|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 27, 2015 5:04:18 GMT -5
It really does not matter if they enforce Air Regs after the bike is sold in the USA since they do have to meet the regulations in order to import them. In Europe the Euro3 and 4 standards are in ways more strict than US regulations so that is also pushing the minimum engine size for a bike to be interstate capable.
Most of the State and County Roads around here have 65 mph sections so a 70 mph bike would not be safe on them once a mild grade or even a moderate headwind is encountered.
On a side note: Remember that the real proof or test of a persons fiber is when they continue to obey the law even though there is little to no chance of getting caught. We each know how often we personally face those tests and pass or fail. Too many unfortunately seem to brag on those failures and go so far as to encourage others to do similar.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 27, 2015 4:45:35 GMT -5
Here is a Blast from the Past - "Not So Easy" narrated by Peter Fonda and featuring his special guest Evil Knievel:
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 26, 2015 16:21:50 GMT -5
You may find that as Air Quality Regs get stiffer that the newer 250 cc bikes aren't going to perform as well as the older ones. 70 mph would not be a workable bike where I live since we have 75 mph interstates where traffic flows at 80/  mph much of the time. Guess I am spoiled with the 2009 Aprilia 250 being able to keep up as well as it does. |
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 26, 2015 2:07:38 GMT -5
When the variator starts going and the initial strumming of the belt begins so does the collateral damage to clutch shoes, the clutch shaft and the gear box bearings along with damage to the rear body and exhaust. I have seen a number of bikes going through this and most start patching mufflers, replacing snapped exhaust header bolts and replace the body parts that fracture or simply fall off instead of fixing the original problem caused by the poor quality or old failing belt.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 26, 2015 1:59:48 GMT -5
Yes the jump to 300 cc is more due to current emissions standards making it harder to generate enough power from a conventional 250 to maintain current performance levels. That is why Piaggio went back to the drawing board and changed to a box stroke engine design with a wet clutch on their 350. This allowed them to meet new air quality and fuel economy regs while providing the performance of a 500cc bike with the fuel economy of a old style 250.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 26, 2015 1:49:35 GMT -5
Wait for real world testing before jumping on this one. The results of having the quick release letting go in an accident would be quite devastating. Even with a strap on this one the chance of losing the entire back half of the helmet if the latch let go would put the first batch off my list even if the price was half what they are quoting.
I saw many stating they won't consider it without Snell Certification however to tell the truth there are real world situations in normal street riding that a Snell Helmet actually increases your chances of injury which is why they had to modify the standard to make it less severe a few years ago and even then it still may prove to be a bit too severe and actually cause injuries that would have been avoided with a DOT or Euro Spec helmet.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 24, 2015 11:35:23 GMT -5
Remember the switch is in place to move to 300 and 400cc instead of 250cc bikes. Same to less hp in many cases on the 250 to 300cc jump but at a lower rpm.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 23, 2015 13:08:36 GMT -5
Outside in the weather for 4 years means the radiator is potentially at least partially clogged, the entire brake system is rotting to some degree from the inside out, any chassis/wheel bearing grease is history and the tires are beyond any reasonable expectation for safe usage. Regardless of usage a water cooled bike require the coolant to be flushed out every 2 years and hydraulic brake systems also have to be flushed every 2 years also. That bike needs new tires and every moving part checked and properly lubricated along with every hose replaced before being used again. If it was stored indoors fewer hoses would need to be replaced and the seat would probably be in better condition as would the exposed parts of the fork tubes. You have a lot of restoration to do besides just throwing a new engine in there.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 23, 2015 1:07:09 GMT -5
I wish I had a nickle for everyone who's told me that they were immune to this due to their cat like reflexes and superior riding skills.... Ah the joys of being young, dumb and full of confidence! I miss that.  I remember back when I knew everything and it was grand. Now that I am older while it bothers me that I know that there are things I don't know it really scares me that there are others things that I don't know I don't know. It is the unknown unknowns that can present the greatest threat to our safety as Mr. Rumsfeld pointed out. When riding one has to be aware that there will be unknown unknowns on the road ahead and while some may be very pleasant we do have to be prepared to deal with the extremely unpleasant ones too by riding in a safe and reasonable manner. |
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 22, 2015 5:08:45 GMT -5
I have some old load binder straps that I cut the ends off which I use instead of fiberglass matting behind epoxy repairs which many times become so close to invisible that they do not require any paint touch up. Any decent 2 part minute epoxy works out pretty well especially where I do not want to chance heat deforming the area with plastic welding.
The plastic welding rod from Harbor Freight so far has been structurally excellent especially for replacing sheared off mounting tabs on top cases and such where you can't add extra material. My expensive Givi Case had both of its mounting tabs completely sheared off in my accident this past spring and the welded in replacements have been stronger and less prone to rattling than the originals. The abrasion resistant PolyPropylene did not file or sand easily and had to be cut to shape with a saw. I can lift the entire back of the bike of the ground with the top case in its quick mount.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 22, 2015 4:53:31 GMT -5
Probably a blessing that he can't remember anything from a few minutes before until he came too and has to go by the video to show him what happened. I don't think he would have made it if the Fire Rescue folks weren't in the truck he hit and there to provide life support and call a life flight immediately.
I wish I had a nickle for everyone who's told me that they were immune to this due to their cat like reflexes and superior riding skills which allowed them to ride like Hooligans and play Speed Racer riding the streets.
Be safe.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 21, 2015 23:43:03 GMT -5
Always used a two part epoxy and webbing from behind making things stronger than new. I also use plastic welding rod and have even recast structural parts on top cases with them.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 21, 2015 23:23:49 GMT -5
This one that happened in April 2015 is a prime example of what can happen running wide. Rider was chasing a friend and panicked running wide into what appears to be a fire rescue vehicle which may be what saved him. Hitting a truck with life saving equipment and medics on board was a bit ironic.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 21, 2015 5:28:27 GMT -5
Remember that foam air filters are only semi-permanent and still require replacement after one or two cleanings as the foam starts to break down which happens more rapidly since ethanol came into use. A one cylinder engine develops a pulse that flows back through the intake which is what allows the vacuum fuel pump to operate and mists a little fuel vapor back at the filter which when laden with ethanol rots away at it until it eventually can tear and be sucked into the cylinder along with all the dirt it contains.
Myself in the past 50,000 miles of riding scooters instead of motorcycles I have not had a vacuum shut off fail of its own but have had bad vacuum lines and intake parts fail preventing enough vacuum to open them (so far not on the Aprilia though).
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 21, 2015 0:44:37 GMT -5
My 124 Spider surprises people with the room inside. When I took my kid brother out in it for ice cream the first time he was amazed at how easy it was to get in and out of.
The original Fiat 500 and its variants were fun too.
Dennis Gage did a spot on the Micro Car Show in Longwood Florida that had some interesting models that were sold in the USA.
|
|
mph much of the time. Guess I am spoiled with the 2009 Aprilia 250 being able to keep up as well as it does.