What do you do/say?

[derf]

I tell people that they shouldn't ride. I am asked constantantly at work how much money I save in gas because of my bike. For some reason people think that you save a ton in gas.

Anyway, I usually explain that the maintenance costs are well above that of a car, tires, gear and all that stuff adds up, plus the insurance cost of an extra vehicle, and the cost of the bike itself, you will never see the cost savings vs driving the car you already own.

BUT, if you want to ride the bike for fun on the weekend then thats a whole different story.

[Tsunami]

Usually the only people that I think shouldn't be riding are just idiots with a squidly attitude. And they won't listen to me anyway. Like the guy from work that just had a baby son and thinks running from cops is cool but crashed 7x on his friends bike and just went to check out a SS. He also doesn't believe in gear and thinks that he should live each day as his last.

I told him to have fun. I don't want to spend my last day being peeled off the cement.

Other than that, I don't get into people's decision makings.

I'm with Particle, I would ride the other way!

Why don't you think this person shouldn't be riding Kara?

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by Tsunami

Usually the only people that I think shouldn't be riding are just idiots with a squidly attitude. And they won't listen to me anyway. Like the guy from work that just had a baby son and thinks running from cops is cool but crashed 7x on his friends bike and just went to check out a SS. He also doesn't believe in gear and thinks that he should live each day as his last.

I told him to have fun. I don't want to spend my last day being peeled off the cement.

Other than that, I don't get into people's decision makings.

I'm with Particle, I would ride the other way!

Why don't you think this person shouldn't be riding Kara?

Tell his woman to take out a nice life insurance policy on him now while she still can.

[racedoll]

Originally Posted by Tsunami

Why don't you think this person shouldn't be riding Kara?

As I stated in the initial post - I'm not saying this person shouldn't ride but they have their days where I think they would be OK and then there are other days that I'm like WTF!

I don't think they are incapable of learning and being a good rider. I am just more concerned about their safety in terms of them being invisible to cagers. I have days were I don't even like riding on the street because I don't want to deal with idiots.

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Seriously... tell them to take MSF and say you'll even take it with them. Normally they are only $25 per person and its not a bad thing for anybody... beginer or seasoned vet.

They are going to sign up tonight with a friend for a date in August. They were definitely not opposed to going through this channel for learning.

Originally Posted by njchopper87

If I think they shouldn't ride? I'd probably share with them a few of the "incidents" I had with cagers targeting me and explain that riding takes a lot of concentration and alertness and hope they take the hint. If I know them really well I'd be more frank with them and tell them straight out I don't think they should be riding, but also work with them if they decide to anyway. After all, who the hell am I to say if they should or shouldn't?

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that you'd think shouldn't step within 100 feet of a bike that ride really well. Not saying that's always the case though..

All that said and done, I refer everyone to the MSF as they're the ones trained to evaluate if someone can ride or not.

I shared an instance where someone turned right on red in front of me, while I had the green light. The incident wasn't even close because I was preparing for such an act.

I feel the same as some of you in that who am I to judge, although I'm really not. As stated above I fear more for their safety not because they would be a bad rider, but all the variables that goes into riding. I even brought up the simplest of things like canceling turn signals (hush you guys/gals with auto-cancel).

Originally Posted by derf

I tell people that they shouldn't ride. I am asked constantantly at work how much money I save in gas because of my bike. For some reason people think that you save a ton in gas.

I HATED this back when gas was sky high. I finally did the math (minus maintenance, pure mpg) and found it was still cheaper to drive my car because I could get away with buying 87 octane versus 93 in the bike. Now, with the new car, the bike would be cheaper (22mpg vs 41mpg) since they both require 93. Again mpg only-no maintenance or gear cost.