Motorcycle.com

eekadog · 10-10-2005, 02:23 PM

2 wheels rule!

rossbiker · 10-10-2005, 02:30 PM

This looks exactly like every third intersection in India. I saw this kind of packing and craziness in Bangalore, Mysore, and New Dehli when I was travelling for work last September.

I did hire a motorcycle for a day and go riding with my fiance, but I only did that in the off-season in Goa, which is the Indian beach/vacation state. There was a little craziness here and there, but nothing like the big cities. Complications included the different shift pattern on the bike (top to bottom: N-1-2-3-4), the wildly different torque curve of a 135cc two-stroke, and the completely inferior front drum brake (I barely touch the rear brake on my own ride).

The way it works is: everyone is always looking forward and picking their own way through. Top speed rarely gets up to 45km/h and is more usually in the 25-35km/h range. Side mirrors are folded out of the way (if they're mounted at all) to make it easier to slip into tight spaces at intersections. Right of way rules: military wins, then big to small, then the vehicle in front wins. Head on encounters (left turn through traffic) are negotiated individually, though speed is much reduced (as you can see in the Saigon movie).

In order to let a driver in front of you know that you are behind them, you honk your horn. An almost constant stream of single beeps is a simple "here I am" message. Two or three quick beeps is usually an acknowledgement of some sort (I hear you. I see your turn signal. etc.) Long blasts on the horn are usually reserved for "you're an asshat".

A road vehicle in India may not have windows, decent tires, an actual seat, working headlights or doors, but it will absolutely positively have a perfectly functioning horn or it will not be used on the street.

It was all quite interesting once I overcame my fear of nearly constant collision and started paying attention to what was going on around me.

Later,

Ross

schizuki · 10-10-2005, 03:05 PM

Saigon. I can't believe I'm still in [SCREEEEEETCH! CRASH!] arrrgggghhh!

schizuki · 10-10-2005, 03:33 PM

"Charlie don't swerve!"

mscuddy · 10-10-2005, 04:08 PM

Wow, cool.

10 years ago that Saigon traffic would have been accompanied by choking clouds of two stroke smoke, so thick that it obscured whole intersections, and resulted in traffic accidents 'cause people couldn't see each other.

Another benefit of the 4 stroke revolution?

jjasper · 10-11-2005, 12:19 AM

I have been to China many times and it is similar, especially in Southern China. Although that mass is more and more turning into cages

The riding skill of these guys on little 125 and 250cc motorcycles and 50cc scooters is amazing.

Screw MSF courses, if people had to ride in these conditions for a year everyone would be a skilled rider and be ready for the joys of lane splitting.

moorejr · 10-11-2005, 03:57 AM

and no crashes!!!!! These rides are crazy or just good.

tomk2 · 10-11-2005, 06:12 AM

they're good... anybody can be if they focus on their driving

no music, cell phone, vanity mirror, Big Mac & Jumbo Fries with Coke, etc etc

fruggle · 10-11-2005, 06:38 AM

Finally a vision of true insanity!!

Nice video.

drthompson65 · 10-11-2005, 08:51 AM

As a guy with a Vietnamese Ex Wife I can contest that is what Saigon is like. you take your life in your hands when you go out on the street..

10-10-2005, 02:23 PM	#1
eekadog Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 466	Re: Bad intersection 2 wheels rule!

10-10-2005, 02:30 PM	#2
rossbiker Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 38	Re: Bad intersection This looks exactly like every third intersection in India. I saw this kind of packing and craziness in Bangalore, Mysore, and New Dehli when I was travelling for work last September. I did hire a motorcycle for a day and go riding with my fiance, but I only did that in the off-season in Goa, which is the Indian beach/vacation state. There was a little craziness here and there, but nothing like the big cities. Complications included the different shift pattern on the bike (top to bottom: N-1-2-3-4), the wildly different torque curve of a 135cc two-stroke, and the completely inferior front drum brake (I barely touch the rear brake on my own ride). The way it works is: everyone is always looking forward and picking their own way through. Top speed rarely gets up to 45km/h and is more usually in the 25-35km/h range. Side mirrors are folded out of the way (if they're mounted at all) to make it easier to slip into tight spaces at intersections. Right of way rules: military wins, then big to small, then the vehicle in front wins. Head on encounters (left turn through traffic) are negotiated individually, though speed is much reduced (as you can see in the Saigon movie). In order to let a driver in front of you know that you are behind them, you honk your horn. An almost constant stream of single beeps is a simple "here I am" message. Two or three quick beeps is usually an acknowledgement of some sort (I hear you. I see your turn signal. etc.) Long blasts on the horn are usually reserved for "you're an asshat". A road vehicle in India may not have windows, decent tires, an actual seat, working headlights or doors, but it will absolutely positively have a perfectly functioning horn or it will not be used on the street. It was all quite interesting once I overcame my fear of nearly constant collision and started paying attention to what was going on around me. Later, Ross

10-10-2005, 03:05 PM	#3
schizuki Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 4,413	Re: Bad intersection Saigon. I can't believe I'm still in [SCREEEEEETCH! CRASH!] arrrgggghhh! __________________ “[The video] should be sent for example to ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN and maybe PBS and VOA. As for Fox News, let her die in her anger... I used to think that MSNBC channel may be good and neutral a bit, but is has lately fired two of the most famous journalists – Keith Olbermann and Octavia Nasser.” - Al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn. Or any American lefty.

10-10-2005, 03:33 PM	#4
schizuki Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 4,413	Re: Bad intersection "Charlie don't swerve!" __________________ “[The video] should be sent for example to ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN and maybe PBS and VOA. As for Fox News, let her die in her anger... I used to think that MSNBC channel may be good and neutral a bit, but is has lately fired two of the most famous journalists – Keith Olbermann and Octavia Nasser.” - Al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn. Or any American lefty.

10-10-2005, 04:08 PM	#5
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,444	Re: Bad intersection Wow, cool. 10 years ago that Saigon traffic would have been accompanied by choking clouds of two stroke smoke, so thick that it obscured whole intersections, and resulted in traffic accidents 'cause people couldn't see each other. Another benefit of the 4 stroke revolution? __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

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10-11-2005, 12:19 AM	#6
jjasper Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 57	Re: Bad intersection I have been to China many times and it is similar, especially in Southern China. Although that mass is more and more turning into cages The riding skill of these guys on little 125 and 250cc motorcycles and 50cc scooters is amazing. Screw MSF courses, if people had to ride in these conditions for a year everyone would be a skilled rider and be ready for the joys of lane splitting.

10-11-2005, 03:57 AM	#7
moorejr Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3	Re: Bad intersection and no crashes!!!!! These rides are crazy or just good.

10-11-2005, 06:12 AM	#8
tomk2 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 514	Re: Bad intersection they're good... anybody can be if they focus on their driving no music, cell phone, vanity mirror, Big Mac & Jumbo Fries with Coke, etc etc

10-11-2005, 06:38 AM	#9
fruggle Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Re: Bad intersection Finally a vision of true insanity!! Nice video.

10-11-2005, 08:51 AM	#10
drthompson65 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Brooklyn Park, MN Posts: 238	Re: Bad intersection As a guy with a Vietnamese Ex Wife I can contest that is what Saigon is like. you take your life in your hands when you go out on the street.. __________________ 2000 Honda CBR 929RR (Sold) 2002 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (Sold) 2003 Honda RC-51 (Sold) 2004 Ducati 999 Mono Yellow (Wrecked May 06) 2006 Ducati 999S Mono Black (Replaced Wife June 06) 1972-2000 A collection of mini, dirt, and road bikes to vast too list..