Why Do We Speed?
Posted by: DuckBecause it’s FUN! Especially on twisty two-lane black-top! I know I’m not the only one because I often have plenty of company. Speed limits are generally set to provide the most bang for the buck. That’s right, Revenue Enhancement. When I’m with my friends, all of us trained and seasoned riders, we follow the credo that, “if you are riding close to your limits, and my front wheel is up your tailpipe, get out of the way” I know plenty of riders who think the same way.
So why is speed a problem? Well, all the evidence says that it’s not the speed itself that’s the issue; it’s the difference in speeds. But speeding is reckless you say? Hardly! Speed is not the enemy on a motorcycle. In fact, up to a reasonable limit speed is your friend.
A proficient motorcyclist knows that sometimes the State Prescribed Speed Limit is not the safest speed for a motorcycle. My dad always wanted me to have enough power to get out of the way, whether that involved a 70 mph traffic knot with a lot of trucks involved, or the 15 mph curve that just rides safer at a higher speed. The trained and experienced guy – or gal – in the seat usually has a much better idea of what’s “safe” than some suit sitting in a office in the capitol.
Of course, without experience AND training, the speeding rider is an accident waiting to happen. How many times have you heard, “I had to lay’er down”? If you’ve had even just the basic rider training you know that rubber will always stop you quicker than the side of the bike scraping on the road. As a community, motorcyclists have come together and embraced the need for training. We know we’re vulnerable. So here’s the problem: the privilege of driving a car has become so ubiquitous in North America that people consider it a right. Some states allow 15-year-olds to drive! And they don’t all require driver training to get a driver’s license.
Even scarier! As a community motorists don’t see the necessity of driver training. So for the half-blind, sleepy, untrained motorist it’s open season on bikers. Elmer Fudd is in every car, and we’re Bugs Bunny. Am I making sense? The bottom line is that if you’re a trained and experienced rider, it’s not about speed. It’s the difference in speed between you and Elmer Fudd that counts. So if you see that big old yellow Honda of mine crawling up your tailpipe, lay over, and let me pass. I promise I won’t get in your way.
“DUCK”
April 26th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Duck, couldn’t agree with you more dude! I’m retired and I roam the Southwest at will. I like to think I can roll with anyone.
Here is my credo…I wrote this after a dream
I am the Steel Horse…
I race the wind thru the mountains and valleys and deserts everywhere…
I breathe at five thousand RPM and I spit fire…
When I am angry you can hear me for miles…
My roar is as distinct as heaven’s thunder…
My rider is strong and determined…
With the look of a predator, and a temperament for justice…
My brothers and sisters are many…
Together we search for our heritage buried in the muck and the mire…
If one of us falls, another will step up to replace him…
Our passion for freedom is as relentless as the tide…
We will ride forever…
And I am the common bond…
I am the Steel Horse.
I hope you like it – feel free to share it with your brothers and sisters.
Bluesman, Freedom ain’t Free!
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:32 am
wow bro is all I got to say, for me that is telling all. Raised in a small town in western PA to say what I will in a biker family.
what yah’all said is so powerfull and great. all I would say is I wish the rest of the world thought the way you guys do.
Harleyd
September 1st, 2009 at 2:12 pm
To my fellow motorcycle enthusiast:
I live in Arizona, I was raised in the Biker world; I am my father’s son he loved riding any where any time for no good reason if not only for the beauty of the ride and the freedom.
I have read the post here in regards to Speed, one of my favorite things in life, Man what a feeling!
My father told me when I asked can I ride you with today He said when you can keep up and ride with the big boys then yes you can but don’t ask again until you know you can.
Knowing the limit of one’s abilities is one of the most important issues when ride on the Black top besides every time you get on your ride and hit the streets or highways is nothing less than Combat
Everyone in their cages are out to kill you and never consider that there are Motorcycles’ to look out for The lack of education in the Motor Vehicles world is completely lacking, we even had to pay out of a state Motorcycle Safety fund in Arizona So they would have Motorcycle handbooks at the DMV so what does that tell you.
Bluesman; Your Credo you posted is some of the most real material
I have read in a while! You are a excellent writer
keep up the good work. L&R to you all.