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I’ve looked but can’t find any vids about loose sand like what’s left after winter you know at intersections and corners. Turning into a intersection with loose sand sit back and do a upright corner instead of the lean in turn.
Absolutely correct, I was just talking about this the last few days. Had my first group ride and found out that it’s not good to be at your limit and the bike limit out on a spin the whole of the ride.
Kevin, I agree with you whole heartedly. I'm an ex outlaw biker, and I've went down because of alcohol. I've been hit in an intersection...i was drunk at the time. In fact, I've done so many crazy stunts on a large bike while drinking, that I am surprised that I am still alive. Now, with over 8 yrs of sobriety, and a ministry within the outlaw community, I try to steer brothers and sisters away from being the fool that I have been, and that not everyone gets a second chance. Thanks for your work...
I dumped my first bike after drinking. I was okay, but the damage to my hard earned bike broke my heart. I sold it and didn’t ride for 15 years. I don’t drink anymore and now have a Harley. I did get cocky and dump it once in a tight curve. Thanks to heavy insurance, the damage to the bike was easily fixed, but the damage to my old body took awhile. It humbled me. Thanks for the reminder. Being cocky is what can cripple you or get you brain injured & in diapers for life.
#6 Don't get road rage. If somebody cuts you off, don't get road rage, they'll be gone and if you're still stewing you'll be distracted and more likely to have an accident. If somebody cuts you off, don't get angry, instead be pleased with yourself that you identified the situation and were able to take action to avoid an accident.
I haven't experienced any road rage myself. I travel mostly on the freeways of LA and Ventura Counties and a car isn't around me long enough to cause road rage. Here it's common for bikes to travel in the same lane as cars (share the lane) and a lot of cars will veer to the left when it's near stop and go and they see a motorcycle coming. When I see them do that I make sure I give them a wave of thank you which in turn, other cars take note of. If anyone appears to take offense to my riding, well, a twist of the wrist on my Yamaha FZ1 bike is all it takes to be away from them. Once thought about getting a sports car and then realized - going from point a to point b is much faster on my bike than in any sports car on the streets where I ride. At 73, I like to "twist my wrist". When I rode my first Ninja 250 a lot of shifting was done near redline... haven't even seen redline on my FZ1 (or maybe I don't bother to look down if I am hitting it - keeping my eyes on the road ahead.) But I know I never hit redline in 6th gear as I've not hit top speed as yet.
I'm pretty sure that road rage is not something someone can control. It is a matter of personality and it comes on in a flash. Some folks are just plain hot-headed. Not good, but just the way some people are.
Good point. I picked up riding after my kids were raised. I am very fortunate in that the people I ride with are very good, long time road riders. Me? not so good..... raced for years as a kid, realized very quickly a Road King is not a 250 motocross bike. The people I ride with really take the extra time with me as we go.
I THINK the point is...one can get away with drinking and driving in a care to a much greater extent than drinking and driving a motorcycle....I think most would agree with this....
Yeah, about a month back I did some web searching on motorcycle accident stats. I was really shocked how many motorcycle deaths involved a drinking rider. Insanity!
perry jones Agreed...Balance is critical on a bike, and is greatly affected by alcohol. I would drive a car with one, or two drinks (legal), but my bike ... zero drinks thanks.
Steve, I will have one (1) and only one, beer when I am driving on 4 wheels. My limit is ZERO (0) when driving on 2 wheels. That is "Club Soda" only when I am driving my Motorcycle. I love keeping all the skin on my bones more than drinking!
Kevin, you are an excellent motorcycle ambassador. Every time I watch one of your videos I feel your love and passion for the sport. Excellent video, sir.
True!! You should make #4 number 1, I typically would say know your limits... I do not ride on the road, I mainly do off-road riding and I took a good 12year hiatus and when I got back on, I purchased a 250 4 stroke and I took it slow and progressively improved and increased my "limits"!!
It IS nice to see someone with a level head, that is screwed on straight and comes at a serious subject (such as skills improvement. . . of any kind, not just on a motorcycle) with genuine caring for the wellbeing of those motovated to view & learn. Indeed, thank you.
Prescription drugs. If there is a warning label that says you should not operate heavy equipment while taking that drug, you should stay away from your bike also.
One thing that maybe a source of risk is riding with a friend or group riding. Not only for beginners, but also experienced bikers. One may feel "pressured" to ride outside of his/her comfort zone. Be smarter, don't follow people on a death ride.
Luckily I ride with a pretty good group, and the leader usually has a lay over spot for the slow pokes (me). Back roads with a group kind of takes the pressure off for me.
On the whole, I agree with you Sylvain. At 60 I don't feel the testosterone pressure to keep up or show off in a group ride. However, I do like the safety, and "unmissability" of being in a group of 30 Harleys on a HOG ride. There's little chance of a car giving you a SMIDSY (sorry mate, I didn't see you). When I'm not in the shit Sydney traffic, I like being on my own and slowly working on my skills.
Just to add, all things being equal, proper group riding as in using hand signals, discussing the route, and planning stops along with what if's in case the group is separated is a must. If the group is not doing that, they aren't really doing group rides, they are just riding around. There are MSF videos on group ride rules. A good group is actually safer to ride with, than going it alone all the time.
Yup. The amount of videos I've seen of motorcyclists going off at car drivers for almost hitting them when actually the motorcyclists would have been smarter to slow down and give the car right of way. It's a joke
The only thing I would add is, wear the right gear. Riding with bare flesh will always make it worse for you when things go wrong. Protective motorcycle gear can not only save you from serious injury, or even your life, but can save you a fortune on hospital bills too.
I'm a returning rider after 20 years off. Coming back at 64 yrs old, I didn't take a course but was so highly unsure of my skills that I read everything I could find about riding, spent a lot of time in parking lot practice, and adopted the most conservative approach centered on acceleration sense, safe separation from motorists and obstacles... and kept riding until the smoothness and confidence came back. At 66 now, I don't ride like I did in my 30s and 40s. I value life, have a greater sense of mortality and better sense about where the limits are and how to stay within them. Scaring yourself on a bike is stupid, profane, senseless. Thrills and danger don't hold any attraction for me. Smoothness and mastery are the payoff nowadays. Would that more young riders saw the value in this. Kevin, keep up the good work while I endeavor to do the same. If I had to add a Number 6, it would be to be aware of your mood and mental state before throwing a leg over. Motorcycling requires a clear, open and relaxed mind and undivided attention. Riding angry, riding depressed, riding distracted, riding buzzed, riding when late to be somewhere, or just riding when you're not feeling 100% is trouble waiting to happen. Learn when to leave your steed in the garage... that's my Number 6.
Take the course of you have a free weekend. You can always learn more it's a few hundred bucks, but the that one thing you learn can save you or your bike
LakeOfLitSterno you speak words of wisdom...many a time I've stayed off the bike due to not feeling that I could give it 100% due to something else on my mind .. stay safe
have been riding for 40 continuous years ,every spring i go to an empty parking lot and practice . also i keep reminding myself not to get cocky . I also avoid new riders like the plague .
New riders need skilled old guys like you. I've been riding fairly steady since 1973 so I understand your premise, but I wish you'd think about imparting your wisdom and abilities into the next wave of riders! They need us.
I am in Group 1 and 2...59 years old first time rider and 2 weeks after my MSF was finished I was riding home on a Vulcan S ABS SE...but..because of your videos, I spent my first month riding in a parking lot practicing slow speed maneuvers and emergency braking and limited my exposure to surface streets...now after three months, I am everywhere, riding with confidence...highways, surface streets, lane splitting (live in San Diego) and just when I thought I had it dialed in, you have brought me back to reality...so I will enroll in the next level of riding classes asap...thank you
This is what I’m going to do , spend a month or more training, buy a crash bar, learn how to pick up a dropped motorcycle , hopefully never drop it . And avoid highways and busy streets , I got into a very bad accident where my Honda SUV was totaled because of an idiot who thankfully I didn’t hit but they drove away, leaving me with a busted guardrail on the turnpike , so I’m pretty wayyyy more aware now whenever I drive anything! Even a bicycle .
mine is in my pocket every day ! She is on a silver coin attached to a lanyard ! Every morning we have a little talk. My day will be safer. She and I are inseperable.
I’m squarely in Category 4. Re-entering the motorcycle world at 65 after a 30-year hiatus while raising kids. This channel is much appreciated for the invaluable information and content. I know I am starting from scratch. I have no illusions about that. I have a lot of work, training, and practice off the streets ahead of me.
It's been a year and I'm right there with you now. I'm a returning rider in my 40's and I feel the same way bud. Hope you're having wonderful rides these days!
Me too rode as a motorcycle officer then didn’t ride for 25 yrs I’m inky 60s now riding again I bought a 2001 road king so exact same bike I rode as a motor officer so this made riding it a lot easier. 👍🏻🏍️
Kevin, Thank you so much! I am 65 yrs old, been riding since 1971. Your observations and comments were sobering and have kept me safe for many years. Especially about drinking and scooting. It makes sense to take and re-take the MSF safety course every few years. In PA it costs nothing, but counts for everything! I wear jeans, boots, kevlar jacket, and gloves all year round and I am not inconvenienced. People don't realize that at 10mph thay are moving at 15 feet per second. You can't run that fast. I tell them go run as fast as you can and dive to the ground. See how that feels... Thanks for your video. Rick
@psdimagedoctor, some people CAN run much faster than 10mph. Ever watched Usain Bolt??! lol Great point though about how fast you're moving at 10mph. I'm sure almost no one thinks of that..
@@PersianKevin You're one of the smart ones. I just saw someone in town today riding a scooter (one of the larger ones), and he had no protective gear of any kind - not even a helmet! I just don't understand that type of thinking. Do they think, because it's a scooter, none of that gear is necessary?? Yet, they can still travel 40-50mph! Crazy.
I just bought my first motorcycle and really appreciate this video. I wanted a Harley, but I bought a Rebel 250 instead until I have more experience due to weight/power/price difference. I often see people in motorcycle groups talking about 'bar hopping' on their bike or how wheelies are a thing you practice on the road just about a month into riding. It's very nice to listen to somebody with experience and reason weighing in on these topics.
Wise decision, you have alredy figured out to stay away from people who consider wheelies a riding skill, so pretty sure you will safely enjoy your time on motorcycles!
One of the most poignant lessons in riding ability was brought home to me in 1988 when I got a job as a postman riding a Honda CT110 Ag bike. About three months or so into my job I was sent to a "stay upright" course to teach us rider safety and survival techniques. Now, by 1988 I had been riding for over 11 years, on every type and size of bike except trail/off-rode types; I'd travelled around much of Australia by 1,000 cc BMWs almost every year between 1981-1987, but realised after the course I had survived more by luck than ability- I knew nothing!! The two blokes convening the course taught me things I NEVER knew and identified lots of bad habits I'd been using for years! I would urge anyone, regardless of their situation who loves riding to take up a riding course. Absolutely it is money well spent. I'm now 58, ride a Moto Guzzi 1100 California and still remember and use the skills I learned at that course back in 1988.
Hi again Kev. Something I'd like to point out, which, if it's been covered in a previous video, then I apologize. 18 years ago I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which nearly cost me my life. A friend and I were on our way back from a ride out when, negotiating a left hand bend, I lost control of my bike (a Kawasaki GPX600R) and ended up on the other side of the road, having parted company with my bike, and going under a pick-up truck. Now although it's been 18 years since the accident, I don't remember anything about the accident itself. The first thing I remembered was waking up in hospital in excruciating pain. What I'm telling you is what I was told by the police, after they had taken witness statements. Apparently what happened was that I'd lost control of the bike going around the corner - the bike went under a car traveling the other way, followed by me going under the pick-up truck which was following the car. I won't go into detail about the accident other than to say I spent 3 months in hospital and have since been in constant pain necessitating in my taking high doses of morphine capsules every day. What caused the accident? The police asked me this while I was in hospital, but I couldn't figure out what had happened (being doped up to the eye-balls in painkillers didn't help my thought processes at the time). It was a summer's day, the weather was fine, not a cloud in the sky, the road surface was good, and the traffic (there was quite a lot of traffic as it was early evening and people were heading home after their day out) was moving at about 50 mph. The bike was in excellent condition - it had just been MOT'd a few days earlier. My mate was a few cars in front, and I was moving up through the traffic to catch him up, but only when it was safe to do so - only overtaking when it was clear to pass. It wasn't until months later that I realized what had most likely caused the accident. You will recall I mentioned the bike having been MOT'd a few days before the accident. Well, in order to pass the MOT the bike required that I fit new brake pads and new tires all round. What I'd forgotten, and dearly wish, now, that I'd remembered, was that when new pads and/or tires are fitted one must ride very carefully, and certainly not brake hard for the first hundred miles or so to allow the pads to 'bed in' and to allow the tires to scuff up sufficient to grip the road surface well. I think it was a combination of the new pads causing the breaks to 'bite' and the new tires not gripping the road surface that caused me to lose control of the bike . . and at less than 50mph too! So, let that please be a warning to those of you who have just put new brake pads and/or tires on your bike. RIDE CAREFULLY for the first hundred miles or so and don't put yourself in a position where you have to brake sharply. I wouldn't wish what I went through in hospital upon my worst enemy. Believe me, it was the worst time of my life - ever!
@@sheevshimvang4676 You're welcome mate! ...and if it helps save a biker's life that's even better. Take care ... and watch out for the idiots on the road - there's plenty of 'em!
@Sheevshim Vang ... and I'm chenks's mate who had to deal with it :) It really was as bad as he says, I think every one of us was riding much more carefully after seeing what it did to him. Assume every other road user is a psychopathic moron who wants to kill you, frequently check over your bike to keep it safe, and you will survive to enjoy many many years of happy riding. ... and study Motorcycle Roadcraft! Shalom
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I'm new to riding and am picking up my bike tomorrow with new tires. I'll be 'easy riding' for that 100 miles!!!
New rider with a completely new bike. Was told bit to even get it over 6k rpm on revs for 600 miles. Very hard thing to resist but the first 100 miles is between life and death. When I'm on straights doing 30mph. I test those brakes every chance I get. Thanks for your advice. Do you still ride?
Great advice. Road an MC from 1972 to 1975 then let my M class expire. Decided to begin riding again 35 years later. First stop was an MSF weekend riding course which was incredibly informative. First bike was a Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800 cc), then two years later moved up to a Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad (1500 cc), and then two years later bought a Harley Heritage Softail (1680 cc), then 4 years later bought a Harley Street Glide (1750 cc). Don’t rush it. My philosophy is that every time I climb onto my bike, I view at as an opportunity to hone my skills and become a better rider.
Great video. The only thing I would add, is making yourself visible. Saw a rider the other day on a black bike, black helmet, black jacket, black pants, boots and gloves. I could squint my eyes a little, and he just disappeared. Wear Hi Viz, ride with your highbeam on during the day. Replace incandescent bulbs with LED lights, use brake light flashers, etc. Be seen
I came across your videos by chance. A lot of good advice you give on these recordings. I myself am rider of 3 years (I have a total of 60,000 miles under my belt),still a rookie. I've gone down about 4 times,doing wheelies and riding in canyons. Those falls taught me a great deal. Close calls also taught me where and when to exercise heightened caution. Things I've learned: 1. Always be aware of the ground you are about to go over. Is there sand? Is it wet? Is there a terrible pothole? 2. Painted lines and metal plates become slick when wet. Had a few close calls until I learned to respect my grip. 3. Grip depends on several things,like not gunning it through a turn,the condition of your tires,the condition of the ground you're riding on,the speed at which you approach a curve among others. 4. Somehow, the plastics the visors are made of distort the light that reaches your eyes a little,increasing slightly the difficulty to properly perceive objects at a distance. 5. Risky maneuvers like "beating" oncoming cars when turning left are to be avoided. Your motorcycle may have a hiccup at that precise moment and that's going to change your life in a bad way. My motto is "no sudden moves". 6. Ride like you're invisible. This one is obvious. People texting while they drive,people out of state not used to splitting lanes (I'm in California),old people and others with poor sight or aggressive and careless drivers who are sure you will get out of their way. 7. Not tailgating or being tailgated. I saw 2 riders,20 feet away eat asphalt because of this. Keep your distance. 8. Know what you're riding. Too many people think they can handle a 750cc motorcycle until they drop the bike and slide 300 feet. Anything over 600cc is nothing to play with. 600cc is probably the ideal option, enough power to beat 90% of the vehicles on the road and still manageable enough to control safely. 9. Green doesn't mean "GO!!!". Look both ways at all intersectionsbefore you advance. People run red lights all the time and may crash into you as you go on your green-light merry way. 10. Never "beat" a red light. You may have glanced away and missed precisely when the light turned yellow and as you attempt to beat it,it goes red and a car crosses your path ending your riding career,or even worse, your life.
Another great video, Kevin. I'm a #4 and #2 (for the second time). When I put an aftermarket pipe on my '82 Honda 750/V4, I had a pro re-jet the carbs. While waiting for them to finish, I strolled thru their ocean of crashed bikes awaiting repair. With VERY few exceptions, the odometer on each of maybe 20 machines showed either 3K miles or 12K miles. It seems to me that this dovetails with your 1-year group, where you THINK you have the beast tamed. Mario Andretti once said in an interview is that his secret was to take a machine that wanted to kill you and make it purr. So true, even more so for 2 wheels on the street. I'm enjoying a Yamaha FZ-07 now, and finding few real improvements over my Honda of 35 years ago. Every time I go out, I try to remind myself to ride my age and stay alert. Keep up the good work; you're saving a lot of people from themselves!
The best way to avoid drinking and riding is to quit drinking completely. The fact is you don't need it to have a good time. You can hang out with your buddies, laugh and act silly without a single drink. Having a good time is more psychological than being intoxicated. Then when its time to head home you no longer need to worry if the car behind you is the cops. If I get pulled over, I can honestly say that my last drink was 10 years ago. Most things in life (including motorcycle riding and sex) are better when you don't drink. Life has its problem, but when you drink they become worse. I quit on my own without AA. I've been riding motorcycles for 40 years and do not own a car.
I hear ya. Not much of a drinker, don't need it, livin chilled out, peaceful and happy. Alcohol doesn't add, it takes away. I dont watch Dr.Dhil either, or drink soda.
agreed, I don't drink at all. its completely pointless and for weak people who need an outlet for their sad lives. Also I don't drink soda at all either, why take in things that are going to slowly kill you lol. Id rather go out in an unavoidable accident on my bike than from years of poisoning myself with drugs, alcohol and tons of sugar.
Thanks for sharing you opinion. It is certainly hard to not have a drink in our society today, and I have to admit I always feel better when I'm not drinking. Who knows, it may eventually go out of style like cigarettes.
Twisted 2009 my 950cc is my first bike. 12,000 miles and always learning. Wait till you're stuck in torrential rain at night and your viser and clear eye protection fogs up and you're on freeway... Milimeters from smashing into back of semi truck. That's when you spend a day more thankful instead of not moving at all from fear alone.
Seems like the training you get in the US is very different from Sweden. Here you have a lot of hours of training on roads, test tracks and class room training regarding risk assessment.
I am just saying, there are different setups. Many people who gets killed on bikes have no real training. There are certainly people who can learn by doing, but training is needed for most people I'd say. It's quite different from driving a car and much more dangerous and we accept that some degree of training is needed for that to drive safely in traffic.
Always regard EVERY auto/ truck driver as out to kill you...on purpose. The "on purpose" part keeps you wary enough to have a chance of survival among the drunks, the distracted, the incompetent. If riding on congested freeways or rush hour clogged roads is your thing....well RIP!
I learned to ride from the beginning in a rider's course (MSF) and my life has been saved a few times by things I learned there that I would have known nothing about otherwise.
Great Video! I would add that, springtime always brings out the riders that haven’t been riding since the end of the last summer... Early spring rider deaths seem to be very high. I recommend riding at least 2 times a week, even if it’s a quick ride to the corner store. This helps keep your skills at their sharpest. Ride On...
Amazing, how from the motorcycle safety course to riding around on my buddy’s bike to reading about riding and watching videos about certain bikes, the most I’ve learned is from your common sense videos about safety and careful riding procedures. I want to thank you for that!
I am a new rider. Took my basic class in May of this year and practiced, practiced, practiced in a closed parking lot on my father's Heritage Softail. I bought a 2017 Fatboy. I feel that if you ride at your skill level you can ride any bike. I'm in my 40s, not interested in speed or looking cool for others. I'm not ready for the interstate or the mountains. I ride locally, I dress for the slide, full face helmet, reflecting vest. I ride my ride and my my skill level each and every time I ride and I learn from each ride. I love my bike and I feel very safe on her. I know she has massive amounts of power, but I know it isn't necessary to use it, nor do i want to. Not to contradict you, but I believe if you are responsible and respect the power of the machine, respect others on the road, and put safety 1st you can ride anything.
A responsible rider like yourself can do that. I have to be careful though in what I say on video because a lot of people are listening. People tend to think they are much better riders than they actually are so I always recommend to start small. But, there are other ways to get where you want to be. 👍
I too am in my 40s and I have only been riding less than two years. My first bike was a Honda Shadow 750. After about 8 months I traded that in for a Triumph Rocket III Touring. It is the largest production engine coming in at 2,300cc. I have absolutely no need for that much power, but the Rocket III is incredibly comfortable for longer rides. I also commute to work if it is not too hot or rainy. The key thing is to know your limits, your deficiencies, and what you need to do to mitigate your risk by improving your skills. My biggest challenge is listening to myself, knowing my limits, and not succumbing to peer pressure. What people think I should be able to do and what I know I can do are two entirely different things.
Hey Kevin, love your show. I'm in category #4. Use to have a GL 1800 and I rode a lot. But my health was failing. so i sold it. after 7 years and dropped 70 lbs , I was feeling great. So I bought a new GL 1800. But it was 200 miles from home. no problem right? Wrong!! So I got on this thing and was heading home and the guys at the dealership had to think (oh my) he's not going to make it home. Well I did, and boy when I got home I hurt so bad I couldn't hardly walk for two day's. So The first thing I thought of I need to hone in my skills. so I went some lonely county roads and started to get my skills back. It wasn't overnight for sure.but much better. I started to watch your shows and practiced to get my skill's back. I;m 63 and realize my reaction time was not what it was, but I have learn a lot from your shows. I am more confident, but not overly confident. So thanks for taking the time to produce your show. I will continue to watch and learn.
I've been riding for about 8 months, and have just now learned clutch and throttle control. I ride a MT-03 and that's all the bike I can handle. Good video sir
I ride a Suzuki burgman 400. I'm 62.5 . I started back riding last yr but I knew a full scale motorcycle was to heavy and fast for me. I chose the burgman for several reasons. Storage, step through, speed will get up to 90 or so and that's fast enough for me. Being a female, we dont get much respect in my area ,let alone on a maxi scooter. I love to ride but I'm understanding my limitations. Your tips and advice have helped me tremendously. The concepts of riding all bikes are the same so I listen and learn. Thank you for your time and all you contribute
Thanks a million! You're a life saver! I am one those who came back riding again after 30 years and after watching this video I decided to take a training course again! And honestly I owe it to you! Thanks again!
Great video. I came out of class and bought a 2018 street glide special and yes the horsepower and torque is different. I practiced on a empty lot and getting better without being cocky
First, as a retired news photographer, I gotta commend you on your excellent framing! Well played! Next, as a retired news photog, I was witness to a few bad mc accidents, most of which involved alcohol. "Not even one beer". Words to, literally, live by. I am a returning rider. I took the AMA basic course to get a license. First bike- 400 Yamaha. Now I'm riding a 650 Royal Enfield with great humility. First thing in the spring, a more advanced course. Never stop learning and never think you're good. Thanks!
Just throwing this out there.. I think you can learn on any cc of bike. I myself started on a 1000cc and never looked back. And been riding for 2yrs (not saying I'm pro lol) but it comes down to maturity and respect for the bike, regardless the cc. I've met guys who started on Hayabusa's and they are fantastic riders!
I had not ridden in 35+ years, let my endorsement expire. I bought a used Ultra Classic because that was the bike I always wanted. I did take the MSS course, and 4 hours of private lessons including a 2-hour lesson after the course. When I got my license I rode my bike around the local streets for 3 weeks before I even went out into light traffic. Within 10 minutes some guy in a Silverado turned out of a parking lot and cut me off. He never even looked, just turned right in front of me. I was able to slow down because I had time to. If I was 125 ahead he would have sideswiped me. Then I rode to a mall and practiced braking, countersteering, turning and swerving. My first practice hard stop was a real shocker, how fast the bike stopped. I came off the seat. I was a truck driver for 9 years with one million safe miles, so I use the skills I learned to drive a rig on my bike. Do not follow too closely, change lane position as required. Slow down for blind or concealed curves. And watch the brake lights of the cars ahead to avoid surprises. They say you need a 2-second following distance but I go for 8. If I pass, I do it smoothly and quickly, get out, speed up and then get back over. Also, I stay off interstates and do not ride in groups of traffic, yes there are fewer accidents on the interstates, but there are far more fatal ones. Local street riding forces you to stay aware of your situation, because it is always changing. One thing I learned was that you are putting your life in the hands of the worst driver in the group. Don't ride to the bikes ability, ride within your ability. Old truckers saying: "You can go down 1,000 hills too slow, but only one too fast."
Good video. I am number 4 on this list. I am 50 now and haven’t owned a motorcycle since 1991 and now I am looking at Harley’s and not the street Harley’s but the Softail family. The one thing that crossed my mind was taking a class first and get acclimated back into riding again. Thanks for driving it home and making it clear that that is exactly what I need to do. The only other thing that stops me is that there were no cell phones and the distractions that exist today. But I sure do miss the open road.
I took my MSF course at Alligator Alley HD in Sunrise, FL. We used Street 500 for training - I believe all HD dealerships offer riding courses for different levels of experience. Good luck
I'd say 90-99% of my dues that I paid the "asphalt gods" as a young man in south Ca. in the early 80s were alcohol related. Amazing how when I quit drinking, I quit crashing.
I thought a scooter would help me get ready for a bike. The only thing it taught me was counter steering. A motorcycle is a completely different monster.
53 years old, been riding since I was 13. It's been about 8 years since I've owned a bike Honda VTX 1300R. Just bought another Honda VTX 1300S and have to admit I'm a bit rusty on my riding skills. My wife wants to learn to ride, got her a Rebel 250 so I'm back in the parking lot with her re acquiring my skill too. Great videos, valuable information for old and new riders.
Being paranoid has put me more in danger. Its hard to concentrate when you're afraid. I remain vigilant, humble and cautious, but never paranoid. If I allow myself to become paranoid, I know I'll make a mistake.
With respect to #2... Years ago, while training in martial arts, I used to say that a green belt was just good enough to get his butt kicked everywhere. Confident in his new skills and eager to show them.
Great commentary. Rode for 38 years before dropping my bike when cut off on a banked curve on the way home from work. Only cost $130,000 to rebuild the leg. I highly recommend that riders take the courses every few years to help avoid complacency.
I took the BRC 3 years ago and did nothing with it. This past spring I found your video series for beginning riders and watched them. I decided at 52 maybe it's finally time to get a bike so I went and took the BRC again this summer. I friend of mine was gracious enough to go riding with me and let me use his DRZ 650 on the back roads. very little if any traffic, was kind of a nice way to get practice, develop riding skills, and get some confidence. The I decided it was time to test ride some bikes at the local dealer. Took out a KLR 650 for my first ride in city traffic, was nervous but didn't panic. Wasn't happy with people tailgating me but dealt with it and was told to expect all the time in the city. A few days later I put a Versys 650 on layaway for the winter now it's just sit back and wait until next April-May. I do plan on taking the BRC again next spring to get some seat time in a controlled environment. Great video today, keep them coming.
My daughter and I talked to a lady salesperson at a Harley dealership and she was telling her the best thing to do is take the course, then crawl, walk then run by getting out some place where there is no traffic, practice in empty parking lots and adding additional steps like highway, then interstate riding.
Another video that hits the nail on the head. I returned to biking 6 months ago from a 22year hiatus. I took a 2 day return to biking course at my local training school before getting myself a Rebel 500. Its been a really happy return for me, but I'm sure it wouldn't have been so happy if i hadn't bothered with the course and just gone out and got the Indian Scout that i truly want. I've been riding as much and as often as i can to get the old skills back, and videos like yours help all the more. It's not so much the skills I've forgotten over the years, it's the skills I've forgotten to remember to practice, and your videos are a good reminder of what i should be doing! I'll be rewarding myself with the Indian after 3 years of the 500.
I agree, sometimes, in the summer, I see guys on big bikes wearing only T-shirts, shorts and trainers. It makes me cringe. just the thought of them sliding down the tarmac 50 - 60 yards with no protection makes me feel sick inside.
Just asking; how do I store the suit and gear on reaching my workplace? Genuinely curious about that, as I plan to get into motorcycles after I complete college and university and be able to afford a bike.
@@fancyyahoo Without knowing your work situation, that's impossible to say. I have to wear FR clothes at work so that's what I wear on my 9 minute commute although I wear the rest of the armor. Where I park is inside a security fence so I just drape my armored coat on my windshield. When I go to the gym after work, I put my coat and gloves in a saddle bag and lock my helmet on with a cable. What is your work situation?
Been to Maine ? No helmets, no leather, no brains ! T shirts, shorts, sneakers or flip flops are the norm. Scares the hell out of me every year while on vacation there ! I would love to know the accident totals for each year in Maine, Connecticut too !
I've done one group ride. It depends a lot on what the demographic of the group is... in my case it was about 40 riders with an average age somewhere in the upper 50s or low 60s. We all kept proper safety distances, and not one did any stupid stunts.
People need to be TAUGHT group riding just like solo riding. Clubs and associations need mandatory mentoring programs, where it is the senior rider's responsibility to teach and "clear" the newbie for group rides. Then, they ride next to their mentor for awhile. A lot of MCs work this way, but many associations do not. I'll also say this: if you felt unsafe on a group run, let your mentor/sponsor or the road captain know. It can and should be fixed, but nobody can help if they don't know. Ego kills.
Or better yet, “if they’re inexperienced.” We had a guy almost cake several others in at least two incidents that I witnessed, maybe more, on a single shorter ride. Fancy, super-farkled brand new dual sport. Thought that by ride’s end somebody would be carted off in a bus for sure. There were other noobs, but no issues with them. They also had smaller bikes!
i found this to be a problem also: a newbie buys a Harley & joins the local hog group.. thats great! a good way to meet new friends. but the problem comes when they all go out for a group ride & the newbie gets caught up in a groups bad habits. like speeding, cornering too fast and not keeping the proper spacing between bikes.. i think a lot of hog groups know this & they will try to accommodate the newer guys by riding more safely.. i think the newer riders should ride solo for awhile to build their confidence up, before the group rides... what do you think?
I am a new rider and the people I ride with look out for me, But 1 does have some bad habits and I don't pay attention to him. We introduced to him to the McRider series and he is trying now.
I’m at 4 years and I still ride slow on my Indian scout. The entire reason I ride is to get out in the Texas sun and just enjoy the peace of the ride. I stay off interstates. I hate traffic, which is easy to avoid as I live in the country. I’ve learned to not let my boss bully me into being a rush. I just tell him I’m on the bike and I’ll get there when I get there. I’m salary in a non rush industry and I’m next to impossible to replace. Ride for Zen, not adrenaline.
The first thing I noticed (in 2001) when I test rode a number of bikes after not riding for twenty years was the power increase (in fairness, handling and brakes were much better). I had raced bikes in the late Seventies and yet the standard 600cc sports bikes I tested were more powerful than the bikes I had raced twenty plus years earlier. I realised that if I was to stay alive I needed to be very cautious and learn to ride again. Well it is 2019 and I am still here - but I never ride on the road without realising that one small mistake could be my last. And that means looking out for other people's mistakes as much as my own - for we all know that truck and car drivers often create situations that mean you are vulnerable. Safe riding, all!
Never ride without your headlamp on. In heavy traffic build-up, I use high beam nowadays and it makes a big difference to your visibility. It's not dazzling to drivers as long as it's daylight. Also in heavy slow-moving traffic, practice physically moving your hands to cover both handlebar levers. If that makes you feel unsafe, you're travelling too fast. You may need to react quickly especially under more advanced filtering. Trials, motocross and daily road-riding for the last 37 years.
Group riding of ANY type. Even on sedate roads if there are 10 other riders around the dynamic is much different than being by yourself. There is also the desire to 'keep up' which can a get a rider in over their head, especially in the twisties.
I was in 4. I had two Harleys in the mid 90s. I sold them and didn’t have another one until this summer and bought a Deluxe. Two times on it showed I was riding like crap. I will always follow the laws and not take chances, but I looked like a duck landing in water with my legs flying everywhere as I slowed to a stop. I parked it for two weeks until I took a basic course. Four months later, I am still practicing basics while riding. Great video
Really good point with group 4. I am just that person. I had a really rude awakening when I picked up my current motorcycle about 18 months ago. I decided to get a bike as my mate had just passed his test and he has a holiday home in the Vandee, France and we decided to do a bike ride. The last bike I had ridden was a Suzuki 750 Kettle in the early 1980's. I picked the bike up from the centre of London during rush hour. Not only was power a lot greater than I recall, the brakes were far superior and in the first couple of stops had me talking soprano!! I think life was trying to tell me something and when I inadvertently stalled the engine in traffic and the engine would not restart (flat battery) I called my recovery company who took me home. The next day I signed up to a "born again course". The best thing I ever did!!
Tony Pybus, I so agree with you, when I was young I had A Honda 250, I stopped riding in my 30's, I am now 70 and last year bought a Ducati 400 Scrambler, I really had to use the controls gently for a good 6 months, I have upgraded to the 800 which I find smoother in part owing to putting in a larger front sprocket. I continue to ride well within my limits here in the south of France, the only conditions I still find difficult is riding on sloping gravel.
Hugh Kilgour, I am just a little younger than you at 62 but was off a bike for about the same amount of time. I agree with on the sloping gravel. I totally hate the gravel car parks they have in rural France - it always feels like the front is going away from me. I chose to get a Honda NT650V Deauville. Really good tourer but I have ducks disease ( my bum is to close to the ground) so I need to be really careful in the old towns where they have tarmaced over the cobbles - the camber tends to be excessive and it does not take much before the bike is past its balance point and wants to lay on its side at junctions. Keep Biking!!
i went from 30+ years of riding dirt straight onto a ducati 796 and i felt like a fish out of water...here i was the guy that was always ahead and waiting for my riding buddies even though they were riding 450's and im on a "girls bike" klx300 down to the new rider status...which, as frustrating as that was. it was great to be able to take on what felt like a "new sport" and relearn virtually everything over again... i ill never reach that same pinnacle as i did when i was in my 20's and 30's but who can? im near there but just unwilling to take any chances where i may bet hurt, very unlike the 20 something me that rode full throttle all the time everywhere, powersliding every time...now i do some powerslides but i dont wide open throttle rip it across parking lots all the time like i used to( i had xr600's forever)mine had 55 hp stock and were built so maybe 60hp
Hi Kevin, I just found you & subbed! ❤️Love your stuff!! After watching your vid , I said goodbye to my man who routinely drank & drove with me on the back. I decided he didn’t like me as much as the booze. Now I’m looking for my own bike & binging on your sound & well appreciated advise. As a passenger of a drinker, I was very much at risk. Your vid brought me to my senses!! Thank you so much!!❤️
I don't get why Harley Noise maker bikers have to have a loud stereo playing along with the loud pipes backfiring as they go by. It ruins the ride. And makes others hate bikers. I prefer my Gold Wing Aspencade 1100 smooth sound, or my 1971 Norton snortin sound, or my 1967 Triumph Twin mellow muffler sounds to any loud H. D. any day ! Yea, Yea, I know Loud pipes , saves lives. Maybe true but not good !
A cop told me years ago "Never enter an intersection if you aren't 100% sure it's safe to do so. " I live by that now.... literally. Defensive motorcycle riders should expect someone to run the light, and have a planned maneuver ready to put into action as they go through the intersection.
Wow, your advice is so valuable, I’m having my son watch it… Sir, thank you for keeping us safe! As an Emergency Responder, I take your advice very seriously , I see a lot of accidents while at work!
I took a two year break before getting my current Hayabusa. That break was not showing. Not searchin it on the streets and went slow 'till it all came back to me. I still go slow now after 3 years on my Hayabusa but that's because my mentality has changed. Only touring and not taking any kind of risk. just enjoying the ride with my wife as a passenger.
After 40 years out of the saddle I am happy riding again and not needing to redline the bike (if I had a tach) light to light. I had to look up what a Hayabusa was. I did say I out of the saddle for 40 years. 194 MPH wow!
I'm a new rider, I actually bought a 150 cc motorcycle in the hopes of learning in something less dangerous, before getting something more powerful, so I really appreciate your videos
Great advice mate - I am a 58 yr old that has just got back into riding after a 30 yr absence. I used to ride big bore bikes including FJ 1200 yamaha's and 1000CC Honda supersports. I've done the right thing now I believe after watching your vid. I bought a Kymco Venox 250 cc cruiser, and am thoroughly enjoying the lack of power...LOL.....Just sitting back and cruising along nice and easy. When you stated that this class of rider is the most likely to crash!!!...It scared me a bit...So I have now just booked a motorcycle refresher course online....Many thanks for the "Heads Up"....You rock......Subscribed.....
I have to stop drinking a riding bro hearing you say that made me think about this. I have gotten hit by 3 cars (all their fault ) but I was buzzed all 3 occasions.maybe if I wasn't I could of reacted better. Thanks for the tip
No. 6: riders who weave through traffic like a bat out of hell. Seriously, you can never be sure that someone won't unsafely merge with or with a blinker. Try and keep distance between you and cagers unless it is necessary
You're an asset to Riding, also Motorman Jerry and his Wife. I encourage Everyone with a Motorcycle to watch your programs. I do Often, nearly every day, and I don't have a bike yet, 'though I've been riding since the '50s ! Thanks Again.
I'm a returning rider, but I only goofed around as a kid. I should've watched your videos before I made a purchase because I went out and got a Honda shadow ace 1100. It's a lot of power, and it's a lot of bike as a returning rider. I'm 40 years old and not nearly as strong as I used to be. So what do I do now? I have the bike, and after testing out the new ride I've scheduled the training course, i'm getting the proper riding gear, and i'm putting in daily, slow speed practice to work out the bugs before I ever think about using it to commute 15 miles in stop and go traffic with 3 miles of freeway in between. Here's hoping my neighbors tolerate my 20mph SOBER practice around the back streets! Great video my man, I have subscribed and I intend to watch more.
I ended up with a 1200 cc bike cause i was helping my buddy outa a bind and im taking it at a snails pace. I dont even leave the parking lot yet and when i do to pratice somewhere bigger my buddy rides the bike down their for me.
Bro I’ve been riding since I was 17 years old. I started on a 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 500r for two years. Then I stopped riding for 4 years, and got back in it. By this time I bought a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 750 and got my class M Texas Driver License. Once again I was riding this bike for about 4 years. I got out of it again for another 4 years and bought a 2018 Yamaha R1 brand new off the showroom floor. After seeing this video brother I am going to a rider course. Thanks for waking me up love your video!!! 👊 ❤️
Hi Kevin. You should do one on squids. Maybe you already have. I live in Plano, and I just came off a Suzuki and got into a HD. It has always bothered me how many people I see in both sport bike and cruisers alike that are in shorts and sometimes flip flops and short sleeves with no helmet. I am always amazed at this.
Usually driving down the center of road and tailgating cars, thinking his obnoxious loud pipes and audio system blaring creedence clearwater is all he needs not to be invisible.
Totally agree. Specially with the first point. Please dont be a fcking braindead . Buy anything below 80hp. If you dont like a 250cc or 300cc, get instead a 650cc even (SV650 for ex.) But not a 600cc/675cc supersport if you haven't got any previous experience and have no clue what you are dealing with. Does not matter how cool it sounds and looks. Your life is more important than that.
Karjan Vayrk that's what I kept telling my friends but they wouldn't listen wasn't till I bit the bullet on an sv650s to show them it's all they need at first
I wouldnt be so strict. But if you buy strong bike, you must know your own limits. You must be at least very experienced car driver. And by experienced I mean at least 100 000 km.
I drive semi truck I drive cars. Every year I drive over 125k miles. I decided to go get my M endorsement did the safety course. Used to ride dirt bikes when I was younger. Now I'm buying a used gsx gxs 650 f
I'm a returning rider after 35 years. Rode a CX-500 to commute to work and back for two years until I rode it into a deer at 65mph. 35 years later I purchased a Harley Heritage Classic 114. I took it for a spin in my neighborhood and my first reaction was "what have I done?". It was like moving from a VW into a Mustang GT and it scared me. Am still taking it slow and easy learning the throttle and clutch characteristics and practicing slow turns. It's growing on me and I'm loving it more everyday. Will be taking a rider's course again.
Oh and not to be morbid, but get a donor card to go with your license. If for some horrible reason something happens to you, you may be able to help out someone else.
Super nervous people shouldn't ride. If the thought of a bike with a lot of cc's scares you or intimidates you shouldn't get on or be riding that bike no matter how much peer pressure there is.
DREDLESSONE I wasn’t scared of a 1000 until I bought one and started learning but my dad made realize you can’t learn if your scared quickly lost my fear
Good one. I fall in the Cat 4 group. I’m taking refresher courses now and your right. Everything’s changed including me. I’m older and my response times are slower yet the bikes are much more powerful. So I’m going to be more careful and take your advice and remember all of your tips before I ride every time. Thank you
One thing you forgot and needs attention is stereo headphones-listening to music while riding.Bad combo. The same goes for jogging. You're not paying attention but zoned out on Led Zeplin
Craig Pennington the engine and wind noise is super loud on the highway. I don't see how that's any different than having ear buds in. I actually think they help drown out the outside noise
I think its one thing to be 'ignoring' annoying sound but another when adding extra sounds such as piped in music which you are then processing. With earplugs I am checking behind me and other surroundings for emergency services but can still hear car horns and truck engines... I got a mate to test the car horns concern. Highway to Hell? Don't know but I'm still getting on the bike.
Helmets restrict road sounds to begin with. Are you thinking your going to hear the car that hits you when it's coming? I often listen to classical music while cruising only, and don't feel it distracts me.
Craig Pennington music all the way fella Keeps me centred focussed and calm . Helps me concentrate and cuts out road noise . I don’t tell other people to do it but it works for me .
I hadn't owned my own bike for years, whether it was money or raising my kids....I just couldn't afford it then.... Now years later it was really bothering me not riding & every time a bike would go by I'd be so jealous..... Before I bought my bike, before I did anything at all....I went & did the basic rider course & the returning rider course, Why ? Because I'm a bit older, my bones aren't the same as they were when I was 20 something.....I had to know if my riding abilities were there..... I'm glad that I did & agree with you that everybody coming back should do the same..... I'm riding again & it's not the same as when I was younger.....Cell phones & inexperienced drivers or drivers that just have no respect & are in a big hurry to get nowhere are a huge threat to our safety..... But I watch your videos & really get alot from them, you're never too old to learn & stabilize or rehab your riding skills..... Thanks for the videos !!!!
