 The "almost bit it" other thread
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Since I used to have a nice Kawasaki Ninja 650R prior to the Triumph, I have a look, from time to time, at another forum about them. I was amazed at the number of threads in the likes of:"I almost bit it", "Phew, that was a close one" or "Dropped my bike today"... Maybe because the 650R was touted as the ideal beginners bike, and lots of inexperienced riders own it ... but I don't see that many threads with such a title over here at ba.com I enjoyed my 650R the time I had it, I think it is a nice all-around bike at a honest price, but now, I just love my America. So, wishing you all stay safe out there... and enjoy the roads ahead of you. 
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Yep Jeff, I'm thinkin' you're right. Maybe the lesser incidence of accidents can be attributed to the older demographic ridin' these here Triumphs. (...sonny) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Or might be the outstanding handling of the trumpet in combination with the naturally higher intelligence level of those smart enough to ride them!
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Well, I suppose it could be that too, Mike!  (hmmmm...ya know, now you've got me wonderin' if maybe the incidence of Harley riders crashin' might be disproportionate to their numbers out there!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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Quote:
Well, I suppose it could be that too, Mike!
(hmmmm...ya know, now you've got me wonderin' if maybe the incidence of Harley riders crashin' might be disproportionate to their numbers out there!)
How much trouble can you get into when you ride only 2,000 miles a year on weekends and in sunny weather? On the other hand, they do get a lot of miles on trailers. 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Oh sure, Larry. Throw some MORE variables into this little equation here, why don't ya?!!!  (look, I may ride a Triumph and all, but I have absolutely NO training in actuarial charts, dude!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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I had a Ninja 650R and my wife dropped it as a newbie rider, pulled the front brake with the front wheel turned. The dual front disc brakes are pretty touchy if you're not used to them. I dropped it once when I thought the kickstand was down and couldn't save it.
A friend just bought a new one for his wife (a newbie) and she dropped it twice on her first ride. The first drop she thought she was in 1st gear but was in 2nd so when it lugged it went down. The second drop was in the driveway, she put the kickstand down but evidently not all the way.
The 650R is not a heavy bike but it is a top heavy bike, once that upper mass starts to tip past center it is hard to stop. The kickstand is also set at a steep angle.
The America/Speedmaster has a much lower center of gravity and is easier to catch and upright before it goes down.
- I love the rain the most when it stops.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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I dropped my BA, but was too embarassed to post a thread about it. Scratched my right side Sceptre pipe and both right turn signals and the right mirror. I would have cried, but I was too busy yelling cuss words and kicking the air. Then, I realized the bike was still running and needed to be picked up.
I hit a small patch of mud while turning into the driveway.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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I dropped mine while practicg figure 8s for the Pa cycle liscensing exam.Over the bars I went.It wouldnt have happened if my front tire wasnt low on pressure. Dwight:Most harlys I see are on the main roads,which I ride very little.On the back twistys I can count on one hand the harlys Ive seen in the past year.Those I saw last in my rear view mirror  Its easy to keep the rubber side down on a harly if its stays on a trailer or on the straightaway. 
Last edited by smaug; 06/15/2010 4:52 PM.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Personally, I dismissed all crotch rockets when I was looking for a new bike, mainly because I know that if I do get one, I'd have to push it to its limits, otherwise, whats the point of having one? But that is the way to becoming a smear on the tarmac 
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
I dropped my BA, but was too embarassed to post a thread about it.
Now we all know 
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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New Tires
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New Tires
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Don't feel bad I drop my bikes all the time, gravel driveway.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Quote:
I had a Ninja 650R and my wife dropped it as a newbie rider, pulled the front brake with the front wheel turned. The dual front disc brakes are pretty touchy if you're not used to them. I dropped it once when I thought the kickstand was down and couldn't save it.
A friend just bought a new one for his wife (a newbie) and she dropped it twice on her first ride. The first drop she thought she was in 1st gear but was in 2nd so when it lugged it went down. The second drop was in the driveway, she put the kickstand down but evidently not all the way.
The 650R is not a heavy bike but it is a top heavy bike, once that upper mass starts to tip past center it is hard to stop. The kickstand is also set at a steep angle.
The America/Speedmaster has a much lower center of gravity and is easier to catch and upright before it goes down.
I can attest to everything you just said. My Trophy is a wee bit top heavy with a higher seat than my TBA. I have to be super careful not to let 'er tip too far when stopped or Flintstoneing (a new verb). 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Quote:
Quote:
Well, I suppose it could be that too, Mike!
(hmmmm...ya know, now you've got me wonderin' if maybe the incidence of Harley riders crashin' might be disproportionate to their numbers out there!)
How much trouble can you get into when you ride only 2,000 miles a year on weekends and in sunny weather? On the other hand, they do get a lot of miles on trailers.
I just rolled 100,000 on the Geezer Harley. I don't have too many "just about bit it", except for that 12 lb. turkey hen that I nicked her tail feather with my windsheild last week. I'm also of the elder demographics and am an active poster here. (although my post count isn't near some others ) "There's fast riders and there's old riders... not many fast old riders!"
later, Tom.
But, what do I know?
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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I see the same kind of posts on other forums all the time. Last year I went on a ride with some younger guys from another forum and after seeing how fast they like to ride going into completely blind corners, I decided to split off and ride alone for a while. I was not at all suprised when one of the forum members hit a deer later that summer and crashed. I guess after you've been down once or twice or maybe had some close calls, you learn to SLOW DOWN. I guess some folks take more time than others to learn this and repeatedly crash bikes. Others only crash one and its their first and last.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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+1 on the above posting. I hooked up with a group of riders here in Vegas. They are mostly riding Adventure bikes. You know the ones that go in the sand and dirt roads as well as pavement.
We took a ride up to Valley of Fire (175 miles round trip) and they just had to roll on the throttle at every opportunity. My idea of a nice ride is not going 75 to 95 MPH. My speedy just loves loafing along at 60-65 MPH all day long. Yes it can go faster but then my old fart brain has to go faster too and I cannot enjoy the scenery as much. At anything above 70 MPH I am just aiming the bike, not driving it, not enjoying it and begging for an thrill or a spill.
On the way back they wanted to really open it up and I just loafed along at the speed limit (50) and they pulled away for a time. Later on I passed them...They all had been pulled over by the Federal Park Rangers and were all getting green stamps for speeding. Oh well!
I no longer ride with these guys. I need to ride with some people of a similiar mindset...if that entitles me to be called picky then so be it. I plan to enjoy this bike for a long time without injuries or damage to it.
07 Speedmstr, Long Tors, bags, sissy bar and rack, windshield, engine bars, 2 ww lights, 2 fast eddy stickers and a .45 ACP.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Quote:
...They all had been pulled over by the Federal Park Rangers and were all getting green stamps for speeding. Oh well!
GREEN STAMPS???!!! 
Are they still givin' those out over there in Nevada, Dan??? I haven't seen THOSE in YEARS!!!
(sooooo, where do you guys redeem them suckers for cool stuff like transistor radios and TV trays, huh?!...I mean, I haven't seen a redemption center for those things in years EITHER...oh, and sorry to hear you "missed out" on gettin' your share of 'em that day, dude!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I need to ride with some people of a similiar mindset...if that entitles me to be called picky then so be it. I plan to enjoy this bike for a long time without injuries or damage to it.
Pretty much sums up my attitude  and explains why I tend to be a lone rider 
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Ah,flintstonin gotcha Keith.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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Ah,flintstonin gotcha Keith.
Much better than 'flintstoneing.'
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Well, all I can say here is IF you guys persist in tellin' all these stories about us Triumph riders forgettin' to deploy our kickstands before we hop off our bikes, then this COULD possibly shoot major holes into ANY theory that we're somehow smarter than all those Harley riders out there!!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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In my defense, I had a loose battery cable, but thought the kickstand switch may have been the culprit, so I kept going up and down with it to check. Then I just had it up when I though it was down, I had gone back and forth a bunch of times and was frustrated...
Still felt like a doofus though!
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: The "almost bit it" other thread
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Quote:
Well, all I can say here is IF you guys persist in tellin' all these stories about us Triumph riders forgettin' to deploy our kickstands before we hop off our bikes, then this COULD possibly shoot major holes into ANY theory that we're somehow smarter than all those Harley riders out there!!!!
Of COURSE the hD riders would be more adept at kickstand operation There bikes spend more time on them then with them folded under them 
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As I was going down with it, I got as much of myself as possible between the bike and the asphalt to avoid damage. Of course, then I was stuck with a bike on top of me. A couple guys saw it happen and helped me up.