your audience is when you do it (a bit like safe sex?). I think this might be what ceebie13 is getting at.

Spot on Motig! Having read the replies to my initial thread, it is apparent to me that the biking fraternity does indeed consist of a colourful mix of the skillful, careful, stupid, thoughtless, selfish, reactionary, sensible, law-abiding...the list goes on. It's a reflection on society in general I guess. Of course, I realise it will never change...nor would I campaign for it to change as I believe in the "each to their own" philosophy. It would however be interesting to know what proportion of riders do enjoy attempting the "circus tricks" as I called them compared to those who prefer to tinker, tour, ride fast yet defensively etc etc. This debate could of course go on forever and a veritable can of worms could be opened up too. Imagine if I'd asked "what actually goes through a rider's head and makes them weeve in and out of motorway traffic, pop wheelies and stoppies, cross double yellows on blind corners, and generally irritate other road users?" I can think of a one-word answer ...testosterone! Sorry girls, that wasn't meant to be a sexist comment, but I haven't seen many female riders showing off their one-wheel riding skills.

[MattRSK]

I take on board all that about skydiving etc. I wasn't knocking it... I did say "each to their own" after all, but watch this video and let us know what you think.

http://www.superbike.co.uk/video/youbeenframed_news_94285.html

This video is rather disturbing. Its the sound that puts me off. Feel sorry for the guy.

[onearmedbandit]

Can someone please enlighten me as to exactly what the fascination is in performing circus tricks on your bike. Surely, all the usual manoeuvres can do nothing but damage or strain either your bike, your brain (and then your wallet!). Seems daft to me. I'm all for a bit of fun, but with both wheels quite definately terra firma. Each to their own I guess. What thoughts do you have?


No problem with people doing whatever they like on their bikes, BUT I do have a problem if they do it where it will influence the general publics perception of all bikers to be brainless pratts just existing to scare granny and take up hospital space. In other words have fun but just be aware of who your audience is when you do it (a bit like safe sex?). I think this might be what ceebie13 is getting at.


Spot on Motig! Having read the replies to my initial thread, it is apparent to me that the biking fraternity does indeed consist of a colourful mix of the skillful, careful, stupid, thoughtless, selfish, reactionary, sensible, law-abiding...the list goes on. It's a reflection on society in general I guess. Of course, I realise it will never change...nor would I campaign for it to change as I believe in the "each to their own" philosophy. It would however be interesting to know what proportion of riders do enjoy attempting the "circus tricks" as I called them compared to those who prefer to tinker, tour, ride fast yet defensively etc etc. This debate could of course go on forever and a veritable can of worms could be opened up too. Imagine if I'd asked "what actually goes through a rider's head and makes them weeve in and out of motorway traffic, pop wheelies and stoppies, cross double yellows on blind corners, and generally irritate other road users?" I can think of a one-word answer ...testosterone! Sorry girls, that wasn't meant to be a sexist comment, but I haven't seen many female riders showing off their one-wheel riding skills.

Nowhere in your first post did you suggest it had anything to do with anti-social behaviour. In fact you only make reference to increased damage or strain on the bike, brain and wallet. So what is it? Do you disagree with wheelies, stoppies, etc iin general or just when they are performed in a manner that endangers other road-users or makes bikers look bad?

[Ixion]

Well, I don't think the OP intimated that he disagreed with stunting. Just that he couldn't understand why people did it. It wasn't a criticism , just a statement that some people can't see any point in it.

I'm sure we all agree to deprecate any behaviour that endangers other road users or denigrates motorcycling in the public eye, so I think we may take that as a given.

Which still leaves the original question , "why bother". And I guess the OP has answered his own question in the later post - testosterone.

Which will still leave some of us shaking our heads and wondering why. But , as almost everyone has said , each to his own. The lack of applause does not betoken disapproval, just lack of interest.

[ceebie13]

Nowhere in your first post did you suggest it had anything to do with anti-social behaviour. In fact you only make reference to increased damage or strain on the bike, brain and wallet. So what is it? Do you disagree with wheelies, stoppies, etc iin general or just when they are performed in a manner that endangers other road-users or makes bikers look bad?

Yeah, you're right mate...I did wander away from the original theme I guess. I think that wheelies, stoppies, doughnuts etc. when performed in a public environment can put us all in a bad light. I think my original question was answered earlier on with regard to bike acrobatics being a skill and a challenge and an adrenalin rush. Me? I get my adrenalin rush on the open road with two wheels on the ground, fresh air streaming up my nose and when I am enjoying the freedom the bike gives me on a glorious sunny day in perfect riding conditions and in the company of the Mrs and/or my mates. Different strokes for different folks. You're right, I deliberately didn't label bike trickery as anti-social behaviour - but irresponsible road riding, in my view, is. But that's a different topic altogether!

[onearmedbandit]

Fairy muff. I love almost everything about bikes, from talking about them, tinkering with them, riding at a steady pace, amping it up with your mates, pushing for that little bit extra on thetrack, and yes doing the odd stunt here and there. And while I'm not the most angelic rider (sometimes I just can't resist the urge!) I try to keep my wheelies etc to areas where I can't do harm to others or make us look worse in the eyes of other road users.

[onearmedbandit]

There was a hint of disapproval in the OP's original post, just a hint.


, "why bother". And I guess the OP has answered his own question in the later post - testosterone.



Testosterone doesn't play a part in why I perform the odd stunt, I ain't got nothing to prove to others, although I do take delight in the comments I get from people, but that is just a by-product. The reason I do get her up on one is purely for my own satisfaction. Being able to do these tricks (and just for that matter riding fullstop) is an accomplishment that I am proud of due to my situation.

[DEATH_INC.]

Should I get in on this one? I do it because it's FUN!!!!
there ya go, what other reason do you need?

[ceebie13]

Should I get in on this one? I do it because it's FUN!!!!
there ya go, what other reason do you need?

As OAB says, "Fairy Snuff" :-) Maybe I don't do it 'cos I'm a wuss!!
I think testosterone plays a part in all we do, bike wise. I mean - I even get a buzz just showing off and cruising gently past the latte drinkers - whether it be in Martinborough or Courtney Place!.
I think we all imagine that we have the greatest bike in the world and we all love being watched as you pull in at your favourite bike stop.
But I also think bikers are great at admiring each others bikes. (er...well maybe a few HOG riders are a wee bit blinkered!) It's what makes us all such nice people innit? Do you think car drivers have forums like this?

[Ixion]

,,Do you think car drivers have forums like this?

Yes, they do. Well, car drivers who drive cars that are more than shopping baskets and drive because its more than a way to get to the office, do. Not *quite* like this of course! I doubt civilisation could take more than one KB :rofl: