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Author Topic: Why not just get a ragtop?  (Read 27830 times)

Offline beemuker

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Why not just get a ragtop?
« on: July 19, 2016, 09:43:25 AM »
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  • Panama City, FL
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Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2016, 09:54:03 AM »
Because no one would wave at you.
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Laitch

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2016, 10:06:39 AM »
 :clap:
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
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Offline Brian N NC

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2016, 12:32:44 PM »
That's my line of logic too, you should see the evil looks I get when I tell people on Can Am Spyders or Polaris Slingshots that their Miata lost one of it's rear wheels.

If you're buying something like that because you can't physically hold up a motorcycle or you're handicapped I can understand it but when I see perfectly able folks on them I wonder if they realize they could buy a nice used Miata, BMW Z4, Honda S2000, etc and they wouldn't have to wear a helmet, avoid rain storms, etc and they'd be able to have heat, air conditioning, a roof, a quiet conversation, etc.

Guess it's just a preference some people have.

Oh, and if you're in a Miata all the Miata folk will wave at you. They are an odd lot.  :bmwsmile
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Offline DavidATL

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2016, 02:45:10 PM »
Quote from: Brian N NC on July 19, 2016, 12:32:44 PM

Oh, and if you're in a Miata all the Miata folk will wave at you. They are an odd lot.  :bmwsmile

Yes but not 100% of them. I know :-). Motorcycle riders are universally friendlier. Even Harley riders exchange waves with me when I am riding albeit with a low hand. HA!

David

01 BRG Miata
92 K75RT
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  • Atlanta
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Offline beemuker

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2016, 06:30:01 PM »
Quote from: Brian N NC on July 19, 2016, 12:32:44 PM
That's my line of logic too, you should see the evil looks I get when I tell people on Can Am Spyders or Polaris Slingshots that their Miata lost one of it's rear wheels.

If you're buying something like that because you can't physically hold up a motorcycle or you're handicapped I can understand it but when I see perfectly able folks on them I wonder if they realize they could buy a nice used Miata, BMW Z4, Honda S2000, etc and they wouldn't have to wear a helmet, avoid rain storms, etc and they'd be able to have heat, air conditioning, a roof, a quiet conversation, etc.

Guess it's just a preference some people have.

Oh, and if you're in a Miata all the Miata folk will wave at you. They are an odd lot.  :bmwsmile
Ha, I had one and loved it. Kind of like riding around in a fancy go cart. man can hose things take a corner[for a car]
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  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #6 on: July 19, 2016, 06:42:06 PM »
Quote from: beemuker on July 19, 2016, 06:30:01 PM
Kind of like riding around in a fancy go cart.

Shouldn't that 'kind of like' be an 'is'?
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2016, 10:24:27 PM »
Quote from: Motorhobo on July 19, 2016, 06:42:06 PM
Shouldn't that 'kind of like' be an 'is'?

My best buddy has owned an early Miata. We've sat in a new Miata which feels quite a bit bigger than his old one, but feels like a ship compared to his MG Midget
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  • Grand Rapids, MI
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'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...

Offline beemuker

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2016, 09:43:52 AM »
then there is this soon to come option. 3 cyl. at least
http://eliogenuine.eliomotors.com/?sctp=sm&scvn=fb&scsrc=fb&sckw=na
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  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline Laitch

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2016, 11:28:41 AM »
Quote from: beemuker on July 20, 2016, 09:43:52 AM
then there is this soon to come option. 3 cyl. at least
It has an especially suitable front end for the shark tooth motif, or an overall design for the flying zucchini look.
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
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Offline Martin

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2016, 05:33:51 PM »
Can I get one in a rag top. Might buy one in another 20 years.
Regards Martin.
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  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
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Offline ljjohns

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2016, 05:46:02 PM »
FWIW: my wife was initially a gracious pillion rider on my K11 and then my K12. But at some point she found it more pleasurable to ride trail in her Honda Del Sol where she had coffee, air conditioning, and a stereo without a need for ATGATT.  Now that i'm no longer confident enough in my abilities--cognitive and physical--to ride with friends on the bike, the Del Sol is a wonderful substitute, one where I can pop the roof into the trunk, lower the rear window, and tool along. It's not the same, but I feel safer and still have the pleasure of the wind and the companionship.

Larry Johnson
El Paso TX
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Larry Johnson
El Paso TX

Offline Chaos

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2016, 04:23:37 PM »
Quote from: beemuker on July 20, 2016, 09:43:52 AM
then there is this soon to come option. 3 cyl. at least
http://eliogenuine.eliomotors.com/?sctp=sm&scvn=fb&scsrc=fb&sckw=na

How long have those been "coming soon"   :hehehe
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  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
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sold 6/23
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Offline beemuker

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2016, 04:40:52 PM »
Quote from: Chaos on July 21, 2016, 04:23:37 PM
How long have those been "coming soon"   :hehehe
apparently 100 will be sold to a "lucky few" later this year. The rest od us will have to wait a bit. I plan on riding a "new " brick by then.
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/03/11/elio-motors-delays-trike-deliveries-2017/
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  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline TrueAce

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2016, 10:30:32 PM »
Beemer............you buy one of those three-wheel atrocities, and you'll be banned, pure and simple. Now go forward in K-Faith and sin on these pages no more!

BTW..........you know how noble and brave a BMW long-distance rider looks in the pouring rain......conquering the elements! I saw a Slingshot owner, in helmet, drenched, riding his Bastard Sycle (BS) in the storm, and looking miserable and pathetic. Don't be that person!
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #15 on: July 21, 2016, 11:03:06 PM »
Quote from: TrueAce on July 21, 2016, 10:30:32 PM
Beemer............you buy one of those three-wheel atrocities, and you'll be banned, pure and simple.
Now, now Brother Ace. Hate the sin; lover the sinner.

Besides, Elios aren't meant for stability-seeking bikers who are targets of Scorpion or Polaris sales. They're this generation's Isetta but with a body reflecting the trim ideal of modern western humanhood and meant to replace the SUV for the cross-fit, soccer-besotted, info-teched, lean intelligentsia as long as the owner is divorced and intends to carry as cargo only one child, one man-purse, one soccer ball and a medium Starbucks double latte in a compostable cup.
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Offline Chaos

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #16 on: July 22, 2016, 12:28:46 AM »
Quote from: Laitch on July 21, 2016, 11:03:06 PM
Elios aren't meant for stability-seeking bikers who are targets of Scorpion or Polaris sales. They're this generation's Isetta ...... meant to replace the SUV for the cross-fit, soccer-besotted, info-teched, lean intelligentsia ....

Very true, and they will fail miserably.  Besides impossible mileage and price points, you'll get all the dangers of a motorcycle with the false security of a cage, while appealing  to the commuter who would never swing a leg over an MC.  Once the novelty dies off and everyone figures out they're better off with a used Civic it will go the way of the Messerschmidt.  If it ever actually gets into production.
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  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #17 on: July 22, 2016, 05:30:19 AM »
I doubt that it will ever get into production because it will never meet the NTSB safety requirements. To my knowledge no enclosed three wheeled vehicle has ever been declared roadworthy here. The Elio is no different than that little three wheeled lorry from 'Only Fools and Horses' -- never gonna happen here.

The only reason three wheeled trikes are legal is because the classify as motorcycles and have the motorcycle lobby behind them against the highway safety regulators.
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Laitch

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2016, 08:07:13 AM »
Quote from: Motorhobo on July 22, 2016, 05:30:19 AM
I doubt that it will ever get into production because it will never meet the NTSB safety requirements.
To read more about this conspiracy constraining the freedom to drive a rolling banana, read this.
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
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Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2016, 08:26:16 AM »
Interesting article, Laitch. If the Elio has tandem seating, I really don't see any advantage to it over the SmartCar which has most of the advantages, probably infinitely better engineering and safety features, and doesn't require passengers to talk into the back of the driver's skull.

But I'm sure it'll find some exposure, at least in an episode of Portlandia due to its hipster value.
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Laitch

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #20 on: July 22, 2016, 08:33:58 AM »
Quote from: Motorhobo on July 22, 2016, 08:26:16 AM
Interesting article, Laitch. If the Elio has tandem seating, I really don't see any advantage to it over the SmartCar which has most of the advantages, probably infinitely better engineering and safety features, and doesn't require passengers to talk into the back of the driver's skull.
The Elio's main advantage compared with a SmartCar is that it's more difficult to tip over as a Halloween prank.
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 102,000 miles

Offline beemuker

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #21 on: July 22, 2016, 08:55:31 AM »
this one looks like it would be a breeze to tip , the Air car.
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  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #22 on: July 22, 2016, 09:05:02 AM »
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Laitch

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #23 on: July 22, 2016, 10:15:20 AM »
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
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Offline Martin

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Re: Why not just get a ragtop?
« Reply #24 on: July 22, 2016, 04:45:49 PM »
Where do they get the air from, could be painful and how many miles to a can of beans?  :hehehe
Yeeek Martin.
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  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.
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