Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Gettinold]

Dave, I wouldn't feel guilty. They weren't riding when the tragic accident happened and you had no influence over their choices. God had other plans.

Thanks AJ. Its been several years since its happened and I realize should not of felt that way but its just me. would of could of, you know.

[Gettinold]

you opened them up to a different world they would never have known - what guilt can there be to that.  When its time, its time.  At least they can ride in heaven and not have to watch the rest of us have fun!

Sean

Thanks Sean as I told AJ it was a few years ago so the feeling is gone, but when you hear and see things like this it makes you think. They were good people with alot of family.

[DESERTBEAR54]

Here in Tucson Az I spotted a guy on a Vespa wearing Chaps and a full leather coat with a full face helmet. At least he has on lot's of protective gear but it's 105 degree's outside!!!!!

[J-Carr]

$15,000 + 15 Miles = Instant Biker

The State Sponsered MSF course in PA counts as your drivers license exam.  It's taken on 250-500cc dual purpose or Honda Rebel type bikes owned by the MSF so you don't even have to ride to the course.  After 12 hours of class and parking lot training you get a license and our sent on your merry way.  No proof of being able to handle traffic, high speeds, road hazards, or a motorcycle you're actually likely to ride on the street.  And now for my favorite part.  The PA helmet law states you must have two years experience to forego the brain bucket.  UNLESS YOU'VE TAKEN A STATE SPONSERED SAFETY COURSE!?!?!?  So these nimrods head out with a black t-shirt and do-rag for a helmet and do more stupid things then I have time to type.

I think the MSF course is great and in fact my wife took it herself.  I spent about two month's working with her before the course in a parking lot and then a private community's back roads.  Then after she passed the course we spent about 6 month's riding together so she could learn and gain experience.  The course should be a provisional thing to get a permit.  Then they should have some actual road time and then pass an actual road test to get a license.

Funny though... I've never had any issues with the scooters, other then laughing myself to death.  It's the crotch rocket guys that have been the trouble.  Those are the ones that I refuse to stop and help.  Their antics get the cages mad at all the bikers.

Ride Safe,
J-Carr

[murphy]

Here in Tucson Az I spotted a guy on a Vespa wearing Chaps and a full leather coat with a full face helmet. At least he has on lot's of protective gear but it's 105 degree's outside!!!!!

Ahhhh... but did he have pants on under the chaps?

[Gone Fishin']

Here there is an infestation of the little scooters.  The Vespa type things.  Through some quirk in the drivers codes there isn't a drivers test for most of them and they're not even required to wear a helmet even when on the public streets.  Despite the fact that motorcycle riders are so required.

Idiots don't know how to ride, get away with crap the rest of us never would and seem to enjoy every minute of it.  Saw one off in the ditch a week or so ago.  Was tempted to roll right on by.  Didn't.  But I was tempted.

Now imagine yourself in Miami Beach or some other tourist location, where there is a "rent me" place at every second corner, renting out scooters by the hour or day. "Infestation" is a very polite description. And "Idiot" is an understatement regarding these people (probably very responsible at home) behaving totally out of control, changing lanes eight times a minute and never looking into any rear view mirror, nor left or right. And they always seem to appear in droves. And then you see a Harley parked besides a police car with the rider in discussions about some noise violation ...

[miker]

Drunk coeds in Key West, I don't like it when people are hurt badly, unless they earn it, but is always funny when they drive through budshed screaming, crash and get rashed up.

[Twolanerider]

Drunk coeds in Key West,

Lordy I can remember when I was young enough that such things/places were a target rich environment.  Alas, the closer to 50 I get the better they seem to be able to hold their liquor.

[miker]

Gawd, I though it was just me....whew!

[Spike]

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've seen new riders bite the dust. I used to work for a metric MOCO doing the demo rides. No matter what town we pulled into someone always walked up with a shinny new MSF card and/or permit and wanted to ride. Needless to say I was always putting new parts on the bike later that day. Same thing here in TN, take the MSF course and show the DOT the proof and you have a lisence. Like J-Carr said..everyone that takes the MSF rides Rebel 250's or Buell Blast's in a parking lot with no actual road experience and then takes off to buy a heavier bike once they are finshed with the course. They also still think they are in a cage and believe they will get a little respect from another cage now that they are on two wheels. Scares the HELL out of me every time I see this.

[Mr. We]

I teach the MSF course here in VA and at the end of the course (upon successful completion of the 4 riding exams and written test) we issue a license and course completion certificate. I tell those who don't make it that I'd rather see them fail here (on the course) than out on the highway. When we are handing out the certificates, I make a point of telling each student that they have just passed the Basic Rider Course. They now know enough to ride around their cul de sac. They need a buddy to guide them through the ins & outs of everyday riding experiences and I hope to see them on the road sometime in the future. I pray I don't see them on I-95 on my way home. I try to drive the point home, but we all know, you can lead a horse to water, but if you can get him to float on his back you've really got something!


I do have to add that I took the BRC and then started out on a Road KIng. I lived on Fort Myer and drove all over post before venturing out onto the real streets. I remember thinking that 50 was fast enough and 30 miles was far enough. I can't even adjust my mirrors in that constraint now.

[TheVgirl]

Yesterday, I saw an older gentlemen several times on a main highway that runs through Rome.  He kept turning in/out of parking lots, small side streets, etc.  I first wondered what he was doing until I actually saw him close-up at a traffic light.  He had on elbow pads, knee pads, and gloves with wrist guards (like used for roller blading).  I'm glad he was protected, but it was kind of funny looking!