A month ago I parked Frankie in a dark corner of my garage, and started commuting to work in the car and do you know what I am almost enjoying myself.
I can listen to music at whatever volume I like, have windscreen wipers, a heater, comfy seats and if I get stuck in traffic so what - its only time, and its got 4 wheels so am immune to the sh*t that other people leave on the road.
I think in the last two years the lowlights have been reliability, expense, sheer frustration and heartache. The highlights, handling and power delivery.
Regret's nope not a one, maybe a touch of sadness and a smidge of frustration that Frankie is just sitting there looking rather forlorn, but he is an inanimate object and they dont have feelings ...
I must be getting old - an ode to Frankie.
Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators
I feel for you
I bought my first ever car last winter. And can confess that i've been converted to a fair weather rider. No more riding in snow rain and shite for me.
Why anyone would want to get cold and wet is now beyond me now i've been tainted by 4 wheels. It never used to bother me before.
I'm also enjoyng this thing called "a boot" no more trying to tie luggage with numb fingers to my myself and the rear seat
I bought my first ever car last winter. And can confess that i've been converted to a fair weather rider. No more riding in snow rain and shite for me.
Why anyone would want to get cold and wet is now beyond me now i've been tainted by 4 wheels. It never used to bother me before.
I'm also enjoyng this thing called "a boot" no more trying to tie luggage with numb fingers to my myself and the rear seat
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kneescratch
- Track Day Addict
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:24 pm
- Location: Shoeburyness
.... which are exactly the words that a rather disappointed Shazzer used to them too .....kneescratch wrote:WTF!!!! You essex boys...
I fought you woz arder than that!!!!
Gary
...... Burberry Fields Forever .......
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
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HowardQ
- World Champion
- Posts: 3921
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:20 pm
- Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England
I don't really like commuting by bike that much these days, and the Falco seems to like it less than me. When I had the old CBR1000F as well as the Falco I sometimes tended to use that to commute, as it just seemed to handle it better and was easier to strap luggage on to. Since I got rid of that and bought the ZX9R, I have also used that occasionally to commute rather than the Falco. They both have a nice smooth delivery.
The "Dark Side" is really just for pleasure for me, the lumpier delivery, heavier clutch are things I don't notice when out having fun, I do in traffic.
The main thing for me though is the drivers. When out on a weekend, most car drivers these days seem to see you straight away and react pretty well, some go a bit too far and drive up grass banks at the side of a country road to let you through, usually spraying mud and general shit all over your visor, but hey at least they have seen you.
Most tin box drivers on the commute are totally different brain dead nutters. They are not road users any more, they are thinking of the meeting due in 20 mins., how to make up the time they just lost and get their next delivery there on time, what the kids are up to in the back seat. They are often totally concentrating on what's going on inside the car and their heads like the sat nav, often whilst on a hand held mobile, drinking coffee, using the laptop and eating a Big Mac, whilst negotiating the busiest roadabout in town.
Most of them have not got a clue about anything outside their tin box world, which makes them very dangerous to bikes, especially agressive bikes trying the take advantage of being on two wheels in the usual way. I know I'm an old fart, but this combination does not gell too well these days, so I normally go by car with all the added comfort.
Will probably never stop totally using the bike this way, just don't really enjoy it any more.
The "Dark Side" is really just for pleasure for me, the lumpier delivery, heavier clutch are things I don't notice when out having fun, I do in traffic.
The main thing for me though is the drivers. When out on a weekend, most car drivers these days seem to see you straight away and react pretty well, some go a bit too far and drive up grass banks at the side of a country road to let you through, usually spraying mud and general shit all over your visor, but hey at least they have seen you.
Most tin box drivers on the commute are totally different brain dead nutters. They are not road users any more, they are thinking of the meeting due in 20 mins., how to make up the time they just lost and get their next delivery there on time, what the kids are up to in the back seat. They are often totally concentrating on what's going on inside the car and their heads like the sat nav, often whilst on a hand held mobile, drinking coffee, using the laptop and eating a Big Mac, whilst negotiating the busiest roadabout in town.
Most of them have not got a clue about anything outside their tin box world, which makes them very dangerous to bikes, especially agressive bikes trying the take advantage of being on two wheels in the usual way. I know I'm an old fart, but this combination does not gell too well these days, so I normally go by car with all the added comfort.
Will probably never stop totally using the bike this way, just don't really enjoy it any more.
HowardQ
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
Take a ride on the Dark Side
2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P
My commute is a short walk down the stairs, so I'd need a small enduro or something if I was going to ride it.
SHINY BIKE SYNDROME Motorcycle valeting and paint protection specialist.
Aladinsaneuk wrote:andy is having a VERY heavy period
Will the Burberry Biking Brotherhood be riding up from Essex together for the Norfolk weekend - could be a competition between you lot, the Beverley Boys and the Coventry Crew .....
Guess you lot have the shorter of the journeys.
Guess you lot have the shorter of the journeys.
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein
-- Albert Einstein
I will be there in spirit , certainly not in body...I mean I really dont want to put you off your beer 
D-Rider wrote:Will the Burberry Biking Brotherhood be riding up from Essex together for the Norfolk weekend - could be a competition between you lot, the Beverley Boys and the Coventry Crew .....
Guess you lot have the shorter of the journeys.