Are bikers getting softer?

skrall · Dec 19, 2009

Genuinly curious in the opinion of some of older boys.

Me and a mate decided to go down the ace cafe last night around 8pm, all the snow had melted and the only ice was on the back roads. When we got there we were told its free drinks hot drinks for anyone who turned up on a bike. Now to give you an idea of what the carpark looked like I asked how many of these free drinks have you given out so far... 1 she said.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not trying to say all fair weather riders are poofs if I had a car I might decide to leave the bike at home in weather like that.

But when I told my dad who has been riding for nearly 50 years, he said its not like it used to be. So whats your thoughts.:dunno

All that said, the powers that be at the ace cafe hadn't bothered to salt the carpark, so it was like any ice rink:jack

amb67 · Dec 19, 2009

Sounds like you've not been as badly hit by the snow as us in Kent, I can barely walk in the stuff here never mind ride a bike in it.

Olllie · Dec 19, 2009

amb67 said:
Sounds like you've not been as badly hit by the snow as us in Kent, I can barely walk in the stuff here never mind ride a bike in it.

*****!

where the funk's our share!! ive got a greenlaner to have fun on in THAT!

IanG · Dec 19, 2009

The correct answer is probably.................................................Yes

On a personal level when I was lot younger a bike was what I had as I couldn't afford a car,because of that I rode in all sorts of weather wearing totally unsuitable clothing.

Today I can afford a car (just) and the bike,or bikes are playthings for pleasure only. I don't find any pleasure at all in riding in the cold,in rain,generally not in winter at all.

If that somehow makes me a lesser rider in some peoples eyes then so be it,I've been there,paid the dues,had various T shirts etc etc.

I no longer feel the need for discomfort,I'll wait patiently for the spring rays I think,to that end I've cleaned the Mille and taken the battery off and bought it in to hibernate with an Optimiser for company.

However if I come across the odd good day before that,then I have the option to take out the SV for a blast of 1000 V twin therapy.

spoonz · Dec 19, 2009

The only thing i think has changed is the reason motorcycles tend to be used in the main.

That is as a bit of fun to let your hair down and not as often as a sole means of transport.
When all i had was a bike i rode every day in every condition and went everywhere but now i ride for enjoyment and if the conditions don't look enjoyable i don't ride.

It's not anything to do with being a poof etc for me personally as i've been and done the ride in snow, crashed on ice etc etc but now i don't need to.

AusRSV · Dec 19, 2009

spoonz said:
The only thing i think has changed is the reason motorcycles tend to be used in the main.

That is as a bit of fun to let your hair down and not as often as a sole means of transport.
When all i had was a bike i rode every day in every condition and went everywhere but now i ride for enjoyment and if the conditions don't look enjoyable i don't ride.

It's not anything to do with being a poof etc for me personally as i've been and done the ride in snow, crashed on ice etc etc but now i don't need to.

I'm with spoonz's answer here. ..adding..Both my rides are for enjoyment only, one for the bedroom & one for the track/road :biggrin

pieman · Dec 19, 2009

mine's only in the garage cos one of my exhaust screws fell out so it was shooting out flames. New one is taking a little time to arrive, it is christmas i guess!

little1uk · Dec 20, 2009

Use mine for pleasure and the odd commute (rarely) however its taxed, mot'd and insured all year round and is ready to ride at any time, me and Exup went out friday night, in hindsight it was a little stupid, it was fookin freezing, main roads were good but back roads were a little dodgy, was good to meet up with him again but think im done now till feb when it warms up again, unless we have a good day before and then im off out :thumbup

Alan Haskins · Dec 20, 2009

I ain't soft

But there's no way I'm riding in this weather unless I have to. As an ex-dispatcher, I've done my time riding in the freezing cold and pissing rain, and I've no intention of reliving those days.

I ride for pleasure and pleasure only.

T Virus · Dec 20, 2009

i commute everyday... visit friends in al weathers... & was out on the bike last night... back wheel span up atleast 5 times... but only because its my only mode of transport... given the chance in this weather... & no congeston charge etc... id take a 4x4... nowt too do with bravery... just common sense !! :biggrin

HondaCBRrr06 · Dec 20, 2009

54yrs old & still use 2 wheels daily
Iv,e got 3 modes of transport ,,,,,,,,,
Car
Honda dylan 125cc twist & go / used daily for work
Aprilia RSVR for recreation
Hate taking the car to work as loadsa traffic when i knock off so use 125cc all the time unless Mrs wants me to nip into Currys or Comet for somethin
Mind u just looked outa window at snow and NO way am i going on 2 wheels tomoz ,,,,,,,,,, if i go in at all
:whocares

Garvey20031 · Dec 20, 2009

To get me back in to biking I had to sell the car and use my bike as main transport. Ride all year round SNow, rain, Sun, Freezing fog you name it. Wish I didnt as I go through bike like no tomorrow and my bikes all end up with tunns of miles on and signs of winter abuse, but when the sun comes out

enough said.

Would love to have the bike for playing about on. Maybe one day once my boys are older :lol yeah right

pompey-pimp · Dec 20, 2009

Mine is purely a pleasure thing, got the car for crap weather. I remember the days when I was 16 riding my Honda C90 in the snow, great fun but worthless so it didn't matter if I dropped it. Roll on the spring:thumbup

nikfubar1 · Dec 20, 2009

Alan Haskins said:
I ain't soft

But there's no way I'm riding in this weather unless I have to. As an ex-dispatcher, I've done my time riding in the freezing cold and pissing rain, and I've no intention of reliving those days.

I ride for pleasure and pleasure only.

Same as, I did 2 years dispatch riding in all weathers, now I don't even like riding in the rain. If it's not knee down weather then I have a nice warm car :biggrin

Spud monkey · Dec 21, 2009

little1uk said:
Use mine for pleasure and the odd commute (rarely) however its taxed, mot'd and insured all year round and is ready to ride at any time, me and Exup went out friday night, in hindsight it was a little stupid, it was fookin freezing, main roads were good but back roads were a little dodgy, was good to meet up with him again but think im done now till feb when it warms up again, unless we have a good day before and then im off out :thumbup

Seconded.

I used to ride all year including in the snow but is not enjoyable and very hazardous. Now I won't risk the injuries as I want to enjoy my summer riding to the full instead of laying around in plaster or worse.

B o B · Dec 21, 2009

So I guess the consensus of opion is we're not softer - just more sensible.

On another note, I do find Nikfubar's avatar distracting :devious

skrall · Dec 21, 2009

B o B said:
So I guess the consensus of opion is we're not softer - just more sensible.

On another note, I do find Nikfubar's avatar distracting :devious

As I say given the coice if I had a car, I wouldn't take the risk of wrecking the bike or myself in that weather, was just a shock to see the ace cafe so empty on a friday night.

Nikfubar for avatar of the month:devious

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Are bikers getting softer?

skrall

amb67

Olllie

IanG

spoonz

AusRSV

pieman

little1uk

Alan Haskins

T Virus

HondaCBRrr06

Garvey20031

pompey-pimp

nikfubar1

Spud monkey

B o B

skrall

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