# Non-motorcyclists: How many of you are considering a bike? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2006, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411 "2006-10-22T04:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/41 "2006-10-23T20:12:18Z")
Man, I’ve got my eyes freakin’ _glued_ on the prize: [Triumph Scrambler](http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/4562.aspx), baby! Wife got a scooter so I got bitten by the two-wheeled bug. I can’t wait 'til we win the Lotto … and move into a place that come with two parking spaces … and get my license … and … and … ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/42 "2006-10-23T21:02:13Z")
[QUOTE=JillGat] **In my opinion** (not to start a debate or anything), scooters are less safe. The smaller wheels are not as stable and the lack of power makes them harder to accelerate out of trouble. If the accident or death rate is lower for scooter riders than motorcycle riders, it would only be because a smaller percentage of that population is of the hot dog, invincible, macho persuasion compared to bikers. Scooter riders also tend not to wear as much protective gear and are probably often not trained. [/QUOTE] All of those factors probably make scooters more dangerous than motorcycles at the same speed, but the fact is that no one takes a scooter up to 80+ mph. The last time we did a thread on the relative dangers of motorcycling, it was noted that speed at time of crash is _highly_ correlated with resultant serious injury and fatality. That factor tends to push motorcycles over the edge. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/43 "2006-10-24T01:09:41Z")
[QUOTE=bouv] I’m not really a fan of the way the sidecar on the Enfield’s looks. I guess the closest way to describe the style I’m looking for is more like an older military style, like what Zack Braff’s character drove in “Garden State.” And why not in CA? Do they have laws against sidecars? [/QUOTE] Well, there’s always the Ural. It’s a Russian bike. Haven’t seen one in years, but I’m sure they’re out there. No, CA doesn’t have a law against sidecars. I think the reason you can’t buy a new Royal Enfield is because it won’t pass the emission test. (If anyone has a cite, please post it!) ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/44 "2006-10-24T13:45:45Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Well, there’s always the Ural. It’s a Russian bike. Haven’t seen one in years, but I’m sure they’re out there. [/QUOTE] Looks like you can get them from the UK. [£5195.00 IN GREEN - £5295.00 IN CAMO](http://www.f2motorcycles.ltd.uk/uralcombo.html) Now I want one! Apparently you can also get sidecar bikes domestically! (I REALLY want [this one](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-Indian-Chief-100th-Anniv-Motorcycle-with-Sidecar_W0QQitemZ120044138957QQihZ002QQcategoryZ6709QQcmdZViewItem), but in RED!) ---
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/45 "2006-10-25T12:05:07Z")
[QUOTE=butler1850] Looks like you can get them from the UK. [£5195.00 IN GREEN - £5295.00 IN CAMO](http://http://www.f2motorcycles.ltd.uk/uralcombo.html) Now I want one! Apparently you can also get sidecar bikes domestically! (I REALLY want [this one](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-Indian-Chief-100th-Anniv-Motorcycle-with-Sidecar_W0QQitemZ120044138957QQihZ002QQcategoryZ6709QQcmdZViewItem), but in RED!) [/QUOTE] Oh, I’m in love all over again! Plus, there’s a Ural dealer down here in Miami. 10 grand for the sidecar combo … Damn! I’ve GOT to win the Lotto! ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/46 "2006-10-25T12:51:50Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] They’re great for commuting, and with the high price of gas I really appreciate their efficiency. [/QUOTE] Great for commuting? You must not be expecting a white Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/47 "2006-10-25T16:36:50Z")
[QUOTE=js\_africanus] Great for commuting? You must not be expecting a white Christmas. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I don’t know what to make of all this commentary about storing bikes for the winter. What is this “weather” you speak of? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/48 "2006-10-25T17:41:03Z")
I want one, but only in a vague way that means I’ll probably never actually go out and buy one, since it’s pretty low on my list of “things I want to spend large amounts of money on”. My BIL recently got one (a Harley and it looks new, other than that I don’t know specifics). I’d never ridden on one so he took me for a ride. It was a lot of fun, and they feel a lot more stable to ride than they look. I wish I had been able to ride it longer! I think I just want someone I know to get one, so I can get rides on it occassionally. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/49 "2006-10-25T17:51:43Z")
[QUOTE=Asimovian] Yeah, I don’t know what to make of all this commentary about storing bikes for the winter. What is this “weather” you speak of? [/QUOTE] Ah, I see. There is this atmospheric phenomenon called “weather” and during portions of the year, it becomes cold. (The scientific explanation for this is that og is opening his freezer door.) Anyway, the “rain” that falls when it is warm comes down frozen; this is called “skier’s heroine.” The roads become covered with this frozen “water” and there is a layer of this frozen “water” on the roadways; this sheet of of frozen “water” is called the “poor man’s ice machine,” where “ice” is what you tell people you intend to break up when you buy a sharp, pointy thing to stab someone with. This “poor man’s ice machine” is what we call “slippery as snot on a wet rock.” Note, this is not turned into an acronym pronounced “SAS-oawr,” insted the whole phrase is used. Under these conditions, two-wheeled vehicles fall over, causing the rider to be run over by a vehicle of four or more wheels, and the rider then becomes what we call “fubar,” which in this case, means “fubar’ed under big-assed rig,” and “fubar” in the second sense means “fucked up beyond all recognition.” Some ride in this cold time anyway, and one who does so is known as an “idiot”; this means “imbecile doing idiotic outdoor things.” In order to keep from mixing up what to drive during the year, we have a helpful rhyme to steer us from danger. It goes “two wheels unapposed when og’s freezer door is closed, and two wheels are verboten when that door is open.” I hope that helps clear things up! ---
**Author:** ![Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Enter\_the\_Flagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enter_the_Flagon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/50 "2006-10-25T20:04:35Z")
[QUOTE=js\_africanus] In order to keep from mixing up what to drive during the year, we have a helpful rhyme to steer us from danger. It goes “two wheels unapposed when og’s freezer door is closed, and two wheels are verboten when that door is open.” I hope that helps clear things up! [/QUOTE] Uh, would you, by any chance, be available to marry my sister? We could sure use you around the table at Thanksgiving and Christmas. No? Well how about my brother, then? ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411/51 "2006-10-25T21:18:55Z")
[QUOTE=Enter the Flagon] Uh, would you, by any chance, be available to marry my sister? [/QUOTE] Yes. Is she into gladiator movies? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-motorcyclists-how-many-of-you-are-considering-a-bike/377411.md?page=2)