Here’s the deal on that: As a new rider, you do not want a sport bike, period. Sport bikes typically have plastic covers (“fairings,”) high footpeg clearance for cornering, stubby, steeply raked “clip on” handlebars and a tucked-in riding position. They also have high horsepower (often, enough to easily wheelie the bike just by...
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It says on our Fed Funny Money that “this note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.” Except for paying tolls on government roads. In which case, it’s not. They won’t take your money. But they will force you to cart around an “easy pass” electronic receiver to pay your toll automatically....
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Cars are expensive – to buy and to operate. But bikes (and scooters) are inexpensive to buy and keep up. Most of them get much better gas mileage (50-plus MPGs) than the best hybrid or diesel-powered cars, too. And you can park them almost anywhere a bicycle would fit – so they’re ideal for...
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It’s interesting to note that while all-wheel-drive is spreading to virtually every type of car on the road, it’s becoming a rarity among minivans. As of 2011, only the Toyota Sienna still offers it. And there’s something else, too. You can now get a four-cylinder engine in the Sienna – a potentially more economical...
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The Bible says the poor are blessed in spirit – but they sure get short-changed when it comes to transportation. The Jeep-like VW Type 181 “Thing” - sold here for only two years, 1973-1974 – didn’t even come with carpeting. Or gauges (other than a speedo). You did get a couple of small indicator...
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Hyundai is trying to pull a Lexus with its new Equus. Back in 1989, Lexus kicked Mercedes and BMW in the nuts with the LS400 sedan. The LS was every bit as nice as a top-of-the-line Benz or BMW – maybe nicer. And best of all, it cost less. A lot less. On the...
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Owning a vintage bike is great – but there’s a catch. Many dealers won’t work on a bike that’s more than about ten years old (let alone 20 or 30) and even if they do, there’s no guarantee they’ll do a better job than you could. But there’s a 100 percent guarantee they’ll charge...
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Are older drivers by definition bad drivers? I doubt it. In all likelihood, today’s “bad old drivers” were also bad middle aged (and young) drivers. They didn’t become bad drivers because they got old; they were never good drivers to begin with. Old age just made them worse. And because the population has roughly...
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Wayne’s World immortalized the AMC Pacer, a car which defined the 1970s even more than a Bee Gees 8-track, the “Farrah” hairstyle, or the leisure suit. In fact, wearing a leisure suit and listening to a Bee Gees 8-track while driving a chiffon-yellow Pacer with wood panel accents to your job as assistant manager...
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Virginia’s gone nuts – again. This state – my state – has a thing for imposing grossly disproportionate-to-the-offense punishments. Oh, not on the cretins who murder, rape or even steal. It’s usually necessary to kill, rape or steal multiple times before my state begins to get cross-eyed. But god help you if you get...
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