I admit there are times I don’t wear all my gear. I know better, but sometimes if I am running a quick errand or taking a short trip, I just don’t. Big mistake! This video features a friend and fellow motorcycle blogger, Bill Dwyer, (Atlas Rider), from the Phoenix area. Bill, is a longtime rider and ATGATT advocate. After working on his Ninja this weekend, Bill, decided to take it on a test run around parking lot of his apartment complex. Well, I will let him tell you what happened next…
Posted on February 15th, 2010 by rick | 2 Comments »
I love long term touring and have discovered that proper packing is crucial for a safe and hassle free trip. The photo below is a perfect example of how not to pack your motorcycle. A few infractions are…
Too much mass.
Relying on bungee cords alone for restraints.
Center of gravity too high
Seriously people, if you need to carry this much crap on a trip, take the damn car! Improper packing is not only dangerous to the rider, but to other motorist as well.
How about sharing some of your packing tips?
Posted on January 24th, 2010 by rick | 4 Comments »
Some desire to ride, some desire to ride well. Here’s a video that has been around a while, but inspires me to become a better rider. Hope it will do the same for you.
Posted on November 24th, 2009 by rick | 1 Comment »
Conversations about “cornering”, have grabbed my attention in recent days. Seems an overwhelming majority of riders have little problem making a right hand turn, but the left hander is another story.
What about you? Which corner causes you the most difficulty?
Posted on October 6th, 2009 by rick | 6 Comments »
Recently I have noticed a great number of motorcyclist following at unsafe distances to other riders or cagers. Failing to follow at a safe distance is a recipe for disaster, as it leaves almost no time to judge, or take evasive action, should the need arise. Below is a chart of how many feet per second your bike is traveling depending on your speed. As you study the numbers I think you will be amazed how quickly the pavement passes under us. Ride smart! Ride safe!
Getting a motorcycle endorsement can be a little unnerving. Weaving your beast through cones, making a sharp left hand turn inside a narrow path, executing controlled stops, all in front of other nervous riders. Then you throw in world’s most unhappy license examiner, and any rider can could get a little jumpy, just ask Robert Gay.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reports that 54 year old Gay, was injured when he wrecked while taking the riding portion of his exam. This would suck big time! Read more.
1. Never trust your bike 100%, if you start to do that it’ll turn on you.
2. When you think you’re the master of the machine, it’s time to park it.
3. When you’re on the road, ride like you should, not like you can, when you’re racing, ride like you can.
4. It’s a road, not a race track.
5. There are two types of rider: those that have been down, and those that will. Be prepared.
Three days had passed since the RT had rolled out of her stall, and three days was simply too long! It was time to ride. The afternoon’s weather had been filled with severe thunder storms rolling in, like waves of the sea hitting the shoreline, but it didn’t matter to me, we were hitting the road. It was early evening when I departed Springfield, heading north, to destinations unknown.
Soon the miles were unfolding before me, and I settled in for few hours of sheer riding pleasure. At some point along the journey, darkness had imperceptibly settled in, so as I approached the next town, I stopped to change my glasses, and grab a hot cup of joe. Sitting next to the RT in the dimly lit parking lot, a slight breeze gentle brushed up against me, and the fresh smell of rain was thick in the air, Man, I love riding at night!
Riding at night is one of my favorite times, but it is also one of the most dangerous times to be on your motorcycle. If you find yourself on the road after dark here’s a few things to keep in mind…
1. Be Visible.
This is not a time for all black. Make certain you can be seen.
Make certain your bike has proper lighting as well.
2. Wear a helmet.
enough said.
3. Slow Down.
Deer and other critters are out in force during the hours of darkness. Slowing down gives you more time to react should the need arise.
4. Leave more space between you and other vehicles.
5. Keep your visor clean.
I keep mine waxed for easy splat removal.
6. Don’t look directly into on coming headlights.
7. Don’t ride an unfamiliar bike.
Night riding has many benefits, but it certainly requires a little more diligence, adhering to these tips will go a long way in ensuring your safety. Have a great ride and….
As I mentioned yesterday, I had a full schedule of things to do. Yet after all the items on the “to do list” had been checked off, I sped away for a little riding practice.
Like golfer’s spending time on the driving range, or the local garage bands brushing up on old covers, cyclist should work to become better riders.
I left the house around 7 p.m. and headed to some quiet county roads north of the “field”. The smell of fresh mowed grass, and the sweet scent of honeysuckle filled the cool air. The focus: smooth, but quick shifting under hard acceleration. In other words; “get on it and hit every gear flawlessly!” I chose a road that is mostly deserted, with long straight aways and few intersections. From a dead stop I would crush the accelerator and watching the tach and listening to the boxer, would find the sweet spot for each of the 5 gears then abruptly stop, practicing my down shifting.
Caution: “This can be addicting!” Although the RT does not have the horsepower of the BMW S1000RR, her 110 ponies certainly like to giddy up, and with the seamless shifting she can be at 125 mph in a blink of an eye. I hope you had a great weekend!
