Events conspired to allow me to ride to work today for the first time this riding season. Having two kids that need to be dropped off at camp means I don't often take the motorcycle, as their camp is about halfway in between home and my office - and I'm not about to drive them to camp, drop them off, then turn around and drive home to grab the bike. Today, however, the Mrs. had the day off for working the July 4th holiday, so I took the Harley to work. It's a great way to start your workday...
It got me thinking, though, about something I've seen a fair amount of lately that's had me gritting my teeth and cringing. It's folks riding motorcycles who, during low speed maneuvers, keep their feet hovering microns off the ground or - even worse - skipping across the pavement. Some of them doing this while wearing sneakers. Every time I see this I picture a broken ankle when they hit a rough patch of road.
It's not quite the same when talking about a 400 pound sport bike as an 800 pound touring bike, of course; I'm certain that some of my apprehension comes from my experience on the Harley. My motorcycle outweighs me more than 4:1 - if it goes down, I'm going to have a hard time getting it back. If it goes down because I folded my leg under me from hitting a broken section of road, I'm in for a world of hurt - and possibly a broken leg to match my ankle.
Here's where I can't stress taking a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course strongly enough. Whether you've been riding for years or just starting out, there's always something to learn - kinda like with shooting, actually. You can hone your skills and possibly learn new ones by taking classes with experts - and then apply these new skills right out on the asphalt (like a pistol course at a range!). If you're not learning, you're getting stale - and whether it's on a motorcycle or carrying a firearm, that's never a good thing.
So, whatever your passion, make sure your skills are up to date!
That is all.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
I confess I put out the "training feet" when I'm doing low speed maneuvering like turning into a tight parking space. The one time I dropped my Triumph was the first time I rode it to work. I didn't have enough speed to keep it upright as I made the sharp turn into the space.
I've had the MSF basic course, and even my instructor there commented on how bad I was at low speed maneuvering. I completely blew that part of the road test.
Very rarely do I ever have a need to put my feet out on the road though. The one exception is in stop-and-go traffic, and I can see what's coming in time to lift my feet or avoid rough patches.
I remember thinking that Iowa's requirement of turning around in a small radius with both foots on the pegs was stupid when I was taking the license test.
Then I saw the guy hyperextend his foot getting it trapped between the ground and a peg.
As a biker of more than 45 years, I am continually amazed at the poor riding habits and unsafe actions of local motorcyclists. Whether its a rice rocket careening in and out of traffic at extremely high speed or the cruiser rider totally oblivious about his surroundings and other large dangerous moving objects.
A maxim that I found effective is to "ride like you are invisible" cuz you is.
Dirt riding and trials riding are both excellent training for daily street riding. you learn balance, throttle and clutch control very quickly and (generally) less painfully.
Last night, on my way home, some excreta for brains on a sport bike pulled that move at 80+ while passing me on the left so that he could continue dragging his tennis shoe clad feet while weaving in and out of traffic. Lucky for him, my Jeep is open, so I heard what I could not see. Add rush hour traffic, distracted tourists taking their children to the beach and a 30mph crosswind and he is lucky not to have learned a painful lesson.
Great advice... I've taken the MSF Basic three times and the Experienced Rider course once over the last 25-plus years... always good refreshers...
Dann in Ohio
My dad added to the "ride like you're invisible" mantra.
Act like 90% of the can't see you and the other 10% can; and are AIMING at you.
Speaking of carrying people/things, a guy down the street has this on his front lawn:http://elmtreeforge.blogspot.com/2012/07/down-street-sits-this.html
If I had a place to put it, I think I'd argue about money with him; damn, that'd be neat to have!
I'll throw in, read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Total-Control-Performance-Street-Techniques/dp/0760314039/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341753867&sr=1-3&keywords=total+control
VERY good work, both learned some things and some things I'd noticed suddenly made more sense.
Post a Comment