Does the influx of new riders worry you?

[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...

[Sixxxxer]

I was once a new rider...Hell we all were. I think its better to teach them the proper ways rather than shun them and make them feel like outcasts.

More Riders is good and Bad, If we get more new riders doing it the right way than I'm all for it...It's all the ones that just go out hop on a bike and think there Goddamn Rossi On the streets.

[Smittie61984]

Bikes have exploded in Atlanta. I passed one company on the way to work and they had an covered parking section with 11 motorcycles (all cruisers except 1 EX500) and probably a total of 50cars (If even that) in the parking lot. Hell we have gotten to the point that people no longer wave to each other because you'd never be able to clutch and shift.

Scooters is what I have noticed the most. I even see Roman Holiday style Vespas out in the middle of the fucking redneck jacked up truck rebel flag toting country.

Then once you go to downtown Atlanta they are everywhere. Most don't wear gear though.

Now here is something amazing about that in my local town...
A local news channel has brought out more awareness about bikes. WSBTV (And their AM radio) has done amazing stuff about bikes and even in their traffic reports you'll hear them say "Watch out for the bikes. There are a lot of them out there". Plus our biggest radio personality "Neal Boortz" rides a motorcycle (BMW and a gear nazi which is good but hates sportbikes in the mountains) and I think that has had an influence on Atlanta.

But here is the report they did...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auALTtCnE_0

At my work the next day in which we have drivers driving F-450s and bigger pulling big bulldozers we had oure weekly safety meetings. One of the sub contractors spoke up about this report and told everyone to watch out for bikes. And mentioned a lot of riders out there aren't experienced and even if it's your fault or their fault there is no competition between a bike and a big truck hauling a bull dozer.

[WildKat]

Originally Posted by 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...

damned if you do and damned if you don't I guess :dunno:

the amount of scooters has exploded so much you almost can't even find them in dealerships because they are gone almost as soon as they come in. atleast with anything over 50cc you need to get a motorcycle license so that atleast helps steer them in the right direction to study and learn their craft somewhat I suppose...

[the chi]

Originally Posted by Smittie61984

Bikes have exploded in Atlanta. I passed one company on the way to work and they had an covered parking section with 11 motorcycles (all cruisers except 1 EX500) and probably a total of 50cars (If even that) in the parking lot. Hell we have gotten to the point that people no longer wave to each other because you'd never be able to clutch and shift.

Scooters is what I have noticed the most. I even see Roman Holiday style Vespas out in the middle of the fucking redneck jacked up truck rebel flag toting country.

Then once you go to downtown Atlanta they are everywhere. Most don't wear gear though.

Now here is something amazing about that in my local town...
A local news channel has brought out more awareness about bikes. WSBTV (And their AM radio) has done amazing stuff about bikes and even in their traffic reports you'll hear them say "Watch out for the bikes. There are a lot of them out there". Plus our biggest radio personality "Neal Boortz" rides a motorcycle (BMW and a gear nazi which is good but hates sportbikes in the mountains) and I think that has had an influence on Atlanta.

But here is the report they did...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auALTtCnE_0

At my work the next day in which we have drivers driving F-450s and bigger pulling big bulldozers we had oure weekly safety meetings. One of the sub contractors spoke up about this report and told everyone to watch out for bikes. And mentioned a lot of riders out there aren't experienced and even if it's your fault or their fault there is no competition between a bike and a big truck hauling a bull dozer.

After my last trip to ATL, I can only say some of ya'll up there are INSANE!! I was speeding, going quickly to avoid being run over and was passed as if I werent moving more than once by fellow SB riders. I admire their abillity to navigate the traffic, but they were riding like it was the Isle of Mann or something with no regard for cagers, and I can only assume they help to further some stereotypes...perhaps they are new and dont know better, but my only thought as they passed me wearing lil or no gear was "RIP"!

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by Rae

After my last trip to ATL, I can only say some of ya'll up there are INSANE!! I was speeding, going quickly to avoid being run over and was passed as if I werent moving more than once by fellow SB riders. I admire their abillity to navigate the traffic, but they were riding like it was the Isle of Mann or something with no regard for cagers, and I can only assume they help to further some stereotypes...perhaps they are new and dont know better, but my only thought as they passed me wearing lil or no gear was "RIP"!

Well you do see very little gear in the Metro area (Mainly due to hot weather and the average speed being 5mph on the normal roads). However for the crazy driving. I'd hate to say it but you about have to drive like a jackass to not be ran over. When on the interstates I normally maintain between 85-100mph to be slightly above the flow. And then when you hit the surface streets is where the real fun begins.

The only motorcycle benefit to living in the Atlanta area is even with "Gixxers" and Busas ruling the streets. You can see all kinds bikes just cruising around. If you think buying an Aprilia, Ducati 1098, Guzzi, MV Agusta or stretching your bike 12ft is going to grab a lot of attention. Think again because there are 10 more like you within a 10 mile radius. Same for cars. Driving a Ferrai, Lambo, Lotus, etc isn't going to grab much attention.

On the plus side you can roll about 90mph in a 55 and pass right by a cop without them thinking twice about it. The downside though is those police charges (Specifically the Georgia State Patrol) have a top speed of 165mph which means he could pit manuever my bike.

[Cutty72]

so I need another 5 mph to out run the cops...

[Sixxxxer]

Originally Posted by WildKat

damned if you do and damned if you don't I guess :dunno:

the amount of scooters has exploded so much you almost can't even find them in dealerships because they are gone almost as soon as they come in. atleast with anything over 50cc you need to get a motorcycle license so that atleast helps steer them in the right direction to study and learn their craft somewhat I suppose...

The License thing is True BUT...In jersey they'll sell you a Bike off the floor even if you dont have a Motorcycle License, You just cant ride it out of the dealer...So people do they next best thing, Load it into a pickup and take it home...Then you can do whatever you want with it.

Not everyone is Gonna be legal on the Road.