Strange Hungarian Customs

[Lotsokids]

SERIOUSLY... I'm getting weary of seeing all the Hungarians pushing their bikes. On a daily basis I see it. What in the world??? Just leave the bike at home and walk to where you're going. Am I the crazy one? Just this week I almost hit a couple guys with my car. They were both walking their bikes side by side down the road. That takes up a lot of space, especially on a 2-lane road with a car coming in the other lane!

I need to start taking pictures so you all can get a better visual of this mass hysteria.

[RichBaker]

Have you aked anyone why they do it? Sounds bizarre.....

[Dan Filetti]

Maybe they are saving their tires from all that excessive wear associated with riding?

Just guessing...

Dan

[Lotsokids]

Have you aked anyone why they do it? Sounds bizarre.....

Yeah, I asked a Hungarian friend why they do that. He just said, "Where do you see them walking their bikes?" He kind of said it like he was in denial or something. I said, "Everywhere!" The only thing he could tell me is that it is illegal to ride your bike in the center of town in the walking street. We're talking about a 1/4 mile area. During the whole conversation he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. Maybe because that's normal for them.

"C'mon, kids, let's take a walk... grab your bikes." 

[Lotsokids]

Speaking of bicycles... a couple of my friends bought bikes here. They are VERY expensive here. What you would find at Wal-Mart for $80 is about $200 here. Most bikes are in the $400 - $500 range. Remember, these are just basic bikes. I went with a friend to buy a bike at a sporting goods store. They seem to be very serious about making sure everything is perfect. They put it on a stand and carefully calibrate and measure everything for about an hour. You don't just walk in, buy one, and walk out with it.

[Mark Olson]

wow, are the bikes not assembled correctly in the first place so they gotta check them again before they leave the store? Maybe this is a job security thing.

[Lotsokids]

wow, are the bikes not assembled correctly in the first place so they gotta check them again before they leave the store? Maybe this is a job security thing.

They seem to be assembled sufficiently. They just do the tweaking you normally do on a bike when you get it home - like setting the gear shifter and brakes... I'm not sure what else, but they spend about an hour on it.

Another note: The Hungarian government taxes businesses on their stock on hand, so stores don't have a lot of stuff readily available. Like at furniture stores, many times you have to tell them what you want, then they start making it.

One last thing. Hungary was under Communism until 1989. Some of this way of life and thinking is still around. A friend of mine said, "Communism has always been an enemy of liberty." There's real truth in that. If you could spend a week here with me in my little town, you would see it, too. Hungarians here are unmotivated, I guess. Maybe from the decades of getting beat down. I applied for a couple jobs back in the U.S., but my wife doesn't want to leave yet. She has more of Europe to see. Plus we have to save up for that new Camaro SS, remember?

[Mark Olson]

Yes the camaro, don't wait too long as it sounds like your are starting to lose your cheese.

[Lotsokids]

I'm taking a Hungarian driving refresher course today to prep me for the test. Here are some notes to study. Here's another time when the Europeans say, "Well, yeah..." and the Americans say, "What in the world???"

Enjoy!

Which way does the front of the car move when making a left turn? Left.  The rear? Right

How close do you get to the car in front of you before passing (blindly)? Close enough to stop safely if necessary.

Can you pass a motorcycle at an intersection?  Yes, as long as you don't cross the solid line.

Manual transmission, when do you have to downshift? Before 1/3 of the max RPM. When do you shift up? 2/3 of the max RPM.

When the weight of the car goes up, the balance of the car goes down.

In a residential area can you use a bicycle? Yes.

What are the mandatory items for a car?
             a.   Spare bulbs (for each type of bulb in your car)
             b.   Triangle reflector
             c.   First aid kit
             d.   Vest if you leave vehicle

Minimum length of rope to tow a vehicle? Long enough to turn without hitting the towing car.

Do you need to have windshield wipers on in heavy rain? Yes all the time

Car Systems Must check daily:
            a.   Lights: Check to see if they are not broken.
            b.   Operating temperature of the car is 90 degrees C
            c.   Steering: freeplay no more than 5-15 degrees
            d.   Tires: Tread must have 1.6 mm. Same as on 1 axle winter/summer) and all one structure diagonal or radial.
            e.   Brakes: Resistance in 1st 1/3 good, not until last 2/3 (means brakes worn) and all the way to the floor need fluid (do not drive). If brakes are "spongy" this means there is air in the system. You must dry brakes after they are wet from a wash.
            f.   Battery: Cover all cells with 10-15 mm of "ionized water (distilled water)

When do you know your steering wheel is not working? When it is hard to move

When are you endangering some one? When you are endangering them!

If the car in front of you stops you don't crash. This is how far you can follow.

How can you get information while driving? The mirrors.

How do you lift your leg while driving? Slowly and steadily.

[mz_rider]

I did my motorcycle test in 1975. After the riding part the examiner asked me a few questions on the Highway Code, identifying road signs etc. The last question, however, caught me out a bit. "How would you carry a passenger on your motorcycle?" I said "eh... on the rear seat.... eh... facing forwards....eh...feet on rests....eh....wearing a helmet..." This must have been ok since I passed the test.

Stuart (Glasgow, Scotland)

[Flying Scotsman]

Stuart I had to ask since your from Glasgow are you a Blue nose.

[mz_rider]

Stuart I had to ask since your from Glasgow are you a Blue nose.

I don't have much interest in Scottish football (soccer) I was brought up near Paisley and going to see St Mirren in my youth nearly put me off for life. Nowadays I enjoy watching the English Premier League matches on Saturday night TV.

Stuart

[Flying Scotsman]

Stuart I lived near Paisley.I went to Paisley Grammer school.Lived in Elderslie and Kilbarchan.Moved to England when i was 12 .I used to go see Man u when i was in England.I am still A Blue nose to this day.Rangers and Manchester United are my 2 British teams.

[mz_rider]

Well it's a small world. I lived in Barrhead and also went to school in Paisley - the John Neilson High School. My brother lives in Kilbarchan. I now live in Newton Mearns.

Stuart

[Flying Scotsman]

Cheers mate,lets give lotso kids  his thread back.