tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post4735228365711945039..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-23771893341049950132008-05-24T11:05:00.000-07:002008-05-24T11:05:00.000-07:00steven,TEAM OREGON has actually played with a prot...steven,<BR/>TEAM OREGON has actually played with a prototype system that tracks eye movement of the rider. There is a video camera on the helmet and two smaller ones fitted to goggles. The smaller ones are focused on the rider's pupils. What you end up with is a video of the ride with a dot where the rider is looking. <BR/><BR/>We're looking for funding to do a study. One thing to look for would be a baseline. In other words, what kind of scanning skills would we typically see in riders of varying experience? The other thing available would be for the rider to see for themselves what their scanning actually looked like. It's a great thing to explore.<BR/><BR/>mad,<BR/>Don't know about the Gilera outlets. Now I'll have to take a rde to find out! Conch says there aren't any in Florida.<BR/><BR/>conchscooter,<BR/>I agree that riding and training are the foundation. What you ride is the trim!<BR/><BR/>Krysta,<BR/>The rider did have two wheeled experience. We instructors were so busy with things that chatting time was restricted. I'd love to have that conversation sometime, though.<BR/><BR/>Dean,<BR/>Thanks for the correction. All the new foreign bikes look alike to me. Or maybe I'm just jealous because there were so many newer FJR's!<BR/><BR/>Everyone, Dean is a fellow instructor and good friend. He's the one in the video standing right in front of the bike. As you can see, his memory is probably better than mine!<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/><BR/>Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-73140357590914477172008-05-24T04:01:00.000-07:002008-05-24T04:01:00.000-07:00Dan- Ken was on an FJR. Last time I checked, those...Dan- <BR/><BR/>Ken was on an FJR. Last time I checked, those were still built by Yamaha, not BMW. :)Dean Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00312658128426614145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-26063136659421046692008-05-23T05:56:00.000-07:002008-05-23T05:56:00.000-07:00"people ride scooters because they don't have the ..."people ride scooters because they don't have the skills to ride a "real" motorcycle" <BR/><BR/>:P to that nonsense. <BR/><BR/>I started out on a 125cc scooter, reasoning that I'd learn to ride without having to bother with all that messy shifting, then once I was comfortable I could move up to a larger bike with gears. That's exactly how it worked out, too. <BR/><BR/>Scooters are in some ways trickier and more responsive than larger motorcycles. In one day (and fairly close succession) I rode my 125cc scooter, 1000cc sidecar, and 1150cc sport motorcycle. They're VERY different beasts, and I found handling the scooter to be the most touchy. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Karl & I want to go to the 'local' (50 miles away) dealer for those 3-wheelers and take some test rides. They look like lots of fun. <BR/><BR/>Did the rider have experience on 2 wheels, to talk about some of the differences (if any) in handling?Krysta in MKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07101287869577972478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-45371855424783100782008-05-23T01:42:00.000-07:002008-05-23T01:42:00.000-07:00Whichever market the MP3 is aimed at its not for m...Whichever market the MP3 is aimed at its not for me. I found stopping upright and taking off again without putting a foot down took some skill but it still seems like an engineering solution to a problem no one has yet discovered. On the other hand the fact that one rides (and take classes!) is what counts. MP3 is just another scooter to me and good looking to boot.Piaggio sells 250, 400 and 500 (Fuoco)as MP3s in the US, for want of Gilera dealers.Conchscooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016331487463993200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-40450639880115546372008-05-23T01:08:00.000-07:002008-05-23T01:08:00.000-07:00Ah I get it now, it's sold in the US as an MP3 500...Ah I get it now, it's sold in the US as an MP3 500. I'd guess that's because there are no Gilera outlets in the States? My first bike was a Gilera I loved it though it fell to pieces regularly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-86514927858882518672008-05-22T18:52:00.000-07:002008-05-22T18:52:00.000-07:00the video made me think of something - you've undo...the video made me think of something - you've undoubtedly seen videos online from guys (or gals) with helmet-mounted cameras. I wonder if some footage like that, though from an instructor, help with "look through the corner" and "no target-fixation" parts of class?Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006392231667016999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-14357557594807091642008-05-22T16:08:00.000-07:002008-05-22T16:08:00.000-07:00Bill,Didn't get a chance to ride it. We kept the ...Bill,<BR/>Didn't get a chance to ride it. We kept the students on the bike most of the afternoon. Besides, I think there would have been a long line!<BR/><BR/>Mad,<BR/>That always drives me crazy when the manufacturers use different names everywhere. How do they even keep it straight?<BR/><BR/>Bryce,<BR/>It's usually the hay bales that become pedestrians.<BR/><BR/>Stacy,<BR/>You'd benefit either way but I'd recommend getting up to about 12,000 miles in first. You'll be better able to absorb the training.<BR/><BR/>Balisada,<BR/>You prove my point. Hard core is as hard core does, scooter or motorcycle.<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/>Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-364028332646191402008-05-22T10:13:00.000-07:002008-05-22T10:13:00.000-07:00I have always respected scooterists. Those dudes ...I have always respected scooterists. Those dudes are hardcore.<BR/><BR/>You see them in all kinds of weather. When the weather is simply rotten, they are still out there, motivating along on their scooters.<BR/><BR/>I saw that scooter 'waiting in the wings' for the afternoon track session at ART, and it looked like a hoot to ride.<BR/><BR/>BalisadaBalisadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08836878587693331978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-70467159660456658462008-05-22T09:07:00.000-07:002008-05-22T09:07:00.000-07:00I really need to take that class. My cornering is ...I really need to take that class. My cornering is atrocious.<BR/><BR/>The MP3 looks like a fun ride. For those of us in the the US, there's a review of the MP3 500 in this month's Motorcycle Consumer News.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04582046943770681695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-33840793210500751532008-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:002008-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:00Invasion of the alien motorcycle!The three wheeler...Invasion of the alien motorcycle!<BR/><BR/>The three wheelers sold here in Ontario very quickly. They look odd<BR/>if you're not familiar with a <BR/>three wheel Morgan with the engine<BR/>hanging out on the front. A most interesting design. <BR/><BR/>However as with any and all scooters<BR/>or moped far too small for me.<BR/><BR/>--<BR/>And am surprised there are as many trees near the track in the photograph. Was thinking deviously first time round; has any tree jumped out at a passing trainee and caused an accident?<BR/><BR/>In my Volvo rally days the comment<BR/>about such things went something<BR/>like this...the tree became a pedestrian and wouldn't move because of the oncoming traffic and subsequently was struck. Tree is OK<BR/>however the car is not.Brycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15760433604853253299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-31580191968929712622008-05-22T06:59:00.000-07:002008-05-22T06:59:00.000-07:00Invasion of the alien motorcycle!The three wheeler...Invasion of the alien motorcycle!<BR/><BR/>The three wheelers sold here in Ontario very quickly. They look odd<BR/>if you're not familiar with a <BR/>three wheel Morgan with the engine<BR/>hanging out on the front. A most interesting design. <BR/><BR/>However as with any and all scooters<BR/>or moped far too small for me.<BR/><BR/>--<BR/>And am surprised there are as many trees near the track in the photograph. Was thinking deviously first time round; has any tree jumped out at a passing trainee and caused an accident?<BR/><BR/>In my Volvo rally days the comment<BR/>about such things went something<BR/>like this...the tree became a pedestrian and wouldn't move because of the oncoming traffic and subsequently was struck. Tree is OK<BR/>however the car is not.Brycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15760433604853253299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-53545111439175657152008-05-22T01:12:00.000-07:002008-05-22T01:12:00.000-07:00They're probably marketed differently over there b...They're probably marketed differently over there but that's a Gilera Fuoco over here not an MP3. If I remember correctly the MP3 is a 125 and the beast in your pics is a 500cc parralel twin. Piaggio owns Gilera so presumably they rebrand them for the US market. I wouldn't mind a go on an MP3 but I'd love to have a go on a Fuoco. I suspect it's the perfect winter hack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-32877433691508554702008-05-21T17:38:00.000-07:002008-05-21T17:38:00.000-07:00Wow, I'm impressed with the gear that the MP3 ride...Wow, I'm impressed with the gear that the MP3 rider was wearing. The guy looked sharp.<BR/><BR/>Did you get a chance to throw a leg over the Piaggio?<BR/><BR/>Have fun,<BR/>BillBill Sommershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13830209488539036338noreply@blogger.com