I feel the need to rant for a minute. This past Sunday I went for an early morning ride with the hopes that the roads would be clear due to the Moto GP/AMA races at Laguna Seca. My premonition was correct--clean and clear roads. I took my typical twisty route. The weather was perfect, and everything added up to a great day.

So this is where I become irritated. The road I was traveling is 2 lanes (one each way) divided by double-yellow lines. I'm going a good clip of 55mph around a blind turn that I'd rather not take too much faster than that when what to my amazed eyes should appear!? A god** moth**F** son** Yamaha R1 and its mentally inapt rider are smack dab in the middle of my lane, passing a car! My first reaction was to simply get on the hammer, counter-steer a little more, and shift some more weight to my right side. This did the trick, and I'm happy to say that I made it over to the right-most side, through the turn, and on with my ride without panicking or being freaked out. The good thing is that it is nice to be reminded that if I have to deal with such a situation, I can.

Now, that stupid bastard could have dang near killed me, and himself, although his death might have been a relief to the person in the future who won't be as lucky as I was. So I just don't get it? I love riding, I'm young, I have all of that immortal spirit built up inside, but... I know how to ride with my brain and not with what's betwixt my legs.

So to those who ride like this idiot, maybe you should think about the life that's around the corner which you just might smother out of existence, or maybe you should just not ride? For those who don't ride like this, ride on and keep up the good work.

This brings up another point that came to mind after I made it through that turn: I recently read in a motorcycle magazine an article about rookie riders buying liter bikes as their first. The writer expressed his utmost disapproval of this based off what he has seen in the past. He brought up a very good point about riding safely and maturely that I think goes ignored far too often. He said that it is up to the riding community to police our own—as in spreading good riding habits by word and by example. He then said that if we, the riding community, do not police ourselves, then the government eventually will. I totally agree. Although riders might think they are untouchable, the government has cracked down on other such hobbies that went unchecked. Anyway, now I've at least gotten that out of me.

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The Resurrection: ’02 CE Speedtona w/GSXR Forks

Project Straight-Line: The TT600 Drag Bike

The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it. - Karl Marx

Passing on a blind curve with double yellow lines? What a piece of work. High five for collision avoidance Dude.

mike

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It's a good day for ridin.

Oh well, he's hurrying for the drain; sadly, will take some innocent w/him. Glad it wasn't you this time.

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Speed thrills!

if we, the riding community, do not police ourselves, then the government eventually will.


We must have had helmet laws for more than 30 years and for a good few years now first time licence holders are limited to 250cc bikes.

Even bicyclists have to wear helmets. (Different of course to m/bikes).

We however since year dot have been able to have a car licence at 15 years of age. Lots of opinions recently in having it raised but seemingly it was first allowed for countryside kids to get to school and it appears the reason still remains. However more and more 15 and 16 year olds city kids are writing themselves off in daddies high powered cars.

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Ride on !

The laws in the USA are similar, although it has been some time since I first received my driver's license. Before about 2000 you simply turned 15 years-old, took a driver's safety course, and then took a behind the wheel and written test. If you passed all three, you got your license. Now, not only must a person do all of that, but after you receive your license you are restricted for quite some time as to what hours you may drive, number of passengers in the car (0 usually), and so-on.

I have not heard of the 250cc restriction here, although judging by the number of wrecked bikes I see every weekend with less than 500 miles on them since new, I can see it coming. People just don't know what they have until it's gone, never to return.

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The Resurrection: ’02 CE Speedtona w/GSXR Forks

Project Straight-Line: The TT600 Drag Bike

The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it. - Karl Marx

On July 15th, 3 Army soldiers died as a result of motorcycle accidents. All on Hyabusas. All self inflicted, going too fast for the situation, and with pretty gory outcomes. All had full face helmets, MSF certified, licensed and insured. Watch out for those high powered crotch rockets and newbie riders. It's kind of funny though that the Army classifies sport bikes as Cafe racers.

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Brian

http://www.triumphrat.net/memberalbu...ry.php/cat/559

I met a guy passing in my lane over a hill earlier this year. I had my wife on back. She was looking at the hills and never saw him. We missed each other by maybe a foot. I was running about 60, he was really moving-90 or more. I pulled over a mile up the road to calm down and quit shaking. My wife asked me what she had "felt".
I'm not going to describe his bike, but it was rare and expensive, especially here in Arkansas.
Someone was killed on that same stretch of road on an identical bike. I really think it was him. He entered a right hander hot and went across the oncoming lane and into a metal guardrail on the other side of the road. If anybody had been coming the opposite way...
Thing is, he was middle aged. He had been riding for a long time and had a reputation as being very skilled. Tiered licensing would not have kept him off his literbike.
I feel for his family, but I'm glad he only killed himself.
I understand using bikes to blow off steam and escape from the real world, but there has to be a limit on public roads.
These morons have brought police attention to the popular AR roads which used to be almost completely unpatrolled. Thanks, tards.

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jeff tarlton

I reckon all new riders should have R1's or GSXR's or whatever litre bikes.
They will either learn to ride or die. Darwinism at its finest. My first ride was a 650 Saint(Single carb police special in Aus) I didnt die. My next bike was a k2 750 four. My thunderbird is pretty close in braking and power, handles a lot better tho.
The world is over populated, so I reckon its a good way to cull out some idiots. 250 laws are stupid.


Sorry to hear the fool nearly got you. He probably learned to ride on a moped.

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I believe there is no such thing as accidents. When I ride I must leave enough room for others stupid mistakes, added to that is enough room to make my own.

With any luck natural selection will weed the crazies out before they take any of us along.

Ride safe guys.

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Kevin
Luceo Non Uro
NJ USA

I've been talking to a guy at work. He's had this daft idea that he wants to get a bike.
He drives trains for a living, and sees that driving at 125mph day in day out is enough training to get an R6. This is the guy who has never even RIDEN a bike, scooter moped or anything with 2 wheels.

I've talked him out of that, I offered to take whatever he decides on for a test ride, but he's bought a 600 something. He did say what, but I've forgotten. OK it's better than an R6 but he hasn't even booked his access course. Nope, still hasn't riden a bike....

Those who know me will say I'm being hypocritical, as I picked up the 03 America on the day I passed my test, but I rode a 125 for over a year before getting it.

The bloke on the R1 sounds like he's done what my mate at work was going to. He just didn't have a sensible mate to talk him out of it...

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Gina

http://bestsmileys.com/animals/7.gif