When out on the trail my modern bike (Beta X Trainer) a common 'default' reaction from walkers is often either a grudging acceptance or veiled hostility. Not by any means all, but it is not uncommon - and, up to a point, I can understand why.
Now we get to the why is it?
Why is it that the same rider, on the same trails, but riding a 1961 BSA, gets mostly greeted with smiles and waves and people wanting to chat?
I don't know exactly what it is about old bikes. The different noise maybe? The thought that it is an old machine so it can't be being ridden by a young hooligan? Or maybe just pure nostalgia?
Whatever it is, I wish I could bottle it and, as 'Enry Cooper used to say, 'splash it all over' when going out on the Beta. It really is nice to feel welcome.
I think old bikes make more noise and give better warning of a riders approach while newer quieter machines can startle people when the 'suddenly' appear because they have not heard them coming. It may also be to do with the pitch or tone of the noise with an older lower revving bike sounding less threatening than a tighter crisper more efficient higher revving modern motor
A long beard helps, not sure why but I assume people think I am old enough to know better than to ride like a hooligan
I think old bikes make more noise and give better warning of a riders approach while newer quieter machines can startle people when the 'suddenly' appear because they have not heard them coming. It may also be to do with the pitch or tone of the noise with an older lower revving bike sounding less threatening than a tighter crisper more efficient higher revving modern motor
A long beard helps, not sure why but I assume people think I am old enough to know better than to ride like a hooligan
So an old loud bike is acceptable but a modern competition bike isn't?
Something to do with the pitch of the exhaust note.
The mellifluous rounded pop pop pop of an old 4 stroke long stroke motor evokes nostalgia
The rasping crack of a modern high revving performance orientated machine sounds faster and makes people want to get out of the way
That and the actual speeds the differing generations travel at
I have ridden modern machinery which does not come into it's own until indecently fast speeds are achieved and which is not well suited to pottering about. Wonderful as KTM's latest enduro machinery is, it is focused on making it easy to travel over uneven ground at speed which it does oh so well, and it scares people when they hear it coming, regardless of the actual speed because it sounds fast, and probably will be going faster than an older machine because it's suspension and brakes mean it can safely do so.
Try riding an outfit in the lanes, once they've stopped laughing they want to chat, never once had a problem. Why is that?
Trev
Good point Trev. I have to admit that when I've being following friends on an outfit, it has caused a very similar reaction. I think of it as the 'Wallace & Grommit' effect.
-- Edited by cee-b on Sunday 9th of September 2018 08:36:23 AM
-- Edited by cee-b on Sunday 9th of September 2018 02:50:40 PM
I have found a Open face Helmet and riding Glasses over Goggles to be a good thing as well and not full face and dressing in the crosser gear but the icing on the cake is a Beard you just don't get looked at as a Throttle happy yob with a Beard the Greyer the better. Been out riding the Bridleways on the Electric Mountain bike lots this summer and they seem to piss the Horse riders an walkers off even more than a Motor bike on a legal Byway as they don't hear you coming an you startle them
Pug
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04 250 TTR 1960 Harley panhead 84 Honda xr 250/cb250rs Hybrid plus the new Montesa 4Ride
It may also be to do with the pitch or tone of the noise with an older lower revving bike sounding less threatening than a tighter crisper more efficient higher revving modern motor
I reckon that has a hell of a lot to do with it Pete. A lot of modern bikes - certainly a 300 2-stroke such as mine - sound fast even when they're standing still. The BSA doesn't sound fast even when I'm riding it as quickly as I dare.
Hi Colin, we should arrange to get out on Ye Olde Brit Iron, have you moved across the border into Gods own county yet?
Went out on my 250 BSA yesterday, did a 60 mile loop and had a great time, not bad for a bike & rider combo of 101 years LOL.
We move to 'the Shire' on the 26th John; these things seem to take forever.
I hadn't actually previously done the maths, but my bike & rider combo is 120yrs. Crikey - should we be doing this?
Whippersnappers, both of you.
When I did the 2014 Felix Burke Road Trial in 2014 (A test of trail logistics using map co-ordinates and route choices) the combo of myself and bike was 155 years.
A picture of my trail machine.
............ that was my last entrance in the Gloucester VMCC Felix Burke Road Trial.
Martyn
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You're never too old to learn something stupid.
TTR250 but now a mobility scooter Budleigh Salterton
Hi Colin, we should arrange to get out on Ye Olde Brit Iron, have you moved across the border into Gods own county yet?
Went out on my 250 BSA yesterday, did a 60 mile loop and had a great time, not bad for a bike & rider combo of 101 years LOL.
We move to 'the Shire' on the 26th John; these things seem to take forever.
I hadn't actually previously done the maths, but my bike & rider combo is 120yrs. Crikey - should we be doing this?
Whippersnappers, both of you.
When I did the 2014 Felix Burke Road Trial in 2014 (A test of trail logistics using map co-ordinates and route choices) the combo of myself and bike was 155 years.
A picture of my trail machine.
............ that was my last entrance in the Gloucester VMCC Felix Burke Road Trial.
Martyn
You win Martyn, hands down. Have you still got it?
I can see the makings of a really good DTRF vintage ride-out coming on
Colin, yes I still have it and I also have my 1955 T100 that I bought for £17 10/- in 1966.
The hamper on the back, John, is an early example of a modern mobile phone. Homing pigeons were carried in them and got messages home tied to their legs. Handy for when you ran out of petrol or food.
I used to have a T20 Cub to ride the Devon lanes but swapped it for a TTR eventually.
Martyn
__________________
You're never too old to learn something stupid.
TTR250 but now a mobility scooter Budleigh Salterton
good stuff
looks like I've got room for a hamper 
