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Survival and Preparations Long and short term survival and 'prepping'. |
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#41
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At least you got one thing right.
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#44
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Im the OP! Almighty Lord of this thread!
Keep the jokes coming, I like. You guys know about the fires, the air sucks here. I was thinking..... if I bike, I'll prolly get suffocated. I have a nice mask tho, north silicone half mask with P100 and Organic vapors filters. |
#45
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KLR650 - although it is a little heavy.
I got one because it has one of the largest fuel tanks available. I think mine holds 7.5 gallons. I 250cc to 400cc air-cooled four-stroke with a large (5+ gallon) fuel tank would be better as a survival motorcycle. The only bad thing is no bike that size has a large tank. 3 gallons is about as large as you can get for those bikes. .
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Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you. In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it. I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth. |
#47
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First you have to ask yourself would you be comfortable riding in traffic with your son on the back of a motorcycle.
As far a bug-out vehicle a motorcycle has better mobility than a car. You are out in the open and have less of view behind you. A car provides at least a short term barrier. I drove to Lincoln City Oregon for the eclipse, the total gridlock for hours on Hwy 5 and other roads changed my thoughts on SHTF evacuation. You could move through a peaceful gridlock on a motorcycle but be limited on the amount of stuff you bring. With angry combatants you would be toast. I realized that if something major happened it would probably be prudent to stand and fight at home unless the property was completely destroyed.
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#48
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I think a bike is a great SHTF option. But it's an option not perfect in every scenario. Localized disaster and need to get to friends or family's house and avoid traffic, great. Looking at my area, Paradise fires, Oroville dam (didn't actually break) a bike would have worked but I would have had to leave most of my stuff. But it would have been a fast way out avoiding traffic, certainly better than my 2wd car. I also think you gota think of cost. A old XR or KLR will be cheap to own, maintain and insure. But is a bike guna get a family out, nope. Not for everybody.
I guess it's a lot different when I'm talking about avoiding traffic than someone in LA. I mean the whole county here is like 200k people, much less in my town. And there generally aren't snipers picking people off from the hills in the natural disasters I'm talking about. |
#49
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I've been riding for nearly 30 years and people are only getting worse on our streets, I can only imagine what it's going to be like when the system breaks down.
Thoughts: You want a smaller bike like a 250 as they are smaller and more nimble if you have to take the path less taken. Unfortunately with small bikes comes a small tank. 2-3 gallons at best, maybe 100-150 miles when full. KLX250 (2.0gal) XT250 (2.4gal) XR250, XR400 (2.4gal, 2.5gal) When you get in the bigger bikes like the KLR650, XT650 etc, the tank gets larger but so does fuel consumption. Then you get to the adventure bikes like the GS1200 and AT1000. These are still range limited to around 150-200 miles on one tank. Of course mileage is also dependant on weight. The more the weight the lower the fuel economy. |
#50
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Ktm just busted out there 790 adventure prototype, supposed to hit next year. A twin cylinder lc4 engine, 800 cc, very off road worthy, highway friendly. Can't wait. Been waiting for a worthy adventure bike that was huge like the rest of them. The BMW GS 1200 is stupid big, as is the ktm 1290 adventure.
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#52
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Honestly, if money were no object and you needed something unassuming, stealth-ish and could go the distance (100+ miles on a single charge)
I'd would buy one of these when they go to production: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...36-miles-on-on |
#53
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I remember this. NO cars were driving across the city. ONLY motorcycles were able to......and were. Nobody was shooting them and they were used very successfully to get through the gridlock. Not saying in a bad enough situation you won't be riding a target, but those who claim there will be no advantage and you'll just be a target have read too many zombie books.
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#54
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A stock KLR650 will get 50 mpg, or it did back 15 years ago when they sold real gasonline. Modified KLR650 bikes will gt between 40 and 48 mpg depending on mods. .
__________________
Be sure to ask your doctor if depression, rectal bleeding, and suicide are right for you. In the United States a person's expertise on a subject is inversely proportional to their knowledge of the subject: The less they know about something, the more they become an expert on it. I am being held hostage in a giant insane asylum called Earth. |
#55
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I have been riding motorcycles since I was 9. I have ridden Motocross, Trails, Off road, On road, Dual Sports, Sport Bikes, Standards, Cruisers, etc in all types of weather and terrain. I have an old bike that would run without electronics, a small bike that would maneuver easily and gets great gas mileage, a 2 stoke off Road bike that will go anywhere (I could jump a fallen bridge with a small passenger as long as the gap is 20ft or less), as well as a newer touring bike complete with comms, quiet baffled exhaust, a blackout switch to kill all lights (including brakes), a red LED than could be used for "blackout driving", and I always keep a weapon, first aid kit, and basic supplies on board. Motorcycles are an integral part of my life and have been as long as I can remember.
So is there a scenario where I would use a motorcycle in a SHTF situation, sure. Have I gone a little out of my way to modify my bikes to be more useful in some scenarios, again yes. Can I envision a scenario where a motorcycle would be completely useless, still yes - that's why I also have a truck. Would I recommend a motorcycle as a prep, not if that's the only reason you are getting it. A motorcycle is only as good as the rider. No matter how good you are at sports or martial arts or whatever - if you do not have years of experience riding I would not recommend getting on a motorcycle in a potentially difficult & life threatening situation. On the other hand if you have an interest in motorcycles, and an interest in prepping, then why not indulge both? Even if the world as we know it does not end, think of all the time you will save by not sitting in rush hour traffic any more? |
#56
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My guess is the bike would never be where you needed it when you needed it. Unless you haul it around with you all the time like your BOB and emergency supplies in your car.
Oh, my quals, that seems important... yes, riding since before I was born! Ha! J/K, my mother was deathly afraid of motorcycles and reminded me until the day she died that she should have never let me buy that first one in 1970. One other thing to think about. If the only time you use something is when you absolutely need to use it, then it will only ever fail when you absolutely need to use it. If you do buy a bike, ride it regularly. As ChuckD says, it will improve your riding skill and confidence the more you ride. Also, the gas won't go stale and keep you from getting where you need to go. |
#57
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as for dual sports, i'm surprised the honda africa twin wasn't mentioned. while the new design isn't proven like the KLR's, i believe it is still a contender. especially in 2018 with the new sport trim that adds a bigger gas tank.
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#58
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#59
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Ask anyone from Caribou Maine if they think folks from San Diego California would last longer in any shtf situation with bad weather and all 9100 folks would say San Diego folks wouldn’t last 48 hours. Well maybe in 70-90 degree sunny weather z No motorcycles in any shtf scenarios. You won’t get far and can’t carry a lot not to mention Mother Nature will always win. Last edited by Endless; 11-19-2017 at 2:25 AM.. |
#60
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OP is talking about picking his kid up from school.... in traffic. Let's be honest, when the earth jiggles (the most likely scenario by far) everyone is going to be trying to get home or get their kids from school. The streets are going to be a mess. No one is going to be shooting or beaning motorcyclists for their bikes.
I'm in the same boat, the worst case scenario I have is that I'm 20 miles from my kid at work. In an earthquake I can get there almost entirely by trail. From home I'm 7 miles by bike path, almost never touching a street. In both of these situations both routes would relativity unobstructed and untouched by cars. A bike can shoot through green belts, bike paths, hiking trails, drainage ditches, fire road etc... If I'm home I'm riding my dual sport, if I'm at work I keep an old mountain bike in my shop and I have family that lives walking distance from my office that I'll borrow a bike from. |
#61
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I did look at the Africa Twin and just couldn't justify the price. Ended up with a 650 VStrom, 2012 was under 5k with the adventure package. It's a lot less of a dirt bike but does fine on fire roads and stuff. Another $150 for tools, air compressor, trauma kit and GTG. Sure I'd love to have the AT but I just couldn't justify the price. Everythings a compromise. Had no problem getting around the washed out road yesterday. IMG_6599 by Norcalkid, on Flickr Last edited by Norcalkid; 11-23-2017 at 9:47 AM.. |
#63
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DRZ400 > KLR650 > XR400
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God may have made men, but Samuel Colt made them equal. Send me pics of your: Colt Detective Special, AMT Hardballer, pre-64 Winchester Model 70. I'm looking for them. |
#64
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Your son would be safer waiting extra time for you than being on a motorcycle. Doesn't take a biker to know that.
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#65
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The main thing to remember, is that unless a nuke goes off, or something crazy, most people will remain fairly lawful during the first hours or days of a disaster. They assume that help is on the way. It would probably take days or weeks before people start running out of food and water, and start to panic. So having a motorcycle to get around in the city during those first few hours is a great idea. I also think a motorcycle is a great way to add extended range to your standard BOV. If you have a hitch-mounted MC carrier, you can take your motorcycle with you. So if you do run out of gas at some point, the bike can take you an additional 200-300 miles, with an extended range gas tank.
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#66
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I think people get too hung up on is a bike the best, is a pickup, sailboat, etc. I look at it as just another option. A 4x4 great, A 4X4, sailboat, motorcycle and an RV. That just gives you a few more options. No one option is perfect for all situations. Way I see it if you enjoy any of these may as well put a little thought into how your hobby toy can be used in an emergency if need be. If that never happens great. If it does happen you just have one more option to consider based on that exact situation. I don't think I'd buy and of the above just to park it and wait for a EMP or something.
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#67
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Two things, 1 - You would need to always be riding the motorcycle in order to have it available to get your son. 2 - Once you get your son, he has to be a passenger, so you always need to have his helmet on the bike with you. Are you prepared to become a full time motorcycle rider? My suggestion would be to get a Subaru, which ever model has the greatest ground clearance. You can drive over curbs, take the incline and short cut to the off and on ramps, and get thru obstacles that most other cars would get hung up on. Good gas mileage and comfortable on the freeway. In many ways they are better than a jeep or 4x4 pickup. Last edited by smittty; 12-05-2017 at 10:02 PM.. |
#68
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I have a dual sport that could be used to evacuate if necessary. Although it would have to be an last resort as you'd be a soft target on a motorcycle, especially going through congested areas at slow speeds.
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#69
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I've been thinking about adding a nice newer dual sport to my stable of bikes. The BMW's seem bulky & expensive, the Suziki VStrom is not "off road" enough, the KLR's are too "off road". I have always liked Triumphs, and have recently been looking at the Triumph Tigers. They have an 800cc or 1200cc model. They are priced under the BMWs but more than the Suzuki or Kawasaki. They are truly a bike that could be ridden long distance on the road, can go cross country, and has decent gas capacity.
Anybody else looked into these and has an opinion on them? Edit: I am refering to the XC models. |
#70
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They are FAR from "too off road" ! |
#71
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Interesting thread. I, like many on this thread have ridden since childhood.
These points from the thread make alot of sense. 250cc dirt bike scooter 650 enduro Not sure about electric, in the long term it might be harder to replace its source of energy vs gas which can be siphoned. mobility is important (lite and nimble vs an Ultra Limited Harley) gas mileage flexibility is needed but understanding that load bearing will have limits There are also motorized bikes to consider and I once owned an FZ900, it was a standard, lite weight, fast, nimble and tall. Crap gas mileage but that could have just been me riding it to extreme speeds. Remember gas is on the right hand so switch your carry to the left and practice no support, left hand shooting. Practice 2 up riding because the extra weight means longer stops. leave none essentials behind, laptops are non-essential even if your job is IT. If your not riding it to work then you need to go home to ride it, plan your route and decide what will work best.
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Pennys Dad Ps 25:4-5 NLT Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. |
#72
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Still no opinions on the Tigers? |
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