June 2nd, 2011, 02:46 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: A
Location: Toronto!
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 250r Posts: 13
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Wheelies on a 250
Hi guys,
Have any of you been doing wheelies on your 250s regularly? I tried doing a search, but couldn't find anything definitive since they were more about wheelie-ing, in itself. Not looking to catch flak - I'm genuinely interested in knowing how your bike's holding up. My friend started doing them last year and his forks started leaking, but that was also probably a combination of him setting the bike down hard. I do know that the 250r doesn't have the best suspension, but I'm still wondering if wheelies leading to leaking fork seals are the norm or just the exception for people who can't set them down right. I'd like to keep practicing, but not at the expense of my forks. Thanks in advance, |
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June 2nd, 2011, 03:48 PM | #2 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Luke
Location: Sevierville, TN
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Quote:
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:23 PM | #3 |
Ride this!
Name: Mike
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 78
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I can only get a good wheelie when my bike is just barely warmed up and in first gear only. If my bike is thoroughly warmed up, trying a wheelie is a joke. With that said, I don't see much damage being done to the front forks, IMO.
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:30 PM | #4 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
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intentionally trying to get your front wheel up seems completely pointless to me unless you're trying to look cool... and if you're trying to look cool, in my opinion, you shouldn't be riding something that can easily kill you.
now... trying to learn how to keep your front wheel down while applying as much power as you can... that makes a lot more sense to me.
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:34 PM | #5 | |
Internet Slut
Name: Jeff
Location: L.A.
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 FZ1, 07 FZ6 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
The 250 i have not tried to do one, my guess is it would look bad and not be a smooth up and down due to lack of power. get a salvaged 600-650 that you can do them on, that way you wont be messing up your bike. |
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:36 PM | #6 |
Ride this!
Name: Mike
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 78
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I find it harder getting my wheel off the ground with full power rather then keeping it on the ground lol
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:40 PM | #7 | |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
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Quote:
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:42 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Cody
Location: NoVa
Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.
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I tried wheelies one day, I didn't get very high and could only do them in first gear. My step bro said he could do pop ups in second gear but not a chance of that for me. I've also done power wheelies near the end of first gear after a great take off. I weigh 250 lbs btw...
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:42 PM | #9 |
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Name: rock
Location: greenville, south carolina
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.
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Where do I get one of these 250's that lifts the front with acceleration?
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:46 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Cody
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After shimming the needles, I reved up to redline, took off as fast as I could and near 10k the front wheel lifted off the ground. It's only happened once and I've only tried that fast take off maybe 2-3 times.
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:48 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Luke
Location: Sevierville, TN
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577
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Are you all using stock sprockets? Only reason I'd wanna do wheelies is to have fun in a parking lot. (When) I find a 250 I want to streetfighter it and possible play around with it lke wheelies IN A CONTROLLED ENVIORNMENT, not out on the streets. I'm wondering if you go down 1 in the front if thatd help. With all the said, how do we wheelie a 2fiddy?!!??!
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:49 PM | #13 |
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Name: rock
Location: greenville, south carolina
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.
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With acceleration, not clutch popping, you n00bs
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Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up |
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June 2nd, 2011, 04:52 PM | #14 |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
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on the 250 i can't get powerwheelies... clutch drop wheelies easy. shift into 2nd wheelies easy, specially if you're rough on her. but powerwheelies? mmm...... maybe if you lean way back and pull up on the bars :-P
on the 600 though... thats a completely different story.
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June 2nd, 2011, 05:10 PM | #15 |
Internet Slut
Name: Jeff
Location: L.A.
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i will have to give that a shot, i am right on the edge right now and i tend to go less throttle just to make sure the front stays down. the good thing for me is my front tends to stay down more then yours does, bad thing is, yours is faster lol.
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June 2nd, 2011, 05:15 PM | #16 |
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Name: Dre
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June 2nd, 2011, 06:31 PM | #17 |
Motorcyclist
Name: James
Location: Maryland
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.
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I wouldn't think it would cause issues so long as you set it down easy, problem is that once it starts to go down it may be hard to do easy with the low power. Years ago I did wheelies on my CBR929 daily but that had a lot of power, even if it was starting to drop you could recover and bring it back up or set down easy. The high power and short wheelbase made those wheelie very easy. That being said, I don't wheelie any more.
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June 2nd, 2011, 06:48 PM | #18 |
Wartown, USA
Name: Bryan
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.
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Ive been known to lift the front off the deck a few times, but I dont make a regular habit of it. It really puts a lot of stress on the bike that isnt good for it. If you're gonna do it, do it as gently as possible.
Worn sprockets, stretched chains, blown fork seals, worn out head bearings...if you dont mind having to maintain what you wear out, go for it. Its pretty much rev it to 11g, and dump the clutch. I usually get it moving in first nice and slow, then rev it and dump it in either 1st or 2nd. It will lift it off about a foot or so. If you plan on stunting mostly, it would be a good idea to change out the sprockets so that you get tons of torque...albeit at the sacrifice of top end speed. The added torque will make it much easier to get the front end off. You'd be pretty much making it strictly a stunt bike, instead of a daily rider though unless you are just sticking to city streets. Also bear in mind that the ninja doesnt have a steering damper. So if you go vertical, and drop it too quick, dont be surprised when the front end gets all squirrelly on you. When/If you want to start doing more stunts like stoppies and such. It would be a real good idea to swap out the front end for a beefier inverted fork/two rotor front end. Its really tricky to do a stoppie with the single rotor stock front end. It tends to twist on you, and loading up the stock forks with 500lbs is really pushing their limits. |
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June 2nd, 2011, 06:55 PM | #19 |
Wartown, USA
Name: Bryan
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.
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June 2nd, 2011, 07:11 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jonathan
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 Posts: 398
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This guy has some skill. Incredibly stupid with no gear or helmet, but he's got skill:
Link to original page on YouTube.
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June 2nd, 2011, 07:19 PM | #21 | |
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Name: Jonathan
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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Quote:
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From here...to everywhere! |
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June 2nd, 2011, 08:06 PM | #22 |
Ninjette wanabe :D
Name: Ruslan
Location: San Jose
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June 2nd, 2011, 08:54 PM | #23 | ||
ninjette.org member
Name: A
Location: Toronto!
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 250r Posts: 13
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Quote:
But now I wanna get more into wheelies. I'm happy with my 250 and I don't plan on "upgrading" soon. I'd like to take advantage of everything this bike can offer. As for keeping the front end down, I've never had that problem (even at WOT). But I'm sure that's gonna change when I get my bike back from the shop (area p quiet core, shimmed needles, rejet, new spark plugs. oh lordy lordy) Thanks for the replies, guys. More are definitely welcome since it's still not definitive exactly how much stress it'll put on the bike. I'm sure that for every couple of smooth landings, there'll be a couple of rough ones... Quote:
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June 2nd, 2011, 09:12 PM | #24 | |
ninjette.org newbie 2,000
Name: Francis
Location: Vancouver
Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 160
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Quote:
Don't do it riding something that can easily kill you. But I'll be honest. I've tried doing a wheelie on my 250r. I think I only went up to 8k in first and dropped it. Didn't even lift up. I tried 3 times, then I said eff it, I don't wanna break my bike lol I AM interested in doing stoppies, or at least just learning it. A friend told me it might eff up my forks, so I don't think I'd try. Man, there's nothing fun I can do with the 250 haha. Rolling burnouts, no no. I'm too poor to afford new tires... |
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June 2nd, 2011, 09:23 PM | #25 |
Wartown, USA
Name: Bryan
Location: Warner Robins, GA
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.
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Stunting costs money no doubt. You can easily go through a set of tires in minutes if you are doing rolling burnouts. And you will be replacing parts every other week.
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June 2nd, 2011, 09:27 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org newbie 2,000
Name: Francis
Location: Vancouver
Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 160
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Watching those videos makes me wanna try it again.
I should man up and get it up to 10k lol. Maybe next year. My student ass would be useless without a bike this year. |
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June 2nd, 2011, 10:12 PM | #27 |
meow?
Name: kevin
Location: I.E. SoCal
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2004 636 Posts: 587
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step three: do not crap thyself
i would buy a beat up old bike for less than $800 or so and learn to stunt the crap out of it minimal insurance, empty parking lot, with friends just in case worst comes to worst that way when you actually do do it on your real bike, you wont drop it or mess up and you can bet ppl that you can do it |
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June 3rd, 2011, 07:32 AM | #28 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
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As BDavison said:
Ive been known to lift the front off the deck a few times, but I dont make a regular habit of it. It really puts a lot of stress on the bike that isnt good for it. If you're gonna do it, do it as gently as possible. Worn sprockets, stretched chains, blown fork seals, worn out head bearings...if you dont mind having to maintain what you wear out, go for it. Dirt bike is a great way to learn wheelies, no citizens (or cops) to offend, and the bike can take it. Wheelying past your buddies through mud or water and getting them dirty is always fun. That said I love how Biaggi's bike always pops that little wheelie on his upshifts in WSB. |
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June 3rd, 2011, 09:25 AM | #29 | |
ninjette.org newbie 2,000
Name: Francis
Location: Vancouver
Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 160
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Quote:
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June 3rd, 2011, 09:29 AM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
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No link, just watch in world superbike that RSV4 lofts the wheel every up shift, its not like high up, i just like watching it. though at victory (last year anyway) the guy can ride a pretty good one.
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June 3rd, 2011, 07:59 PM | #31 |
Internet Slut
Name: Jeff
Location: L.A.
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 FZ1, 07 FZ6 Posts: A lot.
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For me a sheelie looks like crap on the 250 its rough and jerky and just not smooth.
my theory is Clutch Dump wheelies = ugly Power Wheelies = Sexy Power Wheelie that is just off the ground as the rider stays on the throttle = Super sexy |
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June 3rd, 2011, 10:54 PM | #32 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: T
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Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): Current: '11 ZX-6R; Previous: '09 Ninjette; '08 ZX-6R (Ex-Wife '09 TU250X) Posts: 981
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I can't get anything more than the front getting light on my ZX, though I have no serious interest in wheelie-ing. Those You Tube videos are nice; some people have skills. Though I hope they aren't paying the maintenance bills.
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June 3rd, 2011, 11:05 PM | #33 | |
Internet Slut
Name: Jeff
Location: L.A.
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Quote:
I have been looking for as many open roads as i can to work on my throttle on the 600. i want to have the right feel for how hard i can et on the throttle and not have the front come up. Just trying to get max acceleration and keep both wheels on the ground. |
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June 4th, 2011, 02:56 AM | #34 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
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Try it with a passenger. Better weight distribution for low power wheelies.
Link to original page on YouTube.
Link to original page on YouTube.
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June 4th, 2011, 06:17 AM | #35 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Dre
Location: DMV
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300, 2008 ZX6, 2011 Ninja 1000 Posts: 622
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I'm going to edit your post a little. Remove and add a few words...
Quote:
It amazes me how somethings are ok with people, and variations of the same things aren't. Let's replace wheelies with going to the track or riding 2-up. Both are things that we can do on our motorcycles, and both are things that make riding your motorcycle more dangerous. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I respect that. But your statement is straddling a very fine line towards hypocrisy. |
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June 4th, 2011, 07:30 AM | #36 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bill
Location: Orlando
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Quote:
I put stunting on the street in the same category as racing on the street. Wrong place. Not wrong activity, just the wrong place. There's too much in the way and out of your control on a road. On a track, or a lot for stunting, you can control the factors that can distract or hinder you, and minimize the risk you pose to other people and their property. The two videos you posted weren't stunting, anymore than a video of a rider lowsiding on a public road in traffic is racing. All those videos are are retards in public. As far as falling goes, I've dropped a bike, and it sucked. However, I'm still riding. Falls happen, I'm sure more people are injured and killed riding on public streets than practicing wheelies in a closed lot.
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June 4th, 2011, 08:42 AM | #37 | ||
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: D
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Quote:
The shirtless guy in the first video made a nice cushion for the rider. It would have been cool if they had shown his back after the attempt. Quote:
I've been riding motorcycles since September of last year. I don't do stunting, but I've gone down twice since then. Both times, nothing but a bruised ego (+ bike damage) thanks to my gear. Based on what I've seen so far, motorcycling is far safer than inline skating. |
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June 4th, 2011, 11:07 AM | #38 | |
meow?
Name: kevin
Location: I.E. SoCal
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2004 636 Posts: 587
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Quote:
it's for better balance when the bike is up it's easier to balance yourself and the bike while you are upright rather than leaning back holding onto the bars |
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June 4th, 2011, 11:57 AM | #39 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bill
Location: Orlando
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r - Traded for 2009 ER-6N Posts: 424
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Before anyone gets creative... Only one foot, the left one, is on the back pegs. The right one is on the front peg, covering the rear brake in case they need to bring the bike back down.
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June 4th, 2011, 12:32 PM | #40 | |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
So I disagree with those people who say that you shouldn't ride a motorcycle because it is too dangerous. I do, however, agree with those people who say you shouldn't ride a motorcycle stupidly. It doesn't have metal around you to protect you, and it is more unstable than a car. You need to ride it responsibly. And stunting is usually irresponsible. I may note here that I happened to have seen someone die doing a wheelie last December, so forgive me if I'm bit bummed at encouraging people to stunt. I could forsee stunting done responsibly, at the right place, with the right gear, with thoughtful people doing it with appropriate skill levels, I suppose. I just don't see any discussion of these things in this thread, which is well into gixxer.com territory. All I said was I was a bit bummed at the turn of direction for the forums, which usually have a heavy focus on skill building, safety and gear. Just my opinion, and one that I think has enough sense behind it to avoid an accusation of hypocrisy even if you disagree. On a point of logic, your hypocrisy argument is very much like a slippery slope argument --The idea is that if you take that seemingly innocuous first step, it automatically leads to a second, which will force a third, and so on and so on until, next thing you know, there we are in Satan's own livingroom listening to Yanni on 8-track. And if you come out against the end result, your original position is hypocrisy. The flaw in this reasoning is that the premise behind the original position most often has nothing to do with the premise behind the last one, and it is possible that someone can believe in degrees - one thing is not enough, another is too much of something. All is not black and white. Is it not possible that some level of danger is acceptable to someone, but not an increased level past what they are comfortable with? In my case, I believe it imminently reasonable that one could wholeheartedly believe motorcycles are not unduly dangerous, even if slightly more dangerous than cars, if one takes reasonable precautions - yet at the same time believe that one should not deliberately ride in a way that increases risk unnecessarily.
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