Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[dkaz]

Thing I find is that e-bikes can travel down shared paths and bike lanes, out of traffic

My ex just got an ebike, we went on a ride with the kids and it was pretty nice. There's certainly an advantage in high traffic areas where motorcycles aren't allowed to lane filter.

If getting an older bike to start, would recommend it has ABS. Pretty sure that would have saved me a couple times, both front (hitting oil) and back (highside)

CBR 250Rs are great. 

There are older bikes that had ABS too. Honda ST1100/1300 had optional ABS from its release in the 90s until 2004 when it became standard.

Guys, let's leave all the links to deaths and injuries out of this thread, we already know the dangers, no need to be like every non-riding friend/relative.

 

Fear-mongering is extremely useless and very irritating.

Don't contribute to threads within threads that you don't like.  Simple as that.

For a lot of people, thinking through the risks and the ways to reasonably manage them is part of the decision making process behind deciding whether to get a bike and which bike to get.

And what sane person thinks matching bike to rider with a view to safety is "extremely useless and very irritating". 

As I age I am trying to become more accommodating of perspectives I cannot relate to.  But...here it goes...what a stupid post.  Apologies.  I earnestly tried not to say it.

I actually watch a fair bit of motorcycle crash videos, it shows you how crashes happen and where to pay attention so it doesn't happen to you.  It can be a dangerous sport, knowing that isn't a bad thing.

Also, too bad Jaeger is in the city, learning on dirt roads and off-road is the way to go IMHO, at least for the mechanics of learning controls and operation.   
Riding on the street is a very different thing, especially urban/suburban.

Honestly, it's good to be aware why crashes happen. It helps us learn how to not make the same mistakes. There is a lot of risk management involved in riding.

[rrocket]

My Duke came with both color body panels so I could mix and match...

[rrocket]

You just bought that KTM?

It's a 2017 I bought new.

Rode it, modded it....sold it.

Fantastic bike that punches way above its weight.


I made a few different posts about it.

Here's my oil change DIY:  https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=101830.msg1382971#msg1382971

Exhaust:  https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=98990.msg1368910#msg1368910

Tail Bag:  https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=98990.msg1384032#msg1384032

Valve job: https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=98990.msg1431418#msg1431418

Micro wind deflector: https://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php?topic=98990.msg1432064#msg1432064

[Triple Bob]

I workout in the early mornings with CP24 on the TV for some daily news.  Beginning in spring, there is frequently a news item over a motorcycle fatality.

I think what we're saying AP is that posts like this are useless, and irritating. We all know the risks involved, and like Blur, I sometimes watch crash videos just to remind me of them. But constant posts and link to accidents are the same as all my non-biker family/friends/friends of friends, telling you their story about their family member/friend/friend of friend who got hurt/died on a bike, just because they find out you ride. It's like duh, we know.

[Triple Bob]

I workout in the early mornings with CP24 on the TV for some daily news.  Beginning in spring, there is frequently a news item over a motorcycle fatality.

I think what we're saying AP is that posts like this are useless, and irritating. We all know the risks involved, and like Blur, I sometimes watch crash videos just to remind me of them. But constant posts and link to accidents are the same as all my non-biker family/friends/friends of friends, telling you their story about their family member/friend/friend of friend who got hurt/died on a bike, just because they find out you ride. It's like duh, we know.

Okay, message received.  I suppose it would be like continuously posting the negative health effects of alcohol in the beer thread...

The reason my mind goes there on this topic is because there is such a strong association in my mind between safety and bikes.  So when Jaeger was mooting different bikes, my mind went to relative crash risks...

But, ya, I get it.

 

[Brig]

I think what we're saying AP is that posts like this are useless, and irritating. We all know the risks involved, and like Blur, I sometimes watch crash videos just to remind me of them. But constant posts and link to accidents are the same as all my non-biker family/friends/friends of friends, telling you their story about their family member/friend/friend of friend who got hurt/died on a bike, just because they find out you ride. It's like duh, we know.

Thank you.

[dkaz]

I shared the mattress flying off the vehicle story to remind everyone that if they're going to transport things outside their vehicle, make sure it's secure.

In reality, other motorists are at fault in just 20% of motorcycle accidents.

[ktm525]

I watched a rider on some sort of crotch rocket grab a fistful of throttle on an expressway and slam into the back of a semi pulling a trailer. To this day I have no idea what that rider was thinking. Yeah they mostly do it to themselves. OK that is my one and only grisly story.

[Arthur Dent]

Rookie that confused throttle with brake? The controls are a little intimidatingly the very first time if you did not grow up around bikes. Panic/brain fart is the only thing I can think of.

A small percentage of the time some of it is just bad luck like my front wheel randomly locking last summer. Maybe a rock into the brake caliper. I dunno. Weird crap happens sometimes.

[ktm525]

Rookie that confused throttle with brake? The controls are a little intimidatingly the very first time if you did not grow up around bikes. Panic/brain fart is the only thing I can think of.

A small percentage of the time some of it is just bad luck like my front wheel randomly locking last summer. Maybe a rock into the brake caliper. I dunno. Weird crap happens sometimes.

He was merging onto the expressway and grabbed a couple shifts so I think he wanted to let the big dog eat. A litre bike goes from slow to yikes pretty damn fast.

[PJungnitsch]

Like when a buddy let me try out his big sled

“Before you open it up, look waaaay ahead of you for barbed wire fences, ditches, etc”

[Jaeger]

So is there no ~600cc Duke? 

[ktm525]

So is there no ~600cc Duke? 

Looks like the 690 was dropped or at least not coming to canada. I would take the 690 SMC anyhow. Or better yet get a 690 with the off road wheels and then get a set of super moto wheels. Then you are ready for anything.

[Jaeger]

So I went and checked out the 390. Liked it better in the metal than I thought I would. New grey colour for 2021 (with plenty orange, natch) looks cool.

The low seat height was a bit offset by the wide flaring tank. I'll be interested to see how the taller but narrower Husqy feels.

Not sure how I feel about the value equation. At 6900 it seems like a nice bit of kit for the money. But does the Trident feel like it is $3k nicer? Easily, in my very inexpert opinion.

[blur911]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/london/ktm-duke-390/1570294668?undefined

Pick up a used one that's like new for $5k?

[Jaeger]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/london/ktm-duke-390/1570294668?undefined

Pick up a used one that's like new for $5k?

Yikes that one didn't see much use. That kind of price differential is more compelling. Cheers.

[blur911]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/london/ktm-duke-390/1570294668?undefined

Pick up a used one that's like new for $5k?

Yikes that one didn't see much use. That kind of price differential is more compelling. Cheers.

There's an RC390 on there with only 6km.
There are always barely broken in bikes at a discount.

[rrocket]

Look for a 2016+ used 690 Duke if you want more power. Can be had very reasonable. Engine is spectacular.

I'd buy either a 390 or 690 used as they can be had cheaply..which is important for a stepping stone bike.

The 390 also has some nice tech/details that even some more expensive bikes don't have

[DriverJeff]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/london/ktm-duke-390/1570294668?undefined

Pick up a used one that's like new for $5k?

Yikes that one didn't see much use. That kind of price differential is more compelling. Cheers.

This is exactly what I was talking about...  get something new-ish, that's seriously discounted, so even riding it for only a few months won't impact the wallet.  You're just paying the insurance and fuel to "rent" it for a few months, if you will.   

[Jaeger]

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/london/ktm-duke-390/1570294668?undefined

Pick up a used one that's like new for $5k?

Yikes that one didn't see much use. That kind of price differential is more compelling. Cheers.

This is exactly what I was talking about...  get something new-ish, that's seriously discounted, so even riding it for only a few months won't impact the wallet.  You're just paying the insurance and fuel to "rent" it for a few months, if you will.