A Message To Brand New Riders.

[ALANRIDER7]

Welcome to the sport.

You will probably have many questions about all sorts of things. There is way too much information out there to sort through and it's possible to get the wrong input as a beginner. The best advice I can give you is to trust your gut instinct and ask questions. If something doesn't sound right to you, ask another rider or several riders. It's sort of like getting a few medical opinions before a major operation.

Motorcycling is a major operation (it is to me anyway). If you start out safe and well informed, you will dramatically increase your chances of survival. The downside to this sport is that you can get hurt and hurt badly.............simply by making an honest mistake or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are plenty of seasoned veterans on this and other boards with the credibility to help you avoid some of the pitfalls. Not everyone has that.

If you don't have a permit, get one.

If you don't have a license, get one.

Get a lot of gear before you get a lot of bike.

Ride like you're invisible because they don't see you anyway.

It's not that hard to do.

The sun is shining and you've been fantasizing about riding for months. Put the excitement of your first rides on hold for just a second and think about the safety gear choices you'll be making. It's vitally important that you choose wisely. The initial cost of some of the better safety gear may put you off. Please don't dismiss this gear simply because of costs. A poor gear choice can cost infinitely more if it doesn't protect you the way you think it will. Make no mistake- this is a contact sport where the contact can come when you least expect it. If you're prepared properly, so much the better. If you decide to ride and not give safety gear the proper consideration, that's your choice. But it's important to know that you may have to pay a pretty severe price for that decision. This isn't preaching, it's just one rider trying to help out the newcomer.

I run a shop and I do a lot of crash estimates. More times than not, I hear the stories again and again....... someone wishing they had purchased better gear because in the aftermath of a crash, it's pretty easy to see how better gear would have done a better job of protecting the rider. Sneakers and jeans may seem like a simple and easy way to go. Until you imagine what it would be like to crash wearing that. The next time you're driving and can look away safely for a second, open your car door and look down at 55 mph. Now imagine jumping out of that moving car in your street clothes. You wouldn't expect to fare very well.

It's worth the stretch to invest in the better gear. If you can afford the bike, you can afford the gear. The first time it saves your ass, you'll have your money back with plenty of interest.

[}Dragon{]

- Leave your ego at home
- Ride only as fast as you can see
- If you get a bad feeling: slow down, take a break or go home
- Invest in a good helmet, gloves and really good boots
- If you have the chance to ride something else, like dirt, track, supermoto: do it. The more experience you get, the better you will be
- Keep your bike clean, washing it gets you "up close and personal" with the bike, which could lead you to discover a lil problem- before it becomes a big problem
- A sportbike and it's maintainace are very like flying an airplane, if you neglect your bike- the results could be fatal.
-Before going on a ride, have a checklist: tires, oil, fuel, coolant, chain
- Sportbike Dynamics does "REAL QUICK" crash estimates:laughing
-If you are buying a new bike and the choice is 1) An Ex250 and some good riding gear 2) An EX500 but no gear: Pick #1

[Ratters]

-crashing sucks, much worse than going fast is fun.
-buy decent gear. You can find a lot of good stuff used.
-go around your bike ever week or so and make sure everything is tight, fairing bolts, control points.
-old standards make very cool first bikes. WHEN you drop it, just pick it up, bend back the bent parts and go on your way. Much nicer that replacing a grand worth of plastic.
-chicks dig scars. But not THAT much.
-find a stretch of road that you know is clean and rarely populated and just practice going back and forth slowly increasing your speed and lean angle till you get comfortable.
-I never knew there was even a controversy, but countersteering is how you control a motorcycle. Push left, go left. Push right, go right.
-Have fun, remember it's not a competition out there. Being alive is better than being fast.

[a7x]

I'm a fairly new rider but...

- take the msf(it was something i am glad i took, and well worth it)
- practice swerving, emergency braking, etc. as often as you can

hmm can't think of much else, sorry im a noob

[CeruleanSkye]

Originally posted by a7x
I'm a fairly new rider but...

- take the msf(it was something i am glad i took, and well worth it)
- practice swerving, emergency braking, etc. as often as you can

hmm can't think of much else, sorry im a noob

+1

I'll also add: ride at your own pace and don't try to keep up with other people just to impress. I've found that I am happier straying behind a little rather than try to keep up and make a mistake or ride above my abilities/comfort level.

Also take plenty of time to get used to your bike and how it responds. This is where taking time to practice swerving, braking, etc in an empty lot on a regular basis comes in handy.

[707Kawasaki]

Imagine if this was your skin.... Do you think it would hold as well?

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/163/177/2452421-100_0703_600x449.jpg

[movado_perfect]

-If you have ANY doubt about your ablility to control your bike, DON'T TAKE PASSENGERS. If ANYTHING happens to them during the ride, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE .

-Your passenger's gear is just as important as yours. Although she may look hot in that thong and short shorts/skirt/tight jeans: 1)you'll never be able to see that angle and 2) all that pretty skin gets ugly real fast on any drop.
Oh, she'll also never ride with you again. And neither will anyone who she'll talk to. Ever.

-Safety also involves knowing what's going on around you. It's better seeing and knowing something's wrong than hearing "Sorry, I didn't see him/her officer" while they scrape you onto a stretcher.

-Taking into account all the warnings and countermeasures, motorcycling is fun. Remember to enjoy it.

[SaloSV]

After you do everything everyone else said, I want you to remember to....

RIDE!


EVERY FUCKING DAY!

:superhawk

[Dre-z]

Amen to what ALANRIDER7 said.

[Enchanter]

You are your greatest threat. It's not the cars, it's YOU. Overestimating your abilities will likely get you into trouble.

The motorcycle is a machine. You are in control. If you don't want it to crash, then use the controls and MAKE it not crash. Crashes don't just 'happen', the rider allowed 1 or more things to build up to that crash.

You don't HAVE to crash.

[}Dragon{]

Originally posted by Enchanter
You are your greatest threat. It's not the cars, it's YOU. Overestimating your abilities will likely get you into trouble.

The motorcycle is a machine. You are in control. If you don't want it to crash, then use the controls and MAKE it not crash. Crashes don't just 'happen', the rider allowed 1 or more things to build up to that crash.

You don't HAVE to crash.

May I add- that crashing is 98% driver error.

The cold tires didn't cause the crash.

The gravel doesn't cause a crash.

Don't shift the blame to the machine.

[Ratters]

Originally posted by Enchanter


You don't HAVE to crash.

A-FUCKING -MEN!

I hate the phrase "there are two kinds of riders...." cause it's not an inevitability.

[TylerW]

Originally posted by ALANRIDER7
Welcome to the sport.


* First off - its not a sport unless you have a number and a grid placement. This is a hobby. Act accordingly.

Good judgement will trump good technique every time.

Your friends and family love you. They will worry about you. The responsibility of insuring you will see them again, in good health, rests upon your shoulders alone. Are you up to the task?

Listen much. Boast little.

Don't let your guard down.

Its like your mother always told you - look both ways before crossing the street. This especially applies at intersections -use it every time.

Take every piece of advice you hear with a grain of salt - but at the same time, never assume you know better.

Never let your guard down.

Ride with your friends, but don't be encouraged to keep up with them.

Ride with strangers, but don't feel required to prove something to them.

Try to remember at least one lesson from every ride you take. Don't be afraid to share it. It may save the life of someone else.

You are always a newbie. There is always more to learn.

Remember these things - someday you may inspire someone close to you to ride. Let them benefit as you have.

You can be riding the most demure, most forgiving of bikes, and wearing the top of the line protective gear. You are still one decision away from being killed in an instant. Never forget that.

Never, ever let your guard down.

* Apologies for quoting Alan out of context. I know he meant well, but I just had to say something about that.

[christofu]

Originally posted by Ratters
-
-chicks dig scars. But not THAT much.


Chicks dig scars that you get from swords and knife fights.

They do not dig the ugly pink splotches that may cover your body. So don't get any. Don't ever crash but prepared for it anyway by wearing good gear.

I have never crashed on the street. But I wear all my safety gear everytime anyway.

[mrc]

I think I'm going to print a little label saying MAKE IT NOT CRASH and stick it on my triple clamp.

[TylerW]

Originally posted by mrc
I think I'm going to print a little label saying MAKE IT NOT CRASH and stick it on my triple clamp.

"This side up" also works. :D

[Slowest_One]

great read Alan. :thumbup


Ive been riding since I was a kid ( about 30 years) and got into my first major accident 3 weeks ago. I was lucky to have survived it, having "only" a broken arm and a strained neck, not to mention getting my bike totalled. according to my riding buddies, i was going around 45 MPH at the time I lost control of the bike ( i have no recollection due to a concussion)

aside from the huge help and care I got from my buddies that day, one thing that saved me from further getting hurt was good gear.

It sucks to crash. It's worst when you get hurt due to a crash. Honestly, I think it's not worth crashing at all. Do what it takes to learn the skills to be a responsive and safe rider.

crashing is teh suck!:cry



here's me being attended to by the medics. those are my buddies in the backround. it was easily the worst day of my life.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/163/177/2473122-crash.jpg

[awgeezdawn]

This is truly the greatest thread of all time.

[Nemo Brinker]

Glad you're relatively okay--I wrecked this year too, and the medics complimented me on my gear, saying it saved me several broken bones (after I went sailing over the hood of the SUV that turned left into me).

Good luck and speedy recovery; I just traded in my cane for a new bike.

[Slowest_One]

Originally posted by Nemo Brinker
Glad you're relatively okay--I wrecked this year too, and the medics complimented me on my gear, saying it saved me several broken bones (after I went sailing over the hood of the SUV that turned left into me).

Good luck and speedy recovery; I just traded in my cane for a new bike.

great to hear you've recovered well. i'm on my way to fully regaining basic hand movement. it's still on the stiff side, but my therapist has done a swell job "pushing" me.

[}Dragon{]

Originally posted by Nemo Brinker
'I wrecked this year too, and the medics complimented me on my gear, saying it saved me several broken bones (after I went sailing over the hood of the SUV that turned left into me).


A buddy of mine crashed at deadman's curve in Pope Valley on Butts Cyn Rd.

Harpo and I went to Queen of the Valley ER and when the doctor saw us in full gear- The doc says- "Is that like (pointing to our suits) what you were wearing when you crashed?"

He said, "Yeah."

The doc said, "Damn you're lucky!"

It's not fun cutting off a friend's leathers. :|

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/163/177/2488758-301892-20020223-aleks.jpg

[Rayman]

it doesnt hurt even after u've ridden a while to go back and read things like THIS.....its good to revisit the basics, and bring urself back to the ground a little. let's face it, our confidence only goes up after each ride w/o an incident, its not too hard to get overly "comfortable" w/ ur behavior on the roads....

[Godspeed710]

this should go in as a sticky in the newbies section

[conn650]

Originally posted by Salo2
After you do everything everyone else said, I want you to remember to....

RIDE!


EVERY FUCKING DAY!

:superhawk

Done

and

Done!

After just a few months, I can't imagine a day without riding. The gear: worth every penny. The training: worth every penny. Waiting until you can afford both: f$%k what your friends say, your long life of motorcycle riding is worth the wait and investment.

I just remember the motto of my Judo club, "Perfect practice makes perfect!"

Like Salo2 said...

RIDE!!!

[farns6015]

I can make that on a Vinyl sticker Professional looking, whatever color and font style you would like. for a reasonable price.

[slydrite]

speed is fun, but crack kills

[conn650]

Originally posted by farns6015
I can make that on a Vinyl sticker Professional looking, whatever color and font style you would like. for a reasonable price.

You talkin' to me? :confused :confused :confused

Oh, nevermind... :loser

[saizai]

One more to add:

Act as if every car that can possibly attempt to make a left hand turn in an illegal manner (running a stop light/sign, crossing double yellow, out of order, while staring right at you, etc) WILL do so and it is up to you to make sure that they can't kill you when they do. 'cause, sooner than later, it'll happen.

Actually, just in general, act like everyone is out to kill you and your job is to minimize their ability to do so. Can they swerve into you? Turn into you? Are you in a blindspot? If yes, MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE where you have enough buffer that you can stop, swerve, or accelerate out of that potential collision.

Oh, and the most obvious one didn't get said either:

Motorcycle vs. anything whatsoever including a cute little bunny in a collision => MOTORCYCLE LOSES. The bunny might lose too, but roadkill's not much consolation...

[Iszlandsnow]

Eastbay Motorsports has a mega deal on Yamaha R1's right now.:cool

[MiSTER]

Then buy every bling thing you can for that R1, head over to Gellert Starbucks and blend in with the rest of them. No riding skill necessary over there. :laughing

Originally posted by Iszlandsnow
Eastbay Motorsports has a mega deal on Yamaha R1's right now.:cool

[lovekeiiy]

This is not rocket scientist. I haven't ridin a motorcycle yet, but I've gotten plenty of road rashes from bicycles and skateboards.

I remember one time, I was riding a friends skateboard home, got speed wobbles going down a hill, probably going about 15 mph, lost grip of the board and slide down the road. I don't know how far I slide, but I wore a hole through my jeans and underwear, and got a huge road rash. It would have been worse with head injuries, since I was wear no head gear at all, but when I fell, my arm flew up and my head landed on it and stayed there. Jacket got ruin, but I kept my ear, 8).

I like to keep it to my imagination what it would be like going 40+ on a bike and eat it with little to no gear. I'm always amazed how little gear I see in those stunt videos or TV.

The only advise I could add, listen to the long time experience riders, analysis what several say, and use common sense. Being a road stain sucks most of all.

[Dopesick]

Originally posted by Ratters
I hate the phrase "there are two kinds of riders...." cause it's not an inevitability. [/B]

Why do you hate that phrase. It is quite possible the 1 constant in motorcycling.

Very few, if any... shall be so lucky as to never go down.

I've been down MANY times. Mostly in the dirt, which is definatly an inevitability. However I've been down twice on the streets now. Most definatly clear to me the second one was TOTALLY my error. I was riding way beyond conditions. Too hot into a corner on tires that were way too cold.

Newbs, take SOME info from some of us more seasoned riders. Ride as if your LIFE depends on it. Simply because it does. And not only does yours, generally others will to.

[Regulatorocks]

is it true what the dude above said, that 98% of motorcycle crashes are because of dumbass drivers