Perspective on FAST street riding

[mabbott]

Well thanks for that, I am still on the street. In fact probably on some of the same roads you use, hope I can stay out of your way:dunno :dunno

Most of the shit talkers couldn't ride with you on the street. You could easily put them in their place on the beast that you ride. I am glad that you have the balls to state what you did and why you did it. Many people can not do that. I too was young and stupid. I ride fast, but I don't take the risks that I used to. You won't see me throwin one up just because I can. But, that is why I ride a sport tourer instead of a supersport. I know if I bought a supersport I would be a squid again. No thanks.

 

[Z3n]

Well thanks for that, I am still on the street. In fact probably on some of the same roads you use, hope I can stay out of your way:dunno :dunno

Can you tell me which roads you run on when, so that i can stay out of your way? I don't need the added shame of getting absolutely demolished by a goldwing...:laughing

Seriously though, thank you for sharing that. It's an incredible story, and hopefully it will help some of my friends and acquaintances come to their senses.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

SP2 racer, thanks for being willing to self-examine to such an intense level, and to write about it so eloquently. It sounds as if the folks surrounding you are loving enough to kick your ass when you needed it, and stand by you nonetheless.

Your posts really bring home the fact that rational riding doesn't stem from trauma, it stems from clarity of vision and choice.

Good advice to the dang punk kids like myself, who have the voice of the speed demon whispering in their ears!

 

[TrackCrafter]

I still push the envelope. I just do it where it is safer to do so.


20 years Lisa and I have been married, I am more in love with her every day. I can deal with dying, I just can not face not being able to see her every day.

 

[tuxumino]

Being able to tell when your over the line is a rare skill, having friends that will tell you is a true blessing.
those that think they have such great impulse control are probably fooling themselves.
I can take foolish risks on a ninja 250, the increased power of the SV only makes it easier, I can imagine how easy it would be on a liter bike.
I doubt there is a rider out there that doesn't enjoy the sensation of speed, and doesn't exceed safe speeds for the thrill of it.

Some times the hardest thing to do is look at how you ride and realize you need to turn it down a couple notches.

SP2 Racer, thanks for the food for thought.

 

[budbandit]

As usual the shit talkers don't know/have not met the man and are just spewing forth some bullshit. It takes some balls to admit error and it takes some effort to write something worth reading. Amazing how when someone takes the effort to write something of value and merit how the turd tossers come out. Give me a fucking break - is it not a pleasant change from the normal "I saw a squid/how much for bling?/xxx is an asshat/I am a dumbass on an ex250/duh, RIP" to read something of substance? Now, can you stretch your mind to imagine how much fun it is to chase a 'wing down Pescadero when that wing is moving at a pace fast enough to be fun but slow enough to be safe and responsible? Kinda like trying to keep up with a certain little green EX 250 - the type of thing leaving you shaking your head and chuckling, realizing you would not have believed it if you had not seen it.

 

[com3]

kudos on ya, robert. :thumbup

 

[mlm]

I used to be a squid. If I was riding to racetrack limits in traffic then I'd still be one. IMO has nothing to do with skill.

I still think the original post and some of the supporting comments are laying too much blame with the bike and rationalizing circumstances than acknowledging bad decisions. Should the lessone be for people to trade in their sportbikes, or perhaps work on keeping their aggressions in check.

IMO riding a sportbike is only like Russian Roulette if you CHOOSE to aim the gun at your head.

 

[tzrider]

I still think the original post and some of the supporting comments are laying too much blame with the bike and rationalizing circumstances than acknowledging bad decisions. Should the lessone be for people to trade in their sportbikes, or perhaps work on keeping their aggressions in check.

I don't know the OP and have no idea if he's putting too much blame on the bike or not. What I do know is that in the universe of unwise things you can do on a motorcycle, some of those things just aren't possible on a 'Wing. You generally don't see people on 'Wings busting wheelies on the freeway or doing rolling stoppies. For all practical purposes the bike places real limits on that sort of thing.

But you can still go faster on a 'Wing than you ought to be going on the street. It's a gross oversimplification to say that SP2's choice of bike makes him any less responsible for making good decisions and I'll bet he knows that very well. He still has to be concerned with riding within his sightlines, whatever that means for him. 'Wings are harder to stop than most sportbikes, so the rider needs to leave a little more reserve than he might have had to on a lighter bike.

But part of the fun of riding a big bike can be finding out what you can make it do. In 1995, I bought a used ST1100. I didn't do it because I was trying to slow down on the street, I did it because it was a good choice for commuting. But I found myself using it as a "sportbike" more often than not and became kind of fascinated with seeing how far things like good throttle control would go towards making a heavy, wallowy bike handle. Maybe SP2 is finding the same sort of thing on his 'Wing.

Anyway, I'm glad he wrote about his experience and it took a level of humility to do so that you don't see every day. And the testament of other riders who have seen him ride the 'Wing make a couple of things perfectly clear:

1) He's very good.
2) The responsibility for getting home in one piece is and always has been his own.

 

[Texwasabi]

The guy admits he has no control (yet he actually does because he's the operator of the bike) when he gets out on the street. So what, that's him. He's like an alcoholic, he can't just have a drink, he drinks till he's drunk or blacked out. That's his problem. And yes, that problem effects his family and everyone around him, just like an alcoholic or drug addict, or gambler, or whatever the fuck it is that you do that is ruining your life. Not everyone who rides a sport bike has that problem.

The "take it to the track" shit is getting old. Yeah, the tracks there and it's an alternative, but I'm not going to stop riding the street, or get a 'tard, or any of that crap. The only bike that can give you the sensation, the handling, and the other technical advantages of a sport bike is.............wait for it............a fricking sport bike.

The guy couldn't control his impulses so he got off the street. Good for him and the rest of us. I don't need triple digit speeds or the competitive vibe of a group ride when I take my bike out of the garage, but I do need a sport bike for one type of riding I enjoy.

Hello, my name is SP2pilot, and I'm a complete douche when I ride my motorcycle on the street.

Hello SP2pilot, here's your chip, grab some coffee and sit the fuck down.

You have always been a worthless piece of shit RS Rider, effing always.

 

[Holeshot]

Can you guys just read the guys life experience and relish in your own luck? Why does BARF always have to be so judgemental?

Sp2, that post #49 was the best I've read ever for the consequences of an accident. It really seemed to resonate with me.

 

[Texwasabi]

One less squid on the road.

Uh, no, he WILL SCHOOL you on his GOLDWING, I'll bet ANY amount of money.

 

[TrackCrafter]

I sold my sportbike and doing so made a mental and physical decision to move away from ultra high performance riding on public roads, simple as that.

I bought my Goldwing so I can still ride, I can still be on my roads. I can still ride with my friends. I just have a mechanical govenor that even with my moderate skill levels can not be overcome. I also have a bike that my wife can join me on.

For the most part, yes selling my RC 51 has slowed me down and it was a device that even when ridden sedately was still much, and I mean much too fast for the conditions I encountered.

I never stated one time that the decisions I made are a pattern for others. All people will in time make decisions that change the very actions of their lives. I have made my mistakes, I will surely make many more. My story is a tale of caution thrown into the wind for all to hear, but not intended for all to heed.

 

[kiltwearinfool]

Do you know how much "spirited" street riding I can do for the price of a "trackday"?

As soon as trackdays cost 35 bucks I'll be there........but then so will every other dipshit. Keep it real ya pussies!:laughing

Do you wear condoms when you get lucky? My guess is yes because you don't want to get some gal pregnant, or get the creeping crud on your McGuinness.

Trackdays are the same kind of mindset: It's so much more fun and enjoyable when you can have sex with the track all day long without worrying about the consequences of being surprised by the unexpected.



It's not about how good you are on a bike on the street. That is not what is in question. It's about all the other things and people on the road with you, how they could care less about your well being, and how quickly they can surprise you.

 

[m0t0_ryder]

I'll say it here like I said it there...

!Excellent post Robert!

I doubt some of the squidly kiddlies here will "get it". (and it shows)
They are immortal (in their own minds).
Those that are single and say to stay that way... I agree! We don't need more of ya spawning that BS "I can rider faster anywhere/everywhere" attitude.

Having ridden with Robert (at least once) while he was on that wing I also doubt many of the turd tossers (thanks Jason... I like that) could even keep you within site in the hills. NOT that that's where your coming from or going to.
And thats while your just crusin at a decent clip on a huge assed bike.
I imagine that Jason would even concede that he would have problem keeping ya in sight while mounted on his "wimpy assed" busa.
And just by riding with ya a person can see that your riding super smooth and easy... at a very spirited pace... ON A WING!!!

Yup... on a wing and with a prayer.

I really don't know how your EVER gonna top that post... but I'll be watching and waiting!

 

[NoGall]

Good read. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TTTom]

This kinda reminds me of listening to born again christians talking about how in the old days they were stealing their grannie's pain meds, embezzeling from the Boy Scouts and blowing the money on underage whores... then they discovered Jesus and now they're some kinda good example.

it's like they're not sure what they're most proud of... what wonderful sinners they were before or what wonderful saints they are now.

Either way not the sort of people you wanna be taking advice from.

 

[tzrider]

Either way not the sort of people you wanna be taking advice from.

You'd prefer advice from people with no experience?

<edit> On second thought, what advice is SP2 giving in this thread or the one on SBR? None. He was answering a question a lot of people had asked him: "Why don't you ride a sport bike on the street any more?"</edit>

 

[TrackCrafter]

TTTom I would never dream of offering advice to a person with diverse knowledge of such manners as Geriactic Pain control,Boy scout finances and Juvenile prostitution.

I have no example worth sharing with you. Have a wonderful life, it seems you are on the right path

 

[budman]

I salute you SP2 Racer
... the post was from the heart..and the head.:thumbup

Sometimes sharing things such as this, will bring about some tasty little responses that are pointed towards the poster that just are not necessary to be said..

Hell we all know shit better than the other guy knows his shit.. don't we..??? At times.. it comes across that way.

From what I read.. it was a heart felt sharing of an experience and in no way a post to preach... but rather share.. when we share we have the opportunity to learn by word rather than painful or expensive experience.. that is cool..Sharing the two wheel life in whatever form is what barf is about at least from my seat behind the computor....to insight thought.. to share a smile.. to learn.... or just say.. I can't believe this shit!

and Holeshot I agree.. we do get pretty judgemental in many aspects.. and very mental in other cases..

I have done a little preaching though.....

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/f...=&threadid=133386&highlight=Listen+to+the+old

Why.. only because I care.. not because I need to.. just wanted too... share my experiences..and I had a beer or two to get me started.. :teeth

:smoking