More beater bikes around?

[Michael Moore]

It is just my imagination, or are there more beater bikes out and about these days?

I kind of get the feeling that with gas hitting $4.33 at the local Arco more and more relics are coming out from under backyard tarps and being ridden around. There was a particularly tatty specimen broken down in Tam Junction this evening.

[duckwrench13]

Well, if it makes your theory any stronger, I can attempt to finish the 1973 Yamaha TX650 cafe that's been dragged across the country with me for the last 10 years. Damn thing's exactly as old as I am!! Same month and year!

[Vindingo]

It is just my imagination, or are there more beater bikes out and about these days?

I did just start working in the north bay recently...      No Im not going to wash it!   [moto]

[Popeye the Sailor]

more and more relics are coming out from under backyard tarps and being ridden around. There was a particularly tatty specimen broken down in Tam Junction this evening.

Was said relic on a Vespa? 


I've noticed many more bikes around.


Many of them, I've been fixing up.

[Juan]

A lot more bikes, and now by my apartment I've seen at least 4 new bikes. No to mention the gas station with a 4.99  this morning 

[Desmostro]

'tis the season.

What's funny is during the morning commute the old beaters always want to get a little race on.
I'm thinking, 'ok you win, wow you beat me across the intersection.'  ya! for you and your 600lb bike, white socks and brown shoes/ 3rd generation helmet. 

[Vindingo]

'tis the season.

What's funny is during the morning commute the old beaters always want to get a little race on.
I'm thinking, 'ok you win, wow you beat me across the intersection.'  ya! for you and your 600lb bike, white socks and brown shoes/ 3rd generation helmet. 

  that guy raced me yesterday too!

[Michael Moore]

'tis the season.

What's funny is during the morning commute the old beaters always want to get a little race on.
I'm thinking, 'ok you win, wow you beat me across the intersection.'  ya! for you and your 600lb bike, white socks and brown shoes/ 3rd generation helmet. 

Perfect description! LOL!!

When the weather turns chilly, he's often sporting a sweatshirt.

[Desmostro]

When the weather turns chilly, he's often sporting a sweatshirt.

  ONTFLMAO

[rafa]

I've been spotting a few 2stroke enduros in the mission,and dozens of mopeds!

[mbalmer]

So what exactly qualifies as a "beater" bike? Is it the age, condition, style?? My 2km750 is fairly dinged up and somewhat pieced together (though it is sound). It's my training bike for at least 4 more months before I invest in a shiny, pretty, new (used) bike. I plan to keep my present bike for riding to work. I don't think it is as likely to get swiped. I don't care if I ride a beater bike, I'm just curious what gives a bike that title and if it's a bad thing.

[TCK!]

So what exactly qualifies as a "beater" bike? Is it the age, condition, style?? My 2km750 is fairly dinged up and somewhat pieced together (though it is sound). It's my training bike for at least 4 more months before I invest in a shiny, pretty, new (used) bike. I plan to keep my present bike for riding to work. I don't think it is as likely to get swiped. I don't care if I ride a beater bike, I'm just curious what gives a bike that title and if it's a bad thing.

I'll tell you what isn't a beater bike.. a 1999 Ducati 748, with new tires, oil and brakes...  now if only someone was selling one... [/shameless plug]

[m0t0g0th]

Well, if it makes your theory any stronger, I can attempt to finish the 1973 Yamaha TX650 cafe that's been dragged across the country with me for the last 10 years. Damn thing's exactly as old as I am!! Same month and year!

i wouldn't mess with it if you're in unusually good shape for your age and experiences.
there was this Dorian Gray guy, maybe you've heard of him?  i dunno, just.. would make me cautious. 

back OT:
more bikes, bicycles and scoots seem to be all over, locally, and the apparent trend with guys at work is sending their kids to college and using the kids bike or scooter to get around.  i've had glove and riding-pants questions from people who really surprised me, but these folks live within 5 miles of work and are giving up the mini-van for the summer.  funniest is one who is sending the college-age daughter on some big family-then-europe trip and snaking her purple scooter {with crazy daisy stickers} with GLEE: meep meep, zoom! - and he's a 250# dude. 

yay Berkeley~

[Popeye the Sailor]

So what exactly qualifies as a "beater" bike? Is it the age, condition, style??

If you see someone getting on a bike, and you're surprised not only when it starts, but moves, then it's a beater.  [moto]

[Vindingo]

I have noticed a lot more mopeds around the city.  Mopeds could be the new "fixie" ... so hot right now