Motorcycling Louts

[Mogster]

I have owned a GS btw..... hated it... I have also done a Bike Safe thingy    went to a couple of IAM runs in the past..

All 3 scared the shite outta me... the GS is like riding a Penny Farthing... the Bike Safe Instructor lost me after about 3 miles and the IAM guys were just utterly terrifying to follow... 

[Ros]

the GS is like riding a Penny Farthing

I can see how that could be a scary experience

[Winston Smith]

Mogs - I have the advantage of having been taught properly and professionally as part of my (previous) occupation.

There was nothing to prove other than pass the test and ride bikes for a living!

I have tried my best to help develop other riders, co-ordinating BikeSafe (again - in the previous life) chairing the local RoSPA group and testing for them.

I have reached a similar conclusion that because they have a 'badge' most of them (not all to be fair) think they are above the rest of the riders on the road.  They hold a little knowledge and apply the bits they want - as in the RTC you mentioned, holding out for others to folow - not understanding the wholistic aspect of the discipline.

I have some issues with lack of consistency between groups and examiners - the white line pannier issue as brought up by Lonewolf some time ago - which is due to a lot of wannabes thinking they are 'experts'.  Maybe theoretically they are, great on paper and know RoadCraft inside out - I don't - I know enough to apply it (Thanks Lonewolf!!) - but they have no idea how to apply it in real life, being flexible in it's use.

BikeSafe was usually attended by those who wanted an annual MOT on their riding and a free 'attaboy' to boost their ego's.

And as for the GS crew?  Yup - you're spot on - additional to the above we also have the ex race replica riders who want to 'save' their licence (but still ride like knobs) or the even scarier mix of 'I've been a biker for 47 years and now ride the ultimate machine, no-one can tell me a thing about riding' and the born agains that haven't been through the sports-bike phase and watch how their peers ride to a higher level due to their choice of machine!

Phew - I feel better for that     

[Mogster]

Phew - I feel better for that 

haha ..I'm glad about that! ..the way i see it, there is always gonna be someone faster/better than me...Also.. there is always sumit new to be learnt...
Everytime I go out, I hope to come back with a little summit that I can do better...or not do at all!!!! hahaha  ... each ride brings an extra bit of experience that i can add to the pot.

When you think that you know it all, thats the point when you stop being as aware and then you are risk to your self and everyone around you.

[Winston Smith]

 

Simple As!

[Bumpkin]

Ummm.... being a "born again" ex-sports bike rider who's just traded his GS, but keeping his large silver panniers for the spring I, uh, think I'll keep quiet... 

[O.C.]

Chris,

he went North, I dont think he liked it !!

Colin

He did visit this particular part of the North, but he didn't realise how close he was to my stamping ground

I'd have shown him some stunning roads free of the type of nobs that he seems to have recently encountered

I'd have even bought him a proper pint in my 16th century local too, that's if I'd known he was in the area 

[Mogster]

He did visit this particular part of the North, but he didn't realise how close he was to my stamping ground

I'd have shown him some stunning roads free of the type of nobs that he seems to have recently encountered

I'd have even bought him a proper pint in my 16th century local too, that's if I'd known he was in the area 

Yes yes... i know.... bloody hell I am ever gonna be alowed to forget this    One never advertises that one is going away, as you never know who is looking at these posts.... Same as on Facebook...

'hey Fred Smith has just checked in somewhere nice, miles away'..... goody I shall go steal your valuables. 

I will ride up there next year.... Just to see you ... happy now! 

[Boomer]

Ahhhh Mogs, we really do need to buy ya some more ammo for the crossbow don't we. 

I gave up on the IAM/RoSPA lot years ago back when they all rode BMW K1100s.
One visit to the local (Chelmsford) group put me off for life.
If I want preaching and holier than thou then I go to church.
It did remind me very much of a church social with all the politics and cliques and such.

Yes, I have been a few times over the years when invited by friends, and no I've not seen anything to make me change my mind. I last went when the GTR was just a couple of months old and I spent most of my 2hrs there looking at the bikes and chatting to those interested in the 1400.

Some of them go for the "ticket" (cheaper insurance, bragging rights), some for the social aspects, and some just have to "belong" to something. Mostly not my scene although I used to be pretty active in MAG in the 90's.
I've been an "outsider" all my life and I like it that way.
I prefer to ride solo or with one well matched friend.
Group riding is either dull (too slow) or frenetic (too fast) so I mostly don't bother.

Finally, it's not the IAM/RoSPA or the GS1200 that makes them ride like twats.
It's riding with yer panniers on when they are empty and likely to stay that way.  
Panniers are for touring, not for life!

[Lonewolf]

It's riding with yer panniers on when they are empty and likely to stay that way.
Panniers are for touring, not for life!

Thankfully we know you are joking, you are joking right? 
Yonks ago I went on a RoSPA social ride with Winston and his bunch were very friendly but I have to say the West Yorkshire Group, in particular one guy who seems to organise the trips is so far up his own arse it's unbelieveable.

[Kevin]

  LW I was sure I'd seen a post from you in which you said you always rode with your panniers on and I was looking for it but you beat me to it!

Kevin

[Lonewolf]

I cant recall ever riding the GTR without the panniers and now I always ride with the top box on as well. You just never know what you might suddenly come across and want to buy and it's important that you have room to store things 

[Winston Smith]

......................You just never know what you might suddenly come across and want to buy and it's important that you have room to store things 

You really are in touch with your feminine side Steve!!

[Lonewolf]

Ok, so I walked right into that one! 

[Mogster]

I cant recall ever riding the GTR without the panniers and now I always ride with the top box on as well. You just never know what you might suddenly come across and want to buy and it's important that you have room to store things 

'Ooooh look shoes'!!! now we know Mr Wolf...