What's the one piece of advice...?

[DucofWestwood]

1 - Counter-steering ... a totally counter-intuitive and foreign concept if you're new to bikes.  I remember my MSF instructors using the phrase, but I don't remember them giving a proper explanation of it.  I figured it out by reading about it here.

2 - show them how to fill-up the gas tank on a bike - i.e. use your hand to pull back the spring-loaded cover around the fuel pump, or it won't work.  again, not intuitive if you've got no bike experience.  i had to have a gas station attendant show me.  pretty much eliminated any feelings of "coolness" i had from pulling into the gas station on my new duc.  let my embarassing tale spare others ...

[Loyalizer]

Advice -  even if it is legal to split lanes where you are....DON'T...it's unsafe.  Ride in traffic like you would if you had a bigger vehicle and don't try to weave in and out between cars because you can on a smaller bike.

One, I'm assuming you are not in CA. I would think this lane sharing envy. Plus, here in CA I have heard California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies state otherwise... Many rear end situations tend to happen in heavy traffic and at traffic lights.


Two, Weaving in and out of traffic is wrong no matter what you ride or drive, so I agree with you there.

[psycledelic]

fail people that need to fail

I hated the fact that everbody in my class passed.

most everybody in the class talked about owning big assed v twins and spent two days dropping 250s because they had no clutch/brake skills

So true, only three out of six passed my rider safety course.  One of the three that failed would have probably been ok (lack of confidence), but the other two were complete idiots and didn't need to be near a motorcycle.  (one actually totaled a Buell Blast in the HD parking lot). 

[corndog67]

I hated the fact that everbody in my class passed.

most everybody in the class talked about owning big assed v twins and spent two days dropping 250s because they had no clutch/brake skills

So, a big bad-ass V-twin, 800 lbs, 65 hp, doesn't really equal bad-ass.   I forgot about the chrome, fringe, and ape hanger handlebars.  I guess that does make someone a bad-ass. 

"  I hated the fact that everbody in my class passed."

Why worry about what other people are doing?  Ride your own bike.  I guess that would qualify as advise.  I  know some guys that obsess on what other people are doing, the "chicken strips" on other peoples tires at Starbucks or what ever, whether they are wearing full leathers and an $800 helmet, what kind of boots someone else is riding with.   I've actually heard the comment, I won't ride with someone that isn't wearing full gear.   Like I said, Ride your own bike.  The only people that I won't ride with are on drugs or alcohol. 

[junior varsity]

note that it does suck for insurance rates for the rest of the riding community when an idiot gets on a bike and crashes.

[DoubleEagle]

As my poor broken friend Andrew Trevitt and I totally agree - you can not take your focus from what is in front of you ....even for a second.