French Wage War on SUV

[eynlai]

I've been a long outspoken opponent against SUVs, more so against those big, massive, bohemoth ones like the Expeditions, Hummers, etc.. than the more reasonables ones like the older 4-Runners.

But seems the French are finally seeing and saying something that we won't:

http://news.yahoo.com/s....tofthem

I know I may get some fire back for this from the SUV owners. But here it is:

SUVs, the monterous ones are ONE OF THE WORST INVENTIONS EVER, EVER, EVER PUT ON THE MARKET.

Here is why:

#1. Typcially SUV drivers are less attentive and less considerate. As bikers we've all experienced that first hand before. SUV drivers, I found, drive SUVs so if/when they get into accidents, they would suffer little to no injuries while inflicting greater injuries on those that are involved with the accidents with them. So why should they be attentive and considerate??

#2. SUV do take up too much room on the road for no valid reason. Come on, we've all heard it, "I need the room". My question is, 'For what??!!'. If you truely need that much room, then get a mini-van. How many times have we've seen the biggest SUVs driven by the smallest (physic-wise) drivers? I had a co-worker that was so small, she had to get 2 pillows so she can see over the steering wheel of her Escalade! I truely believe SUV should only be sold to and driven by those that truely need it. Like the truely ++++++++ sizes, say 350 lb. +

#3. Tying into #1. SUVs are extremely dangerous because the visiability in them are poor and the handling is hap-hazardeous at best. Most SUVs are so damn big and the windows are so small in comparison you can't really see anything. Coupled with the fact that SUVs have the worst handling capabilities. Most are top-heavy and are likely to body-roll like it was a donut + will flip. However, I've seen way too many times where some BLING-OUT punk will drive it like he/she's driving a 2 seater Porsche. Especially when they are trying to race us bikers. To hell with graduate driver's licenses for bikes, how about qualifying driving licenses for SUVs?? Likely 2 tests, WHY do one need to buy and drive a SUV, and special license that one CAN safely drive a SUV. Like one of those Semi-truck licenses or commercial bus licenses ( in CA those are A class I believe).

#3. Space HOGS. We've all seen them before. Pull in to a parking lot and you see a SUV parked in a "compact" space making it too tight to fit anything else but a bike. Sometimes, you see a SUV take up 2 spaces because that driver is FULLY inconsiderate. We've seen them before on the road, taking up way too much lane than they need and that they can handle simply to satisfy their EGOs. In traffic congestion, SUV actually contributes to the trafffic jam because of all of the room they're taking up while sitting still. And SUVs are particularly dangereous because the driver can be ignorant by not seeing where they are going during a lane change, or they simply don't care and boss their way in.

#4. GAS HOG, GAS HOG, GAS HOG. I like to think that I'm environmentally conscience and all, but I'm more capitalist than anything. But nonetheless, let me satisfy my environmentally conscience side and say that SUVs are guzzling up resources like there's not tomorrow... And at this rate, there might not be, thanks in part o SUVs. Now let me speak economically. SUV are in a very large part to blame for our high gas/petro prices (the other is obviously the greedy oil company). Now, I'm not to say how other people should spend their $$$, unless it affects me. SUV affects me, my wallet and YOUR wallet as well. How? When a SUV is burning gas at the rate of 8 MPG or even 13 MPG, it's cost more than just the driver/owner that's dishing out $70 to full up. It's costing you and me. At that gas-guzzling rate of the SUV, it's using up the supply of oil/gas, thus the shorter supply (and even though demand remains steady), the higher the gas prices for EVERYONE.

So give me one valid reason for having a SUV, unless you're over 350 lb, or disabled?

For those of you that argue that, "well, there's things that SUV drivers can cite about us bikers"... Tell me which one of the 4 reasons that I listed above as bikers we fit into?

If anything, as bikers, we are OPPOSITE of the 4 reasons that I've listed. We save gas, there by keeping the price low. We save space, traffic congestion-wise and parking-wise. We're more attentive (even if some of us are not considerate) because we are so vulnerable. And of coarse if we get into accidents, we're the least likely to cause harm/injuries to others.

My remedy for the SUV? SUVs should require a special license and valid reasoning to have one and to operate one, like if you're obese or disabled. SUVs for any other reason should be charged $20 per gallon of gas at the pump. SUVs should have to pay at least 4 times the amount for a annual registration. SUVs should be charged a mininum insurance of $3000 every 6 months for insurance, and that's just for liablility only, add comprehensive and collision it should cost at the mininum of $7000 every 6 months. That's for all of the damages and/or injuries that SUVs causes. One "at-fault" accident should cause the insurance to go up to a mininum of $10,000 for liablility only and $20,000 every 6 months for that SUV driver.

Maybe I should write to congress?

 

[omslaw]

I also think that another reason for having an SUV is 'image'.

For example, my sister bought an SUV because she 'wasn't gonna be seen' driving a mini-van! She said that she's too young to have *that* image!

Sheesh! I laid into her about that! My wife and I PURPOSLY bought a mini-van and love it! It was the only practical way for us to put 3 baby seats in a vehicle... (BTW, my sis is only 2yrs younger than me).


Ok, now that said...my dream vehicle is a Ford F-250 SuperDuty Crew Cab, long-bed (8') w/ a 6" lift and 40" tires! Talk about taking up space!

I guess I'll continue to drive my Toyota 4x4 until I win the lottery to be able to begin to afford the gas for my 'dream truck'! ...and yes, my Truck *does* see the mud! (that reminds me....gotta break out the pressure washer and hose it down!

)

 

[HayaVegas]

I bought my wife a Lincoln Navigator to drive my 2 young children around Las Vegas in. Las Vegas is a city where every street is at least 6 lanes plus turning lanes on each side. An average speed limit of 45 mph, and more businesses and new drivers than nearly any other city in the country.

4000+ new people here per month net. All driving around looking at the shiny new businesses, with their heads up their asses.

I wouldnt put my family in anything less than the behemoth you oppose. I should only hope you dont have precious loved ones in your family that you stick into a toyota prius or a saturn because you are worried about gas shortages, while risking their ability to survive an accident because they are in some plastic pretend car.

My SUV has allowed me to avoid taking the airlines for fully luggaged and long road trips to cali and therefore I didnt contribute to thousands of gallons of jet fuel.

My SUV has allowed me to carry extra children back and forth from practice, and allowed me to carry the team gear all last spring when I coached little league. Helps me pick up relatives from the airport, keeps me from having to get a lot of #### delivered to me when I buy it at the furniture store, or electronics store...which would be making a tractor trailer put IT's massive amount of fuel to waste. Thus bugging you again.

My SUV is my business. I can afford the fuel. I pay for it. Therefore I contribute more than my fair share of GASOLINE TAXES that pay for your roads that you drive on.

Thank SUV drivers because gasoline tax is about the biggest contributor to things you need in your state.

My wife is an excellent driver and Im sure she can ride circles around you in her Navigator, but thats because YOU cant probably drive them...therefore you are requiring CDL's for them...lol Get over yourself.

You dont need a CDL to drive a large SUV. As for you problem with punks driving them, well...then you should ##### about punks...not normal drivers.

As for your exhaustive investigation that showed visibility in SUV's is poor...I cant begin to express how wrong you are. Visibility in SUV's -especially LARGE ONES is superior.

I see accidents on the road all the time, and while there are more SUV's on the road than ever before...the most accidents I see are people in saturns and mid-sized cars. Regardless, the driver is problem. Not the vehicle.

Put people on cellphones in ANY VEHICLE, and you are asking for trouble.

As long as my precious family is out and about on the roads, I am going to spring for the most comfortable, biggest mother-loving, safest, Multi-purpose vehicle I can find. My family is going to have the best odds in surviving an accident, and I wouldnt have it any other way. I will pay whatever it costs, and when my children are all grown up and moved out, - and I dont coach little league, and Im not doing as much DO-IT-Yourself Home improvements, and all Im doing is driving to senior night at the bowling alley, - Ill no longer need an SUV.

Until then, watch out...

 

[RandomNickname]

Since when did Ralph Nader start posting on the org?

#1. Typcially SUV drivers are less attentive and less considerate. As bikers we've all experienced that first hand before. SUV drivers, I found, drive SUVs so if/when they get into accidents, they would suffer little to no injuries while inflicting greater injuries on those that are involved with the accidents with them. So why should they be attentive and considerate??[/QUOTE]

Really? Compared to who? Other cagers? Don't be so sure.

"You've found" this to be true? How so? I mean, unless you've done a formal survey and compiled the data, you haven't found anything; you may assume these things to be the case, or even suspect them to be the case, but unless you know for a fact this to be the case, try to be a little less insulting to people behind the wheel of SUVs who actually DO know how to drive. And there's a hell of a lot of them out there.

#2. SUV do take up too much room on the road for no valid reason. Come on, we've all heard it, "I need the room". My question is, 'For what??!!'. If you truely need that much room, then get a mini-van. How many times have we've seen the biggest SUVs driven by the smallest (physic-wise) drivers? I had a co-worker that was so small, she had to get 2 pillows so she can see over the steering wheel of her Escalade! I truely believe SUV should only be sold to and driven by those that truely need it. Like the truely ++++++++ sizes, say 350 lb. +[/QUOTE]

Erm... and a van is better than an SUV, how? They're still big, and they're still going to be driven by the same people (if they listen to your advice.

I agree that some people have no need to be driving a large vehicle, but it's no different than people who drive huge-ass duallie pickups that have never hauled a bag of groceries, not to mention been used as a working truck as they're designed to be.

And just because someone might be small, how do you know what they're using the vehicles for? I know people who use them to haul kids around, to run a catering business out of, and to haul things continuously (they basically tossed the seats to use it as a constant hauler). Again, you're assuming things and generalizing them across all SUV drivers, and doing so with what I can only classify as ignorance.

#3. Tying into #1. SUVs are extremely dangerous because the visiability in them are poor and the handling is hap-hazardeous at best. Most SUVs are so damn big and the windows are so small in comparison you can't really see anything. Coupled with the fact that SUVs have the worst handling capabilities. Most are top-heavy and are likely to body-roll like it was a donut + will flip.[/QUOTE]

Spoken like a person who has never actually driven one.

In extreme cases, an SUV has a chance to roll. Thing is, so does a Taurus. And as far as visibility goes, you really need to sit in one and take a look -- in many cases you have a better view of the road simply because you're not having your view blocked by parked vehicles and other road-side detritus.

However, I've seen way too many times where some BLING-OUT punk will drive it like he/she's driving a 2 seater Porsche. Especially when they are trying to race us bikers.[/QUOTE]

Hmmm... I hate bling on a car as much as much as anyone but I don;t see why that constitutes a need for a ban.

As for racing or driving like crap, is it any more prevalent in an SUV than any other car type? I would guess no... but it sure makes for a nifty news story or expose in a newsmagazine, doesn't it?

To hell with graduate driver's licenses for bikes, how about qualifying driving licenses for SUVs?? Likely 2 tests, WHY do one need to buy and drive a SUV, and special license that one CAN safely drive a SUV. Like one of those Semi-truck licenses or commercial bus licenses ( in CA those are A class I believe).[/QUOTE]

Yes, let's force people to jump through extra hoops, just so they can satisfy someone's idea of inferiority or superiority, based solely on their choice of vehicle. Let's add layers of beauracracy and make people suffer financially and also with their schedules simply because someone in the minority decides to be vocal about somethng that has offended them. How very California of you.

#3.[/QUOTE]

You have two #3s.

Space HOGS. We've all seen them before. Pull in to a parking lot and you see a SUV parked in a "compact" space making it too tight to fit anything else but a bike. Sometimes, you see a SUV take up 2 spaces because that driver is FULLY inconsiderate.[/QUOTE]

I've also seen this from Sports cars, Ricers, Trucks, minivans, high-dollar coupes, etc etc etc. It's not model or vehicle-type specific at ALL.

We've seen them before on the road, taking up way too much lane than they need and that they can handle simply to satisfy their EGOs.[/QUOTE]

Again, you see this across all vehicle types.

In traffic congestion, SUV actually contributes to the trafffic jam because of all of the room they're taking up while sitting still.[/QUOTE]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA did you actually just say that? They add to traffic congestion, simply because they are trapped in the traffic congestion? You cannot actually be serious.

Wow.

And SUVs are particularly dangereous because the driver can be ignorant by not seeing where they are going during a lane change, or they simply don't care and boss their way in.[/QUOTE]

Yes, that's the SUV's fault. We don't need to worry about driver responsibility at all.

#4. GAS HOG, GAS HOG, GAS HOG. I like to think that I'm environmentally conscience and all, but I'm more capitalist than anything. But nonetheless, let me satisfy my environmentally conscience side and say that SUVs are guzzling up resources like there's not tomorrow... And at this rate, there might not be, thanks in part o SUVs. Now let me speak economically. SUV are in a very large part to blame for our high gas/petro prices (the other is obviously the greedy oil company). Now, I'm not to say how other people should spend their $$$, unless it affects me. SUV affects me, my wallet and YOUR wallet as well. How? When a SUV is burning gas at the rate of 8 MPG or even 13 MPG, it's cost more than just the driver/owner that's dishing out $70 to full up. It's costing you and me. At that gas-guzzling rate of the SUV, it's using up the supply of oil/gas, thus the shorter supply (and even though demand remains steady), the higher the gas prices for EVERYONE. [/QUOTE]

Again, trucks, vans, some sedans and even some sports cars all have crappy gas mileage too. I can understand if you're sitting around watching nothing but Anti-SUV news shows, or a member of E.L.F. or something saying this (well no I can't but...), but at least try to have something that resembles perspective on the issue.

Do SUVs eat gas? Yep, to varying degrees. Are they the only ones that do? Not by a long shot. Are they the main reason gas is so expensive? Oh hell no (take a look at how much state tax is levied on a gallon of gas some day, not to mention the margin put on it by both oil companies and retailers... educate yourself on the matter some time), not by a long shot.

So give me one valid reason for having a SUV, unless you're over 350 lb, or disabled?[/QUOTE]

As soon as you give me one valid reason for having a hyper-sports bike, or an exotic car, or a sports car, or an oil-heated house, or char-broiled steaks, or a certain political viewpoint, or...

Or better yet, give me a valid reason why anyone should have to explain themselves to some self-important idiot speaking out of complete ignorance as to what is actually happening in the world. Get over yourself.

My remedy for the SUV? SUVs should require a special license and valid reasoning to have one and to operate one, like if you're obese or disabled. SUVs for any other reason should be charged $20 per gallon of gas at the pump. SUVs should have to pay at least 4 times the amount for a annual registration. SUVs should be charged a mininum insurance of $3000 every 6 months for insurance, and that's just for liablility only, add comprehensive and collision it should cost at the mininum of $7000 every 6 months. That's for all of the damages and/or injuries that SUVs causes. One "at-fault" accident should cause the insurance to go up to a mininum of $10,000 for liablility only and $20,000 every 6 months for that SUV driver.[/QUOTE]

Like many other people in many other segments of society, you are choosing to punish people for a choice they make, simply based on arbitrary reasons fueled by your own myopic bias.

The fact is EVERY SINGLE POINT you raise above has little to nothing to do with the type of vehicle driven, and everything to do with the individual drivers. You need to figure out the difference, instead of categorically having a prejudice against people based solely on the body attached to the four wheels they drive around on. But you seem to have some psychotic hard-on about blaming a certain type of vehicle for the woes of the world, and apparently very little actual information to base it on.

Until you manage to wrap your brain around that and actually look at things like this objectively, please, spare me your half-brained, no-thought "solutions," because its just a waste of bandwidth, not to mention the time of anyone who actually thinks rationally.



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[busahaya]

The world we live in revolves around, Thinking Big, super size this, big rims, everything must be big! you guys don't understand, some of these suv drivers we have down here are not by far the safest drivers in the world... but oh well, it's ok... they have a right to think big, because you forget, were the a**holes...

 

[MC MUSTANG]

I've been a long outspoken opponent against SUVs, more so against those big, massive, bohemoth ones like the Expeditions, Hummers, etc.. than the more reasonables ones like the older 4-Runners.

But seems the French are finally seeing and saying something that we won't:

http://news.yahoo.com/s....tofthem

I know I may get some fire back for this from the SUV owners.  .

eynlai -
I might get blasted by "Hayabusa" owners, but this has to be said..... I have long been opposed to those "superbikes", especially the ones cappable of ludicrous speed, like the Hayabusa, the blackbird, the fireblade and the Phantom 14.... I think the more reasonable Sprees, Vespas and motorized wheels chairs are much more tolerable and reasonable.

I mean, why does anyone need a bike that is capable of better than 4x the legal city speedlimit? DOn't they recognize that with those modified exhausts that in some cases can reach noise in excess of 140 dbl is dangerous and flat out annoying?
And look at the accidents caused by the inexperienced riders who straddle too much horsepower with too little brain power?

Sorry man, playing Devils's Advocate. I'm sure if you look on the internet you'll find some page or news report that starts out just like this.... I ride a Busa and drive an SUV, owned a mini van, outgrew it. Owned a 4Runner, same. Now own an Expedition and a trailer...If I can't carry it, then I don't need it. I agree with HayaVegas, I wan't my family driving in an Armored car if possible.....
Besides, if I ever caught someone messin with Bessie - well, let's just say that I grew up in the Suck at a time when if you caught someone stealing, they had better not be able to stand on the old man's rug without help.

You got nads posting something like this - sometimes, nads is enough. Opinions are what make us different. Good on ya for expressing yours, but yeah...you're probably gonna here about it over this one....

 

[frisbee]

I haven't owned a car since 92. If I did it wouldn't be a suv.

 

[Lucky34]

... what a stupid arguement....
1. Why should they be attentive and considerate?
Because crashing SUCKS. Nobody wakes up in the morning, gets in their car and thinks, Gee, I'm gonna crash today, cause it's fun!...



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[RandomNickname]

The world we live in revolves around, Thinking Big, super size this, big rims, everything must be big! you guys don't understand, some of these suv drivers we have down here are not by far the safest drivers in the world... but oh well, it's ok... they have a right to think big, because you forget, were the a**holes...

Oh I'm sure.

Hell I think the Seattle area has by far the biggest collection of crap drivers per capita in the country.

But the thing is, you can't blame that on the vehicle, certainly not blanket-statement style. If you have an issue with the drivers then fine, by all means, let em have it with both barrels. But to blame the vehicle itself is just ignorant.

To completely bastardize a phrase, SUVs don't drive like a$$holes, people drive like a$$holes.

 

[cache]

glad this isn't bike related.... dumbassess.

 

[gm1300]

So give me one valid reason for having a SUV, unless you're over 350 lb, or disabled?

what if you have 5 kids ?

what if you want to tow a boat to the boat ramp and and still fit 3 couples inside comfortably ?

 

[pure_ego]

Ego is right, and I see the errors of my ways now.

#1. Typcially SUV drivers are less attentive and less considerate. As bikers we've all experienced that first hand before. SUV drivers, I found, drive SUVs so if/when they get into accidents, they would suffer little to no injuries while inflicting greater injuries on those that are involved with the accidents with them. So why should they be attentive and considerate??
[/QUOTE]

Would we be any less attentive in a metro.. I wouldn't be.. course I feel like I pay pretty decent attention.. so thats all speculative anyway.

About injuries to occupants of SUV's... DAMN RIGHT.. thats half the reason I got rid of the mini-van and bought the tahoe.. I'm sorry.. but I don't care if it's my, or my wifes fault.. I would rather YOU get hurt than me.. if that means giving myself an edge by having the bigger vehicle.. so be it.

I kept having nightmares about the side doors of our minivan and what would happen if me, or my wife pulled out in front of something.. scary thoughts when I realized my child was less than 2 ft. from either door in the middle.

If I pull out in front of you now.. (knock on wood that me, and my wife pay enough attention to avoid this) yeah your gonna wallop the side of the Tahoe,,, may even flip it... but I've seen them after they've rolled several time.. I'm not all that concerned about the roll over because they can take a pounding. The mini-van.. ehh.. lots of thin roof.. not much cross beam support.

#2. SUV do take up too much room on the road for no valid reason. Come on, we've all heard it, "I need the room". My question is, 'For what??!!'. If you truely need that much room, then get a mini-van. How many times have we've seen the biggest SUVs driven by the smallest (physic-wise) drivers? I had a co-worker that was so small, she had to get 2 pillows so she can see over the steering wheel of her Escalade! I truely believe SUV should only be sold to and driven by those that truely need it. Like the truely ++++++++ sizes, say 350 lb. +[/QUOTE]

What a joke... they take up no more room than the typical mini-van.. maybe vertical they take up a bit more space.. but nothing else to amount to anything.. we do have 10ft. wide roads afterall. 3 people typically ride my tahoe.. .. 3 people typically rode in my van also.. Yeah I could get by with a car.. but a car won't tow a trailer with motorcycle in it, and all the gear we take with us. Plus it's got a luggage rack that I use on occasion.. take that! Besides.. What does the inside of a SUV got to do a damn thing with anybody but the owner? I don't get that arguement "You don't need all that room." Eff you, you wouldn't know if I do, or don't.

#3. Tying into #1. SUVs are extremely dangerous because the visiability in them are poor and the handling is hap-hazardeous at best. Most SUVs are so damn big and the windows are so small in comparison you can't really see anything. Coupled with the fact that SUVs have the worst handling capabilities. Most are top-heavy and are likely to body-roll like it was a donut + will flip. However, I've seen way too many times where some BLING-OUT punk will drive it like he/she's driving a 2 seater Porsche. Especially when they are trying to race us bikers. To hell with graduate driver's licenses for bikes, how about qualifying driving licenses for SUVs?? Likely 2 tests, WHY do one need to buy and drive a SUV, and special license that one CAN safely drive a SUV. Like one of those Semi-truck licenses or commercial bus licenses ( in CA those are A class I believe).[/QUOTE]

What do you do? Hop in your freaking little econo box and drive like Andretti to work? Jesus christ... You must not like drive like me.. get in the thing and drive 55-60mph, or 70 on the interstates...

Blind Spots.. bleh,, Yeah, keep riding those outdated japanese wannabe SUV's and I guess you have a blind spot problem.. I can see everything around the tahoe is stunning 3-d clarity. It's a trip.. and I even got the "morgue" swingin doors on the back with the big ole brace up the middle.

Top heavy.. the only vehicle I know of that didn't pass the DOT safety regulations concerning roll overs was the Mitsubishi Montero Sport.. didn't even slow the sales of it down any.. which I thought was impressive.

If you flip a SUV... you deserved it cuz you just did something very stupid.. and FYI.. 90% of the time if you flip the SUV.. you would have spun out of control in a car.. and quite possibly flipped when you left the road surface.. facts is facts.


#3 is pointless dribble about having to walk an extra 10 feet into your walmart..

I'm sure I missed somethign.. but it wasn't important anyway... just more dribble from a guy who hasn't felt the loving embrass of a nice, full sized SUV bucket seat, a commanding view of the road, and the peice of mind knowing that if that idiot in the econo swings into your lane while dodging the baby ducks (old rush libaugh bit) your family is more than likely going to be ok.

For the record... my Tahoe gets 18mpg.. I think the ones yoru talking about getting in the low teens would be the expedition/excursion/durango hemi, and the nissan armada. The rest I've heard do as well as most extended cab pickups.. but I'm sure your against those as well.

I for one won't be selling my tahoe .. even if gas hits $5 bucks a gallon.. eff em' that'll just make em come up with a better way faster.



My valid reason for having it...

because I want one... In your honor I will now begin taking up two spots at the walmart in a silent "eff off" to all of your like minded cohorts in stupidity, and liberalmindedness.

hehe, a few others just for the hell of it.

MUCH better resell value, if the need arises I can pretty much drive over a tree, or up a mountian in the snow/ice/whatever, my tires do a wonderful job of gnashing up small imports, and it's like a pick up,, only better.

I have thought of swapping it out.. but if I did it would be to a Avalanche with the 8100 Vortec big block (12mpg here we come!!! take that mother earth) I'll pay the extra gas-o money (and you can help since I'll be wasting so much of it) to feel the awesome power of 325 horsepower/447 lb. feet of torque propelling me down the road at breakneck speed thru rush hour watching all the minuscule baby vehicle driver wet their pants in terror wondering if I can see them over my HUGE crash bar thingie in the front because I want to make sure the aerodynamics resemble as closely as possible,... a brick. (nice run on sentence eh?)

Nah, just kiddin about the crash bar thingie.. I don't much care about the bling stuff.. OEM wheels and not even a bug shield thing on the front...


You need to check your stats for how much insurance companies pay out per year for motorcyclist before you go touting off to your congress person... You may end up having to sell your econobox to pay the premiums on your bikes.

 

[pure_ego]

almost forgot eff the frogs.

 

[pure_ego]

all that bein said.. congrats on your decision to save mother earth.. please work extra hard as I ain't tryin' all that hard.

 

[eynlai]

My SUV is my business.  I can afford the fuel.  I pay for it.  Therefore I contribute more than my fair share of GASOLINE TAXES that pay for your roads that you drive on.

I guess you didn't read #4... or as someone so nicely I point out that since I used #3 twice, it should be #5. Go back and dig up your economic text book or notes. You're not contributing crap except giving the oil company more of a reason (and I will point out that it may not be the only one) to pump up the price of gasoline. CLUE: Supply and Demand.

 

[eynlai]

I have long been opposed to those "superbikes", especially the ones cappable of ludicrous speed, like the Hayabusa, the blackbird, the fireblade and the Phantom 14.... I think the more reasonable Sprees, Vespas and motorized wheels chairs are much more tolerable and reasonable.

I mean, why does anyone need a bike that is capable of better than 4x the legal city speedlimit?  DOn't they recognize that with those modified exhausts that in some cases can reach noise in excess of 140 dbl is dangerous and flat out annoying?
And look at the accidents caused by the inexperienced riders who straddle too much horsepower with too little brain power?

Sorry man, playing Devils's Advocate.  I'm sure if you look on the internet you'll find some page or news report that starts out just like this....  I ride a Busa and drive an SUV, owned a mini van, outgrew it.  Owned a 4Runner, same.  Now own an Expedition and a trailer...If I can't carry it, then I don't need it.  I agree with HayaVegas, I wan't my family driving in an Armored car if possible.....
Besides, if I ever caught someone messin with Bessie - well, let's just say that I grew up in the Suck at a time when if you caught someone stealing, they had better not be able to stand on the old man's rug without help.

You got nads posting something like this - sometimes, nads is enough.  Opinions are what make us different.  Good on ya for expressing yours, but yeah...you're probably gonna here about it over this one....

Chances are, if I go stupidly fast and reckless on a sportbike and if I get into a wreak, the only likely person I'll hurt is ME. Not someone else (other than a passenger in the back if that was the case). So you can't even compare. Bike isn't endangering others if I AM stupid, unattentive, and/or reckless. The bike isn't drinking up gas like there's no tomorrow. Guess what, the SUV will endanger others; the SUV does hog gas and jack the price up for EVERYONE.

 

[pure_ego]

CLUE: I don't care.. Heck, ask nice and I may even fill yours up once or twice.

CLUE: the SUV I picked gets the BEST gas mileage out of any full sized SUV.. and will be better in a few months with they bring out the 2007 model tahoes with displacement on demand (estimates are 23-25) if that happens are you gonna hush about it?

Give that "SUV owners are the reason for gas hikes" thing a break.. most other countries are paying per gallon than we are.. yet they have 1/20th the amount of big SUV's.. care to shed some light on that one ... take your economic boooks... your gonna need em'.

You really wanna know why gas prices are so high.. look to the man in the oval office.. I'm a republican, and I freely admit it... Bush's family/friends are ALL into the oil business .. if they don't get rich now.. it's never gonna happen.

get a clue.. there is always a bigger picture.

I am contributing to my joy everyday I stomp the gas and watch the 30+ mpg getters fade away in the mirror. There is something to be said about a 295hp V8.. and that something is "God Damn I'm Glad I Got Rid Of THat VAN!"

FWIW.. that mini-van I had only got 20mpg around town, and 22 on a trip..

your gonna go ape #### on me over 4mpg?

yeah you can, just don't expect me to listen, or care.

 

[eynlai]

Ego is right, and I see the errors of my ways now.

#1.  Typcially SUV drivers are less attentive and less considerate.  As bikers we've all experienced that first hand before.  SUV drivers, I found, drive SUVs so if/when they get into accidents, they would suffer little to no injuries while inflicting greater injuries on those that are involved with the accidents with them.  So why should they be attentive and considerate??

Would we be any less attentive in a metro..  I wouldn't be.. course I feel like I pay pretty decent attention.. so thats all speculative anyway.

About injuries to occupants of SUV's...  DAMN RIGHT.. thats half the reason I got rid of the mini-van and bought the tahoe..  I'm sorry.. but I don't care if it's my, or my wifes fault..  I would rather YOU get hurt than me.. if that means giving myself an edge by having the bigger vehicle.. so be it.

I kept having nightmares about the side doors of our minivan and what would happen if me, or my wife pulled out in front of something..  scary thoughts when I realized my child was less than 2 ft. from either door in the middle.

If I pull out in front of you now.. (knock on wood that me, and my wife pay enough attention to avoid this) yeah your gonna wallop the side of the Tahoe,,, may even flip it... but I've seen them after they've rolled several time..   I'm not all that concerned about the roll over because they can take a pounding.   The mini-van.. ehh.. lots of thin roof.. not much cross beam support.

#2.  SUV do take up too much room on the road for no valid reason.  Come on, we've all heard it, "I need the room".  My question is, 'For what??!!'.  If you truely need that much room, then get a mini-van.  How many times have we've seen the biggest SUVs driven by the smallest (physic-wise) drivers?  I had a co-worker that was so small, she had to get 2 pillows so she can see over the steering wheel of her Escalade!  I truely believe SUV should only be sold to and driven by those that truely need it.  Like the truely ++++++++ sizes, say 350 lb. +[/QUOTE]

What a joke...  they take up no more room than the typical mini-van.. maybe vertical they take up a bit more space..  but nothing else to amount to anything.. we do have 10ft. wide roads afterall.   3 people typically ride my tahoe.. .. 3 people typically rode in my van also..  Yeah I could get by with a car.. but a car won't tow a trailer with motorcycle in it, and all the gear we take with us.   Plus it's got a luggage rack that I use on occasion.. take that!  Besides.. What does the inside of a SUV got to do a damn thing with anybody but the owner?   I don't get that arguement "You don't need all that room."  Eff you, you wouldn't know if I do, or don't.

#3.  Tying into #1.  SUVs are extremely dangerous because the visiability in them are poor and the handling is hap-hazardeous at best.  Most SUVs are so damn big and the windows are so small in comparison you can't really see anything.  Coupled with the fact that SUVs have the worst handling capabilities.  Most are top-heavy and are likely to body-roll like it was a donut + will flip.  However, I've seen way too many times where some BLING-OUT punk will drive it like he/she's driving a 2 seater Porsche.  Especially when they are trying to race us bikers.  To hell with graduate driver's licenses for bikes, how about qualifying driving licenses for SUVs??  Likely 2 tests, WHY do one need to buy and drive a SUV, and special license that one CAN safely drive a SUV.  Like one of those Semi-truck licenses or commercial bus licenses ( in CA those are A class I believe).[/QUOTE]

What do you do? Hop in your freaking little econo box and drive like Andretti to work?  Jesus christ...  You must not like drive like me.. get in the thing and drive 55-60mph, or 70 on the interstates...

Blind Spots.. bleh,,  Yeah, keep riding those outdated japanese wannabe SUV's and I guess you have a blind spot problem..  I can see everything around the tahoe is stunning 3-d clarity.  It's a trip.. and I even got the "morgue" swingin doors on the back with the big ole brace up the middle.

Top heavy.. the only vehicle I know of that didn't pass the DOT safety regulations concerning roll overs was the Mitsubishi Montero Sport.. didn't even slow the sales of it down any.. which I thought was impressive.

If you flip a SUV... you deserved it cuz you just did something very stupid.. and FYI.. 90% of the time if you flip the SUV.. you would have spun out of control in a car.. and quite possibly flipped when you left the road surface.. facts is facts.


#3 is pointless dribble about having to walk an extra 10 feet into your walmart..

I'm sure I missed somethign.. but it wasn't important anyway... just more dribble from a guy who hasn't felt the loving embrass of a nice, full sized SUV bucket seat, a commanding view of the road, and the peice of mind knowing that if that idiot in the econo swings into your lane while dodging the baby ducks (old rush libaugh bit) your family is more than likely going to be ok.

For the record...  my Tahoe gets 18mpg.. I think the ones yoru talking about getting in the low teens would be the expedition/excursion/durango hemi, and the nissan armada.  The rest I've heard do as well as most extended cab pickups.. but I'm sure your against those as well.

I for one won't be selling my tahoe .. even if gas hits $5 bucks a gallon..  eff em' that'll just make em come up with a better way faster.



My valid reason for having it...

because I want one...   In your honor I will now begin taking up two spots at the walmart in a silent "eff off" to all of your like minded cohorts in stupidity, and liberalmindedness.

hehe, a few others just for the hell of it.

MUCH better resell value, if the need arises I can pretty much drive over a tree, or up a mountian in the snow/ice/whatever, my tires do a wonderful job of gnashing up small imports, and it's like a pick up,, only better.

I have thought of swapping it out.. but if I did it would be to a Avalanche with the 8100 Vortec big block (12mpg here we come!!! take that mother earth)  I'll pay the extra gas-o money (and you can help since I'll be wasting so much of it) to feel the awesome power of 325 horsepower/447 lb. feet of torque propelling me down the road at breakneck speed thru rush hour watching all the minuscule baby vehicle driver wet their pants in terror wondering if I can see them over my HUGE crash bar thingie in the front because I want to make sure the aerodynamics resemble as closely as possible,... a brick.  (nice run on sentence eh?)

Nah, just kiddin about the crash bar thingie.. I don't much care about the bling stuff.. OEM wheels and not even a bug shield thing on the front...  


You need to check your stats for how much insurance companies pay out per year for motorcyclist before you go touting off to your congress person...  You may end up having to sell your econobox to pay the premiums on your bikes.[/QUOTE]
Your screen name and statement more than saids it all.

 

[RandomNickname]

Eynlai, I'm sorry, but your arguments have next to zero merit.

seriously, you have something personal against SUVs, and as illogical as that is, it's your right. But to sit there and blame a lifeless vehicle for all of the issues that are driver-related, not vehicle related is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[eynlai]

I am contributing to my joy everyday I stomp the gas and watch the 30+ mpg getters fade away in the mirror.  There is something to be said about a 295hp V8.. and that something is "God Damn I'm Glad I Got Rid Of THat VAN!"

So you want to feel the RUSH by stomping the gas? I guess downshifting into 3rd and twisting the throttle on your busa must not do it for ya.