What makes a person an experienced rider?

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Locopez · #1 Unread post by **Locopez** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:54 am

This might make for a good topic?

The length of time they have had a Motorcycle license?
Mileage on a bike?
age & experience?
I really enjoy this site..and all the topics.etc...

So let me ask the question? Am I considered and experienced rider?

age: 37
have been riding since Oct 01

have done close to 57K miles. Been in 16 states on a motorcycle.
have ridden/owned 50cc, 250cc, 1200cc, 1450cc...

And I ride darn near everyday rain or shine...(lucky to live in California)

And to who ever created this place..thanks for doing it...I love this site...lots of info....can't get enough!

earwig · #2 Unread post by **earwig** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:57 am

I'd say you are experienced... Of course... having some close calls or running into hairy situations that you got out of safely also contriubte to the "experience"

CNF2002 · #3 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:25 am

I think experience just varies with the person.

Ive been riding maybe a year, commute every day, in nearly every weather condition (minus snow)...experienced? Maybe. But I don't test the limit of my bike, dont push it around twisties or go on many long rides, and I dont practice my basic slow speed manuvers in parking lots like I should (I'm still a little inexperienced with making quick sharp U-Turns) so you could say I'm not that experienced at all.

Some may have been riding for 10 years but only logged 500 miles, and someone may have ridden for 6 months and spent the entire time rigorously practicing in lots to improve their skills.

I think experience boils down to how well you can control the bike in all situations. That said, so many bikes behave differently you can be experienced on one but a poor rider on another.

Most people get a false sense of experience. They ride alot, mostly fast in a straight line, and dont run into any trouble. Thats called luck, but they consider themselves skilled.

What a complex question.

Locopez · #4 Unread post by **Locopez** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:51 am

earwig wrote:I'd say you are experienced... Of course... having some close calls or running into hairy situations that you got out of safely also contriubte to the "experience"

oh yeah...had my fair share of close calls...I think that is a part of riding. The part I hate the most is prying the seat out of my bum.....

Locopez · #5 Unread post by **Locopez** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:53 am

CNF2002 wrote:I think experience just varies with the person.

Ive been riding maybe a year, commute every day, in nearly every weather condition (minus snow)...experienced? Maybe. But I don't test the limit of my bike, dont push it around twisties or go on many long rides, and I dont practice my basic slow speed manuvers in parking lots like I should (I'm still a little inexperienced with making quick sharp U-Turns) so you could say I'm not that experienced at all.

Some may have been riding for 10 years but only logged 500 miles, and someone may have ridden for 6 months and spent the entire time rigorously practicing in lots to improve their skills.

I think experience boils down to how well you can control the bike in all situations. That said, so many bikes behave differently you can be experienced on one but a poor rider on another.

Most people get a false sense of experience. They ride alot, mostly fast in a straight line, and dont run into any trouble. Thats called luck, but they consider themselves skilled.

What a complex question.

You made so many very true statements that I agree with.
You can strap any monkey on a bike and go in a straight line fast.
I also feel that is very important to be able to control your bike a slow speeds.
And as riders we all need a little luck!

JustJames · #6 Unread post by **JustJames** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:29 am

I don't say I'm an experience rider, just a season rider maybe. I'd say experience riders are the kind of riders who can handle any situation or emergency that might happen. They might be able to avoid all together and reduce the damage that might happen to themself or other. I don't care about how long they've been riding, how many miles or how fast.

Experience riders are the one who want to become a safer rider not a faster rider.

#7 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:44 am

JustJames wrote:Experience riders are the one who want to become a safer rider not a faster rider.

As I started my bike outside a local coffee shop yesterday, a couple of kids on bikes yelled at me to "Burn Out!!!" I don't think they have a clue as to how stupid that sounded to me...

jstark47 · #8 Unread post by **jstark47** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:12 am

dr_bar wrote:As I started my bike outside a local coffee shop yesterday, a couple of kids on bikes yelled at me to "Burn Out!!!" I don't think they have a clue as to how stupid that sounded to me...

Clueless: bringing the Marauder home a few weeks ago, some kids near my house yelled "Wheelie, Wheelie!!"............ and I'm thinkin' ummmm... it's a cruiser with a very raked front, and maybe 40 hp max.... I don't think it could get it's front wheel up to save itself. Dumb kids.

DirtyD86 · #9 Unread post by **DirtyD86** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:06 am

ive never ridden before and i dont own a bike yet either, but im definitely an experienced rider

#10 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:30 am

jstark47 wrote:bringing the Marauder home a few weeks ago, some kids near my house yelled "Wheelie, Wheelie!!"............ and I'm thinkin' ummmm... it's a cruiser with a very raked front, and maybe 40 hp max.... I don't think it could get it's front wheel up to save itself. Dumb kids.

Don't be so sure about that!

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