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Comment by exabrial | Hacker News Reader

I disagree. I'm much happier on my R1. I get to 75mph much quicker too :D

Unfortunately, not everyone can ride a motorcycle or lives where the other motorists are friendly (or at least not-hostile) to motorcyclists. Many also consider it beyond their tolerance for risk.

I am really lucky to live where people are happy to accommodate motorcycles (cars make room for motorcycles to split lanes when we have slow moving traffic) and I use one to commute to work everyday. I do sincerely wish more people could share in the joy of riding a motorcycle :-)

However, I am aware that there are places where people are hostile to motorcycles. I just hope that some day things get better.

The noise of motorcycles is a problem when you live in cities. I'm afraid most city-dwellers would not be faborable of more motorcycle-friendly cities because of that.

Not all motorcycles are that loud, especially the smaller ones more suitable for getting around IN the city. In proper urban areas, scooters are more convenient anyway -- smaller, more maneuverable, automatic transmissions, and more storage.

What's bad is that there's no reason for motorcycles to be loud, with current technology. Car engines these days are whisper-quiet; the exact same could be done with motorcycles. But most motorcyclists (in the US) insist on being obnoxiously loud.

I'll bet Italian scooters aren't like this though.

And thats just 1st gear.

Sure there is risk, but that is inherent in anything that can hang with a bugatti. The reward is a perhaps shorter life you enjoy living.

You sir, deserve a medal

and 175mph... ;)

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