Page 1 of 3
Explain to a squid... why on earth would you want...
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:51 pm
by Heimdall Einherjar
one of those choppers that's so raked out it looks incapable of turning?
Do they have really good stability at speed or is it just to compensate for small... uh... fingers?
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:34 pm
by 9000white
they are not made to ride.they are made to look at.
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:12 pm
by scan
You'll find a very small group here that have anything good to say about the stretch fork scene. They are not stable and as said above - they are to look at - or pose with at the bar, right before you ride to the next one.
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:24 pm
by macktruckturner
to play devil's advocate - I'm sure the stretch fork/ape hanger folks probably want to know why on earth you'd want to ride wheelies down the freeway or pull stoppies at busy intersections (quite squidly activity). fwiw I keep the rubber on the ground, unless we're talking knobbies and off roading.
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 6:19 pm
by scan
macktruckturner wrote:to play devil's advocate - I'm sure the stretch fork/ape hanger folks probably want to know why on earth you'd want to ride wheelies down the freeway or pull stoppies at busy intersections (quite squidly activity). fwiw I keep the rubber on the ground, unless we're talking knobbies and off roading.
I also think the long forks are silly and I think the wheelies are silly alike.
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:10 am
by CNF2002
I also think the long forks are silly and I think the wheelies are silly alike.
What about doing wheelies with long forks.
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:50 am
by Aggroton
its all gravey.
i love wheelies.
i love stoppies.
i love strecthed out raked out metal beasts.
would i ever ride one?
no.
if you dig it do it.
f the naysayers cause they dont mean a thing.
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:10 am
by scan
To qualify my wheelie statement - if it is on a closed course done for competition, or for training purposes (also closed area), and finally, if done on a dirt bike at almost any time, I think it is fine and even good training. If a wheelies is done on a public road, with the possible exception being the light wheelie when accelerating extra fast, I think it is careless showing off. If someone gets hurt doing that, I have a hard time feeling bad for them.
Long forks - not my flavor, and often putting the rider and others at risk. If you are an authentic vintage recreator of the long fork beasts you likely omit the front brake, which is one more mark against the thing being road worthy. But some folks put the risk on the high side and think that is what make motorcycles great. I think mitigating risk and having fun is what motorcycling about.
But then again, I wouldn't wear the same style clothing as everyone else, and some would view my choices as silly, and I them. So as said above, enjoy what you like - but the original question (at the start of this thread) begged for a critical assesment - I think.
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:17 am
by The Grinch
One of the motorcycle podcasts I listen to had an interview with Paul Teutul Sr. from American Chopper. The host asked Paul if his bikes are rideable, and Paul said yes, they all are, but when the host asked if they were really rideable, he said not really, they're mainly for show.
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:24 am
by Locopez
Bikes that have that really long front end...is only for looks...those guys are never heard from going on trips of 300 or 400 miles a day. Those are the kind of bike you see sitting out front of a Starbucks...with the guy who rode..three miles from his house to get there...and thinks that was a ride....???
So this might make for a good thread to start...I think I will....