Tutoring/Mentoring

[radman]

Kid here at work (cast of thousands-it's a university) that works part time, doing odd jobs around the shop-sweeping, crushing oil filters, parts running. His name is Foo, Mhong by birth, American by right, and a good kid, full of the cliche work ethic, an *** buster amongst the sloth we usually see in the hires from the student population. Anyway, he starts MSF at the beginning of May, and is pretty excited about the whole thing. I have been helping him out, answering questions, offering advise, etc. Yesterday, took him helmet shopping. After settling on his budget ($200? Yeah. $250? Yeeah. $300? Ahhhh) We went to a local biker boutique and he started trying stuff on. First, a helmet he liked, a full face Chinese knock off at $89.95. All dragon pictures and ****. So I grab at it, whap him in the head etc to check for fit, then suggested he try this HJC, at $229.95. "oh yeah", he says, "that does feel better" after I whapped him a few more times. I think he's starting to see the cost=quality=comfort equation. So I then grabbed a $350 Shoei RF-1000, a good basic no frills quality unit. Had him slip it on, "ow!", he yelps, "it got my ears!". "STFU and fasten the strap" says the master. "I don't think I have three hundred an....", then his eyes kinda glazed and he says "hmmmmm" as the feel of a good fitting piece made it's impression His budget for gear just changed significantly as lesson 1 takes a hold, this is gonna be fun He's even got a 250 Ninja in his sights. I know, it's small, but he's a little guy, all of 5'4" tall, so until he's got a good handle on the skill set, I think it's a good choice, and he knows 250 doesn't mean forever. More as the summer progresses.... B)

PS: Bought him a gift, David Houghs "Proficient Motorcycling", should be here next week from Amazon. Don't know whether to give it now, or as a post MSF grad thing. What say you?

 

[teerex51]

I don't care what the others say, Rad... I think you're a good man

That's very decent of you watching over this young guy... :good:

As for the book, I'd wait until he graduates...

Stef

 

[TheAxeman]

Thats just great.....next thing you know we are going to find the poor kid in the gutter begging because he has spent every last penny on farkles and motorcycle related items and can't afford to feed himself anymore and its going to be all your fault Rad.

I thought everybody is required to go through the used $5.00 stars and stripes open faced, oversized helmet stage before moving up to something that actually works....

 

[Scab]

Rad, the coruptor. This poor kid will now be broke for the rest of his life. (buying motorcycles and related farkles) Way cool. I can't wait for the summer updates:

Tiaras: It's a lifestyle, not just an accessory.

Evening wear: Screw PETA, fur is IT!

 

[Geezer]

You're a bad influence, Rad.

FWIW, you might as well get him into the Forum habit so he doesn't spend all his work hours being productive. 250Ninja Time Waster

 

[Scab]

Rad: Yes, Foo, you must put the hands on the hips while walking with the tiarra.

Foo: Yes, masterrad.

Rad: No, dammit! YOUR hips! YOUR hips!

 

[radman]

 

[teerex51]

Rad: Yes, Foo, you must put the hands on the hips while walking with the tiarra.
Foo: Yes, masterrad.

Rad: No, dammit! YOUR hips! YOUR hips!

Priceless! :clapping:

 

[twowheelnut]

Give him the book now, assign reading and quiz the little phuc. That way, he'll be that much further ahead come MSF.

Nice going Master Po-radman. :good:

 

[RonBB]

Give him the book now

+1

 

[cougar8000]

Good job Rad. give him book now and also advise him to read Total Control by Lee Parks.

250 is a great starter bike. I am glad to hear that there are still young pops that are not ashamed to start on a 250.

 

[otrfjr]

Rad,

Nice work & kudos to you. Every newb should be so lucky. Where can I find someone to hit on the head? And to push the grasshopper metaphor a little farther, where can I find someone to pick up a cast iron container filled with burning coals to test heat resistance in jackets?

 

[pickax]

Hell yeah, give him the reading now. Outstanding mentor man! The best thing will be riding with him when he gets the bike. Puts all the reading into perspective, backed up with real world ****. ( Like not letting your fur drag in the road in apexes).

 

[slapnpop]

PS: Bought him a gift, David Houghs "Proficient Motorcycling", should be here next week from Amazon. Don't know whether to give it now, or as a post MSF grad thing. What say you?

I can speak from direct experience, as I bought the Houghs book about a month before my MSF. It made all the difference in the world. All of the stuff I read about in detail in the book they just kind of glazed over in the course, and that's probably why I scored perfectly on both the written and riding tests.

 

[madmike2]

Give him the book now, assign reading and quiz the little phuc. That way, he'll be that much further ahead come MSF.

+5

I can speak from direct experience, as I bought the Houghs book about a month before my MSF. It made all the difference in the world. All of the stuff I read about in detail in the book they just kind of glazed over in the course.....

See?!?!
Youse is a good'n Rad. We promise not to rune yor repitashun, 'kay!

 

[RsvlFeej]

I thought everybody is required to go through the used $5.00 stars and stripes open faced, oversized helmet stage before moving up to something that actually works....

Made me laugh out loud - and I will never forget the "hit a bump, push the helmet up so you can see; turn a corner, grab the side of the helmet so your eyes and the open part of the helmet point in the same direction so you can see; glance up at over 25 mph, pull the helmet back down before you choke to death on the strap." Etc. Not to mention the incredible facility at plucking bees out of the air and positioning them perfectly to deliver a stinger to the back of your head - TWO in one day once (Are you listening, Toecutter?)

 

[dcarver]

Kid here at work (cast of thousands-it's a university) that works part time, doing odd jobs around the shop-sweeping, crushing oil filters, parts running. His name is Foo, Mhong by birth, American by right, and a good kid, full of the cliche work ethic, an *** buster amongst the sloth we usually see in the hires from the student population. Anyway, he starts MSF at the beginning of May, and is pretty excited about the whole thing. I have been helping him out, answering questions, offering advise, etc. Yesterday, took him helmet shopping. After settling on his budget ($200? Yeah. $250? Yeeah. $300? Ahhhh) We went to a local biker boutique and he started trying stuff on. First, a helmet he liked, a full face Chinese knock off at $89.95. All dragon pictures and ****. So I grab at it, whap him in the head etc to check for fit, then suggested he try this HJC, at $229.95. "oh yeah", he says, "that does feel better" after I whapped him a few more times. I think he's starting to see the cost=quality=comfort equation. So I then grabbed a $350 Shoei RF-1000, a good basic no frills quality unit. Had him slip it on, "ow!", he yelps, "it got my ears!". "STFU and fasten the strap" says the master. "I don't think I have three hundred an....", then his eyes kinda glazed and he says "hmmmmm" as the feel of a good fitting piece made it's impression His budget for gear just changed significantly as lesson 1 takes a hold, this is gonna be fun He's even got a 250 Ninja in his sights. I know, it's small, but he's a little guy, all of 5'4" tall, so until he's got a good handle on the skill set, I think it's a good choice, and he knows 250 doesn't mean forever. More as the summer progresses.... B)
PS: Bought him a gift, David Houghs "Proficient Motorcycling", should be here next week from Amazon. Don't know whether to give it now, or as a post MSF grad thing. What say you?

Rad- As if you could ever go higher in my personal book - so you have done. Good job bud. You and I have similar experiences, I too work at a University; and see the 'riders' come and go. You have gone the extra step and I applaud you! Who'd have thunk it? Rad the kindly, understanding, patient, and ever-so-wise mentor? Good on ya Rad - you have my respect.

 

[twowheelnut]

Jeez, what a suck up.

 

[radman]

Rad- As if you could ever go higher in my personal book - so you have done. Good job bud. You and I have similar experiences, I too work at a University; and see the 'riders' come and go. You have gone the extra step and I applaud you! Who'd have thunk it? Rad the kindly, understanding, patient, and ever-so-wise mentor? Good on ya Rad - you have my respect.

Man, a dose of reality is in order. He knows he does this right or I'll be in his face like a garlic scented respirator. Actually,he's a smart kid, I've observed his driving, and I think he has the wherewithal to be a good rider if he pays attention. I wouldn't waste my time with a doofus, I'm not patient or kindly,I do this for entirely selfish reasons. Just don't know what they are right now, but I'm sure they'll come to me. Anything else would be out of character.......