My two cents:
1)If you've only been riding for a few months and have managed to go that whole 2 months without crashing your brains out, please stop trying to advise new riders..You don't know as much as you think you do and more likely than not the advice you're giving is putting that new rider in serious danger.
2) To the newer riders: chicken strips only matter to you and a few select dipshits who think lack of chicken strips means you're a great rider. Even on the track you can go the whole day at break neck speeds, dragging your knees on the deck through every single corner and still have chicken strips.. It just means you can get through a corner without the necessity of excessive lean angles..My point is that those whose opinions you should care about, do not care nor judge you based on how much untouched rubber you have on your tires..We're too busy snickering at the mohawk on your helmet or the fact that you can afford to own a $20K+ bike but not proper riding gear
3) Stop buzzing other riders in the hills.. Just because you believe you're deserving of respect because you're fast doesn't mean that I wont walk up to you at STP or 4 Corners and put my size 13 boot in your ass if you do it again. You know who you are
4) Highway 9 is not the only road in the world. There are lots of others that are just as, if not more fun to ride plus less congested.
5) Sometimes the best indicator of just how good/shitty a rider you are is the road you dislike the most due to it being goaty, dirty, or slow or all three.
6) Related to #5: There's a reason more riders crash and/or get killed on 9 than on roads like Mt. Hamilton. If the reason you're giving me as to why you don't want to ride Mt. Hamilton is because it's not fun or it's too slow then what I'm really hearing is "I'm a shitty pussy ass rider incapable of truly being able to control my MC and i'd rather stay on a road where I can be faster rather than more skilled than a few other riders."
7) There's a reason why they make street tires and a reason why they make Track/Race tires.. If I have to go any further into that thought then you're an idiot.
8) If you're up in the hills and you see more than 3 cars of the same type in a row coming the opposite direction and they are of the sporty and/or rice rocket pedigree then assume it's a club and that there is a lot more of them coming. You should also assume that for every 10 cars probably only one of them is NOT an asshat so slow your roll coming into the corners.
9) If you find yourself having to play catch up all day during a group ride and the other members of that group don't bother to acknowledge your inability to keep up by slowing up a bit or hell checking their mirrors every now and then to see your position, then chances are you're too slow for the group and/or they don't give a shit about your well being and would prefer you just break off and go your own way.
10) it's not always necessary to go hit the road with a group. There are some real benefits and enjoyments to be had taking a solo ride. First and foremost is the possibility for an out of control ego or the feeling to keep pace with someone diminishes to almost nothing when theres no one to show off for.
11) Proper gear selection, both clothing and while riding can save your skin.
12) I think it's been said but know your brakes and their limits...So what if you can go wide open throttle and never miss a beat. Can you reach the limits of your breaks knowingly and still be able to stay upright?
My input..
Great thread by the way Mike
