Crazy how you and I were thinking about the same thing around the same time but yeah too many people been dying lately and when you’re on the machine that honestly could ride harder than you’ll ever be able to watch is for half the guys out there is probably a big reason why guys end up getting so hurt/die learn to ride your machines in a safe stable environment and definitely don’t drink and ride.
I think complacency is a big issue too, over confidence. People get cocky think they can do dumb shit on a daily cause they don't have any near misses then do some dumb shit at the wrong place/time and that's that. Especially when 17/18 year olds can get on a 600/1000cc easier in America than over here in the UK.
Those HeLmets BLock, Sounds@Surrounds, & PeopLe Just Lack awareness in GeneraL, ➕ Ghost PLateDrivers, Going 65+mpg@40Zones, it's OnLy Gonna Get Worse. it's Becoming a Mad WorLd.
I started riding at 16 and still ride now at 72. My rules for survival are: don't be dead right - having the right of way will not protect you. Therefore, don't ever put yourself in a position where the other vehicle can possibly hit you. Expect that the other driver has not seen you and, therefore, be ready for anything they may do. You must set your risk to reward ratio. Living to tomorrow is more important for me than a quick thrill. All my children and grandchildren ride, without accidents. I think my views have helped them to be safe riders. I wish you the same!
I got in an argument with my dad when I was younger about how cars have to stop for me at the crosswalk so they can't hit me because it's illegal. He said, "Son, you're right. And when a car doesn't see you, and he hits you, he'll be wrong, and you'll be dead... look both ways on the crosswalk." I've looked both ways like I'm watching a tennis match ever since. Like you said, "Don't be dead right."
My Navy Pilot Instructor Father told me something very important when I started driving mechanical vehicles and it applies to all of them. This is his words....When you believe you have completely mastered the vehicle is when it will bite you hard. For pilots he said it was around 400 hours.
That's exactly what my old boss told me when I was driving 5-ton truck on tight city streets. "I'm not worried about you now. Give you 3 months to get cocky, then you get careless, and that's when it'll happen" ... Was almost three months on the dot I failed to check my mirror and fn monster truck crushed a corolla in a parking lot.
There was a thing I saw a few years ago where a study found that Rookie helicopter pilots are less likely to crash a helicopter than an experienced pilot for this exact reason. Another thing I have heard is, a machine is never more dangerous than when you feel safe around it.
Pretty sure everyone has a story where this happened to them, when i was 16 i was driving back to pa from georgia (was on vacation), i had been driving for a few months at that point and began to get confident in my driving ability, about halfway through the drive when i was feeling the most confortable and the sun had began to set, i was planning on switching lanes to pass a slower driver, when i checked my left mirror i did it in a lazy fassion and did not check any blind spots, luckily i had applied my turn signal so that the little smart car next to me that i had not noticed had time to pass me before i steered into him. ever since that point i have made extra careful that i dont get too cocky when on a road.
As a rider, you are 100% responsible for your own safety. Ride as if you’re invisible and never assume a cager will do what you think they will. I’ve been riding for 3 decades and I’ve been in almost every predicament a rider can be in. Leave yourself an out if possible, ride in the carpool lane, and always wear your gear. That last one is worth repeating… always wear your gear. Safe travels.
@Lurch Absolutely true. Obviously not out to get you intentionally, but you should treat it that way. I taught a motorcycle safety course for many years at Luke AFB. It’s the military version of an MSF Course. The carpool lane is the safest lane as you are furthest away from merging traffic, have no traffic to the left of you, and the carpool lane typically goes faster than the average flow of traffic. This reduces the amount of traffic approaching you from behind.
I agree 100% their own responsibility, so let them be free to do what they wanna do . Some folks don't think about tomorrow or next year or 5 years from now. It's their individual choice, we can only advise or lead by example.✌️👊
@@lurch789whats a carpool lane? US has so many driving terms we don't hear in the UK. Like filtering etc. I had no idea what that was, here thats just how every rider rides normally. If you don't filter its very weird
All of this is so true. I only have been riding for 3 years, so a long shot from your decades of experience but I have already come to realize quite quickly that there is a time and a place for everything. We ride, its not a secret that at sometimes you are going to be far more spirited then others, but that cant be all the time. I too have lost some friends who unfortunately didn't have the distinction to know when the proper time and place was.
@@ShakTMT I mean, if you ain't lane splitting on a bike just use a car. Carpool is reserved for vehicles with more people than just the driver I think.
I quit riding after a person pulled right out in front of me on a empty country road. I had been riding for thirty some years and had close calls in the past. This one made me turn around and go home to park it. People are on phones, in a hurry, speeding, on drugs, alcohol, old and can’t see or in a daze thinking abt other stuff then paying attention to driving. Just too much for me. I’m 65 and want to see my grandchildren grow up.
Personal rule #1: On the bike, I'm not in a hurry. That alone makes a host of problems go away. As for the other rule I have - don't drink & drive. I've buried too many friends and acquiantances over the years; many were the victim, not the driver. Have fun folks and keep the shiny side up.
Agreed. NEVER in a hurry! The speed is for recreational use ONLY. Away from other traffic and NEVER as a means to getting somewhere faster. Rushing is how one becomes reckless.
Never be in a hurry, if you are already late, being in hurry isn't going to help. Rushing yourself greatly increases the chances you will make a mistake. Just don't do it.
I saw a guy fall off his bike during my MSF course. He had a helmet on but hearing the helmet hit the pavement was the perfect example of why you should always wear one. That sound will never leave me.
@@pour-g8677 Not long ago, I was riding on a city street. A supersport passed me accelerating to maybe 90, girl in the back's helmet flew off and bounced right by me.
My grandad and dad both rode and they taught me, 40 years ago, about how to ride in “the bubble”. I never ride in someone’s blind spot, I use other vehicles as a “shield” when going through intersections and I’m looking sometimes 100 yards in front of me for potential problems. Best advice I ever got and I’ve managed to be accident free my entire life with no real close calls.
A father in his 30's in our village owned a small scooter, had a few drinks at his friends party, hopped on the scooter to ride home, no helmet, made it 200 metres on a road he rides every day, misjudged a corner and hit a stone wall. Left behind a wife and two young kids. Tragic, and was totally avoidable.
@@pyromod To be honest if you live life every day in constant worry, then that life probably isn't worth living. Go LIVE your life, worrying does nothing good, doesn't solve a thing, and its utterly pointless. We ALL go at some point, so make the most of your life and let some things be. You are responsible for your life, not sit there and worry about others if you can't change it. Stop worrying, start living (or be like the millions who were not only too scared to go outside for years, but demanded others waste the best part of their life cowering in fear over a sniffle that isn't even a high chance of being severe for most people). Some people have more excitement in 1 hour of their life than others do in a century, history books favor the bold, not the boring. I would rather live 1 day truly free than a lifetimes under the chains of tyranny (my ideal day is doing barrel rolls with wing mounted 50 cal's full auto while firing at reactive targets, interestingly none of that is illegal and even the airplane does not require a license, however I cannot under good faith sign my rights away with a form 4473 nor pay the bribes to tyrants to exercise a right to keep and bear items that our founders would have owned).
@@St.FighterZ I hope you're allowed to call out your mama, sister, wife or gf like that in a split second as they make "stupid mistakes" every now and then😂
@@gooddaymate1171 I fell at 50 mph with full leathers and a very good full face helmet. I slid and tumbled. No injuries. My friend fell at around 40 mph and hit a street sign. Dead instantly.
I began riding at 18 and immediately realised that every other road user was out to get me. I was not prepared to let them get away with that. I rode within my limitations and always trusted my understanding of physics. Those were my rules.
@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy My first bike was a Suzuki T500 two-stroke, often described as the first Japanese super bike, and it was fabulous, and I loved it. In those days there were no limitations on the engine capacity for learner riders.
I got out of street bikes in the early 90's because I could see the writing on the wall that people in cars did not see me, and it was only a matter of time. Switched to Corvettes. I do think that the outrageous performance of today's bikes is to blame also, They have far more capabilities than most riders.
I think the purpose of motorcycling is driving this. In the past, there was a decent amount of utility riders. There were a lot of people riding for cheap transportation. Those miles are probably pretty conservative and almost certainly alcohol free. Now it seems like very few bikes are bought in place of a car. Like you said, they are seen as toys and ridden for excitement. It doesn't doesn't take long for exciting to become scary.
I got my bike for the commute to work. My other vehicle is a HD truck that gets 12 mpg. If I wreck my bike I will struggle to get to work. This isn’t a toy for me it is my primary mode of transportation.
Ya that’s true, I got my bike to commute because I’m moving for work for the next 3 years and don’t want to take my car so I bought a bike for the time being to get around there
Not sure if you ever question the effectiveness of these videos but I personally wear all my gear when I ride because of your videos. They have taught me the importance and value in wearing gear and having passengers wear gear.
I read bike magazines for years before I could afford to actually get a decent street bike. Consistent messaging about gear and skills development, and riding "The Pace" helped a lot when I did start street riding.
been riding since i was 8, i am now 36 and just bought my first ''leader'' bike. Never had an accident, always wore my gear. 2 days into owning my zx10r i decide to take a leisure ride intown speeds not exceeding 15mph, i skipped on the gear as i was just going to pick up my daughter from a friends house... i hit an oil spill with the front tire and of course down i go, no way of revving out of this predicament in a caul de sac. two weeks of road rash finally starting to heal up. I am never skipping the leathers. And i am never taking anyone on the back with out full leathers and a full face helmet!
After a hitting a deer on the way to work in the early morning (dark) it was evident to me no matter how experienced you are no one has the ability to avoid some dangers when your margin to react is that drastically diminished. Thanks for the video and stay safe.
The dirty secret of Moto is that there is no answer to something cutting you off at the last second. I guess the rider tries to be so dynamic and awake that he sees these things happening before they do.
i’m still amazed of how i reacted one time. it was the first month of getting my license, i was going pretty quick on a pitch black country road. And by whatever fucking chance, there was a black cow standing in the road blocking the whole lane. i somehow managed to see the silhouette and swerved around just at the last second. i got lucky, but many don’t sadly.
After 13 years of riding I survived my first accident in January this year. All the track days and training didn't help me against an oldery driver with expired licence t-boning me off my bright red panigale in broad daylight. Riding kit saved my life but I lost my left foot due to the crushing injury (we drive on the left in South Africa). Luck also plays a big role, probably more than we would like to admit. Stay safe everyone and always wear the best kit you can afford, even better if its bright as drivers can't see us for shi...
Rider courses are priceless. I learned more about my motorcycle and how to handle it in a matter of hour than I did in previous 5 years of riding. Definitely recommended
I do agree. But they are expensive. They want to make riders safer, lower the costs of course. The beginners course near me is $350 bucks. The advanced courses are $200+.
I’m a firm believer in you are who you surround yourself with. If you’re surrounding yourself with super aggressive high energy or reckless riders, then, you are likely to do what they do and put yourself at a higher chance of injury or death.
Great point. Something I embraced some time ago. I haven't ridden with a group for many years because of all the stupid things I've seen. Lots of broken bones and some broken lives just because of that peer pressure.
That’s why I refuse to go out with my partner and his friends anymore. Now it’s just him and me, or him and his mates. Put yourself in danger but don’t you dare endanger my life when I have no control.
I'm convinced that people in general have lost the capacity to pay attention to anything for more than a few seconds. It's about awareness. Modern society has so many conveniences that people are living on auto pilot are barely even conscious. I grew up in an environment where higher consciousness and expanded awareness were the main focus in live. My motorcycle is my only transportation and more than half the year, I work at night, so I ride at night a lot. Again, it's about awareness.
Here in Italy the big problem is that people driving cars always use their smartphones (while driving). 2 out of 3 car drivers have a smartphone in their hand. I hope this will end soon
Even when they do pay attention, its to a TV show or cellular phone. People who play video games can at least hold their attention on something for several minutes at a time even if they aren't in sweaty try-hard mode.
I've commuted by moto since 2007. I've always operated under the philosophy my dad had (he commuted by moto as well) that you should constantly be riding a bit faster than traffic and moving forward. It's worked well for me. However, one thing that's changed dramatically is the speeds that said traffic is going. Used to be going 75-80 would suffice for a comfy 5-10 mph delta, now I'll be going 90 and still have cars flying by me like I'm standing still. Speeds on the streets have increased as well. I can deal with it but I'm sure it's a factor for newer riders.
the engineers that design the roads make the speed limits for a reson. many people that have the reflexes of a snail are going far to fast on the streets and the interstates. i sold my bike bc i would almost get hit everytime i take it out by people that are too lazy to pay attention. the olds days are over. bad enough trusting people with your life in a car def not doing it on a bike.
Good point, I've noticed the same. Now that everyone's on their phone texting while driving its even more important to pass cars and not have every car pass you... but like you said you gotta go like 90mph at least even on highways that are posted 55mph speed limit.
Very true. I’ve been riding/commuting/touring/weekend warrioring on motorcycle‘s since 1972 using your dad’s philosophy without ever tangling with a car or truck, and every year the cars get faster and the idiots driving them become more distracted and dangerous. Here’s just one example of thousands I have experienced: Yesterday I was toodling to work at the usual, safe speed of 10 MPH over the posted limit, when a car ran up from behind and flew past me in the left lane with his right two tires 3 feet over the dashed line into my lane, missing me by a couple of feet at the most. It was easily going 80 in a 50MPH ZONE. The driver was holding his cell phone high right in front of his face, and was staring straight at it. I used to almost never see things like this, but today it is common. 😢
I had this conversation with my ex about construction zone accidents. She would blast past someone working very close to the edge of the lane, going 20mph over the speed limit and not even bother to move over a lane, and her reply was “not my problem.” What I told my mom about the conversation, her reply was “that’s the workers fault, it’s his fault he didn’t go to college and get a real job.” This is 1 year following her husband’s son was hit by a semi in a construction zone who went through the orange barriers. Some people just don’t care for anyones lifes.
@TravisTraps man where I live, construction is hard work, sure. But it pays EXTREMELY well and it's literally the foundation of all society. It's arguably the most fundamental of all jobs!
And these people are probably the ones riding unnecessarily big pedestrian, motorcycle and regular sized car killing Machines (yes i am talking about the stupidly sized SUVs/ trucks that are invading america) and its not only dangerous for us riders, children parkway/garage runways in suburban areas deaths have skyrocketed, Just a 10cm increase in vehicle hood height increases the risk of a pedestrian fatality by 22%. But they'll probably tell you its their fault for being too poor and needing to walk to places.
I almost died from an accident back in Apri, i got ran over by 2 cars and im still alive. IT WAS 8 PM I WAS 10 MINS alway from my hotel but i end up hit a road debris and fall. im recovering, and i will see you guys on the road again one day. ride safe guys.
In the Netherlands there are tiered licenses for motorcycles: AM, A1, A2, A AM is for very weak mopeds A1 is for up to 125cc and 11kW (15 hp) A2 is for up to 35 kW (47 hp) A is unrestricted The license are tiered in a way that you need to be older for the better license. For the A license, you need to be at least 24 years old as a beginner, or at least 21 years old if you already have had 2 years of experience with A2. I don't know what our motorcycle numbers are, but calculating by population, the numbers for motorcycle deaths per million people in 2021 are: US: 5932/331.9 = 17.87 NL: 52/17.48 = 2.97 I'd like to also state that our driving lessons are mandatory before taking the exam, and students take on average 40 hours of lessons for the car exam, I don't know about the numbers for motorcycle lessons. The practical exam also requires performing various agility manoeuvres in addition to normal traffic riding.
Same goes for Germany, as those driving license levels are homogenous around the EU. I had AM as a teen and waited until I was 27 to have the A unrestricted. I am 38 now, and the biggest bike I had was a Triumph Sprint ST 1050 with ~125hp, after I was riding an SV650 70hp with carburators as my first bike. Still plenty of power (and fun), but I was always following those rules for safety. Still, on most of my rides after work or on the weekend, I encountered scary situations. Most of them were inflicted by other car drivers, but one day it was just a big beetle, hitting my adams apple while driving around 50mph. That was close. Atm I am thinking about a smaller bike to learn again, after such a long break. Like the svartpilen 401 or duke 390. I don't want to go super fast anymore, it is just about having fun.
I know man, pain in the but to get unrestricted A. I have failed the traffic exam in the first attempt. I spent in school almost half a year (including theoretical exam and skills exam). On top of that they were valid 6 months only so you really had to pass it in that time. Not sure how it is now but I assume is tougher.
Having spent the last 20+ years investigating accidents when motorcycles are involved there are two common issues.. speed and alcohol followed closely by car drivers not paying attention.
As a trucker myself I’m sure you can imagine I do more traveling than most. That being said I have a theory on this. Setting aside what type of vehicle it is. what I’ve noticed is more traffic on infrastructure not being the best equipped to handle it. As well as the single scariest thing of all, cell phones.
Probably because map apps are routing people around traffic, which means the traffic overflows into alternative paths more often. We need a Japan-level public transit system to solve that problem. (Aka. any destination can be reached without owning a vehicle in the same amount of time as car)
Map apps can also be set to avoid tolls and highways, which takes you on all sorts of weird but convenient routes, especially with Waze. If not taking highways takes less than 5 minutes extra and I'm not in a hurry, I'll take the side roads personally as it saves significantly on fuel cost in a hybrid vehicle.
I have only been riding for a year now. The issue i can see if people gaining confidence way too fast from basic every day riding. at least once a week i go to a parking lot and practice slow speed and i always have my gear. I'm also 37 years old and not a kid so i would rather be safe. Keep up the videos man and i am glad to have people like you out there for the kids who just wanna go fast.
Sociological issue deserves a mention here. In the past ~5yrs DOT has seen an uptick auto accident injuries correlated to more aggressive driving behaviors. Side effect of the "everyone's angry" phenomenon in the US. Would love to see you add a reco around defensive driving to the other good points in the video.
I've been riding for 60 years and my role model rode until he was 92. There's a measure of luck in this, helped by improvements in bikes, tires, brakes, lights, but we earn our own luck by staying fit, sober and wide awake.
I agree with all of your safety tips. Also don't forget to check your tire pressure. I'm 68, a Sergeant-at-arms with the American Legion Riders, I also carry, in my saddle bag, a large first-aid kit, with a few tourniquets added, just in case. Thank God I haven't had to use a tourniquet, but I used my first-aid kit several times on rides.
I once read that dehydration was a major reason for mistakes while riding. Alot of people ride on a nice day in all the gear and dont take reasonable breaks or stay hydrated
I'm an Australian who counts Vietnam as my second home, Riding in Vietnam has tuned my senses to Spiderman level. ride like everyone wants to mow you down. The moment you relax on a bike in Vietnam is the moment you will come undone.
Spot on ! And not mentioning the fact that if any shit happens - whether you're responsible of it or not - you will considered as THE guilty one... Besides the complete silliness of drivers, their bad faith made me even more paranoid (and then careful) than I was before. The famous bikers quote "ride just like if everyone else on the road wanted to kill you" applies at 100 % in Vietnam. Don't forget to horn at every corner, Peely !
@bertrandgeorgeon3992 😆 right. I've always said, Some people climb Everest, some surf 10o foot waves. Me, I ride in Vietnam. I rode from Dong Ha to Da Nang on Highway 1 at night. In my 57 years on this earth, it was the single dumbest, most dangerous thing I've ever done. There's a good reason you never see bikes on the highway st night.
In comparing statistics with 1975, I don't know if they are raw figure comparisons or comparative rates of deaths. I would assume there are far more riders today than in 1975, in which case I would assume the deaths today are at a 8:40 8:40 much lower rate, given safer bikes and greater protection, though there is much more traffic now!. But I was riding a Matchless 500 single in 1958, barefoot and without helmet, so what would I know. 8:40
My wife and I were in Germany a few years ago and I remember people there talking about a sharp increase in motorcycle fatalities in Europe as well. Increased traffic on the roads and modern motorcycles are so much faster and easier to ride and it's real easy to get a false sense of security when riding. I have a nearly 20 year old Quad four wheeler and when I ride these new ones, I am just amazed how much faster they are and how much easier it is to go fast with them.
As someone else mentioned in here, so many bikes are out there that are way past the capabilities of the rider. It's like letting a 16 year old drive a brand new corvette.
I just got a motorcycle after 13 years of not having one. I use to do track days and canyon rides all the time. I literally spent the first 3 weeks just riding around in my neighborhood reacquainting myself on how to ride a motorcycle. Don't let your ego get the better of you. Motorcycles are fun but they are dangerous. Have respect for the bike, the road, and everyone around you and you will have fun for a long time.
I also had an interruption of about 15 years and when i got back on a bike, it took me two full years to feel good again. I was so cautious, it was unreal. 😀
Great video. I'm 66 and I have been riding since I was 14. I've been down, I've had some near misses, I left the roadway and I am fortunate to have escaped without serious injury, the right gear makes a difference. I was also taught at an early age not to ride beyond your skill level and if you get a new bike, take the time to learn your bike... they are not all the same. As stated they are more powerful these days and the torque band with some of these bikes comes on early, peaks early and holds to the redline. Torque can get you sideways in a hurry... know your bike.
as someone who is trying to get into bikes im really glad i found your channel still havent found that "first bike" yet still hunting around but your videos are truly helping me paint a good picture
Maybe get an ebike and ride the snot out of it. I have these difficult trails here with lots of poor traction, bumps, exposed rock, branches etc and it's a massive learning experience trying to do personal time-trials while staying in full control of the "bike". Don't need a powerful machine to push the limits and have fun, just an appropriate challenge.
Thanks for covering this dark subject. I’ve been riding for 55+ years both on and off road. People need to be reminded of the danger and not be complacent. In the old days ( god do I sound old ) you had to work hard to get a bike to go fast. Now if you have the money you get a bike with no training that will go 0 to 100 in a couple of heartbeats and be nothing but a projectile. I get so angry when I see these yahoos that think it’s cool to split or slalom through traffic at high speed. Or these influencers/ tubers who think they are impressive by outrunning the police. As motorcycle enthusiasts we have worked far too hard to get accepted as part of the motoring public to have it ruined by a few fools. As I have always said “ if you think you’re fast, go to a track and find out you’re not “. Sorry I get pissed. 😂😂
100%. I guarantee if we took more the 50% of the bike riders to track day and put them in class with a teacher, they would quickly find out they know shit about riding and the technical aspects. The track really reveals what kind of a rider you are.
I used to ride with a bunch of guys that would love to stop at this little bar that was about 50 miles away in heavily wooded/twisties in Southern Oregon where we have lots of deer crossing. These guys would always put down a few shots and a few beers, definitely enough to get a slight buzz. Seemed crazy to me, but I figured maybe these guys were such better riders than me that they didn't need to feel 100% while riding to make it home. Years have gone by since I rode with them but I still talk to one of them and since those times, every single one of them has crashed either by striking a deer or target fixation with one crash being fatal. I prefer to just ride alone now.
According to my attorney friend who handles a lot of driving cases, you are spot on with your numbers regarding drinking and driving (and not just motorcycles). The problem that I have seen are guys who retired and get their dream bike from when they were 18. Problem is they don't have the reflexes of an 18 yo. They can get into trouble real fast. Also some of us over a certain age have balance issues, cataracts, etc. Bikers need to be honest with themselves that they need to take thigs a bit slower and maybe think about at least a three wheeler. That being said my great uncle in Poland rode his soviet era bike into his late 90s. Not fast, but he got there and terrorized the family.
Im glad you mentioned avoiding riding at night- but it's surprising that the crowded road conditions didn't factor into the discussion. I started riding in 1989 and there's been such a dramatic increase in vehicles EVERYWHERE- including far away from cities. Not much to be done about that then be more careful.
I had to change my work schedule due to this. My commute is 24 miles one way and getting off at 11:30 pm put me in the countryside where I live where people rip through the back road and the day before my shift change, I almost was malled down by two deer! I was FREAKED, to say the least.
100 agree with this video. I'm 57 and work in a hospital. I see no less than 3 "donors" a month that went down for one reason or another. Ride safe everybody...
I've been riding for 40 years. A long time ago, I bought a copy of Proficient Motorcycling. I reread it at least every two years. Bad habits slowly work their way into our riding, regardless of how accomplished we may feel, so it's good to be reminded of the proper techniques. When I hear about friends doing "bar crawls" on motorcycles, it terrifies me. Hell, I cringe when I hear about people doing "bar crawls" in automobiles. Stay off the booze if your going to be on the road.
I'm 52. However, I've been riding motorcycles on and off since I was in my teens. My advice is to get a bike that "YOU" can handle and stick with it. No need to upgrade unless it's wore out. 😁 Also, 750cc's is enough bike for general riding if you are getting a cruiser. My current bike is a Honda Shadow Aero and does everything I want it to. Even long trips. You don't have to go the speed limit, or faster, to enjoy the ride. Bike riding is about enjoying the trip as much as the destination.
I was a manager for a riding class and the MSF is taking safety very seriously by incorporating into their curriculum exercises to help a motorcyclist be more vigilant and aware on the roads. Majority of moto accidents involve a passenger vehicle and could've been avoided (was due to rider error.) Take your classes seriously and practice, practice, practice! Have fun riding and be safe! Xoxo
Thank you for promoting safety in motorcycling and reminding people of these harsh realities, of when bad decisions are made. Our sport, passion, hobby, whatever you want to call it, doesn’t need more negative statistics associated with it and the people making those poor choices are definitely the people inflating those statistics.
I’m a statistic but I’m trying to move the statistic in the right way. I’ve been watching this channel over the past couple months for research amongst others. Mid 40s, took my MSF course and bought a new bike right after. However 2 years stone sober. I ride only fully geared up (and I’m in Phoenix in the summer and still do), I don’t ride at night, and bought Yammies least favorite bike and I still love it. (Vulcan S). No it’s not a 300cc bike, but it’s perfectly great for me. Anecdotally I put Covid as a contributing factor. Not the illness or anything, just notice that people as a whole changed. Socially feral just living in their home without social norm check, kind of lent to a society of “I’ll do what I want”. With that the illusion of being invincible kicks in when we all came back into the mix.
Insightful comment about the change in society, I totally agree. I dont live there, but I've spent a lot of time in Arizona over the years and have had the opportunity to motorcycle tour a significant part of the state. There are some amazing roads to explore. The state has had crazy population growth in the last few years, all those additional drivers on the roads doesn't help in terms of safety for riders. I was in the east Phoenix metro area for 2 months last year driving a SUV around and I was shocked at how aggressive and fast they drive there now. It's like they have a death wish and if you watch the local news it seems there are many traffic fatalities. I try to avoid riding in any large metro areas, especially during rush hours. I head for the country and 2 lane, lesser used roadways if possible. Then my biggest challenge is that I live in a state with a 2 million deer population.
@@darinhuffman1127 I live in Tempe, and I recently sold my awesome 1200 GSA because of this exact reason. In order to get out of the city to enjoy the great roads, you have to get out of the city. Between the Blue Hairs, distracted drivers, aggressive drivers, and the people who I wonder how they ever got their license, it was time to hang it up. It's too bad.
Thank you for talking about this subject it needs way more attention than it's getting. I lost my son 11-13-2022 from drinking and riding with the boy's and a chase vehicle and yet not one single person took away his keys and they knew he was getting sloppy. If they are truly family don't let them ride intoxicated.
Very well done and I appreciate you taking the time to talk about the “dark” side of riding. We can all ride better, but not drinking, wearing proper safety gear and continually learning are fantastic points.
Agreed. It's really that simple. And if I may add that it's about keeping temptation in check. Which of course often easier said then done. Stay Safe at Any Speed!
what I hate about the community is that riding stupid is not only looked down upon, it is celebrated. I see a lot of influencers (mid-tier) pushing their style of riding unapologetically. While endangering yourself is your choice, people should really pay attention that it isn't just you out there. There are people and property whom will affect others whenever they do these crazy adrenaline chases. I do understand the thrill of it all but again, they are a bit careless about how they influence others and how they ride.
I'm about to take my MSC course , and stumbled on your channel, I am now a huge fan of yours and have been watching all of your videos and taking your advice to heart because you seem very mature and skilled in riding. I am grateful for everything you are doing, and everything you have done and will continue to do, and im glad you enjoy doing it! Thanks for all the wonderful content Yammie. Just - A - Fan
I think it’s the power of modern bikes. Back in the ‘70s I rode bikes that would do the ton, but going that fast on them was a high pucker factor experience. My stage 2 Indian Roadmaster, which is basically a rolling BarcaLounger, will zip from 75 mph to 100+ in a heartbeat when I’m making a pass in the HOV lane, and unless I happen to look down at the speedo, I don’t even know it. The thing is, when you are going that fast, bad things can happen in an eye blink. Especially if you’ve tipped back a few. So, just don’t do it. Like Yam said, don’t drink and ride. Period.
Excellent video. Serious stuff. 35 years riding here. I thought i was a good rider until i started getting into track 10 years ago (and am now addicted!) My instructors on the track said "you might have been riding for a long time, but many have been riding a long time the wrong way". So true. Have an open mind, get into track. Learn, listen, learn, listen - repeat. It helps you on the street, but it doesn't save you from idiots
I think it’s ironic that the “loud pipes save lives” riders often go to bars, drink alcohol, don’t wear armor, don’t wear helmets, don’t believe in high viz gear, sometimes lose riding buddies and still don’t change.
“Loud pipes save lives” is also as false as it comes and Denys the laws of Doppler physics. Rpthe next time you hear an ambulance or fire truck siren close your eyes and try to tell where exactly it is coming from. It’s nearly impossible to tell. Same with loud pipes. They are more likely to scare people or animals who then jump or swerve into your path than save you. Zero stats show loudness saves lives. Other countries have stricter noise laws than the USA and have lower fatality rates
As a new rider who just booked his MSF, thanks Yamm. You got me into this and have been a prime contributing factor for the reason I purchased all my gear before I ever signed up. Hope your videos reach more riders like myself and save more lives. Also- maybe I'll see ya out and about in Austin sometime! Ride safe!
Sale increased exponentially during covid. Ktm said their sales were up 30% this year alone. Thats insane, would love to know the years experience riding of those who died.
Every motorcycle rider should watch this video-it covers all the bases. As an OTR (Over The Road aka Long-Hauler) semi truck driver I drive on average 500 miles a day six days a week. That said I’d like to add that FREQUENCY is also key. Get out and ride as much as you can even on the hottest or coldest days. Safe driving everybody!
Well you must have bad riding habits. 90% of my close calls have been because of cages. Turning left, cutting curves on the wrong side of the road. Merging into my lane on the interstate and in town. You name it. Nearly all these were avoided because I saw what was about to happen before it happened and was able to take evasive action. You have to be able to see into the future when you ride and if you don't learn that pretty quickly you might nit make it
Thank you so much for this video. 100% on the mark. To add to that, when there are vehicles around me, I assume they are going to make a mistake so I always have an escape route in mind. When I taught my sons to ride, I told them, "no matter whose fault it is, you lose".
I lost 2 close friends in the past 2 months while riding. 1 was struck by another vehicle, the other was in a accident by himself. Both had helmets and gear on. :(
My dad has a large collection of classic motorbikes I ride from time to time and although I'm hardly a serious rider I'm still very aware that's bikes are just inherently dangerous. Recently my nephew really wanted a motorbike like a couple of his mates at school which I advised against given he's still too young, and I wasn't sure he had the right mentality yet. Within 3 months of him wanting a motorbike those two school friends died in motorbike accidents. He's now fully wrapped his head around how dangerous the hobby can be.
This is one of the best videos from you! I am a mother of three who rides so of course I follow all these guidelines. No ride is worth my life. Be safe out there everyone ✌️
Since I’ve been wanting to ride. About 2 years ago I’ve been doing research and I did look at the statistics and saw that many accidents happen when drunk and lack of gear. That almost made me feel better because I won’t be doing either of those
Thanks for using your voice - a respected one in our community - to remind our fellow riders that we all have a stake in safety. Many of us indulge in a small amount of squiddery now and then, but the *majority* of your riding time should be sensible, within your limits, and with control.
A family around where I live bought thier son a zx6r for graduation, first and last time he ever rode was on his way home...his parents watched him wreck and die. Don't underestimate any bike ever.
What convinced me was daily commuting 40 miles round trip to/from work for a couple years. Way more stressful, so much so I sold my bike and flew hang gliders in the mountains for years. Safer? I sure felt so, no doubt being relieved of always anticipating the crazies on the roads. Funny though, that attitude/attention/foresight from biking does make you a much better driver forever, particularly driving among riders.
Commuting on a motorcycle is an accident waiting to happen. There is a reason they call it morning and evening rush hour. People are in a hurry and surely not in a driving focused state of mind. Then combine that with your personal mental focus or lack thereof either early in the morning or after a long day at work.
Dude…kudos to you for even approaching this 🫡. It needs to be said. I struggle more with the cagers than anything else. I trust myself, but not them per se. And we all gotta share the same roads. I haven’t ridden at night for years, and I try to time my rides with less traffic. Regardless, there will always be hazards. But remember, that bike doesn’t do anything your hands and feet don’t tell it to! Ride safe 😎🤘
Thank you for covering it!! Not an easy topic to cover and most that don't take these 4 easy steps, swear they are a better rider anyway and refuse to take any pointers from everyone. I started watching your videos months before buying my first bike (at 39) and feel like being informed is honestly the best prep you can make (besides at the very least, MSF).
Embarrassing to admit but when I was young I pretty much did all the things I should not have done. Fortunately, I survived and now at 69 I pretty much do everything this video suggested. As I get older, I noticed something strange: the less life I (likely) have left, the more I wish to protect it. If I could go back and visit my 20 year old self, I take away my keys and tell my young self to grow up.
Thank you for the video. I’m seeing cars pulling out, especially making left turns. Car drivers get tunnel vision and don’t see the motorcycle. What I often do is swerve around in my lane a little bit when I see a car about to pull out. That swerving around breaks the tunnel vision and gets the motorcycle noticed.
And always wear a high visibility fluorescent jacket and/or helmet. The fluorescent colors will force the eyes of car drivers to see you(only during daylight).
@@St.FighterZ Very true, some people hid in their homes for over a year over less severe than the cold (especially if they were young), while others live more in 1 hour than those people may live in a lifetime. If we're all going out, might as well go out screaming or with a smile on our face!
True. I rode my first 4 years before getting my license. I pretty much was forced to get it after finally getting pulled over for a loud exhaust. The most important thing when I comes to riding is riding within your limits and if u can go practice and learn your bike more than you thought was even possible.
I deliver mail on a little honda in Australia or as we're called 'postie' and atleast once a week i get pulled out in front of, to the point we're I've become incredibly aware of every single car, on and off road, it's definitely made me a better rider and its actually started crossing over to when i drive cars.
I am one of those 50 something guys, I have been riding since I was 4 years old. Most of the accidents in my circles is younger inexperienced guys or girls. Or older riders who don't have much respect for road rash. No experience and trying to ride fast and keep up with a group. I think my years of riding on the dirt prepared me for riding on the street. Sliding around in the mud, the tire starts to lose traction, ease off the throttle till it hooks back up. There are tons of lowside videos where a rider is going through a turn and all at once they are sliding down the road with the throttle still pinned and engine screaming. If we had a tiered system for MCDLs, there should be a requirement for riding in mud/sand or some other low traction scenarios. I hit antifreeze that had been spilled in a curve, being used to low traction from riding in the dirt, I climbed up on the gas tank and did exactly what I would have done in a sloppy turn on my dirt bike. When this happened I was 17 and on my first street bike.
You missed one recommendation, like all the other guys on YT: Don´t allways test out your riding capabilities! If you constantly try to push your boundaries, the matter of becoming a statistics entry is "when", not "if". I never heard that from a motovloger on social media ever! So, ride reasonable, not like those wannabe outlaws out there, behaving like a wild bunch of drunk/drugged baboons in heat. Safety doesn´t contradict having fun. Stay safe, guys and girls!
I "learned" to ride with two different Biking Schools in the UK. Neither taught me at any point about target fixation and the risks posed by it during cornering. I found that out by myself the hard way, luckily it was on a beat up 125cc I owned first, and glad I didn't rush out to buy a bigger/newer bike initially
The alcohol thing doesn't surprise me. If you ride, you're already the sort of person two whom 'risky' isn't offputting. DUI is a logical extension of this risk-prone behaviour for that type of person. Don't forget we live in the age of social media now, and I don't doubt that the showing off for socials is absolutely a factor too, at least for the younger guys. Also, I see that Speedmaster👀, and I'm here for it! Good taste!
Thanks for posting this. When I learned that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are single vehicle, it completely changed my outlook. Hopefully it's an eye opener to at least one person that makes the "they're all out to kill me" comment. They're not, they just don't see you, but your safety is YOUR responsibility, not theirs.
Of course they aren’t all out to kill you but if you don’t ride with that mindset you will likely receive a practical lesson on the application of Newtons laws. Always have an out and expect others to do the wrong thing.
Started with the MSF course 3 years ago. Only been riding 3 years, still on a 250cc. Full face helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, hearing protection every time. I don't need to go 100+mph. I enjoy cruising down the backroads and around town never on the interstate. As a 30 year old 6' 4" 250+ lbs man, I definitely could have started on a larger bike yet I chose the 250cc simply because I wanted something I could learn the fundamentals and build my skills on a bike that would be forgiving and not get me in trouble. I'm ready to move up to a 650, but glad I didn't try to ride one with only a MSF course for experience under my belt.
I live in the DFW Texas metroplex, and I will add that ever since the pandemic which led to massive increases in door dash type amateur delivery drivers, I've seen and had many close calls. The drivers drive around staring at their phones trying to find their drop. It's gotten really out of hand. That's not even considering all the other texter drivers swerving all over the lanes. I often consider selling the bikes because the times they are a changing and not for the better.
You know your the only reason I’ve decided to be a safer rider. I am about to buy a ninja 400 but I was going to start with a lot bigger bike but after watching some of your videos I decided to go smaller
Great first bike. You learn an enormous amount in your first year of riding. Defensive riding, proper awareness, not letting the thrill take over your decision making, and more. Most people make mistakes and/or drop it at least once during that first year. Better to do it on a machine that's both inexpensive and kind of puts a hard cap on the extent to which you can ride outside your skill level.
Agree 100% with the whole video, speed is one of the largest factors to fatalities on Motorcycles and modern bikes are crazy fast! I'm 3rd generation motorcycle rider, when talking with my father and grandfather, back in the day a 750cc bike was considered huge! With tons of power, currently I ride a 1900cc, 810lbs cruiser and it picks up speed a lot faster then it scrubs speed off and that's with duel rotors up front and disc in the back! I live in Central PA and unfortunately April and May are usually the big fatality months for bikers, probably close to 10 people in just those 2 months per yr in this area alone...Be safe out there!
You realize that they have been super deadly since their creation!? Don't matter if it does 200mph! 99.9%of motorcycle deaths aren't at 200mph they usually happen under 45mph!!!! AND young "reckless sportbikes/super bike riders are NOT the most deadly! In fact most fatality motorcycle accidents are riders 50+ YEARS OLD on cruisers!!!
@@natecote1971 A Supersport sitting by itself in a parking lot is not a dangerous thing. But we can agree both that it is inexperience and lack of skill that are the primary factors.
100% Sir Yammie. I am 53 and have been riding on the road for over 30 years. Went from '81 Yam RD250 to '88 Yam FJ1200 to '97 Kawa ZZR1100 to 2010 Kawa ZX14 Ninja to my current ride, 2021 Triumph Rocket GT. The advancements in speed, performance and handling of these bikes was really obvious with every upgrade. Much better brakes and suspension, but crazy increase of power. I don't touch alcohol or drugs when riding, and I live in Australia where helmets are compulsory and I choose to gear up properly. This, and a healthy respect for your chosen steed, should keep you upright and happy for a lifetime of joyful riding. Thanks for your message. Adrian 🐻
Thanks for this video. I’ve been saying this for years, ever since I read the Hurt report, we’re our own worst enemy. The first step in keeping yourself safe, is understanding that. I’m retired from 25 years of doing anesthesia. I was required to take recertification courses every year because people’s lives were in my hands. Should it be any different with my own life when I’m on my motorcycle? No! And that’s why I try to periodically retake my advanced rider safety courses.
An excellent, sensible video! I began riding at age 58. I had to take the MSF course 3 times before I passed as I had never ridden a motorized bike before and had no idea what I was doing. When I did pass, I stored my brand new Harley in my garage for a year and honed my new skills by riding a Honda Rebel. After practicing on that for a year, the Harley was pretty easy. I am now 74 and still riding. I follow a lot of these video tips: never ride at night anymore, don't drink, and, of course, a helmet. Other things I do: ride with my brights on (I figure during the day, I'm not blinding people), usually wear a WHITE leather jacket (I really want to be seen!) and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of me. Lastly, I no longer ride in groups. For ME, single riding is the best b/c I don't have to worry about what the lead bike is going to do next. I've had leaders take me over gravel...which I just don't do and other leaders who have suddenly changed their minds necessitating a quick maneuver. No thanks. I ride my own ride :-)
Lost a few local riders while they were out at night this Spring. I choose to avoid night riding and have only done so a few times in 25 years of having my endorsement. Big advocate for the points you raised. Stay sober, alert and responsible!
Considering I sleep during the day, I do most of my riding after the sun goes down. It's about how you ride, and a lot of riders ride like Idiots let's be honest
People have changed over the decades (i'm 61). I have noticed that people are now more careless, more rushed, more unhappy (we take record numbers of anti-depressants), etc., and they take out their aggressions and personal issues on their daily driving habits. It's true. It is more dangerous to ride a motorcycle now than it ever has been.
I have noticed that also. Things like speeding up to get through the green light before it turns red have changed to speeding to get through red light before being creamed by a vehicle which has the green light......
It's sad how angry people get for others just existing. I wish I had the answer for why. I've had way too many people riding with me (in a car) get angry and wish ill things to those on motorcycles and even bicycles for just being there. I wonder how many make their desires a reality.
With COVID, people expect to teleport to work. Return to office/Hybrid work means people who live far away (who didn't think about post-covid) expect to teleport to work in the office, so they will floor it whenever they can, weaving through traffic if necessary (thanks left lane hogs)
its also because cars have changed (physically). it used to be you could see past cars because they were smaller and had transparent windows but now you oftentimes have no ability to see ahead of you.
5:45 I couldn’t say it better than this too! Never drink and ride. As someone who has been a dual sport rider for over 50 years, I learned my lesson the easy way. Had 2 beers over a 2 hour period in the truck on the way to our favorite riding area. Within the minute I almost crashed 4 times. The reason was I felt extra capable was because of the alcohol. Alcohol has always made me feel less vulnerable, so I always end up speeding. In a car this had never presented a problem. That day I stopped riding for about 30 minutes and sat down to analyze my multiple close calls. I had no idea alcohol can make you so brave. I continued riding for another 20+ years and can proudly say I never had any serious injuries, just great memories. Had to stop riding because of eye injury, not because of an alcohol induced poor decision.
Good man, Noob. I've been watching you channel for a while. I just recently retired from the military and I'm wanting to learn how to ride. I'm glad you had a serious video that addressed real-world issues with motorcyclists. I've already bought a full faced helmet and padded leather jacket. Now- all I have to do is figure out if I want a Svartpilen 401 or a SCL500.
Get a pedal bike first and ride that around in your area for a month or two, if you havent ever before. It might sound kinda dumb, but it will really help train your situational awareness for when you hop on a motorcycle.
I think 2 people in my msf got a second chance at the riding test to pass, but there was nothing alarmingly bad. Think one person dropped a bike during training, but that's not rare when you're brand new to learning
As an instructor I’d love to see a transition to a tiered system. Unfortunately that would mean less in overall motorcycle sales hence why there will never be a tiered system as its always all about the mighty dollar. I would however be in favor of longer training as apposed to just a weekend class. Something like a week long, or a class that spans several weekends. The problem with that is people will have to spend more to take a basic level riding class. Most classes now are $200-$300. My school charges $345. I teach another curriculum, not MSF and we dont just pass anyone. Not knocking the MSF but I think there is much more new riders can be taught and or be given more time to practice. If by end of the course you cant pass our eval you are given the option to come back and retake the day 2 and eval. Ive had to fail students both times in some circumstances and at the end of the day you have to suggest to students that riding a motorcycle just isnt in the cards. We also highly suggest to students to practice, to wear their gear, not ride after drinking, to take other courses, even to come back and take our IRC and ARC. At the end of the day its up to each individual person to take responsibility for themselves. Please ride safe out there. Motorcycling is a hell of a lot of fun and can be enjoyed for a lifetime!
Great video Yam. Over here in the UK, bike fatalities dropped from 585 to 285 between 2004 and 2020. I’ve not ridden in the US but have driven there many times and I think the level of inattention is undoubtedly higher (and our drivers really aren’t that great). It’s also a legal requirement to wear a helmet here - I can’t believe people would even ride a bicycle without head protection - it’s nuts. Also, anyone drinking and riding - Darwin Award Winners.
Other things to worry about especially riding at night is hitting debris. I've seen ladders gas cans, lumber, tire tread in the middle of highways before and if you're riding well over 100+ mph you'll hit it before you see it. Also watch out for oil and gravel.
My father was a doctor who would kick my ass if he caught me on a motorcycle , but I still snuck in a lot of riding. Enlisted in the Army when I was 17 and trained as a combat medic. One of the first things I wanted to do after leaving home was buy a bike. Then I was stationed at an Army hospital. Worked in the orthopedic ward. Lots of motorcycle accidents, and when I asked them how it happened it was often the dumbest little things that almost killed them. I also assisted in the autopsy of a guy who left a bar and didn't make it a mile down the road on his bike before hitting a tree. Basilar skull fracture. Now I work in news, and every Spring and Summer have to broadcast stories about fatal, usually solo, motorcycle accidents. Still love bikes, but they are dangerous.
Many solo accidents are because cars may take off from the scene or unintentionally have caused the accident and not known it, then the same result, the car is missing. It gets written upas solo. I am not sure of percentage of true solo,I would imagine a good number are car related though.
@@carlray6010 You're probably right. Car pulls out in bike's path, biker has to lay it down or go off the road. Car leaves. One of our patients had his wife on the back and his kid on the tank, when a car turned in front of him. He t-boned the car and his wife and kid go flying in different directions. They both land in tall grass with a few bumps and bruises. He slams into the bars and they fracture the hell out of his pelvis. He lived, but never walked right again.
I personally crashed and am recovering for 3 months now, because of the mental problem most sport riders have of "the closer you are to death, the more alive you are". I was riding too fast, overtook a car with a turn approaching and flue. Another problem was that I liked it.
Slovakia here my dad did his drivers license back when a 250cc bike was considered a big bike, mostly they had 50cc two strokes. The Jawa 250 and 350 were massive big bikes then and the Jawa 500 was insane.
Crazy how you and I were thinking about the same thing around the same time but yeah too many people been dying lately and when you’re on the machine that honestly could ride harder than you’ll ever be able to watch is for half the guys out there is probably a big reason why guys end up getting so hurt/die learn to ride your machines in a safe stable environment and definitely don’t drink and ride.
good use of grammar, brah
@@fraserhysted grammar, schmammar
I barely even got a migraine reading it
I think complacency is a big issue too, over confidence. People get cocky think they can do dumb shit on a daily cause they don't have any near misses then do some dumb shit at the wrong place/time and that's that. Especially when 17/18 year olds can get on a 600/1000cc easier in America than over here in the UK.
Is riding 100+mph on the highway safe or stable?? It’s fucking retarded even if your sober or ya know your machine.
Those HeLmets BLock, Sounds@Surrounds, & PeopLe Just Lack awareness in GeneraL, ➕ Ghost PLateDrivers, Going 65+mpg@40Zones, it's OnLy Gonna Get Worse. it's Becoming a Mad WorLd.
I started riding at 16 and still ride now at 72. My rules for survival are: don't be dead right - having the right of way will not protect you. Therefore, don't ever put yourself in a position where the other vehicle can possibly hit you. Expect that the other driver has not seen you and, therefore, be ready for anything they may do. You must set your risk to reward ratio. Living to tomorrow is more important for me than a quick thrill. All my children and grandchildren ride, without accidents. I think my views have helped them to be safe riders. I wish you the same!
Agree
I have been riding for 40 years and I totally agree I have the same philosophy
agree
I got in an argument with my dad when I was younger about how cars have to stop for me at the crosswalk so they can't hit me because it's illegal. He said, "Son, you're right. And when a car doesn't see you, and he hits you, he'll be wrong, and you'll be dead... look both ways on the crosswalk." I've looked both ways like I'm watching a tennis match ever since.
Like you said, "Don't be dead right."
@@ForOrAgainstUs yeah man it's stupid not to look
I wish everybody a safe ride today, tomorrow, and forever!
i wish you a safe ride too brother
Two wheels down🤙
Its supposed to rain so I took the shitbox today 😂
Thanks brother, you too. I don't ride yet, but I plan on starting this year.
Thanks ride safe as well. Two wheels down. 🏍️
My Navy Pilot Instructor Father told me something very important when I started driving mechanical vehicles and it applies to all of them. This is his words....When you believe you have completely mastered the vehicle is when it will bite you hard. For pilots he said it was around 400 hours.
That's exactly what my old boss told me when I was driving 5-ton truck on tight city streets. "I'm not worried about you now. Give you 3 months to get cocky, then you get careless, and that's when it'll happen" ... Was almost three months on the dot I failed to check my mirror and fn monster truck crushed a corolla in a parking lot.
I can attest to that after riding for more than 50 years. There were some humbling moments along the way.
There was a thing I saw a few years ago where a study found that Rookie helicopter pilots are less likely to crash a helicopter than an experienced pilot for this exact reason.
Another thing I have heard is, a machine is never more dangerous than when you feel safe around it.
Pretty sure everyone has a story where this happened to them, when i was 16 i was driving back to pa from georgia (was on vacation), i had been driving for a few months at that point and began to get confident in my driving ability, about halfway through the drive when i was feeling the most confortable and the sun had began to set, i was planning on switching lanes to pass a slower driver, when i checked my left mirror i did it in a lazy fassion and did not check any blind spots, luckily i had applied my turn signal so that the little smart car next to me that i had not noticed had time to pass me before i steered into him. ever since that point i have made extra careful that i dont get too cocky when on a road.
Another rarely mentioned safety tip is to hydrate. Not only will it keep you more alert, you will be less likely to bleed out if you are injured.
Yupp, Pin this shit^
@Nobody 100% same here, minus the road rage part.
Really? I had no idea (about bleeding out) very cool. Great tip.
nice. thankyou for this
Hydration + Menthol or acidic candies for me 👍
As a rider, you are 100% responsible for your own safety. Ride as if you’re invisible and never assume a cager will do what you think they will. I’ve been riding for 3 decades and I’ve been in almost every predicament a rider can be in. Leave yourself an out if possible, ride in the carpool lane, and always wear your gear. That last one is worth repeating… always wear your gear. Safe travels.
@Lurch Absolutely true. Obviously not out to get you intentionally, but you should treat it that way. I taught a motorcycle safety course for many years at Luke AFB. It’s the military version of an MSF Course. The carpool lane is the safest lane as you are furthest away from merging traffic, have no traffic to the left of you, and the carpool lane typically goes faster than the average flow of traffic. This reduces the amount of traffic approaching you from behind.
I agree 100% their own responsibility, so let them be free to do what they wanna do . Some folks don't think about tomorrow or next year or 5 years from now. It's their individual choice, we can only advise or lead by example.✌️👊
@@lurch789whats a carpool lane? US has so many driving terms we don't hear in the UK. Like filtering etc. I had no idea what that was, here thats just how every rider rides normally. If you don't filter its very weird
All of this is so true. I only have been riding for 3 years, so a long shot from your decades of experience but I have already come to realize quite quickly that there is a time and a place for everything. We ride, its not a secret that at sometimes you are going to be far more spirited then others, but that cant be all the time. I too have lost some friends who unfortunately didn't have the distinction to know when the proper time and place was.
@@ShakTMT I mean, if you ain't lane splitting on a bike just use a car. Carpool is reserved for vehicles with more people than just the driver I think.
I quit riding after a person pulled right out in front of me on a empty country road. I had been riding for thirty some years and had close calls in the past. This one made me turn around and go home to park it. People are on phones, in a hurry, speeding, on drugs, alcohol, old and can’t see or in a daze thinking abt other stuff then paying attention to driving. Just too much for me. I’m 65 and want to see my grandchildren grow up.
I think you had your share of riding my friend, wish it could be safer nowadays but you are absolutely right. Stay safe and close to your family
Thirty years of memories and you got out in one piece. That's awesome man. Responsible choice, and I know your grandkids will thank you for that.
Should you have preemptively honked? When I see a car lurking I preemptively honk even in my Ford f150 because I know people are POS.
Cool. Want to sell me your bike? 🤣
Laws are too lenient. Should be a minimum fine of $5k and suspended license for 30 days if it’s your fault in an accident.
Personal rule #1: On the bike, I'm not in a hurry. That alone makes a host of problems go away. As for the other rule I have - don't drink & drive. I've buried too many friends and acquiantances over the years; many were the victim, not the driver. Have fun folks and keep the shiny side up.
#3 helmet
Agreed. NEVER in a hurry! The speed is for recreational use ONLY. Away from other traffic and NEVER as a means to getting somewhere faster. Rushing is how one becomes reckless.
But.. but.. the zoomiez
Never be in a hurry, if you are already late, being in hurry isn't going to help. Rushing yourself greatly increases the chances you will make a mistake. Just don't do it.
@@poopingpalace That's for fun, not to make time ;)
I saw a guy fall off his bike during my MSF course. He had a helmet on but hearing the helmet hit the pavement was the perfect example of why you should always wear one. That sound will never leave me.
Give us an onomatopoeia. What did it sound like? “Puweenk?”
Without it it'd sound like someone dropped a watermelon from 6ft up 🙌
Some people wear helmet but dont strap it
@@pour-g8677 Not long ago, I was riding on a city street. A supersport passed me accelerating to maybe 90, girl in the back's helmet flew off and bounced right by me.
@pour-g8677 why would people not strap? 😮
My grandad and dad both rode and they taught me, 40 years ago, about how to ride in “the bubble”. I never ride in someone’s blind spot, I use other vehicles as a “shield” when going through intersections and I’m looking sometimes 100 yards in front of me for potential problems. Best advice I ever got and I’ve managed to be accident free my entire life with no real close calls.
Also you are smaller than a car and they might not see you even if you're not in their blind spot.
A father in his 30's in our village owned a small scooter, had a few drinks at his friends party, hopped on the scooter to ride home, no helmet, made it 200 metres on a road he rides every day, misjudged a corner and hit a stone wall. Left behind a wife and two young kids. Tragic, and was totally avoidable.
Yeah don't drink
Totally irresponsible. If you love your family you dont make such stupid mistakes.
Yeah every day I wait for a phone call from my sister telling me my Brothor-in-law has done just that on his "hog"
@@pyromod To be honest if you live life every day in constant worry, then that life probably isn't worth living. Go LIVE your life, worrying does nothing good, doesn't solve a thing, and its utterly pointless. We ALL go at some point, so make the most of your life and let some things be. You are responsible for your life, not sit there and worry about others if you can't change it. Stop worrying, start living (or be like the millions who were not only too scared to go outside for years, but demanded others waste the best part of their life cowering in fear over a sniffle that isn't even a high chance of being severe for most people).
Some people have more excitement in 1 hour of their life than others do in a century, history books favor the bold, not the boring. I would rather live 1 day truly free than a lifetimes under the chains of tyranny (my ideal day is doing barrel rolls with wing mounted 50 cal's full auto while firing at reactive targets, interestingly none of that is illegal and even the airplane does not require a license, however I cannot under good faith sign my rights away with a form 4473 nor pay the bribes to tyrants to exercise a right to keep and bear items that our founders would have owned).
@@St.FighterZ I hope you're allowed to call out your mama, sister, wife or gf like that in a split second as they make "stupid mistakes" every now and then😂
"Speed has never killed anyone.....suddenly becoming stationary, thats what gets you" - Jeremy Clarkson
Correct. It's not the fall it's the sudden stop
Sorry, I didn't really get this. Can you explain it?
@@gooddaymate1171 Run in a straight line really fast. did it hurt? now run into a wall at the same speed…
@@gooddaymate1171 I fell at 50 mph with full leathers and a very good full face helmet. I slid and tumbled. No injuries. My friend fell at around 40 mph and hit a street sign. Dead instantly.
@@ramsdukefsu22 Sorry for your loss, the universe is really weird with how it likes to act some times
I began riding at 18 and immediately realised that every other road user was out to get me. I was not prepared to let them get away with that. I rode within my limitations and always trusted my understanding of physics. Those were my rules.
@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy Great call. Similar situation and age, went to a cb500x.
People are offering some awesome advice here.
Everybody’s on their cell phones!
@@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy My first bike was a Suzuki T500 two-stroke, often described as the first Japanese super bike, and it was fabulous, and I loved it. In those days there were no limitations on the engine capacity for learner riders.
I got out of street bikes in the early 90's because I could see the writing on the wall that people in cars did not see me, and it was only a matter of time. Switched to Corvettes. I do think that the outrageous performance of today's bikes is to blame also, They have far more capabilities than most riders.
First rule of safe driving/riding is every other driver is an idiot!
I think the purpose of motorcycling is driving this. In the past, there was a decent amount of utility riders. There were a lot of people riding for cheap transportation. Those miles are probably pretty conservative and almost certainly alcohol free. Now it seems like very few bikes are bought in place of a car. Like you said, they are seen as toys and ridden for excitement. It doesn't doesn't take long for exciting to become scary.
I got my bike for the commute to work. My other vehicle is a HD truck that gets 12 mpg. If I wreck my bike I will struggle to get to work. This isn’t a toy for me it is my primary mode of transportation.
perfectly said. Not transportation, a toy nowadays.
Deadly
Ya that’s true, I got my bike to commute because I’m moving for work for the next 3 years and don’t want to take my car so I bought a bike for the time being to get around there
M109'r here to commute. Purpose is so specific and different for many people.
Not sure if you ever question the effectiveness of these videos but I personally wear all my gear when I ride because of your videos. They have taught me the importance and value in wearing gear and having passengers wear gear.
I read bike magazines for years before I could afford to actually get a decent street bike. Consistent messaging about gear and skills development, and riding "The Pace" helped a lot when I did start street riding.
been riding since i was 8, i am now 36 and just bought my first ''leader'' bike. Never had an accident, always wore my gear. 2 days into owning my zx10r i decide to take a leisure ride intown speeds not exceeding 15mph, i skipped on the gear as i was just going to pick up my daughter from a friends house... i hit an oil spill with the front tire and of course down i go, no way of revving out of this predicament in a caul de sac. two weeks of road rash finally starting to heal up. I am never skipping the leathers. And i am never taking anyone on the back with out full leathers and a full face helmet!
Liter
@@valdi86 That's a bummer for sure. If she doesn't already, sounds like the perfect time to get your daughter a matching suit to her daddy.
@@jakegarrett8109 I've got one on order, she already had a helmet and a jacket. :)
After a hitting a deer on the way to work in the early morning (dark) it was evident to me no matter how experienced you are no one has the ability to avoid some dangers when your margin to react is that drastically diminished. Thanks for the video and stay safe.
The dirty secret of Moto is that there is no answer to something cutting you off at the last second. I guess the rider tries to be so dynamic and awake that he sees these things happening before they do.
I won't ride before daylight and not much after dusk anymore
i’m still amazed of how i reacted one time.
it was the first month of getting my license, i was going pretty quick on a pitch black country road. And by whatever fucking chance, there was a black cow standing in the road blocking the whole lane. i somehow managed to see the silhouette and swerved around just at the last second. i got lucky, but many don’t sadly.
After 13 years of riding I survived my first accident in January this year. All the track days and training didn't help me against an oldery driver with expired licence t-boning me off my bright red panigale in broad daylight. Riding kit saved my life but I lost my left foot due to the crushing injury (we drive on the left in South Africa). Luck also plays a big role, probably more than we would like to admit. Stay safe everyone and always wear the best kit you can afford, even better if its bright as drivers can't see us for shi...
sorry to hear, man. Take care. And yes, luck is a huge factor
Old ppl should not b allowed to drive. Their reaction times are sooooo slow
Sorry to hear that man, hope you can still find a way to ride with some kind of mod.
Riding a bike in SA is just asking for problems though...
@@moonrodent8355 why say that, man? As if loosing a leg isn’t bad enough
Rider courses are priceless. I learned more about my motorcycle and how to handle it in a matter of hour than I did in previous 5 years of riding. Definitely recommended
I do agree. But they are expensive. They want to make riders safer, lower the costs of course. The beginners course near me is $350 bucks. The advanced courses are $200+.
@@bobbyBoosh Yes your life is not worth $350.
If you can afford the bike you can aford the class.
It Is priceless!
@CP-nl2zb I completely agree. But some people cannot afford it. 350 bucks is steep for some people.
@Bobby then these people who cannot afford it shouldn't be able to afford having a motorcycle.
@@paulonatividad2291 yep! No fun for the poors; gotta make sure everything is as expensive as possible, or people might be able to do things!
I’m a firm believer in you are who you surround yourself with. If you’re surrounding yourself with super aggressive high energy or reckless riders, then, you are likely to do what they do and put yourself at a higher chance of injury or death.
I believe the same - I had relationships with people who had really shitty friends, and even defended them... it's a lesson for sure
also don't hang with ppl who drink n ride. n don't make fun of people who choose not to drink
Great point. Something I embraced some time ago. I haven't ridden with a group for many years because of all the stupid things I've seen. Lots of broken bones and some broken lives just because of that peer pressure.
That's why I don't do group rides.
That’s why I refuse to go out with my partner and his friends anymore. Now it’s just him and me, or him and his mates. Put yourself in danger but don’t you dare endanger my life when I have no control.
I'm convinced that people in general have lost the capacity to pay attention to anything for more than a few seconds. It's about awareness. Modern society has so many conveniences that people are living on auto pilot are barely even conscious. I grew up in an environment where higher consciousness and expanded awareness were the main focus in live.
My motorcycle is my only transportation and more than half the year, I work at night, so I ride at night a lot. Again, it's about awareness.
Here in Italy the big problem is that people driving cars always use their smartphones (while driving). 2 out of 3 car drivers have a smartphone in their hand. I hope this will end soon
@@paolos7216 That problem is everywhere and I don't think it's going to end anytime soon. People everywhere are addicted to their phone.
Even when they do pay attention, its to a TV show or cellular phone. People who play video games can at least hold their attention on something for several minutes at a time even if they aren't in sweaty try-hard mode.
I've commuted by moto since 2007. I've always operated under the philosophy my dad had (he commuted by moto as well) that you should constantly be riding a bit faster than traffic and moving forward. It's worked well for me. However, one thing that's changed dramatically is the speeds that said traffic is going. Used to be going 75-80 would suffice for a comfy 5-10 mph delta, now I'll be going 90 and still have cars flying by me like I'm standing still. Speeds on the streets have increased as well. I can deal with it but I'm sure it's a factor for newer riders.
Great post. Even if you are keeping pace with the general flow of highway traffic there are many cars that will fly by and slalom through.
the engineers that design the roads make the speed limits for a reson. many people that have the reflexes of a snail are going far to fast on the streets and the interstates. i sold my bike bc i would almost get hit everytime i take it out by people that are too lazy to pay attention. the olds days are over. bad enough trusting people with your life in a car def not doing it on a bike.
@@baggedtuned8569 Get a dual sport and ride in the dirt. Less chance of dying.
Good point, I've noticed the same. Now that everyone's on their phone texting while driving its even more important to pass cars and not have every car pass you... but like you said you gotta go like 90mph at least even on highways that are posted 55mph speed limit.
Very true. I’ve been riding/commuting/touring/weekend warrioring on motorcycle‘s since 1972 using your dad’s philosophy without ever tangling with a car or truck, and every year the cars get faster and the idiots driving them become more distracted and dangerous. Here’s just one example of thousands I have experienced: Yesterday I was toodling to work at the usual, safe speed of 10 MPH over the posted limit, when a car ran up from behind and flew past me in the left lane with his right two tires 3 feet over the dashed line into my lane, missing me by a couple of feet at the most. It was easily going 80 in a 50MPH ZONE. The driver was holding his cell phone high right in front of his face, and was staring straight at it. I used to almost never see things like this, but today it is common. 😢
I had this conversation with my ex about construction zone accidents. She would blast past someone working very close to the edge of the lane, going 20mph over the speed limit and not even bother to move over a lane, and her reply was “not my problem.” What I told my mom about the conversation, her reply was “that’s the workers fault, it’s his fault he didn’t go to college and get a real job.” This is 1 year following her husband’s son was hit by a semi in a construction zone who went through the orange barriers. Some people just don’t care for anyones lifes.
Goodness, imagine thinking construction wasn’t a real job, smh
@TravisTraps man where I live, construction is hard work, sure. But it pays EXTREMELY well and it's literally the foundation of all society. It's arguably the most fundamental of all jobs!
And these people are probably the ones riding unnecessarily big pedestrian, motorcycle and regular sized car killing Machines (yes i am talking about the stupidly sized SUVs/ trucks that are invading america) and its not only dangerous for us riders, children parkway/garage runways in suburban areas deaths have skyrocketed, Just a 10cm increase in vehicle hood height increases the risk of a pedestrian fatality by 22%.
But they'll probably tell you its their fault for being too poor and needing to walk to places.
I see why she's your ex. Sounds like a dodged bullet...until she hits someone.
@@qwmx It's the attitude, she doesn't care about you, she doesn't care about anybody.
I almost died from an accident back in Apri, i got ran over by 2 cars and im still alive. IT WAS 8 PM I WAS 10 MINS alway from my hotel but i end up hit a road debris and fall. im recovering, and i will see you guys on the road again one day. ride safe guys.
Amen brother get well soon!
glad to see you are doing well...
Tenglin, you are strong and courageous , don’t change ….
Best wishes for recovery
In the Netherlands there are tiered licenses for motorcycles: AM, A1, A2, A
AM is for very weak mopeds
A1 is for up to 125cc and 11kW (15 hp)
A2 is for up to 35 kW (47 hp)
A is unrestricted
The license are tiered in a way that you need to be older for the better license. For the A license, you need to be at least 24 years old as a beginner, or at least 21 years old if you already have had 2 years of experience with A2.
I don't know what our motorcycle numbers are, but calculating by population, the numbers for motorcycle deaths per million people in 2021 are:
US: 5932/331.9 = 17.87
NL: 52/17.48 = 2.97
I'd like to also state that our driving lessons are mandatory before taking the exam, and students take on average 40 hours of lessons for the car exam, I don't know about the numbers for motorcycle lessons. The practical exam also requires performing various agility manoeuvres in addition to normal traffic riding.
Same goes for Germany, as those driving license levels are homogenous around the EU.
I had AM as a teen and waited until I was 27 to have the A unrestricted.
I am 38 now, and the biggest bike I had was a Triumph Sprint ST 1050 with ~125hp, after I was riding an SV650 70hp with carburators as my first bike. Still plenty of power (and fun), but I was always following those rules for safety. Still, on most of my rides after work or on the weekend, I encountered scary situations. Most of them were inflicted by other car drivers, but one day it was just a big beetle, hitting my adams apple while driving around 50mph. That was close.
Atm I am thinking about a smaller bike to learn again, after such a long break. Like the svartpilen 401 or duke 390. I don't want to go super fast anymore, it is just about having fun.
I know man, pain in the but to get unrestricted A. I have failed the traffic exam in the first attempt. I spent in school almost half a year (including theoretical exam and skills exam). On top of that they were valid 6 months only so you really had to pass it in that time. Not sure how it is now but I assume is tougher.
In the USA, there is no system of tiered licenses and getting formal instruction is very much elective.
Having spent the last 20+ years investigating accidents when motorcycles are involved there are two common issues.. speed and alcohol followed closely by car drivers not paying attention.
it’s the last one that really freaks me out…
@@Cuzinits If you are on a bike and do not ride as if no one the road sees you, you will be hit eventually.
Well rear ended is a much better option than T boning a car at 70mph if you cant escape it.
@@CP-nl2zb dont say that, riding is fun and enjoyable
And no helmet is a big factor, a lot of idiots riding with no protection whatsoever
As a trucker myself I’m sure you can imagine I do more traveling than most. That being said I have a theory on this. Setting aside what type of vehicle it is. what I’ve noticed is more traffic on infrastructure not being the best equipped to handle it. As well as the single scariest thing of all, cell phones.
Probably because map apps are routing people around traffic, which means the traffic overflows into alternative paths more often. We need a Japan-level public transit system to solve that problem. (Aka. any destination can be reached without owning a vehicle in the same amount of time as car)
Map apps can also be set to avoid tolls and highways, which takes you on all sorts of weird but convenient routes, especially with Waze. If not taking highways takes less than 5 minutes extra and I'm not in a hurry, I'll take the side roads personally as it saves significantly on fuel cost in a hybrid vehicle.
I have only been riding for a year now. The issue i can see if people gaining confidence way too fast from basic every day riding. at least once a week i go to a parking lot and practice slow speed and i always have my gear. I'm also 37 years old and not a kid so i would rather be safe. Keep up the videos man and i am glad to have people like you out there for the kids who just wanna go fast.
Sociological issue deserves a mention here. In the past ~5yrs DOT has seen an uptick auto accident injuries correlated to more aggressive driving behaviors. Side effect of the "everyone's angry" phenomenon in the US. Would love to see you add a reco around defensive driving to the other good points in the video.
Everyone seems very entitled on the roadway these days...
The number of deaths is higher in absolute numbers. When compared to population increases, the numbers make more sense..
I've been very angry lately. Thought it was just me. Everyone around me seems to be pretty chipper.
can you back up your claims with actual data instead of just spitting out random numbers?
@@jordixboy Sure. The population has doubled in the US and according to the video we watched the deaths haven't.
I've been riding for 60 years and my role model rode until he was 92. There's a measure of luck in this, helped by improvements in bikes, tires, brakes, lights, but we earn our own luck by staying fit, sober and wide awake.
Impressive to ride until 92
🏆 Absolutely.
I agree with all of your safety tips. Also don't forget to check your tire pressure. I'm 68, a Sergeant-at-arms with the American Legion Riders, I also carry, in my saddle bag, a large first-aid kit, with a few tourniquets added, just in case. Thank God I haven't had to use a tourniquet, but I used my first-aid kit several times on rides.
I once read that dehydration was a major reason for mistakes while riding. Alot of people ride on a nice day in all the gear and dont take reasonable breaks or stay hydrated
I'm an Australian who counts Vietnam as my second home, Riding in Vietnam has tuned my senses to Spiderman level. ride like everyone wants to mow you down. The moment you relax on a bike in Vietnam is the moment you will come undone.
Spot on !
And not mentioning the fact that if any shit happens - whether you're responsible of it or not - you will considered as THE guilty one...
Besides the complete silliness of drivers, their bad faith made me even more paranoid (and then careful) than I was before.
The famous bikers quote "ride just like if everyone else on the road wanted to kill you" applies at 100 % in Vietnam.
Don't forget to horn at every corner, Peely !
@bertrandgeorgeon3992 😆 right. I've always said, Some people climb Everest, some surf 10o foot waves. Me, I ride in Vietnam. I rode from Dong Ha to Da Nang on Highway 1 at night. In my 57 years on this earth, it was the single dumbest, most dangerous thing I've ever done. There's a good reason you never see bikes on the highway st night.
I was in Vietnam few months ago. It made realize idk how to ride my motorcycle lol.
Its about 5 times worse in the Philippines...I have ridden in Saigon and it is much more bike friendly
In comparing statistics with 1975, I don't know if they are raw figure comparisons or comparative rates of deaths. I would assume there are far more riders today than in 1975, in which case I would assume the deaths today are at a 8:40 8:40 much lower rate, given safer bikes and greater protection, though there is much more traffic now!. But I was riding a Matchless 500 single in 1958, barefoot and without helmet, so what would I know. 8:40
My wife and I were in Germany a few years ago and I remember people there talking about a sharp increase in motorcycle fatalities in Europe as well. Increased traffic on the roads and modern motorcycles are so much faster and easier to ride and it's real easy to get a false sense of security when riding.
I have a nearly 20 year old Quad four wheeler and when I ride these new ones, I am just amazed how much faster they are and how much easier it is to go fast with them.
As someone else mentioned in here, so many bikes are out there that are way past the capabilities of the rider. It's like letting a 16 year old drive a brand new corvette.
Yes, very easy to get a false sense of security. Also traffic density must be 10x what it used to be.
I just got a motorcycle after 13 years of not having one. I use to do track days and canyon rides all the time. I literally spent the first 3 weeks just riding around in my neighborhood reacquainting
myself on how to ride a motorcycle. Don't let your ego get the better of you. Motorcycles are fun but they are dangerous. Have respect for the bike, the road, and everyone around you and you will have fun for a long time.
I also had an interruption of about 15 years and when i got back on a bike, it took me two full years to feel good again. I was so cautious, it was unreal. 😀
Great video. I'm 66 and I have been riding since I was 14. I've been down, I've had some near misses, I left the roadway and I am fortunate to have escaped without serious injury, the right gear makes a difference. I was also taught at an early age not to ride beyond your skill level and if you get a new bike, take the time to learn your bike... they are not all the same. As stated they are more powerful these days and the torque band with some of these bikes comes on early, peaks early and holds to the redline. Torque can get you sideways in a hurry... know your bike.
You right, but torque is where the real fun is! Funny how wherever you find the most danger, you will also find the most fun.
as someone who is trying to get into bikes im really glad i found your channel still havent found that "first bike" yet still hunting around but your videos are truly helping me paint a good picture
Get a 50cc scooter bro. I just got mine last week and I can go 45mph down hill or like 35 on flat ground it's awesome
Maybe get an ebike and ride the snot out of it. I have these difficult trails here with lots of poor traction, bumps, exposed rock, branches etc and it's a massive learning experience trying to do personal time-trials while staying in full control of the "bike". Don't need a powerful machine to push the limits and have fun, just an appropriate challenge.
Get an old 650 Triumph Bonneville. They are sane, by modern bike standards,
& a nice one will last a lifetime.. Everybody will say.. "Nice bike."
Thanks for covering this dark subject. I’ve been riding for 55+ years both on and off road. People need to be reminded of the danger and not be complacent. In the old days ( god do I sound old ) you had to work hard to get a bike to go fast. Now if you have the money you get a bike with no training that will go 0 to 100 in a couple of heartbeats and be nothing but a projectile. I get so angry when I see these yahoos that think it’s cool to split or slalom through traffic at high speed. Or these influencers/ tubers who think they are impressive by outrunning the police. As motorcycle enthusiasts we have worked far too hard to get accepted as part of the motoring public to have it ruined by a few fools. As I have always said “ if you think you’re fast, go to a track and find out you’re not “. Sorry I get pissed. 😂😂
100%. I guarantee if we took more the 50% of the bike riders to track day and put them in class with a teacher, they would quickly find out they know shit about riding and the technical aspects. The track really reveals what kind of a rider you are.
Exactly! If you are fast or think you are fast do it on the track.
@@ttbjammnNobody said you were
Bikes are so fast now that even experienced riders can get into serious trouble in the blink of an eye.
Tracks are for the real racers
I used to ride with a bunch of guys that would love to stop at this little bar that was about 50 miles away in heavily wooded/twisties in Southern Oregon where we have lots of deer crossing. These guys would always put down a few shots and a few beers, definitely enough to get a slight buzz. Seemed crazy to me, but I figured maybe these guys were such better riders than me that they didn't need to feel 100% while riding to make it home. Years have gone by since I rode with them but I still talk to one of them and since those times, every single one of them has crashed either by striking a deer or target fixation with one crash being fatal. I prefer to just ride alone now.
According to my attorney friend who handles a lot of driving cases, you are spot on with your numbers regarding drinking and driving (and not just motorcycles). The problem that I have seen are guys who retired and get their dream bike from when they were 18. Problem is they don't have the reflexes of an 18 yo. They can get into trouble real fast. Also some of us over a certain age have balance issues, cataracts, etc. Bikers need to be honest with themselves that they need to take thigs a bit slower and maybe think about at least a three wheeler. That being said my great uncle in Poland rode his soviet era bike into his late 90s. Not fast, but he got there and terrorized the family.
Im glad you mentioned avoiding riding at night- but it's surprising that the crowded road conditions didn't factor into the discussion. I started riding in 1989 and there's been such a dramatic increase in vehicles EVERYWHERE- including far away from cities. Not much to be done about that then be more careful.
Actually there is a lot to be done about that if you have the willpower to enact it. All the browns have to go.
I had to change my work schedule due to this. My commute is 24 miles one way and getting off at 11:30 pm put me in the countryside where I live where people rip through the back road and the day before my shift change, I almost was malled down by two deer! I was FREAKED, to say the least.
Plus !!! millions of people are coming from..OTHER COUNTRIES "..
.
NOT use to our laws😢
Not to mention people constantly on their cell phones? I've had a few close calls due to cell phone distraction.
100 agree with this video. I'm 57 and work in a hospital. I see no less than 3 "donors" a month that went down for one reason or another.
Ride safe everybody...
Best advice I received was from a friend, he said ride with the mindset that you’re invisible.
I've been riding for 40 years. A long time ago, I bought a copy of Proficient Motorcycling. I reread it at least every two years. Bad habits slowly work their way into our riding, regardless of how accomplished we may feel, so it's good to be reminded of the proper techniques. When I hear about friends doing "bar crawls" on motorcycles, it terrifies me. Hell, I cringe when I hear about people doing "bar crawls" in automobiles. Stay off the booze if your going to be on the road.
I'm 52. However, I've been riding motorcycles on and off since I was in my teens. My advice is to get a bike that "YOU" can handle and stick with it. No need to upgrade unless it's wore out. 😁 Also, 750cc's is enough bike for general riding if you are getting a cruiser. My current bike is a Honda Shadow Aero and does everything I want it to. Even long trips. You don't have to go the speed limit, or faster, to enjoy the ride. Bike riding is about enjoying the trip as much as the destination.
Ya, if i' Start Riding again, i' Be Finding mostLy Less TraveL'd Roads, a Be With Other 50+ age SenscibLe Riders, Peace ✌.
I was a manager for a riding class and the MSF is taking safety very seriously by incorporating into their curriculum exercises to help a motorcyclist be more vigilant and aware on the roads. Majority of moto accidents involve a passenger vehicle and could've been avoided (was due to rider error.) Take your classes seriously and practice, practice, practice! Have fun riding and be safe! Xoxo
Thank you for promoting safety in motorcycling and reminding people of these harsh realities, of when bad decisions are made. Our sport, passion, hobby, whatever you want to call it, doesn’t need more negative statistics associated with it and the people making those poor choices are definitely the people inflating those statistics.
I’m a statistic but I’m trying to move the statistic in the right way. I’ve been watching this channel over the past couple months for research amongst others. Mid 40s, took my MSF course and bought a new bike right after. However 2 years stone sober. I ride only fully geared up (and I’m in Phoenix in the summer and still do), I don’t ride at night, and bought Yammies least favorite bike and I still love it. (Vulcan S). No it’s not a 300cc bike, but it’s perfectly great for me.
Anecdotally I put Covid as a contributing factor. Not the illness or anything, just notice that people as a whole changed. Socially feral just living in their home without social norm check, kind of lent to a society of “I’ll do what I want”. With that the illusion of being invincible kicks in when we all came back into the mix.
Exactly
My buddy stopped riding recently. I was surprised to hear his new H/D was easy to ride at 100mph. That was the same reason he stopped riding
Insightful comment about the change in society, I totally agree.
I dont live there, but I've spent a lot of time in Arizona over the years and have had the opportunity to motorcycle tour a significant part of the state. There are some amazing roads to explore. The state has had crazy population growth in the last few years, all those additional drivers on the roads doesn't help in terms of safety for riders.
I was in the east Phoenix metro area for 2 months last year driving a SUV around and I was shocked at how aggressive and fast they drive there now. It's like they have a death wish and if you watch the local news it seems there are many traffic fatalities.
I try to avoid riding in any large metro areas, especially during rush hours. I head for the country and 2 lane, lesser used roadways if possible. Then my biggest challenge is that I live in a state with a 2 million deer population.
@@darinhuffman1127 I live in Tempe, and I recently sold my awesome 1200 GSA because of this exact reason. In order to get out of the city to enjoy the great roads, you have to get out of the city. Between the Blue Hairs, distracted drivers, aggressive drivers, and the people who I wonder how they ever got their license, it was time to hang it up. It's too bad.
Thank you for talking about this subject it needs way more attention than it's getting. I lost my son 11-13-2022 from drinking and riding with the boy's and a chase vehicle and yet not one single person took away his keys and they knew he was getting sloppy. If they are truly family don't let them ride intoxicated.
Very well done and I appreciate you taking the time to talk about the “dark” side of riding. We can all ride better, but not drinking, wearing proper safety gear and continually learning are fantastic points.
Agreed. It's really that simple. And if I may add that it's about keeping temptation in check. Which of course often easier said then done. Stay Safe at Any Speed!
what I hate about the community is that riding stupid is not only looked down upon, it is celebrated. I see a lot of influencers (mid-tier) pushing their style of riding unapologetically. While endangering yourself is your choice, people should really pay attention that it isn't just you out there. There are people and property whom will affect others whenever they do these crazy adrenaline chases. I do understand the thrill of it all but again, they are a bit careless about how they influence others and how they ride.
Ya i`~Seen Some CrazyRiders on Some Videos.
Nah , BECUASE heven if someone hits a car at 90 the biker is the only one getting hurt
I'm about to take my MSC course , and stumbled on your channel, I am now a huge fan of yours and have been watching all of your videos and taking your advice to heart because you seem very mature and skilled in riding. I am grateful for everything you are doing, and everything you have done and will continue to do, and im glad you enjoy doing it! Thanks for all the wonderful content Yammie.
Just - A - Fan
I think it’s the power of modern bikes. Back in the ‘70s I rode bikes that would do the ton, but going that fast on them was a high pucker factor experience. My stage 2 Indian Roadmaster, which is basically a rolling BarcaLounger, will zip from 75 mph to 100+ in a heartbeat when I’m making a pass in the HOV lane, and unless I happen to look down at the speedo, I don’t even know it. The thing is, when you are going that fast, bad things can happen in an eye blink. Especially if you’ve tipped back a few. So, just don’t do it. Like Yam said, don’t drink and ride. Period.
Excellent video. Serious stuff. 35 years riding here. I thought i was a good rider until i started getting into track 10 years ago (and am now addicted!) My instructors on the track said "you might have been riding for a long time, but many have been riding a long time the wrong way". So true. Have an open mind, get into track. Learn, listen, learn, listen - repeat. It helps you on the street, but it doesn't save you from idiots
I think it’s ironic that the “loud pipes save lives” riders often go to bars, drink alcohol, don’t wear armor, don’t wear helmets, don’t believe in high viz gear, sometimes lose riding buddies and still don’t change.
There is no lesson so hard to learn as the one you don't want to learn. They would have to change their entire life style and they're not interested.
“Loud pipes save lives” is also as false as it comes and Denys the laws of Doppler physics. Rpthe next time you hear an ambulance or fire truck siren close your eyes and try to tell where exactly it is coming from. It’s nearly impossible to tell. Same with loud pipes. They are more likely to scare people or animals who then jump or swerve into your path than save you. Zero stats show loudness saves lives. Other countries have stricter noise laws than the USA and have lower fatality rates
As a new rider who just booked his MSF, thanks Yamm. You got me into this and have been a prime contributing factor for the reason I purchased all my gear before I ever signed up. Hope your videos reach more riders like myself and save more lives. Also- maybe I'll see ya out and about in Austin sometime! Ride safe!
Sale increased exponentially during covid. Ktm said their sales were up 30% this year alone. Thats insane, would love to know the years experience riding of those who died.
Most of these sales were off road dirt bikes 😮
More riders than ever before
There was research years ago that most deaths were because most of the bikers chose 400-1000cc as their 1ST bike.
Every motorcycle rider should watch this video-it covers all the bases. As an OTR (Over The Road aka Long-Hauler) semi truck driver I drive on average 500 miles a day six days a week. That said I’d like to add that FREQUENCY is also key. Get out and ride as much as you can even on the hottest or coldest days.
Safe driving everybody!
Thank you. The more I ride, the more I realize that the threat isn't cars so much as my own riding habits.
So very true, only two things cars do you can't stop failing to give way and not stopping at traffic lights, the rest is entirely under our control.
Yep. I wanna say 99% of all accidents can be prevented
Well you must have bad riding habits. 90% of my close calls have been because of cages. Turning left, cutting curves on the wrong side of the road. Merging into my lane on the interstate and in town. You name it. Nearly all these were avoided because I saw what was about to happen before it happened and was able to take evasive action. You have to be able to see into the future when you ride and if you don't learn that pretty quickly you might nit make it
Thank you so much for this video. 100% on the mark. To add to that, when there are vehicles around me, I assume they are going to make a mistake so I always have an escape route in mind. When I taught my sons to ride, I told them, "no matter whose fault it is, you lose".
I lost 2 close friends in the past 2 months while riding. 1 was struck by another vehicle, the other was in a accident by himself. Both had helmets and gear on. :(
My dad has a large collection of classic motorbikes I ride from time to time and although I'm hardly a serious rider I'm still very aware that's bikes are just inherently dangerous.
Recently my nephew really wanted a motorbike like a couple of his mates at school which I advised against given he's still too young, and I wasn't sure he had the right mentality yet. Within 3 months of him wanting a motorbike those two school friends died in motorbike accidents. He's now fully wrapped his head around how dangerous the hobby can be.
This is one of the best videos from you! I am a mother of three who rides so of course I follow all these guidelines. No ride is worth my life. Be safe out there everyone ✌️
Since I’ve been wanting to ride. About 2 years ago I’ve been doing research and I did look at the statistics and saw that many accidents happen when drunk and lack of gear. That almost made me feel better because I won’t be doing either of those
Thanks for using your voice - a respected one in our community - to remind our fellow riders that we all have a stake in safety. Many of us indulge in a small amount of squiddery now and then, but the *majority* of your riding time should be sensible, within your limits, and with control.
A family around where I live bought thier son a zx6r for graduation, first and last time he ever rode was on his way home...his parents watched him wreck and die. Don't underestimate any bike ever.
That took a dark turn
To much bike. #1 problem
damn sad shit😟
That sounds a bit.... Irresponsible
That's a terrible story...thanks for sharing
What convinced me was daily commuting 40 miles round trip to/from work for a couple years. Way more stressful, so much so I sold my bike and flew hang gliders in the mountains for years. Safer? I sure felt so, no doubt being relieved of always anticipating the crazies on the roads. Funny though, that attitude/attention/foresight from biking does make you a much better driver forever, particularly driving among riders.
Commuting on a motorcycle is an accident waiting to happen. There is a reason they call it morning and evening rush hour. People are in a hurry and surely not in a driving focused state of mind. Then combine that with your personal mental focus or lack thereof either early in the morning or after a long day at work.
Dude…kudos to you for even approaching this 🫡. It needs to be said. I struggle more with the cagers than anything else. I trust myself, but not them per se. And we all gotta share the same roads. I haven’t ridden at night for years, and I try to time my rides with less traffic. Regardless, there will always be hazards. But remember, that bike doesn’t do anything your hands and feet don’t tell it to! Ride safe 😎🤘
Thank you for covering it!! Not an easy topic to cover and most that don't take these 4 easy steps, swear they are a better rider anyway and refuse to take any pointers from everyone.
I started watching your videos months before buying my first bike (at 39) and feel like being informed is honestly the best prep you can make (besides at the very least, MSF).
Embarrassing to admit but when I was young I pretty much did all the things I should not have done. Fortunately, I survived and now at 69 I pretty much do everything this video suggested. As I get older, I noticed something strange: the less life I (likely) have left, the more I wish to protect it. If I could go back and visit my 20 year old self, I take away my keys and tell my young self to grow up.
Thank you for the video. I’m seeing cars pulling out, especially making left turns. Car drivers get tunnel vision and don’t see the motorcycle. What I often do is swerve around in my lane a little bit when I see a car about to pull out. That swerving around breaks the tunnel vision and gets the motorcycle noticed.
And always wear a high visibility fluorescent jacket and/or helmet. The fluorescent colors will force the eyes of car drivers to see you(only during daylight).
It just goes to show you the more responsible and disciplined you are, the more chance you have to stay alive to ride another day.
not in the case of gixxerbrah though.
@@n_internetanomalyi think some guys dont mind going out that way.
@@St.FighterZ Very true, some people hid in their homes for over a year over less severe than the cold (especially if they were young), while others live more in 1 hour than those people may live in a lifetime.
If we're all going out, might as well go out screaming or with a smile on our face!
True. I rode my first 4 years before getting my license. I pretty much was forced to get it after finally getting pulled over for a loud exhaust. The most important thing when I comes to riding is riding within your limits and if u can go practice and learn your bike more than you thought was even possible.
I deliver mail on a little honda in Australia or as we're called 'postie' and atleast once a week i get pulled out in front of, to the point we're I've become incredibly aware of every single car, on and off road, it's definitely made me a better rider and its actually started crossing over to when i drive cars.
I am one of those 50 something guys, I have been riding since I was 4 years old. Most of the accidents in my circles is younger inexperienced guys or girls. Or older riders who don't have much respect for road rash. No experience and trying to ride fast and keep up with a group. I think my years of riding on the dirt prepared me for riding on the street. Sliding around in the mud, the tire starts to lose traction, ease off the throttle till it hooks back up. There are tons of lowside videos where a rider is going through a turn and all at once they are sliding down the road with the throttle still pinned and engine screaming. If we had a tiered system for MCDLs, there should be a requirement for riding in mud/sand or some other low traction scenarios. I hit antifreeze that had been spilled in a curve, being used to low traction from riding in the dirt, I climbed up on the gas tank and did exactly what I would have done in a sloppy turn on my dirt bike. When this happened I was 17 and on my first street bike.
You're absolutely right, would be great to get more advise on these very scenarios. I encounter lots of gravel on PAs roads
@@powerbuoy I live a little north of Harrisburg, I will second you on the potholes.
You missed one recommendation, like all the other guys on YT: Don´t allways test out your riding capabilities! If you constantly try to push your boundaries, the matter of becoming a statistics entry is "when", not "if".
I never heard that from a motovloger on social media ever!
So, ride reasonable, not like those wannabe outlaws out there, behaving like a wild bunch of drunk/drugged baboons in heat.
Safety doesn´t contradict having fun.
Stay safe, guys and girls!
Plenty of UA-camrs, including Yam, mention that the place for that stuff is the track.
I "learned" to ride with two different Biking Schools in the UK. Neither taught me at any point about target fixation and the risks posed by it during cornering. I found that out by myself the hard way, luckily it was on a beat up 125cc I owned first, and glad I didn't rush out to buy a bigger/newer bike initially
The alcohol thing doesn't surprise me. If you ride, you're already the sort of person two whom 'risky' isn't offputting. DUI is a logical extension of this risk-prone behaviour for that type of person.
Don't forget we live in the age of social media now, and I don't doubt that the showing off for socials is absolutely a factor too, at least for the younger guys.
Also, I see that Speedmaster👀, and I'm here for it! Good taste!
Thanks for posting this. When I learned that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are single vehicle, it completely changed my outlook. Hopefully it's an eye opener to at least one person that makes the "they're all out to kill me" comment. They're not, they just don't see you, but your safety is YOUR responsibility, not theirs.
Of course they aren’t all out to kill you but if you don’t ride with that mindset you will likely receive a practical lesson on the application of Newtons laws. Always have an out and expect others to do the wrong thing.
Started with the MSF course 3 years ago. Only been riding 3 years, still on a 250cc. Full face helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, hearing protection every time. I don't need to go 100+mph. I enjoy cruising down the backroads and around town never on the interstate. As a 30 year old 6' 4" 250+ lbs man, I definitely could have started on a larger bike yet I chose the 250cc simply because I wanted something I could learn the fundamentals and build my skills on a bike that would be forgiving and not get me in trouble. I'm ready to move up to a 650, but glad I didn't try to ride one with only a MSF course for experience under my belt.
I live in the DFW Texas metroplex, and I will add that ever since the pandemic which led to massive increases in door dash type amateur delivery drivers, I've seen and had many close calls. The drivers drive around staring at their phones trying to find their drop. It's gotten really out of hand. That's not even considering all the other texter drivers swerving all over the lanes. I often consider selling the bikes because the times they are a changing and not for the better.
Good observation. Lots of delivery scooters around where I live...
You know your the only reason I’ve decided to be a safer rider. I am about to buy a ninja 400 but I was going to start with a lot bigger bike but after watching some of your videos I decided to go smaller
You will love the Ninja 400.
Great first bike. You learn an enormous amount in your first year of riding. Defensive riding, proper awareness, not letting the thrill take over your decision making, and more. Most people make mistakes and/or drop it at least once during that first year. Better to do it on a machine that's both inexpensive and kind of puts a hard cap on the extent to which you can ride outside your skill level.
You know, I was thinking the same thing
Smart, smart smart. You're making the right decision!
Just bought one a few days ago. Great bike
A great message, can not be repeated enough. Don't and ride or drive. Thanks for the video.
Agree 100% with the whole video, speed is one of the largest factors to fatalities on Motorcycles and modern bikes are crazy fast! I'm 3rd generation motorcycle rider, when talking with my father and grandfather, back in the day a 750cc bike was considered huge! With tons of power, currently I ride a 1900cc, 810lbs cruiser and it picks up speed a lot faster then it scrubs speed off and that's with duel rotors up front and disc in the back! I live in Central PA and unfortunately April and May are usually the big fatality months for bikers, probably close to 10 people in just those 2 months per yr in this area alone...Be safe out there!
750cc is planty now to, for most people.
Speed doesn’t kill. It’s the stopping part that does
You realize that they have been super deadly since their creation!? Don't matter if it does 200mph! 99.9%of motorcycle deaths aren't at 200mph they usually happen under 45mph!!!! AND young "reckless sportbikes/super bike riders are NOT the most deadly! In fact most fatality motorcycle accidents are riders 50+ YEARS OLD on cruisers!!!
@@natecote1971 I had the vision of Harleys and biker bars in my head. I used to own a Harley but never drank and rode it.
@@natecote1971 A Supersport sitting by itself in a parking lot is not a dangerous thing. But we can agree both that it is inexperience and lack of skill that are the primary factors.
As one guy said it once to newbies finishing their course:"Congratulations, now you know to ride a bike on a parking lot".
So what does that say about our 2 day MSF courses then?
100% Sir Yammie. I am 53 and have been riding on the road for over 30 years. Went from '81 Yam RD250 to '88 Yam FJ1200 to '97 Kawa ZZR1100 to 2010 Kawa ZX14 Ninja to my current ride, 2021 Triumph Rocket GT. The advancements in speed, performance and handling of these bikes was really obvious with every upgrade. Much better brakes and suspension, but crazy increase of power. I don't touch alcohol or drugs when riding, and I live in Australia where helmets are compulsory and I choose to gear up properly. This, and a healthy respect for your chosen steed, should keep you upright and happy for a lifetime of joyful riding. Thanks for your message. Adrian 🐻
Glad to see that motorcycle content creators genuinely are concerned about people safety also.
Thanks for this video.
I’ve been saying this for years, ever since I read the Hurt report, we’re our own worst enemy. The first step in keeping yourself safe, is understanding that.
I’m retired from 25 years of doing anesthesia. I was required to take recertification courses every year because people’s lives were in my hands. Should it be any different with my own life when I’m on my motorcycle? No! And that’s why I try to periodically retake my advanced rider safety courses.
That correlation is a bit of a stretch
Not to be one of those Captain Obvious assholes, but you're kinda in EXACTLY the right line of work if you like to ride motorbikes :)
An excellent, sensible video! I began riding at age 58. I had to take the MSF course 3 times before I passed as I had never ridden a motorized bike before and had no idea what I was doing. When I did pass, I stored my brand new Harley in my garage for a year and honed my new skills by riding a Honda Rebel. After practicing on that for a year, the Harley was pretty easy. I am now 74 and still riding. I follow a lot of these video tips: never ride at night anymore, don't drink, and, of course, a helmet. Other things I do: ride with my brights on (I figure during the day, I'm not blinding people), usually wear a WHITE leather jacket (I really want to be seen!) and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of me. Lastly, I no longer ride in groups. For ME, single riding is the best b/c I don't have to worry about what the lead bike is going to do next. I've had leaders take me over gravel...which I just don't do and other leaders who have suddenly changed their minds necessitating a quick maneuver. No thanks. I ride my own ride :-)
Lost a few local riders while they were out at night this Spring. I choose to avoid night riding and have only done so a few times in 25 years of having my endorsement. Big advocate for the points you raised. Stay sober, alert and responsible!
Considering I sleep during the day, I do most of my riding after the sun goes down. It's about how you ride, and a lot of riders ride like Idiots let's be honest
People have changed over the decades (i'm 61). I have noticed that people are now more careless, more rushed, more unhappy (we take record numbers of anti-depressants), etc., and they take out their aggressions and personal issues on their daily driving habits. It's true. It is more dangerous to ride a motorcycle now than it ever has been.
I have noticed that also. Things like speeding up to get through the green light before it turns red have changed to speeding to get through red light before being creamed by a vehicle which has the green light......
It's sad how angry people get for others just existing. I wish I had the answer for why. I've had way too many people riding with me (in a car) get angry and wish ill things to those on motorcycles and even bicycles for just being there. I wonder how many make their desires a reality.
And with marijuana being ilegal, in many states, a good 7:22 of drivers are Stoned
With COVID, people expect to teleport to work. Return to office/Hybrid work means people who live far away (who didn't think about post-covid) expect to teleport to work in the office, so they will floor it whenever they can, weaving through traffic if necessary (thanks left lane hogs)
its also because cars have changed (physically). it used to be you could see past cars because they were smaller and had transparent windows but now you oftentimes have no ability to see ahead of you.
5:45 I couldn’t say it better than this too! Never drink and ride. As someone who has been a dual sport rider for over 50 years, I learned my lesson the easy way. Had 2 beers over a 2 hour period in the truck on the way to our favorite riding area. Within the minute I almost crashed 4 times. The reason was I felt extra capable was because of the alcohol. Alcohol has always made me feel less vulnerable, so I always end up speeding. In a car this had never presented a problem. That day I stopped riding for about 30 minutes and sat down to analyze my multiple close calls. I had no idea alcohol can make you so brave. I continued riding for another 20+ years and can proudly say I never had any serious injuries, just great memories. Had to stop riding because of eye injury, not because of an alcohol induced poor decision.
Good man, Noob. I've been watching you channel for a while. I just recently retired from the military and I'm wanting to learn how to ride. I'm glad you had a serious video that addressed real-world issues with motorcyclists. I've already bought a full faced helmet and padded leather jacket. Now- all I have to do is figure out if I want a Svartpilen 401 or a SCL500.
Get a pedal bike first and ride that around in your area for a month or two, if you havent ever before. It might sound kinda dumb, but it will really help train your situational awareness for when you hop on a motorcycle.
MC Rider and DanDan the Fireman are the usual safety focused UA-cam motorcycle channels.
I feel like the classes that teach.... pass a lot of people that should clearly fail
USA, after all.... For me it was much harder and didnt feel like I was back in elementary school.
I did mine in USA and can verify, it was a mess and everyone passed
I think 2 people in my msf got a second chance at the riding test to pass, but there was nothing alarmingly bad. Think one person dropped a bike during training, but that's not rare when you're brand new to learning
As an instructor I’d love to see a transition to a tiered system. Unfortunately that would mean less in overall motorcycle sales hence why there will never be a tiered system as its always all about the mighty dollar. I would however be in favor of longer training as apposed to just a weekend class. Something like a week long, or a class that spans several weekends. The problem with that is people will have to spend more to take a basic level riding class. Most classes now are $200-$300. My school charges $345. I teach another curriculum, not MSF and we dont just pass anyone. Not knocking the MSF but I think there is much more new riders can be taught and or be given more time to practice. If by end of the course you cant pass our eval you are given the option to come back and retake the day 2 and eval. Ive had to fail students both times in some circumstances and at the end of the day you have to suggest to students that riding a motorcycle just isnt in the cards. We also highly suggest to students to practice, to wear their gear, not ride after drinking, to take other courses, even to come back and take our IRC and ARC. At the end of the day its up to each individual person to take responsibility for themselves. Please ride safe out there. Motorcycling is a hell of a lot of fun and can be enjoyed for a lifetime!
Im glad to help reverse the trends! 37yo, 1970 honda cb100, full gear, short commute
Great video Yam.
Over here in the UK, bike fatalities dropped from 585 to 285 between 2004 and 2020. I’ve not ridden in the US but have driven there many times and I think the level of inattention is undoubtedly higher (and our drivers really aren’t that great). It’s also a legal requirement to wear a helmet here - I can’t believe people would even ride a bicycle without head protection - it’s nuts. Also, anyone drinking and riding - Darwin Award Winners.
Other things to worry about especially riding at night is hitting debris. I've seen ladders gas cans, lumber, tire tread in the middle of highways before and if you're riding well over 100+ mph you'll hit it before you see it. Also watch out for oil and gravel.
Solid video all around with many excellent comments
My father was a doctor who would kick my ass if he caught me on a motorcycle , but I still snuck in a lot of riding. Enlisted in the Army when I was 17 and trained as a combat medic. One of the first things I wanted to do after leaving home was buy a bike. Then I was stationed at an Army hospital. Worked in the orthopedic ward. Lots of motorcycle accidents, and when I asked them how it happened it was often the dumbest little things that almost killed them. I also assisted in the autopsy of a guy who left a bar and didn't make it a mile down the road on his bike before hitting a tree. Basilar skull fracture. Now I work in news, and every Spring and Summer have to broadcast stories about fatal, usually solo, motorcycle accidents. Still love bikes, but they are dangerous.
Many solo accidents are because cars may take off from the scene or unintentionally have caused the accident and not known it, then the same result, the car is missing. It gets written upas solo. I am not sure of percentage of true solo,I would imagine a good number are car related though.
@@carlray6010 You're probably right. Car pulls out in bike's path, biker has to lay it down or go off the road. Car leaves. One of our patients had his wife on the back and his kid on the tank, when a car turned in front of him. He t-boned the car and his wife and kid go flying in different directions. They both land in tall grass with a few bumps and bruises. He slams into the bars and they fracture the hell out of his pelvis. He lived, but never walked right again.
I personally crashed and am recovering for 3 months now, because of the mental problem most sport riders have of "the closer you are to death, the more alive you are". I was riding too fast, overtook a car with a turn approaching and flue. Another problem was that I liked it.
Glad you’re alright & here to see another day. Bet that was a tough lesson
Recently found this channel, best motorcycle channel I’ve come across so far and I’m a fan!
Slovakia here
my dad did his drivers license back when a 250cc bike was considered a big bike, mostly they had 50cc two strokes. The Jawa 250 and 350 were massive big bikes then and the Jawa 500 was insane.
Can you imagine the triumph 3 cylinder that's over 2000cc? Man the women would beg you for attention!
Do they still sell Jawa in Slovakia? Here in India the brand was recently revived and we have a bunch of great bikes from them!
@@dineshkrishnan4029 yes, they do sell the Indian made Jawas but unfortunately the price is very unreasonable, a 300cc Jawa costs as much as an SV650