The no-debate OIL POLL

[SLW210]

Originally Posted by Tomcatt

Having nice weather to ride in is some consolation for having totally boring roads to ride on...

Never been bored on a two wheeler. You need a new hobby, I guess.

[boomerguy]

Originally Posted by SLW210

Never been bored on a two wheeler. You need a new hobby, I guess.

Back in the 70's, I lived in Miami, FL, and my only vehicle was my MG Midget. The roads were all straight lines connected by 90-degree intersections and short, curvy exit/entrance ramps. I hated them.
My car had a 4-speed which wore out my left leg during "rush hour" and I would push in the clutch about 100 times/hour while waiting to move.

I couldn't wait to get away from the EXTREMELY boring roads. Having a 2-wheeler there would be just as much punishment for me as having my little sports car and not being able to enjoy it. I moved back to the mountains of SW Virginia and West Virginia. The good weather did not out-weigh the fun of "twisties" with hills. Since then, my Miata and my Sporty 883 have been my therapy. No need for drugs or meditating when I have these roads!

[Toejam503]

Originally Posted by SLW210

What's this "riding season" stuff?

Riding season is like hunting season, only reversed. Here, in North Dakota, riding season is April 'til Oct./Nov. so if you have some nice riding days in Jan. or Feb., no-one is expecting you to be out riding and your chances of being hit are doubled..but say in Florida, there is no particular period, that is considered "riding season". Floridians can ride all year long with out the increased probability (or odds) of a mishap.

[60Gunner]

Same here. April thru October give or take. This year was bad. Cold, wet spring and fall cut it short on both ends. More like May thru September.
10°F with snow on the ground right now. Normal is 50°F.

[SLW210]

Long straight sections in 5th gear at 5,000 to 7,000RPM is far from boring to me. Plenty of nice riding roads down here and all over Florida. Comparing city streets to country roads is apples to oranges. Really, grow up. Like any large city or town wouldn't be the same.

Odds of a mishap are very bad when the snow birds flock in, the worst drivers (and riders) from the North flock down here to run over everyone and everything.

Rode in this morning at 60°F in some pretty thick fog at times, it'll be 80°F or so probably on the ride home.

Never bored on 2 wheels even in towns and cities.

[rejeanprimeau]

Originally Posted by 60Gunner

Same here. April thru October give or take. This year was bad. Cold, wet spring and fall cut it short on both ends. More like May thru September.
10°F with snow on the ground right now. Normal is 50°F.

I hate that global warming thing that being throw down on us with those cold spell.

[60Gunner]

Originally Posted by rejeanprimeau

I hate that global warming thing that being throw down on us with those cold spell.

Ain't that the truth. Kinda throws a wrench in all that bs now doesn't it.
Here's to performance mods; EPA be damned.

[boomerguy]

Originally Posted by 60Gunner

Ain't that the truth. Kinda throws a wrench in all that bs now doesn't it.
Here's to performance mods; EPA be damned.

+1. Every time I see a car show with the newest "performance" cars with electric motors, turn-dial transmission controls and modes, heads-up displays, etc., I get nauseous. Now you can't even get them with three pedals.

I guess in ten years, all the new Harley's will have digital voices going "potato-potato-potato" while the electric motor and direct drive transmissions are on auto pilot. Gasoline wasn't so bad after they took the lead out of it, but then they had to put corn into it so that it is less efficient. Seriously? It's times like this that I'm glad to be old.

My personal opinion (which isn't worth anything) is that we don't have global temperature records that go back far enough for us to compare anything with. It's quite possible that we are going through a normal long-term trend.

For some reason, that idiot, "Hanoi Jane" Fonda thinks that protesting in the streets is the answer to everything; she continues to get arrested on purpose. There was a time that celebrities were called the "court jester" or the "fool"; now they think they are experts because they are rich. But I digress....I'm ordering some cold weather riding gear and praying for no precipitation.

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by SLW210

Long straight sections in 5th gear at 5,000 to 7,000 RPM is far from boring to me.

We've found the Worlds' Fastest Stage 1 1200!!!

Only on the internet... I wonder what oil...

[boomerguy]

When I take my little stock XL883 on the interstate, I usually do go near my red line and it is exciting. But for me, it is not nearly as much fun as keeping the rev's high in a tight 15 mph turn and accelerating out of it just in time to slow down for the next 25 mph turn, one after another and another. Since the traffic is lighter from motorized vehicles, I'm spending most of my time watching out for animals, alive or dead, gravel, leaves and pot holes. The rest of the time I'm enjoying the scenery and the sounds of my motor and exhaust, constantly changing gears. Keeping the bike in top gear gets pretty boring after a few minutes.

On another note:
Did you ever watch any of the custom chopper shows where they finish building the bike and then take it down a long straight stretch and say, "Man, this thing handles great!"?
I wonder what their definition of "handles" is. Most of these bikes have a hard tail and a wheelbase longer than a limousine. With their arms straight up in the air to reach the handlebars and their feet straight out in front on the really forward controls, it would be interesting to see them on twisties.