How to convince your parents to let you buy a motorcycle?

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Marshall B

Hi, I am 16 and a half right now, and I would like to get a motorcycle. My parents are usually open to things like this as long as they know that I will be using it for the right purposes. Believe it or not, I do not have the urge to do stupid crap on it all day like some kids my age might. The three main reasons I want a motorcycle over a car are: 1) Gas is much cheaper 2) They are less expensive to buy in the first place and 3) I just love the excitement of it. The model I have in mind is a used 2011-2012 Kawasaki ninja 650r. I have looked at the new ninja 300 but I would end up getting rid of it too soon. One of the big points of buying a slightly larger motorcycle is so I can stick with it for 5 years or so. I will be taking the MSF coarse, buying gloves, jacket, helmet, close toed shoes, plus jeans and for the first month or so I will limit myself to 50 mph roads to get used to it. I will probably ride it around in a parking lot for the first week or so. So if you were me, how would you go about convincing your parents to allow you to buy a motorcycle?

Answer
Unless you are old enough to live on your own, there is now way to convince your parents. They are not less expensive. A set of tires on a bike can cost you as much as a set on a car installed. You will not limit yourself in any capacity, either speed, or distance more than likely. I say this from experience. Anyone who's ever rode knows this. A 650R is not recommended for any age beginner. let alone one at 16. You say you will limit yourself to 50 but that bike will do 50 in first gear, so that's not reality. The death and crash rate for your age group makes the insurance the highest you will ever pay in your life. I rode a 500CC for the first 2 1/2 years and was still learning on it. It's nonsense to say you'll outgrow it. There is just too much to learn on a bike for that to be true.

What type of motorcycle should I start out with?

Tanner

I am wanting to get a motorcycle this summer and I don't know what would be best for me. I haven't ridden an actual motorcycle before (but have with my dad on his with him controlling it). I can see myself on various kinds of motorcycles and enjoying them. I can see myself on cafe racers, sporty motorcycles, enduros, rat bikes, and also standard motorcycles. The reason i think I would like a cafe racer is because they have that history with them that I find amazing and I like the look of them too, I can see myself on a sport motorcycle like a cbr 250 or a ninja 250 because I have heard that they are really fun to ride. I like how enduros can go off road but they tend to be expensive (or at least that I don't find any decent priced ones). Rat bikes(: I love how they have personality but they tend to be hard to come by that I actually like. I'm only 17 and I would like to point out that I do not like the idea of american chopper looking motorcycles or touring motorcycles. I want a motorcycle that won't make me look like another kid on a motorcycle. I'm thinking about racing some friends on it and I would like to add in a possibility of doing it off road too. I think I would be using it for some fun in lively towns most but not stunts. I wish to learn how to drift on a motorcycle too like in supermoto or moto rally kinds of ways but I want to avoid enduros as much as possible. I will also be using this for my primary commuting vehicle too. If you have any suggestions please help me out on this because I need an expert of some level of help deciding.

Answer
The first thing you have to do is make up your mind. Do you want to drag race? track race? go off road? race off road? commute? Each of these forms of riding require a different style of motorcycle. No one bike will do them all.

If you are thinking of "racing your friends" on public roads, just stop now and never get on a bike. Not only is street racing quite illegal (you tend to lose your license when the police catch you), but you give respectful riders a bad name, and your crashes cause OUR insurance rates to increase. Buying a race class bike, Like a CBR600, r6, etc makes you what we in the motorcycle community call a squid, which is not a compliment. It means you are just a child on a motorcycle, who is on WAY more bike than they can safely handle, and who also tends to ride like a jackass and get hurt or killed.

That being said...

The best bikes for beginners, and especially younger riders, are sub 600cc single or twin engine motorcycles.
Sport / standards include the ninja 250 ,cbr250, ninja 500, gs500.
Cruisers include the Shadow 600, shadow 750, vulcan 900
Dual sports / enduros are not as popular these days, but a street legal honda xr250, klr250, or classic enduros make great learning tools. Their insurance is the cheapest of the bunch too, which is something you should check before buying any bike.

About your age, keep in mind that until you are 18, you cannot legally own or insure a motorcycle, or any vehicle for that matter, it will have to be your parents bike with you being insured on their policy until you are 18. Just food for thought.

If you are serious about a motorcycle being your primary means of transportation, you should consider what kind of storage comes on the motorcycle you choose. You will need a place to store your helmet, armor jacket, cloves, some basic tools, and any odds and ends you pick up while running errands and such. This is where bikes like the klr250, or klr650 shine. Many second hand ones can be found with weatherproof storage in the form of saddlebags and top cases. I recommend locking luggage, so that your things can be secure when you are away from your bike. Keep in mind you will need a full set of quality rain gear for inclement weather, and you will be caught in inclement weather. Rain hurts above 40mph and I will leave it at that.

Based on what you mentioned, I would recommend a dual sport for your first bike. They are relatively cheap to buy, maintain, insure, and are quite durable. The capability to go on and off road keeps you from getting bored too.

If that isnt your style, a ninja 250 is the most proven starter bike in the united states. Tens of thousands of riders have learned to ride on them and the are one of the most economical bikes on the road.

For your commuting purpose, a cruiser is hard to beat. I used my cruiser with a windshield and saddlebags for 1 year in college and can attest to the practicality of them as your main method of transportation.

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How much should I pay for a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan?

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Nii

8,000 miles, comes with saddle bags, road pegs, windshield, two full helmets, and no prior problems.

Answer
You didn't say what size it was. There's a big difference!

It's not that easy to say what a used motorcycle is worth. The Blue Book is not really useful for motorcycles and sports cars because people usually want them so bad they're willing to pay more than BB price for a good one.

So much depends on how well the bike has been cared for. A bike with records of dealer service and regular oil changes is worth a lot more. Added equipment raises the value somewhat (but not nearly to the amount the equipment originally cost). Good cosmetic condition raises the value. 8000 miles is just barely broken in for a Japanese motorcycle. But tires are only good for about 10k miles, so consider that you might have to replace them soon.

Spend a few minutes on your local Craigslist and see what comparable bikes go for--not just Vulcan but Yamaha Star, Honda Shadow, etc., in that size range.

Also, before you accept the helmets, and their added value in the deal, make sure one of them fits you! 8^)

do you need a liense for a motorised scooter in queensland australia?

xX(KaKe)Xx

Do you need a motorbike liecense for a motorised scooter or can you just use your drivers liense? OR do you not need one at all?

Answer
You need a licence. Take your licence (drivers) to the local Department of Motor Transport (Queensland transport) answer questions, get them right, pay about $20 get an ugly photo taken (not you personally, they all turn out ugly) wait around for a bit, Helmet compulsory, absolutely! pushbikes get fined $30 for a kid not wearing a helmet on the road, we seem to value our brains over here! If it isn't a pushbike, and you ride it on the road, you need a licence in Queensland.

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How did you learn to ride a two wheeler? Bicycle?

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citizen ex

What is the best and safest way to teach a child to ride a two wheel bicycle? Helmets?

Answer
The helmet you *should* wear regardless of whether you're still learning or if you're all set. Having said that, I must confess that I don't wear helmets when biking even though I should.

For a child to learn riding a bicycle, a set of training wheels (one on each side) is the best tool. It allows them to learn to balance without taking on too many bruises and scrapes. Monitor how the kid rides to make sure that none of the training wheels is touching the ground for a prolonged period of time since that indicates that the kid is leaning on one side too often to the point of depending on the training wheel to stop from falling. As time goes on, find the one side where the training wheel touches the ground least and remove that training wheel and have the kid practice using the leg when necessary to stop from falling over. Continue to monitor the kid and, when you see that the remaining training wheel doesn't touch the ground for a long time, it's time to remove that last one!

Is it necessary to wear a bike helmet when commuting to work?

Tks O

In addition, I only ever ride my bicycle on the pavement/side walk shared by pedestrians; the only time I go on the road is when cross the lights for pedestrians.

Is it really necessary for commuters to wear a bike helmet. I just find it unnecessary to wear helmets on the street because the chances of collision and injury are a lot less than on the road, and I question the compulsory bike helmet laws.

If wearing helmets is mandatory, why don't we make the inclusion of airbags mandatory for all cars as well then?

Answer
Even when I ride on the sidewalk, which is illegal where I live, I have close calls when people are backing out of driveways and such. Not to mention the people that are getting out of their house I almost hit.

http://bicyclesafe.com/
"The Crosswalk Slam

You're riding on the sidewalk and cross the street at a crosswalk, and a car makes a right turn, right into you. Cars aren't expecting bikes in the crosswalk, so you have to be very careful to avoid this one. This collision is so common we've lost track of the number of people who've told us they were hit this way, such as Ray John Ray. One study showed that sidewalk-riding was twice as dangerous as road riding, and another study said it's even more dangerous than that.

How to avoid this collision:

1. Get a headlight. If you're riding at night, you should absolutely use a front headlight. It's required by law, anyway.

2. Slow down. Slow down enough that you're able to completely stop if necessary.

3. Don't ride on the sidewalk in the first place. Crossing between sidewalks can be a fairly dangerous maneuver. If you do it on the left-hand side of the street, you risk getting slammed as per the diagram. If you do it on the right-hand side of the street, you risk getting slammed by a car behind you that's turning right. You also risk getting hit by cars pulling out of parking lots or driveways. These kinds of accidents are hard to avoid, which is a compelling reason to not ride on the sidewalk in the first place.

And another reason not to ride on the sidewalk is that you're threatening to pedestrians. Your bike is as threatening to a pedestrian as a car is threatening to you. Finally, riding on the sidewalk is illegal in some places. (In Austin, those places are the Drag, and downtown on 6th St. and on Congress). If you do plan on riding on sidewalks, do it slowly and EXTRA carefully, ESPECIALLY when crossing the street between two sidewalks."

"1. Don't ride on the sidewalk. When you come off the sidewalk to cross the street you're invisible to motorists. You're just begging to be hit if you do this. Keith Vick was killed this way in Austin, TX in Dec. 2002."
~~~~~
"Contrary to popular belief, you increase your chances of getting hit by car when riding your bike on the sidewalk. I know you may find it hard to believe but its true.

While riding in the street is more intimidating, it places you in a position that makes you more visible to the motorist. Usually people will ride on the sidewalk because they want to stay away from cars or they ride against traffic in the street because they are afraid of being hit from behind: they "want to see the cars coming at me". Crashes on sidewalks comprise close to fifty percent of all crash types. They are more common because every driveway forms an intersection and, if you went to driving school you may remember, that most crashes happen at intersections. In traffic engineering jargon where two vehicles cross paths is referred to as a conflict point and traffic engineers work very hard at reducing or eliminating conflict points.

Essentially every driveway that crosses the sidewalk forms a conflict point. Couple this with motorists not stopping at the sidewalk before entering the street and looking at traffic in the street not for bicyclists on the sidewalk and you have recipe for a crash. By cycling in the street you completely avoid these conflict points. The motorist stops before entering the street and is looking where you will be before they cross your path. While these crashes are usually not fatal, they can easily result in an incapacitating injury especially if you are not wearing a helmet. In my expert witness practice, the majority of sidewalk related crashes I've been involved with the rider was not wearing a helmet and usually result in brain injury"- http://ezinearticles.com/?Bicycle-Safety---The-Problems-With-Sidewalk-Riding-and-Against-the-Flow-of-Traffic&id=1857311

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Would this electric scooter be sidewalk and bike-trail legal?

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Jonah S. K

I'm considering to buy this specific scooter for a commute around Anchorage, AK: http://www.amazon.com/Currie-Technologies-eZip-Electric-Scooter/dp/B008JP1DOA/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t This is a pretty low profile scooter, but it still has an electric motor. I'm pretty sure that because of the local practice, nobody should give me trouble for riding it around on the sidewalks, especially when I wear my helmet. But is there somewhere I can find the electric scooter laws for Anchorage, AK online? I've been Googling it, but can't find anything. Give me your opinion, or the upfront law regarding my little issue. Thanks!

Answer
Laws do very greatly from state to state for motorized bicycles as far as bike paths and lanes go. But most all states don't allow you to ride on sidewalks.

I hate to sound vain,but...does anyone know of a bicycle helmet that is low profile, functional, AND cute?

desertfair

Answer
Well, if you like the skate helmet styling, you should check out the Giro Makai or Flak helmets....they're cheap ($20 to $40) and they come in some "girl" colors, too. They look pretty cool....I have two of them (in non-girl colors) that I use for urban riding. There are lots of other skate lids from several manufacturers.....lots of colors and designs on them, too. Check www.jensonusa.com or www.danscomp.com for choices.

If you want a regular helmet, the Bell Metro and Giro Xen are cool and seem to fit your desires. The Xen is expensive, but worth it.....you can find model year closeouts for $60 to $90 but the normal price is around $120.


EDIT: Ok, now those Nutcase helmets in the post below mine are just COOL! The correct link is www.nutcasehelmets.com .....and I'm glad he shared that company! :o)

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How much does a decent motorcycle cost?? (also, is it easy to learn how to ride and are they safe?)?

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Alex

im a 20 yr old male and ive never driven a motorcycle before but i would like to learn and buy one soon. I dont want anything expensive or too fancy like a harley. just like one of those cool sporty bikes. around how much would one cost? (used and new) (i think my friend has one thats a yamaha).

i live in chicago and go to school there and right now i take public trans. my parents are suppose to buy me a used car (around $5000) once i graduate from college but i was thinking of just buying a bike instead if it would be cheaper. i know i would only use it during the summer, fall, and some of spring but i would just take public trans during the winter. i hate driving/having a car in the winter months here anyway and i dont mind public trans too much since i could get around just about anywhere in the city with it. also im hesitant on a car b/c im hopefully going to be going to med school after i graduate and of course theres no guarantee i will stay in or near chicago for that. and even if i do, public trans would probably still be a better option for me convenience and cost wise.
i also think it would be able to save money on gas and i wouldnt have to worry about parking so much.

My other questions are is it hard to learn? and is it safe? (i would use a helmet of course)

p.s. please excuse my grammar (im typing in a rush) and my lack of knowledge when it comes to motorcycles

Answer
A yzf-r15 is good, in India and Australia and Colombia -- a nice little 150cc. Not available within 5000 miles of Chicago. In the U.S. "beginner" motorcycles are not available, you get to start with middleweights, 250cc motorcycles such as the Ninja 250R or new Honda CBR250R or the Suzuki TU250 (which I would like but is not available in California.) If you want a more comfortable cruiser, Honda Rebel Yamaha V-Star and the Suzuki GZ250 are easy to ride 250cc motorcycles.

250cc class are capable of Freeway. If you are willing of giving up speed, a SYM Symba a 100cc Honda Super Cub clone -- very to ride, as easy as a pedal bicycle. New 250cc class would be around $5K on the road, Symba about $3K, you can get a good 250cc class motorcycle for $2K.

Is it possible to get cheap, safe and efficient private everyday travel?

Darkhoodne

I want to make spontaneous private journeys of varying long and short distances both safely and cheaply. Is this unrealistic? Must I bite the bullet and pay through the nose with a car or unaffordably-priced public transport, or put my life at risk when using a motorbike or a bicycle? Or is there another solution to this that I havenât considered?

---Long winded explanation---

This questionâs had me stumped for a couple of years. I'm unlucky enough to have friends and family that all live far away from me (but in the same country - I'm talking between 50 and 200 miles away), and also most nearby employment hubs are infuriatingly hard to get to when using public transport (not to mention the extortionate travel costs).

I live in the UK. Currently I go longer distances by train with a discount 16-25 railcard that will expire next year because I'll be too old to use it - Train prices are rising and are becoming unaffordable for frequent journeys (£30 return to go just 50 miles is stupid when I'm sure it cost £17 five years ago - I'd be paying that twice a month). Buses are slow and are also very expensive (hourly service, 2 and a half hours to go 16 miles and charging me £4 is unacceptable).

For shorter local distances I use my bicycle, but the UK's cyclist infrastructure is terrible (or non-existent) so I'm forced to use the roads, putting myself in danger from incompetent/disrespectful motorists (I've lost count of the near-misses - They're becoming more frequent with every passing year) despite following the rules of the road, learning extra tips on road safety and making myself visible from space. Putting my life at risk isn't something I'm willing to do any more.

I'd like to get a car but fuel prices are rising through the roof and are set to rise further. Electric cars don't have the range on them to do what I'd want them to do, plus the infrastructure for them isn't really in place yet. "Efficient" petrol, diesel and hybrid/electric models on the market now are extortionately priced or are still expensive to run and maintain anyway.

There are cars on the horizon that will be more affordable (or at least worth buying at high prices considering the lifetime fuel savings) and do what I'd want (like the Gordon Murray T.25), but they won't be available for a long while, and only IF they're successful.

Iâve considered buying a motorbike or a scooter, but theyâre not safe â Even with the ability to keep up with traffic Iâll still be subjected to idiots who canât drive, with only flimsy armour and a silly helmet to protect me. Transporting goods is also an issue â You can strap nearly anything to a bicycle if you know how, but you arenât allowed to do that with a motorbike.

Iâve even considered importing one of those auto rickshaw TukTuk things from India â At least Iâll be visible to other road users in one, but they seem to be a bit primitive. While safer than both a motorbike and a bicycle, they still have safety issues, and go about half the speed of a scooter for roughly the same fuel efficiency.

Are there any other options that I havenât considered? Many thanks if you read this far.

Answer
I am sure that you have heard the reference to looking at the world with the perspective of someone for whom a glass is always 1/2 empty. Life is full of compromises. You are asking for a mode of transportation that has no compromises.

We might refine that a bit by saying that you are looking for no compromises that you are unwilling to make... but if you are are willing to make compromises then perhaps they are not much of a stretch. You are willing to pay, but you want to pay yesterday's prices. There is something wrong with every form of transportation that you suggest. Very little is based upon statistics or facts but instead upon perception and supposition.

With these conditions it may be impossible to suggest an acceptable alternative. I might suggest instead that you examine instead the decision making process and do a bit more research in the outer world.

Best of luck to you, I hope you find what you need.

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How can the average kid help get smoking banned?

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Austin

I am doing a brochure for my seventh grade language arts class. We are working on persuasion; I chose smoking to be my topic. My argument is that it should be banned, but I need to use some persuasive techniques for a good grade. One way I was planning to do this is to explain how kids in my class can help get smoking banned. Any ideas? Thanks.

Answer
Firstly, I very strongly disagree about banning smoking, largely on the grounds of individual freedom, and if you want to ban smoking, you should ban alcohol, a more destructive drug first.

Being underage (thus unable to vote) there is very little that kids can do, except encourage adults to quit.

I'm not sure telling kids how they can help get smoking banned will help be persuasive and it does distract from the main arguement, which is "why smoking should be banned", instead of "how to ban smoking".

Here are some persuausive arguements I would use:
*ask the class to think about if cigarettes were a new invention, and were not widespread in society, and if they should be allowed.
* Argue that the smoker is not only harming himself, but also others (2nd hand smoke) including her/his family who have to suffer the grief of an early death.
*Argue that the government has a moral responsiblity to protect people from things like tobacco that may kill them, and tobacco should be banned for the same reason riding a bicycle without a helmet, driving a car thats unsafe, or riding a car without a seatbelt, to protect the safety of the individual.
*Point out the costs to smoking on society (including not only medical expenses, but days of work due to illnesses) and argue that society should have a right to protect itself by banning things that impose costs on it.
*Lastly, ask the kids to think if they had children would they allow them to smoke. If not, why should we (society) let adults do it.

Like I said, i do not agree with banning smoking, but the above arguements should be persuausive. Good luck with your assignment.

Do your kids wear helmets when they ride a bicycle?

Emily

I am just asking because my neighbors kid just cracked his head open right across the street from my house. He was jumping a ramp and i guess he fell off. It was pretty bad and it made me wonder if kids wear helmets anymore. So do your kids wear helmets when they ride bicycles? Why or why not? Thank you :)

I am not saying if my kids do or not to avoid people from agreeing with me just to win best answer. I will state my opinion when i pick best answer.

Answer
i don't have kids, but my brothers two kids do.

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Do you HAVE to wear a helmet when skateboarding or biking in California?

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Duh

I'm 13, and I skate to my local skatepark all the time. I see bikers and skaters going around without helmets. And there's a police station right across the street too. Do the cops really care if you wear a helmet or not? Was there an actual law enforced in California about wearing helmets?

Answer
There is a law requiring helmets on bicycles and skateboards, but it is applicable only to people under 18, like you, and only on streets or bike paths, and the skatepark may not qualify. People over 18 or in other areas are not legally required to wear helmets--they are only required to do so by good sense (which seems to be lacking in your skatepark).

Is there a helmet law in southern California?

lily

For Bicycles not motorcycles. Do you have to have a helmet on?

Answer
You are required to wear a helmet on public roadways for bicycling and skateboarding if you are under 18.

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I want to start riding a bike to work a couple of days a week. What kind of bike should I get?

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kRiStEn

The commute is pretty flat, but I would also like to be able to take the bike to the beach. I need to know what kind of bike, seat, and helmet to get.

Answer
Kris

A hybrid bike from a quality manufacturer. The hybrid gives you the upright sitting position, light frame, road type gearing, and wider smooth tires. This will provide a fast, safe, and smooth ride for you. Attach a rear rack with a stainless steel basket to it and you can throw in books, a change of clothes, a bag, even a large bag of groceries! The bike will do well on roads / streets, paths, bike trails, and even light trails. It can also handle the slide that soft sand causes near the beach.

All bike helmets are the same. The extra money buys you a lighter helmet, with better fit and ventilation. So get one that fits your budget and fashion eye.... but, be aware that helmets do vary in shape. So try the helmets from various companies before deciding. I prefer the shape offered by Giro.... so get the helmet that feels the best on your head too! A bad fitting helmet is just uncomfortable, like walking with a pebble in your shoe.

Soccerref

What is a nice looking, yet cheap motorcycle helmet?

Andy Roegl

i am just getting into motorcycling and i am looking for a helmet that isn't TOO expensive. i would be willing to pay 150 at the most. i am just looking for one that will keep me safe, but isn't gonna break my budget.

The bike i am looking at is a crotch rocket, so i want one that will look good with that.

Answer
'nice looking' is a relative term.
As long as it's DOT approved you should be fine. A Snell rating is a plus.
Shop around for the look YOU're looking for, my taste is on the higher side and we'll see if that helps protect me any better. ;D

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Where can I find a bicycle helmet in Bangalore?

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Deepika S

Where can I find a bicycle helmet in Bangalore? Also, any idea about the pricing ?

Answer
Walmart??? forget Bangalore, it's not anywhere in India.
Why dont you try in Olympic sports on Double Road, few helmet shops on JC Road or near Urvashi theatre.

Can skateboard helmets be used for inline skate helmets?

Scrumdiliu

I know that there is a difference between bicycle helmets, skating helmets, skateboard helmets, and snowboarding helmets but I was wondering if skateboard helmets and skate helmets could be used as the same?

I am a new skater and I think it would be idea if I get skate pads, etc.

Also do you recommend a brand? I was looking at Walmart and they seemed pretty safe.

Answer
There are two types of helmets: Bicycle and Multisport.
The names don't really describe the differences but are based on history of their development.

Bicycle helmets are lighter and usually have more air vents to keep you cool. They are usually more aerodynamically shaped. They are designed for the types of accident you get while moving forward and are good for rec/fitness/race skating.

Multisport helmets are designed for protection when there is more risk of hitting the back of your head such as skateboarding or doing tricks on skates or bikes.
They tend to be hotter because of lack of vents. They are tend to have a round shape and cover the back and sides of the head. The lining is made to protect if you hit another object on the way down (like a rail for grinding).

All helmets are only designed for one hard hit. They may not appear to be damaged but they may not protect well against a second hit.

For your skates, get the helmet appropriate for the type of skating you will be doing.

This goes for your pads also. The pads for aggressive and freestyle skating are thicker and cover more area than for rec/fitness/race skating.

For rec/fitness/racing skating, wrist guards are really important. You will almost always slide on your hands. However, I wear aggressive glove style wrist guards because they cover more skin in order to keep it intact.
Knee pads are more optional for "straight ahead" skating. When (not if) you fall, you should be sliding instead of falling straight down. The pads keep the skin from being scraped up. I have found that the scrapes are just below the knee and not just in the area that the pads cover. However, scrapes there heal faster and are not as painful while healing than ones on your hand. Tegaderm is a wonderful way to cover this kind of scrape. It keeps it moist so that you don't have the pain that happens when dry scabs crack and peal. It also is waterproof, can stay on for a week, and can cover large areas.
I have yet to know anyone who has significantly scraped up an elbow in straight ahead skating.

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What do I do with my old Crashed motorcycle helmet?

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Jonny

I was in a motorcycle crash about a week ago and I need to get a new helmet. My old one took some damage and is no longer reliable. It looks like it could either be repaired or recycled or something, I dont want to throw it in the dumpster, So i was just wondering if there is anything I can do to either sell it for parts or get some kind of use out of it

Answer
Two ideas.

1. Leave it on the bike, unlocked, in some urban neighborhood. Someone will steal it, and the joke will be on them. 8^)

2. Turn it upside down, fill it with potting soil and make a planter out of it!

Do You Wear A Helmet While Riding a Bike?

Unknown345

I do. My friend thinks I am dumb and silly for wearing a helmet. I'd rather look silly than crack my skull. My friend doesn't even wear a helmet while four wheeling.

Answer
Just like the old American Express credit card commercial..."Don't leave home without it."

Your so-called friend is the dumb one - not you. See pie chart on this link...
http://thinkbicyclingblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/kaplan_bike_crash_causes.jpg
A full FORTY-FIVE percent of all cycling accidents are "solo falls". No other person, vehicle or animal involved.
http://thinkbicyclingblog.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/how-to-avoid-urban-adult-bike-crashes/

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do you have to wear a helmet while rollerblading in Vancouver?

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wtfisthis

Answer
Hi

No.....just when you ride a bike. Although that is never enforced.

The police are far to busy to stop everyone not wearing a helmet when they bike.

how old do you have to be to drive a motor scooter?

Sissy

Answer
Hello key key

If you are in Canada I believe you have to be 16 to drive any powered vehicle. But, you can use a limited speed (32 km/hr maximum) electric scooter without licence or insurance because it is classified as a power assisted bicycle. Or you can drive a limited speed electric motorcycle (70 km/hr maximum) with a regular licence and insurance - no motorcycle licence required. It is always smart to take some lessons for riding 2 wheeled vehicles, but the scooters have a lower center of gravity making them easier to balance than a bicycle.

If you are considering buying this is information from the best electric scooters and motorcycles I could find locally - Motorino Scooters from Greenwit Technologies - when I went shopping for myself. (I live in British Columbia)

I took this from the web site of their shop in Vancouver, but their scooters are carried all across Canada:

What are the advantages of having an electric scooter?
a) Freedom - it is classified as a bicycle and as such can benefit from all the freedom you have riding a regular bike.
b) Economical â donât pay for parking, insurance, driverâs license, gas, maintenance, pennies to charge. If used as a substitute for a car it pays off in 4 months.
c) Safer than a bike â the scooters look like, and have all the safety features of, a gas motorcycle. From our customerâs experience, car drivers pay scooter riders more respect than regular bicycle riders.
d) Quiet â no engine or transmission noise. It is literally noiseless. (I believe this applies to the brushless motors only, which is what these people make)
e) Environmental â it is greener than using a bus. Utilizes the idle night energy when you charge it. Batteries are recycled and there is no emission.
f) A lot of fun â you will believe when you try it.

Who would benefit from an electric scooter?
a) People who want to avoid heavy traffic. Since our MOTORINO⢠scooters are classified by Transport Canada as Power Assisted Bicycles they travel beside the traffic or anywhere where regular bicycles are used.
b) People who work in the city and are tired of looking for, or paying for, parking. All MOTORINO⢠scooters can be legally parked on the sidewalk and have security antitheft features.
c) Daily commuters traveling up to 60-70 km on flat roads or 30-40 on hills. The high torque motor provides enough power to handle 15 degrees hills.
d) Commuters who hate to get wet in rainy weather. The specially designed for MOTORINO⢠scooters rain cape which is included with the scooter, and the visor helmet, protect the rider completely in rain.

I hope that is helpful
-Beulah

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im just getting started mountain biking and i was wondering if the ellsworth truth was a good bike?

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Jake

Answer
Heck yeah the Ellsworth Truth is a good bike! Check out reviews online (mtbr.com bicycling.com etc), you'll see how Ellsworth riders love thier bikes.

Ellsworth are not cheap though, they cost a bit more than your average mountain bike. They are serious bikes and if you can afford it, why not? Just save some of that money for bike gear like a good helmet (never go cheap on head protection), padded bike shorts, gloves, socks and shoes.

Good luck, stay safe and have fun.

Whats the best thing you've bought with a dollar this year?

tambourine

I suppose it doesn't have to be this year, but i'm looking for things that are from a store. If you got something prior to this year or something from a yard sale for a dollar you can include that too.

Answer
This year I bought a tomato plant that ended up growing huge and has probably given us twenty pounds of tomatoes so far and it's still going strong.
Last year I bought a bicycle helmet at a special sale through the fire department. My brother was going mountain biking and borrowed my helmet. He fell and hit his head on a rock. That helmet saved his life. (Of course we had to throw the helmet away after that but it had served it's purpose.)
A few years back my nephew bought a rat for a buck, taught it all kinds of interesting things and won a science contest that helped him get into the college he wanted to go to.
I've got a family member that bought a house for a dollar from a church that wanted the building moved off of it's campus. When the town reviewed the permits they found the house was on the historic register which not only made it more valuable but also dictated that it could not be moved. The family member donated the building back to the church and was able to get a tax credit for charitable donation of almost $20,000. (Too bad that family member is already rich.)

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Is a bike helmet really safe?

bicycle helmets can reduce head injuries by image

Shaz

Recently I fell off my bike and landed on my face, giving me lots of painful facial grazes and cuts...wasn't too nice. I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time but someone told me that it wouldn't have made a difference because I landed on my face and that actually a helmet could have broken my neck or made the injury worse.
Does anyone know if this is true cos it's making me unsure as to whether I should wear a helmet next time I cycle or not?

Answer
In the UK the CTC [1] are against compulsory helmet use. They reason that it has demonstrably damaged the case for cycling in countries where such a law has been introduced.

However, I always wear a helmet. It is sometimes hot and uncomfortable, but I firmly believe that it provides good protection against brain damage. Richard Ballantine [2] was very much of the same opinion in his original Bicycle Book.

Many cycling accidents happen at low speed where the rider is pitched over the handlebars and the head is the first contact with the ground.

If a helmet works and saves a rider from injury, then no government statistic or hospital records will be created. Instead there will be one more helmet purchase as a grateful rider buys a replacement! So any statistics on helmets making an injury worse or not preventing an injury will be substantially skewed by the silent majority of cases.

Now to your specific case: Yep, it must really hurt injuring your face like that. But your face absorbed the impact that your brain could have receieved had you landed slightly differently. The fact that a helmet sticks out about 1.5 inches might have reduced the impact to your face. If a helmet were worn incorrectly (such as tilted right back; something I frequently see) then it might damage your neck. However, worn correctly and with the straps done up, I fail to see how it could make the situation worse. Anyway, facial injuries may be unpleasant and require plastic surgery, but they are a lot more recoverable than brain injuries.

So, on balance, I'd suggest you wear a helmet and ignore the alarmist view that caused you to post your question.

bicycle helmets reduce head injuries by how much percent?

Jared

Answer
um. This seems pretty straight forward to me. If you fall and hit your head, a helmet will reduce that head injury. If you fall and don't hit your head, then the helmet will not reduce your head injury because there is none. So for head-related injuries, 100% of the time the severity of the injury is reduced.

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Places to buy affordable motorcycle protection?

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Q. I'm looking for a place that sells motorcycle protection for a good price, almost sharted myself when I saw a one piece armored suit going for 500-1000 dollars. I hope there are places that sell protective gear for a more reasonable price, or maybe thats reasonable, and I'm just a noob.

Answer
check out cyclegear.com or go to a shop if you have one locally

all my gear i've gotten from my local cycle gear:
gloves (mesh for summer, waterproof for winter)
pants (w removable air panels)
mesh jacket
vented mx boots (with waterproof covers)
thermal base layer
helmet (modular w internal visor)
cooling base layer for extra hot days
-all black synthetics (except gloves) with CE rated padding for under $600
one complete layer alone was less than $450- helmet (100), jacket (80), pants (100), gloves (40), and boots (120)
all my gear (except thor boots) is of cycle gear's in house brands- bilt (5 yr NQA warranty) or sedici (lifetime NQA warranty)
i've been very pleased so far with the design and quality of cycle gear's protective apparel- i've only replaced the waterproof gloves after a few years because they were leaking. they grabbed a new pair off the shelf and i was on my way with no hassle
they also have higher end and leather gear/ full suits, i just wasn't interested in the extra expense/ weight/ lack of flexibility

ok i want to get into cycling like with a racing bike. what should i get to get started?

paintfreek

im 18 years old and competitivly run so i know im in shape, although i have heard that running and biking have nothing in common. so how do i go about starting this change? like what do i have to buy? and is there like biking clubs that bike together all the time?

Answer
Start with a helmet. Never put your butt on the seat without your helmet on your head.

Cycling shorts and gloves aren't 100% necessary, but they do make a big difference. A cycling jersey instead of a T-shirt also makes a big difference.

You will be on the road bike for much longer times than when you go running. Buy a big tube of sun screen and use it, especially on your neck, ears, and thighs.

Shop around for a true road bike. Go to the local shops and see what they have that fits into your budget. Test ride the bike. Go to other shops and test ride as many bikes as you can. One will just fit and feel better than the others. Buy that bike regardless of the name on it. The business is so competitive that any two bikes at the same price point are very likely to be equivalent values.

Road bikes get flats. Get a mini wedge bag that attaches under the seat. Get a set of tire levers and a spare tube to put in it, about $3 each when you hit the sales just right. Get a pump ($15 and up). Get water bottles. Your bike may or not come with water bottle cages. I always have two on my bike ($5 each).

To be most effective, you will need clipless pedals and shoes. However, those can wait for a while if cash is an issue.

HTH

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What time should I being doing a triathlon in?

best bike helmets for triathlon image

Soulja Boy

Okay, I'm 12 years old and the triathlon is:
A 200 metre swim (lol, lame)
A 9 kilometre bike
And a 3 kilometre run.
Can someone tell me what times I should be completing each of these seperately and altogether. Thanks.

Answer
200 M swim should be done in around 3-4 minutes. If you forget to clip that helmet it results in a DQ. Every race I've ever been in has at least 1 helmet DQ and it usually occured coming out of T1.

You should be able to bike at around 15 mph for the distance. SO I'd guess around 22 minutes. Transition 2 should take about 1:30.

When you get to the 3K and your legs aren't bricks, you should be able to do it in about 16 minutes.

In a nutshell...

Swim 4 min.
T1 2 min
Bike 22 min
T2 1-2 min
Run 16 min

Total 48 minues.

Triathlons are a sport unto themselves -- when you come out of the water you'll be disoriented. You'll lose any time from sprinting that distance in T1 trying to figure out where your bike is.

When you get off your bike your legs can feel like bricks (Hence the term BRICK workouts). Go ride your bike for 20 minutes at a good pace then get off your bike and try to run 1 mile.

I'm doing a triathlon in may how should I train and where can I get cheap gear like bathing suit and stuff?

BSM2011

This Is my first triathlon so I dont know much thanks!

Answer
Swim gear: www.Swimoutlet.com You can get a pair of compression jammers for $15 and Sporti or Clubswim S2 goggles are identical to Speedo Vanquishers but are half the price. I'd get one for training and one for race day.

Bike gear: Figure out what size you need for a bike if you don't have one already. If you know what you need with regard to size, www.bikesdirect.com is a good place to get an entry level roadie. Get your local LBS or better yet a cycling center to give you a bike fit on it for $100. Or even better, borrow a bike from a friend. You're going to need a cheap $12 bicycle helmet from Walmart -- can't race without one.

Run Gear: Go to a local running store (Mom and pop shop) that has a treadmill where they can analyze your run form and suggest a running shoe. OR the cheap way is to go to any clearance section, try on a pair of running shoes. Run the length of the store a few times and if you feel ANY pressure points go to the next pair.

Get a race belt to put your race number on -- saves 30 seconds in transition and a cheap wal-mart pair of sunglasses for $10 for the bike.

The cheaper you can go on the race the better. Aero wheels, aero helmets, $5000 carbon frames, gear geeks and weight weenies alike are all hype. If you're within 5 minutes of a podium finish then $5000 will help. Until then, your limiter is the engine.

Other things: BOOKS

Total Immersion by Terry Laughlin
CHI Running by Danny Dreyer
Going Long by Joe Friel

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What would be a good first scooter/moped?

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GTHG

*I'm from the UK, where the car driving age is 17.

I'm a 15 year old girl, and I want my first vehicle to be a scooter/moped, which are legal to ride on the road at the age of 16. I don't want anything that would cost too much, including miles to the gallon and all that. What would be a good first vehicle to be a stepping stone to a motorbike? Thanks.

Answer
your laws mean speed restriction first year- and new rider means possible drops at intersections. 5 year old scooter/moped' is about right price and expendable if needed- use the extra money for good helmet and protective gear. Kymco is a good choice, so is the Yamaha- but as others noted mainland chinese scooters not known for long life and reliability or service support. SYM is another Taiwan scooter with good rep- couple models are licensed Honda designs of CT? series- SYM got tooling from Honda and the 4 stroke engine meets pollution laws easier than 2 stroke like Zuma or earlier Kymko. Kymco People, Tomos have 4 strokes past couple years and 14 or 16 inch wheels instead of 10/12 inch wheels so a bit easier on rough streets, seem half way to motorcycle while still having leg shields. Honda has a couple models also- find one 3 to 5 years old reasonable and no worries about dealer service- just how much abuse did it get. Dealers used scooters stock is usually trade ins that they have service records on and will warranty, private party sales, second level cycle shops will be cheaper but might not be as good shape- you need some mechanical knowledge to get fair deal.

Do I need a driving licence to drive an electricity bike in UK?

relry_r125

Answer
This is a bit complicated! The Department for Transport have produced a factsheet to help, but this is the basic situation:

Road Legality: The law relating to this dates back to 1983, and covers what you can legally use on public roads in the UK.
The limits are: 200W continuous power (250W for tricycles and tandems), 15mph maximum assisted speed, maximum weight 40kgs (60kgs for tricycles and tandems).
As long as your cycle is within these limits, and you are over 14, you can ride your bike legally on UK roads with no restrictions. This law is laid down in the Road Traffic Act, and the police have the power to enforce it.

Type Certification & Construction Regulations: This covers what manufacturers like us build and sell - in that respect, itâs similar to the old Kitemark or CE mark. This law has recently been revised and standardised across Europe, and is a matter for Trading Standards.
Basically, all road vehicles are supposed to be Type Certified - this is a series of standards and tests the vehicle has to pass, like an MOT, but the manufacturer can get one certificate to cover all the bikes of one model they make.
Because this process is very expensive, there is an exclusion for some electric bikes, which do not need Type Approval. To avoid it, the cycle must be under 250W continuous power, 25km/h maximum assisted speed, and must have a pedal sensor which cuts the motor when the rider stops pedalling.
In addition, the UK also has regulations about the construction of electric bikes which are used on UK roads - basically, they have to be constructed to the same standards as non-electric cycles, to comply with BS6102 part 1.

So what is the situation for various bikes? Some examples:

200W, 15mph, with pedal sensor: Completely legal to use on UK roads (and European, for that matter). Legal for the manufacturer to supply without a type approval certificate.
200W, 15mph, without pedal sensor: Completely legal to use on UK roads (but not European). The manufacturer should supply a type approval certificate.
250W, 15mph, with pedal sensor: Only legal on tricycles and tandems in the UK, NOT bicycles - a bicycle can only be used on the road with a license plate, tax, insurance, moped helmet and moped license for the rider. The manufacturer does not need to supply a type approval certificate.
250W, 15mph, no pedal sensor: As above, but the manufacturer should supply a type approval certificate.
Above these limits: As above.
What about kits? The UKâs road-legality legislation still applies - so you can have 200W continuous power (250W for tricycles and tandems), 15mph maximum assisted speed, maximum weight 40kgs (60kgs for tricycles and tandems).
The whole Type Certification quagmire doesnât apply, however - the powers that be have decided that kits are outside their remit.

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