Does the influx of new riders worry you?

[OneSickPsycho]

Not worried at all. More bikers mean more statistics, but more bikers also mean a louder collective voice.

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

Not worried at all. More bikers mean more statistics, but more bikers also mean a louder collective voice.

exactly... and god knows we could use a louder voice and more attention. the right kind of attention... but really... even if everyone on the road hates me and flips me off when they see me... I'm good with it... cause THEY SEE ME.

[WildKat]

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

Not worried at all. More bikers mean more statistics, but more bikers also mean a louder collective voice.

Very good point; if a nice majority of them are actually going to get involved and help support issues that affect us out on the road then it could be a good thing from that perspective.

It's very true there's no substitute for experience and the only way to get it is to get out there and ride. the problem is the way that so many people drive their cars doing a hundred different things besides paying attention to the road can potentially carry that same mindset out on 2 wheels and that can be disastrous. If you cut somebody off in a car it's bad enough but do it on a bike and you can find yourself rear ended in a hot second. If the new riders take the time to do their homework, be mindful of what's around them and generally take riding seriously then I'm all for it. John Doe family man who wants to just save some money for gas while riding to work is not a bad thing by any means because he's more likely to be extra careful and watch out for himself. One of the groups of people that worries me is the punk kids and adults who have no respect for themselves or the road, go out and by a 600RR or Busa or even a new scooter and decide they have to be cool while not knowing their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to riding. That's where, potentially, the squid comes out and that's definitely not a good thing.

[the chi]

I dont really give a crap honestly, I dont pay them any mind. If they talk to me before they start riding, I will be happy to point them in the right direction, semi mentor or get them a good mentor, but you cant force people to not be stupid or squidly.

Really the only thing that irritates me with all the new riders (and also some old) is their sheer lack of consideration for both themselves and fellow riders and cagers. Just yesterday I was in the car with YBSlow, we were passed by an old dude on a cruiser who should know better, wearing flip flops, shorts and a tshirt. After passing us, he swerved in front of the truck in front of us, then slammed on the brakes, made a terrible right turn using the entire road for his sloppy riding and basically skidded into the parking lot he was aiming for.

He was a terribly inconsiderate asshole, almost caused pileups for all the cars around him, could have hit oncoming traffic on the side road and its jerks like THAT who give the rest of us a bad rap and worry me.

[Rider]

Who cares, more bikes on the road are better for me. More targets on the road and it lessens my chances of being struck by a cage.

[marko138]

I'm not worried about the influx of new riders....I'm worried about the new riders who jump on their new scooter with nothing more than a shirt/shorts/and sandals on. No helmets or any safety gear what so ever.

[ceo012384]

There are upsides and downsides to it...

First, not everyone is cut out for being on two wheels, even at the tame levels of riding the street demands. Some people just do not and will not have the skills to do it safely.

However, if there are more bikes on the road, one could hope that cager awareness of bikes would increase.

On the other hand, if there are more riders, there may be more riders doing wheelies and other stupid shit and furthering the stereotypes already in place.

I guess...

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

Not worried at all. More bikers mean more statistics, but more bikers also mean a louder collective voice.

majority of riders can hardly be called "riders" in the way we mean it though. we take riding as part of a lifestyle, a mentality, and a state of mind; thats not the case with most.

We were fortunate to have either a level head on our shoulders or were brought into 2wheeling by somebody that did.

I think its good that there are more bikes on the road, but it hardly effects me. I'll still get stereotyped, still have to watch out for 16 year olds texting, still have to fight for every inch during rush hour, and still get snide looks from soccer moms sneering down at me from their suburban tanks.

[Dave]

saw a really nice sv1000s with exhaust and zuk lower fairings while riding the other day and i was actually surprised at how much i liked the way it looked/sounded. i gotta make friends with someone who has one now so i can get in a test ride

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by Dave

saw a really nice sv1000s with exhaust and zuk lower fairings while riding the other day and i was actually surprised at how much i liked the way it looked/sounded. i gotta make friends with someone who has one now so i can get in a test ride

I rode one before when test riding it for a friend (Who had no business on it). I'd say it felt very similar to a RC51. Just more comfortable but maybe less power.

My buddy didn't get it by the way. I talked him out of it.