A motorcycle safety course in Houston, that is. A friend of mine and I are planning on taking a class during the weekend of February 15th. The classes are small, and I figured that if anyone was interested in taking the course with a fellow Cz28 member it might be even more fun .

http://www.awesomecycles.com/

Cliffs notes:

~$190 fee, and they supply the bike, helmet, etc. It is spread out over 3 days like so:

Friday 6pm-9:30pm
Saturday 7am-2:30pm
Sunday 7am-2:30pm

Its located close to I45 North and the Beltway.

You don't have to own a bike or have any experience. Its basically a defensive driving for motorcycles, and I've never heard of a biker that didn't recommend it.

Ryan

 

An excellent course for a new rider and a vet.

I know a few rider that I hang with that have taken it multiple time.

 

I've heard the same, Mitch.

I consider this similar to the concealed handgun course. I think everyone should take it whether they carry or not.

I've never taken this course, but am considering buying a street bike this year.

 

DAMN! Why can't you come and do this in DFW Ryan??? I'd almost consider driving to H-town to take it. I have wanted a bike for so long....taking this could be the deal maker into me getting one.

Of course then I'd have to answer to the gf and my parents about "why would you want to kill yourself like that?!?!"

 

If I could get off work and make it work for my schedule I'd do it man. You are definitely welcome to come stay at my apartment if you can swing it down here .

I rode a GSX-R 750 for the first time a few weeks ago, and as much as I've enjoyed my dirt bike, riding on the street is such a cool feeling. However, its pretty dangerous. I figure this course will give me a good idea of what I'm looking at without actually buying a bike and figuring it out all by myself.

I am thinking R6 or GSX-R 600 .

Ryan

 

If I have the weekend off I might make it, I'll get back to you on that!


And those thoughts about the bike are like reading my mind. I feel exactly the same.

 

Mitch,

I meant to ask...

I assume you ride? What do you ride? How often? And all this time I thought you just lowballed kids in college trying to rid themselves of credit card debt .

Spill some beans :-).

 

Not just college ...

DL1000 V-Strom ...
Ride it daily, weather permitting. As I get older, my lowest minimum temperature has increased slightly. If it's 45*, I ride in a cage.

Look here for your gear ...
www.newenough.com

Great prices on clearance and closeout gear.
Always ... ALWAYS wear your gear.

 

Cool . The people offering the class recommended that I wait to buy gear until after I take the class.

I would never imagine riding without gear. That is one reason I am going to wait before I pick a bike up. I would like to see how I feel once the weather warms up and whether or not I am prepared to wear full gear in 95º heat. If I'm not as excited about wearing a jacket in the summer I'm not going to take a chance and ride.

Flip flops and beach shorts + motorcycle? No thanks .

 

I fell off my uncle's dual sport out in the parking lot doing about 15 mph with shorts/t-shirt on only and that **** HURT! Gear is a must, at least a helmet/jacket/gloves if anything.

 

It doesn't feel good when I crash on my dirt bike, and I'm always wearing full gear and crash in the sand/dirt. I can't imagine hitting the pavement .

 

I forgot abut my XR100 pit bike ... pit *****. Everyone takes it for a ride.

Riding in hot weather is really no big deal.

I have a shoei helmet that is very well ventilated. When it gets cool, you can really feel the air hitting your scalp and face.

Also, all brands of riding ger make hot weather gear. I have a textile jacket that is meshed along the inner arm, arm pit, and between armor sewn into the jacket. It breath amazingly well.

I have textile pants too. When the weather gets cool, I zip the liner back into them.

2 set of gloves also.

What sucks is the early spring and late fall when it's 50* in the morning and 85* on the way home. You'll either be too cold in the morning or too hot in the afternoon!

You are playing it smart, Ryan. Get your sea legs then get a bike. Many go out and buy a 'Busa or Duke and then take the course while insurance fixes the damage.

I got my first bike when I was 12 ... a Yamaha 90cc, twin cylinder. I've owned everything from Rokon to a Bultaco ... Goldwing to a RD400.

A group of us went to Branson one spring break. I was maybe 25 and had GS1100 Zuke. We saddled up and left Branson around 8am. We stopped in Texarkana for lunch. I pulled up in my driveway, outside of Tyler, at 2pm.

I have scars, mishappen ribs and a slight limp. Rider say it's not IF you will wreck, rather WHEN. So, if yer gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough.

 

Mitch,

Sounds like I'm not going to be able to use the weather excuse with other riders .

I've heard the "if you don't crash, you aren't really riding" line a few times, and have multiple friends that either don't ride anymore, or are still recovering from previous wrecks. I'm a little nervous about it, which is why I'm still not 100% sure its for me.

But damn, it was a cool feeling cruising around on my friend's bike .

 

Just be smart and be aware of the cages. Always leave yourself an out.

I ran a red light a few months ago and a cop saw it and stopped me.

I was sitting in a left turn lane, the type that trips on a sense circuit. Traffic was wizzing by me at hiway speeds. I got nervous and turned left on a red.

I explained to the cop why I did it and he said ... "Fair enough". We talked a couple minutes about riding and how dangerous it can be. He was cool about the whole thing.

Of course, had I been a 25 year old, I'd been nailed. Age has it's moments ...

 

No0b question: What are "cages?"