Speed The new drug

[pejnielsen]

I work in an area with 2 new riders. I finally got to see one riding, as he rolled up next to me at a stop light. Light turns green and off he goes. You would think we were at a drag strip. Look, I know that motorcycles are fast, even the ones with lower power than modern sport bikes. If you ride around town and think riding way over the speed limit is cool , several things can happen, none of them good. Tickets, accidents, higher insurance for all of us, and the general perception that we are all idiots and irresponsible. If you are new to riding, your chances of these things happening go way up. Take it is easy around town. There are some great places to see what that grip on the right is for. I am not just talking about track days either. Any idiot can go fast, learning to turn properly takes skill. Be safe and have fun!

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by pejnielsen

Light turns green and off he goes.

Great way for him to get t-boned by a red light runner, of which there are no shortages around here.

[pejnielsen]

I talked with Tim ( My dragster buddy ) on Friday. He has been riding for less that 2 months and did not take the MSF. He has a permit, but tells me it will be OK because his friends are teaching him. I gave him some advice that I am pretty sure he will ignore. Young males do that sort of thing, God knows I did. I am not really into the whole government thing, but I am leaning toward making the MSF or like course mandatory for all new riders. It is preaching to the choir here, because of the level of maturity shown by the new riders on this forum.

[Law Dawg]

He will either learn or become road sausage...perhaps a bit of chlorine in the gene pool. Seems there is no shortage of numb skull drivers and riders out lately so perhaps the pool is too polluted to clean up. Keep trying to bring him some common sense though.

[demenshea]

Originally Posted by pejnielsen

It is preaching to the choir here, because of the level of maturity shown by the new riders on this forum.

I hate to think that this area designated for becoming a better rider is going to turn into a bitchfest about idiots. Sorry, but they are many of them out there and the best we can do as riders is WATCH OUT for them. We are wasting our time here m'friends on something we can do little about, except commiserate.

I would like to say that you may be able to turn him around Paul, however it is doubtful. Sometimes it takes a wake up call to do just that.

[pejnielsen]

I agree, hence the preaching to the choir comment. The vast majority of people on this site are much more responsible, and the others will never hear it. Enough said.

[z_bassman]

Originally Posted by pejnielsen

...I gave him some advice that I am pretty sure he will ignore. Young males do that sort of thing...

Young males are, for the most part, pretty stupid critters!

[Dan02GS]

I agree with you all and in no way condone riding unsafely, that is why I own a GS500e. Bikes are really powerful today and yes you might be speaking to the choir, but some of the choir are riding bikes that belong on the tracks. I find speed is addictive but the GS keeps me on the lower range of the speed spectrum. No matter whether we drive a cage or ride a bike, it is knowing yourself and abilities and caring for people who you may hurt.

[korax123]

Originally Posted by z_bassman

Young males are, for the most part, pretty stupid critters!

You calling me stupid???????????

J/K im 24 years old. So im still young but im pretty mature for the most part. I took the MSF and wear my jacket/helmet/gloves/boots on every ride well sometimes not the gloves. But it's 110 degrees and I still wear the proper gear. Im sure there will be times of stupididy for me but usually when I do it I make sure there are no cars around.

But yea for the most part the younger riders on sport bikes never wave to me when riding and all the older people on cruisers always wave. Younger riders just think there invinsible until they get seriously hurt.

[G8ESCAP]

I'm never in a hurry to be the first one through the intersection when the light changes. When it does happen I always look left as that's where nearest light runner will be. Once confirmed to be clear I check to the right as I enter the intersection. Just 3 seconds and a few neck mucsles exercised can save your life. I'm not in such a hurry that I can't spare a few seconds of my day.