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Old 10-19-10 | 09:55 AM
  #21  
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CptjohnC
Old, but not really wise
 
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Fairfax, VA commuting to Washington DC

Bikes: 2010 Kona Dew Drop (the daily driver),'07 Specialized Roubaix (the sports car), '99 ish Kona NuNu MTB (the SUV), Schwinn High Plains (circa 1992?) (the beater)

Originally Posted by akohekohe
I've never cared for motorcycles very much because of the noise and fumes but I've got a reservation on one of these.
Let me get this straight: You drive a car, but the 'fumes' of a motorcycle bother you? Given that most modern bikes are constructed to reasonably similar emissions standards as cars, this seems more than a bit irrational. The noise issue is specific to certain bikes (listen to a BMW K-series bike next to many cars... it isn't louder).

As to OP: There have been several times in my life when I have, because of circumstances (limited access to cars, mostly), been forced to limit my driving of cars for some period. For about 8 months during college, the only things I drove were my bike and a 35 foot long transit bus. My first trip driving a regular passenger car was a bit disconcerting -- I felt really short and nimble compared to the bus. For about 6 months, I had only a motorcycle, and the return to the car that time was okay. My worst transition by far, though, did not involve 'not driving' but involved driving in a completely different setting -- Haiti. There were no observed rules of the road, incredible congestion in Port au Prince, and enormous numbers of distractions (for me, at least). My return to civilization was pretty weird -- having to remember to obey lane markings, stay on 'my side' of the street, not just make a hole wherever I could... Quite an adjustment.

If you're really worried about it, though, drive more -- you'll get more used to the behavior of others. You might not like it any better, but at least you'll be more 'comfortable' with it -- for good or ill.

I will say that as a recent returnee to cycling, it has made me a much more observant and courteous driver, in part because I notice stuff while I'm on the bikes that I almost never noticed while in my cages.

Last edited by CptjohnC; 10-19-10 at 09:57 AM. Reason: fixing my tortured grammar
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