November 1st, 2016, 02:58 AM | #1 |
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The next generation of motorcyclists, and how to keep them alive
Now, in this post, I'm going to make some generalizations based on my own anecdotes. If your own experience contradicts mine, please let me know. This is also a long one, but I think it's an important discussion. Please let me know what you think.
With the popularity of motovlogging, motovlogging has started to become a lot of peoples' first introduction to motorcycling. It becomes more and more of a realistic possibility to these 15-20something year olds that they could also start doing this. All they need is a bike and a gopro. The most popular of these vloggers are those who do squiddy things like burnouts, buying a bike too big for them, never looking to expand on their technique, arguing with motorists, stunting in places that don't call for it, and quite a few other things. It's more and more often that I see motorcycles with a YummiR6 sticker on them, and that concerns me. In short, motovloggers don't seem to bring in new riders. They just bring in new squids. I don't think all of these people are squids at heart, though. I'd wager that a lot of them simply don't know any better, and see the bike as an opportunity to connect with a whole new culture of people, and motovlog squids are all they happen to be exposed to. Now, I'm all for personal freedom and being yourself. Just as much, though, I'd like these folks to learn what they can, and would like legitimately useful information to be more accessible. I admire what the ninjette forum is. It has a level of wisdom and kindness that rivals /r/motorcycles, and that's quite something. Trouble is, these forums are a tiny blip in terms of motorcycling on the internet. I'd like information on riding technique, ego management, and all the important stuff to be more easily exposed. I found this forum because I searched "ninja 250 forums," the day I got my bike, because I love to soak up information on things that I'm passionate about. Not everyone is the same way. So, how does ninjette, or the resources ninjette relies on, become more accessible to the motovlogging community? |
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November 1st, 2016, 04:07 AM | #2 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
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Your wish is to provide useful information... i.e. instruction.
There are already many resources out there... Ken Condon's Riding in the Zone, for example, and lots and lots of youtube videos from people like CaptCrashIdaho. Pick a topic, do a video search and you'll find vast amounts of useful content. Just not in motovlog form, because motovlogs aren't really set up to teach anything. The thing about motovlogs is that they're inherently narcissistic, not instructional. POV video from some random rider prattling on about this or that... I have yet to see one that I could tolerate for more than a minute. A year or two ago I picked up some action cameras to film my track riding. Of course I did test runs on the street. I can't stand watching it... even though it's my own riding on roads I love. It's just BORING. Contrast this with actual instruction or how-to. Here's an excellent example of video used effectively:
Link to original page on YouTube.
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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November 1st, 2016, 06:19 AM | #3 |
not an actual panda
Name: dan
Location: philadelphia
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, 2009 CBR600RR (Sold) Posts: A lot.
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I'm just going to say it. 99% of motovlogging is horrid.
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November 1st, 2016, 06:38 AM | #4 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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The only hope is probably parents teaching their kids to ride, like I did with mine. Before that, I gave rides on the back, and that was not only fun, but showed that it's possible to have fun without much clowning around. If you let your kids' friends get them into riding, you'd better get involved. If a kid thinks bad behavior in a video looks like fun, he'd headed for trouble in every aspect of life.
So the summary is: Good behavior of a young person depends on his or her parents doing their jobs well. |
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November 1st, 2016, 03:15 PM | #5 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
November 1st, 2016, 03:44 PM | #6 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Of course, and I hope you ride with them as often as you can.
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November 1st, 2016, 05:54 PM | #7 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Roger
Location: Mitchell, South Dakota
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1978 Z1R, 1999 EX250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
Kind of a heavy weight on your shoulders huh . Aw, it's good fun though! Riding with the kids is still the most fun I have on a bike, grandkids are a close 2nd!
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November 2nd, 2016, 03:41 AM | #8 |
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Fair points, everyone. Interesting, though. With my dad, he had little information available to him. He said the only thing he did was look at parts in catalogs, and never looked at any other motorcycle literature. Thank goodness he could only afford a CB200 or I probably wouldn't be around today.
I know that not everyone can be saved, and few can have their minds changed. I'm just always looking for little holes in my life and trying to fill them if other people have the same issue. Maybe I'm being a bit too picky with what I concern myself with, while "not my circus, not my monkeys," doesn't seem to be a satisfying excuse anymore. A little off-topic, but a strange piece of advice my dad gave me was that, when I crash, I should try to get on top of my bike as it's sliding down the road. He said it's saved him a few times. I think I'll just continue wearing my gear and try not to roll when I crash, instead. |
2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
November 2nd, 2016, 06:48 AM | #9 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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I'm not sure how old you are, "yes", but my father grew up in the depression. He and his brothers had to really work at it to be able to buy things like cars and motorcycles, and from the stories I heard, they weren't interested in clowning around or showing off much, especially in any way that might wreck the vehicles. If a kid now grows up with parents that make sure their kids get everything they want, but no supervision, the kid may behave differently.
I can't even imagine saving up to buy a motorcycle, finally reaching my goal, and then going out and stunting to impress my friends without worrying about getting hurt or wrecking my bike. |
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November 2nd, 2016, 06:55 AM | #10 |
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Your father and mine, as well as you and me, come from different Americas. That's part of the point I'm making here.
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November 2nd, 2016, 06:56 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Anthony
Location: Long Island
Join Date: Oct 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 7
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The only motovlogger I've ever been able to tolerate was CycleCruza, he always preached wearing full gear from the start and honestly because of him I'm all about ATGATT. Sure, I may look silly wearing full leathers on my little 300 but I'm at ease knowing that if I go down there's a good chance I won't end up in the hospital with burns. I recently did some work to my bike and I keep it around the corner at my friends garage, rode it around the block with only a helmet, I didn't like the feel at all, it just felt dangerous to me.
Funny story, I go out with my buddy who has a CBR600RR and we pulled up to a gas station for him. Some dude walks up to me all excited "yooo bro those are sick bikes your all leathered up you must do some crazy ****!!". I said not really, mostly play catch up with my friend lol. Once he found out it was a 300 he pretty much ignored me and spoke to my friend instead about how he rode Ducatis and how he could wheelie down the block rofl. |
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November 2nd, 2016, 07:54 AM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Adam
Location: TN
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): A lot Posts: 18
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One of the best parts of this version of motorsport and transportation is the requirement for person to person contact. We as a species like our little groups and clique's, and motorcyling is no exception. The best way to grow the sport and have fun at the same time is to get your friends into it. Do it yourself. Step up to the plate and initiate the conversation.
I've gotten 3 ex girlfriends into riding, plus the current wife, and several of my old army buddies got bikes. If you seem like you're having fun and people see that, half the work is already done. All you have to do is gently nudge them. Guide them to buy their first beater bike. Have some fun helping them fix it up. Or accompany them to a shop/dealer if they want to buy something newer. Either way you slice it, i've found that being vocal to your friends about the fun aspect and taking an active role in helping answer their questions is the best way to get people into the sport. |
2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
November 2nd, 2016, 09:43 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
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I think the advice to stay on top of a sliding bike seems reasonable. Still wearing gear, of course, and avoiding crashing if you can, but I think that if you're sliding, it would cause less damage to you to stay on top the bike rather than sliding on your own or under it.
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November 2nd, 2016, 10:58 AM | #14 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16
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I think the best advice is to try to get away from the bike in a crash. Even if you're sliding on top of it, if it catches something and flips, you could end up with it on top of you. I'm hoping my gear will allow me to slide to a stop without excessive damage.
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November 2nd, 2016, 11:49 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
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Step 1- gear.
Step 2- don't crash. If those fail, I was thinking that being on top of the bike might help keep you from getting run over by cars. They may not see a rider, but they will see a sliding bike throwing sparks. I don't know, and in a crash a person may not have much control anyway, but I guess we do what we can. |
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November 2nd, 2016, 02:12 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Al
Location: York, Pa
Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much.
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Even with no gear I would go for the rash over a 400lb bike flipping on top of me. Kick away from the bike squids!
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Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99 |
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November 2nd, 2016, 04:20 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Pete
Location: Perth, Australia
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): '89 Ninja 250 (#3650) Posts: 78
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I must be weird then.
As a new rider, moto-vlogging puts me off of squid like behaviour. As we all know, it is possible to be safe AND have fun on your bike. Gear is affordable and comfortable. And there's no reason to speed, do burnouts or wheelies, most of us have tracks if some kind for that **** |
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November 2nd, 2016, 04:50 PM | #18 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot.
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November 2nd, 2016, 05:13 PM | #19 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Roger
Location: Mitchell, South Dakota
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1978 Z1R, 1999 EX250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Oct '16
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Quote:
You'd think that wouldn't you....but most tracks REALLY frown on screwing around, to the point of showing you the exit.
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November 2nd, 2016, 11:26 PM | #20 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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I hereby nominate @MrAtom to be the fresh non squidly face of motovlogs on the YouTube... Best of luck; an go get em tiger!!!
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November 3rd, 2016, 12:27 AM | #21 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Pete
Location: Perth, Australia
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): '89 Ninja 250 (#3650) Posts: 78
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Quote:
My local tracks both have skid pans for mucking about, as does the drag strip. And then there's all the various burnout competitions and the like throughout the year. |
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November 3rd, 2016, 12:34 AM | #22 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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Here in America... Land of the free; home of the brave we have rules and regulations on top of rules and regulations everywhere and about everything.
We have nice tracks that shut down for the day if too many folks go to fast. We have great drag strips that get outlawed over noise violations. We have all sorts of great tracks; most of them are shut down.
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November 3rd, 2016, 03:35 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Pete
Location: Perth, Australia
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): '89 Ninja 250 (#3650) Posts: 78
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November 3rd, 2016, 07:03 AM | #24 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Rockville, MD had a great model airplane airport, built over a landfill, far from houses. Then a subdivision was built next to it, and the noise complaints began. First, airplanes were restricted to 4-stroke engines with mufflers only. It wasn't long after that, that the place was permanently closed.
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
November 3rd, 2016, 08:05 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Adam
Location: TN
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): A lot Posts: 18
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NIMBY - not in my back yard!
One must beg the question, if noise is an issue, why buy a house next to a race track?! Also surely the racetracks have some legal machinery to work with to stay open and tell these guys to bugger off? America needs MORE racetracks. The racetracks we have are few and far between and definitely a rich man's game. They typically only hold a couple track days a year for motorcycles and tend to be hundreds of dollars per day to participate. =/ |
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November 3rd, 2016, 09:32 AM | #26 | ||
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kerry
Location: Ventura, CA
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Quote:
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I agree we need more racetracks, a safe place for running fast. I worked with a couple of guys who really liked to run their Subarus, but they were mostly smart enough to hit up the track days for it. Keep it to the track, where people know you're running fast. |
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November 3rd, 2016, 09:38 AM | #27 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Roger
Location: Mitchell, South Dakota
Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1978 Z1R, 1999 EX250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Oct '16
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The track at Brainerd Mn. has that problem, when opened very nearly nobody around, now people have moved in all around and with them came the noise complaints. They're still open and even have an NHRA national meet. Why would you move into an area when you know there's a race track next door if the noise is a bother?!! Some people just aren't using their heads!
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November 3rd, 2016, 09:48 AM | #28 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Al
Location: York, Pa
Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '14
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I can't imagine a real estate agent not telling a potential buyer about a nearby track.
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Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99 |
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November 3rd, 2016, 09:49 AM | #29 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Koala
Location: Ohio
Join Date: May 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2017 Ninja 300 Winter Test Edition Posts: 589
MOTM - May '18
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This stupidity doesn't just happen to race tracks unfortunately. Back when I was still in Florida people would complain all the time about the fighter jets coming and going from Macdill AFB. Same thing with the concerts at the Florida State Fairgrounds. I wanted to be like "um....you're the dumbass that bought a house right next door to it. I'm just sayin'...."
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1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
November 3rd, 2016, 10:36 AM | #30 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Well, a potential buyer needs to learn about the area he's (she's) considering before committing. He's a fool if he doesn't drive around and see what's in the area, talk to other homeowners nearby, even talk to the local police. After signing the papers is not the time to find out there's a federal prison 1/4 mile away.
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November 3rd, 2016, 10:39 AM | #31 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Al
Location: York, Pa
Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '14
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Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99 |
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November 3rd, 2016, 10:47 AM | #32 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Al
Location: York, Pa
Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '14
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Quote:
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Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99 |
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November 3rd, 2016, 10:48 AM | #33 |
Cat herder
Name: Gort
Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 6
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All of this assumes the complaints come from those moving in. Not necessarily.
Two recently built tracks here in the Northeast (NYST and Palmer Motorsports Park) have faced stiff and ongoing resistance from residents who were there before the tracks were. Go to either one and you'll see lots of properties for sale nearby. In contrast, Thompson built a road course to complement the existing oval a few years ago. No reports of noise complaints... the locals appear to have come to terms with the fact that there's a racetrack there. People hate change. If you liked living in a peaceful, remote area that's very quiet and then one day, this exceptionally noisy neighbor moved in complete with added traffic to contend with... well, I can fully understand that. Not at all surprised that people are moving away. But moving to an area where it all exists and THEN complaining? Yeah, I'm with the rest of you.
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I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem. |
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November 3rd, 2016, 02:54 PM | #34 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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Thread jack complete ???
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November 3rd, 2016, 04:18 PM | #35 | |
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Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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November 4th, 2016, 03:15 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Carol
Location: Anaheim CA
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninjette ex 250 Posts: 53
Blog Entries: 1
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OMG, Mr Atom
You read my mind. I am new to riding and I absolutely love it while learning all about my bike and the sport. That being said I do watch allot stuff on YouTube about technique, safety, maintenance etc. I take what I like and can put to use and leave the rest.
I would say I am pretty open-minded and do not offend easily. However, I did come across some videos of some guy and his ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS BEHAVIOR CUSSING OUT DRIVERS OF CARS AND MAKING A COMPLETE ASS OF HIMSELF. Now I am all for freedom of speech and on and on, however this guy was a complete idiot. I feel embarrassed for him. I worry about people like that. With that temper and behavior he has no business being on the road, much less a motorcycle. The only good that will come from him documenting it would be somebody using it against him in court when the time comes that somebody does get hurt. Very annoying!
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November 4th, 2016, 10:01 PM | #37 |
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Name: .
Location: .
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MOTM - July '15
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I mean, I'm at least glad they're on bikes and not in cars because they're putting others in less danger.
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November 5th, 2016, 12:05 AM | #38 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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MrAtom sounds great... An I have plenty of music already picked out... Got your go pro yet???
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