when terrorists nuke dc and the EMP wipes out most cars with their fancy electronic control modules, is my GS500 still going to run or is it toast too?

The ignition module will fail. But how likely is it that terrorists nuke DC?
There's probably 100 times more chance that you will fall down the stairs today.

Yes, in the event of a nuclear blast, your bike would still run.  Well, it would if it hadn't been melted into a puddle of plastic and metal and scattered over a couple of area codes by the blast itself.  Details....

i suspect i am far enough away from downtown dc that i would survive the initial blast.  it's the radiation i'm worried about

The electronic disturbance would interrupt any local electronic/magnetic ignition system. Old bikes with contacts would still run, though (Go Triumph!). Batteries would be useless, but you would be able to bump start if you didn't have a kick start (again, Go Triumph!).

(Sorry, I like Triumphs :dunno: ) :mrgreen:

I wouldn't rely on your neutral light or expect the starter to work... If I'm nuked I'll probably find a good donkey...

Never underestimate the power of an Ass...

haha, my 67 yamaha will come in handy then.

Another thing is you wouldn't need a working headlight.  It will glow in the dark.

Why worry about that?  There are many more possible things that could happen... like a plane flown into a nuclear powerplant.  When we lived near Plymouth powerplant I worried about that happening after 9/11

I think only semi-conductors (transistors, diodes, ...) are affected.

So you can build your ignition using electronic tubes (triodes, pentodes, ...) so you will be able to ride through the disaster.

D.

Quote from: johnThere are many more possible things that could happen... like a plane flown into a nuclear powerplant.  When we lived near Plymouth powerplant I worried about that happening after 9/11

The safety standards involved with American nuclear powerplants would preclude any sort of meltdown or the release of radiation. The reators are designed to fail shut(off).