Posted by Frank on August 23, 1999 at 23:44:44:
In Reply to: Is Motorcycling in your blood? posted by Frank on August 21, 1999 at 02:09:51:
Thanks for all of the stories everyone, I was hoping to stir up some interest about our sport. It seems I'm not alone out there. Just one thing I would like to comment on. For those of you that are new to the sport I would like to impart some advice. Motorcycling is very exciting and fun, but remember all those stories your friends and relatives told you about someone they knew that got badly hurt or killed on one? Well, sadly enough they're probably true. Nothing can replace experience, not even training. The problem is that in order to get experience, you must survive the rookie stage. Even then, luck plays a small part in not getting hurt in this lifestyle. Until you've had plenty of close calls, new riders tend to panic in emergency situations. They (I know I did), tend to lock up the rear brake when swerving would be the correct response, or want to lay the bike down to lessen the crash (to just get off any way possible) when traction is really what's needed. Safety training teaches good riding practices to avoid accidents, which is ultimately what we strive for, but unfortunately sometimes we can't avoid certain situations and must use evasive tactics. That's were experience comes in. If your not an every day rider, I suggest that you take your bike to a vacant parking lot somewhere and get used to counter steering (swerving around objects), get used to what it feels like to lock the back brake and then recover from the skid. Also, practice leaning to find out how far the bike really will lean with good traction. I don't want to scare anyone, bikings great,but I also took a couple of hard knocks when I was young. One last thing and then I'll shut up. Even experienced riders screw up. Just because you feel comfortable and can handle just about anything, cockiness is your worst enemy. Just when you think you've seen it all, fate has a way of letting you know your still mortal.