Riding Behavior...

[r1speedemon]

As some of you may or may not have noticed, I have not been showing up to rides like I used to. This last weekend, I heard of 3 people crashing. The weekend before that I believe the numbers were close to the same, and the weekend before that was the Aufderheide if I am not mistaken and people crashed then too. Maybe some of you are seeing the same trend as I am. But you are coming up with a pretty high crash rate. On a few of the later rides I did, I would start in the back and work my way through to the front... either that or you bastards would pass me in the straights on the motard :idunno: ... What I noticed was that you have people trying to prove to the person behind them that they are faster and people trying to catch the person in front of them proving that they can keep up. I have watched people barely miss cars, over shoot corners and end up in the other lane or the ditch, and seen panics where people grab handfuls of brake and become dangerous to them selves and others riding next to them. It looks like a big **** swinging competition to prove that you are "fast". Nobody is riding there own ride anymore. All you have to do is slow down just a little bit. Apart from my wreck a couple weeks ago and maybe a select few others, every crash I have heard happening was because someone ended up too fast in a corner and lost control of their bike. I know that wrecking happens on sport bikes. It is part of the sport. But 2,3, or even 4 wrecks continually happening every weekend is a bit ridiculous. This sort of behavior was shown again tonight at the business park when the guys stunting decided it would be a good idea to start taking there gear off.... :crazy: Last time I checked asphalt was not skin friendly. It got to a point where I know myself and several others left because of the stupidity that was taking place.... and yes, it was stupid behavior. I know this statement does not apply to everyone who reads it but to many of you some or all of it does. All you need to do is slow down just a little bit, ride within your own ability, and be safe about what you do. Have fun but dont be stupid. Wrecking affects the entire sportbike community. When I go for a ride, knowing that I will probably dig someone out of the ditch or scrape them off the pavement is not something that should be on anybodies mind. But that is the point it has come to.

:2cents:

[Fade]

+1, I don't go on the rides you guys do, but I have been noticing an increasing number of people wrecking lately. The sport is to ride and have fun, not to see who can beat who on the road. As far as gear goes, it's your choice, I'll admit it, but I love watching you guys stunt and ride, not wreck and be badly hurt, or even get road rash for that matter, because you happen to not be wearing a jacket. Please just be safe out there, and remember, your choice affect more than just you when you are riding. Don't make dumb choices, they could ruin more than just your day if you go down. There is a difference between pushing yourself to ride better, and just trying to show off.

[lotsamtbottls]

+1 some very good points kris... this is what i've been feeling for a while, and i'm glad that someone has finally said something. I've had way too many close calls and scary situations on group rides due to people passing me in unsafe spots, having to slam on their brakes in front of me right after passing me because they cant take the corner as fast as they're going (therefore causing ME to have to slam on MY brakes), people trying to ride RIGHT NEXT to me in the lane, people passing me on the insides of corners IN MY LANE, as well as about 100 other things that have happened... it really takes all the fun out of going on rides with people when you start the ride wondering "who will it be this time?" or "is this person that i've never ridden with going to be someone i have to avoid because he/she is going to be unsafe?". there have been many times where i've almost just skipped out on rides when i see that a certain person(s) have shown up. i'm getting pretty tired of the "d*ck swinging competition"... which is a PERFECT description to what i've been seeing lately honestly, i dont care who is faster or slower than me, who can corner better, who has the fastest bike in the straights, etc etc etc... and anyone who thinks that stuff matters really has no business on a bike in the first place. thats the sort of attitudes that will get you, or someone else, seriously hurt or killed... and i really really really dont want to hit the pavement because some other testosterone-junkie had to show off for everyone. when i healed, i'd be forced to kill them hahaha
:2cents:

[Monkey Nutts]

Great point from all three. There has just been too many riders that have gone down this summer. A lot of them are good riders, better than myself, which is too bad to see. Another concerning factor is that once one person goes down on a ride, it used to be that it was a reality check for everyone and people would once again ride within their means. Now that seems to have worn off as there are several people going down on a single day. We have all been fortunate thus far that no one has died. Let try to keep it that way.

[chakup]

and this was why I stopped doing group rides. I know I'm slow and am perfectly comfortable with that fact. Look at the pics f/ the aufderheidi- people in the wrong lane.

[Jane Honda]

I had written something here earlier, but now that Ive had time to ponder the subject, I feel that I need to change my post a bit. I DO have concern over the thought of having one of my new friends injured or killed, Ultimately its THEIR decission to ride in the manner they see fit. It comes down to "Riding within your means". What I mean by that, for example, I dont have a bunch of insurance on my bike because lately I havent found an insurance company that I want to spend the money on full coverage for my bike yet. I also dont have any kind of health insurance. AND on top of that, I have to be healthy enough to get to work every day and contribute to Kris and her children, AND be around to keep this forum up. So as of right now, my means are riding at a slower pace usually at the back of the group. Now compair that to someone that has full coverage on their bike, and great health insurance, rides at a hotter rate, and in the unfortunate event that they wreck, they or their loved ones or both will be taken care of. Hey, its his body, its his bike, and its his bill, and thats just part of this sport. If it wasnt expected, then we'd be riding mopeds up and down Wolf Creek. Who am I to say what he or she should or shouldnt do? I can "advise" someone that it would be a "good idea" that they have gear on, but, again, its their choice. Hell, I rode without a helmet once in Ohio where there is no helmet law, just to see what was behind the "Let those who ride decide" mentallity. Other than my eyes wattering so badly that my ears were soaked by the time I got to the grocery store I was going to, and the fact that I had a face full of splattered bug guts, I just didnt get it. lol
Now, as for the guy that grabs a hand full of break in front of me and causes me to almost wreck; What in the hell would I be doing that close to his or her ass in the first place? Give eachother some space folks. theres no reason to have your nose stuck in the exhaust pipe of the bike in front of you. If you want to pass them, do so in a streight, and when its safe.
Its not rocket science guys and gals. Its just common sense. If Im going to be doing rolling burnouts at 5 miles per hour, I dont think its THAT neccessary to wear a full race suit. But if Im going to doing Wolf Creek, You wont see me in anything but full gear. But again, I am riding within my means.

[r1speedemon]

But you KNOW who it will always be, and thats the guy or gal in the first group that feels that they have something to prove.
i actually noticed it more in the middle group. i just dont want to rag on the fast guys.... a few are dangerous but all of them arent. i know that when i am riding on the street, even though i am often quicker than most i am in no way anywhere close to my limit.

[Danyelle]

I agree.. It is frustrating to me to see people out there that I care about riding with not the right gear. I am the first person to encourage wheelies and stoppies.. I love watching and I love seeing everyone grow out there BUT I know the risk in it I have seen the outcomes and I think we can atleast be unsafe in a safe manner... please please please just wear your jacket, helmet, ect.. Its worth it.

[Matt]

I definatly agree with all you said. The way I see it though is...if someone riding next to me is being stupid, I'll either speed up and get ahead of them, or simply slow down a bit. I love going on group rides simply because I think it's fun to ride with bigger groups of people everyonce in a while. I usually take it real easy when there's a lot of people though. If I want to do stupid stuff, I'll do it when there's no chance of taking someone else out with me if I go down.

[dansrc51]

As nice as it is that we all agree there have been too many crashes this year, let's avoid being hypocrites ourselves. Stoppies, wheelies (in T-shirts and jeans or shorts) is just as bad as going too fast. Don't go bashing on people for speed or riding styles if your just as guilty. That being said, yes I agree that there are some people I don't enjoy riding with. I havn't bailed out on a ride because said person was there, I just go my own pace, which is usually at the front or middle of the slow group / medium group. I try to keep it 60% and that's the motto I'm always spouting out, which is why there is always some riders with there gear off chilling out when I arrive at the meeting / resting spot. I am guilty of going too fast sometimes, and I will be the first to admit this. I enjoy riding with Flyn_Hawaiin because he always keeps it in check and helps me maintain my composure, He also had an accident last week that was not due to speed, inability to ride or bad judgment. Sh$t happens people, and sometime to good people and sometimes in groups (bad things come in threes... etc) My point being, this is a dangerous sport, and accidents happen, that's the nature of the beast. I do think we have had a bad year (worse then most) and I believe that as Kris points out it is due to lack of rider ability in some cases, but before you flame and say I'm this good but I don't ever ride that way, just make sure no one else has seen you behaving badly.

[R-666]

As far as wearing gear... When Im at the business park and someone thinks what Im doing is stupid- then leave... I think its stupid to drag knee or even get close when you have someone elses loved one on the back in improper fitted gear but hey that doesnt stop certain people. I remember people doing wheelies at the park with passengers on the tank in t-shirt and jeans... or 100mph wheelie on I-5 with a passenger... thats real safe... a bit hypocriticle Id say. They are gonna do it anyway... I mean what do they care... **** happens right! On group rides we say roll at your own pace... just do so... we dont need anyone to preeching about how we are all dangerous. If you go down let that be a reality check... in masons case was just a things happen situation, good rider, good conditions and things just happend... no direct " your fault" type situation. I learned my lesson the hard way... hurt me bad in more ways than one... but I dont blame anyone for it and I still ride that way but that experience keeps me more alert. I do agree that gear is a must have when out on twisties or even in town. If I eat **** in a wheelie at the park with no gear... thats no ones fault but mine. People are gonna ride how they want... what happens is what happens.. be alert and be smart thats the best you can do. There are people I dont wanna ride with because they in their own way think they are above everyone and that most of us are a waste of time... fine go ride with your exclusive group... Isnt gona hurt my feelings.
I ride for me, anyone doent like it... dont ride with me... I try to be repectful to other riders and keep my distance, dont wheelie in the middle of the pack, dont get to close and dont ride someones ass... simple.
Just my two :2cents:



:clapping::ride::blah-blah:bash: lol this is gonna turn into the race scene.... just drama.

[R-666]

I agree.. It is frustrating to me to see people out there that I care about riding with not the right gear. I am the first person to encourage wheelies and stoppies.. I love watching and I love seeing everyone grow out there BUT I know the risk in it I have seen the outcomes and I think we can atleast be unsafe in a safe manner... please please please just wear your jacket, helmet, ect.. Its worth it.Not the right gear... hypocriticle stament sis.

[MsLilly]

I've only been on one ride with this group. In a group setting, I always tend to ride in the back. Not necessarily because I'm the slowest but because I figure I can see what the others are doing and I won't get caught up in the middle of it. There will always be people who ride over their limit for whatever reason & I just hope they don't take me out with them when they go down! The time I rode with this group, I enjoyed the ride! Everyone was nice and alot of fun to ride with. I appreciated the fact that all you young ones allowed this old lady to be a part of the fun! Yes, there was some speed and some craziness but all in all, we made it home safe and sound. Thanks to everyone! This is a dangerous sport but I've been doing it longer than I want to confess (don't tell Tess) and I've always tried to ride within my limits..and maybe a tad over! But I never want to endanger another rider by my mistakes. Likewise, I hope others will use the same consideration of their fellow riders by not taking us out too! Accidents do happen unfortunately...road conditions, animals, whatever it is, hopefully the injuries won't be too bad! Keep the shiny side up folks!

[TRON]

Good topic of discussion here and I agree with what everyone has said so far. I don’t claim innocence to riding fast or occasionally doing a buck stupid out in the styx, nor do I claim to be fast because I know a lot of riders much faster than me. However, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to learn from Keith Code (http://www.superbikeschool.com/) and share track time with the likes of Doc Wong (http://www.docwong.com/st-clinc/) and a super fast racer like Leon Camier (http://www.leoncamier.com/history.htm). It was very disconcerting when I’m doing 90 to 100% of my ability on the track and a guy like Leon flies by like you were standing still. Part of me wanted to see if I could keep pace with Leon but another part of me, knowing my ability levels and limits, said there was no way in hell I could safely keep that pace. It was tough, but I set my ego aside and followed the better of the two options. My point here is sometimes riders new to riding in groups or new to riding in general haven’t learned how to set that ego aside and believe they have something to prove. Experience teaches that good riders really don’t care who’s the fastest rider but the whole point is to just have a good time, which is done by each rider staying comfortably within his or her limits of ability. For my own personal speed limiter, I use the adrenaline rush. If I feel the adrenaline rush, that tells me I’m going too fast and it is time back off. This also helps reduce the chances of a SR event happening.

Keep that rubber side down.:cycle:

[Summer4ever]

***Another thing to consider .... not just riding at or below your ability level in general, but ride at or below your ability level AT THAT PARTICULAR MOMENT IN TIME. My crash was due to multiple reasons, but first and foremost it was due to me not realizing that things had changed for me (physically/mentally) when I got back on the bike after a break. I hadn't been sleeping enough for many nights...not too unusual for me (I really had no business being on the bike that tired to begin with, but it was hard for me to say no to riding!)... the first half of the ride I felt GREAT, but we stopped at the top of Mary's peak for an hour. It was warm, I got tired, but I did not acknowlege that fact to myself. When we took off again I started to ride like I had been earlier in the day... STUPID move. (Also, REALLY stupid to ride fast on an unfamiliar road, mistake #2 of many). We are all human, we all make mistakes, we ALL screw up... even some very, VERY good riders. I was incredibly lucky to have not lost my life that day, someone did not too long after my crash around the same area of Mary's Peak. Yes, I still ride fast.... yes, I could still go down... but I sure value my life alot more, and I pay much more attention to how I am feeling now, as well as road conditions, etc... and if I am feeling "off"... I just slow way down, or stay off the bike completely. I want to live to ride for as many years as I can, and I hope you all do as well.
:ride::yes:

[dansrc51]

[QUOTE=R-666]or 100mph wheelie on I-5 with a passenger... thats real safe... a bit hypocriticle Id say. They are gonna do it anyway... I mean what do they care... **** happens right! On group rides we say roll at your own pace... just do so... we dont need anyone to preeching about how we are all dangerous. If you go down let that be a reality check...


+10!:thumbup: well said. let's not beat a dead horse anymore.

[Summer4ever]

:clapping: Hypocrites SUCK! :twofinger

[chakup]

What Tron no link to "the pace"

Should I open the can of worms or not?????

[MsLilly]

"Yes, I still ride fast.... yes, I could still go down... but I sure value my life alot more, and I pay much more attention to how I am feeling now, as well as road conditions, etc... and if I am feeling "off"... I just slow way down, or stay off the bike completely. I want to live to ride for as many years as I can, and I hope you all do as well. "

I like what you said Karen. It is important to listen to yourself! If I'm in the zone I know it and I ride hard. If I'm just not with it, then I back off. And yes, when the adrenaline hits hard, I usually know it's time to slow down!! But that is me...not necessarily someone else. I don't like pain so I try to keep it on the rubber, not on me! I understand where most of you are saying. Just hope everyone gets home safe and sound at the end of the day after enjoying another day of fun on a bike!! That's what it's all about!!

[Jane Honda]

This sort of behavior was shown again tonight at the business park when the guys stunting decided it would be a good idea to start taking there gear off.... :crazy: Last time I checked asphalt was not skin friendly.
:2cents:


Hmmm, Kris, maybe you should check your avatar. Make sure you remove the log out of your own eye before you try to remove the stick out of others eyes...:2cents:

[R-666]

Hmmm, Kris, maybe you should check your avatar. Make sure you remove the log out of your own eye before you try to remove the stick out of others eyes...:2cents: Now thats some funny sh*t...lol

[Matt]

Hmmm, Kris, maybe you should check your avatar. Make sure you remove the log out of your own eye before you try to remove the stick out of others eyes...:2cents:

HAHAHAHA...Now THAT is awesome!!

[Fly n Hawaiian]

Damn makes me wanna go for a ride!:yes: :ride:

[R-666]

Damn makes me wanna go for a ride!:yes: :ride:So how is the bike comin... I was glad to see you were ok, a bit soar I imagine but ok none the less. Your bike done for the season or we seeing one last ride before mini bike season begins?

[Fly n Hawaiian]

Everything is ordered and should be here this week, if all goes well. So hell yeah you are gonna see me real quick, I can not wait:yes: Thanks for asking, and thanks for all the help once again, you guys have beer's waiting for you anytime, just stop by Adam's Place Restaurant on broadway and I will take care of you anytime! That's all of you as well my brother's and sister's.:thumbup:
Mason

[Summer4ever]

Everything is ordered and should be here this week, if all goes well. So hell yeah you are gonna see me real quick, I can not wait:yes: Thanks for asking, and thanks for all the help once again, you guys have beer's waiting for you anytime, just stop by Adam's Place Restaurant on broadway and I will take care of you anytime! That's all of you as well my brother's and sister's.:thumbup:
Mason
Ooo Ooo Oooo, can we do bike night there sometime (minus the beers if we're riding)?! That place has kick-ass food! ...if you wouldn't mind a bunch of streetbike hooligans in there that is. :p

[r1speedemon]

Hmmm, Kris, maybe you should check your avatar. Make sure you remove the log out of your own eye before you try to remove the stick out of others eyes...:2cents:
I was waiting for that... I never said I was not guilty of having my moments. But I have also learned. I always wear gear when I ride now. And I also specificly said that accidents do happen... I am always well within my limits and the limits of the bike as well as being very aware of my surrondings when I ride. There is an incredibly high crash rate in the Eugene area right now. For many reasons. I was simply stating what I had seen. If it applies to you then maybe you can take something from it, if not then cool. I never claimed at any point that I was perfect. But if you are going to make reference to my riding abilities I'd be more than happy to talk to you about it via PM's.

[superhawk ben]

OK my turn to put my :2cents: in. I know that alot of riders have gone down this year but I do think it is not just riders riding over limits! It's do to road con.,some brain farts, or there equipment isn't as good as the last time thay road (old tires, brakes, ...ect. I know that my riding skill level has gone up alot in the last 3 mo. do to riding with better riders then me. Seeing how thay take a corner how much thay brake into a corner...ect. And yes some times I do push myself a little over my skill level (but how do you get better if you don't push a little) I try to ride with riders that are better then me (that's not to hard)..lol. but I respect there space at the same time. And I think people should practice what thay preach!:victory-s



:blah-blah :blah-blah OK I'll shut up now....lol:thumbup:

[Summer4ever]

ALRIGHT PEOPLE!!! "can't we all just get along?!" I think Kris had a good message about there being lots of crashes... lets not dissect who did or does what and lose sight of the original point... there HAS been alot of crashes (me certainly included)...for WHATEVER reason... this year. Lets all just be careful and not have any more for reasons that CAN be avoided... crashes will happen no matter what, its part of the sport, but have some concern for yourself, or at least of other people around you, when you ride. So far, I haven't met ANYONE that rides that I've wanted to scrape up off the street YET.
:rad:

[WindBurnt]

wow, im staying out of this one. Ive been down with and without gear on, so i can't say to much, other then i was pretty lucky both times and still being able to ride my bike. I do agree with everybodies post. Ride safe and with-in your means. Dont worry if your not in 1st place, remember were not on the track out here. No reason to push it. As long as u get to point B your good in my book.

[TOM-CAT]

Wow I don’t know how I missed this topic, but damn. Took me forever to work my way through all of the very incite full opinions…



Please bare with me I tend to ramble at times…

…Well I honestly don’t know how others feel about my riding style, but I can imagine that opinions are mixed. I defiantly would agree with superhawk ben that riding slightly over your head is the fastest, perhaps not the safest but the fastest, way to improve your riding abilities. I know that every time I go out on a ride no matter how long or short I accept the fact that I may not be riding home, or even coming home for that matter. Whether it is Bertha in her Buick, Mr. gravel, or even Mr. “oh damn, I F’ed up!,” who is to blame, the outcome can be the same. I don’t really want to nag about gear, so buy what you can afford, and for god sakes IF YOU OWN IT WEAR IT. Nothing is more stupid than paying money for something that is meant to protect you and then not be wearing it when the time counts.



Within the first year of owning my bike I had a pretty harsh crash, for all of the reasons provided in this thread. I was riding well over my ability in an attempt to catch up to some other riders that I hadn’t even met, other than to have them tell me where we were going. When I crashed some witnesses came to my assistance, and each one of them commented on how strange it was that other riders weren’t coming back to check on me. I was not in the least surprised by this fact; however, at that moment I swore to never be one of those riders who would just keep on riding assuming the slower rider had just turned around or would catch up. I respect riders like Ron and Kris who will drop all the way to the back of the group simply to take a head count and make sure no one is MIA.



I expect that some people will disagree with my following statement, but I believe that the inconvenience of having a rider go down during a group ride is more than offset by the ability to be there to help that rider in their time of need. I would rather have a rider ride over their ability and crash on a group ride with everyone around to provide assistance, than to have the alternative occur. Meaning the rider goes down while out possibly alone with no one to provide care or assistance. We as a group are very fortunate that none of our crashes have resulted in the need for immediate critical medical care or even advanced first aid, with the exception of Josh…Now there is a great example of when having as many people around as we did came at a great benefit. When else would you expect to have two + medically trained personnel at our disposal. I really don’t like it when people say that if you are going to screw around go do it on your own, I think that is the most irresponsible advice that could be given. So I say if you are going to crash better it be in a group than out by yourself.



If someone’s riding is really a danger to themselves and others, they don’t need a cold shoulder, they need someone to teach them how to ride safely. :2cents:

[MsLilly]

Well said! Have fun, ride safe and enjoy life!

[FatKaw!]

Its mostly just common sense. I have sent people home to put on the proper gear before because it is just plain stupid to go riding in the middle of nowhere in a t-shirt.

I ride with people I trust. If someone is with us who I havent ridden with before, I adjust my pace to make sure the rider is capable.

I always always ride my own pace. I am faster than some but slower than most. Bottom line is, I have had well over 30 thousand miles of seat time in two years. In that amount of time, I have always had fun and never gone down. (knocks on wood)

But then again this is just me and my choices. If someone else wants to be stupid, thats their choice too. I will decide if I want to continue riding with that person or if that person needs to leave the group.

We do not have the Right to be stupid. We have the RESPONSIBILITY to be smart.

[R-666]

Wow I don’t know how I missed this topic, but damn. Took me forever to work my way through all of the very incite full opinions…



Please bare with me I tend to ramble at times…

…Well I honestly don’t know how others feel about my riding style, but I can imagine that opinions are mixed. I defiantly would agree with superhawk ben that riding slightly over your head is the fastest, perhaps not the safest but the fastest, way to improve your riding abilities. I know that every time I go out on a ride no matter how long or short I accept the fact that I may not be riding home, or even coming home for that matter. Whether it is Bertha in her Buick, Mr. gravel, or even Mr. “oh damn, I F’ed up!,” who is to blame, the outcome can be the same. I don’t really want to nag about gear, so buy what you can afford, and for god sakes IF YOU OWN IT WEAR IT. Nothing is more stupid than paying money for something that is meant to protect you and then not be wearing it when the time counts.



Within the first year of owning my bike I had a pretty harsh crash, for all of the reasons provided in this thread. I was riding well over my ability in an attempt to catch up to some other riders that I hadn’t even met, other than to have them tell me where we were going. When I crashed some witnesses came to my assistance, and each one of them commented on how strange it was that other riders weren’t coming back to check on me. I was not in the least surprised by this fact; however, at that moment I swore to never be one of those riders who would just keep on riding assuming the slower rider had just turned around or would catch up. I respect riders like Ron and Kris who will drop all the way to the back of the group simply to take a head count and make sure no one is MIA.



I expect that some people will disagree with my following statement, but I believe that the inconvenience of having a rider go down during a group ride is more than offset by the ability to be there to help that rider in their time of need. I would rather have a rider ride over their ability and crash on a group ride with everyone around to provide assistance, than to have the alternative occur. Meaning the rider goes down while out possibly alone with no one to provide care or assistance. We as a group are very fortunate that none of our crashes have resulted in the need for immediate critical medical care or even advanced first aid, with the exception of Josh…Now there is a great example of when having as many people around as we did came at a great benefit. When else would you expect to have two + medically trained personnel at our disposal. I really don’t like it when people say that if you are going to screw around go do it on your own, I think that is the most irresponsible advice that could be given. So I say if you are going to crash better it be in a group than out by yourself.



If someone’s riding is really a danger to themselves and others, they don’t need a cold shoulder, they need someone to teach them how to ride safely. :2cents:+1:clapping:

[superhawk ben]

Wow I don’t know how I missed this topic, but damn. Took me forever to work my way through all of the very incite full opinions…





… I defiantly would agree with superhawk ben that riding slightly over your head is the fastest, perhaps not the safest but the fastest, way to improve your riding abilities.

I respect riders like Ron and Kris who will drop all the way to the back of the group simply to take a head count and make sure no one is MIA.


So I say if you are going to crash better it be in a group than out by yourself.



If someone’s riding is really a danger to themselves and others, they don’t need a cold shoulder, they need someone to teach them how to ride safely. :2cents:
:thumbup:+1 Tom words to live by.


Just to make this clear I think riders need to know there skill level first, and you should only push your self if. 1 You know the area 2 Your not going to indanger any one else. 3 You are of your abilities. I do push myself now and then but not all the time! It's more importent to have fun and get home safe.:ride:

[FJMam]

:ride: All these remarks are valid.
As a new rider with this group and someone that has ridden for more then 25 years without a mishap, I'd like to say I enjoy riding with a group. The chance to observe others riding skills in itself is educational. I learned to ride in Oklahoma and never had to deal with these wonderful curvey roads. Hell I had to go out to the lakes and ride there just to work on curves!
I whole heartedly agree about the comfort of numbers. It's as all of you said......respect the others around you, stay in YOUR zone and enjoy!
I have found that if I start thinking too much it a sure sign of being OUT of my zone and there is where the mistakes begin.

enough said.....................................Enjoy the sun while it's here and keep smashing those bugs with your face! :rad:

[FunkMasterFillis]

These posts are very indicative of problems that arise because of the simple nature of sport bike riding. Things like competition, the desire to go fast, to push limits etc. etc. It's obvious the goal here isn't to eliminate risk from riding. However I think a few REALLY beneficial questions arise from these posts.
#1. Are there any unnecessary crashes?
#2. Can anything be done to prevent them?
I would argue that these questions mostly apply to group settings because that is where we have a direct affect on how others are riding around us.

My answer to question #1: For me this is an easy one. After seeing some one loop out a wheelie on the freeway (and from personally sliding into a ditch) I would say yes, there are preventable crashes.

Answer to question #2: The question gets confusing after determining this because prevention always seen in hindsight. By this I mean that it is often difficult to know if you've actually prevented some one from crashing. Also determining what you can do to help prevent crashes is not easy. I don't have any prescribed method to chip in on this one. All I do know is that getting people to think....is good. Simply getting each other to question why they act differently in a group setting is beneficial and can sometimes even be enough to prevent future crashes.

It doesn't take a lot of time thinking to realize that our actions AND our thoughts have significant impact on those around us. Becoming aware of how we can affect others in the sport bike community is the most powerful tool we have in seeing that we don't have to say "That shouldn't have happened."

[jilted-R6]

I don't know about y'all but I'd rather sattle up and ride naked!! :rad:

[v8zman]

I don't know about y'all but I'd rather sattle up and ride naked!! :rad:
welcome to the forum

[PaintedPretty33]

Lots of good info here... Can't really say much since I don't own a bike.

I can say this... I've driven my fair share of cars... when it comes to those I test myself once in awhile... but for the most part I obey speed limits and other things simply because it's part of my religion. YEA go all stupid on me if you want, but it's what I believe so don't go yelling at me for it.

Not to mention I've seen way to many friends hurt because they were being stupid and trying to show off... I can honestly say I wouldn't ride w/ anyone who was gonna show off... I'd rather be safe than sorry any day of the week!

[Jane Honda]

I don't know about y'all but I'd rather sattle up and ride naked!! :rad:

Well, thats been done before. LOL



Welcome to the forum!