Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[ktm525]

I figure you can just tell by feel and exhaust note . A you open the throttle you figure out real quick that you are going to need to drop a gear (or two  )?

[DriverJeff]

I've gotten into watching episodes of Succession on flights (since I don't have HBO at home).  Anyway, I was amused to see one of the main characters forgoing his usual S-Class limo to be chauffeured around on a Goldwing in Season 2. 

Kind of a neat idea for those who need to get through Manhattan's traffic in a hurry I guess.

[Jaeger]

I figure you can just tell by feel and exhaust note . A you open the throttle you figure out real quick that you are going to need to drop a gear (or two  )?

Okay - it's super easy for you, and your awesomeness is manifest. All hail. 

But my wife is a new rider and likes the reassurance of glancing down and seeing what gear she's in.  Not very hardcore, but she's not trying to be.    Given that gear indicators are standard equipment on a TON of motorcycles these days, it's safe to say she's not alone in her preference.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in. 

[Jaeger]

I've gotten into watching episodes of Succession on flights (since I don't have HBO at home).  Anyway, I was amused to see one of the main characters forgoing his usual S-Class limo to be chauffeured around on a Goldwing in Season 2. 

Kind of a neat idea for those who need to get through Manhattan's traffic in a hurry I guess.

That's cool.  I watched that show for a while then kind of lost interest.  Enjoyed it for a bit, but it eventually turned into same @#$%, different day.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I've gotten into watching episodes of Succession on flights (since I don't have HBO at home).  Anyway, I was amused to see one of the main characters forgoing his usual S-Class limo to be chauffeured around on a Goldwing in Season 2. 

Kind of a neat idea for those who need to get through Manhattan's traffic in a hurry I guess.

That's cool.  I watched that show for a while then kind of lost interest.  Enjoyed it for a bit, but it eventually turned into same @#$%, different day.

I do get turned off by TV shows that start off good, but then get formulaic after a few seasons.  Shameless was like that for me.  Really enjoyed the first few seasons - stopped watching after four.

[Jaeger]

I've gotten into watching episodes of Succession on flights (since I don't have HBO at home).  Anyway, I was amused to see one of the main characters forgoing his usual S-Class limo to be chauffeured around on a Goldwing in Season 2. 

Kind of a neat idea for those who need to get through Manhattan's traffic in a hurry I guess.

That's cool.  I watched that show for a while then kind of lost interest.  Enjoyed it for a bit, but it eventually turned into same @#$%, different day.

I do get turned off by TV shows that start off good, but then get formulaic after a few seasons.  Shameless was like that for me.  Really enjoyed the first few seasons - stopped watching after four.

Yup - it happens a lot.

[blur911]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

[Jaeger]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

[Gurgie]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

My 2006 ZZR-600 had no gear indicator & no fuel gauge either. Reset the trip meter when you fill up & then you gotta rough idea on how far you could go. Now if you're really ripping on it that mileage was A LOT less. Once it would sputter you'd reach down on the left & turn the fuel petcock over to reserve & stop at the next gas station. Never ran out, but certainly came close.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[ktm525]

I figure you can just tell by feel and exhaust note . A you open the throttle you figure out real quick that you are going to need to drop a gear (or two  )?

Okay - it's super easy for you, and your awesomeness is manifest. All hail. 

But my wife is a new rider and likes the reassurance of glancing down and seeing what gear she's in.  Not very hardcore, but she's not trying to be.    Given that gear indicators are standard equipment on a TON of motorcycles these days, it's safe to say she's not alone in her preference.

I guess I am confused, how does knowing what gear you are in help? Sluggish response or the sound of the engine about to explode are better indications of what's going on? Glancing down for confirmation seems like a worse idea?

[blur911]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

Your bikes probably even have tachometers too...my BMW doesn't even have a key.
The fuel gauge consists of it flashing "FUEL" on the tiny LCD dash you never look at, then you run out about 10km later.

[PJungnitsch]

I figure you can just tell by feel and exhaust note . A you open the throttle you figure out real quick that you are going to need to drop a gear (or two  )?

Okay - it's super easy for you, and your awesomeness is manifest. All hail. 

But my wife is a new rider and likes the reassurance of glancing down and seeing what gear she's in.  Not very hardcore, but she's not trying to be.    Given that gear indicators are standard equipment on a TON of motorcycles these days, it's safe to say she's not alone in her preference.

I guess I am confused, how does knowing what gear you are in help? Sluggish response or the sound of the engine about to explode are better indications of what's going on? Glancing down for confirmation seems like a worse idea?

You can avoid that happening, is the nice part. Put one on my Vstrom and while it's not something you need, it's a useful farkle

[Jaeger]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

My 2006 ZZR-600 had no gear indicator & no fuel gauge either. Reset the trip meter when you fill up & then you gotta rough idea on how far you could go. Now if you're really ripping on it that mileage was A LOT less. Once it would sputter you'd reach down on the left & turn the fuel petcock over to reserve & stop at the next gas station. Never ran out, but certainly came close.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

There's been quite a lot of change in standard tech since 2006.  Absence of a fuel gauge absolutely baffles me, though. That's not new tech. It's not expensive tech. I can't see a single downside to including it. Those who still want to log their mileage at fill-ups and then do math aren't prevented from doing so.

[Jaeger]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

Your bikes probably even have tachometers too...my BMW doesn't even have a key.
The fuel gauge consists of it flashing "FUEL" on the tiny LCD dash you never look at, then you run out about 10km later.

Well mine has a tach, hers doesn't. So far she has expressed that she's missing not having a tach exactly 0%.  I do like to know when I'm approaching 11k rpm, but to be fair, the ungodly howl does give me a hint. 

[Gurgie]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

My 2006 ZZR-600 had no gear indicator & no fuel gauge either. Reset the trip meter when you fill up & then you gotta rough idea on how far you could go. Now if you're really ripping on it that mileage was A LOT less. Once it would sputter you'd reach down on the left & turn the fuel petcock over to reserve & stop at the next gas station. Never ran out, but certainly came close.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

There's been quite a lot of change in standard tech since 2006.  Absence of a fuel gauge absolutely baffles me, though. That's not new tech. It's not expensive tech. I can't see a single downside to including it. Those who still want to log their mileage at fill-ups and then do math aren't prevented from doing so.

Funny part is that my 1996 ZX-6E had a fuel gauge & then when I got the 2006 it didn't have one Guessing it was all part of saving weight overall though, as the 96 had a centre stand as well, while the 06 didn't.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

[PJungnitsch]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

My 2006 ZZR-600 had no gear indicator & no fuel gauge either. Reset the trip meter when you fill up & then you gotta rough idea on how far you could go. Now if you're really ripping on it that mileage was A LOT less. Once it would sputter you'd reach down on the left & turn the fuel petcock over to reserve & stop at the next gas station. Never ran out, but certainly came close.

Yeah, I remember some nerve wracking episodes with my '82 Vision when I didn't fuel up when I should. Turns out the reserve would take you a long way on that bike if you slow down and get real gentle on the throttle. Plenty of time to think about maybe not pulling a Kramer

[Jaeger]

I was just gonna point that out - probably not even that easy for a newer rider to know what gear they're in.

I'm always looking for 6th on my DRZ.
I don't think I've ever ridden a bike with a gear indicator.

My CB650R has it - and I can't think of a class competitor that doesn't - Kawi Z650, Trident 660, MT07 etc.  What's your most current road bike - that could explain things. 

Don't get me started on bikes that have no fuel gauge. 

My 2006 ZZR-600 had no gear indicator & no fuel gauge either. Reset the trip meter when you fill up & then you gotta rough idea on how far you could go. Now if you're really ripping on it that mileage was A LOT less. Once it would sputter you'd reach down on the left & turn the fuel petcock over to reserve & stop at the next gas station. Never ran out, but certainly came close.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

There's been quite a lot of change in standard tech since 2006.  Absence of a fuel gauge absolutely baffles me, though. That's not new tech. It's not expensive tech. I can't see a single downside to including it. Those who still want to log their mileage at fill-ups and then do math aren't prevented from doing so.

Funny part is that my 1996 ZX-6E had a fuel gauge & then when I got the 2006 it didn't have one Guessing it was all part of saving weight overall though, as the 96 had a centre stand as well, while the 06 didn't.

Sent from my SM-S901W using Tapatalk

 

[Jaeger]

Got out for a quick rip yesterday.  Well past peak colours but it was still a nice glimpse of the last of the season.

[Bubba]

Got out for a quick rip yesterday.  Well past peak colours but it was still a nice glimpse of the last of the season.

Looks like it was a fabulous day.

How careful do you have to be of leaves on the road?