Seen outside the Tokyo Motorcycle Show:
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The fellow above is no doubt suffering from a severe case of Chopper Flop.
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Seen outside the Tokyo Motorcycle Show:
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9 comments:
Does the "Rule of Inverse Proportionality" come into play here? And no, I am not saying that because of the cliche about Asian Men: I think that about all men I see on "Easy Rider"-style bikes.
Posted by Langtry
Hah! I hadn't thought about that. Good to have a woman's perspective on these things...
Posted by GaijinBiker
Actually, since that guy appears to be using a modern custom frame, and since most modern frames have the trail/rake geometry properly calculated, he probably isn't suffering from chopper flop. (That's a 400cc Honda Steed, by the way.)
Also, with the admittedly limited information I have I would guess that the inverse proportionality rule applies more to exhaust noise than to fork length.
Posted by Big ben
Hey, BB, welcome back!
A modern frame may not technically cause "chopper flop", but no matter how you fiddle with the geometry, a long fork still handles less effectively than a short one. (That's why race bikes don't have long forks.)
The Chopper Flop guys weigh in on the issue as follows (and please note that I am not saying you are one of the "defensive individuals" they mention):
We have received quite a few comments from certain
defensive individuals on the trail/rake issue. These guys claim that modern choppers are designed with the
"correct" trail, so that flop is non-existent.
The reality is that modern chopper builders design their front ends to cheat the front end geometry for more-acceptable steering behavior when using extended forks, by using triple clamps which attach the fork tubes at a greater angle than the steering head.
This is just a band-aid for an inherently bad design. They are still a flop.
Posted by GaijinBiker
Yeah, I had read that, and can't help thinking that they're the ones being "defensive". Basically the fact that the geometry used on modern choppers (meaning since as early as the 60s) achieves acceptable steering pretty much negates the premise they've based their whole site on. They admit this, and then try to weasel out of it by saying it's still a "bad design" and "cheating"(by whose rules?).
It would be stupid to judge a truck by sportscar standards, and a sportbike would be a "bad design" if used for motocross. Cruisers are great for what they're built for. Those guys are trying to work out their inferiority complexes by putting down something they don't understand.
Meanwhile, I ride comfortably, look good, and prefer to spend my time enjoying the ride rather than obsessing over what others ride.
I'm off to Izu this weekend for some hanami-touring and onsen action. I'll probably have a post on it sometime next week.
Posted by Big Ben
Relax, I'm not slagging you off over your choice of bike. (From what I can see on your website, you don't have one of those extreme choppers, anyway. A cruiser, definitely, but not a chopper.)
And I'm not about to tell anyone else what to ride, either. If super-long forks are your thing, go for it.
Beyond a certain point, however, trading off performance in the name of style is risky — although different people will have different opinions about where that point is.
Posted by GaijinBiker
Sorry, I should have clarified too. My criticism is directed at the Chopper Flop guys, not you.
different people will have different opinions about where that point is.
That's the point, isn't it? The whole bike thing is about freedom, and we all get different things out of different aspects of the riding experience. I have a custom triple tree, slightly extended forks, and lowered suspension, but all of those mods are moderate becasuse I like twisty mountain roads and that's as far as I can go and still ride the way I want. I would certainly never judge someone for putting the balance in a different place.
Posted by Big Ben
That's the point, isn't it? The whole bike thing is about freedom, and we all get different things out of different aspects of the riding experience.
Agreed. Peace.
Posted by GaijinBiker
"Also, with the admittedly limited information I have I would guess that the inverse proportionality rule applies more to exhaust noise than to fork length."
So true, Big Ben , so true! I live just off of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, and I've never in three years of living in this apartment, been able to sleep with the window open. No breeze for me. Why? Because of the Biker Boyz on their "crotch rockets". I swear, I've been woken out of a wine-induced coma by those things.
Oh well. Even paradise has a it's irritations!
Posted by Langtry
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