Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

I wasn't really sure where to put this but I had to tell you guys about a really odd conversation I had about bikes with a girl who was in my office building.

I went down to reception to pick up some post and noticed a girl sitting there in bike clobber, Guy Martin lid, so I was waiting for the receptionist to get back and started a conversation, she seemed a nice girl and were chatting about bikes, the usual what bike you got etc.

Anyway we were talking and I was saying I want to change my bike next year, fancy one of the supernakeds etc and I said maybe the KTM/MT10/BMW or speed triple, anyway she misheard as street triple and instantly went into this little rant about how they are beginners bikes and not very good. Now I thought this was mega odd as a) she had already told me shed only been riding a year and currently rode an Er-6 and b) as someone who has owned an STR, yeah its easy to ride, but my god is it capable of embarrassing other bikes big time. It was just a really odd conversation, I asked if she had ever ridden one and she said she had, It was all a bit odd after that, it was almost like she looked down on me for god forbid considering an STR (I could quite happily have an STR again)

I dunno if there is any point to this post in all honesty, just surprised me I guess as normally with bikers I find its usually a very easy going mentality, its not like my other hobbies full of elitist idiots, but maybe im wrong, I dunno.


Sorry for wasting your time reading the ramblings out of my head

You used to see that a lot - people talking about the natural progression from 125s to 400s, 600s then 1000s. It made sense as riding a bike is a bit dangerous at times and the old 1 litre bikes used to love a highside. But modern bikes have TC and other features which allow you ride what you like with a bit of a safety blanket in place.

I really loved my Street. Under 100bhp but light and handled amazingly well. I wouldn't put it down as a beginners bike but at the same time I wouldn't tell a beginner not to buy one.

Anyway, did you get her number?

Kwacky wrote:
Anyway, did you get her number?

I got her name, which I have since forgot, no point getting the number, we were clearly incompatible (and she wasn't my type really haha)

Street Triple is still quoted by journos as the bike they would actually spend their own money on which when you consider they get to try pretty much any bike in many situations, says a lot about how good it is.

Oh....she is probably just trying to stand a little taller in a sport that is VERY male dominated/oriented. When in reality she'd be better off at home in the kitchen. Cooking. My. Dinner..!!

Cavetroll87 wrote: ........ Now I thought this was mega odd as a) she had already told me she'd only been riding a year ..

Fwiw I'd lay strong odds that she's been encouraged into biking by someone who is passionate about it. Like many people with a strong passion for a subject, they'll probably have equally strong (read bigoted) views on all aspects of it.
That we do not understand, we fear.
He's possibly a 1k Gixer rider (or similar) who still bears a grudge at being left for dead by a Cavetroll on his ST

Street Triple is a beginners bike?

Odd.

In enthusiastic hands a STR can hunt down sports bikes...



They were NOT! happy about being passed by a road bike on touring tyres (Metzeler Z8)

Stonesie wrote:In enthusiastic hands a STR can hunt down sports bikes...



They were NOT! happy about being passed by a road bike on touring tyres (Metzeler Z8)

Exactly that mate, my best biking memory has to be trackday at Snett ona 2 week old STR, going around the outside of 3 sportsbikes into turn 1 and leaving them for dead once we got to the infield section. Not a beginners bike at all, just becuase its not a firebreathing animal doesnt mean its not massively capabale in the right hands (not including my own their btw)

People new to biking that have gained some confidence tend to be very opinionated in my experience (I know I was for a time). She probably had never ridden one despite saying otherwise and wanted to make sure she came across as knowing what she's talking about in a very male dominated environment.

As for the starter bike talk.. they are in a few lists of "Top 5 Starter Bikes" but it doesn't mean it isn't capable. I for one would put it as a "Premium Starter Bike".

I wouldn't be offended by people talking like that about bikes you've owned and love, just smile and think, "you don't know what you're talking about"

Cav wrote:
I wouldn't be offended by people talking like that about bikes you've owned and love, just smile and think, "you don't know what you're talking about"

Not offended at all, just perplexed by the attitude I guess

To be fair I think this lady doesn't really know what she's talking about. Clearly new to biking and prob heard something before hand by someone who is, like StMarks has suggested a fan of big sports bikes and therefore nothing else actually matters. Or she was just trying to have a chat tryong to look knowledgeable in front of you.

Anyway what we really want to know before all This codswoddle is was she a fitty. We all know its a male oriented hobby and we need more fitties getting into it. Is the future bright?!!

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Rossgo wrote:To be fair I think this lady doesn't really know what she's talking about. Clearly new to biking and prob heard something before hand by someone who is, like StMarks has suggested a fan of big sports bikes and therefore nothing else actually matters. Or she was just trying to have a chat tryong to look knowledgeable in front of you.

Anyway what we really want to know before all This codswoddle is was she a fitty. We all know its a male oriented hobby and we need more fitties getting into it. Is the future bright?!!

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wasnt my type at all mate, and to be honest im not overly fussy.

Cavetroll87 wrote:

Rossgo wrote:To be fair I think this lady doesn't really know what she's talking about. Clearly new to biking and prob heard something before hand by someone who is, like StMarks has suggested a fan of big sports bikes and therefore nothing else actually matters. Or she was just trying to have a chat tryong to look knowledgeable in front of you.

Anyway what we really want to know before all This codswoddle is was she a fitty. We all know its a male oriented hobby and we need more fitties getting into it. Is the future bright?!!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

wasnt my type at all mate, and to be honest im not overly fussy.

oh no the future isn't orange then it's more Brussel sprout!

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I take it Mrs Troll isn't a reader of this site?

Kwacky wrote:I take it Mrs Troll isn't a reader of this site?

No, plus she knows Im punching well above my (considerable) weight with her. lucky girl!