:: automatic for the people
Why don't you take a motorcycle test on a big geared bike, so you can ride everything? Including the scooter you desire. Well.. Good point, and it's been made by enough people to warrant a blog entry. Rather that than explain it again and again. Unfortunately, the more people try to convince me to do something, the less likely I am to do it. Which might make me an idiot, but it's just the way I roll.
I've got absolutely nothing against 'proper bikers', but I am sick to death of fitting in with the crowd. Motorcycling was once about the true freedom of the open road. Now when you decide not to be confined to a cage, you're confined to a box instead. You can be an enduro tourist on a big bmw, a cruiser, a kneedown racer, a commuter or any other kind of biker. Or you can scoot, which is only slightly better than being a cager. The amount of bullshit I've put up with from instructors and other bikers is stupendous.
The truth is that an automatic bike these days is not a slow moped, neither is it the tool of choice for women and fat, retarded or physically disabled men. Though I have no appreciation for the ship-like Burgman 650, most wasp-like mopeds or freaky concepts such as the Honda DN-01.. The truth is that a Honda SH300i can tackle towns, A and B roads quicker than an R1 and with more comfort, tank range and safety to boot. Might not be quick as quick at the lights or as naughty on the motorway, but it'll do Lands End to John O'Groats no problem. Not having to bother with a clutch and gears might mean that overtakes, especially fast ones, need a bit more contemplation, but 'the open road' does not exist anyway. Our potholed roads with their ignored double yellows, distracted pedestrians, adverse cambers and horrendous weather are safer and more comfortable on a scoot. Simple as. No risk of stalling while crossing a dual carriageway on amber lights, no tricky hill starts, no unexpected wheelies, less spills on icy surfaces, more protection from wind and rain. And only ever so slightly less fun.
But the ideal ofcourse is riding an automatic with a semi-automatic in either hand: http://youtu.be/6XKeFY8iBtA
;o) (rant over)
I've got absolutely nothing against 'proper bikers', but I am sick to death of fitting in with the crowd. Motorcycling was once about the true freedom of the open road. Now when you decide not to be confined to a cage, you're confined to a box instead. You can be an enduro tourist on a big bmw, a cruiser, a kneedown racer, a commuter or any other kind of biker. Or you can scoot, which is only slightly better than being a cager. The amount of bullshit I've put up with from instructors and other bikers is stupendous.
The truth is that an automatic bike these days is not a slow moped, neither is it the tool of choice for women and fat, retarded or physically disabled men. Though I have no appreciation for the ship-like Burgman 650, most wasp-like mopeds or freaky concepts such as the Honda DN-01.. The truth is that a Honda SH300i can tackle towns, A and B roads quicker than an R1 and with more comfort, tank range and safety to boot. Might not be quick as quick at the lights or as naughty on the motorway, but it'll do Lands End to John O'Groats no problem. Not having to bother with a clutch and gears might mean that overtakes, especially fast ones, need a bit more contemplation, but 'the open road' does not exist anyway. Our potholed roads with their ignored double yellows, distracted pedestrians, adverse cambers and horrendous weather are safer and more comfortable on a scoot. Simple as. No risk of stalling while crossing a dual carriageway on amber lights, no tricky hill starts, no unexpected wheelies, less spills on icy surfaces, more protection from wind and rain. And only ever so slightly less fun.
But the ideal ofcourse is riding an automatic with a semi-automatic in either hand: http://youtu.be/6XKeFY8iBtA
;o) (rant over)