Is maintaining a motorcycle really that difficult?

[eyoungren]

I hope more and more places allow lane splitting. Canada is behind in that respect.

Phoenix, where I live, is the red light running capitol of the USA. Since the pandemic started there has also developed a certain sense of 'the rules don't apply to me'.

I have seen people fully stopped at a red light decide that they do not wish to wait any more. And so they go - on a a red light. This is not 2 in the morning at a deserted corner, it's 2 in the afternoon with traffic. People are blowing reds after the light has been red for a couple of seconds and I've seen people just decide to ignore the red entirely and just blow through the intersection. Again, broad daylight with traffic.

So I agree with the concept of lane filtering and lane splitting as long as riders and auto drivers respect that. I just do not see that happening based on current experience.

About a decade ago there were a large bunch of motorcycle riders sitting at a red light waiting to make a left turn. A rock truck driver high on drugs didn't stop for the red light and ended up just running over everyone in the left turn lane. He only stopped because the amount of motorcycles and bodies underneath his truck prevented his forward momentum.

You really have to watch yourself out here and motorcycle riders even more so.

 

[Allyance]

I have been riding and maintaining my own bikes for 50 years. I find there is a considerable lack of consideration for other people with bikes with straight pipes, mainly Harleys. I have several in my small neighborhood and the really rattle the windows, constantly blipping their throttles. The bike I currently ride (see the Avatar) has stock exhaust which works very well with the 800cc V-Four engine and is very quiet, it will beat the hell out of the Harley in speed and handling. There are many non-Harley bikes that have after market exhausts that can be equally obnoxious. I worked with an older guy that both he an his wife had Harleys. Once in a while he would ride her bike to work. When he started it in the parking garage, almost every car alarm went off. Straight pipes on an 1800cc engine are really obnoxious. Fixing other peoples bike in a residential is inconsiderate and probably violate zoning laws as well as HOA rules.

I don't ride the freeways unless I absolutely have to and I split lanes when traffic heavy and stopped at lights.

 

[bingeciren]

So I agree with the concept of lane filtering and lane splitting as long as riders and auto drivers respect that. I just do not see that happening based on current experience

100% agree. Unfortunately drivers in North America are not only prepared to accept bikes splitting lanes, but they are downright hostile towards bikes sharing the road with them.

As for running the red light, I’ve had a similar experience years ago waiting at the red light while a truck ran over the light on the left turning lane, t-boned a minivan in the middle of the intersection , fell on its side and killed the passengers on the van. I made a u-turn and headed straight back home, cuttıng my Sunday ride short.

 

[MBAir2010]

Lane splitting is allowed here in Arizona. The governor is also set to sign a new bill allowing lane filtering, maximum speed 15mph.

in Los Angels, 1987 the white slashed lines on the i-5 were called motorcycle lanes

 

[44267547]

The bike I currently ride (see the Avatar) has stock exhaust which works very well with the 800cc V-Four engine and is very quiet, it will beat the hell out of the Harley in speed and handling.

Why you’re comparing a performance bike to a Harley is beyond me. They’re not even the same bike categorically or meant to be the same bike in terms of how they handle, accelerate, because of totally different build standards. That’s like me comparing a Toyota Camry to a Shelby GT 500, dynamically they are totally different vehicles for obvious reasons.

I mean, I guess I could say my 700+ supercharged Camaro SS would ‘beat the hell out’ of a Honda Civic. (That’s not a bragging point, that’s just not something that even needs to be said.)

 

[slainbabyyc]

I have been riding and maintaining my own bikes for 50 years. I find there is a considerable lack of consideration for other people with bikes with straight pipes, mainly Harleys. I have several in my small neighborhood and the really rattle the windows, constantly blipping their throttles. The bike I currently ride (see the Avatar) has stock exhaust which works very well with the 800cc V-Four engine and is very quiet, it will beat the hell out of the Harley in speed and handling. There are many non-Harley bikes that have after market exhausts that can be equally obnoxious. I worked with an older guy that both he an his wife had Harleys. Once in a while he would ride her bike to work. When he started it in the parking garage, almost every car alarm went off. Straight pipes on an 1800cc engine are really obnoxious. Fixing other peoples bike in a residential is inconsiderate and probably violate zoning laws as well as HOA rules.

I don't ride the freeways unless I absolutely have to and I split lanes when traffic heavy and stopped at lights.

i have heard that freeways are generally safer than residential roads. that said, i crashed on the 101 south.

 

[satcomer]

The large problem with Motorcycles is other drivers! There tends to be habit by car/suv drivers to think Motorcycles are bicycles and turn directly in front of rider on 45MPH drive in built up suburb! This is why my Brother sold his bike after his first child!

 

[eyoungren]

The large problem with Motorcycles is other drivers! There tends to be habit by car/suv drivers to think Motorcycles are bicycles and turn directly in front of rider on 45MPH drive in built up suburb! This is why my Brother sold his bike after his first child!

I was taught to treat motorcycles as cars, which meant allowing them the same space, the same following distance, etc. While they are not cars, there is little harm in overestimating their size and giving them that much more space. Another thing for me is that it's difficult to not see the human riding the motorcycle and I don't want to be responsible for bringing any harm to that person. Tailgating a motorcycle rider as I've seen others do is just stupid.

I tend to give motorcycles way more room than I would give a typical car.

 

[Allyance]

Why you’re comparing a performance bike to a Harley is beyond me. They’re not even the same bike categorically or meant to be the same bike in terms of how they handle, accelerate, because of totally different build standards. That’s like me comparing a Toyota Camry to a Shelby GT 500, dynamically they are totally different vehicles for obvious reasons.

I mean, I guess I could say my 700+ supercharged Camaro SS would ‘beat the hell out’ of a Honda Civic. (That’s not a bragging point, that’s just not something that even needs to be said.)

I was comparing the noise levels, you don’t have to be loud to have good performance. I appreciate the differences between cruisers, touring and sport bikes. Unfortunately Hollywood has stigmatized the Harley riders as strictly criminal gang riders. Everyone has the right to own and enjoy the style and make of bike bike that suits them. Out here in CA, we give small waves to on coming riders as a sign of friendship, Harley riders do too.

 

[wonderings]

definitely not a normal thing and even more bizarre it is not a Harley. Japanese cruisers are generally super reliable. modern Harleys are as well and I would feel comfortable riding a Harley across the country without fear of a break down these days, older ones were as good. Could be all sorts of issue with the bike. Lots of people get them, ride for a season and then it just ends up being parked and neglected for years on end, sometimes even outdoors exposed to the elements. I ride a BMW R1200GSA, maintenance is basic, oil changes are simple and none of it makes any noise. Could just be a neighbour in love with the bike culture so loves ripping the bike apart and putting it back together. I have met guys like that, makes no sense to me but if it makes them happy and is not harming anyone else more power to them.

 

[Apple fanboy]

The large problem with Motorcycles is other drivers! There tends to be habit by car/suv drivers to think Motorcycles are bicycles and turn directly in front of rider on 45MPH drive in built up suburb! This is why my Brother sold his bike after his first child!

I think there are a good chunk of irresponsible bikers out there as well. It’s a speed limit for all vehicles! Or yes I know it’s more fun to use both sides of this twisty country Lane, but when someone comes the other way and your on the wrong side……

 

[eyoungren]

definitely not a normal thing and even more bizarre it is not a Harley. Japanese cruisers are generally super reliable. modern Harleys are as well and I would feel comfortable riding a Harley across the country without fear of a break down these days, older ones were as good. Could be all sorts of issue with the bike. Lots of people get them, ride for a season and then it just ends up being parked and neglected for years on end, sometimes even outdoors exposed to the elements. I ride a BMW R1200GSA, maintenance is basic, oil changes are simple and none of it makes any noise. Could just be a neighbour in love with the bike culture so loves ripping the bike apart and putting it back together. I have met guys like that, makes no sense to me but if it makes them happy and is not harming anyone else more power to them.

I heard him leave this morning. Simple start and ride off. I was surprised.

He left his bike lift in the driveway so I know he was working on it. Oil all over his driveway and not just the stains - oil slicks.

It's interesting because the HOA manager has written me up before for way less in my driveway (I have an old car). But they seem to shrug off the HOA fines next door I guess.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

The large problem with Motorcycles is other drivers! There tends to be habit by car/suv drivers to think Motorcycles are bicycles and turn directly in front of rider on 45MPH drive in built up suburb! This is why my Brother sold his bike after his first child!

Motorcycle drivers are equally to blame. I can't tell you how many times I've had a motorcycle race around and in front of me in bumper to bumper traffic. Riding around on a nimble crotch rocket or Harley with zero regard of the fact that they're sharing the road with 4000lb+ cars who cannot stop nearly as fast as they can is moronic.

My BIL is in a motorcycle "club" (it's a gang) and I have zero pity for them or anyone who tries to emulate them with the **** they pull on the road.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

I heard him leave this morning. Simple start and ride off. I was surprised.

He left his bike lift in the driveway so I know he was working on it. Oil all over his driveway and not just the stains - oil slicks.

It's interesting because the HOA manager has written me up before for way less in my driveway (I have an old car). But they seem to shrug off the HOA fines next door I guess.

If he's working on his bike that much he either has a POS or in working on his own bike and not knowing what he's doing, ****ed it up.

 

[Herdfan]

If he's working on his bike that much he either has a POS or in working on his own bike and not knowing what he's doing, ****ed it up.

My initial thought was a carb vs FI. Plus it sounds like he could use some new gaskets and seals as well.

 

[Radiomarko]

 

[jkcerda]

tons of people "know better" than actual mechanics thanks to the internet

you have people who love to tinker and people who are broke and need to fix things on their own, motorcycle mechanics are NOT CHEAP at all. simple things get you reamed . go get a new tire, if it's in the bike $130 labor, if you bring it in still $50 labor just to install it.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

My initial thought was a carb vs FI. Plus it sounds like he could use some new gaskets and seals as well.

I've had a few friends **** their bikes up by trying to adjust the idle and/or the idle mixture or changing the plugs with an incorrect gap that causes the engine to flood. Some of the morons have no idea if they're running lean or rich by the time they're done. The thing is popping and crackling like a '98 civic with a 4in fart can on the back, "It sounds bad ass doesn't it".

 

[slainbabyyc]

that **** is all in the manual or online. i was able to teach myself how to do everything to my motorcycle with no prior mechanical experience

 

[Herdfan]

View attachment 1986840​

AHHHHHH!

Had to read that in HS. The nightmares.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

I heard him leave this morning. Simple start and ride off. I was surprised.

He left his bike lift in the driveway so I know he was working on it. Oil all over his driveway and not just the stains - oil slicks.

It's interesting because the HOA manager has written me up before for way less in my driveway (I have an old car). But they seem to shrug off the HOA fines next door I guess.

Maybe he is one of the forum members responding to your posts. "You never know" 🤣

~just kidding with you, of course! And no, I am not your noisy neighbor; I live in Alaska.

 

[eyoungren]

So raising my own thread again…

Neighbor is still here, still works on his motorcycle and the train of people who move in and out come and go. There are now two derelict motorcycles in various states of disassembly in front of his garage door. Because others live there now, he is now parking on the street or the sidewalk.

Between the last time and now, the HOA manager was let go. Most of the homes in my HOA community are now corp owned and I suppose the corporate owners got tired of their rental units being written up. It's a mess over there.

I was behind him once while driving. At a light I was going straight and he was turning left. Bike died on him when the light turned green and he had a line of cars behind him waiting for him to get it started again.

It would seem he's gotten much better at not revving and just leaving since last I posted. Until now. Which is why I am now posting.

So far today we've had two rough starting incidents (that I can hear) where the engine is out of whack and sounds rough. Pretty sure I'll hear a third start momentarily as he fidgets with things.

What's funny is that a few months back I saw a sticker on his motorcycle. "Built. Not bought." that sticker says. He seems to be proud of that I guess.

Having lived next to him this long there is no way I would ever buy a motorcycle from him that he 'built'. Seems to me he could do far better for himself by just buying something that actually works when he wants to leave the premises.

SMH!

 

[GrayFlannel]

So raising my own thread again…

Neighbor is still here, still works on his motorcycle and the train of people who move in and out come and go. There are now two derelict motorcycles in various states of disassembly in front of his garage door. Because others live there now, he is now parking on the street or the sidewalk.

Between the last time and now, the HOA manager was let go. Most of the homes in my HOA community are now corp owned and I suppose the corporate owners got tired of their rental units being written up. It's a mess over there.

I was behind him once while driving. At a light I was going straight and he was turning left. Bike died on him when the light turned green and he had a line of cars behind him waiting for him to get it started again.

It would seem he's gotten much better at not revving and just leaving since last I posted. Until now. Which is why I am now posting.

So far today we've had two rough starting incidents (that I can hear) where the engine is out of whack and sounds rough. Pretty sure I'll hear a third start momentarily as he fidgets with things.

What's funny is that a few months back I saw a sticker on his motorcycle. "Built. Not bought." that sticker says. He seems to be proud of that I guess.

Having lived next to him this long there is no way I would ever buy a motorcycle from him that he 'built'. Seems to me he could do far better for himself by just buying something that actually works when he wants to leave the premises.

SMH!

I enjoyed your original post. It had me chuckling.

I grew up in the days when people could work on their own cars. It was funny to see the same people always working on their car tweaking something or other. And inevitably they’d be found broken down on the side of road too. The last thing a car needs is me tinkering with it. Today‘s car? Forget it.

 

[eyoungren]

I enjoyed your original post. It had me chuckling.

I grew up in the days when people could work on their own cars. It was funny to see the same people always working on their car tweaking something or other. And inevitably they’d be found broken down on the side of road too. The last thing a car needs is me tinkering with it. Today‘s car? Forget it.

Yeah, it's just crazy. My dad used to work on cars, but that was back in the 70s and I even took a crack in some stuff in the 80s, trying to keep my own car running. Alternators, starters, etc. My dad and I even swapped out a transmission.

But my driveway mechanic skills stop when replacing an alternator requires dropping a transaxle. Or brakes. People do their own brakes. I'm not trusting myself and my family on any incompetence on my part concerning that. I pay someone else (a shop) for things like that.

But this guy - the best I can describe his motorcycle as is a 'whatsit'. Meaning, I have zero idea what 'brand' or 'model' this thing is supposed to be. And with the way modern motorcycles are reliable and dependable and require a minimum of maintenance I have to assume that it's just him throwing a middle finger to it all while busting his ass always futzing with it.

I had a Mac computer like that once, that I'd modified and spent far more time fixing than using. Eventually I just got something else. My neighbor isn't there yet. I know it's probably money. There are multiple people living in that house, just to make the monthly rent. But, you'd think for all he spends on this 'built' motorcycle, he could save quite a bit in buying something used that works.

 

[chown33]

What's funny is that a few months back I saw a sticker on his motorcycle. "Built. Not bought." that sticker says. He seems to be proud of that I guess.

Having lived next to him this long there is no way I would ever buy a motorcycle from him that he 'built'. Seems to me he could do far better for himself by just buying something that actually works when he wants to leave the premises.

Two things come to mind:
1. "What?! I'll never abandon my beautiful baby!", i.e. emotional attachment over practicality;
2. Unskilled and Unaware of It:

Illusory superiority - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The "Driving Ability" heading at the Wikipedia link has some striking numbers.