RubberSideDown

If that's a yellow CBR1K, I rode with the guy earlier this year (though I can't say I knew him beyond that)- I hope that wasn't him.

Yes it is...

Damn- this is the bike I'm referring to (mine is behind it)- I don't have a pic from the back so no plate number:

If that's a yellow CBR1K, I rode with the guy earlier this year (though I can't say I knew him beyond that)- I hope that wasn't him.

^^

I might stay until after NYE- now my wife wants to go, so I can stay longer.

^

We will meet in BKK one of these days, though I probably won't be riding.

Your question pretty much posed outlines what comments you don't want. However, it seems some responses focus on cost to a private person. I look at public agencies where cost always come far behind safety. I cannot think of one police department in the U.S. that uses full face helmets, and I am sure that they have put them all through their testing. If they were proven safer, they would have them, no matter the cost.

That's actually not correct (police often ride in short sleeves in summer and this is allowed per regulations, and that's obviously not safer in the event of a crash).

Police opt for 3/4 helmets because they're more comfortable over the course of an 8+ hour shift done several times per week, and also to project a more friendly and accessible appearance to the public who they deal with during traffic stops/accidents/whatever- the open-face helmet allows face-to-face communication without the officer having to remove his helmet. Some police departments are transitioning to modular helmets (these are more popular in Europe than the US at the moment).

A full-face helmet has more coverage- in the event of a crash, it would offer more protection. Studies have shown that the face/chin area is impacted in about 35% of accidents- if that area is left open, the likelihood of an injury is higher.

This article references the study that was done- http://bmwdean.com/swisher.htm

This is the technical explanation of the study itself- http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christian_Krettek/publication/11649257_Head_injury_mechanisms_in_helmet-protected_motorcyclists_prospective_multicenter_study/links/02e7e52011484c1b1b000000

I will possibly be up there next week through Christmas- a friend is making some deliveries and I might toss my bike on the truck if there's room (I don't have the time to ride there as it would be two pretty long days in the saddle, and then two days back;)).

I don't really know the area well at all. Are there any regular organized rides or meet-ups (or perhaps we can set one up)? A fairly quick pace is fine with me, but I'll go with the flow. Early morning is no problem.

I'm still not 100%, but it's looking promising.

Double post

My figures were as i said initialy just my guess, but i think realistic.What do you think that worldwide average of motorbike riders wearing a fullface would be? You really thionk that most people who ride wear a fullface or modular helmet?I'm not having you on here but am intrested in the number out of curiousity. In thailand alone i doubt if more than 5% would do so.The rest of the world??? I think my guesstimate of 10-15% would be ballparkish. Anyone have stats ?I am not argueing at all about the eficienncy or any inconvenience which i myself dont find inconvenient but about the fact that OP asked about a comfortable helmet not about his or her choice to wear fullfaceone as ll2 brought to the discussion un necesaryly.

Great, use the 'average Thai rider' as your example- that will give your opinion validity... The average Thai rider is also the main reason Thailand has the second-highest road fatality rate in the world.

If you don't crash, it doesn't matter what helmet you wear from a safety perspective- if you do actually crash, ll was right when he said a full-face is always better. Yes, for the sake of convenience, many choose a less-protective helmet (or no helmet at all)- so what? Following the crowd on the road in LOS on your bike is usually a bad idea.

The OP asked for opinions and didn't give specific requirements other than that the helmet be lightweight, and ll gave his view, which the OP can agree with or disregard. Your personal vendetta adds nothing to this thread.

^

That was the V-Due, and it ran like crap with the FI system in place- in order to make them slightly usable (but still pretty bad), you had to swap it out for a carb- it was ridiculous.

I never even saw my bike in person with the stock exhaust, let alone rode it- it was an easy 15kg weight loss by swapping it over to titanium. It's a bit louder than stock, but it (just) meets SAE J2825 sound specs in the US (no TIS stamp, of course- the manufacturer isn't very big here). There are some quality systems that aren't deafening to the rider and those around him while still offering power gains, but they tend to be on the pricey side.

There was also the 'ugliness factor' to consider, as I coukdnt stand the thought of riding with a couple of pontoon boats hanging off the sides of my bike.

I do have a pic of it before it went through the motorcyçle equivalent of a nose-job:

My opinion of Bimota is forever tainted by the experience a friend had with an SB6 in the mid-1990s- what a POS. I'm sure they've improved (at least I would hope so) but I could never see buying one.

^^

That's about 30 lb/ft more than it actually puts out at the wheel...

Manufacturer claims and actual dyno charts tend to differ a bit.

The Ducati list is obviously outdated- it doesn't have the new Panigale or Multistrada listed (it only has the discontinued models). If anyone goes to the Expo and stops by their booth, please ask what their deal is on those bikes.

'Big' as it relates to two-wheeled vehicles is relative and subject to opinion, and therefore can't really be defined- every motorcycle and scooter falls into a particular class, with some classes running larger than others.

In LOS, due to the nature of the market and the overwhelming representation of scooters in the 100cc-150cc categories, anything from 250cc and up is considered' 'big' by the majority of riders- I personally consider anything under the 600cc class to be 'small', anything between 600cc and 900cc to be a middleweight, and anything above 900cc to be 'big'.

You strongly remind me of a previous member who was (at least) twice banned.

You only need 90K and a guarantor to ride a brand-new Z1000 out of the dealership- obviously it doesn't make the best financial sense in the face of being able to buy a barely used one for a good discount, but that's what a lot of people would choose (mostly through necessity).

Personally, I'd come up with 600K for a new one before buying a used one for 525K (even if it had a few mods) for a variety of reasons- the price would have to be more attractive for me to consider it.

What's considered attractive?

500K or a bit under, IMHO. Still, if I were looking at a bike in that range, I would almost certainly go for a brand-new one over a used one (this is not a reflection of your bike in particular, but any used bike in general from a person I didn't know personally- your bike sounds like a winner).

If I'm a buyer who can come up with 525K cash, I can probably come up with 599K and not have to worry about how the bike might have been broken in correctly or if there's more to the seller's story as far as the reason for parting with the bike so soon after buying it (again, i'm not suggesting you're anything but 100% on the level).

You only need 90K and a guarantor to ride a brand-new Z1000 out of the dealership- obviously it doesn't make the best financial sense in the face of being able to buy a barely used one for a good discount, but that's what a lot of people would choose (mostly through necessity).

Personally, I'd come up with 600K for a new one before buying a used one for 525K (even if it had a few mods) for a variety of reasons- the price would have to be more attractive for me to consider it.

If you're not getting any interest at 525K (which I agree sounds reasonable, but the bottom is falling out of the used bike market now that the price of new bikes is dropping), try 499K (breaking the 500K 'psychological barrier'.

It's a nice ride and you'll be taking a big hit- it's a shame you can't figure out a way to live with it.

^

Full warranty on the H2- no warranty on the H2R, but it's a track-only bike, and race bikes from any manufacturer don't come with warranties (though I'd imagine there will be some sort of factory support).

1,5 million price tag is not that bad RSD for H2, i am sure you are interested but sure it will be costly and complicated to get it opened like H2R and sure at the end you can get faster than zx14r which offers more muscle.

still H2 is a special machine IMO.

If I didnt already have my 14R I'd be really interested in the H2, but I'm already at ~200rwhp with my mods at ~250kg, which is pretty close to what the H2 will offer in stock form. If it's easy go get it above 250rwhp I'd consider a trade (and I do like the electronics package), but my bike has been running like a champ since day one- maybe in a year or two.

The new Panigale and R1M look fantastic, though- they're going to be the stars of 2015, IMHO.

^

Full warranty on the H2- no warranty on the H2R, but it's a track-only bike, and race bikes from any manufacturer don't come with warranties (though I'd imagine there will be some sort of factory support).

They're not running the superstock classes (they don't run them in the US either), but it should be a great event nonetheless.

I couldnt wait...bought this nightster but changing the red in black [090-728-0491

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect Thailand1416538943.958655.jpg

I like it in red- so many HDs are black-on-black that yours is a bit set apart from the pack.

I can appreciate people being too entrenched to give e-bikes a serious thought, but they will replace combustion bikes and that process will start soon. Most bike trips are short, and although they might be scooters, what is learned over the first years e-scooters are rolled out will apply to bigger bikes.

Charging times and capacities are both dropping at significant rates - one company in Singapore is committed to a e-car battery that will charge in 3 minutes, and their prototype is ahead of performance targets so far... New chemistries are going to change power to weight ratios, and hitting 150 mile-range will very quickly be a non-issue.

RBS - what's with the need for a gearbox? Are you focused on engine braking? because if yes, these new e-bikes like the Lightening have pretty decent regenerative braking performance and slow up well when you roll off the power. I'll look for some vids I found on YouTube two weeks back when I get on a real computer and off this iPad... The rider, a track trainer, was very impressed with the performance and feel.

One final note - 20 seconds faster over a 10-minute run is a significant win 3% if my maths is right. Where's the toy in that?

Hitting the 150 mile range at a sedate pace and hitting it at or near peak power output are two very different things. Sure, gas mileage decreases when a bike is run hard, but these electric motors drain extremely quickly at that pace, and when it means several hours for a full charge, it's a concern. Three minutes sounds great- it is a long time off, though, and we're currently nowhere near it.

As far as the gearbox goes, I like the feeling of control and it makes me more a part of the process- if that's gone, I'd miss it as my input would have become less necessary, and I'd be more passenger than pilot. It's not about 'need'- it's about 'want'.

I'm not against E-bikes at all, but I see drawbacks to them as well as benefits.