Motor(cycle) and Music Monday

Hey look! I'm not dead! Also, a slight theme.

https://10alex01.tumblr.com/post/162205550737/fan-art-to-congratulate-the-end-of-samurai-jack-inn

Motor Monday: Finally Gave In

Bought a bike.

Honda NC700X, in red, the exact one I said I'd buy if I bought one.

Here's a picture of the bike but not mine, I got a few from right after I bought it but I was missing gloves and it's really glaring and annoying (I rode back across the street to the shop and bought some really sweet gloves that are almost armored enough to potentially be brass knuckles), so I'll have some of those after I've finished collecting the last of my heavy duty armor suit that I'll use when I actually do more than tool around in the apartment complex to remember how to use one of these things.

Things to do/get yet:
Knee Braces, which are traditionally motocross armor, but I like the look and the improved protection (I like my knees to only bend in the one direction they're supposed to).
Hip/butt armor that works with concealed carry. So far all i've found that doesn't have issues with that is motorcycle pants or various types of armored underwear that's way pricy if I want to ride on anything resembling a regular basis.
New boots. My boots are heavy duty leather enough to ride with anyway, but they're old and worn and starting to fall apart and due for replacement regardless of bike-havingness. I'll see if I can't find some nice steel toe combat boot style ones.

Yes, yes, this thread is worthless without pics, I know, I'll remedy it when I have some decent ones. It's like shooting pics without proper safety stuff or weapons handling, just cringeworthy, which is why you don't get to see.

Motor Monday; Want

I do believe that if I decide to purchase a bike, I've selected the one.

Pictured is the 2013, I'll go for the 2015 NC700x DCT ABS. A bit of alphabet soup, but it's an adventure bike (looks like a sport bike, rides like a standard), known for having superb fuel economy despite a moderately large engine, integral storage space (enough for a full size, full head helmet, or groceries on the way home while said helmet is worn. Bet I can fit a pistol safe in there too). The ones I've seen with add on storage gear, be it tank bags, trunks, or saddlebags, all look pretty nice. The model I want costs a touch more, but has antilock brakes and a dual clutch transmission, so I can set it in auto if I feel lazy (Probably use the Sport setting of auto, then just shift manually unless something goes wrong and I must focus on getting the hell out of dodge). Add on accessories for it include extra fairings and reinforcing for them, and more lights because lights=visibility, even during the day. It's even got a hint of that streetfighter look I dig so much. Technically classed as an adventure bike, it's got a bit more ground clearance and can pull offroad duty.

It's missing the airbag off the goldwing. Good news? that whole thing is one easy assembly, with all the electronics and sensors all in a nice neat little package that will be mighty easy to add. Might add on some sport style freeway/crash bars, because as light and easy to heft around as the thing is (local bike shop has one), I'd still rather it didn't fall on me.

2015 model

Otherwise, the new NM4, which shares all the features I'd want off the NC700x, pushes all kinds of the right style buttons, but costs several thousand more and apparently has less useful storage space than the adventure bike, despite coming with saddle bags AND front fairing storage. I also can't find one to sit on, and at 6'3" before any riding boots, making sure I fit is kind of a big deal, especially for a bike at the absolute top end of what I'd consider spending.

Motor Monday: Steambike and musings

http://laughingsquid.com/black-pearl-a-custom-motorcycle-powered-by-a-steam-engine/

Old fashionedy steam engine, rather than one of the higher end ones (like those in the Stanley Steamer cars, or modern recirculating steam engines). Only 5mph, but it looks fantastic. Still, could probably build one with a bit more performance for the form factor, even if you still ran it on steam.

In other news, a local powersports shop was doing an open house/sale night thing, and I picked up a rather nice motorcycle jacket for relatively cheap. Good reviews and ~$50 off the best price I could find online or so.

This will be my "Scary Motorcycle Jacket" for if I do race days or just go places. If/when I actually buy a bike, I'm picking up one of those inflatable motorcycle vests in day-glow orange and green or something to toss on over it for actual visibility and extra safety, although the armor on this thing and reviews are all pretty fantastic.

Motor Monday: Japanese Custom

Turns out, Japan has a thriving custom car/bike culture. Hints of it show through in various media, such as the famous Akira, and several other animes (Initial D comes to mind as well, although those aren't so much flash as they are just street racers).

Motor Monday: Motorcycle Wants

Between my own engineering capabilities and safety innovations by others that are not yet mainstream, I've decided that I will be purchasing a motorcycle at some point in the future. I've managed to work myself out of a job (again) so it'll be a bit, but I've got a while ahead of me yet.

Still, lists of wants and needs are always handy when selecting from a broad, pre-existing market.

MUST HAVES:
Airbag (add on or integral)
skid bars/freeway bars (possibly custom for added protection).
Anti-lock brakes (skidding is bad. skidding with only two wheels is worse)
Engine no larger than 700cc, 400-600cc preferable (I'm not small and I'm not light, but I'm not insane either. Well, that last one is arguable, but it doesn't apply to crazy horsepower at least)
Minimum top speed of 90 (when horsepower is all you have to get out of a bind, you'd better have enough. I'm good at keeping power from getting me into trouble, preferring to use it to keep me out)

Extensive armor, preferably including an airbag jacket/vest, and a full face helmet (already owned, but maybe a nicer one eventually...)

WANTS
Dual headlights
Driveshaft preferable to chain/belt drive
Integral Storage
Automatic transmission/dual clutch transmission
Heated seat
headed handlebars
Fairing questionable? Can't decide if I like them or not
External storage compatible

A lot of these are fairly standard, some are near impossible to find and I'll need to add. A large combination of them point towards something at least fairly new, although given my habit of driving vehicles older than I am "new" is a rather relative term.

And one of the prettiest bikes to probably blame for my fondness for motorcycles, even if it looked nowhere near as good in game

The Hardy-Daytona, a clearly Harley Davidson imitation from Final Fantasy 7, which I played/watched when I was but a wee lad. That's a mean looking cruiser, and I dig it.

Motor Monday: Two Wheel Safety, the future is now

Something brought to my attention that motorcycle airbags are starting to become a thing nearly. So I did some looking into it. Boy howdy is it neat, I do believe it may be the final straw that helps me decide whether I want a traditional bike or not.

First, an overview of the tech
http://bigbikemad.com/motorcycle-airbags.html
They take a look at the various versions available, and a glance at statistics from safety tests. Who knew, motorcycle parts that make safety testing worthwhile!

http://www.ridelust.com/inflatable-airbag-jacket-for-motorcyclists-saved-a-life-already/
Another overview, with a bit of video to boot.

http://world.honda.com/motorcycle-picturebook/Airbag/
Further details on the Honda Goldwing's airbag. Pretty much all motorcycle crashes fall into one of two categories, head on because you either failed to turn enough, lost control in the turn, or someone pulled in front of you. If you were going to slide forward and slam into something, hooray extra jumbo airbag!

I want one. I'm not sure if I want a goldwing, but I want that airbag. I want one that can be mounted just like a tank-bag. The sensors wouldn't be hard to wire in yourself. If nobody will make one (seriously Honda, you're like 90% of the way there. The airbag is the hard part, making one that will go on anything is easy as hell because you can literally just mount it in a tank bag. If you don't or aren't already working on it, I'll do it myself).

http://www.dainese.com/us_en/d-air/street/
http://www.bikebone.com/Air-Vest-Motorcycle-Airbag-Hit-Air.htm
And some more details on the wearable airbags from a few makers. Alpinestar also makes some, but I'm a grump and don't like any of the styles they have aesthetically, which is bad because if I buy a motorcycle jacket I'm wearing it all the freaking time.


One final note: Automatic bikes, or those with dual clutch systems. Again, a thing Honda's got a few of. I like it. There should be more of it. I'm sure there's no end of people to claim that it's not REALLY a motorcycle without a manual transmission, because having an old school system that can stall your bike when your life depends on having that power is a sign of MANLINESS. In my humble opinion, these people are welcome to take that glorious manual transmission and cram it up their ass. I've no problem with manual transmissions, and indeed am pondering several cars with them, but I do so fully admitting that they present an additional challenge to the safe operation of the vehicle, and add a potential failure point due to human error under extreme stress that may be the difference between life and death.

You can skip all the safety crap you want, but if your actions lead to someone else choosing not to use it where they otherwise might have? You deserve to pay any bills they wind up with that said safety equipment would have lessened or negated.

Motor Monday: RPG edition

Most RPG characters start with a theme. I was invited to take part in a Shadowrun campaign not long after completing my motorcycle course, and the capability and low price for performance of a motorcycle just seemed right. Top that off with a real identity that needed hiding (something few shadowrunners have!), and a tendency to be in trouble, and the idea of a motorcycle riding gunslinger wearing heavy biker armor and a helmet was a natural one.

Meet Biker, better known as Norman Schultz, retired Combat Biker, motorcycle racer, and now mechanic, specializing in vehicle modifications for metahumans who have difficulty fitting normal vehicles (He's a dwarf, because they're my preferred standard fantasy race). With color changing and morphing armor to allow him to live his double life, his signature style and blinding speed both on and off his bike have earned him a reputation in his short time taking jobs. But what would a man known as "biker" be without his bike?

The Yamaha Rapier, an affordable street bike, built for performance and handling without breaking the bank. Norman's is a nice bright orange normally, and switches to a blood red when he's out on business as Biker. Let's do some digging, shall we? Just about everything in Shadowrun is extrapolated from current products, such as the Beretta 201T he's wielding, which is simply a Beretta 93R, futurized. No doubt we can find at least some inspiration from one of the various maker's, most likely back in the 80s when Shadowrun was kicked off.

Ding ding ding, I believe we have a winner. Long, angled seat, minimalist sides, and fixed front fairing? Our first contender for "what did they base this on?" is the Yamaha Seca Turbo. To be fair, the body shape wasn't too unusual for 80s bikes in my brief research.

I'll have more details on the character and a picture of his custom bike when I have time to draw it all up.

Motor Monday; Pretty bikes and not much else

Don't have anything particularly related to Martin Luther King day, other than a bit of sadness at the state of the country with regards to race relations. You may have heard of my great uncle, he is known for volunteering to be first off the bus during one of the freedom rides.

http://www.bikeexif.com/top-5-bmw-r-nine-t More at the link of several other kinds, but this one's my favorite of them.

http://www.bikeexif.com/harley-davidson-street-750 Harley-Davidson's are what I learned to ride a motorcycle on, but by and large they have a remarkable lack of pushing the "OooOOoooh.... pretty" buttons for me. This one? I like it.

http://www.bikeexif.com/bmw-r-100-rust Kind of a rat bike. Not so much rat, more just well used. 

Motor Monday (approximately): Siren Song of the Motorbike

I've always had a thing for motorcycles. They're cool, I grew up with several cartoons in which there were some very badass bikes (with rockets and machine guns and other such things that add to the cool factor in the eyes of a... actually you know, looking at movies, mythbusters, and other such things, not really an age cutoff).

I know motorcycles are dangerous. It's inherent to the design. Even if I built my perfect safety cycle that's still an actual cycle, there's no way to get around that fact. Cars generally require a hell of a lot of problems to happen before they fall over sideways. Cars are mostly capable of doing things like turning and stopping at the same time.

Every motorcyclist I know knows someone who has been killed or maimed on a bike. Problem is, motorcycles tend to attract people with a tendency towards risktaking, the type who are likely to engage in the behavior that gets them added to statistics used to frighten others away from doing a thing. Thing is, just last year, Borepatch got maimed slightly on his bike doing the most innocuous of things. From my internet estimation, he's not the type to engage in needless risks, nor was he doing anything particularly egregious. He was just attempting to ride through some road construction, and the road decided it would like to have words with him.

Some of these dangers can be fixed. They make skid bars in designs that are easily modded to protect both bike AND rider, because bikes are not light anymore. Problem is, fixing these dangers leads to the safety paradox, the proven tendency of people to wind up injured or killed more often due to increases in protection, as they take greater risks due to a feeling of invincibility.

As I travel in far more temperate climes, the siren song of the motorcycle increases in volume, having just choked on the -30 after windchill, snow-filled air of Wisconsin mere days, hours ago.


I'm probably going to buy one, spend more on armor than I did on the bike (seriously, I will take any excuse to armor up like a space marine), and then tinker with it until I am certain it will hold up it's end of the deal of not maiming me so long as I do my part by not being a fuckwit.


Have some animated and prototype, and just plain pretty bikes

The Cyclotron, a scrap-built combat cycle. When the rider tucks in, he's completely inside the thing (it actually seals up to be launched/dropped from a plane).

Also available in tandem configuration. That 3 engine F-14 with VTOL has a hell of a lot of spare room inside of it.

Kaneda's motorcycle is iconic, so much so that it's one of my favorites despite having never seen the anime from which it hails. This, and the cyclotron, served as large inspirations for my decision that a vaguely protective bike was possible.

This thing is pretty much just a one-off exercise in insane amounts of badass looking power. Still very easy on the eyes

This, on the other hand, is designed by an industrial engineer and will be available as an easy mod-kit, and looks futuristic as hell in a very nice way.

Motor Monday: Concept Supertires, Why American motorcycles kinda suck, and Pretty Bikes

Not quite Rollcages, but I'd happily have a go in one of those things.


Anyway, on to bikes

http://lanesplitter.jalopnik.com/why-no-one-will-sell-you-the-bike-you-want-1641411378
Motorcycles are dangerous. It's inherent to the design, asking less surface area to do more, the fact that cars can't fall over (and don't try to do so if you attempt to slow down while turning, because they aren't leaned halfway over using the lean to keep from falling completely over). But there's a fair bit of distance between the inherent danger of motorcycles and how many people manage to get killed or kill themselves with them. Why?
Because of how they've been marketed in the States. Other countries with colossal motorcycle ridership don't have anywhere near the death rate from them we do. They also don't have motorcycles where "Enough horsepower to smear your remains across FOUR COUNTIES!" is a selling point.

Another problem with the motorcycling crowd is the resistance to safety gear, or insufficient safety gear. With the right gear, life is a hell of a lot safer.
http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-motorcycle-sa-1596858706 The things people can and have walked away from after motorcycle crashes are frankly astonishing. Combined with above (driving things back towards bikes that aren't 40 billion tons and marketed as ludicrously expensive toys that will kill you), it would seem quite reasonable to assume that a good full suit of motorcycle armor should just be factored in as part of the price of the bike.

Also, a lot of them make you look like a damn space marine. I've yet to figure out why people don't like the idea of the protective gear. I'd go around dressed like a space marine all the time if I could get away with it.


And now, a few pretty bikes. Have some Futuristic Streamliner and Art Deco.

More at the link

More at the link