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"Death rate in overdrive for older motorcyclists"
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I'm well over 40, but I've been riding continuously since 71. They used to say that you will have an accident in your first six months or during your 17th year of riding. The first six months because you are inexperienced, and your 17th year because you get blase.
I wonder if it is like skiing. You go to the slope and see the six-year old zooming down the hill. You figure if she can do it, so can I. You don't realize that she had lessons and practiced on the bunny slope before hitting the expert slope.
These older riders just need to admit that they need some expert instruction. I saw that the local MSF course is looking for instructors. But even with over 100K miles of street and backroad riding, I still feel I need more practice.
I wonder if it is like skiing. You go to the slope and see the six-year old zooming down the hill. You figure if she can do it, so can I. You don't realize that she had lessons and practiced on the bunny slope before hitting the expert slope.
These older riders just need to admit that they need some expert instruction. I saw that the local MSF course is looking for instructors. But even with over 100K miles of street and backroad riding, I still feel I need more practice.
I practice every week...seriously, at least 2 times per week, you will find me in the publix or mall parking lot (always use a lot that is professionally swept/maintained) doing circles and figure 8's. I drag pegs doing as tight a circle as I can. I try to increase my speed every time. sometimes you can avoid a fall by being able to bob and weave around or away from trouble. Don't laugh until you can perform a figure 8 inside of 2 parking spaces...it's not that easy and you will drag a peg or knee, you are over that far
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Bumblebee,
My best friend and former race teammate used to practice figure 8s in a parking lot. He got a ticket for it (reckless endangerment) And had to take his story to the judge. The cop was a jerk and my buddy was able to get the case thrown out. But it certainly a lot of stress for him.
My best friend and former race teammate used to practice figure 8s in a parking lot. He got a ticket for it (reckless endangerment) And had to take his story to the judge. The cop was a jerk and my buddy was able to get the case thrown out. But it certainly a lot of stress for him.
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16 Posts
Then our insurance should go down!
Old bastards like me 52 have had the experience of riding things like a 69 Mach III in the corners and dragging every thing until it was ground off :lol: It's all judgement and awareness. I haven't had a bike in a while but I drive my track car and did years of offshore boat racing. I would ramp up in a month of riding to handle the R1 I want. I always drove like I was in a demolition debry and all were trying to hit me. My friend who is not geared to speed has said he wanted a bike. I told him you would be road kill the first week. He has no real experience riding. If you making a comeback it is different to start at an old age is different. I went to the NYC bike show Friday. I looked around and 85% looked or were 45+ with half being over 50 or they looked it. I see many of you kids :lol: riding with no protective gear :rant: and worst yet with unprotected passengers :screwy: The friend I went with is 60 and looking at a Honda ???? this thing was so big how could you call it a motorcycle? This thing looked like an aircraft carrier. I had a full race fairing on a 1975 Kaw 900 with some motor work for one of the original sportbikes on the road :lol: I always wanted to drive a chopper to see how they handle :skep: How could you escape a bad road situation with one of those machines? I have watched some of the links here with you guys sport riding where are the fast videos? :drool:
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