Ok heres the deal. Ive ridden two bikes in my life for about 45 min. each. The first was a Honda 250 interceptor and the second was an R1 (big jump from a 250!). I couldnt turn down driving the R1. Looking back it was really stupid and Im glad Im alive. Going 100 + mph on an R1 with 45 min. of riding experience is not the brightest thing to do! Trust me Im glad im alive and I will never do that again. It was so much fun though! Anyway I think Ive calmed down over the last year and have realized that If I were to get a bike, I would need to play by the rules if I wanted to live. If I decide to get one, I will take the necessary safety courses before I start riding and will buy all the equipment. My question is are bikes as dangerous as everyone makes them out to be? If you are defensive and stay within the speed limits (thats the hard part) is it that easy to get seriously injured? I just dont think its worth it if that is the case. Help me out guys.

 

yup. your life is in your hands. dont ride when sick/tired/intoxicated/stressed. your bumper and airbags are inside your mind. since their not real, you better not need them.

it depends. but you can mitigate the risks of being seriously injured by taking ALL appropriate precautions. there are stories of people going the speed limit, minding their own business, and being killed by a dumb cage. ish happens. same thing could happen in your car, at work etc. it doesnt mean you shouldnt deny yourself this experience, if this is something you can love and respect.

one of the reasons i feel so privledged to ride is that the risks and challenges that riding puts on a person makes it so that not everyone can just go do it. you've got to commit yourself to understanding whats involved. thats what makes it so rewarding - to me anyhow.

Joe

 

Besides what FalconGSR said https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=37897
Riding a bike is infinately more dangerous AND challenging than a car. (to do well) Murphy has no mercy with bikes and their riders. Even if YOU ARE good, circumstances may arise to negate your skill.

 

figment, after reading your V65 story, i would just like to say: welcome back.

wow.

 

I have been riding bikes for over 20 years. You are safer in a car. However you can lessen the risks of motorcycling with the following methods:

1. Always ride sober. Don't ride stupid on public streets, i.e no excessive speed, no weaving thru traffic, no driving down the freeway up on the rear wheel like I saw one fellow.

2. Take a motocycle safety foundation school. If you like to go fast, consider a track school. This will teach you the handling limits of your bike and how to get out of jams. Sanctioned motorcycle racing could also be considered. Better to get your speed thills on the track with proper safety protection than on the road.

3. Always wear proper clothing. Jeans, work shoes, leather jacket, Snell (95 or newer) rated full face helmet, leather gloves is the minimum. Remember to replace helmets after every time they are wacked.

4. Always be aware of whats around you. Look every auto driver that could potentionally pull out in front of you in the eyes to see if he/she is paying attention.
Anticipate incidents, always keep escape room around you, know what to do if it occurs. The biggest problem I had was with drivers rear ending me when I stopped to make left turns. Always check your mirrors when slowing down. Make left turns in dedicated left turn lanes whenever possible.

5. Always keep your motorcycle equipment in safe condition (good tires, good brakes, tight fasteners, tuned engine, etc.).


125+ MPH road racing (laydown) shifter karts
2001 black ITR
1973 Harley Sportster XLCH, 7500+ RPM, why stroke?

 

amen brotha


The more you spend on motorcycle riding purpose designed leather, the better. My wardrobe represents about 25-50% of my bike budget

 

http://www.bikenet-racing.com/sectio...=skills&id=834

 

figment--I had the exact same thing happen to me once in your "paper bag" story!!! I was going to a hang-out here in town called "Specs." On the way out there you go up a hill curve left and back down still curving. . .then it straitens out quite nice. . .well I was on my R6 coming up to the begining of the hill. . .dropped a gear and hit the gas. . .came out of the corner downshifted again and gassed it. What looked like a dead skunk in the road about 100ft out was actually a "GAP" bag. . .scared the out of me. . .I was going 106.

 

FIGMENT-
The V65 sabre or magna does not do 165 top speed. It was calculated, using gearing ratios. (old cycle magazine) Having owned 2 of these, (83,84) I can tell you there is no way it will hit that. 110mph and it is all over the road. It was not designed for top end.

 

...nothing wrong with that...just trying to save wear and tear on the front tire

 

Well I never got more than what I stated on the article which could have been all there was in the bike and of course errored as well. The speed I refered to was from memory of an old article which stated the rider ran out of road and guessed the top end Mine was a 84 sabre and it was smooth as silk all the way up to 140+ registered on the speedo. But I take good care of my equipment. Everything I stated actually happened. NO BS.

http://www.mcreports.com/Pages/Indiv...Sabre-V65.html

Two years after the introduction of the V45 Magna & Sabre, and one year after the Magna V65, came the V65 Sabre; an 1100cc V-Four producing more power than any other Honda at the time (including the Magna). The engine was universally praised for its broad range of massive power. The V65 engine did not share any parts with the V45, but the designs were very similar, just on a larger scale. The engine achieved perfect primary balance, and its narrow dimensions belied its capacity. It was Honda's first 150mph production machine. There was an optional fairing to make the Sabre more 'tour' friendly. Power was 121bhp@9500rpm, with torque of 75ft/lb's@7500rpm. Wet weight was 595lb's


[Modified by figment, 6:52 PM 2/1/2002]

 

Someone sold you a 45 with 65 stickers I've had a stock 84 v65 sabre well over 140 numerous times without any problems and it got there real fast.

 

Kilometers per hour maybe ?

 

Well of course!