I Just Bought A Higher Displacement Bike

[eugeart]

I learned on a 250; rode a v-twin 800 for 3 years; dropped down to a 550 inline 4, and now after two months I've bought a 93 GSX 750F.

The Honda CBX 550 (seen in pic) has been a great ride intown light to light but on the freeway it was real work. It was perfectly capable yet I felt as if I had to cane it to survive at the highway speeds. I weigh 225lbs and just didn't feel as if this bike is what I need.

The Suzuki GSX 750 Katana has a lot of grunt and an effortless highway performance. I now realize why we "Americans" need our bigger or more high performance engines. If I was to stay in the hood so to speak, a 250 would get me around the city just fine.

We go long distances in heavy traffic competing with large vehicles that go very fast. Now depending on the performance type perhaps 1200cc for an inline four may be a little overkill but to each his own I say. The fuel usage difference is minimal I think.

I've lived in the Middle East, UK, Scandinavia and Austrailia. I personally have never seen anything close to the traffic behavior that we have in the US.

If you plan to vacation here there are a few things to consider:

1. A license to drive is practically given away and even harder to revoke, and many consider driving a "natural right". There a plenty of poorly trained inconsiderate self-absorbed motorists that out driving that will make your day miserable if you are inattentive.

2. The US is a very violent place. This is not only limited to firearms but to motor vehicles as well. Avoid aggressive hand gestures and shouted comments (this will be difficult). Road-rage is a national occurence and a motorcyclist again can have a very bad day.

3. It is rather warm in the US and outright hot in the South, so take plenty of rest stops and drink plenty of fluids on your excursion.

4. Laws vary from state to state but common sense should prevail. Helmets are often optional. Many wear no protective gear at all. You WILL see people riding helmetless, wearing sandals, shorts, tee shirts and no gloves at very high speeds. I call them organ doners. Helmeted riders I call 1 percenters'. You figure that one out.

5. Get insurance. Get insurance. The consequences can be draconian if you are stopped by police or have an accident. Depending on the circumstances you could see the inside of a jail cell and/or suffer a lawsuit. Don't assume other drivers have insurance or even a license to drive. In my city of 1.5 million (San Antonio- home of the Alamo and Spurs) only 40% of drivers possess valid insurance.

6. Finally, people in the US still haven't "got it" about drunk driving. Be very carefull especially at night or on weekends since many on the road have consumed alcohol or other substances. The majority of accident related deaths are alcohol related. Take a taxi, bus etc... if you drink.

Have fun and don't under-estimate your need for a ride that can keep you alive on the roads in the US. We just love people to visit our country. I think you'll love it too with the right attitude. Many decide to stay.

[cb360]

Good post Eugeart - I agree with a lot of that with the possible exception of it being a violent place. It certainly CAN be a violent place. But it can be plenty friendly and laid back as well. It's a big country. There's even a few quiet and slow roads out there... though they are diminishing.

[MASHBY]

So what job are you in mate thats a lot of countries?

[eugeart]

I was an oil field brat. I was practically born an Aussie. I've seen alot-- enough to appreciate the different cultures around the globe.

[MASHBY]

I was an oil field brat. I was practically born an Aussie. I've seen alot-- enough to appreciate the different cultures around the globe.

Well we see you up in Alberta fairly soon then

[eugeart]

Naw, I got out of the biz in 86 when oil was $6 bbl. I'm in the medical field now. Now thats a growing lucrative industry.