Teens and Early Twenties.....PLEASE!!

One of the great things about this site is the amount of support thats shown in good time's and bad, irregardless of whether you agree with the sentiments or timing of the OP, so lets not forget that it was done for all the right reasons, although I fear if reeder was here he'd probably derail it and/or call you gay

Originally Posted by Owenski

become complacent in your riding

Oh don't worry mate, I don't. I know my personality, and if I were ever to become complacent again, I'd start riding like an idiot again, and if that happens I'm selling my bike and hanging up my helmet.

But I can look back at accidents I had as a teenager, and realise just how oblivious I was to some of the dangers around me, because I'd never had anyone point them out to me, which is why for a young inexperienced rider, I just can't see some advanced training being a bad thing.

I'm not a perfect rider by far.

In fact the one decision I made last night, was that I'm doing my ROSPA, and IF I'm capable of it I'm going to take it right through to the Gold level, and give up my time on a Sunday morning to help out my local ROSPA group. It's the one positive thing I can do to contribute towards avoiding young people getting killed through inexperience.

The big red IF, is that to do that I need to pass Bronze and Silver first, and whilst I'm pretty confident (and have been told by one of my neighbours who is a motorbike cop) that I could pass Bronze without too much difficulty, will I be good enough to get through Silver and Gold? I won't know until I try.

I'm just a year younger than Reeder myself and was only talking to him on Tuesday, and see this, this morning when i come on here, My heart sank when i read it, I am with Ralph on this one, and Before i start riding this year my bike is going in for a pre-summer health check and book my self in for some well needed advanced riding lessons, It's amazing how one day can change things.

Originally Posted by daveyrach

I'm 24, have been riding continually for 8 whole years first off on a CBT when I was 16 then did my full test as soon as I turned 17. I have covered hundreds of thousands of miles on all types of roads and various sized machines. I would say I am an experienced rider, I am married I have children so speed and riding like a **** is not something I do as I want to see my kids grow up. Bikes can be fun and can also be very dangerous.

My eyes are well and truly open to the dangers of motorcycling and agree it is a shame so many people my sort of age are statistics but I do think it is possible to be experienced at our age.

Of course mate, I was trying to hit a large audience with this, when you do that you have to make some generalisations.

Inexperience is a risk whether you pass you test at 17, and your 20 years old, or whether you do DAS at 40 and you're 43.

[Littlepeahead]

I'm 41, had my licence 4 years and still only managed 8500 miles. I don't ride like an idiot, but I've had a few near misses.

So while I think statistics and generalisations show that young men tend to ride in shall we say a 'bolder' manner than you may expect an old bird like me to ride, we can all get unlucky no matter how careful we are.

I haven't been able to ride for 6 months, and hardly rode at all last summer so I'm not looking forward to getting back on the bike and wobbling down the road to get my MOT. Some advanced training again is always a good idea, I've done it before and learned a lot.

None of us are ever too young or old or too experienced not benefit from advice, training and guidance.

I know Ralph wrote his post from the heart, and no one should criticise him for that.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by slark01

So i'm not the only one.


Ste.

Nope, and I'm sure theres many that feel the same.
I've been around bikes for nearly 20 years, and over those years I think I can probably count at least one badly damaged/passed away friend, family or loved one, for every year of those 20...not all necessarily from their own fault either. Had to deal with them personally at times too, and live with the consequences.

Makes people wonder why I'm such a worry wart, and get a bit feisty when it comes to these sort of subjects!

I think i fall in -Ralph-'s target demographic. Im 22 and have only been riding for 18months. I thought i was a good rider. I dont go kneedown or wheelieing around and i feel i know roads well ( covering 40k plus a year in a car).

However reading last night about Reeder really hit home to myself. When thinking about it I have taken risks when filtering and do go too fast on narrow/small roads. Being from a family that wasnt into bikes ive never really known people that can give me experience/pointers. I think -Ralph-'s comments are valid, they may seem bad taste to some but if tey remind me and others of the risks it isnt a "bad" thing.

I agree im 19 and been riding for around 2yrs. As a rider i can handle my bike however my observations and estimations are awful. I never ride full tilt on the road as i just cant begin to imagine whats roound the corner.

I have my first proper track day in april and if everything goes as planed i may be leaving road riding all together. the only reason we ride on the road is for fun and i have fun cranked over. until my riding style changes ill be better off on track.

A point that really needs to come across to is those of us that have come back to biking after any length of time off also take it steady and dont try to do what you used to do only what you are comfortable with now. Ive had about 9 months out of riding and can definatly tell I need to sharpen up again as even in that short period I know I can miss judge my braking as have run wide already this biking season. Just remember everyone is still learning no matter what age and take it steady when getting back too it.

[carelesschucca]

Originally Posted by Elliott

I agree im 19 and been riding for around 2yrs. As a rider i can handle my bike however my observations and estimations are awful.

I think that every biker out there should do exta training, its not as if you ride because you have to, we do it because we love it and why wouldn't you want to get better at something you love. I did the IAM, and now I don't believe in everything they preach, but god, things I've learnt have saved me.

Give things like the IAM a try mate. It'll be the best improvement you make to your observations. I'll be honest I wasn't convinced when I first went to them but I very quickly realised that with people helping and giving advice my riding improved and I became a safer quicker rider (some would say too quick)

Also lets give Colin a break here he only shouts loudly because HE CARES about us!!!