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Why I'm writing this page: After I finish a weekend of teaching a motorcycle
course, there is usually so much I want to say, advice I'd like to give
people to help them develop from where they are to where they can be. But
by that point we are all tired and just want to go home and take a nice
long shower and sleep. So I'm writing things down here in the hopes that
I remember to tell people in the class to check it out. (what if you wrote
a web page and no one came?)
If you have just finished the MSF Course, CONGRATULATIONS!! You've just taken a major, and very responsible step. However, there is still much to learn. What I have composed here is a set of things that have helped me go from a total motorcycle newbie to what I am today: A somewhat experienced newbie. There is always something to learn. Even those that have been riding for years and years can learn something new. Thus we are all newbies to some degree or another.
If you haven't yet taken a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Riding and Street
Stratigies course (MSF:RSS), I highly suggest it. Call 1-800-446-9227 to
find the one nearest you.
If you live in the Washington, DC area, you may want to join the area motorcycle e-mail list. http://www.dc-cycles.org This list is filled with people from the DC area who will talk about almost any subject, especially that of motorcycling in the DC area. We frequently get together for group rides. (note: I didn't say organized rides. We're still working on that part. :-) ) One word of caution: There are occasional flame wars, and have been one or two times when the list had to be shut down due to people getting out of control, but overall, it's a friendly place to start meeting other riders of all experience levels.
If you live in the Mid-Atlantic States (DE, MD, PA, VA, DC, WV) go to your local dealer and ask for the "Winding Road - Motorcycle Times." This is a free magazine that comes out every other month (Jan, Mar, May, July, Sept, Nov) and doesn't last long, so try to grab it while you can. (Usually comes out about a week or two after the beginning of the month and goes fast!)
This magazine is a gold mine of local information. In every issue there are columns written by local people, not by folks out in California. There are rides all in the Mid-Atlantic region. You don't have to filter through rides in Oregon, Arizonia, etc. (no offense against any other state, but for a day ride, I'd like something closer to me! :-) ) Another bi-monthly feature is a list of all clubs in the region, where they meet, and contact phone numbers. No matter who you are, there has to be a club out there for you somewhere! ABATE, GWRRA, Retreads, just to name a very very few. This usually covers PAGES with info. Get it and look for something that interests you.
My favorite section is the calendar of events. Here they list all the events they are informed about for the next 2-3 months. Poker runs, bike washes, dances, night rides, MX events, races at Budd's Creek, dinners, shows, Mall displays, trial riding, and just about anything else related to motorcycles that anyone could be interested in. Find some events that look good, and GO!
Their phone number is 410-374-6282, e-mail at [email protected].
One of the things I mentioned above in the Events section is Poker runs.
There is a local organization called the Potomac Area Road Riders (PARR).
They put on several poker runs each year. These folks seem to know where
all the good roads have been hidden. Their directions are (mostly) clear
and easy to follow, and they give milages to help out. You'll see all kinds
of people, bikes, and organizations. Again, it's a good place to go to
meet other riders, and have a good time.
Just to make sure I don't slight anybody, there are several other organizations
that have poker runs (HOG, ABATE, etc.). I have a lot of exerience with
PARR, so feel very comfortable recommending them. Again, look through the
Winding Roads, and you'll see lots of organizations offering runs. I haven't
heard any major complaints about any organization's runs.
Now for some other resources for a beginning rider anywhere (not just
the DC area). One book that I bought that has been a tremdous help is "Motorcycling
Excellence: Skills, Knowledge, and Strategies for Riding Right." This book
was written by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The same folks who designed
the MSF course you took. It's a great follow on. I try to read it at least
once a year to keep myself refreshed. (usually at the beginning of the
riding/teaching season) You may be able to find it in a local book store,
or you can order from Whitehorse
Press. Here is their
page describing the book.
Another book that I found very helpful was "The Complete Motorcycle
Book: A Consumer's Guide" by Jim Bennett. Again, here is Whitehorse Press's
description
of the book. This book has a lot of good ideas for people who are looking
for a motorcycle. It was based on information from this book that I decided
I wanted to start off on a Honda Nighthawk 700-SC. But that's just me.
The book gives you suggestions on what to look for when buying a motorcycle,
either new or used. Basically it's just chock full of advice.
Speaking of Whitehorse Press, you should try to get one of their catalogs.
They have all types of motorcycle related reading. Whether it's books about
maintaining your bike or about someone's journey around the world via motorcycle,
odds are Whitehorse Press will have it. Check out their web
page, or call them at (800) 531-1133 for a free catalog.
Some people ask me what motorcycle magazines I read. I subscribe to
about 6 different magazines (last time I counted anyway). I think the better
question is "If I could only subscribe to one magazine, what would it be?"
The answer is after pouting about loosing the other magazines would be
Motorcycle Consumer News. These folks are like Consumer Reports, they don't
accept any advertising so they can print unbiased reviews of motorcycles,
helmets, jackets, cleaners, boots, gloves, and so on and so on. If it is
related to a motorcycle, it'll be reviewed eventually. They also have columns
for improving riding skills. They are currently going through a set of
columns talking about motorcycle ergonomics (is your motorcycle comfortable,
or is it killing your back?) The only thing I don't see in MCN that I like
in other journals is ride reports. But everything else is top quality.
They recently set up a web page, www.MCNews.com.
On the web page they have some old articles and reviews so you can get
a taste for the magazine. Note: You can't get this from a news stand, it
is subscription only. Their toll free number is 888-333-0354.
Since you are looking on this page, you are obviously on the web. (I
have such strong logic skills, no?) I couldn't begin to tell you about
all the great web pages I have visited. Some of my absolute favorites are
on my main cycling page. But there are two places
where you can find links to just about anything having to do with motorcycles.
These are the Moto-Directory
and Ronnie Cramer's Motorcycle Web Index
. These are huge, yet well organized lists of links. You'll be able
to find information on just about any topic. Just remember one thing: Just
because someone posts something on the net, doesn't automatically mean
it's true. I say this because there have been a few sites that offered
some advice that a lot of people don't consider good. Take everything you
read on the net with a grain of salt. Even what you are reading here. Common
sense will help you filter the good and the bad. (although I personally
think everything I say is totally true :-) )
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Last modified: 8 MAY 98