Get a decent bike...

[Ixion]

A decent bike is always polite, is willing to help you when needed, never dresses in an immodest way, behaves in a seemly manner and never uses profanity or vulgar language.

Hope this helps.

Oh dear. two of mine are naked bikes. How indecent. I hope I don't get a ticket when riding them, for indecent bike exposure.

[merv]

Doh! Maybe my bike isnt so "decent" then! Ive heard her use profanities (sp?) on a few occasions now... And she definately is NOT polite

Loud and cute can be quite attractive.

[Wolf]

A decent bike is always polite, is willing to help you when needed, never dresses in an immodest way, behaves in a seemly manner and never uses profanity or vulgar language.

Hope this helps.

That's no fun. Where does one find a bike that slinks around in lingerie and swears like a trooper?

[Ruralman]

Too subjective, but if you screwed me down I'd have to describe a 'decent bike' as one that is built/used for the purpose intended, does it well and is reliable

This about sums it up. Anything that does what you want and puts a smile on your face is a good bike.
. I have a 2 stroker as a toy - that power band gets real exciting when its muddy and everything is going everwhere, or when you want the front leg in the air. Not sure I'd want one on the road tho and these days the blue smoke will get harder to get a warrant with. I reckon some of these high performance off road 4 strokes probably use more oil anyway 'cos you've got to change the oil every couple of rides but I suppose its less noticecable than burning it through the motor?

[Motu]

What smoke? Mine only smokes from cold,and they all do that - but on the road only the faintest trace at the tip.Watch the MotoGP 125's and 250's - you don't see any smoke there do you?

[Str8 Jacket]

Yeah, mine smokes a bit when it's cold and Ive been cheap and used partially synthetic oil. Otherwise if I use fully synthetic oil it doesnt smoke much at all. Either way it still smells great!

[Colapop]

What about if you use chip oil?

[Edbear]

Sadly I can't have two bikes so I have to resort to playing with a chain saw when I feel the need for a two stroke fix.

Just tryin' to picture you ridin' a chainsaw...

[Edbear]

I gave up on two strokes because whenever I really started enjoying myself on them they would always make speed holes in the top of the bloody pistons.

I used to use two different plugs in the old T500 - Champion L82Y's for low speed running and when heading out on the open roads I swapped to L78's which ran cooler and avoided this problem.

I still have very fond memories of the old girl after regretting selling it in '77 to get married. Still got the Missus, though, so all's good! Do love the GSX-F, got twice the power and far better handling and brakes!

Could get over 70mpg out of the T500 if I rode it right and the thirstiest I could make it was 33mpg - had to be doing over the ton for that! Topped out at 112mph on the speedo laying flat on the tank.

I agree with most here, if you like your bike and like riding it, it's gotta be a good one!

[McJim]

New Zealand is supposed to be a classless society isn't it? That's one of the reasons I moved here from blighty. If people are going to go around judging your bike (especially if these guys are on incredibly expensive bikes) then that, surely, is tantamount to them humbling you due to your income. My bike is not the cheapest learner in the world I must admit but I will still give a nod and a wave to people on nifty fifties, GN250s and even cyclists (force of habit - been a cyclist on the road myself for the past 22 years) we're all united on 2 wheels the way I see it.
I think you've got a decent bike...for years I couldn't afford one at all myself.

[Wolf]

My bike is not the cheapest learner in the world I must admit but I will still give a nod and a wave to people on nifty fifties, GN250s and even cyclists

Fair enough. I wave to everyone, even those on scooters, especially this time of the year as I figure anyone tootling about on two wheels in the crappy weather has got to be a dedicated kindred spirit no matter what size engine the bike has.

[McJim]

My only problem is that no one waves back coz I'm an arsehole (I use self deprecation as a comedy device.....but I'm not very good at it)

[Wolf]

My only problem is that no one waves back coz I'm an arsehole (I use self deprecation as a comedy device.....but I'm not very good at it)

Nah, they don't wave back because they have the issues...

I've gotten waves out of all sorts of folk - including startled-looking gang members, probably wondering who the fuck it is waving at them.

[Ixion]

The gang types seem to wave back to petal. I suspect it's all the chrome, and they can't make out what the hell it is

I used to use two different plugs in the old T500 - Champion L82Y's for low speed running and when heading out on the open roads I swapped to L78's which ran cooler and avoided this problem.

The trouble with that of course, is when you come to a small town after a period of fangery, and have to throttle back. The hard plugs proceed to cool down, and foul up by the end of the town speed limit. So your exit from the town is ignominiously on one intermittent cylinder, and it takes 20km to get back on song. Ah, two smokers, dontcha luv them