I'm in LA

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ninja79 · #1 Unread post by **ninja79** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 2:42 pm

Hi all,

I've finally moved to LA. Will get motorcycle as soon as I get the California driver's license. If anyone in LA area is selling EX500 / GS500, do tell.

My impressions so far:

- on the highways the traffic is pretty bad. I guess that can be expected since the entire city is essentially one giant suburb.

- all highways and most large roads have these reflective bumps on the white and yellow stripes. How the hell do you ride on such roads? What happens if you ride over this bump at 70mph??? How can you even change lanes on a bike???

- that said, I've seen quite a few bikers here -- even on the highways. The weather is perfect for this. There is no snow, and when it rains, it usually dumps all the water in one day, and then you have nice and sunny weather for the rest of the week.

- most of the bikes I've seen were cruisers. Why are they so popular? And a lot of people don't even wear any gear (no, shorty helmet and a t-shirt doesn't really qualify as "gear" in my book).

that's all for now. later,

Eugene

VermilionX · Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:10 pm

welcome to LA!

hope you get both licenses w/o delay.

i live in the San Fernando Valley.

Shiv · #3 Unread post by **Shiv** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:24 pm

Thought you meant Louisiana when I read the title...

As for the bump things, if it's what I think you're talking about, then we have them here in Texas too. And it just feels like a little bump when you drive over them in a cage, not sure about a bike though.

They do wake you up though if you kinda start to veer into a lane you're not supposed to veer into....

basshole · #4 Unread post by **basshole** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:12 pm

Welcome to L.A. I'm in the O.C. What the hell made you want to move here???

Dirtytoes · #5 Unread post by **Dirtytoes** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:54 am

i'm in LA too, the only thing that sucks here is the traffic..weather is usually good

CNF2002 · #6 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:50 am

- all highways and most large roads have these reflective bumps on the white and yellow stripes. How the hell do you ride on such roads? What happens if you ride over this bump at 70mph??? How can you even change lanes on a bike???

Just ride over them...if you're worried about it, change lanes between them. Thats what I do in the rain, since they're usually a little slippery. Why are you going 70mph on a traffic congested in-city freeway?

most of the bikes I've seen were cruisers. Why are they so popular? And a lot of people don't even wear any gear (no, shorty helmet and a t-shirt doesn't really qualify as "gear" in my book).

Probably a california cruiser thing

...they probably dont wear gear because they've never been in an accident, those who are in an accident are either dead, stop riding, or start wearing gear. Its common because of the heat, proper protection is just too inconvenient you know. Don't follow the crowd and wear a jacket, boots, gloves, helmet, and riding pants (or at least jeans) at all times...you can get textile with armor pads and removable liners so that when you are riding it is actually quite cool, compared to leather.

oh and

ninja79 · #7 Unread post by **ninja79** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 6:03 am

Thanks a lot guys! To answer your questions, I moved to LA cause I got a job here. And also I wanted to check out this place since I've heard so much about it but never been here before. I want to do as much travelling as I can. Maybe Australia is my next stop...

CNF2002 wrote:
- all highways and most large roads have these reflective bumps on the white and yellow stripes. How the hell do you ride on such roads? What happens if you ride over this bump at 70mph??? How can you even change lanes on a bike???
Just ride over them...if you're worried about it, change lanes between them. Thats what I do in the rain, since they're usually a little slippery. Why are you going 70mph on a traffic congested in-city freeway?
Wouldn't it give you enough of a hit to make you lose ballance? On a car they are not a big deal, but on a bike they can knock you over.

Probably a california cruiser thing ...they probably dont wear gear because they've never been in an accident, those who are in an accident are either dead, stop riding, or start wearing gear. Its common because of the heat, proper protection is just too inconvenient you know. Don't follow the crowd and wear a jacket, boots, gloves, helmet, and riding pants (or at least jeans) at all times...you can get textile with armor pads and removable liners so that when you are riding it is actually quite cool, compared to leather.

Yeah, I can actually understand. They did teach us about the road rash at the motorcycle course, but it didn't really sink in until I fell and scraped my knee. Now I wear full gear head to toe. I got Joe Rocket Phoenix right now, but I'm seriously considering getting the kevlar gear from motoport. Does anyone wear motoport gear? What's your opinion of it?

thanks,

Eugene

CNF2002 · #8 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 6:46 am

Wouldn't it give you enough of a hit to make you lose ballance? On a car they are not a big deal, but on a bike they can knock you over.

No...you're talking about the ones that are 5 in a row and look like a white tennis ball sticking half out of the ground? I tend to avoid them personally and just change lanes between them...but if I hit them, its not a big deal. I ride every day 20 miles to work on the highway, rainy or sunny, with these things and never once felt that they were going to cause me to lose balance. I wouldn't worry about it.

JustJames · #9 Unread post by **JustJames** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:16 am

Welcome, beside the LA traffic anything elses are exelent for riding. IMHO

Dragonhawk · Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:52 am

ninja79 wrote:Hi all,

I've finally moved to LA. Will get motorcycle as soon as I get the California driver's license. If anyone in LA area is selling EX500 / GS500, do tell.

Great choice in a first bike. I commend you for not wanting something that is too much for a beginner.

PLEASE take an MSF training course. Check this if you want to learn more about learning to ride in California:
http://www.californiabikenights.com/learn.php

ninja79 wrote: - on the highways the traffic is pretty bad. I guess that can be expected since the entire city is essentially one giant suburb.

Yes, traffic is awful. That's why you ride a motorcycle in LA!

ninja79 wrote: - all highways and most large roads have these reflective bumps on the white and yellow stripes. How the hell do you ride on such roads? What happens if you ride over this bump at 70mph??? How can you even change lanes on a bike???

Nothing happens. You don't lose control. You just sail right over them. But, they are annoying. Personally, I try to weave inbetween them and not hit them when changing lanes. But, they aren't dangerous. Just irritating.

ninja79 wrote: - that said, I've seen quite a few bikers here -- even on the highways. The weather is perfect for this. There is no snow, and when it rains, it usually dumps all the water in one day, and then you have nice and sunny weather for the rest of the week.

SHUT UP! Don't tell people that or more will move here and the traffic gets worse. No. The weather is awful. Traffic is bad. Stay where you are. Do NOT come to Los Angeles. EVER.

ninja79 wrote: - most of the bikes I've seen were cruisers. Why are they so popular? And a lot of people don't even wear any gear (no, shorty helmet and a t-shirt doesn't really qualify as "gear" in my book).

Obviously, you just got here. There are a LOT of sportbikes in this town. Check my website:
www.CaliforniaBikeNights.com
You'll see plenty of gatherings with lots of bikes....

And personally, I wear full gear ALL the time. If you like your skin and bones where they are, it's a smart thing to do.

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