| Author | Message | ||
     Ara |
I've had these eleven rules for quite a long time, but a thread entitled "Thieves Sure Are Creative" reminded me of them. As a place to start, here they are. Add to them! This could be really beneficial. My Rules of Riding: 1. Never ride when you're emotionally upset or under the influence of anything stronger than coffee. 2. You have one job while riding. Do not distract yourself with stray thoughts, worries, music, etc. Riding a high performance motorcycle is a physical AND mental discipline. 3. Check your bike over before you go riding just like a pilot preflights his aircraft. 4. Buy a Battery Tender and an accurate tire pressure guage and use them religiously. 5. Ride with earplugs. If you don't you'll develop tenitus (ringing in the ears) as the nerve damage accumulates over time. 6. Ride like you're invisible, naked, and they really are out to get you. 7. Watch out for autos with body damage, broken side mirrors, misbehaving children inside, and drivers talking on their cell phones. These are your danger signals. 8. Practice road surface awareness always, even when driving in your car. Remember that fall leaves are pretty, but they're slicker than ice when they're wet. 9. You are a motorcycle ambassador. Ride like you represent us all, because you do. 10. Never ride without gloves. You're a primate, and the first thing you're reflexively going to do if you go down is put out your hands. Regardless of what you do for a living, you need your hands. 11. This last one is a personal one and may not apply to everybody: Never loan your motorcycle to anyone. His chances of having a damaging mishap on your machine are far greater than yours. | ||
| Djkaplan |
2. You have one job while riding. Do not distract yourself with stray thoughts, worries, music, etc. I'd never be able to do this one. The music I can do without, but even I'm surprised at the stray thoughts that come to me while I'm riding. | ||
| Bomber |
I've been thinking about number 11 for years, but a recent interview with Neal Pert (Rush's drummer) helped me but it into words . . . 11. If your surprised, spooked, hit, thrown from the bike, or have any other kind of accident, it's your fault. nother way of putting it is that, bad events may not be your fault, but they ARE your responsibility | ||
| Along4theride |
Great 'rules'!! Wish more riders lived by #9. You are a motorcycle ambassador. Ride like you represent us all, because you do. | ||
| Ingemar |
A personal one, Regardless of weather, wear your gear! | ||
| Ara |
Ingemar, I love that. It goes along with #10. Bomber, that's excellent. A keeper. DJ, stray thoughts? Yeah, me too. I'm only human. But think about the mental discipline of railing through a corner. When you're cranked over and managing throttle and maybe even wheelspin, are you thinking about anything else? For me, riding in traffic is just the same. In fact, I think that there are more variables and that they're much less predictable! I used to sell motorcycles, and we'd occasionally get a customer who whated to sell his "fright bike" back to us. "That thing is going to kill me," was frequently spoken out loud. Nope, I beg to differ. The bike won't kill you, but your right wrist might. And your wrist is connected to your head. Keep 'em coming!!! | ||
| Captainplanet |
Here is a good rule. If you are in a real hurry to get somewhere, drive your car instead. | ||
| Jeremyh |
yikes captain. if your in a hurry dont drive anything. from my experience....being in a hurry only gets you further behind. | ||
| Rick_a |
The #1 thing I hate when riding is when going somewhere unknown and looking out for street signs and exits. The new H-D GPS would be perfect, but it'll be a LONG time before I have that much money burnin' a hole in me pocket. Good gloves, a good leather jacket, and even padded pants are a good idea. I've lost much skin off me poor 'ol knees. | ||
| Ara |
Rick, my number one worst thing is riding in the fog. Never occurred to me to make it a Rule because I just don't do it. I agree with you. The gear is important and I never ride without it ALL. | ||
| Spike |
I've never really thought it out and set up my own rules, but one thing that has always stuck with me is to never attempt to outrun the weather. I've seen (and made) too many stupid mistakes when out on a short ride only to realize the weather was moving in fast and attempting to make it back home in time. Another useful piece of information: when preparing to wave at an oncoming BMW rider, set the front wheel down first. Apparently they don't think it's as funny as we do. (Oh man am I going to get flamed for that.) Mike L. '04 XB12R | ||
| Hans |
Good rules. And ad #6: "Look continuously for an emergency exit." Hans | ||
| Ingemar |
Spike, that's just funny. Hans, good one. I normally do that, and the times that I tend to panic are the times that I slacked just doing that. if your in a hurry dont drive anything. from my experience....being in a hurry only gets you further behind. Frankly I'm well aware of that. I freak myself out trying to get through traffic jams faster by switching lanes but the guy next to me relaxing in the right lane is only getting farther ahead of me. I can get so irritated but in the same time I crack myself up! I just have to look at myself ... | ||
| Swampy |
Bombers right! Its all my fault! I teach that in bus driver safety meetings! | ||
| Chainsaw |
Just because a cager is looking at you doesn't mean he sees you. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
I have never put this one into words, until seeing this thread - Never ride with anyone else that is in violation of these rules! It's a royal PITA to have to ride along with someone who has neglected to check his/her tires, has to stop for a beer, needs to prove to the world he's fastest, is invincible, wears those riduculous Nazi helmets, raves at the car that "cut him off". yada, yada, yada. Hans' #6 addition is excellent too! I learned that one WAY back when riding H-D choppers with what equated to NO brakes! Here's a wierd one I've picked up from experience - adds to #7 Watch out for people driving cars or trucks when wearing hats (excluding ball caps) people wearing big hats seem to only be aware of what's directly below the hat! They NEVER see you! AL | ||
| Kaese |
9. You are a motorcycle ambassador. Ride like you represent us all, because you do. I adhere to all those except this one.I will probably never see that jerk again. | ||
| Sportsman |
I'm glad you mentioned gloves. Easy to neglect, horrible price to pay for it. | ||
| Chasespeed |
while we are on the topic of gloves....take a wild guess where I just got home from.... OK, been teaching this kid how to ride, since his buddy got a DUI, and GAVE him a bike.... Anyway, went over the basics, etc... and asked about gear.... Well, he was a little aggravated that I was stressing it, and he was like, I am just a college kid, working my way through school...cant afford it... WEll, I bought him a one of those mesh Joe Rockets jackets..(150 or so), and a set of gloves.. Here it comes.... He bought it earlier today, on his way home form work, 3/4 of a mile form his house(surprise, well all know that stat)... Anyway, I get the call, head to the hospital, and talk to the docs etc....(sorry for rambling, but I am pi55ed).... They handed me his jacket and helmet....nothing else... the damn fool was only wearing his jacket and helemt....a pair of kahkis for pant... Needless to say, when his hands and legs heal, he said will NEVER ride without at least jeans, and gloves again....gonna be a few weeks before he can grip the handle bars anyway.... The jacket DID do its job, but its turoughly trahsed, my normal riding partner took pics wiht his camera phone, will try to find a way to put them here)... So, I knwo most of us use common sense, and wear our gear.... but please, at least wear Jacket, gloves helemt and jeans..... Now I have to fix another damn import(when it rians), got a craked case, but other than that, only a couple scratches... Luke will live, he is at home right now, moping and whinning, .... hell, the first words out of his mouth, where" I know I know, dont even say it...I learned... Obvisouly it coulld have been worse.... Sorry for the rant....but I think it kinda fit here...sorta.... Chase | ||
| Metalstorm |
From my own young & dumb experiences: Lessons learned the hard way are lessons that stay learned. I'm glad he survived to learn about proper gear. If he's a college student he's still young enough to heal fast. | ||
| Ara |
Excellent, Hans. I'm keeping that one. Kaese: You might never see that guy again, but he'll certainly see us. And when he does he'll think that we're like you, Mr. Ambassador. Chase: You got to him or he wouldn't have been wearing the helmet and jacket. Good on you, man. You may have saved his skull or his spine. Next time he'll remember WHY he needs all of the gear. | ||
| Prez |
i live in lasvegas..so u know it gets hot here..but that has never stopped me from wearing my leathers and gloves yet..discomfort from heat is temporary..heck that's why they make underarmor...but discomfort from a motorcycle wreck can be permanent..if i'm going any further than the store i even wear my leather riding pants and boots...prez | ||
| Spike |
My dad always told me that experience is the best teacher, it's just that the lessons are so expensive. | ||
| Bomber |
question at a toll booth a couple of summers ago (95+ degrees F) -- Toll Lady -- "Aren't you uncomfortable in all that leather?" Scarred, Limping Silverback -- "not nearly as uncomforatable as in a cast." Chase -- sounds like ya done good, bro -- here's here to moan and whine ;-} | ||
| Henrik |
Bomber; that's similar to my standard reply: "Isn't it uncomfortable in all that gear ...?" "Not nearly as uncomfortable as skin grafting ..." the choice of riding buddies is an important point as well. Great discussion. Henrik | ||
| Bomber |
experience tells me there are few things worse than skin grafting -- NOT having it is one ;-] | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
As far as leather and the comments I get; I always say I'd rather sweat than bleed...It gets to be 125 deg here... #12. Treat the road like the road and save it for the track. (Message edited by charlieboy6649 on May 31, 2005) | ||
| Ratchdaddy |
Wow, I used to be a "Harley" rider with the tank top, skid lid and no gloves. Got back from Iraq and felt like a cat with maybe two lives left and I became a single parent so I bought good gear and started wearing it. Went down in January for the first time in 20 years of riding. The classic car makes a left hand turn in front of motorcyclist. I was wearing all my gear and I walked away with a bruised wrist, and bruised ankle. I remember sliding along thinking "this isn't so bad." It shredded my jacket, my left glove, and my boots. The errant driver's insurance company paid for all new gear and repairs to the bike. Glad I learned my lesson when I did. Unfortunately, it is hard for other people to learn from your experience and when I try to tell these other young Marines they should reconsider that skid lid and t-shirt they only half listen. | ||
| Ara |
Here in the Deepest Darkest South you see quite a few cruiser riders (and a few sport bike riders) wearing as little as possible. Geeze, what a gamble. The road is like a 70 mph belt sander. It seems to me that you don't have to have gone down to be able to appreciate what the road will do to human flesh at speed. But I see minimally dressed motorcyclists all the time. One guy I used to see 2-3 times a week. He wore a helmet with the chin strap unfastened, no gloves, no shirt, shorts, flip-flops, a backpack that was color-coordinated to his Yamaha sport bike, and he rode like there was no tomorrow. I haven't seen him on the road in quite a while now.... | ||
| Davegess |
I took an MSF class many years ago and they require gear even for the low speeds they run. The instructors comments was "who wants to run down the hill in the parking lot as fast as they can in shorts and a t-shirt than do a belly slid" If you are willing to do that than you can take the class without gear. He never got any volunteers. | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Here are some rules I developed for our BRAG group rides. Ride Notes for the Northeast Letter Run April 17th, 2005 What to expect •Because we’re riding in a large group, I’ll ride at 7/10ths or less. If you’re expecting a track day, go somewhere else. •I slow down when I can’t see what is in front of me. If you see that I’m getting ready to crest a hill, you can bet that I’m rolling off the throttle. Be ready for it. •I use a lot of hand signals for turns, stuff in the road, forgotten blinkers etc. Pass them down to those behind you when it makes sense to do so. •I will not turn off of a road until we have regrouped. Faster riders, no whining about waiting for others to catch up. •I want us to put slower riders in the middle, not at the back of the pack. The back of the pack spends a lot of time running 100mph to keep up. I’ll need a couple of faster riders to volunteer to bring up the rear. •We’ll probably have lunch in a small town and a small restaurant. Be polite, patient and tip well. “A person who is nice to you and not nice to the waitress is not a nice person” Dave Barry •Stagger formation when grouped together. Single file with plenty of space between riders through curves. NO TAILGATEING •Pass only when there is plenty of space and on a straightaway. Slower riders, wave faster riders ahead when it is comfortable to do so. DO NOT PASS ON A CURVE OR IN A MANNER THAT IS LIKELY TO SPOOK THOSE AROUND YOU!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Glitch |
One of my personal rules is not to ride in a group larger than four, with me being one of the four. I'd rather ride with only one partner, or alone. I've seen more than I care to this year already. Ride Safe, Dave | ||
| Diablobrian |
Not really rules, but suggestions. Have the front and rear of the group in radio communication. Aside from the leader, the fast guys belong in the back. No whining here, You know these guys don't ride "in their mirrors" for long before upping the pace. No one gets lost or left behind this way. Courtesy goes a long way on the road. (That guy you flip off on the way up the mountain may be the one you need to ask for help on the way down the mountain.) | ||
| Jeremyh |
Personal Rules for me: 1. Ride 2. Ride some more 3. Ride till i die 4. keep riding 5. No matter what happens in life....keep riding. 6. Ride | ||
| Buellkowski |
Ride sober and in a fashion that would likely kill you if you weren't. Inebriants are for forgetting; motorcycling's worth remembering.  | ||
| Outrider |
Glitch...My sentiments exactly. Especially, if you are moving along at a sporting pace. Add to that ride in single file the instant the road gets twisty or rough. I've witnesses way to many folks get in trouble even at a moderate pace in the twisties, sweepers and even straights with rough sections. Heck event the track riders do that unless they are preparing to pass and we don't pass in group formation. Do we...  | ||
| Nedwreck |
Rule #1 for me is: When I'm on a bike, everyone else is out to do me harm. Bob | ||
| Captainkirk |
Ara; I found #5 interesting. I've never ridden with earplugs though I have plenty of them around. On your suggestion I tried it. At first it kinda freaked me out, being used to the race exhaust and all. But after the first ride I actually got used to it...and sorta enjoyed getting off the bike without my eardrums doing the funky chicken. Though most of my rides are short (fifty miles or less) I think I'll add this one to my arsenal. Thanks for the tip |
