A Lesson from the Dragon

[draboo]

http://webpages.charter.net/draboo/LoudPipes.jpg

My point being..

I ve witnessed several riders with and without passengers looking like they had many miles under their belt,considering their ride and clothing. But witnessing the wobbling of the handlebars when stopping and starting out and the terror in their eyes when they almost drop it was downright scary.

Here in WA if you can pass the written test, you are given a learners permit.The only restrictions are you cannot carry a passenger or travel at night.(I think its that way for motorcycles, it IS that way for trikes/sidecars)

I guess this is the scary part, that folks are assuming that just because its legal for them to drive with the permit, that its OK for them to dive right onto the freeway.

Please get the proper training and practice before venturing out in/on any vehicle. You and your family will appreciate it in the long run!!

Brad

[fastfraser]

:agree: Big time !!! Last year ryding the Dragon I couldn't believe the number of bikes crossing the line assuming no one was coming the other way !

[Yazz]

Guess some people want to become hood ornaments?:dontknow:

[Questions]

goes to show ya that if you are on an unfamiliar road you need to use caution.:shocked:

[canam9]

I have an email into killboy to see if I can get that as a poster. :ani29:

[Neez]

Last week, a group of 6 bikers went for a ride along the Hope -Princeton Highway in the BC mountains. The first 2 riders left the pack at a higher rate of speed. Rider number three tried to keep up, apparently rode beyond his skill level, and left the highway at a corner near the Skagit Bluffs. For a 300 foot drop....... I certainly wish this story had a happier ending.

[musicarcade]

"A man's got to know his limitations":doorag:

[ataDude]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb193/jojovols/26.jpg

[boborgera]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb193/jojovols/26.jpg

:shocked: WOW, That looks just like my Asphalt kissing adventure, except i was coming out of the Lincoln tunnel, and it was 35 years ago,
Still have the bone sticking out of my left elbow :yikes: It was a painful lesson, Now i ware a armor jacket.
Smart people learn from other peoples mistakes,
Stupid people tend to learn from their own mistakes.:D
P/S Diesel fuel on the road bit me.

[biker1]

Bikes are dangerous, no doubt and their drivers should have a good idea of what to do in all conditions to remain as safe as possible. That last picture,, I would never go out without a jacket without some armour, you can see what this guy is going to suffer.
However ! just the other day a guy pulled out onto the main road in a little car without looking and the guy on the bike driving along just ploughed straight into the car and was badly injured, so you also have to keep vigilant at all times for those other idiots on the road.
Keep it safe.

[SpyderWolf]

Very good lessons to be learned from, and not repeated by any of us.

Good judgment comes from experience,
Experience comes from poor judgment.

It can be a vicious circle.

[draboo]

http://webpages.charter.net/draboo/hindsight.jpg

make your own HERE! (http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php)

[Raptor]

http://webpages.charter.net/draboo/hindsight.jpg

make your own HERE! (http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php)

Man that's gonna hurt. I couldn't imagine going out without gearing up,I don't care how hot it is outside.

Draboo makes an excellent point about the permit thing. But really we all have to be realistic about our skill levels. If that means we are not as fast as some or as fast as we'd like to be, so be it. That comes with seat time and perhaps some training. Seeing these images drives that point home very clearly. At least to me!

[musicarcade]

Man that's gonna hurt. I couldn't imagine going out without gearing up,I don't care how hot it is outside.

Draboo makes an excellent point about the permit thing. But really we all have to be realistic about our skill levels. If that means we are not as fast as some or as fast as we'd like to be, so be it. That comes with seat time and perhaps some training. Seeing these images drives that point home very clearly. At least to me!
:agree:
I can't imagine going out and not gearing up to ride the Dragon.:shocked::wrong:


Very good lessons to be learned from, and not repeated by any of us.

Good judgment comes from experience,
Experience comes from poor judgment.

It can be a vicious circle.
Or a vicious Cycle!:joke:


Couldn't resist-

[SpyderWolf]

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8225&d=1281936760


:roflblack: :roflblack: :roflblack:

That was a good one as well. :thumbup:

[mrk2ejk]

Just earned by MSF Certificate this past weekend. It's amazing how much I did not/don't know about motorcycling. I should have my Spyder RS-S delivered next week and plan on a long slow learning process about getting on the road and learning as much about the Spyder and my own driving skills before I hit the highway. Any advice is greatly appreciated.:helpsmilie:

[NancysToy]

Just earned by MSF Certificate this past weekend. It's amazing how much I did not/don't know about motorcycling. I should have my Spyder RS-S delivered next week and plan on a long slow learning process about getting on the road and learning as much about the Spyder and my own driving skills before I hit the highway. Any advice is greatly appreciated.:helpsmilie:
Read the Spyder manual and watch the DVD. They are available online if you want to get a head start. They contain an excellent skills course, as well as good riding and safety information. Get some soccer cones or cut some tennis balls in half, and practice the skills course in an empty parking lot somewhere, until you feel comfortable enough to try the road. Stick to quiet local streets at first, getting the feel for more speed. You'll soon be ready to hit the road in earnest. You'll know when it is time. One last thing...relax! The Spyder likes a gentle hand on the controls and a light grip. There is a tendency to grab the bars too tight, and over-control when you hit the highway the first time. Enjoy the Ryde!

[qasamm]

All great advice for a new Spyder owner. There were some real ah-ha moments I had during my first rides following a few views of the videos.

1000 miles later I'm still tuning into the spyder.


Read the Spyder manual and watch the DVD. They are available online if you want to get a head start. They contain an excellent skills course, as well as good riding and safety information. Get some soccer cones or cut some tennis balls in half, and practice the skills course in an empty parking lot somewhere, until you feel comfortable enough to try the road. Stick to quiet local streets at first, getting the feel for more speed. You'll soon be ready to hit the road in earnest. You'll know when it is time. One last thing...relax! The Spyder likes a gentle hand on the controls and a light grip. There is a tendency to grab the bars too tight, and over-control when you hit the highway the first time. Enjoy the Ryde!

[sandrunr1]

My lovely wife spent over an hour in the parking lot of a closed department store before she ever went on the road. We had many spectators watching. But so what. She then rode it half way home on the highway. She did well as there was no traffic except for the 20 or so cars and trucks that were following us. She thought she was going very fast but as I said when I got her to pull over so the cars could pass, you must go faster then 45 on the highway. Finally at home, she became a fixture in the neighborhood for the first 2 weeks as she would practice every day till she got it right. She now does very well. I have ridden most of my life, so it was a bit easier for me. But I do have respect for and so does she for our rydes and the idiots of the road that happen to live in Pahrump, Nevada. Ryde safe and watch all the time.

[M2Wild]

Any advice is greatly appreciated.:helpsmilie:
Mmmmm ... save the three wheel drift for last.:D and welcome

[mxz600]

Real men don't need no armor!!:joke:

[mxz600]

On a serious note. Armor is a good way to go, just remember it doesn't make you bullet proof.

[3RDOWN]

Read the Spyder manual and watch the DVD. They are available online if you want to get a head start. They contain an excellent skills course, as well as good riding and safety information. Get some soccer cones or cut some tennis balls in half, and practice the skills course in an empty parking lot somewhere, until you feel comfortable enough to try the road. Stick to quiet local streets at first, getting the feel for more speed. You'll soon be ready to hit the road in earnest. You'll know when it is time. One last thing...relax! The Spyder likes a gentle hand on the controls and a light grip. There is a tendency to grab the bars too tight, and over-control when you hit the highway the first time. Enjoy the Ryde!

Can you tell me where to find the online? Thanks for any help.

[NancysToy]

Can you tell me where to find the online? Thanks for any help.
The manuals are available through the BRP site's Owners Center. http://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/SiteMods/OP_Guide/OPGuide_Index.aspx?lang=E&s1=772659a5-e349-43d1-91f8-9df48c46fac5

The training videos from the DVD are available on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmGWRBqi_Tg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaMCGmxcGNk&feature=related