The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

How is This Related to Motorcycles?

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Amazingly enough, the “How is this related to motorcycles?” question pops up every now and then, sometimes in a comment, sometimes in an email from a reader who clicked over to The Kneeslider expecting (demanding?) to see a motorcycle and instead is confronted with some new high tech innovation or even (gasp!) something with 4 wheels. It always surprises me and to some extent disappoints me when they ask about why I’m writing about a topic they feel “shouldn’t be on The Kneeslider” because it doesn’t fit their idea of what is proper, and, though I understand what they’re saying, I have never been in that crowd and I have a hunch most of you aren’t either.

The more technically aware you are, the more you know how everything interrelates. If you really enjoy knowing how things work, every bit of extra knowledge adds to your arsenal when you approach a new problem. Advances in one field can quickly find applications all over, and beyond seeing how this new development may apply to motorcycles, sometimes it’s just so cool, just finding out about it is justification enough to post it here.

Knowledge isn’t compartmentalized in the real world, it’s continuous, there’s no such thing as chemistry, physics, biology or math until we start to classify and group similar bits and pieces of things we’ve figured out into tidy little units. Everything is related, that’s what makes the world interesting and it’s why I sometimes seem to stray so far afield from the world of “motorcycles.” If you read something here and can’t see the connection to motorcycles and wonder if it is, the answer is yes, it’s always yes. Always.

If you want a fascinating and highly entertaining illustration of this continuity, check out James Burke’s famous “Connections” TV series. (Geez, I loved that series!) If you like science and technology and haven’t seen those shows, you’re REALLY missing out. Excellent production!

So, am I just preaching to the choir with this short post? Probably, because most of you don’t need to hear this, but the next time I get one of those comments or emails, now I have something to refer them to.

Posted on Filed Under: Kneeslider

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Comments

  2. Don’t let anyone tell you different , I have always seen the kneeslider articles as being directly relevant to motorcycling. You run a fine site Paul.

  3. I read The Kneeslider exactly because it’s about things that aren’t motorcycles, but that relate to motorcycles. I love the technology, the 3 wheelers, the 4 wheelers, discussion of engineering and fabrication, and even the infrequent culture pieces. What a great blog!

  4. The question shouldn’t be “How is this related to motorcycles?” but “How can we relate this to motorcycles?” That way, ANY subject brought up on The Kneeslider (love the new logo!) can inform and entertain us. Keep bringing the world of technology to us, Paul, and we’ll find ways to apply it to our favorite mode of transportation.

  5. Well, being as well rounded and as functionally informed as any lay person that also aspires to being a “jack of all trades”..

    I also read several science related blogs, including the LHC and related posts. Most of it is well beyond my intimate university education, but in ref to @Kneeslider position:

    I often disagree with the rather distant connection between your choice in articles and the reality of motorcycles. Perhaps your mental machinations are far more complex than mine. But using your argument of greater generalized education and discussion, then should you also include in a motorcycle blog the NASA complied and derived results of molecular origination of matter as a plausible discussion of frame metallurgy? You can extrapolate this argument to an infinite number of “related” issues with absolutely no argument on the “general” principle as outlined in your question.

    But that’s king of like saying steel is made from iron ore, so we should discuss mining and refining procedures.

    Or since mopeds are a form of two-wheeled transports, we Kneeslider should present all available trends infinitum that might arise from 49cc engines.

    Certainly these are extreme examples, but to delimit the argument you present, it’s valid. This is billed as a MOTORCYCLE blog, and hence I submit that extraneous postings about 4 wheeled, water-borne, or non-MOTORCYCLE articles are off base and deserving of another forum.

    The conversations go as the deserving articles present facts of motorcycledom..those with machining expertise comment on technicalities of production..other regulars contribute meaningful commentary on the aspects of virtual design…but my point is that YOUR presentation is sometimes a little bit astray of anything truly meaningful of the motorcycle experience in anything more than the most strained exaggeration.

    I’d rather not see four-wheeled, and with only limited exception three-wheeled, articles. Not to keen on anything that flies/skims/mowes/cuts/chews/operates by/ a motorcycle engine unless it is actually a motorcycle!

    But hell, I’d also rather not have Kneeslider! Thanks, enjoy the condemnation as well as the praise.

    AND SICK TO MAINSTREAM MOTORCYCLE ISSUES! I’ll check the other blogs myself, thank you very much!

    • Wow..perhaps an occasional article on “things wound too tightly” would be beneficial…

    • Sound’s to me like you need to go get your own blog. This is not a public works. It’s some guys interest in motorcycles and other stuff published on the internet. Frankly, The Kneeslider has to appeal to no one but himself. We choose to come or not as we wish. Have at it Paul. No complaints here.

  6. I see this type of comments about almost any specialty website. I, for one appreciate the items posted on “Kneeslider” that are not connected to motorcycling. Sometimes these specific technologies or subjects eventually creep into our field over time. I love the topics on here. Keep up the good work. Quite unique website actually. Thanks!

  7. And forgive my mispellings and other errors…having difficulty regulating my new meds vs hitting the submit button…fading now..seeing colored dots…gone

  8. JustThunkin says; “…and hence I submit that extraneous postings about 4 wheeled, water-borne, or non-MOTORCYCLE articles are off base and deserving of another forum.
    Are you also adamant enough about this to complain at the auto parts store because they offer candy bars for sale? Or do you lose it when you see the grocery store selling patio chairs? ad-infinitim…

    It doesn’t cost anything here for looking, and if you don’t like what you’re looking at on a certain day, go away, and come again later, but to take the time to write regarding someone’ free blog with such a trivial matter is ridiculous!

    I’ve never met Paul Crowe, and may never do so, however I admire his effort, his enlightenment, and understanding that as Paul says; “Knowledge isn’t compartmentalized in the real world”.

    Thanks for all you do Mr. C.!!!

    F. Ed Knutson

  9. I’ve never complained with the material posted on The Kneeslider. Only criticism I do have is the comment section. I used to comment regularly, but it’s a pain having to input info for my name, email, website every time I log in, then have to do the spam check. I would suggest looking into using Disqus, it’s used on a lot of blogs and websites. Check out Bike Exif to get an idea.

  10. Hey – it’s your column – write what you like! I happen to like what you write and that’s why I read regularly. The one thing that gets my dander up is the negativity that always follows in comments (here and elsewhere) when small engines or economical machines are discussed (especially e-bikes and e-cars). I just don’t get it. Sure, a V-12 or turbine bike is impressive. So are the current TTX machines, or folks who ride 50cc machines long distances. It’s all good!

  11. Haters gonna hate anyway.
    Keep up the good job, it’s your home here, you should be able to write what you want without being criticized.
    Greetings from France!
    ;]

  13. I am one of those people who you mention visiting this blog for years. I believe it to be the best example of wide and varied views of not only motorcycles but of the technology and inovations that come from or go to motorcycle production. I like to think of myself as a bit of a casual inventor, always searching for that last piece of tech or wizardry that will pull an idea together. On this site i have seen many ideas that spark my imagination and motivation to create. I especialy like the non motorcycle articles, they offer something the mainstream cookie cutter blogs can’t offer and they require you to think, wonder and comment on how that tech, idea or vision may affect motorcycling, its community and other speed addicted fans. Great writing, great articles and passion for things that go fast! Not everyones peice of cake perhaps, but you cant please everyone! (would love to see more motorcycle powered cars and aircraft!)

  14. Funny you should write this. Last night my 13 yr old son complained about how boring science was. I thought about it and said well yeah it CAN be – and probably IS depending on how it’s taught. But science is not just a subject at school. It is part of every thing you do.

    My son loves playing cricket and is a very good bowler. I said to him that every time he bowls a ball (like pitching in baseball!) he uses science to affect how the ball moves. He is using aerodynamics and basic physics to bamboozle the batter. And now that it’s winter here in Australia he’s playing Aussie football and using science to affect the way the ball moves when he kicks it.

    It’s exactly the same with your column. Everything is related. What affects one piece of technology affects others too. If we ignore auto technology we miss out on fuel injection and ABS, for starters! Where do you draw the line?

    I think you do a good job! I especially like your admiration for people who do stuff. Let those complainers complain. Complaining is easy. Doing is hard.

  16. Well the name of the site used to be The Kneeslider: motorcycle news and technical developments. Now it’s just motorcycle news for positive people, maybe you should change it back. Let people know what The Kneeslider is about.

  17. If I didn’t like the content, I wouldn’t be visiting the site! I love it.

    I also love a bit of variety, expand the mind and find some possibilities. Hear about the guy that never makes mistakes? He does a lot of nothing… Experiment, explore and implore. Good job, keep it up!

  18. Totally! That piece on the cardboard bike helmets for a recent instance. I never would have seen that except for here. Please keep on keeping on!

  19. I loved the Connections series too, and I have the companion books. That brings one of the favorite questions that my colleagues here at the state public radio ask at the end of each of our professional discussions; “So what does this have to do with motorcycles?”

  20. Please continue with the current quality of content !
    I think all your articles are well enough related to motorcycle (and usually well written, too, that’s a plus), even those that deals about random things.

    As soon that any technology, safety device (or whatever you can imagine) can be applied to (or help to understand) a light vehicle, it IS related to motorcycle !

    It is important to think “outside the box”.

  21. Hey,, it’s your blog, if someone doesn’t like your subject, they are not obligated to visit.
    you, however are obligated to write whatever subject interests you.

  22. I think that’s the interesting thing about the site, not often perceived: the content is related not to the way motorcycles are, but the way motorcycles can be. Be it from a big corp. or a garage-wrenching guy.

    Keep up posting! Greetings from São Paulo, Brazil

  24. I forget how I found this site 5 or 6(?) years ago, but I’m glad I did.
    Also, in terms of aesthetics, this site and bikeexif are 2 of the best looking and easiest to read on the web. Content here is a little richer.
    Nothing wrong with being well informed!

  25. I read your blog because we both seem to share similar interests and you have a very easy style that is a pleasure to read. If I find something I am not interested in, I move on to the next entry. I also appreciate that your website is not bandwidth intensive. I also like that it is not necessary to login to post a comment. Continue the way you are sir.

  26. The Kneeslider has been on my favorites for a couple of years now. I don’t visit on a daily baisis but when I do visit I always ask my self “What does Kneeslider have for me today?” And I am never disapointed.

    Thank you Paul.
    ‘

  28. Your site is a pleasure to read. I can only imagine the amount of time and effort that is required to put together this destination blog! I have never found it to be “off topic” because the topic, as far as I can tell, is all about how technology is interesting and applicable to the lives of people who like to ride motorcycles. I frequently send people to this blog because I have seen things that make me want to just go build something and/or ride a bike. Please keep up the excellent work!