Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

We missed more than what we got too! Learned that at one time Pittsburgh had over 360 murals documented in an online database. Many of those, sadly, no longer exist due to buildings being torn down, being painted over, or just deteriorated to where they're no longer visible. There have also been more painted since that database was last updated in 2020. Sections of the city made it easy to find a bunch but 90-93 degree heat coupled with stop and go traffic, getting on and off the bike at each stop, one way streets where I need to go the other way to get the mural in the picture, and areas where you just didn't feel too warm and fuzzy about stopping kind of take a lot of the fun away form the hunt. Even with all that being said this event has been awesome to me. I've been to places I wouldn't normally have gone, ridden through small towns that are trying hard to make themselves appealing for tourism, and eaten lunch in some small local mom and pop places that had incredible food.

 

Get a Japanese bike and just change the oil. Lol, I put 60k on my sv650. All I did was change the oil, it never required anything.
Should have never sold that little street fighter.

 

Exactly! Put 27k miles on my sv650s. All I did was change the oil, 2 sets of tires and changed the spark plugs once. Then I Sold it for a CBR600rr and that thing was a hole in my pocket with mods.

 

IF I go down this route, another SV650 is high on my list. I’d gotten myself off the street for self-preservation reasons. Not sure I’m wanting to go back again.

 

You're not really comparing apples to apples with a a lifted GX470 vs a commuter motorcycle.

If I had $5k and I was starting from zero (aka no gear or tools either) I'd pick a car over a motorcycle if all I cared about was saving money. Now that I have all the gear + tools + (some) knowledge and can do bigger jobs like valve adjustments and tire changes myself I can start to see some savings but those tools and gear weren't cheap either.

Also on days with bad weather, or you have other errands to run (like shopping) or you just don't feel like riding and need to take the gas guzzler, you're going to be cutting into those fuel savings anyway. It's tough to be 100% reliant on a motorcycle IMO.

 

It’s all case by case basis. Back in college I had a WRX that got 23-25mpg and was commuting 20k miles a year. I was young so I rode the SV650s most of the time even in 100 degree Florida heat. Now I am older and like commuting in a cage. Cant even stand riding the bike in 90 degree heat. Wife drives the GX and we have a 1-ton truck that gets 10mpg so the matrix makes sense for me. Bikes are just expensive toys now.

 

@4x4Runner does it. Wonder how many miles he has on the new GSA

 

I used to do it, 30k miles a year rain or shine. Now I'll still ride rain or shine but if I don't feel in it mentally I won't ride. It's already dangerous enough without me not being able to give it my 100% concentration.

 

I ride far more than I drive. So far this year I've ridden 161 out of 219 days this year. That being said, if I didn't have the right tolls that allow me to mount and balance my own tires, rebuild my own front forks, do my own valve checks, and the simpler stuff like oil changes I certainly wouldn't be saving any money. I'm not sure I'm really saving it now. What I am saving is my sanity though!

 

What we don’t know is that Chuck carries paints in his saddle bags. He’s putting the murals up as he rides along. These are all within a 2 mile radius of each other.

 

Most assuredly not true. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler and a freshly sharpened pencil much less any of this stuff. Even my stick figures are poorly drawn......

 

Welp, looks like I'm keeping the Navi for now. Just ordered the KemiMoto rear rack haha.

 

Did you see the bag they make for the storage box now, too?

 

I did! It seemed a little expensive at $45 and also a little pointless as it takes away a bit of space but I like the idea and the fact that they keep making more parts for the Navi.

I hope the rear rack is good for being $30 more than the OEM one, but it does look sturdier than the OEM one as well.

 

I still laugh at the 2kg weight limit of the stock rack.

You need to get one of these: https://www.bikeexif.com/custom-motorcycle-news-august-6-2023

 

I think I drive 5-8k miles a year. Ride maybe 5k (without a trip).

Work is 10 miles away, and I try to split driving and riding. But its very easy to jump in the truck. I get 15mpg in the truck, and 45-48 on the bike. But both are for fun. I didnt get the truck to save $ on gas, and while the bike does get significantly more, its not my sole use for commuting.

Otherwise I would have gotten something that gets 70mpg and left it stock. I also can never leave anything stock.

 

Oof yeah that'd be a rough first experience

The only time I lean like a "real" rider is on really long, sweeping curves with unimpeded visibility. otherwise, you'll see me counterleaning.

I refuse to acknowledge this logic and will die on the hill that my motorcycle saves me money. Because here's the thing...owning one wasn't an option. It was a must. And thus, I spend 1/3 the gas on my bike than I do my truck.

All other calculations are unimportant.

 

Ya know what.... FACTS. I wouldnt be very happy in life without some motorcycle in the garage.

 

My fiancee understands that motorcycles are #1 in my life and accepts that fact.

 

Ooh congrats! I think a few weeks ago it was girlfriend?