Not too many years ago, most accidents were riders in their 20s on crotch rockets. But the demographics changed as many in their 40s decided to buy motorcycles and now most accidents are riders in their 40s on Harley-Davidsons and look a-likes.
But you can't assume that the issue is large, heavy motorcycles. Look at the numbers and you'll note that many were first bike owners. Most accidents have more to do with the rider and his inexperience than the machine. Another piece of data that most don't bother to look at is the fact that about half of all motorcycle accidents & deaths occur with first year riders. Once you clear a year, enough s*%t has happened to turn you into a defensive rider. And if not, 2 tons with a license plate is heading your way! In other words, the issue was and still is LACK OF EXPERIENCE, which poses a great argument for a rider safety course for anyone considering a motorcycle. BTW, I also own a 1976 MBW R75/6. It's a 2 cylinder machine and is smooth enough to take anywhere, even across country. I've also had a few crashed. The last one had me sliding down the pavement at 45 MPH. Not painful at all with full riding gear, but imagine the same slide with a t-shirt and shorts??? Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Loren Faeth Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 7:47 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] was diesel, now Motorcycles for Bob/NOT! I agree with Jim about riding in 100+ heat. However I disagree with the 4 cyl statement. I am not a fan of BMW cars, but the BMW motorcycles are reliable, and the twins are smooth, simple, owner-servicable. You do not need 4 cyl. If you want a commute, you do not want/need a superbike. Crotch rockets will get you in trouble. If you study motorcycle statistics, you will find most accidents are inexperienced riders on Harleys, or imitation harleys. THey are too heavy for most riders, and not a way to get good mileage either. Good luck! If you continue the MC quest, always have a plan of action with at least one escape route. People WILL pull out in front of you! LF 1971 R75/5 since 1972 R50/2 before that At 01:52 AM 5/12/2008, you wrote: >Bob, > >Riding a motorcycle in 100 degree plus weather is like riding in an >oven! Proper safety gear makes it even more uncomfortable. YOU WILL >NOT LIKE IT! That said, you would want four cylinders for smoothness, >and enough power to push a full sized wind screen for comfort. The >Honda 750 Goldwings are reliable and will go 100,000 miles. a >smallish two cylinder will die in a year! All the big bike >manufacturers make something similar. Rent or borrow a bike for a few >days in june/july and get this idea out of your system. > >Get a used turbodiesel VW TDI and you will average in the 40's with AC >and 4 walls around you. > >The Toyota dealers are rebating on new Prius hybrids, as production has >caught up with demand. Your Commute is not ideal fior the Prius, but >it should also get mileage in the 40's. I think the drivetrain has a >10 year warranty, and there are some tax credits available too. > >Jim in Phoenix > >-----Original Message----- >From: Robert Rentfro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: 'Mercedes Discussion List' <mercedes@okiebenz.com> >Sent: Sun, 11 May 2008 10:12 pm >Subject: Re: [MBZ] was diesel, now Motorcycles for Bob > >I have no experience. I would most certainly take a course. There are >many >people I work with who ride all the time and I've heard all the stories >and >I've listened carefully to them all. > >Bob R > >-----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >On Behalf Of Douglas >Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 8:18 PM >To: Mercedes Discussion List >Subject: Re: [MBZ] was diesel, now Motorcycles for Bob > >Robert you didn't mention if you have experience riding! I have been >riding >for 40 years and yes I have a honda shadow 1100cc. There are things >that you > >should be aware of, the new rider shouldn't buy something to commute on >and >learn on at the same time. I would suggest that you take the highway >safety >course for riding. They usually use small motorcycles and you will >learn >alot! > >One thing that people do not understand is that people in CARS (thats >you >and me) Do NOT See motorcycles! So if you are one that gets freaked out >when > >a cars pulls out in front of you while you are in you car. Then you are >really going to know how tight your sphincter will get! This happens >all the > >time! > >So take the course, and they buy the most comfortable motorcycle you >can >afford. One of the often over looked brands is the BMW. Yes expensive >at >first look but very well built and comfortable! > >hope this helps > >Douglas >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Robert Rentfro" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "'Mercedes Discussion List'" <mercedes@okiebenz.com> >Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 12:58 PM >Subject: Re: [MBZ] was diesel, now Motorcycles for Bob > > > > Weather really isn't a concern here, I don't think. I work with guys >who > > ride all year round. > > Maybe the time has come I should consider getting a bike. In your >opinion, > > Dan (and anyone else who has an opinion), what would be a good bike >for me > > to start with knowing my commute would be 80 miles a day? > > My wife is thinking I'm having a mid-life crisis but she doesn't ever >fill > > the cars with fuel. > > > > Bob R > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > On Behalf Of LWB250 > > Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 11:08 AM > > To: Mercedes Discussion List > > Subject: Re: [MBZ] diesel > > > > It's not all great - I don't ride in bad weather, or > > when the temperatures go below 50F. > > > > Down here the weather is finally (I say that with > > great disappointment) getting into the summer cycle of > > 70F nights and near 90F days with oppressive humidity. > > If going to work requires you to be somewhat composed > > and professional, forget it. > > > > It's been really windy down here the last few days, > > and getting out on the interstate with heavy > > crosswinds can make things really exciting - in a way > > that you don't care for, unless you have a death wish. > > People drive like idiots down here, so you have to be > > super attentive or they'll kill you. > > > > I'm fortunate in that I can wear jeans and a polo > > shirt if I choose, so that helps, but I'm still hot > > and sticky by the time I get there in the morning. > > Don't even ask about the ride home... > > > > By moving back and forth between motorcycle and car I > > save some $$. it's not an end all to be all. > > > > Dan > > > > > > --- Robert Rentfro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >> Yer killin' me. > >> I wonder how much worse it needs to get before I, > >> who has never had a bike, > >> will consider getting one? Especially with my 80 > >> mile RT commute......which > >> I could make all back roads and stay off of the > >> freeway. > >> > >> Bob R > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> On Behalf Of LWB250 > >> Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 10:45 AM > >> To: Mercedes Discussion List > >> Subject: Re: [MBZ] diesel > >> > >> Darn. And I was upset that I've only been getting > >> in > >> the high 30s/low 40s on my Virago. > >> > >> I couldn't believe it - a fillup cost me over $11 > >> the > >> other day! > >> > >> Dan > >> > >> > >> --- "Kaleb C. Striplin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> > >> > Well, diesel is now 4.17 here. Geez, I need to > >> get > >> > my 190D going quick. > >> > Why the hell did I get rid of my 92 300D with > >> its > >> > 33mpg? Its too > >> > expensive driving a SDL back and forth to work. > >> > -- > >> > Kaleb C. Striplin/Claremore, OK > >> > 94 E420, 92 300SD, 92 250D Turbo, 92 300E > >> 4Matic, > >> > 91 300D, > >> > 89 560SEL, 89 260E, 87 300SDL, 86 560SL, 85 > >> 380SE > >> > 5.0 Euro, > >> > 84 190D, 84 300D euro manny, 81 240D, 80 240D, > >> 76 > >> > 240D, > >> > 76 300D, 72 250C, 69 250 > >> > http://www.okiebenz.com > >> > > >> > _______________________________________ > >> > http://www.okiebenz.com > >> > For new parts see official list sponsor: > >> > http://www.buymbparts.com/ > >> > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > > >> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >> > > >> > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >> > > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > >_________________________________________________________________________ >___ > >> ________ > >> Be a better friend, newshound, and > >> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > >> > > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > >> > >> _______________________________________ > >> http://www.okiebenz.com > >> For new parts see official list sponsor: > >> http://www.buymbparts.com/ > >> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >> > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________ > >> http://www.okiebenz.com > >> For new parts see official list sponsor: > >> http://www.buymbparts.com/ > >> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >> > >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > >> > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > >> > > > > > > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________________ >___ > > ________ > > Be a better friend, newshound, and > > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > > > > _______________________________________ > > http://www.okiebenz.com > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > > >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com Loren Faeth _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com No virus found in this incoming message. 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