How to be safe/visible (and look cool doing it)?

I am definitely on board with the MSF! Very valueable information and training.

Funny anecdote regarding noob riders and training......

I went to take my final test for my motorcycle endorsement. Geared up, had been practicing slaloms all morning, as I knew that I might have trouble with me 600lb GS850 on that part of the course. I get there early, hoping to practice on the official course. They are finishing up with a group of 3 young guys, who had two helmets, and two bikes amongst them. Ill fitting leather jackets, looked like they borrowed them from a fat uncle. First squid stalls the orange crotch rocket 3 times, puts his foot down 2 times, that's a fail, bye bye. He argues heavily for another chance, only to find out he can't retake the course for 7 days. :eek: Next squid rolls the blue rocket to the line for the acceleration and full stop test. You have to accelerate to past 20 mph, then brake within a small boxed area and come to a complete stop, then put your foot down. Kid twists the throttle, hits the speed, then STOMPS on the rear brake. Brake locks up, tire skids, bike lays down and skids past the end of the entire course! ;D ;D ;D In 40 feet, he trashed a loaner bike, and failed his test. hahahahahahahaaaa

I had to ride away. I couldn't sit there and watch this gomer pick up the bike. Funny thing was, when I stopped laughing and wiped the piss out of my shorts, I came back and he was asking the instructor why he couldn't just 'do it over'. WOW.

(if you were doing the math, that was 3 guys, two bikes, and only one guy that passed.... How did they get the other bike home legally?)

Hope you all enjoyed this one. Take the MSF. And ride your own damned bike for the test.

loudest143
two words. re tarded.
 
loudest143 said:
I am definitely on board with the MSF! Very valueable information and training.

Funny anecdote regarding noob riders and training......

I went to take my final test for my motorcycle endorsement. Geared up, had been practicing slaloms all morning, as I knew that I might have trouble with me 600lb GS850 on that part of the course. I get there early, hoping to practice on the official course. They are finishing up with a group of 3 young guys, who had two helmets, and two bikes amongst them. Ill fitting leather jackets, looked like they borrowed them from a fat uncle. First squid stalls the orange crotch rocket 3 times, puts his foot down 2 times, that's a fail, bye bye. He argues heavily for another chance, only to find out he can't retake the course for 7 days. :eek: Next squid rolls the blue rocket to the line for the acceleration and full stop test. You have to accelerate to past 20 mph, then brake within a small boxed area and come to a complete stop, then put your foot down. Kid twists the throttle, hits the speed, then STOMPS on the rear brake. Brake locks up, tire skids, bike lays down and skids past the end of the entire course! ;D ;D ;D In 40 feet, he trashed a loaner bike, and failed his test. hahahahahahahaaaa

I had to ride away. I couldn't sit there and watch this gomer pick up the bike. Funny thing was, when I stopped laughing and wiped the piss out of my shorts, I came back and he was asking the instructor why he couldn't just 'do it over'. WOW.

(if you were doing the math, that was 3 guys, two bikes, and only one guy that passed.... How did they get the other bike home legally?)

Hope you all enjoyed this one. Take the MSF. And ride your own damned bike for the test.

loudest143
two words. re tarded.

Monday at 6 I show up for the Washington State Motorcycle Safety Course. Two and a half days!

Part of why I want to take the course is I'm not as confident on a bike as I'd like to be, and I'd like to be able to confidently take a bike out for a test drive myself before I buy one.
 
Drewski said:
+ 1 to everyone who has responded! Good advice on gear! 8)

One other thing about riding. Be REALLY careful approaching intersections!! Some time ago a study was done by Dr. Hurt (no joke!) and I believe his study found that around 80% of accidents involving cars and bikes, happened in intersections. For some reason, car and truck drivers have a difficult time seeing bikes. I try to position myself around other drivers/riders as I approach and ride through all intersections. If that's not possible, be on high alert!! :eek: :eek:

Cheers! :D

+100 on this.... that's where i bought it...
 
Druro said:
+100 on this.... that's where i bought it...

In Cairo, everyone (cages and bikes) honks their horn when going through intersections (although this may have more to do with the fact that there are no stop signs there, and only a handful of lights)
 
+1 on the snell approved lids. i think it's the reason I don't eat through a straw....

I also suggest light colors. dressing in black and complaining cagers can't see you is rather hypocritcal .
 
zixxerboy said:
+1 on the snell approved lids. i think it's the reason I don't eat through a straw....

I also suggest light colors. dressing in black and complaining cagers can't see you is rather hypocritcal .

Yeah - I just got a white Shoei RF1000, and a butterscotch vintage riding jacket, so at least I'm not black on black.
 
Drive a Canary yellow Vette Z06 convertible with a scantily-clad dressed blonde bimbo in the passenger seat...

that'll get ya noticed!!.. ;D
 
locO leoN said:
Drive a Canary yellow Vette Z06 convertible with a scantily-clad dressed blonde bimbo in the passenger seat...

that'll get ya noticed!!.. ;D

or wear a kilt whilst riding, i know this from experience ;D than you get these kind of looks :eek: 8)
 
A nice lid would help... This is one of my favorite lids. I wear it every now and then: Shoei 900 Pascal Picotte replica by Troy Lee Designs.

helmet3.jpg


103-0357_IMG_3.jpg


Personalpics020.jpg


This one is from back in the day: Bieffe (can't remember model) replica (can't remember whose). The kids I used to care for (at a hospital) called it "Ghetto Wear" HA!
brighter.jpg
 
CaTacl1sm said:
Right now i'm rockin the Momo Fighter helmet in matte yellow. definitely cool and definitely visible. Im thinking of getting one in black tho, so it might be up for grabs

100x100_momo_fighter_yellow_matt.jpg


I've always wondered about helmets like this; doesn't the air fly under the shield and dry your eyes out?


On topic; Conspicuity is like fences- they work for honest people. If someone is in a haze, they could be close enough to smell the stale beer on their breath and they still wouldn't SEE you. The ONLY THING that will make you a little safer is YOU. Assume nothing.

When someone tells you how dangerous bikes are, give them a hug and say, "They sure are! Have you got time to sit down and tell me about who you know that got hurt on one?"
 
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