[eon]

I find it incredible that anyone can average 131mph over 37 miles of public roads. As you can see there is not a whole lot of run off between the quaint cottages and the 300 year old dry stone walls. What’s even more incredible is that for one Sunday afternoon they open part of the course to the public to go as fast as they like on. Growing up in the UK it became a yearly ritual of how many people died this year. Cue newsreel of drunken bikers hanging around the streets and then cut to scene of irresponsible hooligans racing through the streets. Obligatory interview with Miss Marple type local resident who is scandalized by the whole thing. I’m pretty impressed it is still going. Good to see something dangerous has survived into this sanitized age (of course the fact the island is semi-independent and relies on this event for a large chunk of its GDP might have something to do with that).

[eon]

I do not know anything about that bike so cannot comment but I am concerned over your desire to move up due to peer pressure. You have only recently started riding and obviously still have a lot to learn. Trying to keep up with your friends at this stage could get you into serious trouble. Having a ‘beginners’ bike beneath you is important but pales into insignificance compared to what’s between your ears. From your recent posts it appears that image is more important to you than safety. I ain’t your mother so I’m not going to tell you not to do it but you should at least be honest with yourself at your ability to ride within your limits. If your friends are racing into corners will you have the self control to ride at your own speed?

Be safe.

[eon]

Best of luck with all your plans. I think you are making the right choice by waiting as having your own place is expensive. Until you know exactly what your disposable income will be it’s better to be cautious.

[eon]

Congratulations on taking and passing the MSF class. I agree with you that the class is on the basic side but that is just the start of your learning. Plenty of other classes out there and material to read to improve your skills. Once you get your bike the learning begins in earnest.

I like your choice of bikes. That’s the direction I am leaning in myself once I decide to get bike number 2, although it is the F650GS (or maybe even the 800) that has my eye. I decided to go new for my first bike as it made life simple. Go to the dealer, plump down the cash and ride away. Plus it meant not waiting for the perfect used bike to show up (I had had my fill of waiting by this time).

Hopefully your wait will not be too long.

[eon]

IIRC there was a recent review on webbikeworld of a flip up that passed the SNELL test. They made the comment that its not that flip ups could not pass the test, its just for some reason they were never submitted or selected for testing.

I think it comes down to personal choice. Flip ups cost more money and are typically heavier than the equivalent non-flip up. Is that convenience worth that extra cost to you? Only you can decide that.

[eon]

and I think this time you are one of them. I am a life long cyclist, come from a family of cyclists. First time I ever really got out of my hometown was on a bike. Toured Scotland when I was 16 when a few quid in my pocket and a tent on the back. Had the time of my life. But this is a motorcycle forum so I don’t think it is appropriate to be pushing bicycles to someone looking for advice on which bike to get.

[eon]

Sorry, obviously not many people here have Dual Sports. There is one guy who has I think a 400cc Suzuki, but thats about it. I’m sure you would have more luck on DS specific sites. Let us know what you find.

[eon]

I understand that any standardized test has its limitations and that products will be manufactured to pass these tests, which is not always a good thing. But at least having standards forces everyone to measure up to them. We can always work on improving what the standards are. Otherwise we are left to trust the manufacturers claims on how good their products are, which is NOT something I want to do. Now this guy appears to be on the level and know what he is talking about but one of his products is described as using “strong nylon”. What the hell does that mean? From a less reputable company that could mean your jacket disintegrates on contact with the road.

And while I ride to avoid crashing the reason I wear any safety gear is to protect me if I do. And I therefore want the best protection for the money I can get. Standards help me make that choice.

Anyway, I posted this here as I just found out about this company AFTER I went and bought lots of new stuff. I would have seriously considered them if I knew about them beforehand.

[eon]

Glad you managed to stay upright and enjoy your rides. Now that you have had time to think about it are you any clearer on what happened? Tires (tread/pressure) ok? Was it rider error?

I know about a month or so ago I had a close call that was entirely rider error. Not entirely sure why I messed up but I did. Since then I’ve slowed down some and now try to be smooth through the corners, practice what they preach about rolling on the throttle the whole way through the corner. Slow in, fast out etc. Hopefully it will improve my technique and keep me sunny side up.

ps. for the locals, I went on my first ever trip round Mt Rainier on Friday. It was a bit of a letdown as it had been hyped so much. But I guess I missed the best bit as Stevens Canyon Rd is closed due to flood damage. If they fix it I plan on going again in a month or so with my scooter group.
Hey, your bike is yellow if I remember correctly. You were not stuck behind a bunch of slow moving cruisers heading west on 508 past Cinebar on Friday were you?

[eon]

I extract records where the ICD-9 codes are between 520 and 529. Very few are the direct cause of death, most of the 20 records are the related records (I forget the terminology used on the death certificate, it’s been a couple of months since I looked at this). I have not been analyzing the data, just extracting it but my casual glance told me that a high percentage of the deaths were in very young infants, almost new born. In other words a large percentage were born with a condition that would cause death and this condition affected the mouth in some way.

The rate has remained approximately the same over the years though it does range from about 12 to 26 each year.

I need to stop procrastinating and finish my data extract. The last 10 years or so they moved to ICD-10 codes and the file layout is shuffled once more. More work for me

[eon]

I’ve just invested in my first ever GPS unit. Decided it was necessary to help me find my way around the little back roads that are so much fun to ride after I left one small town, rode for 20 miles and ended up back where I started. Confused the hell out of me when I saw 2 guys painting a fence and thought, “that’s weird, they look like the 2 guys I saw 20 miles back???”.

[eon]

Despite my flippant comment earlier, I am actually a computer programmer specializing in databases, designing/programming etc. Your line of work is interesting to me as I have been roped in to helping out a friend analyzing the past 25 years of mortality data reported by the US National Statistics bureau (I would post the website link but I have been procrastinating for the past few weeks and cannot find it now). It’s been interesting delving into death certificate reports going back to 1979. Almost like being a time traveler at times.

Specifically, I’ve been digging out information on the deaths of children related to dental issues. Around 20 deaths in the US each year that are related in some way to dental issues.

[eon]

I am at home, hiding from the heat and the sun
Went on a 300 mile ride yesterday round Mt Rainier in 95′ heat and I thought I would pass out at one stage. I know that is not too hot for some of you but for me it is damn hot. Having a FF helmet that does not vent very well does not help, having leather gloves with no vents also sucked. Might head out to the BMW dealership to see if they have the Rev’It gloves I liked the looks off. I wonder if they are open today?

Mt Rainier

[eon]

Don’t have any unusual animal sightings but in the category of unexpected obstacles my best so far is a lot of toilet paper! A truck had dumped a load of toilet paper over a half mile stretch on the highway so I got to practice my high speed (well, 40mph) weaving around them. But the cars were just hitting them and sending them flying through the air like little comets. I had to duck to avoid some of these missiles as I didn’t want one wrapping itself around my helmet. But I couldn’t stop laughing as ducked and weaved my way through this. Was kind of sad when it finished!

[eon]

Just wait till you add heavy rain to the night+highway combination. That’s a real butt clenching experience. When its raining heavy enough to cause standing water but too dark to see it; not pleasant, not pleasant at all. One time I was going 60 which was as fast as I dared but I could see a large semi catching up with me. Definitely did not want him passing me so I crept up to 65 so I could make my exit before he caught me. All part of the fun

[Author]

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