mentor a new rider

right now, for me personally, there are three new riders i know of that i am helping.  One has about a year of riding under his belt and two just went through the riding school.  I am thrilled to talk motorcycles, gear, safety and how to with them.  they need to learn so much and anything i can share that saves them a hard knock lesson, thrills me.
You have experience, you have knowledge and you can share it...if you want to.  I used to write about this in the magazine every year.  be nice to a new rider, invite them into the garage, teach them a little bit and encourage them to do things right.  help build the future of motorcycling, by being a mentor

But what if....

You crash? What if a car turns left in front of your motorcycle? What if you get a flat at 60 mph? What if your engine blows up at 40 mph in a turn? There are so many what ifs when you ride, the dangers is overwhelming. While you can't eliminate risk from your ride, ou can minimize it...with the right gear and training. Think about it.... Gloves: you need them. When you fall down the stairs, trip over the dog or stagger out of a bar, as you head for the ground, you instinctually put your hands out to shield your body from the impending impact on the ground. Wouldn't a nice, double stitched pair of leather gloves help out with that? Not mechanics gloves, real heavy duty gloves designed for the job will help a lot in a crash. Over the ankle boots: sure Vans are cool, so are tennis shoes. However, should you and your motorcycle go seperate ways, your ankle will be sticking out well past your leg. A nice pair of boots that cover that protruding bone may leave you walking a lot better the next day. Don't even let me get started on flip flops and sandals when you ride...... Jacket: honestly, because it is 80 degrees, the ground doesn't get softer. That brand new t-shirt has very little abrasion resistance, much like your skin. A nice, perforated mesh style jacket with body armor will let you stay cool and be protected on those hot days....and a wind breaker, shop jacket or hoodie are not actually riding jackets. Ever wonder why a real mc jacket has adjustable wrist closures? To keep the jacket from sliding up your arm in a crash...so it takes the brunt of he impact, not your forearm..... Pants: pants are defined as long enough to reach your boots. So shorts are out. At a minimum jeans...good solid jeans, not ripped designer jeans. Not dickies either. Same idea as the jacket wrist closures, dickies are typically baggy and can slide up. Most of the time I wear a textile over pant with body armor. Slips on and off in like 20 seconds, huge skin saver when it is needed Helmet: um, your skull and concrete or asphalt...not a good mix. Long time riders know the expression 10$ helmet, 10$ head.....just get a good helmet. I see people putting a bandana over their mouth, another over their forehead and then a tiny helmet on their head. Why not just get a good modular helmet that you can flip up at a stop and click back down for the ride? Safer and easier Last, invest in some rider training. All of us can learn a little in a riding school or racetrack school Yeah, I know it's all about freedom and being in the wind. But people crash. Then your family and friends have to visit you in the hospital...minimize the time you need to be there.....

more video--no motorcycles, star wars rap instead!!!!

slow motion super moto....awesome

Click the link and enjoy....

http://vimeo.com/40853735

Safety rant.....

Ok people, warm weather is here. Want to guess what that means? Yup that is right, the cement and asphalt are just as hard and abrasive as they were in the winter...just warmer. So, get riding gear that lets you be comfortable in the heat, but keeps you safe if you fall. See, the gear only matters if you fall. Now if you are a rider blessed with the gift of knowing you will never fall...well enjoy those shorts, tank top and sandals. For the rest of the riding population, please dress for the fall...it can happen and you can minimize the damage by doing so. I promise you will look cool on your bike...even in a summer jacket ......really. Dress for the fall people....please?

Are you a rider or an owner?

I am about to enter my 43rd year of riding motorcycles. Through that long span of many bikes, I have always maintained I am a motorcycle rider, choosing to ride over almost everything else. Example, I grew up in Philadelphia where winter can cut the riding season to about 8-9 months...longer if you really bundle up, but you see the point I hope. So, I left all my friends and family, took my best friend and went to California so I could ride more. Said best friend died in a motorcycle accident, a whole other story that really sucks, but that is for another time. I had no real plan other than to get a job at a motorcycle magazine and ride even more. In the meantime, I had no real brand loyalty, I just loved motorcycles, all of them and enjoyed being on any bike. It was in CA I came across my first real motorcycle owners, people who were brand snobs, and it was more about telling people what bike they owned, and wearing gear that said they owned that brand, even when they drive their Toyota mini van to the mall....yet another topic I will dig not another time....brand loyalty, patriotism and a foreign car....uh huh.... I started teaching the California Motorcycle Safety Program and encountered even more motorcycle owners, their plan? Get a license, buy a bike and use it once in a while on Sunday to get lunch, but they would be able to tell everyone about it. When I snagged the magazine job I took a lot of flak for owning a Harley, buell and gsxr. Why would I have a variety like that? Wasn't I loyal? Nope. If they took all the Harley's away, I would ride sportbikes. If they took the sportbikes away, I would ride Harley's. I just wanted to ride. A while ago I left ca to try Wisconsin. Nicest people I ever met...longest winter I ever lived. Bd choice for me as a motorcycle rider. So I came back to ca. I ride anywhere from 300-500 miles a week and am pretty darn happy doing so. Even when all I do that week is commute for work and job site visits, I am on a bike, riding. I encourage those of you who are motorcycle owners to consider being a motorcycle rider and using the bike more. Me? I have to wear a shirt and tie to the office each day. So I wake up, dress, head to the garage and pop a Harley Davidson FXRG textile suit or an Aerostich suit on over my clothes, lace up my boots and head to work. I change into shoes at the office and do my corporate duties. End of the day, the tie is loosened, the suit goes on and I ride home....smiling the whole way. Nothing destresses a tough day like plenty of horsepower and the feel of a motorcycle...beats a scotch and soda any day.

most of you know how i feel about riding gear

and this video make a great statement....