RIDERTORIDER Send your letters and comments to:
editor@bmwmoa.org
A friend in need Last fall my new boss rode a ‘70s era Honda
175 to work that had been given to him. It was low mileage, in good shape and really cool! Seeing that he did not have a helmet, I
offered my old flip-up helmet that I took out of service the year before. He checked for fit and gladly accepted. Fast forward to this week. He came to
work Monday morning and thanked me profusely for giving him the helmet. The previous Friday a driver made a right turn from the left lane and cut across his path causing him to t-bone her vehicle. Fortu- nately, bruised ribs and a scraped elbow were the only injuries he sustained. The helmet was marred when he hit the ground saving him from a bad headache at the least and brain damage at the worst!
I am very glad that my old helmet was
put to use in a potentially life-saving man- ner. I try to keep my old helmets in use by giving them to someone who otherwise would not wear one. Any helmet regard- less of age and condition is better than no helmet.
Richard Greene #70691 Indianapolis, Indiana
Not happy with Parks I want to express my considerable displea-
sure with Mr. Parks’ recent reply to fellow member Bob Fately. Mr. Fately’s question described a riding
technique that works for him, and he was very deferential in trying to gain insight from the “Pro.” Mr. Parks’ direct referral to Mr. Fately’s technique in stating, “I have found this habit to be primarily caused by laziness or ignorance of the physics,” was arrogant, disrespectful of a fellow MOA member and not the type of response I want to see in the ON. Then, interestingly, Mr. Parks shows his
14 BMW OWNERS NEWS September 2015
own lack of knowledge of physics imply- ing that the tire patch of a bike leaned into a curve is not subject to any sideways force, as Mr. Fately suggested it might be. Parks rather states that the entire force on the tire contact patch is “straight down.” In fact, the understanding that the con-
tact patch of a motorcycle tire in a curve is subject to gravitational force as well as centrifugal force, with the two vectored together as a combined force, is really basic physics. Regardless of Parks’ lack of knowledge,
his words and attitude should be enough for the Owners News management to find him a less public role, and the sooner the better.
Wayne Richard #145837 Seneca, South Carolina
Parks is on the mark Thank you to Lee Parks for the solid review
of lane-splitting as a safety technique. I can confirm his remarks about what is
required to have an informed opinion— you have to live with it first. I did so in Ger- many, where it is technically illegal but generally tolerated specifically because it is a safer way to ride. Prior to living with it, I thought lane-splitting motorcyclists were certifiably insane. Now I know that those who don’t use lane-splitting as another tool in their safety toolbox are the crazy ones. Now, if only the rest of the U.S. would
catch up!
Katherine Helmetag #196517 Troy, Michigan
Reconsider lane-splitting As a lifelong Californian and street rider of
45 years, when commuting, I lane-split on a regular basis. Until recently, I didn’t know what the guidelines were but have always used my own rules about only
splitting when traffic was stopped or very slow. I do agree education for all drivers is imperative. I want to add that it is my understanding that it is actually illegal for a driver to willfully impede or block a motor- cyclist from lane-splitting here in California. I’ve seen it done here a few times to me. I want to add that during a major free-
way stoppage in Washington State last May, I took to lane-splitting (I know, ille- gally) rather than sit for a very long time. I was honked at, yelled at, and actually had drivers almost hit each other in order to close the door. Meanwhile I had picked up two other riders following me. I think other states need to get on board and allow lane splitting.
Steve Horrell #139377 Lincoln, California
A couple of thoughts The Army of Darkness duology was a
refreshing departure from the usual “look what I have bought” or “see where I have been” stories. I hope we see more of it. Matthew Parkhouse should bring some more stories about his travels to Mexico, which seem more interesting to more people than the usual 2V dinosaur tech. How come there were no ride reports about the new RS sport tourer and the S 1000 XR superbike that is as comfortable and almost as practical as a GS if it wasn’t for the chain? This bike could be a game changer, superbike fast and GS practical/ comfortable. Last month you said BMW is listening and asked what you’d like to talk about. I would like to step up to the plate and ask why BMW is holding back on the new water-cooled boxer and giving us only 125hp while Ducati and KTM are giving their customers 30hp more? Bikes like the GS, RS and RT, as big and heavy as they are, could use more power to infuse more excitement. Also, why is the shift into 2nd and 3rd gears so noisy on their Japanese
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