Riding in lightning

[dkazzed]

I left my bike home today with a threat of morning lightning that never materialized. I've heard of motorcyclists getting injured or killed by a lightning hit, but is it something to be concerned about? I'm kicking myself for chickening out a ride to work over a mere threat of lightning in the forecast and spending an astronomical amount of money on transit.

What's the rule of thumb? If the thunder comes over than 7 seconds after lightning, you're safe? We don't get much lightning around here, maybe one or two spectacular lightning storms every few years. I'm usually inside at home or at the office to enjoy the show.

[gn2]

As a rough guide the flash to bang time in seconds divided by five gives the distance to the strike in miles.

[maddiedog]

I wouldn't worry unless you're riding on top of a mountaintop with no trees around. The risk is astronomically low, especially because there are streetlights, buildings, and power lines that all provide a much more appropriate path to ground than you on a scooter with rubber tires.

The only time I ever worry about lightning is when I'm swimming at the ocean or in a pool. Even then, the risk is immensely low. One of my favorite memories with my wife is sitting in a hot tub on a cruise ship, sipping coffee in the middle of a massive typhoon. It was awesome.

[dkazzed]

Thanks. Ugh, I should have rode to work unless there was a warning issued from the government weather agency.

There's been a few deaths:

http://www.wsav.com/story/20700393/ligh ... motorcycle
http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3448606.shtml

And luck outs

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news ... ng-2260000
http://www.kptv.com/story/23352247/ride ... olt-on-i-5

[you you]

I left my bike home today with a threat of morning lightning that never materialized. I've heard of motorcyclists getting injured or killed by a lightning hit, but is it something to be concerned about? I'm kicking myself for chickening out a ride to work over a mere threat of lightning in the forecast and spending an astronomical amount of money on transit.

What's the rule of thumb? If the thunder comes over than 7 seconds after lightning, you're safe? We don't get much lightning around here, maybe one or two spectacular lightning storms every few years. I'm usually inside at home or at the office to enjoy the show.

It should be something you should worry about. I've been saying it for ages. Thank God it's finally happened. God bless you

Anyhow moving on.

Solar flares. Have you seen the physics? What have Honda done to protect us?

Idiots.

[WhiteNoise]

Florida Harley quins stay underneath overpasses on the highway during bad lightning. Me? I hid Bigger than that! I stayed indoors 15yrs there, I Saw enough. Not worth the risk. It is known to be the "lightning capital of the United States." Zap that!

[you you]

I'm not sure you can ride in lightning....

[gn2]

You definitely can

[Mel46]

To add to Dave's list of places not to ride during lightning storms, wide open spaces with nothing higher that you for miles.... you then become the convenient ground for lightning. There is still an open discussion as to whether the charge starts on the ground and reaches up, or in the clouds reaching down. It depends on the + or - charge, which one has the strongest pull and largest buildup of ions at that particular moment. That is why some people are lightning "magnets" and have been hit multiple times.

[relic]

Did gn2 mean riding a lightning
Vincent pictured and I think BSA made one too
summer has arrived here and I see a lot of riders sitting straight up on old time British bullets

[gn2]

Yep BSA did a Lightning but it was a very boring bike compared to the Vincent.

The vast majority of Bullets are from India.

[relic]

Since this board is listed as off topic I would like to continue
about Indian british bullets
I see here in Canada we can get a classic Royal Enfield

Fuel injected and electronic ignition
500cc single cyl

for less than a forza

[gn2]

I see here in Canada we can get a classic Royal Enfield

Fuel injected and electronic ignition
500cc single cyl

for less than a forza

The reason for that is the Forza is a far higher quality machine, much more versatile and reliable.
Faster too.
Royal Enfields are OK for hobbyists but absolutely no use at all for practical transport.

[you you]

I see here in Canada we can get a classic Royal Enfield

Fuel injected and electronic ignition
500cc single cyl

for less than a forza

The reason for that is the Forza is a far higher quality machine, much more versatile and reliable.
Faster too.
Royal Enfields are OK for hobbyists but absolutely no use at all for practical transport.

Gn2 has spoken, over 1.2 billion people are wrong

[relic]

I have to somewhat agree with Gn2
practical transport is one thing
the guy posted a picture of a Vincent
he can't be that staid