Little road rage

As we seem to keep kicking up the dirt and treading in the deep end with this thread, a little more food for thought as regards to those who ride. I have had my motorcycle endorsement now for over thirty years. While I'm currently without a bike (hopefully to change shortly), like most, I become a little distressed over some of the folks I see riding. I'm not one for more regulations, however it would be a benefit to those just starting out riding to have to go thru and PASS a motorcycle riding course. Most states make it a requirement now for young drivers (under 18) to attend and pass a drivers course, why not for motorcycles? I was in Germany in the early 80's without an endorsement and it cost $450 to attend and pass an approved rider course before I could get the endorsement on my military issued driving license- why don't we have that here? The requirement was instituted due to people (young men) coming to Germany, away from home, never having ridden a bike and going into the local dealer and buying a scooter that will run 150-175 mph and riding on the autobahn. You can figure out what happened...I don't know what the rules are like now, but for the German citizen, it was a graduated time of riding before you could legally operate a "high performance" motorcycle. You started out with a 250cc or so and then as time and your skills increased, you could get a bigger/faster bike. We have the MSF courses for beginners and experienced riders, but how many states make it mandatory to take one of the courses before issuing an endorsement? When I had previous bikes, I had done really stupid things with them-worst of all was drinking and riding. I've had several friends that were killed drinking and riding, but I wasn't smart enough at the time not to do it-one friend had to have the car he plowed into jacked up to get him out from under it. (He was going too fast for the turn and plowed into a parked car- he had been drinking, I wasn't with him that night) What finally convinced me to stop was I drove home from a party on my bike and woke up the next morning and couldn't remember how I got home. Enough of that for now, but it all comes down to those who ride should not be drinking and need to always plan an escape route in the event you need one. The people on four wheels need to give more room to those who ride- I'm not afraid of going down-been there, done that, but what scares me is the person riding my a** that will run me over if I do go down, so please give a little more room to bikers. The loud pipe argument does have its merits- if you hear the pipes, you know to be cautious as there is a bike around, yet those with loud pipes have a responsibility to be good stewards as well and be aware of your surroundings as to not disturb folks unnecessarily- same with guys on crotch rockets-no weaving between cars, no wheelies at 70 mph or any type of activity that will endanger other motorists as well as yourselves. If want to make a red stain on the highway, that's your business-but if what your doing causes me or another motorist(s) to have an accident or become injured, then its my business. Sorry, kinda got off on a tangent there, but as I posted previously, a little common sense, a little courtesy and paying attention to what we are doing will allow us all to get to where we're going in one piece.
 
Well said. I too have been riding for over 35yrs. I had been involved with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Became an instructor. I don't ride much if at all now. Too scary even to drive a 4 wheeled vehicle. I have always been a strong supporter for rider and driver education. When I got my bike endorsement it was 2 circles to the left, 2 circles to the right, 2 figure-eights, keep your feet on the pegs. In a parking lot! Counter-steering? What's that? I was ready for the circus.

Japan had and may still have a very strong graduated licensing program. Would take years to get a big bike endorsement. That is why there were great small bore bikes available overseas. Here it's answer 10 questions to get you permit and off you go legal to ride a 170mph rocket. Operating a vehicle is a privilege, not a right. You earn privilege.
 
So I guess we've taken this thread off topic but that's probably better anyway.

Been riding motorcycles on streets since 1976. Still own two motorcycles and ride regularly. I grew up in South Africa (from the USA originally) where you were only allowed to get a 50cc motorcycle license at 16 and either a car or larger motorcycle license when you were 18. They had stringent driver tests for all and many failed on first attempts. What I liked was they made you wade into the pond slowly and get your sea legs before you got on a big bike (Honda 750-4 was the beast of choice) and killed yourself. This was a good thing for me personally because I was a REAL dumb-ass when it can to speed back then, but lucky I'm only a nitwit for it now.
 
Riding my motorcycle in the DC area rush hour traffic is Scary as hell, I think there are multiple situations per trip where I could almost wreck/die because of idiots on the road... I ride a sport bike and I do not have loud pipes, but if I can't speed up and outta the way I just pull the clutch in and bang the throttle off the rev limiter, that gets peoples attention with a quickness.

As far as people riding slow in the left lane I have very good "bumper location awareness" and when I get clear within inches I turn on my signal and change lanes simultaneously, because we all know if you signal long enough they will speed up and not let you pass... this generally gets them to change lanes and get out of the left lane after I pass them in that manner...
 

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