# When mods go bad - mr. Norman, do check in **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2001, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482 "2001-04-02T13:06:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/41 "2001-04-03T09:43:01Z")
I’ll second the motion on the Beemer, they’re so - sensible, somehow. Something a banker would buy - oooops. Though, if I were in the market for a cruiser, I’d take good, long look at the R1200C. But I’m not, so I won’t. Well, I’d love a vintage BMW to fiddle with, who wouldn’t ? Nah, mr. Mod, you buy a nice Jap 600cc generic bike to learn the ropes, then sell it and go Italian, if that’s what you want. Good gear is important, yup. Not only can it save your skin and other assorted bodyparts, but feeling unsafe leads to anxiety and jerky control movements. And, as has been stated, it gives us boring men with boring jobs the chance to dress up in leather and look mean. Don’t put kneesliders on the first suit, OK ? S. Norman ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/42 "2001-04-03T09:49:57Z")
Forgot one thing: Get thy ass to a track-day if you get the chance. Riding a bike on a track is mind-blowing. It’s fun, it adds confidence, it improves technique. I’ve seen the greenest rookie girl biker, ink wet on the license still, improve her confidence & lean-angle with several hundred percent over one day. It’s time and money very well spent. Sign up for the slowest group, giggle at the “go-fast-boys” dropping their bikes all over the place, then go out and learn when it becomes your turn. S. Norman ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/43 "2001-04-03T10:21:41Z")
The Japanese 600CC - Italian 1000 CC seems a very likely route to me. BMW’s are technically very interesting bikes, but don’t appeal to me in terms of looks. I know, that’s probably heresy to some people. And Spiny, I’m one of the least risk-averse bankers you’ll ever meet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/44 "2001-04-03T11:12:50Z")
Coldy, if you buy a rice burner, I’ll have to come over there and kick your ass myself. Not that there is anything wrong with Japenese bikes, but once you’ve rode an Italian, you’ll never go back. (take that pun what ever way you like, dirtbags!! 😉 ) When buying a lid, ignore the ones that look good. very often the best lids are plain, full face and made from hi-impact fiberglass. Plastic has a terriuble habit of getting easy stress fractures from accidental knocks. Get good boots, good leathers and good protection. a back protector is probably the best body protection you will need. Make sure there is strong knees and strong elbows in the clothing you get. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/45 "2001-04-03T14:07:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\*The Japanese 600CC - Italian 1000 CC seems a very likely route to me. BMW’s are technically very interesting bikes, but don’t appeal to me in terms of looks. I know, that’s probably heresy to some people. > \*\* BMW’s are good bikes, but Moto Guzzi’s are better built. I rode one for quite a while(I rode an 850T to my wedding), and I had a BMW R100S for a little while. If Guzzi’s weren’t built for you little people I might still have one instead of my Harley (my knees were always hitting the cylinder heads). An 850cc Moto goose has all the power anyone needs, especially to start out with. Just make sure you have a good battery, they take a lot of juice to turn over. Have you considered one of the new Triumphs? a friend of mine has a Triumph Adventurer(its about two years old), and it has been a great bike for him. Pretty much his daily transport. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/46 "2001-04-03T15:28:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwistofFate \* > **Plastic has a terriuble habit of getting easy stress fractures from accidental knocks.** “Accidental knocks”? Like what? Falling off the kitchen table? bdgr, with 1.86 meters (6 foot 2) I’m not exactly tiny. But hey, Spiny’s at least as tall, and he rides a Duc 748. I like some Guzzi’s, but not all. The [Triumph Sprint ST](http://www.triumph-motorcycles.ltd.uk/showroom/images/25big.jpg) is one of my faves, but it IS a tad expensive to buy. Hell, the license will cost me my right arm to begin with. Unless we’re about to discover I’m the new Kevin Schwantz. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/47 "2001-04-03T15:40:02Z")
Accidental knocks. Slight drops. all these things. Treat your helmet, well, like your helmet. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2001, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/48 "2001-04-03T15:49:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwistofFate \* > \*\*…but once you’ve rode an Italian, you’ll never go back. (take that pun what ever way you like, dirtbags!! 😉 ) > \*\* As something mostly Italian, I take it as a supreme truth! 😃 Oh, and thanks, ya’ll. I now can’t get the picture of **Coldfire** in motorcycle leathers out of my mind. I’ll just be over here with **Falcon** , drooling. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/49 "2001-04-04T01:10:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\* > bdgr, with 1.86 meters (6 foot 2) I’m not exactly tiny. But hey, Spiny’s at least as tall, and he rides a Duc 748. I like some Guzzi’s, but not all. The [Triumph Sprint ST](http://www.triumph-motorcycles.ltd.uk/showroom/images/25big.jpg) is one of my faves, but it IS a tad expensive to buy. \*\* You shouldnt have a prob. I have a friend who is about 6’2", and he rides a guzzi. I am about 4" taller than that, and it’s just enough to make it a bit uncomfortable. Plus I have bad knees so I like highway pegs, and on a goose you got those pesky cylinders in the way. ---
**Author:** ![Totoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Totoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totoro)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/50 "2001-04-04T01:17:27Z")
Hey, the Safety Totoro is checking in to say: Wear Your Damn Helmet. My brother in law watched a guy scrape his scalp off when not wearing his helmet and falling off. Not a pleasant experience. Needless to say, that man shuffled his mortal coil. But otherwise, COOL! ---
**Author:** ![Ad\_Noctum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b19c9b/32.png) [@Ad\_Noctum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ad_Noctum)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/51 "2001-04-04T02:07:18Z")
Crotch-rockets are cool so are motorcycles :)🙂 🙂 🙂 what everyone else said, and have fun, Coldy (get a sweeeeet looking bike, eh? and make sure your pair of Oakleys (or, Futuris in your continent) match the bike color!) ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/52 "2001-04-04T10:10:20Z")
Not to worry, Totoro! Helmets are mandatory pretty much everywhere in Europe. Plus, I’m too much of a chicken shit to ride without one anyway. 😉 Ad Noctum: I’ll do my best to pick a bike to your liking! But… Oakleys?? Never! When Coldie puts his shades on, they have to be [these Ray Bans](http://www.the-eye-shop.com/images/rayban%5CW3005.jpg)! (They pay me to do this, you know ;)) ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/53 "2001-04-04T13:40:20Z")
So, uh, will you be officially replacing your Moderator Clogs with a nice shiny Moderator Helmet? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/54 "2001-04-04T14:00:19Z")
I just might! Incidently, I’ve been looking at some second hand bikes and their prizes. I’ve noticed quite a few Kawasaki ZZR 600’s for reasonable money (between NLG 7,000 and 10,000). Even if they’re 1992 models, they still look relatively modern, and the specs seem OK as well (600 CC, 245 km/h, 0-100 in 3.3 secs). Does anyone have experience with this Kawa? ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2001, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/55 "2001-04-04T14:14:50Z")
I thought they were Moderator Klompen. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/56 "2001-06-09T01:53:31Z")
Woohoo!! Guess who got his theory exam today? And guess who passed?? Sure, it’s just the first step. Now they can apply for my practical exam, which should be somewhere late August, early September. Tomorrow afternoon, another 2 hour lesson. The weather’s looking good… VRRRRRROOOOM, VRRRROOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/57 "2001-06-09T02:17:00Z")
At least you’ve given up that giggling like a schoolgirl thing. Congrats! When do we get the picture of you in your leathers? ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/58 "2001-06-09T06:32:41Z")
WTF is up with all these wimpy **foreigner** bikes, get a HARLEY! 😉 As someone who rode on the back of her exhusband’s for more than a few years, get a nice padded seat if you wanna keep the chickies on the back. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/59 "2001-06-09T10:39:22Z")
I asked a girlfriend once why she liked Harley’s so much, she said it’s like riding a 70 horsepower vibrator! ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2001, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482/60 "2001-06-09T11:10:45Z")
Woo hoo, **Coldie**!! [Oprah voice]You **GO** girl[/Oprah voice]! On my end, **Astrogirl** has fallen in love with a particular breed of Korean dog, and I can’t remember it’s name now or I’d tell ya… she told me that it looks like Chewbacca (from Star Wars, which I forced her to watch one night. _Hey, you wanna understand western culture or not?_). She wants to buy one after we get married. I love dogs! I said, “OK. How much does one cost?” She said, “Around $4500.” I said, “ **Holy jumping blasphemous references!!!** ” She said, “You can have a Harley.” I said, “O.K.! Deal!” So I may eventually be joining you, **Coldy**!!😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mods-go-bad-mr-norman-do-check-in/60482.md?page=4)