Know your limits and embrace them

Jampy00

Jampy00

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Out for a ride yesterday up to Creemore to grab some lunch, then take River road and some other twisties home. I am on a (new to me bike) maybe 500km's on it so far and I am just getting to know it. Well we are cruising home on a good twisty part when all of a sudden a huge cruise comes right at us on our side of the road, the rider has is foot down MX style and his face told the entire story of WTF just happened. Not so bad *** to say the least but we all managed to avoid him and carry on. It did make me think..do I know how far I am comfortable with things on my motorcycle before I become "that guy" the answer is I am about 80% in the know when I ride and the other 20% is pure instinct mind you I'm getting a bit slower as I get older ( and fatter :( ) but I do all right. Can I keep up with the younger folk...nope, do I want to...nope (well yes kinda) but just a reminder as soon as you lose that "fun" feeling it's no longer "fun" Know your limits and embrace them while you learn to extend them either through time, training or a combination of both.

As a closing reminder, no one looks cool laying nude on a stretcher on the side of a road or highway...
 
Good post I recently upgraded to a bigger bike as well and am still getting used to it, I went on a ride with two friends and they slowed down for me most of the way until the end when they decided to take off I didn't want to play catch up and go beyond my limits on my new bike so I kept at a speed where I thought I could handle it and met up with them just a few minutes later. It's definitely a good idea to take the time to learn your bike well and get comfortable with it, might hit high speeds sometimes but I always think is it better that go 2-3 times the speed limit with a possibility of a ticket+higher insurance or just keep at a good pace and enjoy the ride and weather. If you want to go super fast hit the track.
 
This weekend was great for practicing too! I just bought an R6, a big step up from the SV and I've yet to really practice any slow maneuvering or turns,etc. so this past Sunday I found a big clean empty parking lot and practicing slow turns around, turning out 90 degrees, etc all slow-speed handling techniques I remember from my m2 training. Was the best thing I ever did. I wasn't cocky after I went home. I was confident and felt more in control of the beast. always room to learn. 5 yrs on the SV - 8 days on the R6. I respect the 600 completely and practicing within my limits is very helpful - anyone can go fast in a straight line.

Just my 2 cents
 
Might of been the ride I went on Sunday op. about 50 bikes in 2 groups. It was for a charity ride and I noticed a lot of newer riders. We were heading up to wasaga for a BBQ.
 
Really good post. Was out with my husband on the weekend and he decided to ride the S1000 (I call her the whore). He takes the ramps at crazy speeds on that beast ... scares the hell out of me. My bike is fairly new to me (got it last year mid August) ... needless to say once I get around the highway ramp he has to slow down for me ... maybe some day I will be able to keep up with him ... NOT!!!
 
Ha, yes the "keep up" game I have played that a time or two on poorly organized group rides. I never push beyond my comfort zone and I woudl never ask anyone I ride with to do that either. I have friends that ride much more advanced than I do and it's all good I'll catch up. Glad you guys enjoyed my post.
 
Rossi said it best about someone that crashed, something like "his ambition exceeded his ability". Don't let yourself be that guy!
 
skapan said:
Rossi said it best about someone that crashed, something like "his ambition exceeded his ability". Don't let yourself be that guy!
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Oh thank you thank you oh wise one ....... Skapan is my husband !!!!!
 
Don't capitalize me, that hurts. And you are a better rider than you think. The RC was a rocket with you on it.
 
Jampy00 said:
Ha, yes the "keep up" game I have played that a time or two on poorly organized group rides. I never push beyond my comfort zone and I woudl never ask anyone I ride with to do that either. I have friends that ride much more advanced than I do and it's all good I'll catch up. Glad you guys enjoyed my post.
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I think this is what a lot of people need to learn/remember. If you're out of your comfort zone you're learning. If you're going like a maniac to keep up and are scared you're pushing it too far. You'll always catch up as long as your buddies will wait up. There's always someone faster, why push it to the edge if you don't have to.
 
Agreed, not only ride within your own limits, but respect the road conditions. (there's still a lot of sand out there). There will always be faster/better riders than myself, but as long as I ride, I keep within my own safety zone. Don't be afraid to bail when the pace becomes hectic.
 
skapan said:
Rossi said it best about someone that crashed, something like "his ambition exceeded his ability". Don't let yourself be that guy!
Click to expand...

Actually, that was Casey Stoner telling Rossi off in the pit garages after the race.......Rossi had come to apologize for taking him down during a race

[video=youtube;trOKdY-5a4I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trOKdY-5a4I[/video]
 
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The fact that people actually need this advice is sad to me. Why do people think they need to keep up with their friends? Just go for a fun ride and enjoy yourself. No point in almost killing yourself just so your buddy doesn't have to wait 2 minutes at the next stop sign.
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