Biker life as we knew it is over...

[Motu]

Older bikes didn't have folding pegs,kickstarters,and had steel levers.Plenty to dig in and slow the bike down.I once lost 2inches from a kickstart lever - the mark was in the road for years until they resealed.I have layed a bike down on a speedway track too,it's instinctive and fast.

I have no problems with the electronics and techo stuff of a modern motorcycle - but the essence of a motorcycle to me is simplicity and function.I have been very happy to get away from the high tech and go back to a bike that is easy to work on and fix - I can change a carb diaphram in 5 minutes....just like on a Hillman Hunter.But I'd like to get away from things that need replacing like carb diaphrams even if they are easy to replace - Skinner's Union didn't need no diaphrams.

[Big Dave]

I like old motorcycles. Other people's old motorcycles are my favourite.

The pulse of a Meriden Bonneville is superior to a Hinckley. But it's just so noice to stick the key in the ignition and it starts every time, and gets home every time.

[imdying]

Are you insinuating that I am lacking logic???

Yes.

Where is the logic in: "Sorry, the commander unit is broken. Cant be fixed. U need a new one. Cost ya $750"

They're not made in England by Lucas.

Or in: "You need to bring the bike in so we can connect it up to our computer and find out what is wrong. It might be that you are right, she is not getting petrol. But w/o connecting her up we won't know"

You mean the paper clip I insert into the loom which activates dealer mode and then shows me the fault codes on the dash? I hate to be the one to tell ya, but your fears appear to stem from ignorance.

[Pixie]

I rode Solo Speedway. There was no brakes. The technique to stop was to lay her down on the L/H side. Sadly that is where the open clutch and chains are. But it stops you very fast from 100K/h+. Have also used the technique to save my life one the road. Twice. Becomes a reflex.

One more Old Fart Rose Coloured Goggles Bullshit Thread.

Let's all develop the "Fall of The Bike If We Get Into Trouble" reflex

[Conquiztador]

One more Old Fart Rose Coloured Goggles Bullshit Thread.

Let's all develop the "Fall of The Bike If We Get Into Trouble" reflex

I take the "Old fart" part.
I detest the "Bullshit Thread"

And re the reflex: You hold on to the bike sonny, as it will shield you. But as Motu mentioned, todays bikes with all the plastics, folding footpegs, and add to that the asphalt/tar seal roads, you most probably slide further then if you had taken a handful of brake and held on standing up.

Then again, the two times I did lay the bike down I might not have been here if I had not.

Firs time: I was young and following the school bus (with school mates at the back window) too close on my little 2stroke (the drag effect made her go REALLY fast, or so it felt, probably 80k/h in reality) when the bus suddenly stopped. I laid her down on the L/H side and skidded under the bus where the bus back axle stopped my skidding. I lay there for ages (I thought) but reality was probably 15 seconds. The bus took off and I got up, kickstarted the bike and carried on.

Second time: Riding on a road I did not know in the rain night time too fast following others. I had fallen a little behind and tried on a straight catch up to them. The road suddenly turned 90 degrees to the left and I was going too fast. In the rain there was no way to stop, and there was a brick fence ahead. I laid the bike down and hit the wall with both wheels, front wheel first. I twisted the forks a fraction, damaged some other bits including my knee. Ended up in hospital for a couple of days. But inside a week I was back on the bike.

You be the judge. I rather have the bike between me and a solid object when hitting it instead of testing how good my leather gear really is on full impact.

[Conquiztador]

Yes.

They're not made in England by Lucas.

You mean the paper clip I insert into the loom which activates dealer mode and then shows me the fault codes on the dash? I hate to be the one to tell ya, but your fears appear to stem from ignorance.

In a past life I was an Electronic Engineer, so there is not much fear for electronics. I specialised in electro-mechanical machinery where fault diagnostics was a daily thing. Often I find that there was no fault with the machine, but the sensor that now was telling me that we had a problem was the culprit. Swap sensor and machine was back to fully functioning. Wonder how often this is the outcome in todays bike repairs? You are paying $200 to not fix a fault, but a sensor!

I was reading somewhere a chap complaining that his bike would die if the oil level sensor indicated that the oil level was too low. Brilliant!