Ahh . . . the Can Am Spyder. I pass a lot of them out on the highway.
I pass pretty much everybody.
Young People and Fast Motorcycles-Advice from an Old Cop.
- Thread starter VaTom
- Start date
Ahh . . . the Can Am Spyder. I pass a lot of them out on the highway.
I pass pretty much everybody.
Protocall_Design
Vendor
Don't forget the Polaris Slingshots - those are registered as motorcycles, too.
I gave up motorcycles in 2003. I bought a new 1999 black Harley Wide Glide. Beautiful bike!! I was living in PA. I got to thinking one day, in the years I have been here I have hit 3 deer, 2 geese and 1 duck, all with my company truck. I got to thinking, how long before I do this on my motorcycle? I did have a very scary close call with a pheasant.
Sold bike, bought boat
Sold bike, bought boat
Came back to biking after long hiatus for health reasons. After 2 years am still alive, but only doing it for enjoyment of back roads. AKA county highways up here. Rarely venture onto the highway as way too many drivers pay more attention to their phones, trust their anti lock brakes to save them and are hermetically sealed in their new era cars.
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Drivers of 4 wheel vehicles have...... NOT .....been paying attention to riders of two wheeled vehicles since the wheel was invented.
As stated: drive like you're invisible and nice to have the power/geometry to move your bike where it needs to be to stay away from others.
PSA: Best when you buy the kids or grandkids their first bicycle never say....
"Vroom Vroom"... and twist your wrist.
Riding horses or motorcycles... which is safer?
pic from internet.
As stated: drive like you're invisible and nice to have the power/geometry to move your bike where it needs to be to stay away from others.
PSA: Best when you buy the kids or grandkids their first bicycle never say....
"Vroom Vroom"... and twist your wrist.
Riding horses or motorcycles... which is safer?
pic from internet.
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Protocall_Design
Vendor
In high school, we had 7 horses. Used to ride them a lot. I have been bucked off, stepped on, bit, kicked, scraped off on barbed wire, Locust trees and low branches. I will take a dirt bike any day.
I lost my friend Brian to a motorcycle accident two years ago. I had known him since high school. Our friendship was rooted in motorcycles. We both rode Kawasaki 750 Triple two-strokes "back in the day". He was riding his big Suzuki cruiser down a country highway. An old boy, 77 years old, coming the opposite way in a car, made a left hand turn right in front of Brian. He died at the scene. I recently buried my mom's ashes in the same cemetery as Brian. I can visit them both now. It's not always the motorcyclist's fault. Be careful out there if you ride a bike. That's all I can say.
I wish to argue a counter view: motorcycle riding is not dangerous. Those who don't ride because they are scared are missing out. People doing stupid things and getting themselves killed doesn't mean that motorcycling is dangerous.
Suggestions:
1. Get a bike that fits you, that you are comfortable on.
2. Get a bike light enough you can handle it. (My bike is pretty heavy, but is has a very low center of gravity, so it's easy to handle) Steer clear of adventure/dual sport bikes, they are dangerously top heavy.
3. Get basic training (as mentioned above).
4. All the gear, all the time. I.e., boots that cover your ankles, long pants (I like Sliders jeans, which have Kevlar pads), motorcycle jacket (leather, or textile with pads), a quality helmet, and moto gloves.
5. Pay attention. You can't let your mind wander when you are riding. It's not like a car. Situations can arise on a bike that don't happen with cars.
I don't feel any risk or danger when riding. But I'm watching for it.
Suggestions:
1. Get a bike that fits you, that you are comfortable on.
2. Get a bike light enough you can handle it. (My bike is pretty heavy, but is has a very low center of gravity, so it's easy to handle) Steer clear of adventure/dual sport bikes, they are dangerously top heavy.
3. Get basic training (as mentioned above).
4. All the gear, all the time. I.e., boots that cover your ankles, long pants (I like Sliders jeans, which have Kevlar pads), motorcycle jacket (leather, or textile with pads), a quality helmet, and moto gloves.
5. Pay attention. You can't let your mind wander when you are riding. It's not like a car. Situations can arise on a bike that don't happen with cars.
I don't feel any risk or danger when riding. But I'm watching for it.
Targets Guy
US Veteran
My only motorcycle was a Kawasaki 100 Trail Boss. Loved that bike. Had it when I was stationed at Mt Home AFB, ID in the late 1960's. Coming back to base one fine afternoon, doing 45MPH (flat out) and wearing my helmet. Engine froze and bike stopped, I didn't. Luckily my legs (just above the knees) caught the handle bars and I brought the bike with me into the grass covered ditch. Not a scratch just a lot shaken up. Bored the engine out and I was a proud owner of a Kawasaki 101cc. Still wish I had that bike, 10 speed and could climb those hills in Idaho. Loved riding in the desert the base was in and running down the mountain trails up in Anderson Ranch dam area north of the air base.
terry_tr6
Member
just to warn you, years ago I was the hand on a small commercial net boat and late one night running down the Indian River, we spooked some ducks and one just made it high enough to clear the bow of the boat and hit me square in the face. knocked me back over the ice box. I just had a mouth full of feathers, but the duck didn't survive....
Sorry, but after 25+ operations from a head-on back in '73 (Honda 450), I can't agree with your statement that motorcycle riding is not dangerous. You are so much more vulnerable than in a car/truck even with all the gear you spoke of.
Something that really "fries" me is seeing YouTube videos of riders wearing cameras and they drive/squeeze between 2 cars in traffic.
It's called 'lane splitting.' I don't do it.
More vulnerable? The art isn't in surviving a crash, it is in avoiding a crash.
I really enjoy motorcycles. Dirt and street.
Currently dirt only, no street bike but will likely get back on the street again soon with a sport-touring bike.
Had sportbikes commonly known as 'crotch rockets' when I was younger and had some foolish moments of riding 140-150mph on long open straights. Riding wheelies in traffic and splitting lanes (where allowed) and even rode through snowstorms. Usually wore the best protection available. For every moment of foolishness, were hours of sane riding. Picked my moments, luckily I survived. Youth is wasted on the young I guess.
It is much more dangerous out on the roads now with phones and texting. Ride like you think they cannot see you...because many either can't see you or just don't care to look.
Enjoy the ride, but be careful out there!
Currently dirt only, no street bike but will likely get back on the street again soon with a sport-touring bike.
Had sportbikes commonly known as 'crotch rockets' when I was younger and had some foolish moments of riding 140-150mph on long open straights. Riding wheelies in traffic and splitting lanes (where allowed) and even rode through snowstorms. Usually wore the best protection available. For every moment of foolishness, were hours of sane riding. Picked my moments, luckily I survived. Youth is wasted on the young I guess.
It is much more dangerous out on the roads now with phones and texting. Ride like you think they cannot see you...because many either can't see you or just don't care to look.
Enjoy the ride, but be careful out there!
At my advanced age I still like the wind in my face. However like Capt Steve, I turned in my two wheels for the three wheels of the Spyder. While not required, I also take a riding safety course every three years, I have for years. And I wear the best safety equipment I can afford and absolutely no alcohol, while biking. I looking forward to riding the Blue Ridge Parkway round trip in a couple of weeks. Waynesboro VA to Cherokee NC. Parkway speed limit 45MPH. Let's ride!
BigBill
Absent Comrade
The dirtbikes are safer than a quad for sure.
Chubbo
Member
I've read more of your advice to motorcyclists, of all ages. I readily agree, with some, of it.
Replacing a motorcycle with a boat, doesn't seem wise, as I believe, boating fatalities, far outnumber motorcycling fatalities.
61+ years of riding fast motorcycles, and driving sidecars powered by fast motorcycles, a fast motor- scooter, and sharing many rides with my two sons, and many friends, was, One of my most pleasurable hobbies. I quit riding motorcycles, and driving motorized vehicles, when my ability to do so, was questioned.
I somehow managed to enjoy those 61+ years, and riding that countless number of miles, without serious injury. How do you folks suppose, that was possible?
Anyone that hasn't operated vehicles of that type, has been deprived of one of life's greatest pleasures, and possibly one of it's greatest sorrows.
We lost a son, while he was riding a fast motorcycle, at the posted speed limit. The known, dope peddler, that caused, that accident, left the USA, to avoid arrest. That accident, ultimately, resulted in our son's death. Much later, that dope peddler, returned to the US, and was never even questioned, about the matter. Police authorities informed me that, had our son been driving a car, instead of riding a motorcycle, that dope peddler would have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Replacing a motorcycle with a boat, doesn't seem wise, as I believe, boating fatalities, far outnumber motorcycling fatalities.
61+ years of riding fast motorcycles, and driving sidecars powered by fast motorcycles, a fast motor- scooter, and sharing many rides with my two sons, and many friends, was, One of my most pleasurable hobbies. I quit riding motorcycles, and driving motorized vehicles, when my ability to do so, was questioned.
I somehow managed to enjoy those 61+ years, and riding that countless number of miles, without serious injury. How do you folks suppose, that was possible?
Anyone that hasn't operated vehicles of that type, has been deprived of one of life's greatest pleasures, and possibly one of it's greatest sorrows.
We lost a son, while he was riding a fast motorcycle, at the posted speed limit. The known, dope peddler, that caused, that accident, left the USA, to avoid arrest. That accident, ultimately, resulted in our son's death. Much later, that dope peddler, returned to the US, and was never even questioned, about the matter. Police authorities informed me that, had our son been driving a car, instead of riding a motorcycle, that dope peddler would have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
cherrypointmarine
Member
I was driving back from my father in laws house just before covid hit . I was on a windy country road when these 2 bikes passed me on a curve motivating . About 2 miles up the road I saw n SUV sideways in the road with cars backed up . Sure enough the one guy was in the lead when an older lady pulled out . He hit her broadside in her door killing her . The one guy was in the road laying face up , his bike in pieces . I talked to the other guy who was in shock , trying to keep him from sinking deeper . The guy was his roommate , having moved up from down south two months prior . Now just because these two were feeling good and honking on their throttles two families and untold others had their lives turned upside down .
It is sad for me to read about all the blood and gore of motorcyclists and their accidents.
The first MC accident to which I was witness, involved a young man traveling south on the 605 freeway in Southern California (SoCal) just south of the 5 freeway. Traffic had almost come to a standstill, as is so common in SoCal, and he had passed me on the left side when he encountered the rear end of a station wagon. (remember them) The tanker truck which was behind them was unable to stop in time. Hamburger came out the back end of the tanker. I vowed I'd never ride a M/C in LA traffic. Lied to myself and 'll get to that story too.
Jump ahead a few months (1969) and I was a new seaman apprentice (E-2) stationed in Long Beach, California. I was also the proud owner of my first motorcycle, a Honda Trail 90. A seaman duce didn't make a lot of money back in those days and i could no longer afford to buy gasoline for the Ford Galaxy 500 XL, with it' big 390 cu. in. engine. That sucker guzzled gas like... like a gas guzzler. Sold the Ford and bought the trail 90. I knew and know its not a super hot bike but I also knew it didn't drink gas like a sailor drinks beer. I sold it when I came back from overseas, and was stationed in New York for a training class 16 weeks long.
Now jump ahead 4 years and I'm stationed in Panama City, Florida. I needed cheap transportation from my house (by the way i was now an E-5 with a wife and a new baby.) We only had one car, a 1975 International Harvester Travelall, and she needed some kind of transportation while I was out to sea. So I bought another Honda, a 125 street bike. It was all the transportation I needed to get from home to the ship and back home, and I could leave it on base when the ship sailed and she would have the truck for her errands. I was stationed there for a bit more than two years and it served me well. I had no accidents with this bike though one day a bird came over the windshield and hit me square in the forehead of my helmet. A firm grip on the handlebars kept me and the bike upright. I sold this bike about 3 months prior to my being transferred out west.
Time marches on and I was transferred to San Francisco, California. Along with a separation, I find myself living about 45 miles north east of the City and in need of cheap transportation again. Time to get a bike which will be big enough and powerfull enough to handle CA traffic. Into my life came a Honda (yeah I like them) 750 four cylinder monster. It had a windshield, fairing, hard shell saddle bags, and a baggage trunk. This I could go touring with thinks I, and I did do that. In May of "79" I took a trip from San Francisco down to LA for a school at Magnaflux Corp. and then I went on leave and went down to San Diego, over to Tucson Arizona, then up to the Grand Canyon. From there to Los Vegas, Nevada and then up to Hawthorne, Nevada, then over to Bridgeport, California for my next stop. It was then an all day ride back to my home in Concord, CA. The ride from Hawthorne to Bridgeport, Ca (you don't actually go straight to Bridgeport but rather you enter California and travel on CA highway 167 to Mono City, and then travel north on US highway 395 up to Bridgeport) takes you over one of the straightest roads I have ever traveled. 40 miles and you can see one end from the other end. because you are driving/riding down hill until you get to the bottom of the valley and then its up hill to Mono City. Mono Lake is on the south side of the highway, in the bottom of the valley.
It was a fun trip and I enjoyed it greatly but as all trips i was glad to home where I could stop and rest from the road. But it didn't keep me from wanting to bike some more so when I was transferred from San Francisco to Washington DC, I sold my Travelall and I bought one of the first Honda 1100 Interstates. The change from a 750 to the 1100 was like going from a sports car to a Rolls.
I bought the 1100 on Wednesday and on Friday I took a road trip with 2 weeks leave and went to Arlington, Washington to visit my uncle whom I hadn't seen in 10 years. Didn't hurt that my father also lived in Arlington too. The funny part of this trip, I stopped in Red Bluff, CA for gas and a fella asked me where the other half of my car was. I'm not certain but I do believe I had the first Interstate on the highway then. I can assure you I had a lot of looky loos wanting to inspect it.
All total I put over ninety thousand (90,000) miles on that bike and only two accidents. The first was when I lost control on a gravel road in New Mexico while visiting Carlsbad Caverns. I tent camped this whole trip except for the night after the accident.
The second accident happened when a sweet young sixteen year old girl in a new to her Volkswagon bug decided to change lanes at a stop light. I was in the left turn lane and she decided to turn left so when she had the clearance to turn she pulled out in front of me without a signal, looking, or even a quick check of her mirrors. The bike and I went down. I got up the bike was totaled.
Did i mention she was only sixteen (16). Yeah, her birthday was the day before and daddy bought her the Volkswagon for her birthday. All I can say is it's a dang good thing she didn't get out of the car. Plenty of witnesses and really I should have been driving that VW that night. 'ell it wasn't even scratched, my engine guards caught on the left front tire and the underside of the front fender and that is what put us down. Well over one hundred thousand miles on a bike and a 16 yo girl with her new DL and VW, totals my bike and nearly got me too. I still have a twinge in my right shoulder from the fall.
Are bikes safe, only as safe as the rider can be and the idiots in over sized and over powered autos allow them to be. Mind you, it's not the bike that is unsafe, it's the nut behind the wheel of the car and the one on the handlebars, either one of which is not paying attention.
The first MC accident to which I was witness, involved a young man traveling south on the 605 freeway in Southern California (SoCal) just south of the 5 freeway. Traffic had almost come to a standstill, as is so common in SoCal, and he had passed me on the left side when he encountered the rear end of a station wagon. (remember them) The tanker truck which was behind them was unable to stop in time. Hamburger came out the back end of the tanker. I vowed I'd never ride a M/C in LA traffic. Lied to myself and 'll get to that story too.
Jump ahead a few months (1969) and I was a new seaman apprentice (E-2) stationed in Long Beach, California. I was also the proud owner of my first motorcycle, a Honda Trail 90. A seaman duce didn't make a lot of money back in those days and i could no longer afford to buy gasoline for the Ford Galaxy 500 XL, with it' big 390 cu. in. engine. That sucker guzzled gas like... like a gas guzzler. Sold the Ford and bought the trail 90. I knew and know its not a super hot bike but I also knew it didn't drink gas like a sailor drinks beer. I sold it when I came back from overseas, and was stationed in New York for a training class 16 weeks long.
Now jump ahead 4 years and I'm stationed in Panama City, Florida. I needed cheap transportation from my house (by the way i was now an E-5 with a wife and a new baby.) We only had one car, a 1975 International Harvester Travelall, and she needed some kind of transportation while I was out to sea. So I bought another Honda, a 125 street bike. It was all the transportation I needed to get from home to the ship and back home, and I could leave it on base when the ship sailed and she would have the truck for her errands. I was stationed there for a bit more than two years and it served me well. I had no accidents with this bike though one day a bird came over the windshield and hit me square in the forehead of my helmet. A firm grip on the handlebars kept me and the bike upright. I sold this bike about 3 months prior to my being transferred out west.
Time marches on and I was transferred to San Francisco, California. Along with a separation, I find myself living about 45 miles north east of the City and in need of cheap transportation again. Time to get a bike which will be big enough and powerfull enough to handle CA traffic. Into my life came a Honda (yeah I like them) 750 four cylinder monster. It had a windshield, fairing, hard shell saddle bags, and a baggage trunk. This I could go touring with thinks I, and I did do that. In May of "79" I took a trip from San Francisco down to LA for a school at Magnaflux Corp. and then I went on leave and went down to San Diego, over to Tucson Arizona, then up to the Grand Canyon. From there to Los Vegas, Nevada and then up to Hawthorne, Nevada, then over to Bridgeport, California for my next stop. It was then an all day ride back to my home in Concord, CA. The ride from Hawthorne to Bridgeport, Ca (you don't actually go straight to Bridgeport but rather you enter California and travel on CA highway 167 to Mono City, and then travel north on US highway 395 up to Bridgeport) takes you over one of the straightest roads I have ever traveled. 40 miles and you can see one end from the other end. because you are driving/riding down hill until you get to the bottom of the valley and then its up hill to Mono City. Mono Lake is on the south side of the highway, in the bottom of the valley.
It was a fun trip and I enjoyed it greatly but as all trips i was glad to home where I could stop and rest from the road. But it didn't keep me from wanting to bike some more so when I was transferred from San Francisco to Washington DC, I sold my Travelall and I bought one of the first Honda 1100 Interstates. The change from a 750 to the 1100 was like going from a sports car to a Rolls.
I bought the 1100 on Wednesday and on Friday I took a road trip with 2 weeks leave and went to Arlington, Washington to visit my uncle whom I hadn't seen in 10 years. Didn't hurt that my father also lived in Arlington too. The funny part of this trip, I stopped in Red Bluff, CA for gas and a fella asked me where the other half of my car was. I'm not certain but I do believe I had the first Interstate on the highway then. I can assure you I had a lot of looky loos wanting to inspect it.
All total I put over ninety thousand (90,000) miles on that bike and only two accidents. The first was when I lost control on a gravel road in New Mexico while visiting Carlsbad Caverns. I tent camped this whole trip except for the night after the accident.
The second accident happened when a sweet young sixteen year old girl in a new to her Volkswagon bug decided to change lanes at a stop light. I was in the left turn lane and she decided to turn left so when she had the clearance to turn she pulled out in front of me without a signal, looking, or even a quick check of her mirrors. The bike and I went down. I got up the bike was totaled.
Did i mention she was only sixteen (16). Yeah, her birthday was the day before and daddy bought her the Volkswagon for her birthday. All I can say is it's a dang good thing she didn't get out of the car. Plenty of witnesses and really I should have been driving that VW that night. 'ell it wasn't even scratched, my engine guards caught on the left front tire and the underside of the front fender and that is what put us down. Well over one hundred thousand miles on a bike and a 16 yo girl with her new DL and VW, totals my bike and nearly got me too. I still have a twinge in my right shoulder from the fall.
Are bikes safe, only as safe as the rider can be and the idiots in over sized and over powered autos allow them to be. Mind you, it's not the bike that is unsafe, it's the nut behind the wheel of the car and the one on the handlebars, either one of which is not paying attention.
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