I rarely post on the forums but felt compelled to post today because it has been days in a row now that bikes who pull up next to me always try to race me. I live in downtown LA near that really long tunnel that you always see in the movies. I often go through that tunnel when making my daily trip to starbucks afterwork. It has been days in a row now that some squid in a honda or gsxr would pull up next to me and start reving and then shoots off as soon as the light goes green. Now, I would care less about racing on a straight line much less on a city street. but i have a hard time getting around the fact that this guy is probably thinking is his head...what a slow ass 250, 250 is for pussys. And I know this is what these guys are thinking because I have tried to chat with a few of these guys when in line to get food from the taco trucks and one made a comment about 250s are slow and their cruising speed is 130, which i think is bullshit because you go that fast on any LA freeway and you are soon to hit traffic, and I doubt anyone can split lanes going that fast. they like to talk about wheelies and etc. Now I am aware that this is the Hollywood mentality, it is LA afterall. Bikers riding for show or fashion etc. But I am personally sick of this. Is it like this in other cities / states? just curious. and for those who live in LA, how do you deal with these guys? Ignore them? Or do you talk them down about how they have no skill going fast in a straight line and are show offs for doing this on surface streets?
Los Angeles is starting to piss me off
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There are always the few that think they are above everyone else, and that power is everything.
You get those riders in the twisties and I bet they won't know how to ride correctly. Going straight and fast is easy, but the 250R can hold it's own in the curvy stuff if you know what you are doing and have the right skills!
Ignore the Squids, and just enjoy your riding!
You get those riders in the twisties and I bet they won't know how to ride correctly. Going straight and fast is easy, but the 250R can hold it's own in the curvy stuff if you know what you are doing and have the right skills!
Ignore the Squids, and just enjoy your riding!
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531 Posts
I think the best thing to do is change YOUR thinking on the matter. Don't get me wrong. This isn't an attack on you in any way. Just don't let them get under you skin. Remember why you bought the bike you did. If they start talking power, you start talking MPGs, if they talk about best time in 1/4 mile, you talk best cannon run. If they ask how much it cost to repair from a wreck, tell them you don't know b/c the mad skills you have from riding a 250 keep you up right!
that last line was so spot on
I was at a birthday party where some guys were ragging on me about my 250, asking me if I am going to pedal it home. I don't even know why they were talking shit since they don't even ride anymore, took a cab there. But one of their questions was "how many times have you laid this down?" and I said never. and they were surpised as if it is a normal thing for them to lay the bike down.
I know what you mean about change my way of thinking.. it's just hard to not get pissed about it when I hear it everyday and every stop light I come across someone is trying to race.
I was at a birthday party where some guys were ragging on me about my 250, asking me if I am going to pedal it home. I don't even know why they were talking shit since they don't even ride anymore, took a cab there. But one of their questions was "how many times have you laid this down?" and I said never. and they were surpised as if it is a normal thing for them to lay the bike down.
I know what you mean about change my way of thinking.. it's just hard to not get pissed about it when I hear it everyday and every stop light I come across someone is trying to race.
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5,699 Posts
Hey dude! Thanks for posting up! This is a very real issue with bikes in general, and the 250 folks tend to get the brunt of it, although 600's sometimes also suffer...
Fry hit it spot on on the head. I prefer to take it a step further and not talk to them at all. When a guy approaches me with a compliment on my bike I'm all smiles and we talk about BOTH our bikes and usually tend to focus on the good points. Compliments and enjoyment, it's what it's about. If he seems amiable, we then get into "what do you not like about your bike", and inevitably, the power comes up, but, again, being amiable THEY will usually say something like "oh, but it's great in the corners". That how its supposed to be done. I usually tell them that their bike is just as fast in the twisties, or faster, and that it's only a matter of skill anyway.
For those who rag on ya, don't even give them the satisfaction of identifying their existence.... If they press the issue, I've found it works best to say something completely self deprecating, like: "Why are you guys mixing company with a 250 rider, you're so much better, faster, stronger, smarter and prettier that you should feel disgusted having me in your presence. Why don't you remove yourself from the area, being that I have contaminated it, and go party somewhere else with the cool kids..." or some such nonsense like that...
I don't like Rap, and think he's ridiculous, but if there's one thing that Eminem taught me, its that if you insult yourself completely first, they have no more ammunition. Along with that, they are prideful, and you have ALL the ammo to go after them.
Besides, a debate on the performance merits of a 250cc vs. 1,000cc bike is flawed from the get go. It's apples and oranges, and those who can't see it aren't worth talking to. Stick it to 'em man!
Fry hit it spot on on the head. I prefer to take it a step further and not talk to them at all. When a guy approaches me with a compliment on my bike I'm all smiles and we talk about BOTH our bikes and usually tend to focus on the good points. Compliments and enjoyment, it's what it's about. If he seems amiable, we then get into "what do you not like about your bike", and inevitably, the power comes up, but, again, being amiable THEY will usually say something like "oh, but it's great in the corners". That how its supposed to be done. I usually tell them that their bike is just as fast in the twisties, or faster, and that it's only a matter of skill anyway.
For those who rag on ya, don't even give them the satisfaction of identifying their existence.... If they press the issue, I've found it works best to say something completely self deprecating, like: "Why are you guys mixing company with a 250 rider, you're so much better, faster, stronger, smarter and prettier that you should feel disgusted having me in your presence. Why don't you remove yourself from the area, being that I have contaminated it, and go party somewhere else with the cool kids..." or some such nonsense like that...
I don't like Rap, and think he's ridiculous, but if there's one thing that Eminem taught me, its that if you insult yourself completely first, they have no more ammunition. Along with that, they are prideful, and you have ALL the ammo to go after them.
Besides, a debate on the performance merits of a 250cc vs. 1,000cc bike is flawed from the get go. It's apples and oranges, and those who can't see it aren't worth talking to. Stick it to 'em man!
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420 Posts
Well, I can't say things are that harsh around here... but there is always someone who thinks what they think. I've had people pull up to me at a red light and say "I've never seen a kitchen on wheels". I pointed out the fact that I was ON a bike... and he was in a shitty ass car. Then I beat him off the green. SO I totally understand the attitude, tho mine is mostly centered around being female... so there's a whole other set of awful things they say. But like Fry said, its best to change the way YOU think about it. You ride a 250, you love it, you can probably ride better than them anyway, the new ninjas are sick little bikes with more than enough power to get you killed if you act like an idiot. Forget about the losers, and enjoy being on two wheels. Try not to let it bug you and come hang out with us 250 lovers!
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85 Posts
Don't sweat it. We ride because we ride and even if I was a scooter enthusiast, I'd ride. Here in StL it's usually SOME of the stunters that display an elitist attitude with their crushed gas tanks, broken fairings, missing mirrors, leaking forks or coolant reservoirs. On the other hand, there are other guys in that same circle that are polar opposites. When I had my 250, I stumbled upon 1 of the largest group rides last summer and there were guys sitting next to me on Busa's that were just plain cool. They talked about how they wish they could get down into corners like the guys on 6's and the guys on 6's talked about how they wished they could get down in the corners like guys on 250's. Point being, ride, enjoy it and be safe out there because assholes are everywhere.
thanks for the encouragement. but you are right about most of those elitist tend to be stunters. I can tell even if it was not a group ride just from the stickers they have on their bikes. they are almost always customized with ugly graphics that demand attention.
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420 Posts
I'll start keeping a list spooph lol
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Its not how big it is...... its how you use it..... That's all that matters!!! (Sorry had to say it, but it is true)
Squids.... let them be, eventually stupidity catches up to them. I love the fact that I can go wide open throttle and use 100% of the available power on my bike on the streets.
On a 600 you don't even have to shift and be at highway speeds. Whats the point??? Its like having an overpriced scooter...
Squids.... let them be, eventually stupidity catches up to them. I love the fact that I can go wide open throttle and use 100% of the available power on my bike on the streets.
On a 600 you don't even have to shift and be at highway speeds. Whats the point??? Its like having an overpriced scooter...
never thought about it that part
I had a yamaha 600 prior to my ninja. Right on the first day I had the Ninja I already came to the conclusion it was more fun than the YZF600 I had. It is probably because I actually have to shift on the Ninja. Never thought about it till you mentioned it.
I had a yamaha 600 prior to my ninja. Right on the first day I had the Ninja I already came to the conclusion it was more fun than the YZF600 I had. It is probably because I actually have to shift on the Ninja. Never thought about it till you mentioned it.
Hats off to you. Imo, if you can ride in La. You have skills or balls that clank lol. I drive a 18 wheeler and I get scared at the way people drive. I have been riding 32 years, and I dont think I would do it. I always ask dudes, What do you care about what another guy has between his legs?
@ SlowRide
its not that bad. Yea there are alot of crazy drivers here but on rush hour traffic is so bad that they can't hurt you because they are stopped, and hence why lane splitting is legal. well maybe if some jerk decides to open their door for whatever reason.
its not that bad. Yea there are alot of crazy drivers here but on rush hour traffic is so bad that they can't hurt you because they are stopped, and hence why lane splitting is legal. well maybe if some jerk decides to open their door for whatever reason.
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Got a nice laugh from this thread... a lot of identification and some new one liners! I've only had the pleasure of putting around 2,000 miles on my bike so far, but tons of morons have tried their best to get me to race at red lights and pop wheelies, so I can relate. Honestly, I've met enough meatheads on motorcycles to realize that you either respect the 250 or you don't. And I remember lane splitting in L.A. like it was yesterday...unforgettable. >
Stay safe while you're ignoring the stunters, but keep in mind not all squids are amateurs. I know athletic shorts and a t shirt doesn't scream experience, but just because someone doesn't believe in ATGATT doesn't mean they are an over-confident noob. If that doesn't apply to your usage of squid, nevermind. :dance:
Stay safe while you're ignoring the stunters, but keep in mind not all squids are amateurs. I know athletic shorts and a t shirt doesn't scream experience, but just because someone doesn't believe in ATGATT doesn't mean they are an over-confident noob. If that doesn't apply to your usage of squid, nevermind. :dance:
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