helicopterjim R.I.P.

I do believe it is the responsibility of the rider/operator to be aware of their own abilities but as for society being responsible, I have a hard time with that too! I fly helicopters for a living. Ninetynine percent of my flying is heli-logging wich many people perceive as being extremely dangerous. A study by the Transportation Safety Board of canada has shown it is the safest sector of aviation except for airlines. The main reason is that only experienced, qualified and trained pilots move up to flying these incredibly powerful aircraft. New pilots start out with low powered machines, receiving extra training and close supervision. Since biking is not a business the onus is on the rider to make himself aware of his qualifications. Therefore I have no problem with a government instituting a graduated licence system that ensures that bikers have training and start out on smaller bikes until they can prove their abilities. It will never be perfect but surely better than letting loose a novice on a 180 hp sportbike. "A man's gotta know his limitations". Clint Eastwood "Learn to do by doing". 4H Club "Learn from the mistakes of others! You will never live long enough to make them all yoursef". Vortex (helicopter safety letter) P.S. I know three heli-logging pilots who have been killed. One as a passenger in a non-helilogging accident, one whilst driving to work and smashed into by a stolen van and the third as a passenger in a car driving home from work - the driver fell asleep and rolled the vehicle. None of them contributed to the accident that brought their demise in any way.

The Swedish Police had this vehicle/bike "cleaned out" on completion of their investigations and put it back together to show what can happen in a motorcycle accident. The Honda rider was traveling at such "very high speed", his reaction time was not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. Swedish Police estimate a speed of ~250 KM/h ~ before the bike hit the slow moving car side on at an intersection. At that speed, they predicted that the riders reaction time once the vehicle came into view wasn't sufficient enough for him to even apply the brakes. The car had two passengers and the bike and rider were found INSIDE the car. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact and landed 10 feet from where the collision took place. All three involved (two in car and rider) were killed instantly. This graphic demonstration was placed at the Stockholm Motorcycle Fair by the Swedish Police and Road safety Department. The sign above the display also noted that the rider had only recently obtained his license.

Maybe he will want to ride the Ducati sooner if Capirossi keeps doing better lap times at Assen!

I am curious to know if you are operating your bike close to sea level. I found on the dyno run that my MGS is running very lean. The test was done at sea level and I am presuming that the bike was set up for whatever Mandello or Ghezzi's shop is at - much higher in elevation. I will be purchasing a PCIIIusb for my bike and plan to work with a local tuner and RacerX to devlop some maps for the MGS. If you are interested I suggest that you contact RacerX. The more input we get the better the maps we can develop.

He is Italian so he probably has to explain it using his hands. It would be impossible on the forum unless he uses video.

The 2 Wheel Freak site is quite interesting. I discovered that someone did try to race an MGS in Formula Extreme last year!

Try the closest Buell dealer. The colour is a bit smokier but the price is a lot cheaper! If you buy the whole assembly it is more flexible and durable.

He is about the same height as me - 177 cm!

I guess you have not seen the guy at Trev Deeley Buell in Vancouver wheelstand a full dressed Harley. Wheelies are not necessarily a function of power but of skill and technique. However power wheelies are fun too!

Too bad because all you need are V11 pegs to eliminate the forward set of the pegs and it is just right. The engine is amazing but has so much mechanical noise it sounds almost as bad as the dry clutch on my Ducati Monster!! (not that I mind either)

Ouch! But then a bike is no damn good if you don't ride it! Glad to hear you are okay!

Try Quiz 29

That is so true!!!!

Really!!?? I didn't know that!!

Well I knew there was a couple of 5's in there.

It sounds like Piaggio would like to see Guzzi go away. I wonder what Ivano Beggio is doing now. Maybe he will find backers and take it over.

Low voltage from the battery?

I'll have to check with SportbikeTrackDays.com to see how far the nearest track is.

The rear shock was adjusted a bit but is still way off. I have booked in with an Ohlins tech who will go over both the front and rear set up. I have already reqested the dyno run file so will send you a copy. The bike is very lean up to 7000 rpm (sealevel here) so may get a powercommander. Didn't get much time to myself as it poured rain for half the day but so far the power is wonderful and the bike has shown no bad habits except it turns very quick and it needed lots of steering damper. It feels lighter than my Ducati Monster.

Dyno results.

This link is to photo's of my MGS at Mission Raceway. MGS

Goffredo Is Gianfranco no longer contesting the Italian Supertwins? He won the first race but I do not know if he was in the second race. Can you help me with information?

Which side is the 'back' and which is the 'belly'?

Unfortunately no! That helicopter will go over 200 mph - the one I fly will only go 160 mph. Plus I would rather be on the bike!

Watchin it live NOW! With my Aussie buddy! Half pissed too! Hope thats OK!