Another biker death today...

[flomaster]

I can't help but see the doofus I work with who does 85 MPH everywhere he goes. He's been riding for 12 years. He claims he has run from the police before and will again since they can't keep up. No amount of graduated license will keep stupid people alive if they want to do things that make them dead.

I feel sorry for the guys who get cut off or run into, or someone pulls out in front of them. I don't have sympathy for people who let their speed exceed their ability.

There are always going to be idiots. Thats a given but a graduated license approach might not be too bad and bring the numbers down on fatal wrecks. many years ago when I was stationed in North carolina the base made you take the motorcycle safety course if you bumped up a certain amount of CC's. Of course there are 600's out there that can get you going as fast as any 1300 so you can only hope and pray riders would be more careful. I learned to ride on a 2 stroke 750 and in 20 years I never wrecked due to negligence.

 

[BS Gal]

The excitemement, adrenaline rush and the "because you can" feeling are sometimes overwhelming and/or addictive. I've been guilty of it myself. I don't always ride like that. Usually it's just to get away from traffic, and I know there are others that will ride like that for miles. Stupidity and Ignorance are all that I can figure as a reason why. I see it here in PA and Del, and MOST times, I see them riding like that without helmets, or a single thread of protective gear anywhere.

At least I ride with my helmet, and if I feel the need to tear it up a bit, I make sure the jacket, gloves, and boots, at the minimum, are put on. It's nothing short of riding irresponsibly to ride without. But no amount of riding gear can protect you if you "lock on" to an object such as a pole. THAT is experience and rider responsibility alone.

One thing that young or inexpereinced motorcycle riders do wrong in situations that come up fast is "lock on" to an object that they want to miss. You are ALWAYS supposed to look in the direction that you want to go. It's the only way to make the bike go that way. If you are looking at the pole, a hole, a ditch or even a car, you'll hit it.

Good post, PT. I've got the look in the direction thing pretty much down now. I'm actually looking to where I want to be, instead of "down the street." I really, really have to think about it and focus on it and I hear my instructer's voice in my head all the time, saying "TURN YOUR HEAD."

 

[dustin]

How does the tiered/graduated licensing work for Motorcyclists?

here is a good article on a counterpoint to tiered licensing

I agree with the writers last few paragraphs in that it is the training aspect that is important. not the regulation of engine displacement of the bike. But to that end I think they both go hand in hand as we stand now.

That and it would lower insurance rates....

I wish i could find the article the writer keeps referring to.

 

[RoseRed]

Guess you gotta look over your shoulder a bit now.

I get this joke!

 

[RoseRed]

Good post, PT. I've got the look in the direction thing pretty much down now. I'm actually looking to where I want to be, instead of "down the street." I really, really have to think about it and focus on it and I hear my instructer's voice in my head all the time, saying "TURN YOUR HEAD."

Were you and DR practicing figure 8's at the dead end yesterday afternoon?

 

[flomaster]

I get this joke!

I love these forums. Lots of insiders!!!!!

 

[edinsomd]

I'm curious about the rationale behind tiered licensing. Any 250cc street bike can kill you JUST as dead as a liter bike can.

Many countries require successful completion of riding skill courses prior to upgrading to larger displacement bikes, Japan come to mind. This includes entry level riders, which in most countries are NOT on 250s, think smaller. Unlike here, where Joe Squid can waltz into any stealership and ride out on the latest hyperbike, without even a motorcycle stamp on his license.
A lot of the cruiser set are scary, too, just at a slower pace. Some of these guys remember their youth, and purchase as much rolling thunder as they can afford, and ride off without even a basic safety course under their belt. These are the bikes you see parked out in front of the *place bar name here*.
A little education, respect, and knowledge flattens the learning curve.
Ed

 

[BS Gal]

here is a good article on a counterpoint to tiered licensing

I agree with the writers last few paragraphs in that it is the training aspect that is important. not the regulation of engine displacement of the bike. But to that end I think they both go hand in hand as we stand now.

That and it would lower insurance rates....

I wish i could find the article the writer keeps referring to.

I rode my Rebel around for about six months before I "graduated." I don't think it's a bad idea. Course, I don't weigh a big lot, so a 250 was okay for me. I also learned the basics on that bike. Clutch, throttle, brakes. It's not a BAD idea.

 

[dustin]

Many countries require successful completion of riding skill courses prior to upgrading to larger displacement bikes, Japan come to mind. This includes entry level riders, which in most countries are NOT on 250s, think smaller. Unlike here, where Joe Squid can waltz into any stealership and ride out on the latest hyperbike, without even a motorcycle stamp on his license.
A lot of the cruiser set are scary, too, just at a slower pace. Some of these guys remember their youth, and purchase as much rolling thunder as they can afford, and ride off without even a basic safety course under their belt. These are the bikes you see parked out in front of the *place bar name here*.
A little education, respect, and knowledge flattens the learning curve.
Ed

I believe in England the lads can start off on a 50cc bike at 16.

 

[dustin]

I rode my Rebel around for about six months before I "graduated." I don't think it's a bad idea. Course, I don't weigh a big lot, so a 250 was okay for me. I also learned the basics on that bike. Clutch, throttle, brakes. It's not a BAD idea.

and I congratulate you on training up to the level you're at today!

I started on a KLR250 dual sport and I still spooked the crap out out of myself a few times on that thing.

 

[RoseRed]

I love these forums. Lots of insiders!!!!!

I was there before the both of you!

 

[edinsomd]

Good post, PT. I've got the look in the direction thing pretty much down now. I'm actually looking to where I want to be, instead of "down the street." I really, really have to think about it and focus on it and I hear my instructer's voice in my head all the time, saying "TURN YOUR HEAD."

Good start, looking where you want to go is key, what I meant by "looking through the apex". Learn how to counter steer, it’s the only way to turn quickly and will one day save your life. Also practice stopping quickly. Not a panic stop where you lock tires, but a controlled maximum stop using front and rear brakes just up to, but not at full lock. These are basic skills that might very well have saved the life of the rider this thread started on.
Ed

 

[flomaster]

I was there before the both of you!

Some of us are masochists!!!!!!! I want more pain!!!! Now now now!!

 

[Ponytail]

and I congratulate you on training up to the level you're at today!

I started on a KLR250 dual sport and I still spooked the crap out out of myself a few times on that thing.

nice bike! I wasn't as smart. I started riding street bikes on a 1200 Sportster on the recomendation of a friend. good thing bikes can't talk. No doubt it'd be telling stories, after cuzzing me out. I was one lucky SOB.

 

[RoseRed]

Some of us are masochists!!!!!!! I want more pain!!!! Now now now!!

I left way before you both did.

 

[flomaster]

Good start, looking where you want to go is key, what I ment by "looking through the apex". Learn how to counter steer, its the only way to turn quickly and will one day save your life. Also practice stopping quickly. Not a panic stop where you lock tires, but a controlled maximum stop using front and rear brakes just up to, but not at full lock. These are basic skills that might very well have saved the life of the rider this thread started on.
Ed

I have taken the Motorcycle safety foundation course 3 times in my life and have never failed to learn something new. The look where you are going approach is amazing once you get used to it. The PAX course made me lock the back wheel to see how it feels and looking straight ahead during the lock up pointed the bike exactly straight as it should have. Will be just a matter of time before mothers of America find some way to screw the riders that do it right and legislation makes riding what you want to ride a PITA!!!

 

[flomaster]

I left way before you both did.

Some of us are Masochists!!! Are you not listening!!!

 

[BS Gal]

and I congratulate you on training up to the level you're at today!

I started on a KLR250 dual sport and I still spooked the crap out out of myself a few times on that thing.

I'm the ultimate careful rider. DR didn't like it yesterday that I refused to go down to Sheets (about a mile away) for gas cause there is way too much traffic merging off Chancellor's Run Road, and instead rode five miles up the road to the Burchmart in Hollywood so I wouldn't have to deal with the merging on 235. I am riding within my "comfort zone" until I get better at dealing with traffic.

 

[Pete]

I'm the ultimate careful rider. DR didn't like it yesterday that I refused to go down to Sheets (about a mile away) for gas cause there is way too much traffic merging off Chancellor's Run Road, and instead rode five miles up the road to the Burchmart in Hollywood so I wouldn't have to deal with the merging on 235. I am riding within my "comfort zone" until I get better at dealing with traffic.

Still not able to pull off the U-turn?

 

[Ponytail]

I'm the ultimate careful rider. DR didn't like it yesterday that I refused to go down to Sheets (about a mile away) for gas cause there is way too much traffic merging off Chancellor's Run Road, and instead rode five miles up the road to the Burchmart in Hollywood so I wouldn't have to deal with the merging on 235. I am riding within my "comfort zone" until I get better at dealing with traffic.

Nothing wrong with that. As long as you understand that DR wants to expand your "flight envelop" a bit so that you aren't so nervous. Merging can be daunting on a bike. But you need to do it in order to get comfortable with it.

You can't contol every situation. Riding in your comfort zone, and being prepared for those fleeting moments of seat squeezing is all you can do.