Ride Within Your Limits

[cobra919]

Y'know, I was just reading about all the motorcycle crashes going on around us. I'm reminded of a young 18 year old guy who lost his life riding his machine here on Vancouver Island. And I just have to say:

"SLOW DOWN, DON'T DRINK AND RIDE, AND RIDE WITHIN YOUR LIMITS!!"

There, I'm done. I'm tired of seeing so many of our fellow riders paying the ultimate price for a bit of fun and recreation. Please, be smart and be safe out there, eh.

[grinder]

Got to reinforce the don't drink and ride comment. I learned a long time ago, after crashing on a bicycle, that two wheels and booze do not mix. I personally don't drink anything at all with alcohol on a day I am riding, at least until the riding is done. Being made brave by booze and then having impaired judgement is just a good way to get dead. Even long after you don't notice it there are effects.

[Bubba Zanetti]

I'll second that motion gentlemen!

BZ

[reg71]

Actually, I know I will get the boo hiss vote, but I will on occasion ride home after having one or two beers. That's where I draw the line, though, and I have actually called for a ride and left my bike at a bar overnight when I have had more than that. I have even left my bike and walked home after I felt like I had had too many to ride. When I do drink, though, I slow down and take the short way home even if I only had a couple.

[cobra919]

Actually, I know I will get the boo hiss vote, but I will on occasion ride home after having one or two beers. That's where I draw the line, though, and I have actually called for a ride and left my bike at a bar overnight when I have had more than that. I have even left my bike and walked home after I felt like I had had too many to ride. When I do drink, though, I slow down and take the short way home even if I only had a couple.

Appreciate the honesty here. But I do not support the opinion.

[Postcaptain]

Peter Egan in Cycle World (Leanings) advised us last summer to "ride your own motorcycle." By this he means don't run after another guy who is smoother or faster than you are. I kept this advice in the forefront of my mind in the Alps for a two week ride with friends last fall. I heeded Egan's advice the most of trip, except once, when I followed Rex Harrison on the Multistrada around a concrete truck on the road up to Val d'Isere when I didn't have my own clear view up the hill. I was riding his bike. When the white van came screaming down the hill at me, and the huge bumper of the concrete truck almost nudged my right knee, I pinned the throttle open on the BMW F800S and squeezed through by the skin of my ass. At our next stop, Al Fuller (he was just behind me but wisely didn't follow) peered through my face shield and asked, "Now tell me about the concrete truck, Ralph, did your whole life flash in front of your eyes?" Ride your own ride, brothers. rp

[Timbercat]

I get my glow just riding the bike!

[DANIMAL]

No drugs or drinkinig before or during a ride. yes I went with a bunch of cruiser guys and they had drink stops as part of their ride I didn't drink any alcohol, and I won't go riding with them again. i will stop at my buddy's bar at the end of a ride and i will have only ONE beer and then I go home put the bike up and go crash cars and bikes on my Xbox360.

[derstuka]

Hell, out here they don't need drugs, they just treat the road like a racetrack, and anything on it (cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc) are an obstacle on "their road." They will ride your ass, pass you and cut you off, and you better get out of their way.

Usually these days it seems: Rider + gixxer/R1/ZX/CBR/Ducati sportbike = ricky racer with a right to ride as they please. "Ride within your limits" does not apply to them. Well, I guess natural selection will come their way someday, hopefully not involving anyone else in the process.

As I have stated before, these folks don't care, and you cannot teach them anything because they already know it. Only thing that might slow them down is an accident, or a friend getting killed....sad...

My advice: Respect the road, respect the others we share it with, and slow down and ride with consideration of others no matter if you think you are Valetino Rossi or whomever.

[Simon O'Connor]

we only have one life - no need to take such chances....
and , We are risking the lives of others when intoxicated and riding/driving.

Take care gents.

[grinder]

Ride within your limits and know what your limits are. Last weekend I did an experienced rider course. Something of an eye opener. Interesting things was, it showed I was better at some things than I thought and worse at others. Strongly recommend these types of courses, hell of a lot of fun and I learned a lot too. In two days my general handling skills and cornering improved significantly even with 20 years riding experience. But then if you already know everthing.....