Visability through fear?

**Motoracer** · 9th December 2003, 13:29

LOL Yea, I guess I shouldn't make such claims with out testing both types of bikes. I was just saying that bikes these days have so much power available at an instant (specially the fule injected once) that if you aren't concentrating for a bit, you could get into trouble. But I guess the older big bikes had lots grunt (torque) as well. Ok I forfit my point regarding the more porne thing.

I guess I just got flash backs from the time I fucked up a nice bike doing exactly the same thing.

**Coldkiwi** · 9th December 2003, 16:31

Two things:

my comments about flip up lids are the same as open face lids: A scary liability, especially the half face ones.

Point 1: (Ok... this got way too long when typing so I'll start a new thread eh?)

Point 2: Motoracer raises a REALLY interesting question about safety of newer bikes. Yes they brake better but are you not also more likely to get into strife with the much higher levels of power available? Possibly more forgiving chassis/motor combinations than certain machines of yesteryear?

I'd love to know if anyone's done research on this.

**Timber020** · 9th December 2003, 18:05

Bike accidents are caused by a number of factors. Road conditions, speed, rider input, and the dreaded outside input of other road users. The first 3 you can often have at least some control over, but that 3rd one is up to lady luck, and she doesnt like you!
You could have an accident every time you get on a bike or you could get away with it for years. We do make our own luck but sometimes you just get dealt a crap hand and theres no amount of skill, bike handling and alertness that will get you out of.
I heard statistically bike riders are more likely to get hurt or injured during there motorcycling lifespan than a person entering the armed forces in WW2. Id believe it!

**Jackrat** · 9th December 2003, 18:28

Here we go again.
BOOOOOOOARINGGGGGGGG

**wkid_one** · 9th December 2003, 19:36

Fuck - at the end of the day the rider has the accident not the bike - end of argument. I agree with Jackrat........boring.

**Timber020** · 9th December 2003, 20:02

http://www.thenoel.org/asianprince/

I wonder if he has a German style helmet?

**Lou Girardin** · 11th December 2003, 12:00

I suppose anything's possible coldkiwi, but the Nolan N100 I use is approved for race use in the UK, so that'll do me. And it's much more user friendly for commuting, hot days etc.
Lou

**Hitcher** · 11th December 2003, 13:13

Originally posted by Timber020
Okay, with summer I sometimes wear my motocross helmet as its cooler. It happens to have an lycra over skin on it that makes the helmet appear like a big skull.

What I have noticed is that I get less people pulling out infront of me while I ride, they seem to see me easier. I have 2 theories about this

1) People see the helmet easier (although it has less visable colors than my road helmet)

2)The helmet is kinda generally scary looking.

3) The helmet has 2 big eyes on it, from our natural instincts we look out for creatures that are larger and threaten us. We "notice" eyes looking at us, so people spot me and give me room.

Maybe we could use this fear thing, should we look meaner?

Jeez... You'll have the LTSA making it mandatory to fit those flourescent stick-on mohawks at this rate...

**jrandom** · 11th December 2003, 13:19

There should be bunny ears. Stick-on pink and white bunny ears. Just not on *my* helmet.

Dunno if there's anyone around here retailing them directly, I've certainly seen a few riders wearing them but presumably they got them direct from Aerostitch in the States.

**Hitcher** · 11th December 2003, 17:33

I think that bunny ears, or are they beagle ears?, are the preserve of the "Queen of the Rimutakas"

LB · 11th December 2003, 17:47

Hi there Hitcher - this is the "Queen of the Rimutakas" here. Complete with dog's ears. I have a dalmation set, and a brown floppy set. I lost one of the brown ones on a trip a couple of weeks ago (the husband wasn't behind to stop and pick it up). The sucker stayed on, but the cotton holding the ear to the sucker broke.

For non-Wellingtonians (and those Wellingtonians who I haven't yet met) I'm not called Queen of the Takas because I'm fast (I'm not - evidenced by my rather wide chicken strip) but because I sit up the top on the fence and "hold court"!!

Hitcher: I think we've met haven't we? Breakfast at Carterton one day a few months ago? Two matching Kwackas? Hi again!

Lynda

**Hitcher** · 11th December 2003, 17:52

Originally posted by Lynda Blair
Hi there Hitcher - this is the "Queen of the Rimutakas" here. Complete with dog's ears. I have a dalmation set, and a brown floppy set. I lost one of the brown ones on a trip a couple of weeks ago (the husband wasn't behind to stop and pick it up). The sucker stayed on, but the cotton holding the ear to the sucker broke.

For non-Wellingtonians (and those Wellingtonians who I haven't yet met) I'm not called Queen of the Takas because I'm fast (I'm not - evidenced by my rather wide chicken strip) but because I sit up the top on the fence and "hold court"!!

Hitcher: I think we've met haven't we? Breakfast at Carterton one day a few months ago? Two matching Kwackas? Hi again!

Lynda

Good evening Your Highness

We met some months ago atop the 'takas back in our "250" era. The Hitcher family has recently upgraded its kit, with my best half now joyfully astride a brandspanking VZ800K3 Marauder and me with the ZRex. Roll on summer... Woo hoo!

LB · 11th December 2003, 17:56

Hi there Hitcher - my memory is failing me sorry, so hopefully we'll meet up again soon. Pleased to hear about the new purchases. I won't be at the top of the hill for a few weekends - it's Manfeild this weekend, Morrinsville the next, then a bit of touring over the Christmas break.

Lynda

LB · 12th December 2003, 04:29

I got my ears from Joe Lett Suzuki in Wanganui. One of the guys there had been overseas and bought a few pair back. Perry Lett and Charlie Brown used to wear them during the last Suzuki Series race meetings, which is where i first saw them. I thought they were really neat, so I found out where they got them from and got a couple of pair. Hamish has made me a new set to replace the brown ones, I bought some dalmation fabric. I'm not sure if they've got any left at Joe Lett. A Wgtn VTR rider has a pair of brown ones and a pair of cat's ones. You get heaps of waves and laughs from people when you're riding along, either pedestrians or people (esp. kids) in cars.

The ears are very "me". They make a statement....not sure what they say though.