I learned to ride a dirt bike at 13. I learned how to fall and roll at 13 and a day. Added a street bike when I was 20, rode until I was 55. I miss it, but a host of orthopedic issues prevent me from riding now. That and I'm just getting too old and slow
And yes as a 35 year firefighter/emt I scraped my share of donors off the macadam. (
Not to digress but shouldn't we all be donors?) Here's what I learned about survival on two wheels...
1. Dress for the crash, not for the ride.
2. It hurts a lot less to fall in the dirt than to fall in the street. Consider that if you're thinking about learning.
3. Are you good with spatial orientation ... and if you have to ask what that is, the answer is no. Lack of spatial awareness could maim or kill you.
4. You need to be gymnast enough to roll instead of hit. If you have to ask...
5. Street bikes are for the open road. 2 wheels in any sort of car traffic is a reeeal risk. I wouldn't do it, in this day and age.
6. Make yourself visible. I used to dress up in dirt bike gear when I rode around town. Sure I looked a bit out of place, but people turned their heads and saw me.
7. Assume no one sees you and act accordingly. Because they probably don't.
8. Loud pipes save lives. And cause permanent tinnitus.
9. I don't care how fast your motor is, if you can't make it stick to the ground it's for nothing. Spend the money and get the best tires you can. And tune your suspension.
10. There are old motorcyclists, and there are bold motorcyclists. But there are no old, bold motorcyclists.
Well, except maybe me
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