Technorati Tags: chopper bikes, Custom Motorcycles, motorcycle bikes, sweet motorcycles

Okay, so the title may seem weird but, everytime I’m on the freeway I see motorcycles in the carpool lane. It’s not that I don’t like it or anything, but I’m curious because even the people who are by themselves go inside the carpool lane. Btw: I live in California! I thought that maybe laws will be different in other states! Cuz it’s only allowed in California that bikers can go between two cars!

Ask the law and carpool lane…. Interesting…. There are *NOT* carpools lanes:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=veh&codesection=all&codebody=carpool&hits=20

The part of the law you asking is:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=21001-22000&file=21650-21664

—-
21655.5. (a) The Department of Transportation and local
authorities, with respect to highways under their respective
jurisdictions, may authorize or permit exclusive or preferential use
of highway lanes for high-occupancy vehicles. Prior to establishing
the lanes, competent engineering estimates shall be made of the
effect of the lanes on safety, congestion, and highway capacity.
(b) …A motorcycle, a mass transit vehicle, or a paratransit vehicle that is
clearly and identifiably marked on all sides of the vehicle with the
name of the paratransit provider may be operated upon those exclusive
or preferential use lanes unless specifically prohibited by a
traffic control device.
—-

I know the technical design and style of motorcycles are much less advanced, time consuming, and thorough as a car, but theres still a decent amount of labor that goes into it, is largely composed of metals and other materials. Their engines may have 2-4 cylindars instead of 6-8, but i can think of some bicycles that cost more than a top-of-the-line kawasaki. Is there anything about a motorcycle that makes it very inexpensive?

Motorcycles are a lot cheaper to design and ‘tool up’ for, so if they have a model that doesn’t sell they can discontinue it right away. In the auto industry a company can be killed by one really disappointing model (the Edsel nearly killed Ford!)

The Japanese manufacturers, I get the idea they sell millions of small, cheap, simple bikes in Asia and Africa, in 3rd world countries where people use small bikes (150cc and less) for basic transportation. I read somewhere the number of 50cc bikes Honda has made since the 1950s, I don’t remember the actual number but it was tens of millions. With all this ‘safe’ business, they can afford to ‘take chances’ with big touring bikes, sport bikes, etc., which are not their big product.

There isn’t that much metal in a motorcycle–or even a car for that matter. An average American car has like $400 worth of steel in it and $800 worth of computers! Motorcycles just have fewer parts, less labor, simpler tooling, etc.

I keep seeing people on motorcycles with handlebars that are extremely long and tall. Is this just fashion or is there a reason for these?

"Ape hangers" have been around for many years. Its just rider preference…one of the many styles that HD riders are into. They started out using that bar style in the 1970′s.

LOL@ Bob….my bad….I wasnt even a spec in daddy’s eye yet!….haha!

I know it will be an older one for that price. Just need to know the good brands and junky brands. I know nothing about motorcycles.

German = good, Japanese = good, American = good, Chinese = bad, Russian = bad.

I was wondering how you got into riding and or working on motorcycles, what got you into it all and what really helped you learn?

I first rode on a motorcycle when I was two and a half. Both of my parents are very interested in them, especially harleys. Right now I am working on getting my motorcycle license and hope to get a harley davidson dyna wide glide

What will motorcycles look like and run like 10 years from now?
I think most bikes will be automatic clutches simular to ATV’s and bikes will have 3 or 4 wheels simular to UTV’s and they will have movable frame joints that link the suspension at all points of the bike.

i think they will essentially be the same, and i think there will always be bikes, as the traffic and congestion increases the need for bikes will as well,
just look at india, 70% of road traffic is motorcycles

My boyfriend is planning to get one.. but I’m afraid for his life! Isn’t riding a motorcycle dangerous? He really really really.. wants one (haha) and I don’t want to be a bad girlfriend and stop his dream of having one. So what should I do? Can you guys tell me what you think about motorcycles.. the pro and cons?

You’re right to be worried…motorcycles are very dangerous. They’re also a lot of fun provided you can keep some goofball in a car from splatterin’ ya. I would truly suggest that he take a MSF course (Motocycle Safety Foundation). They will teach him some vital techniques to avoid accidents as well as some good tips for staying safe within traffic. Hopefully he’s a fairly responsible dude that has enough respect for the sport that he rides safe.

Also, make sure he buys a good (and I mean good) helmet and protective gear…jacket…boots…gloves. That stuff can save you big time in a get-off. And buy the best stuff you can afford. The old "buy a $10 helmet if you have a $10 head" rule definitely applies. Good gear can be the difference between life and death in the event the worst happens.

Good luck to both of you…

I’m looking to design a few basic wheels for Motorcycles. How do I start this. I figured I’d get together with someone who can make a CAD design of these and then take to a machine shop and have them create a mold.

You just don’t draw and mold wheels. You also need to take the stresses in consideration. Consult a mechanical engineer first.

My fiance and I would like to get a motor cycle (street bike) to drive around instead of our F-150 truck to save on gas, but our family members are convinced that we will crash… how dangerous are motorcycles really, in comparison to cars and trucks?

They are virtually the same. Ride on.