Rider Education...
A quote that I'm very fond of producing, especially whilst riding an anemic motorcycle is:
"High horsepower is a substitute for poor riding ability".
I have seen a situation many times over when a rider on a far smaller or low powered bike whoops up on a larger supersport. I honestly believe that 90% of a bikes performance comes from the rider not the bike. Some of the best riding I've seen, both on and off a track, is by the proverbial underdog.
Europeans do tend to have a reputation of being better riders. I think this is down to the tiered licensing system over there. If you can survive a year on a 3bhp moped you can ride anything, and usually fast. You know about corner speed, you know about late braking and you know what damage a 30-mph get-off incurs, so you also have a proper respect for the dangers. Even simple cross-town traffic on a 'ped teaches you an acute art of survival and self-preservation; it's something that sticks with you your entire biking career.
So you don't last that year on a moped and take the jump to cars instead? Well at least you haven't been a 120 horsepower liability for your short biking career.
Now I'm not suggesting everyone and his or her aunt goes out and buys a moped, but I really don't think that your typical beginner or even average rider realizes the handling, braking and maneuvering potential of a typical sportbike. I wish I had a dollar for every time that I'd seen a "newbie" lay overly heavy into their rear (or front) brake mid corner and suffer the consequential low side and honestly believe that they had no traction left. I've also seen more seasoned riders stand the bike up and scoot off the road (usually at great speed) on a corner taken too "hot" with catastrophic results.
Come to think of it, I've also ridden with guys who complain, after a certain twisty road, that they were on the absolute limit of traction. Yet two or three of the lead guys have gone through the same corner, sometimes 10-15mph faster, smoother and with less danger. They always want to blame the bikes setup, more rebound, less preload and the proverbial pointed finger at the offending tire brand. The one factor ignored is their riding abilities. The input one has on a bikes handling is pretty substantial. A bike without a rider is quite happy to go round a corner on the absolute limit of traction time after time without incident. Chuck in a clumsy rider (either inexperienced or just plain ignorant) and all sorts of nasty traits appear.
As much as I'd like to think it happens, most young new riders won't be is going out today to go buy a small bike to learn on. Fashion dictates a 600 or 750 and I've even seen R1's on the top of the shopping list. OK, so if I can't help them choose a sensible bike, maybe I can help how they ride it. Firstly, go look up an MSF course. They're not stodgy and they can be quite fun, a typical course runs around $175 You might even be able to tack that onto your finance. It might save your life and it'll certainly help you get your motorcycle endorsement. Hey, your mum or girlfriend will love you for it too. Chicks dig safe riders,
Secondly, don't ride the Sunday ride. Most of the accidents I've seen have been the result of playing "catch up". Find a group or a friend or two who'll show you the ropes without putting competitive pressure on you. If you must ride with a group, go sound them out before the ride, not after you've got yourself into trouble. We have a rule within our group that we'll always stop at stop signs to wait for the group to reassemble. No pressure to keep up, no pressure to ride above your abilities. It never works out like that though. One must have some self-control, race face on a Sunday morning is remarkably commonplace, and it's a recipe for disaster. Chill out, ride the pace. You have all the time in the world to get better. Don't be a Rossi on day one. Ride smart, watch and learn.
Finally, even if you have no ambitions to race, seek out the services of a good track school. Ed Bargy (770-745-7809) on the east coast and Keith Code on the west (818-841-7661) offer excellent schools for riders of all abilities. This is a tool to be used by both the beginner and a seasoned rider. It'll freshen up your skills for sure. I've never failed to learn a new trick, even after 25 years of riding (and crashing). Ride smart.
Ride safe people.
Mike Emery
