I was wondering if today’s comic needed a whole lot of explanation and therefore was thinking of a way to make it a lot clearer, when I realized that even if I did manage to make it absolutely clear the joke is lost on anyone who hasn never been on a motorcycle. So I decided to leave it as it was and take my chances.
On the other hand, if you have been on a bike at least once in your life then you might just understand what today’s comic is about; because when you get to ride a bike you understand why people love it so much. But beyond that, past all the coolness and the excitement, the very first thing you notice once you hop on a bike doesn’t make you feel cool, rough or manly at all.
It’s the weight.
Motorcycles are not so heavy that they’re unmanageable (well, some are… but most aren’t), but they are definitely a lot heavier than you’d expect. So if you’ve never been on a bike before and you finally get a chance to try one out the sudden weight of it grabs you by surprise, and it doesn’t really matter if you’re strong enough to hold it, the position you’re standing in really doesn’t work in your favor and most people end up with a bike laying on its side and a whole lot of embarrassment.
It rarely happens to people more than once, because after that you’re ready for it. But it happens to most of us the first time, and it’s something you never quite forget.
So anyway, if today’s comic isn’t funny to you, I apologize. But if like me, you hopped on your first bike “later” in life and had it go pretty much the same way, then you might just find the whole situation as laughable as I did.
In retrospect, of course.
Good hunting;
O
NOTE: I’ll upload pictures of my finished Halloween costume later today, once I’ve managed to sleep a while.
*chuckles* Yeah, I know what you’re playing at in this comic, O. Actually I was one of those lucky bastards who didn’t get into that situation. My first sit on a motorbike was at my neighbour’s who is absolutely into bikes (yet no “badass rocker”) and was luckily nice enough to warn me thoroughly of that problem.
And as it is, once you’re aware of a detail you never paid attention so far, suddenly you see it nigh everywhere. ^^
A bit harder way to let some one notice how much those things weight, lift them up on the truck and get them down. Bikes are easily managedable as long you don’t let gravity take over(she’s a bich, do’t you agree)
It’s actually the same thing with a bicycle, specially when the last time you hop on one was when you were seven years old. The weight isn’t the problem but gravity usually bring you down quite fast. What is the yellow-colored liquid ? Oil ?
Haha. I love it. So true!
Deadknight@ how about gas? The most embarrasing moment to this to happend to new rider would be on traffic lights.
And couldn’t spot a ninja anywhere….
the whole inside joke on the motorcykle wasn´t that funny, no. but Ravens comment at the end kinda felt like it made up for the lost joke of bike-weight^^
Didn’t happen to me first time on a bike and I’ve never seen that happen. Sitting on it stabilizes the bike.
When I got my bike license I would hang out at the driving area and I’d look at the noobs. Not one of them did the “bike dropping”. Most just lose control at the first figure 8 maneuver they attempt and go into a crazy wobble that smashes both the bike and the user into the asphalt.
Come to think of it this does happen to new riders at traffic lights. They pull up, the wheels aren’t straight, they stand up and promptly drop the bike because of the wierd position.
Probably happens more if you’re used to bicycles.
I thought the joke was gonna be somehting like O’s big head was making him lose balance…lol
Hahaha. Yes, I can imagine. While I’ve never been on a bike, I know they weigh around 300KG for a covered ‘race’ bike., ’cause i was looking up specs about them. Bloody heavy.
It never quite happened like the comic, but my first bike was a CBF1000 and it weighted 250kg. On my first ride, I go around the block, and when I stop, I just lean it too much, and it gets past the “point of no return”, which is that dreadful angle where you can hold the bike, but you can’t quite lift it back to the vertical position. Eventually, gravity wins XD
And things can get tougher when gravity wins. One day you might be on the highway, years of riding a bike under your belt, on a sunny wonderful day, riding formation with 4 pals who happen to be filming you trip, and your back tire skids on oil, you hit the ground, you ska (ska -> skying on your ass) to the railing, put your hand under it, and amputate your right arm off. Yep, I’m hip. My dismemberment is on youtube XD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y9Bv4vWVZc
That was like, 4 months ago, I intend to get back on the 2 wheel metal horse though, as soon as I’m able (or as able as I’ll ever be). Considering maybe a Z1000 this time.
(oops coorection, my first bike wasn’t a CBF1000. It was my first “real” bike. I had many years of practice on a 50cc when I was a kid for ex.)
That’s… uhh… I’m not sure if I have the proper word to describe it.
I will say. though, it’s quite a story. And I like your attitude towards it, specially the fact that you’re willing to hop back on as soon as you can. Thanks for sharing it.
On the other hand: a CBF1000? Awesome! I had a Vespa prove too much for me. A friggin’ wussy Vespa! (I love Vespas, though) And now a C1000? That’s incredible. I love those huge
bikes.
You didn’t think of the terry pratchet story of the assassins guild test? where the soon-to-be assassin puts on all his gear before the test, all the knives, the rope, the shuriken, the smoke bombs, the sword and he looks into the mirror seeing how awesome he is carrying all the stuff, slowly tilting to the left…
(i hope you don’t mind that my english is quite rusty)
I agree that a stop light or sign is really the most likely place for a first drop, but O has the right idea. Before you get on for the first time, you don’t realize how heavy a real motorcycle is and how little you can tip it before you can’t stand it up again. You have to be careful if you want to look cool on a stationary motorcycle.