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Im looking to get into riding. It looks like fun. I dont know when or if I'll be able too with my income, but it is my goal to learn as much as I can before I even attempt a class.
The instant my bike is in motion, my feet are on the pegs or running boards. You loose the balance control of your lower body by not having your legs and feet in their proper riding position. It's the whole, you can lead a horse to water when it comes to "seasoned" riders who learned bad habits early on. I see riders in sandals, shorts and Polo Shirts and I steer way clear of them. If they're ignorant enough to think their attire doesn't matter, then they're not thinking of the 1,000 other things that also keep them safe on the road. Excellent instructional video my Friend! Cheers! Zip~
There's a guy in my neighborhood in Brooklyn. Bought himself a reaaal nice Ducati. Guy just circles around the block for like an hour, foot draggin, and revving the shite out of the thing in neutral. ACK!
claud Talkz Well, I hope he keep doing circles around the neighborhood and stay off the busy city streets, the freeways and definitely stay away from winding side roads.
The Vibe You are 100% right. It’s a useless thing to do. People that ride need to practice riding every time they get on their bike no matter how long you have been riding.
@Jr ALEXANDER Dumb question. If you are an aware rider, the impact you will sustain will probably end up at 10 mph or LESS, depending on how deep in your own butt your head is at the intersection . . . remember, YOU are supposed to be watching EVERYONE else and EXPECTING them to cut in front of you via left turn, merge, or whatever. If you are, and they do, you will be much better off simply impacting the side of their car at low speed, than you EVER would be by "laying down" your bike to "prevent" a collision. What, exactly, does one gain by "laying down" one's bike? Are you avoiding damage to the bike, somehow? Nope, you are just transferring what would be relatively minor front end damage into MAJOR side case, plastics, and body damage. Are you avoiding injuring yourself? NOPE, in fact, you are much MORE likely to injure your leg, shoulder, or head during the "lay down and slide" process, then you ever would be simply bumping your bike into a car's fender at a few miles per hour . . . think about it. Of course, if you are that shorts and flip flop, no helmet wearing squid, trying to blow through a yellow light at an intersection, doing 20 over the limit, and some cager wants to make his left turn and beat that light too . . . well, you are on your own. You do you in this case. Me, I'd still try to AVOID this and any collusion as my first and best practice, and "laying down" my bike isn't even on my list of possible actions, it's too dumb for words 99.9% of the time.
@Jr ALEXANDER Lol @ noooooobs! Crap for brains, I was assuming you could get 55 miles per hour down to about 10 (with your brakes) before you hit the car as you speed through the intersection . . . but you are correct, a totally oblivious nooby rider like yourself probably will never notice a left turner until the last second . . . and is most likely going 20 over the limit, too, as I said. And, uh, my current ride is 1100 CCs, 105 HP . . . 750# dry weight. Never laid it down . . . never laid any of the 25 plus bikes I've owned in my life down . . . including scooters lol. If you are looking for someone to say "Sure, laying your bike down is a GOOD plan, since you weren't paying attention at the intersection and hitting a left-turner broadside at 55 MPH is a bad idea!" Best keep reading . . . because NO experienced rider will EVER tell you this, sorry little noob . . . may you live to be my age someday!
I see lots of Harley riders here in the UK struggling with their bikes. I think a lot of them are “Harley owners” rather than motorcyclists - it’s about owning and been seen with a Harley rather than practicing the craft of riding a motorcycle - sad really.
T'Lad, himself an experienced rider with, amongst other bikes, an early Honda 400/4, Kwak Triple, MZ 250 and a Dneiper outfit(!!), coined a word for the Harley Owners & similar. Chromosexuals.
@@sapper82 I currently own an Electra Glide Ultra Classic...I don't have enough chrome on my bike, but the term is hilarious! LOL.... But Mario G has it right on the head.. Many Harley riders are NOT Motorcyclists.. When they can't U Turn, Or Slow ride, or keep their feet up, well, then they really AREN'T qualified to be riding the bike...
It's the same in the states. Most Harley guys are barely able to ride at all and when they do get it out on Saturday afternoon it goes one place and then straight back to the garage. It is a well known joke that you can determine the mileage on a Harley by calculating how long the owner has had it times how many Saturdays times distance to nearest bar.
@@pramienjager2103 Heard it and to an extent, there is some truth to it (probably more than I'd care to believe), Then you have old coots like me who bought his Ultra Classic with 10K on it and 6 months later had to do the 20K service... Why wouldn't you WANT to ride such a lovely bike? (By the way I have a friend who has a 2001 Dyna (he bought new) with 500 Miles on it.. I guess his bar is really close to his house!
Its been in the 80s and 90s and humid where I live and I ride in Joe Rocket armored jeans and mesh jacket with an Under Armor tee shirt. Dress for the slide, not the ride, as the saying goes. Its honestly way more comfortable than riding in just a tee shirt.
I lived in Vegas for several years and rode in all temps, even way past 100. Yeah, it got pretty damned uncomfortable, but I NEVER rode without gear including a full-face. Just takes one time.
I posted one of his videos to a motorcycle FB group, and 2 "experienced" riders told me and others not to waste time watching videos and just go and ride. And they have been riding for umpteen years without any accidents so they don't need to learn anything new. Ignorance will get you killed
Idk, I have yet to step foot on a bike of take the MSF class. I plan on buying my first in about six months once I move. I am spending hours watching beginner videos and familiarizing myself with some good knowledge before I ever get to training and buy a bike. I am excited to start riding but I fully understand and appreciate the reality of the dangers for cutting corners.
I've been ragged on for years in the summer for wearing my leather... My response has always been that " I read a scientific paper that proved the ground DOES NOT GET SOFTER IN HOT WEATHER".. It gets a laugh, and gets the point across too.
@@JHV166 I think that if one is a H-D aficionado one should be well schooled in Harley lore and learn from others who have walked before you...such as yourself.
..." I thought I had 32 yrs of riding experience. Instead, I had 1 year of experience, 32 times" .. a rider who attended a Kieth Code super bike school
My biggest pet peeve is when someone says they've been doing a thing for so many years they don't need to learn any more.. whether it's riding a motorcycle, turning wrenches, working on a computer, whatever. You DONT know everything. And there is always more to learn.
@@TheSevenboy127 Does this also apply to all those idiots doing the same in cars, trucks, big rigs, etc? People make mistakes, have "brain farts", etc, it's "if" they learn from them that makes a difference.
@@albundy1703 yes it also applies im not saying mistakes dont happen but its the idiots who im talking about if u know u can barley walk u know u have no business near a motorcycle im talking about the real deal idiots who give bikers a bad name
Sorry for your friend! Let's keep in mind he essentially had the weight of *2 home refrigerators* fall on him. Not to mention there are parts of the "refrigerator" that are flesh searing hot too. That will F anybody up regardless of speed and especially because of speed.
@@TheSevenboy127 As I comprehend and, respect your opinion I believe such a minute motorcycle infraction should be punishable by public execution. Therefore to teach these novice motorcyclists the ideals and techniques we motorcycle kings use on the public roadways.
@@camrust1952 yeah -- that's why MIST MACHINES are used in hot weather at football games. Moisture on the skin will itself lose heat in moving air, thus acting like a/c. Your physics claim is only half correct.
My first bike was a 7:50 shadow and my forever bike because of my age is a 744 Moto Guzzi V7. I don't need speed I need to be safe and in control these smaller bikes make the ride so much better.
Same, but when I was a wildland firefighting. Every time I see some dingleberry riding in shorts and New Balance sneakers, I see a trip to the ER with deglove injuries.
I've been riding motorcycles probably 35-40 years every year I go to a parking lot in the spring get tuned up for the summer coming I've never been disappointed in doing that
Because riding skills are perishable one has to refresh these skills every so often. Before a long ride I take several shorter trips before the big trip. It's still all there in your head, just takes some getting back the mo-jo. Thank you Kevin
Took the MSF Experienced Rider Course this year. One instructor said they have a few students who take it EVERY YEAR as a refresher. Good idea to keep skills from becoming atrophied!
Excellent advice, brother! I have expert riding skills, having ridden for many years with guys that have won World Championships on motorcycles...but in just one year of laying off of riding, when I come back to it, there is a definite and noticeable drop off of my riding skills, and it takes a number of rides, easing into it, to re-establish those skills. Self awareness and an honest, objective self assessment needs to take place each time you swing you're leg over that saddle, because your very life, and the lives of others, too, depends on it! I worked high voltage for 32 years, and what I loved about it was the focus, the laserbeam focus it took to do my job safely, and well...that was intoxicating! I use that same attitude and leaerbeam focus in my approach to riding my R1150RS, which can be ridden MUCH faster in the twisties than most other riders realize, if ridden properly, and with a serious 360 degree awareness, and the aforementioned, laserbeam focus! It is intoxicating, when a bike is ridden properly! I started riding dirt bikes at 8, as mentioned above, where I spent 10 years before any street riding, and after 53 years of riding bikes, it is just as fun now as it was way back then! It's still a blast!! Oh man, I love it so!!! Riding motorcycles, it's a great way to grow old, but never grow up!
@@j.b.8767 Hey J, great thoughts brother. Laserbeam focus and 360° awareness is very much what you need to survive any ride and make it home so you can go out again and again and again. Each second of a ride, and twist of the wrist, is imo, intoxicating, and just keeps you coming back and looking forward to the next ride. But, as Kevin and most other instructors say, keep learning, analyzing to be able to njoy the ride, either by yourself or with a passenger. Njoy ur next ride J. Keep the shiny side up brother, and sisters out there who njoy throwing a leg over. If u can't njoy any bike thats got two wheels, be it a scooter, ag bike Harley, B-mer or GoldWing, are you really a biker? 🛹🛴🚲🛵🏍😂👍🤙🌈🌏💜 Liv to ride another day
@@colinm1325 Well said, brother! Anything with 2 wheels, yea... I've had such a blast on Vespa scooters, and Honda scooters, dirt bikes, whatever it may be...it's awesome being in the picture, in the world, and not experiencing it through a hole in a box. I love my R1150RS, but am looking around for another dirt bike, now, too... Would love it if BMW would go back and build more R80G/S's, as they are, or were, awesome!! It's the best bike I've ever owned! It weighed 380lbs, was simple to work on, and a blast to ride!!! But a Honda 125 would be a blast, too, especially the way their built these days! Safe riding, brother! Enjoy your summer, man!
Great advice. I've been riding since I was 7 years old and I'm in my 40's now. Got my endorsement at 20 passing the written test with a 100% and the riding test with a 98%. I feel like everytime I throw a leg over one of my bikes I am stepping into the classroom of life. I've survived the "BIG" crash and tried to learn from it. Every ride I try to pay attention to my habits and techniques and try to improve upon them. Probably one of the best things I did to improve my riding was take up enduro or technical trail riding a few years back. Trying to learn ultra slow speed skills over and around obstacles in the dirt, has helped alot on the street. I feel, and this is just my opinion, that the day a rider thinks he has it all under control and gets to cocky or arrogant, is the day he's asking for a crash. Hopefully that's just a slow speed drop for the guy and not a major accident at highway speeds.
Any time I see a rider in shorts and t shirt I think they've never been to a Accident and Emergency and seen what even a low speed slide on a road does to the human body, all the gear everytime 👍.
Me too. I currently have my jacket being altered... week two without it. Haven’t been out on the bike since I sent it off. One more week to go before I get it back, thus one more week before I’ll be riding again.
I *just* watched a video of a dude wearing shorts and a t-shirt with one of those skull helmets take a face to the asphalt. His face was beet red on one side and his shoulder and knee had seen better days. All of that would have been avoided had he been wearing proper gear.
I agree!!! I will not ride with people even if they are my friends if they don’t gear up. It is just foolish! I don’t how long you have been riding it is STUPID!
It is a matter of common sense, isn't it? I am 66 now. When I rode a motorcycle for the first time in my life I was 26, I had the means to buy a 750cc Yamaha SECA. I noticed it too powerful for me back them, So I settled for a used VT250cc Honda. My friends used to laught at. It was a nice learning experience. In 2 years a moved to the 750cc SECA, great bike, then to 1100 cc Virago, then Road Star 1600cc finally to Harley Heritage softail classic. I am so happy with it because I really enjoy riding it. Thanks Kevin.
I was one of the "I've ridden dirt bikes my whole life" guys. I learned really fast that its a different beast on a 800 pound bike. A light bike can be man handled. A touring bike is not very forgiving at all lol. But I've pushed myself to be a better "controlled rider" mainly for my safety but honestly, I hate to think of myself being laughed at putting "landing gear" down and other goofy habits like duck walking an entire u turn or parking lot because I lack slow speed maneuverability. Love ur channel keep it up!😊🤙
A technique I learned to get my feet off the ground is to practice using only one foot at a stop to support the bike. So if you come to a stop at a traffic light, only touch the ground with your left foot. But if you come to a stop and you plan on turning right, use only your right foot to hold the bike up. It will pretty much teach you to use the fall of the bike to your advantage. Learn to come to a stop, lean one way or the other, and stick a foot out to catch. Instead of trying to avoid any tipping at all.
@@quantumleap4023 I agree with you completely but I only use my right foot if I see a dodgy surface or heavy camber on the left side. If the surface is dodgy all around I will use both feet. Since I got my DCT Goldwing I've stopped using my right foot routinely for starting off on a right turn. With no clutch to help control initial speed I found that keeping the foot brake covered means you can drag the brake a bit if you move off a bit quicker than iintended and so maintain control in the turn.
@@iannicholson9875 That makes sense since you ride a goldwing, they're really powerful. I ride a honda magna, and it's really hard to get good starts cause the first gear is really long and it has a heavy clutch, so it feels like as soon as you get going the clutch grabs and pulls you up to 20mph without much effort. Probably the same with a goldwing, very difficult slow speed maneuverability. Definitely good to know how to get the feet on the pegs immediately though, and focus on the turn after.
On my previous Goldwing 10 years ago, I was guilty of riding in short shirt, short pants and tennis shoes. I was lucky and never went down. I just purchased a ‘21 Goldwing DCT Tour. Never again will I ride without proper gear from head to toe. And luckily, I discovered this channel that is a blessing to both new and experienced riders !
Even with rider training it’s hard to get much better if you only ride to the bar and back and trailer your bike to ride around Sturgis. Probably the highest concentration of poor riders anywhere in the world is at the Sturgis Rally.
A lot of young guys on high power bikes doing stunts on the hyw with a lot of other riders (Probably is your highest concentration of poor riders) ....your picking on guys that have owned 3-8 bikes in there life time ,and are cutting loose at sturgis . Who cares if they ride 3k to get there or trailer it all the way ....And most have a life time of riding experience . And who are you to call out people at Sturgis or any where for the fact ..You sound just like the fence sitter who made this video.
@@roguewarr4662 Many of those people doing stunts on the highway have done a lot of training to get where they are. Many of those riders have more skill than those people.
@@illuforce Ya and that's why you see so many RU-vid videos of them dumping there bikes on the Hyw getting all f-up..And ya the hyw is the place to do stunts . We are just worlds apart on this issue . Ride safe .
When I got Kawasaki 650r, I was like the rider. Timid and scared of screwing up the bike. My buddy saw this and dragged me to an empty parking lot for hours on end doing drills. I'm thankful for that because it taught me to use proper technique and skill, to trust in my machine, and trust in the physics of the bike. The fear of screwing up greatly limited my ability to ride.
Daytona bike week is in March and where I live we have something called wind chill factor and snow in March so not too many guys from a good part of the U S can ride to Daytona for bike week
Your advice is always invaluable ! I am 54 years old, I have had motorcycles since I was 8. There is always something to learn, refine or be refreshed on. Your channel is an excellent service. Thank you !
Kevin, I am grateful for your service to motorcycle safety but you are COMPLETELY WRONG in your understanding of how sweat works. You should look it up and make a video to clarify. Essentially sweat does nothing to cool you until the moment that it leaves your skin. We've all heard of evaporative cooling. Trapping sweat against your skin does SFA cooling, hence in Australia I wear a mesh jacket, rather than a leather jacket.
I posted regarding my jacket and riding in heat. I am in agreement with you. If the sweat cannot evaporate, no cooling occurs. My jacket with all vents open is just too hot for 80+ days. I do have a mesh that is better, but I am also not so paranoid to ride in my shirt. My jacket did save my hide, literally, after a collision with a deer, even so, sometimes I just ride in my shirt. If I though any activity was soooo dangerous, I would just not partake. I am safety conscience but not paranoid. Cheers
I learned years ago to NOT ride when it's 95 deg or higher as the rider dehydrates too fast at that speed. I live in the desert of Arizona and I shake my head every time I'm out driving in my car in the summer (100+ deg) and people are out riding their bikes. I think, "What fools!" In the late 70's, I was in the Navy and it was then I bought my first bike. Yamerhammer 360 and in order to get it on the base, I had to take a safe rider course from the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It was a two day course and I'm glad I took it. We had to supply our own bikes too.
I live in az also just did the devils highway from morenci to Springerville all the way back to phx 600 miles 12 hours, and 112 that day. Don’t limit yourself.
I'm in Arizona. I ride every single day, year round. It's my only personal transportation. I think it's hilarious how many fair weather, weekend warriors we have in Arizona. Definitely a lot of office workers that ride bikes 3 months out of the year. They run from the AC in their car, to the AC at the grocery store, and back to the AC in their house. It's like they can't breath the atmosphere so they need an oxygen tank everywhere they go. I couldn't imagine living like that. It's depressing as hell.
I saw an old HD dude dragging his boots one day, and as he lifted them you could see they were half wore out from dragging on the pavement all the time. ( well, at least every weekend ) 😏
Heat well i went riding at 6am this morning it already over 90 degree. The hot wind will dry you so fast you will be very uncomfortable ..keep your clothes on and save your skin
I'm a new rider this year. I have a great time on my 883 sportster. My boyfriend is already telling me too get a road king. I say no. Not yet. I'm enjoying getting good on my little bike. I practice all the time on our culdesac road. I'm good at u-turns and slow maneuvers. I like not being afraid of my bike so I'll keep it for a bit. I also always wear boots and a helmet. He hates my Germanator! 😆
The sportster is more fun.. Trust me. With all the parts out there for them, you can customize it to make it comfortablr for you. I'm 5'10 and 250 and i find our Road King much less fun and a lot more work than our Indian Scout. Its good on an interstate, but thats about it.
@Jr ALEXANDER he rides in Ultra Classic but he just bought a motor that will fit a Road King frame so he's going to build one regardless this winter. I'm not completely opposed to it but I'm certainly not selling my sporty
@@stuckinpodunk he's ridden my sporty and so have a few of his friends and they all come back and say wow that's so much fun I forgot how much I like them!
I somewhat disagree with not buying the bike you want. I was your friend, but without the fear factor. Did drop the bike a few times, Once in front of the dealership during an event. Embarrassing yes, a teaching moment yes again. Can now hold my own with any rider, and have traveled the country on the bike I wanted in the first place. Your videos and the ones from "Ride Like a PRO" ( Jerry Paladino) helped a lot. I now consider myself a better rider than most of the "seasoned" riders I know, because I had to be to master a big, new Road King right off the showroom floor.
Great video Kevin! Hubby and I were just discussing the misconception people tell new riders that buying a small cc bike is pointless because they will outgrow it quickly! Hubby has been riding for over 50 years and I can tell you of all the bikes we own he has more fun on that R3 then the bigger bikes! We always wear gear even in hot weather, if it's too hot and humid we just do not ride and wait for another day! To add to the hot weather riding make sure you carry some water with you to stay hydrated because even with gear on you can still overheat causing problems!
What they don't understand is that the are MORE likely to drop the bike if they drag their feet. Keeping the feet on the pegs gives you so much better balancing.
7:05 Yeah, I find that so funny how long people keep their feet down. I roll maybe a foot and my feet are already up. Heck, I love it when I, upon coming to a stop sign, can stop and go without putting my feet down. xD Just make sure you've got enough gas to roll out. ;)
huyked I try to do the no-foot-down complete stop every chance I get. Occasionally I'll get a thumbs-up from a driver who sees me do it, and I'll know that guy is also a rider.
The thing that gets me the most is they are not going to keep the bike up at speed say 1-3 mph with their feet. Their foot will be kicked back and they will go down.
@@worldofzap That makes sense, unless they think it won't get caught and just skid along. But what I'm afraid of for them is that if something does catch their foot and possibly cause injury. I'm not really laughing at them, though I do find it sort of amusing and interesting.
While that is a good skill, if you've been to Sturgis, you know that the Sturgis police watch for that, and will ticket for a rolling stop if you if you don't put a foot down at the stop signs!
@@Rockoblocko I started on the Royal Enfield interceptor. It's a very good first ride but a little top heavy as well. I feel no bike is perfect thou...
I pulled up next to a guy on the highway that was wearing shorts and flip flops. His girl on the back had on a string bikini and flip flops. Although she was a sight to behold, on the back of that Ninja, I couldn't help but envision the scars she would receive from even a slow speed fall.
I've been riding since 1972, first a 45 trike and then two years later I got a big Panhead 74. The older big HD's were better at low speed due to their low center of gravity and a overall smaller and lighter bike than compared to the giant dressers that HD now makes. I've seen guys that started out on the older Pans and Shovels have trouble at low speeds on the newer ones because they are so heavy and tall, its hard to keep one upright at low speeds. I'm a smaller guy and my '97 Dyna is as big as a motorcycle I dare ride but my old rigid Pan is still the easiest to ride plus it looks like a motorcycle and not a fiberglass spaceship. Doesn't have a stereo either, I just listen to the motor and the traffic around me. -'lil stan
@@michaelszczys8316 I remember the days of my youth, when I had a big shiny Panhead '74 bobber. I would ride from the flatlands of Texas to the Colorado Rockies. Changing a primary chain in a flea bag parking lot, nearly freezing to death when it started to snow, kneeling down peering at a generator that quit charging in the middle of no where. Hardships are now cherished memories, was great to be young on a big motorcycle. No cell phones or GPS. Your not riding unless your gliding! -'lil stan
Interesting juxtaposition of the relation between the Arab clothing culture and the rationale for North American riders to be fully clothed when they ride. Nice work and research on your part. As much as I desire a higher-powered two-wheeled motorcycle at this time in my life. Logically, I'm looking at the 3-wheeled Can-Am Ryker as the sensible option. You're thoughts MC Rider???
Anything faster than a slow walk (which is immediately) upon takeoff means you are NOT in control unless your feet are on the pegs or floorboards. Sorry guys with forward controls only, you're about a step away from footdraggers for lack of control. I'm sure you pavement only riders will disagree with that statement but I would argue that your experience is incomplete until you are proficient in all types of surfaces.
2003 March, late March I was in Kuwaite inbound to Baghdad. I had all the gear and body armor. To counter the very complaint you describe on gear I put a calibrated free air temp gage center chest on a string under my T shirt. I did an hourly temp check for a week straight. I had a CW4 validate every hourly ✔ check. My body temp ran much COOLER with all my cloths and armor I was at 97. F what ever. The free air temp for that region was rumning 110-115 F
Hey you forgot one going to a motorcycle rally during a pandemic without being vaccinated or wanting to wear a mask. Blahahahaha. I picked up a nice bike on sale about 3 weeks after this. Fact there were a lot of bikes on sale after the last Sturgis.
Harley regularly offers a purchase value trade up program that's great for new riders, not sure if other dealers do this but it is a great program where you buy a Sportster and ride it for up to a year. Within the year you can trade it for anything not a roadster basically and they give you your original purchase price for trade in value.
I am from the UK and a middle-aged man i should have done my test when younger but that did not happen, so we have to take 3 practical test and 1 theory test before we are able to ride any bike bigger than 125cc (CBT, Mod1 slow speed skills & Mod 2 Road skills) I totally agree that this is a great way to learn to ride. You can just take the CBT, and then you can ride a 125cc for 2 years with learner plates before having to retake the CBT again. If you want to ride larger cc bike and you are over 21 you then do all your learning on a 650cc, which helps you get used to a larger cc bike. For me I did my CBT and then rode a 125cc for 1 year to get some road skills and to commute to work. I just passed my other 3 test 1 st time and now able to ride any size bike I like. I still want to learn so have gone for a mid-size bike to carry on learning and getting real-world practice thanks to you guys on youtube really shows that you cant take your test and think that's the end I can ride how I want now. I do hope people learn from these videos as they could be a lifesaver.
If you're interested in some practical advanced rider training in the UK I recommend RoSPA and IAM Roadsmart, both of which have groups across the country run by very helpful and well qualified volunteers.
UK testing is now very good for A1 125cc / A2 650cc licenses CBT / DAS tests. I got an old UK ride around the school carpark and round the block test for a bloke with a clipboard over 35 years ago then crashed a 250cc. Got back into biking in NZ later with LAMS bikes up to 650cc and graduated licencing. Think every sensible country should do it. Retrained and got better riding smaller bikes first. Think all lapsed riders should retrain and ride a smaller 650cc bike or less initially to save lives. Stats show its bikers 70% at fault open rural roads at weekends and cars/vans at fault 70% on urban weekday commutes. Very few bikers commute now. Don't commute on a bike unless you have to. Intersections are reak killers for bikes with in 1 in 6 intersection crashes fatalities for bikes. Way too many distracted drivers on roads. Traffic volumes are huge. Not worth risk commuting on a bike if you can avoid it. All year commuting is riskier in winter.
I'm on my third bike. I too am in NZ and got back into riding 11 years ago on a 250 cc bike before the Lam's rules came in. Never thought I would be able to sell that bike did 11,000 KMs on it got an 1100 virago put 47,000 KMs on that and 3 years ago got a 2300cc Triumph Rocket 3 and put 22,000kms on it I love this bike it's big and you have to respect the power or it will simply kill you. I need to get out more on the Rocket. Time on the bike is the best way to learn how to be safe on it.
It’s kind of funny that after watching your videos these past several years how many small details I’ve picked up on when observing other riders. Especially Hard front wheel breaking when coming to a stop, and dragging or leaving ones feet down when approaching or leaving a stop seems to be more common with touring riders than sport bike riders but the same reduction in control of the motorcycle applies. Keep up the great work helping to educate and protect riders out there! Have a great day from Southern California! Matt
I never use my brakes, EVER!!! Just kidding. The goal is to use as little braking as possible. Which means proper down shifting. By the time you get to the stop sign or light, you should be going slow enough that it requires little brake pressure to stop your bike
It saddens me when I see riders wearing minimal if any protective clothing. I never, never go out on my bike without wearing armour. That is helmet, jacket, gloves, jeans and boots. Yet another enjoyable video, keep them coming. Softail Street Bob owner Liverpool UK.
A point I haven't seen anyone else make....This is directed to the wives, girlfriends, or just the friends of the new rider...... *STAY OFF THE BIKE!* Motorcycles with passengers handle much different than bikes with just a rider. This is true for a lot of reasons but a rider with skills is far better equipped to handle common issues with a passenger on the back than a "Green" rider. Decline the invitation from the noob rider......
I would never be s passenger on bike with a new rider! That's a scary thought. Also since I'm a new rider so I won't take a passenger. I even took my passenger for pegs off and I'm switching to a solo seat.
What’s even worse is a ‘ noobee ‘ PASSENGER that doesn’t know how to control their weight on the back. They’ll make you run off the road or even crash into something for nothing.
I’ve quit riding on the street altogether, too many people not paying attention and I’ve had two friends seriously injured from left turn accidents in the last few years. I strictly do track days and racing. Track days will really help develop your cornering skills with a good instructor. Always full leathers and gear at the track.
I have to agree with all of these. Gear is the biggest one. I see so many in sneakers and shorts and a t shirt. I just hope that I never see them go down and have to do some sliding.
Kevin, great videos my friend. I recently sold my Harley and am currently without one. But I believe that your videos are important and continue to support what your doing through Patreon. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Kevin. I couldn't make it to Sturgis this year, although it's been fun watching from the town's 3 live feeds. I saved a ton of money, although I did miss out on that whole licking the cool whip out of the bartender navels thing.
@@wickid3616 those people give sportbike riders a bad image. I rode a cbr1000rr me and my buddies take safety seriously. As do most of the older people that ride then. But I personally think we are way safer riders that big heavy bikes. 90% of cruisers don't even wear gear. And we practice extreme situations. I've seen so many cruisers that just ride right next to each other, 110 pound girls trying to hold up a 800# bike. That said I discriminate against no rider that can actually ride. Being on 2 wheels is a freedom in its own.
I've been there with the "This little bike is so easy, I've been riding for a year, I'm an expert! I'm ready for a REAL BIKE". I went from loving to ride to afraid to ride. Looking for every reason to ride to making every excuse not to ride. In some ways I regret it of course, other ways it make me more aware of my abilities (moreso lack of ability) much more willing to take classes and appreciate them, as well as trying to absorb and practice stuff I learn for channels like yours. Not so sure I'd be a member or even watch your videos had I not make that common mistake. Before I went through that "real bike" failure, my head was a bit big for my shoulders and was like a teenager "I know it all, I can do it all, you know nothing!." Sometimes us humans need that humbling wake-up call unfortunately.
I started on a 1980 iron head sporty, ride it 2 years developed my skills, then moved up to a Electra glide classic, I was scared to drop it and had to build my confidence on the bigger heavier big, parking lots are a big help and didn't take long to have the confidence back. Thank you great info as always.
I dropped my dirt bike on my foot and easily broke the fifth metatarsal. You don't even have to be moving to receive a serious injury. Wish I had boots on but I didn't...
Removing gear because of the heat...nope... It's 99 deg. today too hot for a ride and Harley's don't like it that hot. So no M/C ride today, looks like I'm cranking up the A/C and watching Gunsmoke re-runs.
So true! But what do we know people will say. I became an instructor up here in Canada only to find that (in my case) the Chief Instructor was only there, it seemed, for the position. I quit the day when he refused me to rendering more time with a hearing impaired woman. I was willing to assist her at lunchtime. “ if you do that, everyone will want more practice”. So the bad habits were already being demonstrated to the new riders. “Need more practice, find it elsewhere Lady!” BTW...she fell that afternoon (I had left) on the course and never returned!
I learned the evaporative cooling aspect from one of your videos years ago, and that's why on the hottest days I'm always covered with jacket or heavy over shirt. I'm definitely guilty of riding in a tee shirt at times, but certainly not due to heat. Thanks for continuing to encourage us to learn and grow!
Started riding three years ago and on a 2002 H-D Sportster 883. I’m still rocking this bike and love to ride her. IF I were to step up to a larger bike because my riding needs changed (like riding farther distances and need to use highways), I would likely step up to something like a Soft Tail Deluxe, yet keep my Sporty for more around town and short rides. I’ve met a lot of people who compliment my bike and say they wished they had kept their Sportsters. Ride safe everyone!
Many old timers are getting older. They’re not young anymore. They aren’t capable of riding efficiently as they used to years ago. A lot of these old guys need scooter 🛵 . I’m being serious. It’s more manageable at their age.
Jose Reyna, that is a good point - retire from riding before it's too late. My dad sold his bike this year (2020) probably a couple of years later than idial as he dropped it a couple of times at intersections and couldn't lift the bike on his own. I am 61 yrs old now and need to anticipate the time that I can't ride any more.
Great story and advice. I see plenty of people with little to no experience riding powerful/heavy motorcycles. Usually the result is not good. With new young riders, the usual desire is for speed so several just go for a 1000cc sportbike and count on divine protection.
A lot of police officers don’t wear full gear 🤔, don’t think I’ve ever seen one. Never really hear of them getting into accidents. Motor officers are some of the best riders out there, high skill set and practice. Not that you shouldn’t wear gear, no Substitute for Skill.....
@@brucelee9968 More stupid than that, there are usually two or three reports every year of brain dead cagers hitting emergency vehicles in full flashing lit wail.
I’ve been watching “Ride like a pro with Jerry” planning to eventually get his lessons to practice. I don’t take my beginners MSF weekend course until April. But I’m trying to soak in all the information I can before that time. Thank you for all the information and knowledge you guys give out.
@@swskitso thanks man, I’ve had a 96’,98’,12’, and now a 17’ lol I eventually want to get an older ram. I have a 1964 F100 sitting in my garage right now. and a 1966 C10 sitting up at the farm. So eventually I’d like to find and old dodge so I can have one of each brand lol
@@adavidson116116 my brother is going after a 69 chevy stepside tomorrow. My ram has rusted frame and needs a lot of tlc but its the first year they put Ram on the truck so i dont want to get rid of it.
#2 I can't tell you how many times i've heard that. Had it for over a year now, i still love riding my 250. That doesn't mean i don't have another bike now :) but i still take it our regularly.
Into my 4th season on my 250 dual sport, first bike. Absolute blast, the only time I actually need more power is to do things I shouldn't be doing on the road anyway 😂
Thanks for sharing Kevin, some great information there. My first bike after I got my license was a Yamaha TW200! What a great fun bike. The dealer where I lived in Yukon let me use the bike for my test and I bought it after the test. God bless and stay safe.
Appreciate you, Kevin. I do feel like pointing something out, though, since we like to do things right. The process of sweating does not cool the body, it's the evaporation of the sweat that cools. Thus, an impediment to evaporation will reduce cooling efficacy. Plus it promotes additional sweating which hastens dehydration. I'm pro-gear but that argument presented is based on misunderstanding, sorry. Blessings. The covering from head to toe for roofers, etc, is for protection from contact with hot surfaces and protection from the prolonged effects of direct sunlight. Not for a cooling aid.
You said it much better then me. A light and loose fitting long sleeve shirt would be much cooler then a motorcycle jacket. I wear my jacket all the time but to pretend that it is more comfortable in truly hot weather is a joke.
@@teatowel11 I have a mesh jacket and pants, under just a loose t-shirt and shorts. Gets good air through to evaporatively cool me while moving and I feel reasonably protected. I've gone down in dirt in them and they've kept me from getting scraped up without getting damaged. Cheers!
I disagree. Harley's are not designed for the taller rider. They simply don't fit on the bike. You can say that it's a bad habit, but it's pure speculation on your part to say their doing it because the rider fears dropping the bike.
Riding in Metropolitan Texas, I can emphasize the first point. In the heat of summer I tried riding to work down the highway without my jacket. OMG it was like being in a Blast Furnace. From then on, I wore my jacket. Although I got sweaty, it was actually cooler.
Three of my nephew's fought in Afghanistan. One of them couldn't understand why they wore robes, so he got a chance to wear a robe. He said it was like wearing clothes with built in air conditioning. He was 100% cooler wearing robs.
When I took my motorcycle safety course one of the instructors said that the people that have been riding a long time with bad habits are the hardest to teach the correct safe riding. This was after two people were let go for riding unsafe and would not listen to instruction.
Great advice Kevin. I have had a MC Endorsement before I had my regular Driver License. Started out on a Yamaha 2 stroke 125 street bike after High School. My Dad was mad as hell and I moved out. After the Yamaha 125 moved up to a Yamaha XS750 Special 3 cylinder they called the triple threat. First Shaft Drive bike for me. It was fast. Had that for years and sold it to a co-worker that needed a drive to work because he had one car and his wife was expecting a baby. Long story short went to a Kawasaki 1998 Vulcan 1500cc and 8 years later to a 1600cc Vulcan. After 5 years moved up to a 2005 Honda Goldwing and never looked back. I'm not a big guy about 6'1" and my weight is 180. Now I just purchased my new 2018 Goldwing Tour and it is a new learning curve again. Your Videos are a great tool for young riders coming up. Everyone Ride Safe.
Every time I've been to Sturgis the whole thing has been a series of common motorcycle rider mistakes happening all around me! 2nd time I went there, a guy on a Sportster rear ended a car and got killed, right in front of us. One of the guys I was riding with was a Paramedic. Jumped off bike and immediately started trying to save him. From the bikes came 3 ER nurses and a physician to assist... Welcome to Sturgis indeed. Harleys are such good bikes, shame a lot of the owners aren't up to the bikes, just buy and ride like its an appliance. (and before you start I've owned 5 Harleys, numbers 1 and 3 is still in my garage)
It amazes me to see these wannabe pirates. Duck walking those 800# $30k turd bikes everywhere, I always thought they looked like they were on their first bike. You’ve pointed out that they probably are.
Hey Ken I just wanted to compliment you on all the different categories that you cover and techniques . I currently study under riding with the pro Jerry paladino and hopefully by next year get certified as an instructor keep up the good work thanks again jare bear from Oshkosh Wisconsin
I know Ken I found that out from Donna when I was giving her a pep talk about her hip surgery and then next week she was back to riding I'm glad she is. I told her my story about just beating pancreatic cancer and getting back on my ultra glide classic that gave me drive to recover thank God above cuz I'm clean of all cancer and no more chemo or radiation so I've been practicing a lot more. Take care and I hope one day to meet you in person warm regards jear bear
Small groups are fun though. I usually go out with a couple of my older friends and it's a blast. A very mixed group too. Sport bikes, cruisers, Honda couches..I mean Goldwings.
I see a lot of those terrified riders, your way of describing them was perfect, here in Canada there riding(very carefully) from Tim Hortons to Tim Hortons
