What makes a person an experienced rider?

[cherokeepati]

Kingfrog, I think you have it right. You may have the time and miles in, but until you have been TESTED (ie:close calls/emergency manuvers) I would not consider myself experienced. Anyone can go in a straight line at a moderate amount of speed, bikes are built that way- some are more balanced than others- but control under stressful situations at high or low speeds,and keep yourself and others safe in doing so would IMHO be an experienced/responsible/rider.

[volpino]

Make an honest assessment of you skill and function within that range. I see drivers everyday who drive beyond their level of skill; if some emergency situation arises they do not have the expertise to handle it. It doesn't seem to deter them from exceeding their ability however.

Amen. I have been riding for 20 years and raced both dirt and street bikes, and probably have 20k recreational track miles, besides the everyday traffic commuting and group riding. I do not consider myself exceptional by any means, I still know I will go down. It's not a question of if, it's just when. It may not end up being my fault, but it will happen (again I might add).
I was on a recent ride where a new rider (first bike GSXR 600, less than 1500 miles) was riding with our regular ride group. We were taking a route I'd not seen before, so I was hanging back a bit, mid pack and just enjoying the scenery.
Feeling I was holding him up, the rider passed me heading towards a corner I was entering at a modest 65-70mph.
We spent the next 5 hours getting the ambulance onsite, and having the rider airlifted to the hospital, and getting the pieces of his bike loaded into my truck and back to the city. Luckily, he sustained only minor injuries, however, I can't help but wonder exactly why the kid felt it was necessary to pass at that point.
I so often see riders 'pushing the envelope' thinking it will make them a better rider. Charging corners and overbraking as they enter, and so many other errors that I just shake my head at and cringe watching. Yet we head to the track, and they are amazed when I lap them repeatedly on my little 600 over their big litre bikes.
I think the best answer to an experienced rider would be one that knows his limits, and stays within them, and makes every effort to minimize any risks to his or others safety.

[dr_bar]

I think the best answer to (being) an experienced rider would be one that knows his limits, and stays within them, and makes every effort to minimize any risks to his or others safety.

Probably one of the best answers I've seen on this topic... and you know that you're right about it.

I've been riding on and off for well over 30 years now, but to this day, I'm not crazy about pushing it in the corners. Don't get me wrong, I love the twisties, I just don't see the need to push the envelope every time I come across a corner or bend in the road.

[ArcticHarleyMan]

Lots of time in the saddle. Lots of communication with other riders. Lots of different riding conditions. Lots of different roads.
Basically, lots of riding.

[Twisty13]

Miles, miles, miles. I've been riding for about 5 years, and still don't consider myself a true experienced rider. I think that when you get too comfortable and think that you are experienced, skilled and maybe even faster or better than the next person is when you get into trouble. Every time I go out I learn something new about riding, whether it's how to go faster through a turn, or how to be safer in a certain situation. It's really never ending, but the more miles the more experienced.

[mrchen]

43 years old, 37 years riding bikes, 27 years on the street. Rode everything from KZ1300 6cylinder, Harley, Shadow, dirt bikes, scramblers, nighthawks, sportbikes etc (never rode a gold wing thats about all).

Down once, cager cut me off, light slide, absolutely no damage to me, little to bike, bars and pipe scrape.

Miles? who knows, over 100K, was a daily commuter for years. I think commuting teaches you alot, experience driving with idiots is real good experience. You get alot of practice saving your a**.

[alex70]

to become old and wise, first, you must be young and stupid.

[Koss]

to become old and wise, first, you must be young and stupid.

hey Im proud of myself, it seems to be that im on the right path after all!

[CajunBass]

I've been riding for just over a year. In that year I logged over 20,000 miles on my first bike. I rode in all kinds of weather, including just after a light dusting of snow. I've ridden in thunderstorms so bad, I had to pull over and wait under an overhang. I've ridden in heat so bad I was pouring water on myself to keep cool.

I've had cars and trucks pull in front of me. I've dodged deer, dogs, cats, possums, and once a beaver. I've crashed once and picked the bike up and rode it the rest of the way home. I've ridden three different bike. A Suzuki 250 at the MSF, (Which I didn't complete) a Yamaha 400 cc, CVT scooter, and now a 1200 cc BMW.

Unfortunately most of my riding has been on the same route, so I'm not really experience with differing roads. I have ridden on all kinds of roads though. Two lane country, four lane, and on the interstate. I've ridden in downtown rush hour traffic.

I don't think I'll ever really think of myself as experienced though.

[hotelesquire]

been riding for about 6 months, have put 3400 miles, in rain and shine, and one tropical storm ernesto. I was taught that the big road was too easy, and since that point I've ridden just about every day since. I haven't wiped out, and have had a few close calls with a stone threw from a big truck and it hit my helmet. I was doing 70, and though i wobbled a bit, didn't fall, or over react. All this, and I call myself a safe but in-experienced rider.