Yet another reason not to live in the US

[Pugi]

Just came back from the US where I've spent a good 3½ weeks. They where spent in Texas, mostly Houston, where I also had the misfortune of ordering a pair if indicators for my bike. Apart from a total lack of enthusiasm for their products they also didn't order my indicators as promised so I ended up without. I took a few pics too and apart from the pig ugly cat, they also have an ugly looking black box left of the front cylinder. This does not only ruin appearance but is apparantly the vapourising cannister for the return fuel via the breather. That's the kind of regulations you get for driving everywhere. Apologies for poor picture quality, a spotty wee lad with influence told me that photographing was not allowed in the show room..?
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/Frenum/ux030.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/Frenum/ux031.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f150/Frenum/ux032.jpg

[emily's driver]

I noticed that they have a lambda probe into the cat. Their fuel emission regs make Euro 3 ones seem tame by comparison, though the probe is a feature on the S4RS, one of the reasons getting my Zard exhausts is taking so long Grrrrr! The American market machines are also festooned with decals warning you of just about everything. It's a wonder people have the nerve to get on a bike and ride one at all, if you took them all to heart. Sadly the dumbf**k "objects in the mirror may appear closer bla bla bla" one has begun to rear it's head on European machines in the last couple of years.

[MotoNik]

I used to own a Speed Triple and in the owners manual (yes, I really did read it!) it actually tells you that you should not attempt to EAT any part of your motorcycle!! I swear to god! Duhhhh??!

[Pugi]

I was also told that the tolerance against bikers were absolutely zero, far lower than here. If your caught pulling a wheelie or stoppie you go straight to jail, no matter what or where you did it. One guy told me he even got ticketed for 'excessive acceleration', comitting wreckless driving even though he never was over the speed limit! :shocked: