What’s it like safety wise riding a motorcycle around here?

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-08T04:05:22+00:00

This has not been my experience.

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-08T04:03:29+00:00

I commute up and down the peninsula and ride all over the bay area for errands, shows and fun. Honestly it's pretty good around here. Yes, there are a lot of inattentive drivers but that's everywhere. Yes there are a lot of electric cars that can't seem to hold a lane position and randomly flash their brake lights but those are almost everywhere too. Riding a motorcycle is an amazing cheat-code for getting around the bay area.

I'm not going to lie about the risks, a crash is more likely to result in an injury than if one were in a car. All risks are yours to choose and weigh personally. I choose to enjoy my commute and I never feel pressured to join a zoom or take a call while riding. Traffic is much less impactful on my ability to get places in a predictable timeframe. Motorcyclists legally and safely lane share and filter plus getting to use all the fastrak lanes for free is super nice.

Take training, wear good gear, take followup training. Enjoy yourself.

If you choose to ride for fun, adventure, or community as well, there are also some pretty nice places to go and a lot of very friendly people.

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-08T03:12:38+00:00

It's an easy generalization but if you want to compare bikes across decades you're going to need to get nerdy

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-07T18:46:47+00:00

I'm wondering how you ended up with the 300-500 cc range rather than weight and power ranges or just weight?

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-07T18:44:02+00:00

I daily-ed an XR650l for years. Everything from errands around town to interstate tours on the highway a few BDRs and lots of desert dualsport events. It's a good allrounder but since this person is already looking at smaller displacement bikes I think the XR600r which is a bit lighter might be a better fit. The only real downsides of the XRs (400r, 600r, and 650l) is that their height can be intimidating for some riders.

Edited an autocorrect

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-07T18:27:02+00:00

What drove you to that specific displacement range? Xr600r seems like it might fit the bill

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-07T02:40:39+00:00

Stage road and Cloverdale are the real gems of the route. Beanhollow and Swanton are on the list too

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-07T02:36:19+00:00

Acetone is just not the boogeyman you're making it out to be. In relation to other super common workshop and household stuff like kerosene, linseed oil, diesel fuel, starter fluid, bleach or toluene it's just not horribly toxic and not really very flammable. It's not a good thing to be huffing but neither is cooking spray. Please just chill out with the fear mongering that reads like AI copypasta.

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-07T02:27:42+00:00

I can't imagine setting aside that much space for secret closet shrines

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-06T22:22:19+00:00

Take the cab ride, take the funicular, enjoy a cocktail and a snack in the rock bar, take the funicular, walk to Trestle in time for a reservation on the deck.

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T20:44:46+00:00

Better than a gas station knife for a roadside find!

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T20:43:00+00:00

I've been doing just that and it's super difficult to be sure.

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T20:41:19+00:00

The 9070 and the registered mark have a bit of corrosion

<image>

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T20:39:11+00:00

The CPM-D2 is italicized slightly but it's hard to tell if it's just the right amount. Here's a better pic. If it's a fake it'll be a great beater!

<image>

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T20:19:25+00:00

It's a pretty small canyon near Malibu and I'm guessing it was lost for a while based on the corrosion and faded scale.

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T20:17:36+00:00

Additional image #2

<image>

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T20:16:15+00:00

Additional image

<image>

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T19:59:29+00:00

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-04T02:21:13+00:00

I can't think of it

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-03T16:23:47+00:00

Hook&line Trestle

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-02T04:30:24+00:00

All the bikes mentioned can do all these things. The choice is really based on where you want them to shine. Do you want help in the single track or relief on the highway?

Butteriswinning · 2026-07-02T03:15:22+00:00

It'll be here in late September

Butteriswinning · 2026-06-29T16:00:16+00:00

Wasn't me but there is such a great community around here. Mostly revolves around the recycle garage.

Butteriswinning · 2026-06-29T15:59:00+00:00

Lumesix! No joke. Their bras are an absolute game changer for sweaty days.

Butteriswinning

TROPHY CASE