You’ve heard all the benefits:

1. Better control of the bike (immediate).

2. Less fatigue during the ride (today).

3. Prevention of damage to your body (tomorrow).

Yet, still, when you do a posture check, you discover your elbows locked, your hands tight on the grips and your shoulders up around your ears.

Why can’t you remember to ’stay loose on the bike’?

You know that for some reason the bike’s handling instantly improves with a slight bend in the elbows and an intentional decrease in tension.

Make a habit of consciously relaxing as you encounter any road conditions which seem to make you tense: poor road surface, a sharp turn, steep downhill. You can do it when you are aware you will become tense, and learn to predict when it is most severe (and most disadvantageous).

See a steep, downhill gravel section coming up?

You have three options:

…grit it out with a death grip on the bars, arms straight

…relax and ease through the section, keeping your eyes far ahead

…turn around.

Your choice partner.

Pete Tamblyn

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1. How to ride a motorcycle on gravel in a turn
2. Women’s motorcycle gear — 4 tips to selecting the right gear

Question from a potential beginning motorcyclist:

The guy down the road from me is selling his ‘87 Honda Magna motorcycle — 4 cylinder, water cooled, shaft-drive, low seat, etc. 31,000 miles for $1,000.

I am very sorely tempted to buy it! I’ve never owned, nor ridden a motorcycle, but I’ve always had a desire to do so…even if only for a year.

I live in Maine in an area w/o heavy traffic. I’m 57 years old, 160
pounds, fit, and retired. My kids are grown and flown the coup.

I’m wondering if this bike is as good as any for me to start with — or
is it too big or ….? I plan to do casual riding for fun… no one in
my circle of friends has a motorcycle so I don’t envision long
treks… at least the first few years. But then, who know?!

Thanks,
John

Hey John,

If you’ve read motorcyclementor.com lately, you’ve probably seen the question from a 46 year old beginning rider, “Am I too old to start riding?” Many people learn to ride when they get a bit older… and 56 years old [by itself] is certainly not too old to start.

You describe yourself as ‘fit and retired’… sounds like a great combination.

Regarding the Honda Magna motorcycle: To my surprise, there are several active forums that focus exclusively on the Magna. Some might say it has a cult-like following — small groups of people LOVE that motorcycle. Not a bad thing by any means.

Is the Magna too big [too small]? Without knowing exactly what your riding goals are, I can only give general advice. I certainly wouldn’t say the Magna is too small for you… considering your weight and size. Nor, would I say it is too large. It isn’t a Hyabusa or liter sportbike. Again, so far so good.

Is the Magna fairly priced at $1000? Instead of looking at bluebook or NADA prices, I prefer to look at what they have sold for on eBay. A quick eBay search for ‘completed items’ shows that several 86-88 Magnas have sold in the last 2 weeks. In the screenshot below, the final prices shown in green represent sold items, and the final prices that are red represent unsold items. Take a look:

As you can see, several motorcycles compare well to your 1986 Honda Magna with 30,000 miles. While 30,000 miles seems a bit high to some, I would rather purchase engines that have been operated. And, 30,000 is not excessive by any means. I currently ride a 1998 Honda VFR with 33,000 miles — and it’s proven to be extremely dependable.

So, is $1,000 a fair price? If the motorcycle is in good condition (things work with no past wrecks that caused structural damage) it sounds like $1,000 is a very fair price. Older motorcycles — like older cars — don’t depreciate much, if any. The thought of buying a good reliable used motorcycle for so little — with the potential to sell it in a couple of years for ‘even’ or possibly a ’small gain’ — is pretty sweet. Even if you get a scratch or two on her, it won’t lower the value. Could this be the perfect combination? Maybe.

I’ll bet you’re calling your neighbor ‘Bill’ right now, “I’ll take it.”

Probably a good move, but what next? Since you’re wise, I’d bet you’re going to park it until you’ve completed some basic motorcycle rider training. Right? Good idea.

David

PS. I’ll post your question on the site in the next week or so, for others to comment.

PSS. You might want to prepare yourself for your close friends and family members telling you “YOU ARE CRAZY!”

Hi David and thanks very much for your sleuthing around about values and sharing that information as well as your thoughts and advice. It certainly is helpful having access to experts like you!

Taking a course seems like a very sane thing to do, especially since, as you so accurately predict, people really do think I’m crazy buying a motorcycle! But then, people think that no matter what one’s age is, and not without reason…. it’s dangerous enough on the road in an automobile.

I took your suggestion and checked out ‘87 Honda Magna and you’re right!… lots of hits. One interesting thing is that for some reason the Magnas from 1987 and 1988 (the one I’m looking at is 87) are sometimes referred to as “Super Magnas”

I really hadn’t researched values…a thousand bucks just seemed reasonable to me… even for a 20+ year old bike.

Thanks,
John

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1. Question: In over my head at 46?

Want to improve your motorcycle riding skills? Judy Mirro is putting the final touches on the 2010 Women’s Riding School (WRS) event. This years event is Friday July 23, 2010 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.

Judy has agreed to share some great riding tips with us in the near future. But right now, the WRS volunteers are focused on putting the final touches on the annual event.

Take a look at the video below. It sounds like a great learning experience… and a whole lot of fun!

I caught up with Judy and asked her a few more questions:

David: What are the general details for the event?
Judy: Young and old, new and experienced – the Women’s Riding School (WRS) aims to educate. The actual school event is Friday July 23, 2010 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon New Hampshire. We hold our Meet-N-Greet dinner party the evening before the event – this year, on July 22 at the Red Roof Inn in Loudon. Of course, there is social networking and prize give-aways that help make the event a blast.

David: What motorcycles are allowed? Are motorcycles available to rent?
Judy: Virtually any bike can be used as long as it passes our basic safety inspection. Cruisers, standards, sport bikes, dirt bikes, we’ve had them all. We offer Ducati’s through our partners at Penguin Roadracing for those who wish to rent.

David: Do riders bringing their own motorcycle have to do anything special to them before arriving?
Judy: Riders can prep their cycles at NHMS the morning of the event, or if they are trailering in for the event, before they arrive. We do put all motorcycles through a technical inspection, so not to worry! We’ll help you out if there is any doubt — but here are the basics:

All accessories that are not bolted to your motorcycle (saddlebags, tank bags, top bags, soft bags, etc.) must be removed. Mirrors must be removed or completely taped over and folded in. Headlights, brake lights, taillights and any other lights must be completely taped over. If possible, we also ask that the fuse be pulled. No light can show through the taillight when the brakes are applied. Blue painter’s tape is a great way to cover up all the lights.

David: What type of riding gear should riders wear?
Judy: For our course, full-face helmets are required. Riding suits must cover all your skin. Motorcycle boots and gloves are a plus, but good substitutes can be made. However we cannot allow chaps, mesh or jeans. Just contact us about substitutions. We do have rental leathers available. (Additional information about Motorcycle & Rider Prep and WRS FAQs can be found at the WRS website under the Documents section).

David: What if riders are NOT interested in racing or riding fast… is this a good event for them?
Judy: Racing is not allowed at the WRS, period.
However, riding fast is acceptable if you are in the “experienced” rider group. We do break the gals into three groups: beginners, intermediate, and experienced. We keep the groups separate so that everyone is comfortable within their riding group and instruction works accordingly. Riders can be moved from group to group as they (along with their instructors) see fit.

David: Can participants ride at their own pace?
Judy: The school is set up so riders set their own learning pace. No one is pushed to ride faster or harder, unless of course, they want to be pushed. Some of the more experienced riders do prefer to have someone push them a little more, but then again, some of the riders prefer the slower pace and have a great time learning at slower speeds.

David: Is there a minimum level of riding experience necessary?
Judy: Any licensed rider has a place at the WRS. We’ve had women just weeks out of the MSF Basic Rider Course, with little experience, and they truly benefited from the program.

David: How much does the event cost?
Judy: $280.00

David: What can riders expect to gain from the event? Is it ‘all work’ and ‘no play’?
Judy: One of our past students coined the phrase: “You’ll have so much fun, you’ll forget you’re learning!” We like to think that says it all.

David: What if a rider is struggling with a particular skill/technique. Will instructors be able to help with specific problems?
Judy: We boast a low student to instructor ratio, so if a student is having a problem, we can certainly work one-on-one with that student to make certain they are receiving the attention they need. All a student has to do is ask.

David: Is the event ‘Just for Women’?
Judy: The Women’s Riding School, L3C was established to provide women motorcycle riders a safe learning environment where riders can thrive. Sorry gents, this is our day, but you are welcome to come out and watch.

David: What can you say to riders who are interested, but are a bit apprehensive about participating in a ‘Track Day’?
Judy: This isn’t a Track Day… this is a Riding School. There is a difference.
We spend a lot of time in classroom, on the closed course, and with the added infield WRS exercises, we have a packed day of educational riding – with instructors by your side. Of course, we do give you “free” ride time in the afternoon, but we have our instructors monitoring your riding at all times, so that you can be corrected if you stray. Track Days are more open with little to no instruction, and great for the very experienced rider – but for someone that is looking for structure, guidance, and rider education (at any level), the WRS is the place to be. Whether you want to make better turns or learn to smooth out your shifting, you’ve come to the right place. Building rider confidence is one of our main goals.

David: What’s the best way to contact you if someone wants to get more information about the event?
Judy: Take a look at our website Women’s Riding School for more information. There, you can download our event flyer, read testimonials, and watch videos of the actual event. My phone number is on the flyer as well. Or follow us on our Facebook Fan Page!

David: Good luck to the WRS. It sounds like a great way to improve your riding skills… and to have fun in the process.
Judy: Thanks David. The WRS is a great way for women riders to get together and be enthusiasts. We share our experiences and our tips and tricks about gear, mechanics, touring, commuting, clubs, racing, other riding programs, and well — just about everything to do with motorcycles! We even hope to have some demo bikes available this year. We surround ourselves with experts on all the subjects so it’s the perfect place for our riders to ask questions, make new riding friends and just have fun – and yes, all while learning.

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1. Are motorcycles just for men? — part 1
2. Are motorcycles just for men? — part 2

A beginning rider sent me this question:

Hi, I just bought my first motorcycle today. Its a Kawasaki Ninja 500.
I have taken the MSF course but I still have some problems shifting
smoothly.

Any advice for Josh?

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2. Question: In over my head at 46?

It took me over two years… but I finally dropped my motorcycle.

The ride started nearly perfect. The temperature was just like I like it [mid 60s], and the colors of autumn were glowing. I played hookie from work on this beautiful fall day.

After meeting a riding buddy for a long breakfast, I left for a solo ride through mother nature. Frankly, I had no idea where I was going, but that’s the way I wanted it.

I’d once read that Alabama has a great collection of old covered bridges. Hum, that’s odd — I’ve never run into a single one in my car. I suppose I-65 bypasses most, and my need to ‘make good time’ hasn’t led me to many small town roads on the way to ‘there’.

But this day was different. I had no place to go, and no time to be there. I was enjoying the moment solo — just like I wanted. You know… a break from the schedule of life — isn’t that one reason we ride motorcycles?

I was on county road something headed west. Out of the corner of my eye I saw, “Clarkson Covered Bridge” with an arrow pointing right. I firmly squeezed the front lever on my Honda VFR and easily made the right-handed turn. The bridge was a short mile down the road.

On a normal day, the view would have been anticlimactic, but today it was breathtaking. The bright orange leaves, the rich blue sky — postcard material for sure. As I will explain, there lies the problem.

The bridge was off the beaten path, kinda away from civilization as I recall. I pulled up on the gravel road with butt cheeks flexed [I hate gravel]. I dismounted the VFR and proceeded to take advantage of the near-perfect photo op.

After several pictures, I decided that the ‘near perfect’ photo op would be the ‘perfect’ photo op if the Honda was over just-a-few-feet. I lifted the stand, and proceeded to manually roll her to said spot. After maneuver complete, I proceeded to tilt her over to dismount her.

To my surprise, the normal angle she usually stopped kept increasing. Before my brain could send a signal to my left leg [HOLD POSITION] it was too late. Even a muscular [which I am not] man couldn’t have held her upright at this point. She was coming over and I needed to do SOMETHING… QUICKLY. Several things raced through my mind… in this order:

1. I must get my leg out of the way, or it’s gonna hurt.
2. I have never dropped my VFR [or practiced]… will I be able to lift her solo?
3. I hope noone is looking… but then again… I hope someone finds me in the next couple of days… lest I be eaten by wild animals.

I managed to accomplish task one above, and I not-so-gracefully fell to the ground — alongside my motorcycle. A quick assessment yielded no broken bones, and a quick scan yielded no lookers.

I began to laugh out loud.

The brief moment of humor was quickly pushed out by fear. “What if I can’t lift it by myself.” Will I have to hike to the main road and flag someone down? How embarrassing is that!

Gladly, I was able to lift her by myself [those Biggest Loser videos must be working]. Thought to self: “I’d love to get a shot of the VFR laying on the ground. Heck, I lifted her once… shouldn’t I be able to do it again?”

As you can see from the photos, I was successful. But, as you now know, I actually lifted her twice — admittedly the second lift wasn’t as easy.

Some joke that it’s only a matter of time before you drop your motorcycle. I was getting pretty cocky that it might never happen to me. Oh well.

On that day my VFR was picturesque — even on the ground. The perfect day to lay-er-down… for sure.

To read more of David’s rants… see
David Mixson reflects on 45 years

David

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Question from beginning rider…

David,

Karen
__________________________________________________________

Hey Karen,

Re: Is 46 too old to ride a motorcycle?

Just recently, several riders over 60 (who ‘just started riding) have contacted me. Their thoughts, “Why did I wait so long?” Age [by itself] is a rather poor indicator of whether you should ride. While muscle strength and other mental factors DO deteriorate as we get older, other factors actually make older riders better suited. Let’s face it, a 50 year old male is less likely to wreck a Ford Mustang GTO than an 18 year male. With age comes maturity.

No… 46 is NOT too old to start riding.

Having said that, I started riding seriously ‘again’ at age 40. (I know, ha-ha mid-life?… maybe). I vividly recall my first 4-lane ride. Wow, there wasn’t anything about that ride that felt ‘right’. After that ride I made this promise to myself:

“I will ONLY continue riding if these fears (and uncomfortable feelings) go away.”

For me, they did. But only after practice, self-evaluations, improvements, and training. My riding mentor once told me that after decades of riding, he felt more fluid on a motorbike than he did walking around. I admit, when I first heard this it sounded foreign. But now, after riding for years, I understand his point.

The fear you describe is real and typical for a beginning rider. In fact, fear is not necessarily a bad thing. If a rider doesn’t have ANY fear, they don’t fully understand the real risks of riding.

Re: Seeing things you’ve never seen before on the open road…

All riders understand your statement! Even with a full-face helmet, the sites and smells of mother nature seem so different on a motorcycle.

You’re asking good questions. The Kawasaki 250 is a good motorcycle. Better yet, it sounds like you’re comfortable with it. Make sure to enroll in a formal training course — if you haven’t already.

David

Related posts:

1. Question: Honda Magna good first motorcycle?

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying — that loud pipes [exhausts] on motorcycles save lives. According to some believers [all of whom actually HAVE loud pipes], you’re more likely to be noticed if your motorcycle is LOUD.

Let’s consider the facts.

1. While loud pipes ARE noticeable [and annoying] when sitting next to a dude blipping his throttle, you can barely hear him once you are in motion. That is, unless you’re right behind him.

2. The loudest exhaust sounds exit toward the rear of a motorcycle. This is of little benefit, considering the Hurt Report study that shows 77% of all motorcycle crashes occur in front of the rider.

3. We can all agree that it IS loud for the rider on a motorcycle with loud pipes. But, is this a good thing? Long exposure to high db sound is both fatiguing and potentially dangerous. How can someone on a loud motorcycle hear what’s going on around THEM (sirens, horns, etc.)?

Other things for riders with loud motorcycles to consider:

At a stop light, do you enjoy listening to the-guy-next-to-you blaring his stereo? How is this different than someone revving a motorcycle with loud pipes?

The fact is, I don’t have a problem with riders who chose loud exhausts because they like the vibrations and throaty sound — as long as they don’t disturb others.

But I DO have a problem with riders who think having loud pipes substitutes as taking an active role in reducing their risks.

Please, don’t mistake getting a loud motorcycle with riding safely. If you REALLY want to increase your odds of survival, might I suggest a brightly colored riding jacket and a real helmet.

Do loud pipes sound cool? Maybe, maybe not… that’s your call.

Do loud pipes save lives? No.

PS.
If you believe that loud pipes safe lives, you probably believe riding in groups is safer. Stay tuned for an analysis of that myth.

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You may have noticed already… this site is changing!

I’ve spent the last couple of months selecting the design that you see here. I hope you like it.

I wanted a design that was easy to read, easy to navigate, and simple. Over the next few months, I will be adding more riding tips, motorcycle myths, and information on how to select your first motorcycle [or 10th]

I’m also starting several new sections. By request: I’ll be sharing actual emails [advice] that MY motorcycle mentor gave me during my first year riding.. Warning: It’s good stuff for riders at all levels. Be sure to check back often.

Actually, the best way to stay in touch is to sign up for our riding tips newsletter (in the column to the right). This way, I can email you with interesting news and developments.

I’m starting a ‘Question and Answer’ section for the site, as well. Look for more information on that soon.

P.S. If you are an experienced rider, and would like to help beginning riders (answer questions, write tips, etc.) see help beginning riders.

Thanks,
David

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Have you ever been surfing and find something that says WOW?

Just the other night I did just that. I don’t even recall what I was looking for but I found something that really moved me.

Watch the video below and see what you think. Note: for smoother operations, pause the video after you start it to allow it to fully load … then hit play again.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Truth be told I was so moved by this one video that I contacted the guy who produced it, Jeff Pennock.

Not only does Jeff have great videography skills … he also has a great story. Jeff was in a serious motorcycle accident years ago. So serious that his doctors wanted to amputate his leg.

He said NO — but has had to suffer through several operations and a long recovery that continues to this day. He has all the details (pictures included) at his site.

Motorcycle Travel in Canada

Would he ever ride again? Heck, would he ever *want* to ride again?

Well, the answer to both is YES!

Jeff is not without physical struggles, but he continues to pursue his passion … exploring and filming the beautiful scenery in Canada.

I asked Jeff if he still enjoys riding as much ‘post accident’…

David:
Are you able to ride OK now? Did the accident take some of the pleasure away from riding?

Jeff:
I consider myself very fortunate, for so many reasons, and I am very thankful. Yes, I am ok to ride, I still walk with a noticeable limp and a level of pain that increases with the more I do, but I see it as the trade off for being alive, having been able to keep my leg, and do the things I do.

When I bought my current bike I was still in a wheelchair part time, and when I was able to ride again I fabricated a mount for my cane. I love riding, and have been doing so since I was seven.

“Did the accident take some of the pleasure away from riding?” No, I can honestly say it’s better…

What a story. Truth be told, I’m a little jealous of his gig. He has a great excuse to ride on some of the prettiest roads in the world … for the enjoyment of *us* the viewer!

I’m planning on interviewing Jeff in the next few weeks. In the meantime, take a look at his site and give him a shout-out if you like what you see.

PS. If you have a question or comment for Jeff, post a comment below and make sure to look at his site VRIDETV.com… where there are a bunch more videos to watch!

David

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You’re tailing your riding buddy on a fav back road when suddenly OHMIGOSH; he’s pointing wildly at gravel in the turn!

He somehow makes it through (this should be a clue: he ain’t exactly Nicky Hayden now is he?)… but, now warned, what do you do?

First, you’re not right on his tail, correct?

Slow a little and assess your options. If the stones are few enough to count, you can probably ignore them since they’re primarily a visual distraction, posing little loss-of-traction potential.

If not, assertively modify your line so you avoid the most dense part.*

If you see you still must ride through the gravel, straighten the bike and brake firmly prior to the patch; then release the brakes and ease through on a neutral throttle, delaying the completion of your turn until you’re back on clean asphalt.

Then pull over and talk. What have you learned?

* If you are in a blind turn, do not consider the opposite lane part of your avoidance strategy. If oncoming traffic suddenly appears, your chances are zero to none.

Pete Tamblyn

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