MC Rider Training, Riding Experiences

[Oaktree]

I have had close to 20 different motorcycles over the years from dirt bikes to Harley Touring bikes. Never had an accident on road or ever laid one down. Yes, I realize that will happen now that I said this.

Yet. It's been said that there are 2 kinds of riders...those that have dumped and those that are going to.

I rode from the early 70s thru about the mid 90s (corresponding with my early 20s thru mid 40s). Even pre-cellphones, it seemed that drivers were less and less attentive and it was only a matter of time before something bad happened.

Only ever went down once...I was in my mid 20s riding a dirt bike on a 2 lane state hwy. VW pulled out right in front of me...it was either hit a guardrail or go down...those knobbys aren't very good on pavement. Banged up my right hip and knee pretty bad, but that was it. Guy didn't even stop to the best of my knowledge. Someone in a pickup brought me home...don't remember a lot of details, but I do remember pointing him down my street and him helping me unload the bike. Went inside, called up my GF, she came over and patched me up.

Kind of funny story...she brought me to the ER so they could X-ray the knee. It was all swollen and didn't bend well, but they needed to see it in different positions, so the tech created a rope of sorts out of some gauze so I could hold it bent. We went thru these gyrations to get the X-rays, after examining them the tech asked me if I had any problems with that knee, but wouldn't give me any details. She looked at the the film tray, and the "camera"...I was looking too, and noticed a loose screw in the lens. I asked her if it looked like I had a screw in my knee and she said "how'd you know?". I pointed at the lens.
Had to go thru the whole procedure a second time in a different X-ray room. Fortunately, nothing broken.

Back then, N.H. still had a helmet law, I shudder to think how things might have turned out had I not been wearing one.

 

[3930dave]

All types show up on TBN, with a strong representation of gearheads.

Not surprising to find that many are former and present-day riders.

Rgds, D.

 

[GeneV]

On-Road, Off-Road, post up about Rider Training and riding experiences you've had.....

I'm interested in these topics, and would also like to help kcflhrc keep his thread on-point (Who rides What).

Rgds, D.

I took a riding course in the early 90s, before getting my first bike. It was win all around (and fairly cheap as I recall), I got to learn the basics, and passing the course earned you an automatic written portion of the drivers license exam...just had to take the written portion at the DMV to get the mc endorsement.

 

[kcflhrc]

I think the safest practice is to know and ride within your limits. Trying to keep up with more proficient riders is a bad idea and can get you into trouble in a hurry. Group riding always put the rookie out in front so he/she doesn't try and keep up with the rest.

 

[hunt4570]

I think the safest practice is to know and ride within your limits. Trying to keep up with more proficient riders is a bad idea and can get you into trouble in a hurry. Group riding always put the rookie out in front so he/she doesn't try and keep up with the rest.

Yep, always ride your ride, trying to keep up will almost always get you in trouble.

I don't do group rides anymore.. YMMV

 

[Peter 315]

Yep, always ride your ride, trying to keep up will almost always get you in trouble.

I don't do group rides anymore.. YMMV

No group rides also, Just me and the wife she rides her own bike (s)

 

[hunt4570]

No group rides also, Just me and the wife she rides her own bike (s)

I/we used to do some group rides , problem was too many on those rides have NO clue how to ride causing an unsafe element I wasn't going to subject us to. A lot of my job is to keep us safe while riding!

My wife has, or at least had, her own license but chooses to just ride with me.. which is also fine with me.

 

[3930dave]

I think the safest practice is to know and ride within your limits. Trying to keep up with more proficient riders is a bad idea and can get you into trouble in a hurry. Group riding always put the rookie out in front so he/she doesn't try and keep up with the rest.

Good point about the rookie. You need a certain amount of experience before it sinks in that few people can keep up with a truly skilled 250 rider in the twisties...... regardless of what you're riding.....

Mostly I ride solo, but I have 2 friends that I get out with, separately. I can envision the 3 of us riding smoothly together, it's just personal scheduling that's prevented that from happening so far.

Discipline and Safety in a large group..... I can picture the challenge scaling quickly....

For some reason, the movie Wild Hogs just popped into my mind....... :laughing:

Rgds, D.