2nd season, 10 things I've learned

[chimera]

Hello all,

Start out by saying thanks to all the intelligent contributors to this resource guide.  It has been invaluable.

I'm well into my second season on the road riding a 1985 Honda Magna 500cc.  What a great scoot with a easy to use V4 that I've put about 8K miles on in one and a half seasons.  So far, the only show stopper, mechanically, has been a new coil.  She needs tires and a front fork job, maybe this winter?  A better suspension and brakes would be nice. Anyhoo....

10 things I've learned so far:
1) I am NO WHERE NEAR as good as I think I am
2) Fellow riders are awesome
3) Gravel just plain SUCKS
4) Deer also suck, just not as bad as gravel
5) The scenery never looked this good from a car
6) Zoning out is dangerous
7) Rear tires go quick
8) Most towing companies dont do bikes
9) Earplugs rule
10) Commuting has never been better

My $.02 adjusted for inflation

[black hills]

I agree with most of them, but gravel isn't that bad. You just have to get used to it. After that you won't even give it a second thought

[cultureslayer]

3) Gravel just plain SUCKS

Very much, it's a trial of your balance and low speed skills.  Stuff we don't normally have to use a lot.  

4) Deer also suck, just not as bad as gravel

Until you hit one, then they are way worse.

6) Zoning out is dangerous

extremely.  I keep a Mt. dew and some sort of snack in my tank bag so I can stop and eat a little when I start to zone out.  Don't go riding after a big meal either.

7) Rear tires go quick

Yup, had to purchase tire changing equipment.  It's easily paid for itself after a season.  After trying a Kenda rear I got free i think I might buy a set of those next time, unless I can find more race take-offs.

8) Most towing companies dont do bikes

Find a friend with a pickup and a ramp.  Towing is expensive too.

9) Earplugs rule

Yup.
[/quote]

[squeezer]

Excellent list.  
I have to agree, though, that deer suck more than gravel.  

[UHOH]

8) Most towing companies dont do bikes

AAA 'RV Plus' membership.
  'RV Plus' is an added cost, but it's worked for me.
 of course can't speak for the towing contractors in your riding area.

[atypical1]

Hello all,

Start out by saying thanks to all the intelligent contributors to this resource guide.  It has been invaluable.

I'm well into my second season on the road riding a 1985 Honda Magna 500cc.  What a great scoot with a easy to use V4 that I've put about 8K miles on in one and a half seasons.  So far, the only show stopper, mechanically, has been a new coil.  She needs tires and a front fork job, maybe this winter?  A better suspension and brakes would be nice. Anyhoo....

10 things I've learned so far:
1) I am NO WHERE NEAR as good as I think I am
2) Fellow riders are awesome
3) Gravel just plain SUCKS
4) Deer also suck, just not as bad as gravel
5) The scenery never looked this good from a car
6) Zoning out is dangerous
7) Rear tires go quick
8) Most towing companies dont do bikes
9) Earplugs rule
10) Commuting has never been better

My $.02 adjusted for inflation

Good post. A couple of quick comments (since you asked  ).

1. Remember this always. When you think you are better than you are you get lazy.

2. They can be but not all are so don't assume that!

3. Learn to not fear gravel. Gravel doesn't suck in and of itself. Not being aware of what to watch for and not know what to do when you encounter it does. Whether it is a gravel road (no big deal) to gravel in the apex of a blind turn (much bigger deal) if you know what to do it is not as bad as you think it is. Much of the riding that I do no involves roads with mystery gravel and you have to learn how to deal with it but it takes time.

5. So very true!

Looking forward to your third season lessons learned.

james

[chimera]

Thanks all!

Clarification:  Gravel roads are actually fun, I enjoy them.  Its as James pointed out, gravel on a blind corner at speed that sucks.  Bad.  I've had a close call that spooked me, maybe y'all can shed some light here......

The scenario:  30-40mph country road.  Sunlight streaking through the trees.  Getting a bit of glare and fail to notice the gravel plus, as instructed, I'm looking more toward my exit of the corner versus directly in front of me.

Front washes out, bang down on pegs/highway bars.  Here is the freaky part: I instinctively jammed down my foot (old motocross habit).  Well I managed to save it from a lowside.  Thankfully I was not traveling at such speed as to induce a highside.  BUT I do recognize the perilous nature of my automatic reaction.

The question:  Is there a way to practice lowsiding?

[atypical1]

Errrr...I would practice avoiding the lowside!

You really have to watch both the road directly in front of you and the road ahead of you in blind turns. Also make sure your speed is such that you can change your line if you need to. That just comes with practice too though. Sometimes your best bet is simply to run through it and hang on. Don't hit your brakes in the middle of it though as no good can come from that. But if you keep your line smooth you should be fine.

james

[ShawnKing]

1) I am NO WHERE NEAR as good as I think I am

Amen - and never will be but you *will* get better.

I'm one year ahead of you - it only gets more fun!

[black hills]

Errrr...I would practice avoiding the lowside!

You really have to watch both the road directly in front of you and the road ahead of you in blind turns. Also make sure your speed is such that you can change your line if you need to. That just comes with practice too though. Sometimes your best bet is simply to run through it and hang on. Don't hit your brakes in the middle of it though as no good can come from that. But if you keep your line smooth you should be fine.

james

There is a corner on my usual after work ride that always has gravel in it. It's perfect practice. Another good reason to leave yourself some room to adjust your trajectory.

[goldylocks303]

Gravel sucks way worse than deer.  Deer at least have the ability to get off the roadway when they see you.  

eD

[Mastros2]

A controlled gravel road, ie you know it's gravel, is not a bad situation at all.  You'll enjoy the back country roads soon enough!  Great list by the way!

[Malks]

Deer at least have the ability to get off the roadway when they see you.  

eD

Not really, ever see a deer try to get up off the road?

I have had two separate occasions where I have come upon deer and they were startled, slipped, fell on the road directly in front of me, and then could not get up.  Those little hooves just slip and slide all over the place because they cannot get any traction on the asphalt.  Kind of funny in a cartoon sort of way, except for the fact that they are doing this on the road right in front of you.  The last one was so close that I could hear the scraping hooves on the road as it finally got up and then fell into the ditch as I rode by.

Also, never bet that they will run OFF the road.  I have had one run down the centre of the road and then turn across my path at the last second.  The best way to avoid hitting them is to practice your emergency braking technique and give them lots of space.

Malks

[cultureslayer]

Not really, ever see a deer try to get up off the road?

I have had two separate occasions where I have come upon deer and they were startled, slipped, fell on the road directly in front of me, and then could not get up.  Those little hooves just slip and slide all over the place because they cannot get any traction on the asphalt.  Kind of funny in a cartoon sort of way, except for the fact that they are doing this on the road right in front of you.  The last one was so close that I could hear the scraping hooves on the road as it finally got up and then fell into the ditch as I rode by.

Also, never bet that they will run OFF the road.  I have had one run down the centre of the road and then turn across my path at the last second.  The best way to avoid hitting them is to practice your emergency braking technique and give them lots of space.

Malks

I'm lucky my only close encounter was a cow.  Stood there and didn't move, I went around.  This was on a foggy night, I slowed down even more after that.  

[tjhess74]

if only more newbies were like you! you seem to have a great attitude and ability to learn (hence the youre not as good as you think you are comment).  yea, gravel sucks, but if you intentionally start to ride on it you will get very comfortable on it and wont pucker when you encounter it on the street.  just expect the front end to dance a little. just hold on and steer and it will all be over soon!

[reppans]

Gravel sucks way worse than deer.  Deer at least have the ability to get off the roadway when they see you.  

Deer also have the ability to suddenly appear on the road, that was perfectly clear just a second ago.  At least gravel won't kamikaze you.

[goldylocks303]

Not really, ever see a deer try to get up off the road?

I have had two separate occasions where I have come upon deer and they were startled, slipped, fell on the road directly in front of me, and then could not get up.  Those little hooves just slip and slide all over the place because they cannot get any traction on the asphalt.  Kind of funny in a cartoon sort of way, except for the fact that they are doing this on the road right in front of you.  The last one was so close that I could hear the scraping hooves on the road as it finally got up and then fell into the ditch as I rode by.

Also, never bet that they will run OFF the road.  I have had one run down the centre of the road and then turn across my path at the last second.  The best way to avoid hitting them is to practice your emergency braking technique and give them lots of space.

Malks

I didn't say they would run off the road, I said they at least have the ability.  I've had quite a few pick up and run in the exact same path I'm travelling which really undermines any arguments that deer are even the slightest bit intelligent.  A quick blast of the horn usually corrects their trajectory though.  

I guess the counter-point to my argument is that the deer can run right into the course you take to avoid them and gravel will stay put regardless of what you do...  why the hell do we ride motorcycles again?  

eD

[DaleFranks]

What is this "season" thing of which you speak? It is not a thing we speak of here in San Diego.  

Do you not ride all year 'round?  

[black hills]

What is this "season" thing of which you speak? It is not a thing we speak of here in San Diego.  

Do you not ride all year 'round?  

Riding year round isn't just reseerved for those of you in sunny CA!! We do it here in western South Dakota too (well a few of us do).

actaully gravel is great, far better than the Ice/Snow that is underneath it!

[2RR2NV]

Also, never bet that they will run OFF the road.  I have had one run down the centre of the road and then turn across my path at the last second.  The best way to avoid hitting them is to practice your emergency braking technique and give them lots of space.

Malks

+1.  i recall riding thru the hills on the Busa w/ my brother (95 GW) and my uncle (yam Venture) and these 2 deer were on the edge of the road. as i rode up nice an slow (5-10mph), they spooked right when i got next to em. 1 got smart and jumped off into the woods. the other decides to use me as a hurdle. well, i gunned to get away since it was heading my way. i ducked, looked over at it, and it was jumping up pretty high. high enough i could see it's belly. needless to say. Busa was outta there and i was gtg. slowed to a stop further down the road and my brother pulls up and tells me the dang thing was trying hurdle me and probably would have if i hadn't dropped the hammer. WHEW!!!!  what i call a sphincter moment.