A Kiwi in America

**raftn** · 17th October 2010, 08:16

Some observations on America after a recent visit. Bike and non bike related.

http://rogerfleming-raftnn.blogspot....n-america.html

**scumdog** · 17th October 2010, 09:54

Pretty true, lack of protective gear was the norm, I only saw two bins both on biker week near Sturgis. (and in 104+F heat you would die if all leathered up - and on a freeway it would be a waste of time if you arsed-up - it would only serve to hold your run-over-by-an-18-wheeler-or-two body in one piece...maybe.

And a reasonable number of younger guys do like 'canyon carving' on their sports bike- but said canyons are not where most tourists go.

Food (and most other day-today stuff) is waay cheaper (ie my seafood plate at a pub cost me NZ$28 last night, in the US it would be a US$10 or so meal)

I guess only personal injury/illness insurance would be more expensive over there but $12 for fuel after riding 180+ miles (300km) two-up put a smile on my face....

**Stoutheart** · 20th October 2010, 15:02

All right - a thread where I have some experience....

(1) Lack of protective gear: Many Yanks take the slogan "Land of the free, Home of the brave" a bit too literally when it comes to bikes. They think to be "free" and "brave" on a bike, you shouldn't be wearing protective gear. I'm an ATGATT rider; if it's too hot to wear the gear, it's too hot to ride - but I'd say less than half my fellow Yanks feel the same way.

(2) Bikes just aren't a big thing in the U.S. I thnk it has to do with cheap gas, crappy public transportation, widely variable weather, and big distances. Most riders don't like snow, and snow is a fact of life for at least three months out of the year for over half the country. So most everyone has a car - for the winter, for the places public transportation doesn't go - and you therefore don't *need* a bike. Unless you understand why dogs hang their heads out car windows....

(3) Except for some mountain regions (the Sierras along the West coast, the Rockies about a thousand miles east of the Sierras, and the Appalachian Mtns. along the east coast, the U.S. is FLAT. No need to build curved roads - the shortest distance is a straight line, which also explains the huge popularity of Hardly Abelson cruisers - great for going in a straight line.

That's why I'm looking forward to coming to ride in a country where bikes are popular and curves are plentiful (not referring to the types of curves Roger saw in Vegas). Even if it is more pricey than the U.S.....

**yod** · 20th October 2010, 15:07

Originally Posted by Stoutheart

That's why I'm looking forward to coming to ride in a country where bikes are popular and curves are plentiful

yay for plentiful curves.....

**raftn** · 26th October 2010, 13:30

Originally Posted by Stoutheart

All right - a thread where I have some experience....

(1) Lack of protective gear: Many Yanks take the slogan "Land of the free, Home of the brave" a bit too literally when it comes to bikes. They think to be "free" and "brave" on a bike, you shouldn't be wearing protective gear. I'm an ATGATT rider; if it's too hot to wear the gear, it's too hot to ride - but I'd say less than half my fellow Yanks feel the same way.

(2) Bikes just aren't a big thing in the U.S. I thnk it has to do with cheap gas, crappy public transportation, widely variable weather, and big distances. Most riders don't like snow, and snow is a fact of life for at least three months out of the year for over half the country. So most everyone has a car - for the winter, for the places public transportation doesn't go - and you therefore don't *need* a bike. Unless you understand why dogs hang their heads out car windows....

(3) Except for some mountain regions (the Sierras along the West coast, the Rockies about a thousand miles east of the Sierras, and the Appalachian Mtns. along the east coast, the U.S. is FLAT. No need to build curved roads - the shortest distance is a straight line, which also explains the huge popularity of Hardly Abelson cruisers - great for going in a straight line.

That's why I'm looking forward to coming to ride in a country where bikes are popular and curves are plentiful (not referring to the types of curves Roger saw in Vegas). Even if it is more pricey than the U.S.....

I agree with all of the above. You are most welcome to come down here, I am sure myself and a few other Kbers will look after you! You need a bike that goes around corners though......but you all ready know that!

**avgas** · 26th October 2010, 14:45

I got to the pic and stopped paying attention.
What was the article about?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 26th October 2010, 15:14

Originally Posted by scumdog

. (and in 104+F heat you would die if all leathered up - and on a freeway it would be a waste of time if you arsed-up - it would only serve to hold your run-over-by-an-18-wheeler-or-two body in one piece...maybe.

.

Can't agree with you there. I rode from LA to Las Vegas in 48 deg c heat, and found it was more bearable with my leather jacket on. Once in Vegas I went for a quick ride with a tee shirt on...and the heat blast was much worse on bare skin. It was fucking hard work though. Sure made the beers at my destination taste REAL good.

**White trash** · 26th October 2010, 15:53

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Once in Vegas I went for a quick ride with a tee shirt on...and the heat blast was much worse on bare skin. It was fucking hard work though.

What a tough cunt.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 26th October 2010, 16:00

Thanks for noticing!

**scumdog** · 26th October 2010, 16:26

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Can't agree with you there. I rode from LA to Las Vegas in 48 deg c heat, and found it was more bearable with my leather jacket on. Once in Vegas I went for a quick ride with a tee shirt on...and the heat blast was much worse on bare skin. It was fucking hard work though. Sure made the beers at my destination taste REAL good.

I wore a long sleeved shirt, short on protection but long on comfort.
Mrs S.D. bought a leather jacket but quckly had it on the laggage rack, too hot.

We were on a big Harley with large screen and fairing.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 26th October 2010, 16:31

Originally Posted by scumdog

I wore a long sleeved shirt, short on protection but long on comfort.
Mrs S.D. bought a leather jacket but quckly had it on the laggage rack, too hot.

We were on a big Harley with large screen and fairing.

Sure is hard work eh! I was on a Buell XB12SS Harley lent me, and I wrung it's neck!

**White trash** · 27th October 2010, 09:20

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Sure is hard work eh! I was on a Buell XB12SS Harley lent me, and I wrung it's neck!

As I said, tough cunt. Wrung its neck? What'd see ya see on the clock, 120?

**Crasherfromwayback** · 27th October 2010, 09:28

Originally Posted by White trash

As I said, tough cunt. Wrung its neck? What'd see ya see on the clock, 120?

135...but being nakid (the bike dummy), it felt like 180! Pretty sure I posted picks of the road through Yosemite. Without doubt THE best road I'v ever ridden!