My name is Ryan, I own and operate MotoTrix.net and MotoTrix Productions, I wrote this for the people that ride in Dallas on Thursday night, but I think it applies to all groups... add as necessary.


Okay first... I was a squid, a dangerous under talented kid that endagered everyone around me...at one time. But last night, I sat back with my heart in my throat. With the growing amount of inexperianced riders hitting the road, along with the increase in "stunters" The highways are becoming a breeding ground for disaster. I am not sure if I am jsut becoming a sour puss that slid on his *** one to many times.... BUT! there is something incredibly danergous about a pack of motorcycles storming down the freeway with no order or courtesy shown to other riders or cars around them. I sat back and watched some of the Pros go down the highway ranging from speeds of 40-100 doing wheelies and entertaining those of us that don't have the skills to do the same. I was impressed, that is until I looked around at the utter chaos around me, some "new" riders flying inches from other bikes on one wheel shaking like a dog riding that line between control, and a accident waiting to happen. When we ride in small groups, it seems natural to be on the same wave as the other riders around you, you know the guys you ride with, and they know you. And you all seem to ride in a beautiful harmony. Usually riding 2 to a lane the slow ones on the right and the wheelie riding pro's in the next lane over impressing the whole group of us. This allows those pissed of cages (cars) to pass as they see fit, it keeps the entire pack from slowing down to 40 as the stunter rocks out a 12 on the highway, and it gives of a little glimer of hope that this year we will be a little more civilized, paint a better picture of who we are, and possibly save lives... because yes you can die from a 18 wheeler running over your lifeless body...no matter how much gear you have one.... and to tell the truth, we have learned in the past, even a bike running over somebody can kill them.... I am one of those idiots that has seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and there are a few things I do to make sure I don't end up on crutches with a burnt ***, or possibly dead....

1. Be aware, is there a bike behind me...how close...is it a truck...etc.

2. Leg and Arm Signals, stick that leg out use your arm, look over and change lanes... even though you are getting on the gas does not mean you can change lanes and expect for a bike to not be there.

3. Slow Traffic stay Right, if you are goingto be the slow one rocking 12s, or you want to watch those people... then stay to the right. Don't block everybody in just to show off.

4. Let the Pro's play, don't be the cheese dick sitting on your tank looking like a dumbass, or the guy that yanks his R6 up so hard he flips over backwards. You wreck.... 9 times out of 10 you will take somebody with you... if you are in a group.

5. Have fun, but be safe enough to make it out next weekt o have fun again.

I don't want to attend another funeral this season, let alone 2 or 3....

 

amen.

 

word. well put. nothing is wrong with being new, just know your place. respect.

 

much respect to that post, enough said.

 

 

Preach on Bro. MotoTrix I feel a REVIVAL coming on :YEAH GLORY HALALUYA

 

well put

 

Very good points, but lets not all forget that we were that cheese dick riding around on the tank and doing the gay **** at some point. You gotta start somewhere, i just think that people really need to realize that the chances for accidents increase with the more people you are riding with, and if they ARENT ready hopefully they will stick to small group rides. I myself dont even like being with anymore than 2 or 3 other bikes, too much **** is happening to fast, and its never a realaxed ride, people always gotta show off....

Rodney

 

good point. stay out the way of other and be carefull.
always know whats going on!

 

Everyone is new at one point, but not all of us did gay *** stuff like sittin on the tank gettin in everybodys way while going down the freeway just sittin there while there were more experienced riders all aound doing wheelies. Not all of us busted out sketchy throttle jockey wheelies through the middle of a group of more experienced riders. Like I said, know your place, respect. Learn on your own before trying to mix it up with other people around so you arent that cheese dick.

 

well put, and yes, we were all that cheese dick at one point in time. we love to bring people out to ride with us. my group usually lets people know our signals we use when we are gonna rock out a long endo, we let people know if your gonna whellie stay to the front, if not please stay in the back. i think it starts with communication to people who are with you. also, dont be a dick...if the newbie wants to rip a couple wheelies to show you what he has, let him up front, dont hog the road cause you know how to ride a good wheelie or know how to stunt. the road is like a toy when you were a kid, share it. if you see something you deem unsafe or something a newbie could do to make his stuff a little better give him advice, dont just talk **** and dog them. i always hated being stuck at the back when i was new and having to just cruise while everyone else was stunting. help the newbie become a more responsible rider and this **** will never end!!!short story....last year i had a kid on a r1 out with us, were rollin hard in the country, we stated at the beggining of the ride to do whelies in the left lane. i was doing a 3rd gear stand up and the kid pulls out and does a stoppie right in front of me. no warning, nothing. i slam it down . it was either nail him or wash out and jump, i washed out and jumped, i got up to have him all pissed at me for my bike sliding into his back wheel. he had his feet on the ground and it didnt even knock him over. my guy explains to him that he agreed at the beggining that the left lane was for wheelies and that i prob. saved both of us from alot of hurt doing what i did. about 6 months later, i see the guy at our local walmart, and he apologizes for doing the stoppie. bottom line ive ridden with him since, newbies make mistakes, **** happens, educate the newbies and all will be alright.

 

its one thing doing it with a few riders, but there were atleast 150- 200 bikes out that nite. on one of the busyier freeways in dallas. I saw at least 20 near, and I mean near misses. The worst was 5 guys who couldnt keep a standup straight, around a 80 year old woman. this woman got so freaked out she STOPPED on the freeway!!

 

I usually refuse to even ride along with any new guys anymore..Just seen to much bullshiat...If they are not wanting you to give them a show they are running up beside you trying to yank their bars off..making that GSXR750 look like an 86 Katana...
It just isnt worth it. Got a couple of guys I ride with and thats it..Occasionally I'll do roll with the pack to where everyone is gathering..but last year that didnt happen very often..and on the odd occasion it did..it was like a freakin circus act filled with good and bad riders...trying to scare every car in in the city..

Longevity in this game is the key...Riding with a small crew is one of the answers to achieve that...

Cheers
SK

 

good thread, thought me alot...

 

Exactly!!

 

here is the whole point right??? a newbie learns alot from people who have been doing it for a grip. this is just like anythingthing else, education is the key to success in this sport.

 

Well put.

James.

 

Yea I went last Thursday and it was super packed. I knew that was going to happen as soon as I saw everyone leaving. Me and my buddies hung back for a little while and then we left after everyone else. I don't like riding with more than 5 people, cuz I'm one of those noobs, and its hard enough to know where the 5 other people are much less 200 other people. I learn a lot from riding with experienced riders, but I noticed some people around here get mad cuz I can't ride as fast or as good as some of you pro's. I guess I just get in the way. But hey, I'd rather ride safe then sorry till I am a pro. #1. Be safe out there. #2 Teach us noobs how to be safe.

 

Everyone has to know their place. I prey over my boys every time we go out. Funerals don't get easier with age....

 

yeah, I've been to way too many in the last few years.

James.