Search found 6 matches

by Purplehood
Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:40 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.
Replies: 78
Views: 7940

Re: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.

Warhammer wrote:
RPBrown wrote:...

However, you still should be ever so vigilant to your surroundings. If you treat your riding as you do your carrying, with eyes open and aware of your surroundings, you will most likely be okay. Just dont get complacient.

...quote]

+1 million!!! When I taught MSF classes on base in Japan, I told students to remember that half the cagers out there don't even know you're on the road, and the other half are trying to kill you! Ride like you're invisible and never assume the other guy sees you and is going to give way to you. Motorcycling can be fun and rewarding, but you do have to be aware of the dangers and actively work to mitigate them at all times.

As for teasing folks about the bike they ride, I'm all good with it as long as it stays good-natured teasing. I like to tease my buddy who rides a BMW about how much more he paid for his Beemer and my DL1000 still has 150 more cc's of engine. A little playful ribbing between friends is always fun, whether talking bikes, guns or what have you. It's just when people start to live their "my bike/gun/whatever is the only REAL brand and everything is poop" mentality that I cease to have any use for them.
OMG, those BMW bikes are sweet. I haven't rode one for years (they were uglier back in the 90's) but they rode like they were on a rail. I always loved cruisers though I had a couple of Rice-rockets from time to time.
by Purplehood
Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:58 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.
Replies: 78
Views: 7940

Re: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.

Having once been an avid rider, I try to watch out for them when I drive my car more so than I might.
by Purplehood
Fri Dec 03, 2010 7:04 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.
Replies: 78
Views: 7940

Re: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.

The whole "get a Harley" issue is simply a new take on the "get a 1911" issue.

Where I see an important similarity is how both preferences are tempered by a need for awareness and education on both.
by Purplehood
Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:57 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.
Replies: 78
Views: 7940

Re: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.

Sounds like the beginner course was with Honda Rebels...
by Purplehood
Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:47 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.
Replies: 78
Views: 7940

Re: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.

MSF classes are a definite must for EVERY biker. They were mandatory in the Marines, free, and you had to take it every year to ride on base. A paid week off from work (no leave time charged) to ride your bike and get the best hands-on instruction in bike riding was a definite bonus.

I don't know what the format is now, but we rode our own bikes and had to go through courses that let you gain confidence in your skills and just what a bike can and cannot do. If you have made the decision to ride, do these every year if at all possible. The refresher aspect of it is the best thing for folks that have been riding for years and may have developed bad habits.
by Purplehood
Wed Dec 01, 2010 12:32 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.
Replies: 78
Views: 7940

Re: Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.

I rode since I was sixteen.

Whe I got married a second time at age 35 and my ex-wife insisted that she wanted a son (she was specific), I decided that I had pushed my luck after driving in Okinawa and SoCal for the past decade and stopped. It was simply a personal decision on my part as it was not suggested by her.

Do what you feel is right.

Return to “Riders: Talked out of buying my first bike.”