LVSteve
Member
When I first moved the US Montana's highway speed limit was "appropriate for the conditions" or something similar. I believe there are parts of west Texas where the speed limit is 85 mph.
Young People and Fast Motorcycles-Advice from an Old Cop.
- Thread starter VaTom
- Start date
When I first moved the US Montana's highway speed limit was "appropriate for the conditions" or something similar. I believe there are parts of west Texas where the speed limit is 85 mph.
SuperMan
Member
Have been riding on the street since 1970...and in 2019 had my first crash...lady pulled out from a stop sign "not seeing me"... Fortunately I WAS watching her and as soon as I saw the wheels turn got on the brakes...needed about three more feet to stop... Hit her in the right rear passenger door at about 5 mph...and had the bike jerked out from under me... Landed on all fours... Only the right knee got banged up...
Bike, a 2002 Harley FXDXT was my retirement gift to myself...40k miles and looked like new....was totaled.
If I had not been watching her and had instead been looking to the right I probably would not be typing this...at minimum the left leg would have shattered.
Worked a lot of serious injury and fatal motorcycle wrecks (there are no accidents) but I've worked even more auto wrecks and just believe when it's your time it's your time...
...so although I didn't replace the Harley I'm still on a KLR650...
Bob
Bike, a 2002 Harley FXDXT was my retirement gift to myself...40k miles and looked like new....was totaled.
If I had not been watching her and had instead been looking to the right I probably would not be typing this...at minimum the left leg would have shattered.
Worked a lot of serious injury and fatal motorcycle wrecks (there are no accidents) but I've worked even more auto wrecks and just believe when it's your time it's your time...
...so although I didn't replace the Harley I'm still on a KLR650...
Bob
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SuperMan
Member
...that's funny....I moved to Dallas in 1977...had a BMW R90S...fastest of the fast at the time...and within three months I sold it as I recognized the same thing...
After I moved to NH in 1988 I got another BMW...
Crazy I may be...stupid I am not...
Bob
Same here, I stopped when riding started to make me feel like I was on the target end of a shooting gallery.
Too many idiot drivers, and one too many close calls.
I guess I'm a dumbass. I have almost pulled in front of two crotch rockets because I didn't see them. Both were in excess of 75 mph in a 45 zone. Both riders were prone on the machines. The fact is that your brain is programmed to look for something the size of a car, not a four foot wide, barely four foot high mass going 80 mph. Just realize that you are taking your chances and accept it at that rather than blaming a driver who is programmed to see a car, not a motorcycle.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I'm glad I made it through those times. It was hard to give up. I miss becoming one with a machine. Leaning the bike in turns till the pegs drag.
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When I was in high school, a friend offered me a ride on his motorcycle (don't recall what brand it was). It was my first ride on one and it put enough fear into me that I haven't been on a motorcycle since then and that was 62 year ago!
In Nevada, I have laid a bike down two times and have been off the road and in the desert going through sage and weeds, to finally get back on the road, safely.
Two times were because sand had gotten on the road on corners and the other was from a car that wanted my lane.
One of those times, stripped my gloves off when I had to get off my stomach and over to my backside, for the slide on the blacktop.
Picking asphalt out of my right hand was not a good thing, but it could have been a lot worse.
Dirt bike is safer !! ??
Two times were because sand had gotten on the road on corners and the other was from a car that wanted my lane.
One of those times, stripped my gloves off when I had to get off my stomach and over to my backside, for the slide on the blacktop.
Picking asphalt out of my right hand was not a good thing, but it could have been a lot worse.
Dirt bike is safer !! ??
MT and Nevada used to be Customary, reasonable and prudent, IOW, no limits other than abilities and conditions. Most Western States have gone to 80 MPH on the interstates. Where I live that means traffic moves about 85-90 and that is too fast for many peoples reaction times with motorcycle stopping distances for me.
I'm not so sure about that.
I went down a couple times on the street, and more than a couple times on the racetrack. The only time I ever broke anything was falling off a dirt bike. At 10mph...
Gratuitous bike racing pic...
windypoint
Member
I still ride motorcycles and do so with caution. I did see a fellow on a big bagger bike riding on the interstate in Arizona at 80 mph. As I passed him I realized he was texting. I could only shake my head.
My Dad rode until he was 75.
I had a mini bike as kid, but never got into the real bikes.
Just as well. Back in my bar drinking days I had V-8 Thunderbirds and thought I was Mark Martin.
Thank God nothing ever happened. I could just imagine doing what I did on a motorcycle.
I'd be long dead.
I can see and hear the state road from my house. It's a sharp curve with a short steep hill with a dip and then a blind hill on the other side.
The "splats", as we call them, race down the hill, sometimes passing cars.
One day it's going to happen. A car will be pulling out of my road, or another car will be coming the other way. And deer cross there all the time.
Just a matter of time until one goes splat.
I had a mini bike as kid, but never got into the real bikes.
Just as well. Back in my bar drinking days I had V-8 Thunderbirds and thought I was Mark Martin.
Thank God nothing ever happened. I could just imagine doing what I did on a motorcycle.
I'd be long dead.
I can see and hear the state road from my house. It's a sharp curve with a short steep hill with a dip and then a blind hill on the other side.
The "splats", as we call them, race down the hill, sometimes passing cars.
One day it's going to happen. A car will be pulling out of my road, or another car will be coming the other way. And deer cross there all the time.
Just a matter of time until one goes splat.
That is backwards of the policy around here for two agencies I know of. The policy is don't pursue motorcyclists UNLESS they are being reckless, because you are likely to do more harm than good.
I cruise the rural 2-lanes at 10 over speed limit. But I'm just cruising, not doing anything crazy. Cops leave me alone.
I am a firm believer in ATGATT, all the gear all the time. Which places my riding time from Sept thru June mostly. From upper 50s to upper 80s (briefly - if it were going to be 88 the whole time, I wouldn't ride).
Seriously, when it's upper 50s, I don't see any other riders on the road. Rice rocket riders are a summer phenomena.
10-4. I started on dirt bikes, so I like having my feet under me. Comfortable, and easy to stand up on the pegs.
I ride a 2016 BMW R 1200 R, a big, naked road bike. I have put 27,000 miles on it.
double-dipper
Member
Youth, horsepower and alcohol is a very deadly combination.
I haven't ridden on a motorcycle in about 40 years, I learned very quickly in life pain hurts!
I haven't ridden on a motorcycle in about 40 years, I learned very quickly in life pain hurts!
Capt Steve
US Veteran
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ATGATT and a modicum of common sense...
ATGATT = All the gear all of the time
I will never swing a leg over a bike without being fully geared up or after consuming a single drop of alcohol. Had a horrible crash at age 24, was wearing a helmet {ground a hole in it in 3 places} leather shoes, long pants and a jacket. Spent 6 months relearning how to walk and frankly I was lucky. Quit riding for 39 years before getting back on.
The first thing I did when I got another bike was take the Motorcycle Safety Foundations Basic Rider course. Followed that up a year later with a 3 day advanced rider training class. Also I had the privilege of riding with my neighbor who was a retired motor officer with the CHP and an instructor. Hard to imagine a better mentor and he taught me a lot.
The point being, the better trained the safer you will be. Over the last 8 years I have ridden 100K+ miles without any incidents {other than dodging a few fools in vehicles}. Recently traded my Indian Springfield for a Can Am Spyder. My bride and I have ridden together for years but as 70 is upon us pushing an 875# motorcycle around was getting to be less than fun all of the time.
The Spyder is far more stable, smoother with more creature comforts. We still get to ride, it is just easier and hopefully a tad safer but just as much fun. Works for me.
ATGATT = All the gear all of the time
I will never swing a leg over a bike without being fully geared up or after consuming a single drop of alcohol. Had a horrible crash at age 24, was wearing a helmet {ground a hole in it in 3 places} leather shoes, long pants and a jacket. Spent 6 months relearning how to walk and frankly I was lucky. Quit riding for 39 years before getting back on.
The first thing I did when I got another bike was take the Motorcycle Safety Foundations Basic Rider course. Followed that up a year later with a 3 day advanced rider training class. Also I had the privilege of riding with my neighbor who was a retired motor officer with the CHP and an instructor. Hard to imagine a better mentor and he taught me a lot.
The point being, the better trained the safer you will be. Over the last 8 years I have ridden 100K+ miles without any incidents {other than dodging a few fools in vehicles}. Recently traded my Indian Springfield for a Can Am Spyder. My bride and I have ridden together for years but as 70 is upon us pushing an 875# motorcycle around was getting to be less than fun all of the time.
The Spyder is far more stable, smoother with more creature comforts. We still get to ride, it is just easier and hopefully a tad safer but just as much fun. Works for me.
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charlie sherrill
Member
Since this thread started there has been a bad motorcycle vs. car accident near here. Biker on a crotch rocket running at a high rate of speed hit a young lady who had pulled out in front of him in her driver side door. Both were killed.
Chubbo
Member
On this thread, I've just read a lot of good, bad, irresponsible, cynical, cryptic, foolish and offensive advice, offered to young motorcyclists. I assume that the said advice would also apply to mature motorcyclists.
There are also, many meaningful, slogans, and adages listed.
These are my candid thoughts, opinions and advice on these matters.
The majority of, youthful folks are consumed with the urge to impress everyone with their daring exhibitions, of skill, and speed. The bottom line is, they want to be considered adults. I don't condone irrational behavior.
Little mention is made, of the essential, elements, that our youth lack, that are needed, for safely riding a motorcycle, namely, logic, Common sense, and training.
The described blood, and gore, is impressive, and serves its purpose.
High speed riding, can be immensely enjoyable, by all ages, if done in an appropriately designed, designated area, wearing appropriate, gear.
Absolutely no alcohol, should be consumed, by any motor vehicle operator!
Little concern is paid to a young man's rights, when he's selected as 'cannon fodder', but his recreational rights, are severely governed.
Little punishment is dealt, to careless people that cause horrible accidents, to motorcyclists, even if the motorcyclist is strictly obeying the laws. A simple excuse, 'I didn't see him' generally clears the careless person of any blame.
"Nuff Said".
There are also, many meaningful, slogans, and adages listed.
These are my candid thoughts, opinions and advice on these matters.
The majority of, youthful folks are consumed with the urge to impress everyone with their daring exhibitions, of skill, and speed. The bottom line is, they want to be considered adults. I don't condone irrational behavior.
Little mention is made, of the essential, elements, that our youth lack, that are needed, for safely riding a motorcycle, namely, logic, Common sense, and training.
The described blood, and gore, is impressive, and serves its purpose.
High speed riding, can be immensely enjoyable, by all ages, if done in an appropriately designed, designated area, wearing appropriate, gear.
Absolutely no alcohol, should be consumed, by any motor vehicle operator!
Little concern is paid to a young man's rights, when he's selected as 'cannon fodder', but his recreational rights, are severely governed.
Little punishment is dealt, to careless people that cause horrible accidents, to motorcyclists, even if the motorcyclist is strictly obeying the laws. A simple excuse, 'I didn't see him' generally clears the careless person of any blame.
"Nuff Said".
