- This topic has 15 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 7 months ago by Budd.
Do you get it?
-
AuthorPosts
-
June 28, 2008 at 6:05 pm #1624BenParticipant
The older I get the faster I can spot someone who ‘gets it‘ vs someone who just doesn’t. What do I mean by ‘it’? I’m not quite sure, but maybe I can explain it through some examples.
I see people on BBM every day who get it and a few that obviously don’t. The ones that do have decided that they want to pick up the hobby of motorcycle riding and they are going about it in a thoughtful and logical way. The fact that they are even posting on BBM hints towards their grasp of the elusive ‘it’. They read the articles, post some questions, and help others once their knowledge base has grown enough.
Now on the flipside are those that just don’t get it. On BBM they are pretty easy to spot. They usually post a comment on an article or in the forum without having read to much of the site, just enough to get a general idea about motorcycle safety. They soon find out that the brand new CBR they had their eye on is not the best bike for a beginner. That just won’t do! How are they going to be cool if they don’t have at LEAST 600cc’s!
The next thing they do is write a post hoping for approval, it usually goes something like this:
Example
“Hey guys, I’m a new rider and I was wondering if a GSXR/CBR/ZX6R 600cc bike would be an ok beginner bike. I have driven over 130mph in a car and I rode a dirtbike once as a kid. I would totally treat a motorcycle with lots of respect, I just want to buy a bike I can stick with for 5-10 years. I would get a ninja 500 but…”
What they are fishing for is approval to buy a bike they know is too big for them. They think, “Hey, i’ve gone fast in a car, a motorcycle can’t be that much different.” Going 130+ mph on public roads in a car or on a bike is wreckless, period. Saying you have as a way to justify your experience and skill and then in the next breath saying you would treat a motorcycle with ‘respect’ is ironic at best, and a boldfaced lie at the worst. If you are going that fast you obviously don’t have respect for the law, other drivers on the road, or your own life; but you are saying you will respect the motorcycle?
One of my favorite arguments that people put out there as to why they want to buy a big bike first is the whole, “I want the bike to last me 5+ years.” Most of the riders I know are on their 2nd or 3rd bikes in less than 3 years, even if they started on something like a cbr600. People just get bored of motorcycles, especially in the US. Everyone wants the newest, the fastest, and the prettiest especially when it comes to their vehicles. Once you ride a bike for a while you might think, “Hey, it would be cool to get a motorcycle with a V-twin engine.” or “Man I really like my buddies Aprilia, I want to get one…”. You most likely are not going to have your first bike that long, it doesn’t matter if it’s a ninja 250 or a yamaha r1.
Does everyone see what I mean when I talk about those that ‘get it‘ vs those that don’t?
Conclusion
People that don’t have a certain world view that they aren’t willing to change despite the evidence. I find that people that ‘get it’ have a tendency to get other things in life too. They are more successful, more interesting, and more confident in everything they do because they don’t have to spend so much energy lying to themselves to feed a particular paradigm.
Well, that was a good rant for today
Ben
June 28, 2008 at 8:56 pm #8020megaspazParticipantNot sure if I get anything, so I’ll reply…
FIRST POST!
—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…June 29, 2008 at 12:39 am #8027acidpopeParticipantI’d be all for a system that made riders earn their way up the cc ladder. I also think it removes the ego factor, since it’s tough to talk down to someone who’s doing what you had to do as well and is being limited to by law. It just makes sense. Both safety wise, and capitalism wise. Since people would have to purchase new bikes at each level. I also think it’s lame that all the cooler looking bikes are the bigger bikes. But with any luck, things like the Ninja 250 (and hopefully the ninja 500) and GS500f, this cycle (pun!) will eventually be broken.
July 2, 2008 at 9:13 am #8193WendySkeletonParticipantWhy didn’t I find this thread earlier?
And yes, Ben, total agreement with you there.
I kind of think that those people who don’t get it are perhaps in some sort of denial. And yes, truth is, people who go about asking if they should ride a 600cc bike for their first have in fact already made up their mind and are just looking for approval from experienced riders. Once they don’t get the answer they like, they spit the dummy.
And the other ones that kill me are the ones that go, “I might not look that great on the 250cc motorbike.” Like, omg, how much vanity is in that person?
M’kay, rant over.
July 3, 2008 at 8:40 pm #8291AndrewParticipantI’m an ex-pat Aussie and you are limited to a 125cc bike when you first get your license. Helmets are mandatory also. Both of those wouldn’t work here because people don’t like being told what to do. I still work with people who bitch about the mandatory seat belt laws as a comparison.
Andrew
July 4, 2008 at 2:18 am #8310WendySkeletonParticipantI thought it was a 250cc?
July 4, 2008 at 2:38 pm #8326AndrewParticipantI did some looking and it seems you were closer than I was with the 250cc restriction. I was remembering back to my high school days. They changed it slightly to the last point below. The following restrictions apply if you have your learners permit or you are under 30. The restrictions stay for 12 months when you do have your license. Unless you are 30+ with a 5 year clean record.
While on your learner rider licence you must observe all the normal learner rider restrictions:
* Maximum speed of 80km/h.
* Display an L plate on the rear of your motorcycle.
* Not exceed zero blood alcohol concentration (in effect, this means you cannot drink before riding).
* Wear an approved Australian Standards AS1698 motorcycle helmet
* No pillion passenger.
* Motorcycle engine capacity and power to weight restriction. 660ml engine capacity and power to weight ratio not greater than and 150kw / tonne and is a bike approved by the RTA and displayed on the List of Approved Motorcycles for Novice Riders.The list has bikes up to 650cc and one of the few I recognized was the EX500.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/tests/motorcycleridertrainingscheme/motorcyclesnoviceriders.html
Andrew
July 4, 2008 at 3:53 pm #8332MattParticipantThe list is pretty comprehensive. I gave it a look over when someone else had a question about the allowed bikes. I don’t think there is a bike you’d want start on that isn’t in the list.
I am a bit surprised by the 80km/h rule for one year though… Around here that rule lasts for 90 days (60 if you take an approved course). Same for no pillion.
From the outside, the Aussie system looks like a good graduated system.
Now, as for the original topic – yup Ben, I get you. I think you’ll find all the regulars here do. The people that don’t, well they leave for another forum where they can BS about wheelies and 120mph passes down the slab…
Thinking about that though, I’ve found it interesting lurking the many forums that I do… ADVriders tend to get it. I really like that forum, and for all the jabs at non BMW GSs, they are a pretty inclusive bunch, and you’ll find they ride pretty much everything everywhere.
The Ninja250.Org guys… well… I’m not so sure… Most of them seem to get it, and the FAQ sure imparts “It”… but I’ve found I no longer read the general bike discussion threads because of comments that just jar me with the non-“it”-ness…
My local forums seem to be 50/50 people that get “it” and ****-disturbers. Or maybe the disturbers just post most often…
I no longer even bother visiting Kawi forums or some of the other brand specific forums I used to… too much circle-jerk for my stomach…I guess like any community created soley by a shared passion, you get lots of guys who really dig it, and lots of guys who really dig the image or the superficial version… I for one will never understand tv show fan clubs, I just don’t get that “it”, no matter how cool I look in my Lost t-shirt*…
(apparently I too feel like ranting… maybe I just need a coffee)
-Matt
*I don’t actually own a Lost t-shirt, in fact, I’ve never even seen a single episode.
July 7, 2008 at 3:11 am #8459fotobitsParticipantOne of my coworker’s fiancee bought a GSXR 750 for his first bike. His best friend, of course, had to buy an identical bike. He had his first accident after about two months of riding. Fortunately he was not hurt badly, but he cannot admit the accident was his fault. Someone turned left in front of him, and he got on the brakes so hard he flipped the bike and flew over the handlebars. Just a bit of road rash, but nothing serious. What worries me was his reaction when I told him he crashed because he doesn’t know how to apply the brakes properly. He insisted he’s a good rider and the pickup truck driver was at fault. He doesn’t get it.
July 7, 2008 at 2:34 pm #8485megaspazParticipantHe doesn’t get it.
Ouch… And thus seems to be doomed to repeat his error when the situation arises again. Seems like there might’ve been a couple things he did wrong before the braking bit anyways in terms of evaluating the road conditions around him. Has the accident at least convinced him to gear up? I hope so…
—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…July 7, 2008 at 5:09 pm #8507fotobitsParticipantShoei full-face helmet, good leather jacket. I offered to show him some braking drills, but he hasn’t taken me up. I do think he has learned to keep his head up and watch out for unexpected maneuvers. But he still won’t admit his fault in the fall or take the time to learn proper braking techniques.
July 8, 2008 at 12:10 am #8538RobbieJParticipantPerhaps, if you agree that the guy who pulled out in front of him was at fault for putting him in that situation to begin with, it will ease his mind a little bit. Maybe then he’ll be more open to suggestions to help him handle his bike a little better the next time he gets in that kind of a situation. Also, remind him that better than half of all bike accidents are not the bikers fault but, with proper technique and learned skills that not everybody learns without being taught, he’ll be more prepared for it and come out with a better outcome.
July 28, 2008 at 8:43 pm #9456OutinthedarkParticipantIt took me nearly a year to get on the bike I wanted.
I had bought a CBR600RR from a Navy kid who [thankfully] put it as collateral towards his new 1000RR. Needless to say I got my money back because he couldn’t free the title as I had bought it for less than he owed on it.
This was last season…
I got a little depressed seeing as I spent the money on a new Shoei helmet and was ready to get insurance, remaining gear, etc. I had a friend of the family [55] who has been riding all his life ready to teach me to ropes. It took me up til just a week ago to finally get on my first bike.
I bought the 08 Ninja 250R because well…it looked hot! I read the reviews including the extensive ones here. Got involved in the kawiforums and got informed. While on the forums I was asked if I ride ATGATT…shamefully I had to google it but “All the Gear, All the Time” is exactly how I plan to ride. Yesterday in 90 degree heat I was out practicing in the parking lot figure 8’s in full gear. I’ve done nothing but practice the simple exercises and now I feel comfortable to get out on the road.
Unfortunately I cannot get into any MSF courses around here. They are packed with Squids…every day riding home from work I see some new bike being torn down the highway with the rider wearing shorts and a short sleave tee. But I also see those in full gear…just none on a sport bike.
Plain and simple I hope I “got it”. It took me 10 months to get on a bike but now that I have my 250 geeze I’m so glad I never once rode that 600. I passed my DMV test with no problem at all. My “competition” was a new guy trying to maneuver a hulking Fat Boy who laid his bike down twice while making turns.
Every other day I get told “Oh I started on a 650 too man!”…only to disappoint them when I tell them it’s a 250…but I smile when I can handle the back roads of VA and they have to slow down to 5 mph for a “sharp” turn.
I said it before but thanks Ben for the awesome website. Those 250 reviews are what got me thinking in the right direction.
July 28, 2008 at 10:18 pm #9471SuperMotoRiderParticipantOHHH I GET IT!!!!
What your trying to tell us, is that Cell phones have advanced so much in the past few years that one day the device itself will be able cure cancer.
See, a normal person changes their cellphones every 2-3 years. Why not start off with a used nokia instead of buying an iphone to start out with, you’ll save more money this way when you upgrade. There’s always gonna be a new and improved model that will catch your eye. And as statistics shows, our 2nd or 3rd cellphone will probably be brand new one too.
You guys get it?
Good! Just remember to stop trying to use these advanced-technology cellphone to drive your car, cause for god-sake learn how to do it manually first.
END OF RANT.
………..or is it….?
August 19, 2008 at 4:35 am #10744AnonymousGuestThat’s what we need, more laws and control by the government. Wow
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.