Sheldon wrote:
>
> Pete C. wrote:
> > >
> > Honda Rebel 250, Kawasaki Eliminator 125, both around the $2,500 price
> > point. Neither is good for extended highway use, but both are just
> > peachy for around town use.
>
> More BS... those are essentially scooters... good around town in say
> Bangladesh... in most US states those are not street legal, which is
> why, again, those toys r us mini bikes are not seen on US roadways.
> And their miniscule configuration makes them very unsafe in traffic.
> Anyone over 5' will look circus clownish on one.
>
> Sheldon

Care to cite which US states the Rebel 250 and Eliminator 125 are not
street legal in?

Didn't think so...

Pete C.

In article . com>,
"Sheldon" > wrote:

> Pete C. wrote:
> > >
> > Honda Rebel 250, Kawasaki Eliminator 125, both around the $2,500 price
> > point. Neither is good for extended highway use, but both are just
> > peachy for around town use.
>
> More BS... those are essentially scooters... good around town in say
> Bangladesh... in most US states those are not street legal, which is
> why, again, those toys r us mini bikes are not seen on US roadways.
> And their miniscule configuration makes them very unsafe in traffic.
> Anyone over 5' will look circus clownish on one.
>
> Sheldon

Admit it Shel', you are just a Harley fanatic. ;-)
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

Steve Wertz wrote:
> A brand new 2006 Suzuki GZ250 is going for $2,700 in the showrooms
> (MSRP is slightly higher).

That's flushing three grand down the toilet. You'd be amazed at how
many first time buyers choose those minis, then hardly ride them...
when they go to trade them in six months later for something more
suitable they're lucky if they get half their money back on a bike that
hasn't reached 500 miles yet.

Unless you live practically within walking distance that is not a
commuter cycle... it's way too underpowered and unless you're not much
taller than 5' 2" it's too small. My first bike was a Honda CRX500,
had plenty of power but was just too small too sit astride comfortably
for more than 30 minutes... was really not large enough for daily
commuting... was fine for occasional weekend joy riding but ridden
every day you'll soon develop all kinds of muscle cramps and begin to
loathe getting on each morning. None of those mini bikes allow one to
shift position even an inch. There are plenty of low end motor bikes
dressed out to look like motorcycles, but none are suitable commuter
bikes for US roadways. And they're just not safe because they're so
underpowered, they're also so physically small that they're truly
invisble... you'll be as vulnerable as a five year old pedaling his
hotwheels through NYC's midtown during rush hour.

Sheldon

Bob Myers wrote:
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> ...
>
> >> Nope I didn't mean you... just gave me an opportunity to hop up on my
> >> soap
> >> box about not wearing helmet when riding a motorcycle. My apologies.
> >>
> >> Chris
> >
> > Unfortunately it's a misguided soapbox.
>
> Ya wanna explain that one a bit further?
>
> Bob M.
> (motorcyclist, and I wear a helmet always)

Helmets are not magic safety bubbles and under some conditions there are
good reasons not to wear a helmet.

Due to both lack of experience and the ability to ride only in good
weather I wear a helmet as well. Where I to have more experience and the
need to ride in the 105 degree TX heat, my evaluation of the risk /
benefit of a helmet would likely be different.

Pete C.

Bob Myers wrote:
> > "Sheldon" > wrote:
> >
> >> OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
> >> >
> >> > I don't think I said anything about riding a Harley. ;-) There are far
> >> > less expensive and more economical bikes...
> >>
> >> Actually not street safe for US roadways, the rice burners and euro
> >> bikes one can safely use to commute are just as costly if not moreso.
> >> You must be thinking the '50s Hondas... those and their scooter-like
> >> ilk are not around because they are not safe on US roads. It's not
> >> safe to go into US traffic on anyting less than a 500cc, actually a
> >> 750cc is really the low limit... you gotta be able to out accelerate
> >> every four wheeled vehicle out there.
>
> Nonsense. My regular commuter bike is a Suzuki SV650

Well, you're precisely within the range I recommend. Any 650 is an
adequate commuter bike. But a 750 is nicer if you need to run a couple
three interstate exits on your commute... mostly because the larger the
frame the more comfortable and more visible. A commuter bike implies
it's something one is going to do regularly/routinely, not a once in a
while endeaver... get the bike that's large enough to comfortably cover
the gamut, not of a size just to barely eke by. And if finances are an
issue I much rather see someone get a few year old 650 than a brand new
250. But if you're gonna spring for a brand new 650 then I recommend
you be a sport and for a few bucks more go for the 750. Also, the 750
rice burners probably hold their value better than any displacement.

Sheldon

Sheldon > wrote:

> OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
> >
> > I don't think I said anything about riding a Harley. ;-) There are far
> > less expensive and more economical bikes...

> Actually not street safe for US roadways, the rice burners and euro
> bikes one can safely use to commute are just as costly if not moreso.
> You must be thinking the '50s Hondas... those and their scooter-like
> ilk are not around because they are not safe on US roads. It's not
> safe to go into US traffic on anyting less than a 500cc, actually a
> 750cc is really the low limit... you gotta be able to out accelerate
> every four wheeled vehicle out there.

> Harleys are the safest in US traffic because they're wide, long, and
> grotesque, they don't blend in like say a cafe racer... they're the
> easiest to see... they're also typically the loudest, you'll usually
> hear them before you see them. You don't ever want to see a motorcycle
> before you hear it, means it just came through your windshield.

This is stupider than Sheldon's usual blather. Absolutely some of
the most ignorant BS I've seen.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

"Chris Marksberry" > wrote in message
...
>> > ObFood: I'm meeting a friend out at IAH Sunday who's on her way to Peru
>> > and
>> > has about a 4 hour Houston layover... trying to figure out where to go
>> > eat
>> > in the nearby area. Preferably I suppose inside the airport would be
>> > best.
>>
>> Your options are mainly limited to chains in the Greenspoint, 1960, or
>> Humble areas, Chris, if you want to venture outside the airport. Maybe
> some
>> place in Old Town Spring? Here's a list of restaurants the
>> http://www.oldtownspring.com/eateries.php. We've always liked
>> Puffabelly's
>> and Wunsche Bros. Cafe.
>>
>> From reading recent reviews on houston.eats, I'd probably avoid the
> Potatoe
>> Patch on 1960.
>>
>> Mary
>>
>>
>
> Thanks Mary,
>
> Too bad she doesn't have more time in Houston or I'd opt for Chez Nous if
> they are open for lunch.

Hubby took me there for my birthday earlier this year (first time there for
both of us). Wonderful place! Really lived up to its reputation.


> She did once say that meeting friends (even if it's at McDonald's) is the
> most important thing even though she's hard core foodie!

I feel the same way.

Mary

Pete C., after taking an infinite amount of time, finally, on 29 Aug
2006, typed out:

> Helmets are not magic safety bubbles and under some conditions there
are
> good reasons not to wear a helmet.


I made a left turn off the main street onto another road on my Nighthawk
750. I was wearing protective gear and fullface helmet.

Before I could straighten up and complete the turn the front tire's
contact patch hit a flat aluminum can and the bike instantly low-sided,
slamming me down onto the pavement on my side and pinning my foot under
the engine.

First my knees hit the pavement, then my shoulder, then my helmet. My
boots had solid steel shanks from heel to toe which saved my foot from
being crushed. I used my other foot to kick the engine and freed my foot.
I stood up and raised the motorcycle, got back on and drove home.

The knee armor didn't work so well because of the side impact. I had skin
burn on both knee. My shoulder was fine thanks to the excellent shoulder
armor and my helmet had a dent in it about the size of a small egg.

Surely the helmet saved me from breaking my head open and dying or at
least from suffering severe head trauma.

Don't wear a helmet if you don't want to!

Andy

In article >,
says...
> In article >,
> "Chris Marksberry" > wrote:
>
> > > I'd ride a bike to work in a heartbeat if my commute was not 25 miles by
> > > freeway. :-(
> > > --
> > > Peace!
> > > Om
> >
> > As much as I hate to I'd have to agree with Sheldon (seems kinda unnatural)
> > on the motorcycle deal and people not wearing helmets. I have a step-son
> > who's a Harley-Davidson enthusiast (and owns about 3 Harley's)and when the
> > helmet law was repealed in Texas he promptly started riding without a
> > helmet. Scares me and my husband and we talked with son to no avail...
> > guess safety is less important to him and to have his hair flying the breeze
> > is more important.
> >
> > When our boys were still at home (all 5 of them) we had a rule... if you
> > want to ride a motorcycle you will have to live elsewhere!
> >
> > Chris
>
> When I said bike, I did not mean motorcycle...
>
> As above and in another post, my commute is either 25 or 30 miles
> depending on the route I take. That varies depending on freeway
> construction that has been going on now for about 5 years or so. :-P
>
> I meant bicycle.
>
> But I agree with the helmet thing. Not wearing a helmet is foolish.
> As is wearing no seatbelt. I wore a seatbelt long before it ever became
> law.
>

My commute is 2.1 miles. I can walk it in roughly 30 minutes AND my
office has a shower. It doesn't get much better than that.

It helps that we're all eco-nuts in my office. I walk in, another of our
staff runs in or bikes in, and the boss walks in too.

notbob wrote:

> Yeah, me too. But, I despise the bullshit dogooders that think they
> need to save me from myself. Sure, I'll wear a helmet on an extended
> trip, but having to don one to take my scooter the the corner
> mini-mart is a load of crap.
>
> It's all so hypocritical. Govt couldn't give a goodgoddamn whether
> you live or die in an accident. It's the damn insurance companies
> that are driving all this "safety" crap. They may have to cough up some
> $$ and they'll do anything at all, including bundle you up like the
> freakin' Michelin Man, to avoid doing so!
>
> nb

It isn't hypocritical to me. If you wanna go without a helment, have the
decency to pay for long term medical care insurance so that when your
traumatic brain injury leaves you a broccoli head, I don't have to pay
for your upkeep for the next gazillion years in the nursing home. Fair?
These are the folks I work with daily and it is such a huge unnecessary
waste of resources when a little prevention would have done wonders.

On 2006-08-30, Goomba38 > wrote:

> It isn't hypocritical to me. If you wanna go without a helment, have the
> decency to pay for long term medical care insurance so that when your
> traumatic brain injury leaves you a broccoli head, I don't have to pay
> for your upkeep for the next gazillion years in the nursing home. Fair?

Not if you're the one who made me a brocoli head. Why should you get
off because I didn't wear a helmet? The logic of insurance companies
is that cage drivers are, for the most part, complete imbeciles. They
know that most motorcycle accidents are cause by cage drivers and are
just protecting their interests. It's also a fact most deaths and
severe injuries in cars are head injuries. So, why don't car drivers
have to wear helmets? More hypocrisy.

nb

notbob wrote:
> On 2006-08-30, Goomba38 > wrote:
>
> > It isn't hypocritical to me. If you wanna go without a helment, have the
> > decency to pay for long term medical care insurance so that when your
> > traumatic brain injury leaves you a broccoli head, I don't have to pay
> > for your upkeep for the next gazillion years in the nursing home. Fair?
>
> Not if you're the one who made me a brocoli head. Why should you get
> off because I didn't wear a helmet? The logic of insurance companies
> is that cage drivers are, for the most part, complete imbeciles. They
> know that most motorcycle accidents are cause by cage drivers and are
> just protecting their interests. It's also a fact most deaths and
> severe injuries in cars are head injuries. So, why don't car drivers
> have to wear helmets?

Professional race car drivers do. They were the first to wear seat
belts too. Perhaps manditory helmets for all automobile occupants
ain't too far off. Maybe there'll be a twenty year moratorium on
helmets if only they'd abolish driving with cell phones... personally I
think they are far worse than DUI.

Sheldon

notbob, after taking an infinite amount of time, finally, on 29 Aug 2006,
typed out:

> Not if you're the one who made me a brocoli head. Why should you get
> off because I didn't wear a helmet? The logic of insurance companies
> is that cage drivers are, for the most part, complete imbeciles. They
> know that most motorcycle accidents are cause by cage drivers and are
> just protecting their interests. It's also a fact most deaths and
> severe injuries in cars are head injuries. So, why don't car drivers
> have to wear helmets? More hypocrisy.
>
> nb


nb,

You're talking drunk!

Cagers have seatbelts and airbags and doors and roofs and other stuff to
absorb crash impact.

What've you got on your horse, notbob?

Would you armor up on a private track to ride a Hayabusa at 200 mph if
someone gave you the chance?

Andy

Sheldon wrote:

> got picked up at a
> red light by a soccer mom because for weeks she'd been tailing me in
> her Volvo admiring my sweaty tight biker's buns... true! hehe
>


Are you that polygamist guy on the nooze that has 80 "wives" and 250
kidz...???

--
Best
Greg

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

> In article . com>,
> "Sheldon" > wrote:
>
> > Pete C. wrote:
> > > >
> > > Honda Rebel 250, Kawasaki Eliminator 125, both around the $2,500 price
> > > point. Neither is good for extended highway use, but both are just
> > > peachy for around town use.
> >
> > More BS... those are essentially scooters... good around town in say
> > Bangladesh... in most US states those are not street legal, which is
> > why, again, those toys r us mini bikes are not seen on US roadways.
> > And their miniscule configuration makes them very unsafe in traffic.
> > Anyone over 5' will look circus clownish on one.
> >
> > Sheldon
>
> Admit it Shel', you are just a Harley fanatic. ;-)


Did the new computer arrive?

;---)

--
Best
Greg

In article .com>,
"Sheldon" > wrote:

> You have to be in
> damn good physical shape to commute by bicycle...

Commuting by bicycle _keeps_ you in good shape...

But yeah, it can suck in extreme weather.
Needless to say, I won't be doing it. ;-)

But riding it to the local grocery store during nice spring/fall weather
is not un-doable.
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

Gregory Morrow wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
>
> > got picked up at a
> > red light by a soccer mom because for weeks she'd been tailing me in
> > her Volvo admiring my sweaty tight biker's buns... true! hehe
> >
>
>
> Are you that polygamist guy on the nooze that has 80 "wives" and 250
> kidz...???

Well, I don't have all those wives...

Sheldon Dadio

Gregory Morrow wrote:
> OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
>
> > In article . com>,
> > "Sheldon" > wrote:
> >
> > > Pete C. wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > Honda Rebel 250, Kawasaki Eliminator 125, both around the $2,500 price
> > > > point. Neither is good for extended highway use, but both are just
> > > > peachy for around town use.
> > >
> > > More BS... those are essentially scooters... good around town in say
> > > Bangladesh... in most US states those are not street legal, which is
> > > why, again, those toys r us mini bikes are not seen on US roadways.
> > > And their miniscule configuration makes them very unsafe in traffic.
> > > Anyone over 5' will look circus clownish on one.
> > >
> > > Sheldon
> >
> > Admit it Shel', you are just a Harley fanatic. ;-)
>
>
> Did the new computer arrive?

Not yet... but yesterday when I called to check they said they have
begun to ship and production is up to 500 out the door a day, was told
I should have mine in ten days, but who knows... customer service (Dell
calls it Customer Care) has been known to prevaricate. I'm a patient
kinda guy, not easy to rile, I can out wait most anyone.

Sheldon

Steve Wertz wrote:
> On 29 Aug 2006 14:21:21 -0700, Sheldon wrote:
>
> > Steve Wertz wrote:
> >> A brand new 2006 Suzuki GZ250 is going for $2,700 in the showrooms
> >> (MSRP is slightly higher).
> ...
> > Unless you live practically within walking distance that is not a
> > commuter cycle...
>
> Of course it isn't. Because you're losing ground making your
> point.
>
> Those things last quite a while and are good for 100 miles at a
> time. Which is fact, not opinion.

You must be 4" 8" and weigh 90 pounds... that makes you nine years
old... had me fooled, I figgered you for about seven.

Sheldon wrote:

> Steve Wertz wrote:
> > On 29 Aug 2006 14:21:21 -0700, Sheldon wrote:
> >
> > > Steve Wertz wrote:
> > >> A brand new 2006 Suzuki GZ250 is going for $2,700 in the showrooms
> > >> (MSRP is slightly higher).
> > ...
> > > Unless you live practically within walking distance that is not a
> > > commuter cycle...
> >
> > Of course it isn't. Because you're losing ground making your
> > point.
> >
> > Those things last quite a while and are good for 100 miles at a
> > time. Which is fact, not opinion.
>
> You must be 4" 8" and weigh 90 pounds... that makes you nine years
> old... had me fooled, I figgered you for about seven.


Yep...a seven year - old HAMSTER...

--
Best
Greg

"notbob" > wrote in message
. ..
> Yeah, me too. But, I despise the bullshit dogooders that think they
> need to save me from myself. Sure, I'll wear a helmet on an extended
> trip, but having to don one to take my scooter the the corner
> mini-mart is a load of crap.

I agree that the decision should be left up to the individual
(as long as the responsibility for the consequences are
the burden of the individual as well); what I have a problem
with is when the "no helmets!" contingent within the
motorcycling community tries to justify their position with
some sort of bogus argument that it's safer without a
helmet than with. You are very clearly ALWAYS less
safe without a helmet; if you're willing to accept that risk
and choose not to wear the lid anyway, I have no problem
with that. Just don't tell me you're doing it to enhance your
safety.

Bob M.

> wrote in message ...
> This is stupider than Sheldon's usual blather. Absolutely some of
> the most ignorant BS I've seen.

Well, at least he's consistent. It's good to know that
ol' Shelly knows just about as much about motorcycles
as he does about cooking...

Bob M.

"Pete C." > wrote in message
...
> Sheldon wrote:
>>
>> Pete C. wrote:
>> > Sheldon wrote:
>> > >
>> > > OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:
>> > > >
>> > > > More people are riding motorcycles 'cause nobody can
>> > > > afford to pay the frickin' high gas prices!
>> > >
>> > > Absolute nonsense... no one in the US rides a motorcycle to save
>> > > money... you've obviously never owned a motorcycle (actually a
>> > > motorcycle owns you). MPG is the lame excuse given to a
>> > > spouse/parent
>> > > for obtaining a mortgage on a bike, but no one, not even one, buys a
>> > > Hawg to save gas... no more than the price of a helmet is a reason
>> > > not
>> > > to wear one. A Hawg costs more than a Corolla, costs three times as
>> > > much to maintain, and gets lower gas milage. Maybe you have a friend
>> > > with a small plane, as a favor you can be dropped you off at work...
>> > > sky diving is more exhilerating and far safer than riding a
>> > > motorcycle.
>> > >
>> > > Bikers don't wear helmets for the same reason biker chicks don't wear
>> > > panties... the chin strap is irritating.
>> > >
>> > > Sheldon
>> >
>> > Where can you get a new Corolla for $2,500? You can get several street
>> > bikes for about $2,500 new.
>>
>> You're quoting a riding lawn mower from Lowes. LOL
>
> Hardly.
>
>>
>> You don't have a clue... a stripped down 80cc dirt bike for a 10 year
>> old costs $2,500.
>
> Honda Rebel 250, Kawasaki Eliminator 125, both around the $2,500 price
> point. Neither is good for extended highway use, but both are just
> peachy for around town use.
>
>>
>> Any road ready commuter cycle is gonna run more than $8K, and that's
>> for a naked bike... the minimal accessories can easily top $2,500... in
>> fact a biker's minimum wardrobe has got to cost more than $2,500.
>> Typically a commuter bike will be in the $10-$12K range, because
>> outfitting a lesser bike will bring the price up to what you already
>> get with the more expensive machine, only you still have a lesser
>> powered smaller bike. And I'm not taking touring bikes here... you can
>> easy pay $25K for a Gold Wing.
>
> There are plenty of highway capable bikes in the $5,000 range and
> accessories won't add more than $500 unless you're trying for some
> egocentric "look".
>
>>
>> And no one ever asks MPG in a cycle shop... that's like if you go to
>> buy a yacht and ask MPG... the salesman will laugh you out of the
>> marina.
>
> Indeed, but it is an item to be considered if you want to use it for
> other than weekend recreation, as is the low cost of insurance and
> registration.
>
>>
>> US roadways, in-town or interstate, are just not designed for
>> motorcycles, and never will be... in the US a motorcycle is strictly a
>> luxury/pleasure item, it will never be a frugal method for commuting.
>
> US roadways aren't the problem, US driver education is. I know a number
> of people who have commuted on a motorcycle for years.
>
>>
>> You obviously can't afford a bike, not any bike... you''re another one
>> who's never owned a bike.
>
> I've got a Kawasaki Vulcan 750, a perfectly capable $5,000 bike. I also
> have a proper motorcycle license and insurance.
>
> Pete C.
=========

Thank you Pete!! I've been a rider for many years and a bike was my "first
car". It was a Honda 400. I rode it everywhere! My current bike is a
Suzuki 800. Both bikes did/do run very well and were extremely low cost and
had great mileage... oh, and did I add that they both were priced between
$1200 and $ 3000 - because I purchased them used.

While I understand that some people believe the only "real" bike is a
Harley... I can't afford one and quite frankly, have been quite satisified
with other brands.

MPG "is" a concern for a lot of folks... I was grateful for having one last
year when gas prices went over $3.00 and I was commuting an extra 44 miles
per day for some additional training.

I've always worn a helmet too. Yes there are some... negatives (?) to them
but I feel that the positives far outweigh the negatives. I've only rode
one time (within my neighborhood) without a helmet and while I could feel a
certain *something* without it... it made me nervous as hell. I went back
to the house and grabbed the helmet. LOL

Cyndi

>> Not if you're the one who made me a brocoli head. Why should you get
>> off because I didn't wear a helmet? The logic of insurance companies
>> is that cage drivers are, for the most part, complete imbeciles. They
>> know that most motorcycle accidents are cause by cage drivers and are
>> just protecting their interests. It's also a fact most deaths and
>> severe injuries in cars are head injuries. So, why don't car drivers
>> have to wear helmets?

Well, if you're hoping your medical care bills will be paid by the other
guy at fault you're gonna be hard up when he doesn't have any insurance
either (not uncommon at all) and you'll still be stuck waiting for a
charity bed to live out the rest of your life.

You failed to mention that the massive head injuries killing car drivers
and passengers are usually the unrestrained (read: no seat belts) folks.