Are you a "Good" rider?

[bigjohnsd]

From the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association:

https://www.ridinginthezone.com/10-ways-to-tell-if-you-are-a-good-rider/?fbclid=IwAR3FbnVwFXEzi8uSLYIaM31vomYqrbH1GgnUla01_miLflS0D_Lp1At-U0I

 

[Craigar]

Good article. Thanks for sharing.

 

[MartyO]

Great read.

Thank you,

 

[dcarver]

1. You are over 50, still ride, and are still alive.

JSNS and https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//public/style_emoticons/default/****.gif

Hugs n' Kisses

 

[Pterodactyl]

Being a good rider entails not out-riding your goodness. Being alive and ambulatory are positive indicators.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Good read, thanks for the link John.

~G

 

[JamesW]

Self regulating sport.

 

[Punkinhead]

I especially like the "you rarely experience close calls". When I hear someone say they have close calls all the time I figure they're not paying attention and need a new hobby. We all get cut off now and then, but if cars are cutting you off "all the time" you aren't thinking ahead and anticipating what they're likely to do.

 

[RossKean]

I like the perspective. I know a couple of local guys who ride maybe 5,000 miles a year (or less) and consider themselves to be "good" riders. Despite the fact that they are moderately aggressive and pretty capable of keeping up in the twisties, they have had a number of "incidents" in the past 10 years or so. Of course, these were not their fault and couldn't have been avoided by anybody!!! Perhaps they avoided the accidents where they would be considered "at fault" by having an acceptable level of technical competence. But what about dropping the bike when they were cut off, someone pulling out in front of them, running into a "surprise" after cresting a blind hill or mixing it up with an "at fault" fellow rider while travelling in (too) close formation?

Being a good rider is far more about situational awareness than it is about riding fast on technically challenging roads. I expect that there have been hundreds of times that I could have gotten into an accident that would not have been my fault. A muttered explicative, middle finger salute and ride on!! (Then watch out for the next time.) I won't say that I have never had a close call that might have been my fault but there haven't been many and I have been "lucky" so far.

 

[gregory]

Thanks John, good read

 

[FJRay]

Good read. Started in my early teens and now at almost 70 I think I'm semi good. Very seldom caught off guard and after a stroke in 09 and realizing age is a factor you don't find me with the fast group unless I'm in the way back sweep position.

keep your head in the game and assume all others are out to get you or at least do something dumb.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

It's all good...........till it goes bad. That is all.

 

[TripperMike]

I tend to view myself as a fair rider. Though it's good to mount a bike with some self confidence in your skills, it's better to never leave your modesty back in the garage. I also find that a healthy dose of your own mortality enhances your sense of self preservation. At least that's what I tell the guys for my reason to want to ride at the back of the pack. Going down once was enough for me. lol

 

[dravnx]

A superior rider used superior judgement to prevent having to utilize superior skills.

 

[juniorfjr]

Isn't a good rider like a good pilot? I've made it home unscathed every time so far with only a few scares.