Random Rant Thread (no moto content)

[EricV]

As motorcyclists, we have a higher average number of people here that are comfortable with the voices in their heads already. Solitude means different things for different people. No big deal to me, the different parts is choosing not to go do things or go ride. The shelter in place mandates have finally made a difference here in the numbers of people out and about. But it's no ghost town by a long shot. We needed some supplies so I went out yesterday for the first time in a while. Mask and a fresh pair of gloves for each stop. Tossed the gloves in the trash after loading the car. Did the full monty on the groceries at home and then tossed all the clothes I wore in the laundry and took a shower to hopefully do the best I can to protect my wife. Fairly low numbers reported here in our county, but still a lot of movement of people, so it's all a crap shoot.

As for staying home, there is always something to do. If it dries out a bit I'll get more yard work done.

On the odd thing of the day, trash pick up hasn't occurred... Normally they are here by noon and are a no show so far at 5:30 pm.

 

[Sierra1]

Oh yeah, another rant. . . . the amount of people taking precautions, like Eric, with masks and gloves. But, unlike Eric, leaving those same gloves, and masks on the ground or in the cart so the already overworked grocery workers have to clean them up.

 

[EricV]

Don't get me started on the littering here in MS. It's appalling. And the near complete lack of recycling.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I have a boat so ranting isn't necessary. I go into every project with an estimate for time and cost, then triple it at least. And with the direction of the economy I probably am going to get stuck with a boat that can't be sold.

Meanwhile, when people complain about young people, millennials, etc, I always remember this painting created by a colleague at the NTSB who I had the fortune to work with for a long time:

 

[ballisticexchris]

Oh yeah, another rant. . . . the amount of people taking precautions, like Eric, with masks and gloves. But, unlike Eric, leaving those same gloves, and masks on the ground or in the cart so the already overworked grocery workers have to clean them up.

Don't get me started on the littering here in MS. It's appalling. And the near complete lack of recycling.

Same thing here!! People cannot even walk 10' to the trash can. I can barely walk and shoulder is screwed up. I throw my trash away. I will say this week was a bit better at social distancing at the store. One at a time at the checkout with next customer behind the marked red lines.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Good for you Chris.

Hope you are referring to Sierra1 as Robert, as my time on Navy boats was limited to days or weeks at a time on the ARS salvage ships Grasp and Grapple and a couple command ships. I would be a poor fit for what the submariners do.

 

[Sierra1]

This rant is connected to the thread about buying a Tenere with 50K miles, but I thought it would be better to put it here.

We always hear about "German engineering". Implying that it's vastly superior to. . . . what? American engineering? British engineering? Surely not Japanese engineering? Yet we never hear about a company bragging about Japanese engineering. Why not? How long has the Honda Accord/Civic reliability been the standard? (personally, I believe their quality has dropped over the years) Honda brags about Honda engineering, but not by country.

But, I'm so tired of VW/BMW commercial touting their superiority, when any Japanese car/motorcycle will perform as well. . . . at a lower cost. Even American cars have become efficient & reliable. Of course that is due, largely, to Japanese engineering. (with a little Bosch tossed in here & there)

I don't expect perfection. From anyone, or anything. And, I guess that where my bitterness stems from. When I am charged a premium price, but don't get a premium service or product. . . . But, I've never had a car/bike that was made in Japan, leave my stranded on the side of a road. I can't say that about certain German and American vehicles that I've had.

A GSA can be $10k more than a Tenere. Which means, that if I shop around, I can get TWO Teneres for the price of one German engineered GSA. Now, I'm not wanting to offend y'all that love your Beemers; to each their own, and I respect your decision. But, I will bet that my low rent "Jap bike", will go just as far, as fast, and as well. . . . for a lot less dollars per mile.

 

[WJBertrand]

Yeah, so far I've not been impressed with "German Engineering". They seem to add extreme complexity for relatively small functional gains (on the drawing board at least) then in the real world, end up have too many points of opportunity for failure, are hard to work on without a myriad of special tools, and cost excessive amounts of $$$ to repair.

 

[tallpaul]

The BMW costs twice the price because you ARE buying two bikes. You're buying the one you're riding and the one that is all the warranty parts that you're going to need. Mr used buy is getting the joy of playing the opposite of Russian roulette, in that 5 chambers are loaded and is highly likely to get shot for a hefty repair bill at some point.

 

[SilverBullet]

Yeah, so far I've not been impressed with "German Engineering". They seem to add extreme complexity for relatively small functional gains (on the drawing board at least) then in the real world, end up have too many points of opportunity for failure, are hard to work on without a myriad of special tools, and cost excessive amounts of $$$ to repair.

That is why I only use the term "German over engineering"

Over engineered to the point where margin of error and reliability are compromised.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[VRODE]

I consider German engineering to be innovative (as far as the car/motorcycle industries) but at a cost. In many cases, the consumer is the beta tester for these innovations and quite a few of them don't live up to their promise. It appears to me they could use better/more R & D in the process.
Also, I believe they are generally slower to admit to any design flaw and correct a problem ('You are not using/maintaining it correctly!")

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Next month summer begins...and it is #@! snowing at my house right now.

Yes, it is only flurries, and yes, I do live on a small mountain, but did I mention it's #@$%! summer next month!??!!!

2020 sucks so far!!!

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . A mask is not the total solution, however; I do believe any face covering is beneficial.

Agree, but reducing the odds as you put it it a good thing. On another note, but to reduce the odds of an accident or crash in this case.. what can one do to reduce the odds or chances of having an accident. . . .

2.) Wear hi-viz PROTECTIVE GEAR, boots, pants with armor, jacket with armor, quality riding gloves and of course an approved helmet. . . .

You're absolutely correct. We wear all the gear. . . . to prevent injuries. . . . because we don't know when/if today is the day we get in a crash. We wear seatbelts. . . . to prevent injuries. . . . because we don't know if today is the day. So. . . . why wouldn't we wear a mask face covering. . . . to prevent infection. . . . because we don't know who we're going to come in contact with? NOTHING is 100% guaranteed reliable/effective. ATGATT. . . . is not a guaranty that you won't get splatted. I just don't understand why people, especially motorcycle riders, would be against face coverings. Yes, I understand some are better than others. . . . get the best one you can, or want.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I'm going to go to the one store I know of that wants face coverings... wearing my helmet.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Next month summer begins...and it is #@! snowing at my house right now.

Yes, it is only flurries, and yes, I do live on a small mountain, but did I mention it's #@$%! summer next month!??!!!

2020 sucks so far!!!

I was mowing the lawn when that snow fell and was shocked too!
Craziness!

 

[Sierra1]

I saw an article today. . . . that made me madder than I've been in . . . . well, a minute or two. Does anybody, including our brothers from another mother-land, see anything RACIST in this photo?

Apparently, in California, there have been protests over this picture because of it's racist content.

This 23 year old woman . . . . is a murdered police officer. She was working a crash, when a man rode up on a bicycle. . . . and shot her. He was not involved in the crash, or anybody in the crash.

The article goes on to say that the black & white flag, with the blue stripe. . . . is becoming associated with racism.

In a somewhat associated article, it was revealed that the San Francisco Chief of Police. . . . Bill Scott . . . has issued an order that no officers, on duty, will wear a face mask in the image of the black & white flag, with the blue stripe. He is worried that the symbol may be perceived as "divisive and disrespectful".

 

[Don in Lodi]

I haven't been able to figure out that mind set. The Thin Blue Line means something completely different to me.

 

[Nikolajsen]

No, I don't see anything racist there.
I'm surprised that anybody can..
(that man must be very sick)

 

[Paletes3]

I don’t seem any racism there. I see a public servent killed in the line of duty by some POS. Racism is on the eye of the beholder. If you’re a racist or a victim of racism you’ll see racism everywhere.
This millennial society wants everything black on white but denies black and white. Go figure.

 

[Tenman]

The shooter was some low life that was loaded on something with mental problems. No matter what race he is. He needs to be terminated. There is always somebody going to try to twist things around for their personal reasons or just to get some sh^t started. Burns my a$$