Motorcycle fatalities in the Sacramento Area

I like the rant too but don't really see it as paranoid (being slightly paranoid myself but I hide it well, I think?...don't I??...do I seem paranoid???).

Laws like scooter51 just talked about tend to sneak their way into your life. People in power who are ignorant and have no interest in what you like to do will pass laws that, if any thought was put in to it, clearly don't address the problem they passed the law for in the first place.

Here in Chicago the powers that be tried to pass a law banning any motorcycle from riding on our beautiful (and bumpy and crowded) Lakeshore Drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. because of a "noise and safety" issue.

Attempted Chicago Motorcycle Ban

Another article on the same issue

If speeding sport bikes weaving in and out of traffic were the problem why make the ban during hours when there are the least amount of cars on the road?!?! Why not let the cruisers still ride down Lakeshore Drive if sport bikes are the problem? The noise you say? How about not making a ban on motorcycles at all and enforce the existing laws for speeding and decibel levels?

Luckily ABATE and the AMA were paying attention. You wonder why Illinois doesn't have a helmet law?

Score one for motorcyclists!

Talk about a plan backfiring! Ha, screw you Alderman (former) Barbara Holt (not literally of course, she’s a hound).

I also find it funny (irritating funny not haha funny) that Chicago has a ban on handguns in the city yet we always compete- and very often win- the dubious award for most murders in a city. And not per capita. I’m talking outright numbers! But that’s another rant for another forum.

Well, if anyone’s still reading, I am with scooter51. These squids need to go (no, I’m not wishing them all death, just the ones who can ride a wheelie further than me…wait that is all of them. Okay no death. Nasty road rash to all squids!) If you want to push the lmits of your bike do it on a track. Or at a minimum find some deserted roads, scope the area out for danger spots, and let loose a little. Squidlyness is a huge blow to the motorcycle image and will surely lead to legislation being passed that will dull what we all find so exhilarating about motorcycling.

From zero to 90 the F650 was fast enough for a thrill. Getting to 100 and especially anything over 100, not so fast. But in reality who needs even over 85 speeds that often? The engine response and EFI was spot on with smoot power delivery.

I really liked my F650GS. I don't know where you live (NW, Seattle area maybe) but in Chicago the roads can be rough and I loved the way the Beemer soaked up the bumps with its long travel suspension. I didn't have to slow down for much of anything. I could attack road imperfections and do the occasional curb hop like I was on a dirt bike. It was a very comfortable bike with decent wind protection. Highway cruising at 70 to 85 was no problem. I took multiple 4 to 6 hour trips in comfort.

I just sold my 2002 for $6650 w4200 miles on it (I bought a Ducati ST3 this year). It was a Dakar wABS. A standard F650GS would probably sell for about $400 to $600 less I think. If you buy a used F650GS look for surging in 2001 and earlier models. BMW corrected this in 2002 but I heard as many as 1 in 6 F650GS's were affected by this in earlier models. Dealers can map most of it out but a test ride should let you know if it's a problem. Look for it in the 3000 to 4000 RPM range while accerlerating through it and at holding a steady throttle.

Good luck with whatever you buy.