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Posted by: Kaneda Aug 6 2007, 11:38 PM

It seems no forum can do without a topic like this... But it shouldn't all be about guitars and music, and to make it more of a discussion, I'd like to hear - in addition to how people get around - why you chose this way of getting around. And your story - we all like stories

- It may be that you're too young to get a license, and you fell off your bicycle as an 8-year-old and never sat on one again.
- It may be that you're too old to get a license.
- It may be that you live on a 40 square feet island and need a boat to get anywhere.
- It may be that you have 8 kids to stack in the back of the mini-bus.
- It may be that you're a socialist and prefer public transportation (hey, I use public transport too)
- Or it may be that you don't like motors, but don't want to walk.

With that over with, you need to read no more in order to reply Now for the long story...

So, for me, motorcycles. Since it seems I must have two of everything, I currently have a Ducati S4R and a Suzuki GSX-R 1000. At some point the new Ducati 1098 (the latest dream) might replace the Suzuki.

Why motorcycles? Because I've always hated cars with a vengeance. Cars are practical. I'm not. Cars tend to take a lot of space, even to move just a single person in the driver's seat around (that describes 19 out of 20 cars I meet on the road). Unless they cost over $150.000, they're ugly, (sometimes) aerodynamic boxes. And I get this feeling like some beast is trying to suck all air and concentration out of me whenever I'm in one.

Bikes, I love. I love the being outside, I love the community, the closeness to the machine, the physicality of riding compared to driving, the sound, the feel, the aesthetics, the history, the power for less money than a Ferrari.

I tend to walk whenever I can. Mostly ride the bikes to get out of the city, or whenever I need to get fast from one end of the capital to the other. Or whenever I need some attention In reality, I don't need a bike - or a car. It's a luxury (and we have insane import taxes on cars, even more on bikes, which makes it even more of a luxury), when you're in a city - always in walking distance from whatever.

But it's such a great de-stresser - you can't really get into that comfort zone, as you can in a car, where you're just rolling along - constant awareness means all those annoying thoughts from the job have to be left behind. Love that too.

So... Do you love your mode of transportation, or is it a necessity? Or do you have a dream car/bike/boat/train?

(EDIT: I should probably add, that the reason for this most unoriginal of unoriginal thread topics was a discussion I had with a co-worker today, who complained about the ordeal of driving to work. I never understood driving as an ordeal - well, for me it is, because I hate it, but that's why I chose different )

Posted by: The Uncreator Aug 6 2007, 11:49 PM

This is my single most favorite method of transportation.



I like cars because i love to drive around, windows down, blarin' some Iron Maiden, more than likely not obeying the speed limit. Plus, a 67 Shelby GT500 Is one of the most beautiful things ever.

Posted by: Kaneda Aug 6 2007, 11:54 PM

Yeah, I have to give the Americans, that at least they knew how to design cars back in the 50's and 60's. It's all gone downhill since then, except for the Italians (whose cars carry a hefty price tag). Hence my "ugly" complaint

And yeah, I miss the music when riding - although I have a helmet headset for music - and comms when there's a pillion with me - I only use it on long trips, and never in the city (where I need to be able to hear what's going on around me, in order to survive ).

Posted by: Ayen Aug 6 2007, 11:59 PM

Personally, I find walking to be the best mode of transportation. I live near Manhattan, and every store is just a few blocks away. I can easily walk to an EBGames or Guitar Center and pick up what I need and walk home, without having to worry about parking spots or getting into an accident. I can take in the sights, and walk as fast or as slow as I can.

I'm not old enough in my state to get a license, but I can get a driver's permit. Thing is, I don't trust myself with a car. Knowing me, I'd turn it into a game ("10 points if you hit the tall guy!"). Wrecking anything above a few hundred dollars for me is quite a catastrophe, something I'd rather not be forced to endure.

I received a bike as a gift a few years back, last I remember it was somewhere in the garage. I considered riding it, but I felt odd riding a bike at all, and soon dropped it.

For a week I had a skateboard, and used to take that everywhere, but at the time I was rather new, so gaining speed and slowing down were both huge problems for me. Last time I rode my skateboard, I flew into the middle of a street during a green light and fell straight on my butt. I picked up the skateboard, walked home and set it on fire.

The bus is always an option for me, but I figure that the exercise can't hurt, and I like the freedom of being able to step into any store I want at any time I want.

I'd like to have a motorcycle, but those are really dangerous to ride in my area (I sound paranoid), and it's another risk I don't want to deal with.


Edit: Great looking car, Uncreator.

Posted by: VinceG Aug 7 2007, 12:23 AM

heh, i got an suv. I like driving because of the road trips me and my friends do. Its really fun having your best buds in the back seat. I also like driving alone sometimes. Put on some music and blare it.

Someday, I would like to have an unpresidented road trip w/ a few people. Wake up one day and say "Hey lets go for a drive... cancel your plans for the next 2 weeks!". Just drive somewhere, not beeing constricted to any place.

Posted by: shredmandan Aug 7 2007, 12:41 AM

I drive just about everywhere i go. I live out in the country a decent drive to the city so walking is not an option.Give you an idea of how country it is where i live many people ride horses to the local gas station (only thing close by) . Only thing i dont like about driving is i have a wife and 2 kids and my car is a small 2 door.It gets very stressful trying to get around with everybody.My trunk is so small my kids carseat wont even fit in it.


Shredmandan

Posted by: ZakkWylde Aug 7 2007, 12:56 AM

I have to drive my mothers old suv, and it sucks! It's like a tractor with a diffrent chassis. I love motorcycles more than everything else. I was on bike trips before I was born, with 2 years my father took me for a ride and now I'm finally allowed to drive them by myself (legaly^^).

The coolest thing is, when I was born my father was so happy that he bought himself a harley davidson. And 18 years later he gave it to me in top condition (yes!)

Posted by: Sircraigery Aug 8 2007, 02:18 AM

I have a fairly new Chevy 4x4 which I love. I would prefer to walk to work, but I have a commute to work over 80km each way..... (yes, the price of gas is breaking me, I spent $550 on fuel last month just for work)

So instead to exercise I walk a couple of km per night....To destress over my fuel bills haha

Posted by: Smikey2006 Aug 8 2007, 07:54 AM

I am a pilot I fly a small plane called a Diamond Katana or a Da-40 Its a little plane.. Flying is the funnest thing i have ever done so its a hobby i like. Expensive.. fast to get around.. and usually no one to worry about while on the road to somewhere no stories yet.. but im sure ill have a few

Posted by: VinceG Aug 8 2007, 10:30 AM

haha just like Bruce. Whats next, a childrens novel?

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 8 2007, 02:32 PM

Funny - I used to fly Cessnas, but it was very expensive in the UK ...

Posted by: Smikey2006 Aug 8 2007, 02:35 PM

Its very expensive here i hate how much it costs but i know a guy with a plane so i just borrow his

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 8 2007, 02:56 PM

Nice! After I qualified I had to pay about $200 an hour to fly, it was just too much and I gave it up