Just getting into motor cycles and would love to hear about some of your experiences (good & bad) with the old Iron Horse!
I have been riding a couple of months now and am about to purchase my first “proper” bike - a Yamaha XT400 trails bike.
Don’t remember ever having so much fun just getting to work and back - can’t stop grinning! And thats on a little 125 enduro that hardly gets over 60mph! The 400 should kick ass (but I’ll drive slow Mom - honest!)
Anyway, I’m lucky to live in Cyprus where it’s sunny and dry 9 months of the year and the roads are good but very underused so it’s just about perfect conditions for 'biking.
I have a Harley Sportster 1200C, 2004. It’s my first bike, and was an incredibly nice gift. I learned to ride it last summer, am still a little cautious howver, and unfortunately i live in Ohio, where it snows 8 months of the year, and the last two summers have been wetter than …well insert analogy preference here.
I have been riding motorcycles since I was 8. They are the ultimate means of transportation. That having been said, they are also one of the easiest ways to get seriously hurt.
and most of the time it is because of a cage driver (person in car) that doesnt pay attention. I know a lady that was waiting at a light to make a left hand turn and got rear ended by a person who just didn’t notice her there. You have heard the saying ‘The best offenseis a good defense’? well that is the best saying when it comes to motorcycling, pay attantion always, because people in cars don’t, they will cut you off, pull out in front of you, and do whatever else they want, because driving has become so second nature to people that they just don’t care anymore.
But I don’t want to dissuade you from using you bike as much as you can, they are super fun, as you know, and with the way gas prices are going, they make more sense every day.
ShortDave just gave very good advice,you really have to watch out for drivers while on a bike…One tip is to make your bike LOUD!! People can atleast hear you and that may help them wake up a bit…With that being said I too like Dave have been riding bikes since a young age,At the time I have
1957 triumph chopper
2000 Yamaha Banshee quad
1984 Honda XR500
I have also owned a few sportbikes,and just sold a Yamaha XT600…be safe bro they are ALOT of fun…
You not only have to watch out for drivers but also animals. There was a man killed 2 months ago when a deer ran in front of him. He was riding home from work. So… little old ladies aren’t the only hazards.
Thanks for the views and advice - all appreciated. I just came in from a bit of a cruise around town on my bike and, as I’m riding along I thought to my self “Life doesn’t get any better than this”. The sun was shining, no other road users, following a coast road…man I love this morotcycling thing! Who would have thought getting from A to B could be so cool?!
Magnus - will check out your thread…thanks for the steer.
Find your local motorcycle safety foundation and take the course.
Also, as he said, everyone in a cage is out to kill you. Interviews with numerous cage operators after colliding with motorcycles concluded that, unless the cage driver actually had a relative who owned a motorcycle, the literally do not “see” motorcycles on the road, like a mental blind spot of sorts…
I don’t own a bike but my brother does and I have heard many of his near death experiences. As seanc says car drivers simply do not see bikes. So, why don’t bike riders do the maximum they can to make sure they are seen? Too few bike riders wear really bright colours, fluorescent jackets and similar saftey apparel. I really think that bike riders should take some responsibility for their own saftey and make is their priority over fashion. It works, I always notice police riders and their bright fluorescent jackets and white bikes.
Don’t try things above your experience level, and wear a helmet at all times. Bottom line… common sence will keep you out of trouble 99% of the time. Enjoy.