With all the hype of having the coolest jockey shift knob and bending the craziest lever to mount it on with the torch set you just bought is really fun, yeah. Then you set up your crazy clutch lever and have the most killer linkages and you're a king. Until it becomes time to ride that death trap you put together.Not being able to pull off a quick u-turn and wobbling around sharp corners is gonna get your ass in trouble, jockey shift or not - especially if you're too cool to run a front brake on your first real deal motorcycle.
I've ridden with a few guys out there that have been riding all their lives and it shows. We can ride two-up through traffic and I trust them to make room for me through the tightest spots when splitting lanes at speed. But every one of these guys have gotten into their fair share of accidents too.
Avoiding accidents is what every rider is doing when riding a motorcycle on the street, especially commuters. Accidents can easily happen and it does NOT have to include another vehicle. Learning how to naturally avoid accidents is one way to make riding even more fun and you can learn the basics of how to do it here: http://www.msf-usa.org/
The MSF may not be able to teach you everything and some classes may not be that great but its definitely better than just throwing your ass out on the street. If you're new (or old) to motorcycles, go find out where the nearest classes are and take the course. Chances are no one in the class will know you and you can still hold onto your street credibility. In fact, you'll even get up to 10% off your motorcycle insurance. In some states passing the basic MSF course automatically gets you a motorcycle license. Its a good deal.
11 comments:
WELL said Nelson, Jockeys and rigids sure make you "FOCUSED" on whats ahead..but it takes practice..NOT an overnight thing either..don't just think you're king automatic cuz if you're posin it'll show very easily
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Nelson, Thank you. Been on two wheels for 45 years. Taught MSF course for 5 years a while ago. Started at 16 w/no front brake, jockey, suicide clutch. Thousands of miles but that course has saved my life more than once. When I leave the drive way it's proper braking, look throught the turns, and left lean to go left, right to go right just to remind my self. You can take the refresher course on your own machine. Let's come home safe. closest thing to flying. Thanks again.
Oh Yeah..don't drink or do drugs
when riding..I've been called a wuss by many people cuz i won't even drink a beer and ride,,true friends understand..plus i love life
Yeap - I hear you. Started riding when i was 10 and been at it for 28 years. Got my rigid, jockey shift with springer ride on the road as my daily 18months ago . . . and gotta say it was bloody hard to work it out. Especially in city traffic, splitting lands, pulling up, dodging. Fucking glad I,ve got that front brake and plan the road ahead. . . Also made me realise how bad so many roads are in OZ . . and how sketchy hitting road ruts at 90 mile an hour is. But there is nothing beating the fun factor of a bike like this . . . Now that i'm all over it I feel like I'm playing a symphony on every ride . . .hell of a lot better than a two chord top 40 tune.
Never even considered running no front brake or any set up that forces hand removal from the bars - to each his/her own.
Good post. I walked into a MSF class 18 years ago thinking I was God's gift to motorcycles. I was there about ten minutes before I realizied I didn't know sh!t. And yes I've still wrecked a sh!t load of bikes. But less than I would have if I didn't take the course.
great class, i took it.
You know what man. Your rite. I took it at 16 and was able to get my M1 early and I always recamend it to people starting out.
The clas is great. I took when I was 16 and i have been on bikes since kindergarden. Learned a buch and thought it was kinda fun. The funniest part is the #1 student from my group had never even ridden a mc before that class.
I took it. Easiest way to get your DL. Glad it took it.
good call nelson. i learned before i started riding and there's so much shit i would have had to learn the hard way otherwise. thanks for putting this kinda shit up.
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