Yes! if you have short legs the R850R is an awesome well balanced bike and chep on the used market. I have one for 8 month touring east of Oz 2 up and towing a trailer.
My last was the superb R1150GS, test one and you will be hook for life ;)
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Mate, I have to strongly disagree.Quote:
As for gear - I believe everyone has the right to choose. Yes, full gear is the best idea.
For you thats true but what about the other people that have to pick up the pieces?
I was a ambo volly (in NZ most of the Ambo's are vollys, even in town) for a number of years and the people most affected are Medical, Fire and Police:(.
Please mate, for others sake make sure you have your gear on!
Ride safe.
TD
+1 hosing squids off roads isn't my idea of fun.
I used to have a 1.5inch gap between my boots and my knee guards on my off road gear..one day I came off and hit a tree pretty hard - guess where the foot peg found? The best part wasn't parting the peg and my leg.. or the boots full of blood.. it was the long, rough ride home to base.. then the 4hour drive to proper medical attention.
Guess how has new boots? The best ones money can buy - with no gaps.
If you don't have all the gear - proper gear. And if you don't wear it every time you ride you are an idiot. I'm sorry, but it is that simple. If people want to argue that it is their choice to be an idiot.. sure.. fine, but they are still a selfish idiot.
I have to agree with this.Quote:
+1 hosing squids off roads isn't my idea of fun.
I used to have a 1.5inch gap between my boots and my knee guards on my off road gear..one day I came off and hit a tree pretty hard - guess where the foot peg found? The best part wasn't parting the peg and my leg.. or the boots full of blood.. it was the long, rough ride home to base.. then the 4hour drive to proper medical attention.
Guess how has new boots? The best ones money can buy - with no gaps.
If you don't have all the gear - proper gear. And if you don't wear it every time you ride you are an idiot. I'm sorry, but it is that simple. If people want to argue that it is their choice to be an idiot.. sure.. fine, but they are still a selfish idiot.
I had a low speed collision with an idiot taxi in Brisbane, i was fortunately wearing protective gear. Unfortunately is was a stinking hot day and had my jacket zip about a quarter undone to let in a little ventilation resulting in some deep gouging and skin loss on my shoulder from rolling down the road.
My friend in another incident only wearing helmet, shorts,t shirt and thongs, had to have extensive skin grafts and his old man wipe his arse and everything else for several months until he could use his hands again.
He now kits up every time!
Guy in head on clip was unbelievable, if he were a cat?
I don't have anything in particular against Harleys as bikes - I have never ridden one so not sure how they handle etc - but there is such an 'image' of what a Harley rider is. They come with a lot preconceived 'baggage', especially from the general public.
I've gone through a Triumph phase, and am now onto a BMW phase, and people have equally negative reactions to BMW riders!
Life is full of tribalism...
Oh - and I agree completely with all the gear all the time. Nothing will save you if you go into a tree at 100, but for slides and small offs you can't beat the full compliment of protective gear.
Cheers
David
One of the things that gives me the irrits (cant say ****s on the forum!) is people who don't wear protective gear around town. The comment is usually "Im going slower so don't need to" or "It's too hot!". I think that both of these are excuses (and we all know excuses are like bum holes- we all have them and they all stink!).
Just some food for thought from the Monash Accident Centre
www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/muarc260.pdf
Go down to the start of page 5. In the third paragraph it states that only 27.2% of motorcycle accidents happen in 100kmh zones. That means that over 70% of crashes occur in lower speed zones, ie: in towns. Those that do not wear gear in towns are tools and not wearing gear in the place that over 70% of stacks occur.:mad:
Another interesting articly from Monash:
www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/atsb174.pdf
Check out page ii right at the bottom where it says that facial injuries were not significantly more when comparing a full face helmet to open face (8% vs 4%). Personally I thought there would be a heap more difference.
On the next page (under rider factors) they also say that those who were experienced off road riders before they got their road licence are actually more likely to have a stack on road than those who were only road riders. An interesting statement.
Thought it might be nice for some figures on actual studies done (in oz too!) rather than just another screaming forum match where someone says something contrary to someone else's opinion coz they know better. No, science knows better! :wasntme:
Very very well said 2 wheels is 2 wheels and two diffs are two diffs, we all love what we do and how we do it The make or model of choice is just that Choice and I choose any and all forms of transport as they all have good and bad traits. I also nod to everyone but it is rare to get a nod in return these days.
cheers and stay upright :-):D
I strongly agree , In my opinion those that dont wear the full gear and choose to wear shorts and tshirts even thongs have never come off !
When i was young and silly i thought id wear shorts and tshirt and came off at a low speed on a dirt road , The result was not good and i have the scares to prove it , I still ride but i suit up with all the correct riding gear no matter how hot it is !
Oh go the Hinkley Triumph :p