Kibagari wrote:RhadamYgg wrote:oxbow1 wrote:wait on paint,you just got your license and the bike,so there is a chance it could hit the pavement during PLP.
besides,Brack had it for less than ayear before he outgrew it,the same thing will probably happen to you.
I've come to realize that 1st bikes are like 1st girlfriends,they are for practice and you will get a new one
Very good points. I'm really hoping not to drop it, though.
I'm kinda geeky, so I actually do want something that gets incredible mileage - at least compared to most cars. So, I (at the moment) want to keep it small.
Who knows, maybe there is macho in me to want a bigger bike, or the wind will toss me around too much on the highway...
RhadamYgg
Compared to most cars, a Harley gets amazingly outstanding mileage. Even my bike, a '76 CB360 gets around 50-55. Most vehicles on the road are lucky to be pushing 20. Remember that SUVs are still the most common, and they get horrible mileage. A Toyota Corolla, even when running PERFECTLY, still only gets about 30.
You want outstanding mileage? Look up diesel motorcycles. As I know of there's only one company (that makes them for the US military), and due to increased demand, they have delayed the production of their commercial brand.
Now, run biofuel in your diesel motorcycle. Bingo. Not only do you get 100 mpg with a 5 gallon tank, you also emit nothing but french fries and chinese food.
I understand you want to be seen. But even the bright red that that Ninja is will be seen to amazing extents. Why? Red is the ONE color that the human eye is naturally drawn to. You put a person on stage in theater. If you want them to be noticed, give them a red shirt.
And a red bike with an obnoxiously yellow rider on top? You'll be seen. No need for fancy LED-encrusted paint jobs. Frankly, if I saw someone whose LED-laden yellow bike and reflective yellow jacket blinded me, I'd try to hit them.
While I say that in jest, there are people on the road who more than likely do think that way. Being seen is good. Being able to get out of the way of the jerk that's trying to cram into your lane because they can't seen you at all even with all the gear in the world... even better.
Well, with cars you can get really good mileage. When I owned a 1992 Honda Civic (purchased new in 1992) for 10 years - it got 40 mpg, even in city driving. That was probably a bit freakish and the luck of the draw kind of thing.
So, then I upgraded to a 2001 Honda Accord Coupe 4 cyl. - while it is a much nicer car - mileage stinks - I get on average 26 mpg. I bet my old Civic probably is still running somewhere (I donated it - although it sat for nearly a year before I donated it and it couldn't start anymore) - probably could still get mid-30's mpg.
Unfortunately, the Civic - as with all cars - has grown in size and new Civics - depending on the version don't get 40 mpg and even the Honda Fit (which I consider a Civic) get relatively poor mileage.
So, if I get only 40 mpg on a bike, I'm not unusually impressed. At least 60 is a good place to be, but considering the smaller mass of the motorcycle I would actually expect them to get better - depending on write usage.
That being said - the minivan we have - a Honda Odyssey - get 18 during normal driving - and 26 on long drives.
As far as people aiming at motorcyclists - regardless of their gear/motorcycle - let's hope that is kept to a minimum 1 out of 10,000 or lower... Actually much lower given that less than 10,000 fatalities occurred given 6.5 million motorcycles in the US.
RhadamYgg