Posted by hogryder on August 24, 1999 at 19:20:55:
In Reply to: Is Motorcycling in your blood? posted by Frank on August 21, 1999 at 02:09:51:
When I was 12 I found an old, home-built mini-bike frame in the junkyard. Some welding (done by the father of one of my friends) two new tubes for the tires, and a used lawn mower engine (courtesy of my father) later I had my first "motorcycle". It had no clutch, no brakes, and the throttle control was a string. It had two speeds, go and stop. Starting the engine was accomplished by pushing down on the back end for traction and pushing forward. Stopping was accomplished by dragging my feet until the engine died. My mother wondered why I wore my shoes out so fast.
My first "real" motorcycle was a 1966 Yamaha 100 twin cylinder street bike purchased when I was 15.
The Yamaha was replaced by a Honda SL350, one of the first "dual sport" bikes. It had lower gearing, a skid plate, and more clearance than the CB350 street bike but not as much as the XL350.
Since then there has been a Suzuki 380 (used for flat track racing), a Honda XL500 (used for dirt track racing back before they called it moto-cross), a Honda 450, another Honda XL500, a 1987 Savage LS650, a 1990 HD Superglide (my current ride), and most recently, my wife's 1996 Savage, which she shares with me.
I have owned at least one motorcycle or motorized bike for 31 of my 43 years so I guess you can say I have it in my blood. I've also fallen off, slid under, and flown over motorcycles more times than I can count. I agree with Frank and Knud that there is no substitute for experience in keeping the sunny side up and the greasy side down but there are a few things all riders can do to help stay happy & healthy.
#1 - Take a riding course. I took an advanced riders course a couple of years ago and learned a few things and corrected some bad habits I didn't even know I had. It was well worth it.
#2 - Practice in a controlled environment. Ride in an empty parking lot, a field, your back yard, anywhere. A springtime practice session can help any rider get ready for a great summer of fun, even an old coot like me.
#3 - Know your limitations. There are always better riders than you riding faster bikes than yours. Don't kill yourself trying to keep up with the next guy, go at your own pace.
#4 - Do not ride when you've been drinking. The worst wreck I ever had was shortly after I told someone, "I know what I'm doing. I can handle it." I paid for my stupidity with a trashed bike and missing skin. I was very lucky the price wasn't a lot higher.
Enough preaching. That's my story. I hope to see some more of yours.