About MotorcycleMentor.com
I first had the idea — more like an obsession — to develop MotorcycleMentor.com shortly after I ’started back’ riding years ago.
Just like you, I searched for information online to the basic questions:
- What type motorcycle should I purchase?
- Should I take the MSF course… and when?
- Are there ways to reduce my risks… or am I just a statistic?
- What is the best riding gear for me?
- What can I do to improve my riding skills?
…and the list went on and on
I found online resources to be hit-or-miss. While there was *some* good content sprinkled around, most sites focused on a particular motorcycle or brand. Instead of helping new riders become more proficient, users ranted about which motorcycle oil was better… or which motorcycle was .01 seconds faster.
At 40 something, I approached my new passion with maturity. I wanted to enjoy all the pleasures of riding, making friends, and exploring the unknown. But, I wanted to do it ‘the right way’… with the right gear, the right skills, and the right mind-set.
Meet Fred
Fred and I worked together at NASA in the late 90s. We had some great times… training astronauts for Spacelab flights and controlling the science experiments onboard the Shuttle during missions.
Fred retired from NASA when he was still young and in good health. With his new free time, he took golf lessons, tennis lessons, and continued to enjoy his life long passion of riding his Honda ST1100.
Fred also became my motorcycle mentor.
Fred was there to address every question I asked and every struggle I faced. Instead of giving me the solution to each problem, he would guide me in the direction of the solution… knowing that it would have more meaning if I arrived at the solution on my own.
When struggling to select my first motorcycle, Fred suggested…
“David, have you looked at the Honda VFR? Google it sometime.”
When struggling with wind buffeting,
“David, have you considered wearing ear plugs?”
And when I told him I felt uneasy while leaned over in curves,
“David, take a look at this photo of a leaned-over Moto GP racer with his head tilted so his eyes remain level with the road.
Fred stepped me through the process of learning, that continues to this day. His guidance was less about ‘how to ride’ and more about the mental steps and actions you take to become a good rider.
I was lucky. I didn’t have to learn everything by myself during my first years of riding. Now, you won’t have to either.
David Mixson
Founder MotorcycleMentor.com
