New biker to experienced biker

[Lil'Suzi]

Another way to consider yourself an experienced rider is how your peers see you. Do they look to you as an experienced rider or do they give the impression that you are still learning? I don't mean that in a bad way but be honest with yourself and that will help you know the answer. Don't ask them what they think about your riding abilities, you will know by how they treat you.

Half

EDIT.... This is OreoGaboriault speaking, I submitted the post below before I realized I was logged into my girlfriend's computer

going back to the point where I said it's all relative... Some of my peers are racers who have placed top 10 in AMA events... So they probably won't consider me all that experienced.

Also, the best thing about Motorcycling is that you're ALWAYS learning... the education never stops

[ceemes]

Another way to consider yourself an experienced rider is how your peers see you. Do they look to you as an experienced rider or do they give the impression that you are still learning? I don't mean that in a bad way but be honest with yourself and that will help you know the answer. Don't ask them what they think about your riding abilities, you will know by how they treat you.

Half

going back to the point where I said it's all relative... Some of my peers are racers who have placed top 10 in AMA events... So they probably won't consider me all that experienced.

Also, the best thing about Motorcycling is that you're ALWAYS learning... the education never stops

Hell, IMHO opinion, that is the meaning of life in general. I've always believed that the day one stops learning is the day that one has actually died.......just in most cases the body of that person hasn't caught on yet and will linger in a vegetated state drolling in front of the idjit box for decades to come.

[hi-side]

going back to the point where I said it's all relative... Some of my peers are racers who have placed top 10 in AMA events... So they probably won't consider me all that experienced.

top 10 in AMA events in MA, the only people I can think of are the Wood brothers and their dad from the Penguin school.

[OreoGaborio]

Yup, you got it. Jeff & Eric Wood, Scott Greenwood as well... 17 year old Shane Narbonne raced a few AMA events this year as well and Old man Jerry used to race back in the day, too.

There's a few other guys that race up at Loudon that have gone to the Big Show as well.






I actually beat Jeff Wood once.....





at poker

[Randy]

I anointed myself an experience rider after probably 4 years of riding pretty much every day. It was a combination of riding in pretty much all kinds of weather including ice, battling traffic every day and one experience.

My experience is this. I was riding home from work one night, the roads were dry and the weather was nice. I had on a helmet, gloves, boots and jacket. I was alone traveling along a four lane city road. I was going 42 mph in a 40 mph zone. A beat looking 70s montecarlo did the famous turn left right in front of me. I started to brake and brake hard. I did not panic, but applied increasing pressure to both brakes rapidly. I downshifted and realized I was not going to stop in time. Pretty much all at the same time. I could feel the rear of the bike lift off the ground. I thought to myself that I didn't want to impact on the car with the rear of the bike off the ground, I would get pinched in-between the bike and the car. I released a little pressure on the front brake and felt the rear tire make contact. I started to fishtail because I didn't take my foot off the back brake when the tire left the ground. The car saw me finally and accelerated, between my fishtailing and his taking off, I missed him by inches. I managed to pull the bike out of the fishtail and proceed on my way.

I got about another mile and started shaking so bad I had to stop. I got back on the bike and went about my business.

When I got back on the bike to ride home, I felt I had become and experienced rider. Mostly because I didn't panic during the whole episode.

[jamnjim]

Everyone has a different take on this, so thanks to all who posted on this important subject. Here's my take on the true measure of riding experience:

Anyone can ride safely enough when conditions are good. As time goes by, you will not even notice, but certain reactions and reflexes become second nature (doing without thinking). In my case, after years of riding, I am convinced that the day you think you are "experienced and seasoned enough", you will be put to the test when an old pickup truck with an elderly driver on board pulls right out in front of you on a two lane highway, leaving you only about 48 milliseconds to decide whether to break hard and hope for the best, pull into the the path of an oncoming tour bus, or test your riding skills on roadside gravel at 65 MPH. If you are able to walk away from that scenario in the end, I'd say you are either very experienced or very lucky. I'll go with experience any day because luck has a way of running out. Bet on experience and be patient while achieving it. Always ride safe and don't rush it! *** By the way, I chose the small space between the pickup on the outside edge of the road and the roadside gravel, never leaving the pavement. Was that experience or luck? I guess we'll never know.

[Marilee]

I hope luck and the lady fate stay always on my side

[slimcolo]

You become an experienced rider when you can give good advise based on your prior screw ups.

You realize that with over 30 years experience, you can still learn more about riding. (even from a newbee)

You talk to people who just took an MSF and think "I wish I knew that when I started riding" but you didn't because there wasn't a MSF available back then. And then when one was the thought was "we don't need no stinking course" But hind site being 20/20 now you know better.

You tell some one not to do something because it's stupid, and you know it is because you've done it (or at least tried) and have the scars to prove it.

You tell stories (true) of riding curvy roads at over 120, even though you haven't ridden that road over 45 in 25 years and never will again.

You cringe when you see people do things that you used to do every day.

Looking back you wonder why (or how) your still alive.

You've had a few spills due to road conditions, weather, and other drivers, but the majority were due to your own stupidity.

I guess experience depends on who you talk to. If you have ridden for a month and are talking to some one who has been riding for a week, guess what you're experienced!

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

In the big scheme of things Marilee it really doesn't matter which "category" you think you fall in it really is all relative like someone mentioned earlier. The main thing is that you do your best to keep practicing your skills and enjoy your time on the road.

[Axman]

Time and miles are not exactly the top requirements either. You can ride for years and be over confident. The number one thing that makes a good rider to me is vigilance. Always be looking out for the other guy. If you see someone driving in a manner that just isn't right, look for an escape to avoid the danger. You may need it. You never know what the other drivers (and riders) are going to do. Be aware of your surroundings.