Perhaps I did misunderstand then. All I know is that when I’m riding and something risky is happening, I do my best to not get nervous whatsoever, and have become quite good at it.
At the track day I did, the rear tire slid out, and I nearly high sided and ended my day but I recovered and quickly caught up to my group riding the rest of the session just the same as I did before it happened. Be aware of what’s happening, but being calm and collected means everything.
True that, being calm and collected in times of peril is the best bet on a bike…don’t freak out and flail your hands like wacky inflatable flailing arm tube man.
However, being constantly aware of the dangers of riding and your safety make you just that…safer.
thats what I was getting at
i picked up my first bike this may 02 CBR f4i and i dont regret buyin it for one minute, i have had more fun in just this summer then i have had in my car for the last four years, just start out slow and dont drive over your head, i would suggest to just hang with people who enjoy riding and not ones who will be organ doners, dont be afraid to ask questions, and always expect cars to do the wrong thing…
wacky inflatable flailing arm tube man.
wacky inflatable flailing arm tube man.
wacky inflatable flailing arm tube man.
WACKY INFLATABLE FLAILING ARM TUBE MAN
I have 2 kids.
at the end of the month they will be 4 and 2.
I just ride to and from work. I do not take my POS on any real rides.
I stopped riding for 3 years when my 1st was born.
Not because I did not want to, but because my thoughts on what I considered
to be safe operating condition changed… And I had much less money.
I started again because it is really cheap to ride.
I bought better gear and fixed the bike some.
Parking at Buff State was GREAT. So much better than parking behind the museum.
I initially started wanting to ride when I saw dirt bikes on TV and Grease 2 
Greased Lightning ain’t got shit on motorcycle stunts.
But, pops handed out the rules. No bike while I lived at home.
So as soon as I moved out I bought my FZR took the MSF course with Andre and Dom.
My friend Jon (Quicknlow) got me into it maybe 5 years ago, Been riding a cruiser for around 4 years and got a chance to ride a couple of his and fell in love with sport bikes. Bought mine in March of this year and have been enjoying every minute of it.
that is my point exactly. i am not an expert rider. a realistic assessment of my skills and the risk of overestimating them keep me grounded and cautious.
i know exactly what you are saying, paulo. i was telling ryan this last night: i ride the same route pretty much every night when i cruise. i always take the 190 to river road exit right by the south GI bridge (heading northbound right before you go through the tolls). the other night, i took the turn a little too quick, applied the front and rear brakes evenly in the turn. my rear tire locked up, and i started sliding sideways. i remembered what i learned about highsiding in the safety course, so i continued braking, brought the bike upright, and then let off the brakes a bit. had i dont that while leaned over and sliding, i probably would have highsided.
i kept my cool. i dont focus on “omgomgomgomg i suck and im going to hurt myself!” but i do know my own limitations, and i think that self awareness helps keep me safe and rubberside up.
i’ve definitely had my fair share of close calls while on my bike, especially towards the end of the season when people aren’t expecting bikes to still be out, but if you take all the safety advice and education that they give you during the MSF course, from experienced and responsible riders, you should be able to ride with enough confidence so that in the bad situations you know how to handle them.
that’s not to say that there are exceptions, sometimes the situation is completely out of your hands, and in that case there’s nothing you can do but hope and pray.
some spelled out how the MSF course works, but I forgot. Can someone break it down again? how long is it and how does the road test work?
http://nyspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55745&highlight=ride+pride
google ride with pride - it is easy to find their number. i think the last courses this fall are going on soon, and they may already be booked up. but check it out :tup:
I enjoy going for a ride to get away from things like work, home, kids etc… I have 3 wonderful kids and a loving wife that lets me go whenever i can. I also RESPECT WHAT I PUT BETWEEN MY LEGS… I see people standing up on 1 wheel and think thats why people on sport bikes are getting labled as a–holes and dont have a care in this world…(theres a time and a place for that) when I ride im always on my guard looking all the time to avoid mishaps and possible death… so please be responable and hopefully enjoy yourself and if u do get a bike … be safe not sorry wear your gear
Mine was 4 days, I took the Evans/Angola location though, I’ve heard the Williamsville one is shorter.
Anyways.
2 days in the classroom
-Going over instructional video, safety advice, general information regarding motorcycles.
2 days riding (250cc cruisers, provided for everyone)
-First day starts off slow, learning the sweet spot on the clutch, basic maneuvering
-Second day is more complex maneuvering, situational riding, and finally a “road test” of some sort to test your skills you’ve learned over the previous days.
The instructors were very helpful in answering questions, helping out the more inexperienced riders, and pointing out techniques that would better help riders get the most out their motorcycles.
10% off your car AND motorcycle insurance
Point reduction on your license
Roughly 2-3 weeks after you pass the course, they send you a form that waives the road test, thus you can go to the DMV with that form and apply for your motorcycle license.
Well put, Chris :tup: I took the same class in Angola and both class days we got out around an hour and a half early.
^ yup. well worth the money.
I’m a very new rider, rode my friend’s 250 Ninja for the first time this past summer and had a blast. And if that’s only on a 250, I figured this would be something I’d love. I wanted to get a nice summer car, but with college loans to pay off, a bike just seemed like a better compromise, and awesome MPG 
I started late this season. Bought my first bike, an 06 zx10r because willybeen said it’d be fun… don’t have my license or anything but it’s fine, I only go fast at night with no cars around. I rode a dirtbike for an hour or so a couple years ago, so shifting a street bike was cake. Love the rush of going 150mph+++
lol. The zx-10r way.
Hmmmm where to start? First motorized thingy i had was a 1980 honda cr80R dirt bike. Rode the wheels off of that bike but never quite got comfortable with it on the street(it was a dirtbike after all). Than I “aquired” an old school yamaha moped that hauled ass and would do wheelies. rode the wheels off of that and than dumped it behind my friends house where it sat for a few years. So now I’m 17 and installing building allarms in the falls. One day my boss couldnt pay me fully for a job so he gave me his old 73 yamaha tx750. It was in pieces and came with like 4 and a half spare engines and another frame. I put it togeather and rode it illegaly for about 2 months. The exhaust was sweet, stupid loud, and exited just behind my feet and at night it looked like my feet were on fire. Shit looked cool.
Fast forward a few years and I’m back In Toronto. I wanted a sport bike so bad since a few of my friends had crotch rockets. I asked my mom if she would finance my venture and she told me to go F mysellf and if I wanted one I’d have to pay for it myself (was the same deal with my cars thats why i had like 6 lol). One day on my way home i saw a sweet 86fz600 sitting on the side of the road with a for sale sign on it. Bought it an hour later and rode it home (illegaly lol). got my Permit the next day, took a safety course 3 months later. Sold the fz about a year later after riding the piss out of it.
Moved back to the US where i was bikeless for a year. Went overseas for about 3 years to visit some familly. Got a chance to wip arround on a few Aprillia’s, some older FZR’s, and a couple of Ninja’s.
Came back to the US and shortly after picked up a wrecked ZX6E from a buddy that was going to fix it up but didnt. Had that for about a year and loved it. Damn near cried when it was getting strapped to the trailer of it’s new owner.
i am married but have no kids. The thought of wrecking is allways in the back of my mind. It’s kind of one of the things I check off of my mental check list before I put my bike in gear and pull out of the drive way.
My wife is very supportive of me riding and in fact was upset when I sold my bike. She is actually planning on getting a bike this spring as well.
I have had a few close calls in my time. Most recently on the E. But in all honesty i have noticed that riding has also improved my driving skills as well. Specially being more observant on the road and being able to make quicker decisions.
Its kind of different for everyone but I simply love riding. the fredom of it cant be really explained, it has to be felt(not to sound gay).
If you do get a bike be safe, take the MSF, and dont try to keep up with people that think they are speed racer on two wheels. Ride within your limits because once you exceed them you will get in trouble really fast.
ok im tired of typing
4 straight days?? can you split them up or what?? Im wondering this because I work a regular FT job and then I am starting a PT over night job.