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

We don't know what happened to Reeder yet, but the news article makes no mention of another vehicle involved.

Regardless of what happened in that particular case, it's just not right that a 20 year old ends up being carried in a coffin, because of something that went wrong on a motorbike. It's so not necessary and so avoidable!

You have a Mother and Father who just won't be able to comprehend the fact that you died before them, they will never be able to reconcile that, and will never really get over it. My father died 15 years ago at 52, and my grandmother a year or so ago at 85. The last 15 years until the day she died, she couldn't figure out where fate had gone so wrong, that her son died before her. Imagine a 50 year old parent, trying to figure that out of a 20 year old son or daughter.

You have your whole life ahead of you. You have 60-70 years or more, of life to live, people to love, the world to see, careers to succeed in, kids to have, grandparents to be. Life is precious.

PLEASE - SLOW IT DOWN!!!!

In everything you do on motorbike, think about the "What if?" at very juncture. Leave yourself some room for error. Never ride at the limit. Never assume anything. Never think you are invincible - because Reeder just proved it - you are NOT!

I'm sorry, but if you are in your teens or early 20's, YOU ARE NOT A COMPETENT EXPERIENCED RIDER, regardless of how much you think you are (yes, that includes you!).

The reason for this is it take YEARS of experience, to build the sixth sense, the anticipation skills, and the ability to sense when a situation is getting hazardous, and a motorcyclist needs these skills to be safe. You have only been riding since you were 17! As it is you have a few years and a lot of miles to get under your belt until you really start to get safer on a motorcycle. Until then you need to be taking extra care to compensate for that.

Not everybody agrees with advanced tuition, but those who are very opposed to it tend to be older, experienced riders, who have kept themselves alive through many tens to hundreds of thousands of miles experience and have figured out their own ways of doing that.

If you have only been riding for a couple of years, then you are starting with NOTHING, other than what the DSA gave you, and that's only training to get you through a test. I cannot see anything but benefit in you doing some more tuition. It could save your mother an unmeasurable amount of heartache.

http://www.roadar.org/index.htm
http://www.iam.org.uk/motorcyclist
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...eds/DG_4022666
http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/

I make no apologies for this thread and I don't care if as a young rider you find it patronising or offensive (Really! I honestly don't care). I'd rather see you offended, but having had a dose of realism and staying alive, than see you deluded, thinking you are perfectly safe on the roads, and the next minute being dead!

[andrewsmith]

Mod Sticky on this one!

Ralph good bloody post

+1

Did an introductory day at the IAM. Well worth doing.

With all due respect Ralph, I know the message you're trying to get across here, but ffs, you do this after every accident or RIP thread.

Why not just give it time to settle before you spout off.

I know you only do it because you care and want people to be better riders, but this just comes across wrong so soon after a thread like the one about Reeder has been posted.

You did it after Christopher had his off and you've done it again now.

I know plenty folk in their 30's 40 and older who ride like idiots, so give it a rest eh.

Let the dust settle and then post with advice. I find your message neither patronising or offensive, I find the timing deeply inappropriate.

Fully agree col, but lets not assume it was rider error in this case.

Stay safe everyone, not just you young uns.

Reeder cannot be allowed to be another statistic, if this post and his fate make one person think twice then has to be worth a sticky surely?

Was thinking of asking Lozzo if I can leave my bike in his shop.

Originally Posted by fenjer

Stuff

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I make no apologies for this thread... (Really! I honestly don't care).

I think you already have your answer Fenjer

I cannot and will not sit aside, see young motorcyclists die and say nothing. The timing IMO is the best possible timing, because tonight is the one night the young people reading might actually let it sink in. Timing is perfect for what I want to achieve IMO. I have now and will have in future, no regrets.

Originally Posted by speedplay

Was thinking of asking Lozzo if I can leave my bike in his shop.

Road or dirt?

Certainly dirt bikes carry less risk that's for sure.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I think you already have your answer Fenjer

Oh I dunoo, someone dies it at 50, and they've had 50 years of life......at 25 for example your life is already half over, so why try pushing it to finish any quicker?

Live life to the full..........but remember where to reel it in for another day.

Not saying owt else, coz I'll get accused of being a morbid git too

I think Ralphs only expressing concern because hes a grown up!