Biker Republic: Speed

Date: July 11th 2007

Why do we speed?

Because 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"