If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
General SportbikesThis area is made for sportbikes in general. Posts that dont really belong anywhere else besides here. Questions can be answered and addressed to fully understand certain aspects. If your question is Manufacturer specific please post it there.
I'm just making an observation of what I think tends to be illogical thinking on the part of riders in general, but especially sportbike riders. It concerns the "punks on them crotchrocketes" stereotype that I often hear complaints about. I read/hear about being safe, riding responsibly, wearing your gear, making fun of "squids" (been riding a year and a half and that label and discussion is very tired already). Among all this preaching there seems to be an overall consensus that it's cool to go fast and be stupid, but only occasionally... (this seems to be the loophole of not being a squid) I think that if riders feel that strongly about the image problem, then we should consider ourselves "amabasadors" of the sport each and every time we ride, especially in the city. If any of us have ever knowingly done something unsafe or ridden faster than necessary, then we deserve the bad rap, and have contributed to that image problem, especially if this was done in front of the general public. I understand that riding a sportbike involoves an art of pushing limits, but the fact is that public roads were built to go from point a to point b, thats it. Not to test your skills. Not so that we could ride out bikes. Thats what the track is for. I also understand that the track costs money. The reality is that if one cannot afford the track, then one cannot afford the sport. I'd love to take up flying, but thats out of my financial league. So guess what, I don't get to play cuz I don't have the money. I have yet to be harrassed by anyone, including cops. Yes drivers have done ridiculously stupid things that had I not reacted or been able to predict would have killed me. They also do that stupid shit when I'm in my truck, I ride the speed limit, and basically pace traffic. I just focus on being fluid and smooth which is a challenge in traffic. I just get my high from being on the bike period, and feed on the experience. All I'm saying is that stereotypes exist for a reason. I'm tired of hearing about riders going down or getting killed over stupidity on the part of the rider going 90 when they could have been doing 70. Then everyone hopping on the "fucken cagers" bandwagon. All comments appreciated, even if you disagree, I'm just making an observation, thats what forums are for right?
__________________ The superior pilot always uses his superior judgement to avoid using his superior skills
I agree.... not that I don't do things I'm not supposed to do on the street, but I try to keep it to a minimum when in traffic. I remember mentioning one time in some thread that it wasn't good for our image to act a fool in front of the general public, and at least one person took exception to this concept.
Posts: 95
Casino Cash: $250
Sportbike: I miss my bikes!
Of course the majority of us will agree. But there's always the exceptions. There's always someone who's gotta ride like a jackass, and do wheelies in a school zone, or split lanes and weave in and out of traffic. Because of people like this, our sport will always have a bad rap.
But these types of people are not limited only to sport bikes. How many times have you seen some asshole in a Subaru WRX driving like a crazy person, thinking he's cool cause his car has a turbo?
My point is, we can only do what's right for ourselves. We can only preach so much, because if someone is gonna be a squid, there's usually nothing you can do to stop them. It usually takes a life-threatening wreck to make them realize they are riding like an idiot. But, in the meantime, people like you and I, who ride with full gear all the time, respect the laws, and don't endanger other people, will still get a bad rap because unfortunately, we are grouped in with all other sport bike riders. And the idiots doing wheelies on public streets are more noticeable than those of us obeying the laws, so they tend to stick out in the minds of cagers, who then form an opinion about the sport on the whole.
I suggest a National Squid Intervention Day. On this day, I want everyone to confront that friend of yours who you know rides like an ass. Tell him that he's giving us all a bad rap, and that he's putting himself in harm's way. Tell him that you're only bringing it up because you care about him, and his safety, and that you really wish he would ride more responsibly.
I'm guessing you won't get more than a middle finger in your face, but if we can convert one Squid out of a thousand... that's one step closer to sport bikers having a better reputation.
So its all or nothing right? A person who ride hard out at mt. palomar or the dragon a few weekends a month is equally as irresponsible as a guy who constatly wheelies and speeds in urban traffic every time he rides? I can't agree. There is a thing called judgement, and I think if you you exercise it with intelligence you are a good ambassador of our hobby/sport/obsession by example.
As for giving advice, do so when it is appropriate. Talking with 'squids' on a personal level with a little respect shown goes a lot further than just calling them dipshits or turning your nose up.
So its all or nothing right? A person who ride hard out at mt. palomar or the dragon a few weekends a month is equally as irresponsible as a guy who constatly wheelies and speeds in urban traffic every time he rides? I can't agree. There is a thing called judgement, and I think if you you exercise it with intelligence you are a good ambassador of our hobby/sport/obsession by example.
As for giving advice, do so when it is appropriate. Talking with 'squids' on a personal level with a little respect shown goes a lot further than just calling them dipshits or turning your nose up.
I wasn't giving advice, just making an observation. If someone wants to take a risk, they have every right, they have to deal with the consequences.
__________________ The superior pilot always uses his superior judgement to avoid using his superior skills
I Disagree, Im A Squid. And Proud To Be Labled As Such. Why Do You Care So Much About What The Other Guy Is Doing??? And Why Do You Feel The Need To Represent All Bikers? Heres An Idea, Just Go Out And Ride. Who Cares If Someone Is Out In Sandals & No Gear. It Is That Guys Choice And His Right To Do So. Like You, I Hear This Conv. A lot. Let Squids Be Squids. Most Grow Out Of It. Some Dont.
I Disagree, Im A Squid. And Proud To Be Labled As Such. Why Do You Care So Much About What The Other Guy Is Doing??? And Why Do You Feel The Need To Represent All Bikers? Heres An Idea, Just Go Out And Ride. Who Cares If Someone Is Out In Sandals & No Gear. It Is That Guys Choice And His Right To Do So. Like You, I Hear This Conv. A lot. Let Squids Be Squids. Most Grow Out Of It. Some Dont.
cool. I guess maybe I didin't make myself clear. I totally agree with you. let squids be squids. Thats why said the whole squid discussion is old. All I was saying was that riders who call out others as squids have been guilty of the same actions themselves, only less frequently. I'm really don't give a shit about what the other guy is doing either. I'm not trying to represent anybody other than myself, hell I'm not trying to even do that, riding is not what defines me, but it is something that I really enjoy and care about. Hell I like beef jerky too, that doesn't mean that I'm get all worked up over it. I was only making an observation. It's Sunday, I'm just kicking back. thats it. take as a conversation.
__________________ The superior pilot always uses his superior judgement to avoid using his superior skills
i behave when i'm in traffic or in the city or a small town. out on backroads i'll speed and pass on DY, but thats about it. IMO its all about where and when. i hate it when i see people flying around the city, but technically i'm just as guilty.
__________________
MSF Grad: July '06
2006 Ninja 250R 12,150 miles- sold!
2005 SV650S 7,200 miles- sold!
2008 GSXR 600 10,5xx miles and counting
my very own sticky! you+bike+gear
Posts: 2,050
Casino Cash: $20635
Sportbike: They say I have a Fireblade?!?
Quote:
Originally Posted by S107
Why Do You Care So Much About What The Other Guy Is Doing???
Honestly, anybody can smear themselves down the road if they want. I don't wish that fate upon anybody though. But the only reason I care, is when I am riding within the speed limit, +/-5 I don't appreciate getting pulled over and getting cussed at with the fact of "We've already scraped two of you fuckers of the pavement this weekend."
Do I do dumb shit? Yes, from time to time. But I keep it away from traffic. Is it right? Hardly. But the only times I have been pulled over on my bike is when I am in traffic and not doing anything wrong. I've only had one ticket on a bike, last year when I was ran off the road by a car. Car didn't stop and I Received a ticket for, "Failure to maintain control". (go figure)
motorcyclists/sportbike riders and image
Linear Mode
