Motorcycles and Why they Kick Ass. 50th POST!

This is officially my 50th blog post. Although 1/2 of them probably never saw the light of a computer monitor...

Anyways anniversaries are overrated, and this is supposed to be about motorcycles, which up until 3 words ago I didn't even mention.

Motorcycles kick ass. Whether it be a 2009 Harley 883 Sportster, a Yamaha R1, Honda Shadow Rebel, 1969 Triumph, Ducati 900SS or 900 Monster, or even the simple but powerful Jap V-Twins of the 1980s.

I own and ride a motorcycle. In fact I would say I've ridden it 9/10 nice days we've had, which this summer hasn't been that common. I have a Honda Shadow VT750C. Nice V-Twin with a driveshaft for less maintenance. It's quick of course.

Any fucking ways, I'm trying to explain why motorcycles kick ass. Here is a list of reasons why, and Pros and Cons vs Cars.

Gas Mileage, an important issue these days.

-Bike that does a 10s 1/4m, has a 900CC engine, will probably get depending on the bike between 50-75 miles per gallon if ridden correctly. My bike, which is older still gets no less than 45mpg when I ride it hard, and 65mpg when ridden easy. But it still beats a brand new Shelby GT-500 in the 1/4m, and I have done that. I almost beat a new ZO6 Vette up to about 95 but he flew by that last second. I did however happen to fuck up shifting into 5th, and it's a 6-speed...

-Car, for instance lets find a 10s 1/4m Car that gets even 30mpg....looking, looking, ZIP! Even a Hybrid, the best of which do not get half the mileage of most bikes. Average Hybrid CAR not SUV gets 35-40mpg Highway. They are not fast...

However if we compare the Super Car, Lamborghini Gallardo Supperleggera, which gets probably 15mpg on the highway to an R1 which probably gets about 55mpg on the highway, and costs 10,000 next to $250,000 for the Supperleggera.

-Cost

Although bikes can't be ridden safely or comfortably in the rain, winter or cold you can't use them all the time. The higher end bikes like R1s cost about 1/2 of a normal car, like a Camry. But is much more fun while you are riding the R1 than any Camry is...

-Performance
a. Straight Line Acceleration. Bikes, low drag, high power to weight ratio not seen in cars, and weighs nothing.

b. Handling, sorry I have to give it to cars. Even the best bikes and riders have to swerve their body to turn or move the bike, and that is limited by your body hitting the pavement...so handling in most conditions (except in and out weaving in a straight) goes to the cars...

c. Top Speed- This is dead even. Although Cars have more capability to stick to the road, with Downforce and lift being carefully calculated in cars like Bugatti and McLaren, both of which go over 220MPH. High powered bikes like turbo 1000cc Hyabusa can reach 200mph+, but it's VERY unsafe and the slightest mistake can kill you. But since normal roads aren't meant for high speeds, I give it to the bike.

d. Braking, with the exception of a few bike Makes like Ducati, most cars stop QUICKER than bikes. Why this is I don't know, my only guess is it's intentional so the rider doesn't fly off the bike when they have to slam the brakes, even if done correctly, but I know it's true for most bikes they stop well over 120ft @ 60-0mph. Sadly, and many times it's dangerous in bikes when a car stops quick.

Safety-

Although Cars are steel surrounded, ABS brakes, Airbags and much safer, the fun factor of a bike far outweighs the danger, and that's why people ride. Besides, most bike accidents are actually not the fault of the biker, usually it's the lack of attention from car drivers.

There are many factors, cars have radios, only cruiser bikes do, and no need for AC in bikes, and all that good stuff.

So, all in all I say get the bike, and use it. Have cars for when you need them. For your dollar you won't feel any bigger rush than flying with the flick of your wrist and the snap of the shifter...It takes some time to learn, for me about 3 months until I felt totally 100% confident that I've learned all I need and wanted to. Although I'm lacking certain fear parts of the brain, so I rode the first day I bought it...