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New Recommendations June 2019, who do you watch, what do you read?

Randy99CL

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I'm a retread: an old guy getting back into biking after a lapse of 15 years, and bought a new 2018 NC750X earlier this month.
I am self-taught after getting my first (Honda Super 90) in the mid-'60s, over 50 years ago. Have never taken a class.

First, I am planning on taking all the classes I can find. Second, I am watching videos and looking for books.
I'm mostly concerned with riding safety, street strategies and riding proficiency.

Amazon keeps sending me recommendations for Motorcycling books and I will likely buy a few (after I see what I can borrow at the library).

But today YouTube is bigger than ever. I like MCrider, DanDanTheFireman and MotoJitsu.

Can you recommend other videos and what books do you think are worth the money?? TIA

Edit: And BTW, my favorite on-going series is Itchy Boots; a brave 31 year-old girl from Denmark(?) riding a RE Himalayan around the world. YouTube
 
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ItchyBoots on youtube definitely benefits from having FF and being able to skip the repetitive stuff but that's almost a given since she puts one up every couple/few days. But maybe that's me; I don't like watching riding as much as doing something (like riding . have been following Noralee since the start to look at the more interesting landscapes and peoples though. I've watched bits and pieces of a lot of series, but as always being able to skip and fast-forward make me happy. I suppose when it comes to dancing about architecture a little goes a long ways for me.

I do like Bret Tkacs under his own name and the more recent MOTOTREK series though, he's an incredible rider and shares a lot of good techniques. He can do so much on even the heaviest of ADV bikes as far as technical riding goes and has a good sense of humor which since he teaches ADV course probably serves him in good stead.
 
If you are interested in off road riding besides Bret Tkacs there's some videos from the Rawhide Adventure & Clinton Smout that convinced me I'm too old and out of shape for that stuff....
 
Hey Randy, books are good, Videos are good, classes are best! THere is no substitute for SEAT/Throttle time!! :{)

Here is a "reader's Digest" version of my thoughts on that. As a former Sheriff's Deputy and accident scene recreation/specialist, i have seen a lot of accidents. Now that you know where i am speaking from, and as many others here i'm sure, i am constantly checking my mirrors every 10-15 seconds(habit) and constantly changing my lane position to my benefit when i'm in traffic. Very naturally, people's eyes are attracted to movement(when they're not texting). I purposely wear Hi-Vis body armour, boots, gloves and a White Helmet!

As one young man here said "I dress for the slide-not the ride"! As another habit, i allow for plenty of room between me and the car in front of me, and am constantly readjusting that buffer. It does many things, but mostly increases my reaction time and thus ability to maneuver. When another vehicle changes lanes and I no longer feel comfortable next to them, i move. Mostly, i ride fairly aggressively-defensively.

You mentioned taking classes, Right on and that is one of the best things you can do to help you enjoy the ride and stay safe!! Hope to see you out on the road sometime!! :{)
 
I read "twist of the wrist" and realized I was already doing 98% of it. So I located "safe corners" of all kinds, and rode thru them, U turned and rode thru them time and time again and again. Looking back Id'e say that was the best reading I've done. If you're brushing up, ride alone for a good while, don't ride at someone else's pace. Develop the mentality that you are invisible. In and around intersections watch which way motorist heads are turned, if possible watch their hands to, and watching wheels usually gives you the first indication of what a car/motorist is intending to do.
 
My wife likes Proficient Motorcycling (1 and 2). I like A Twist of the Wrist (1 and 2). We read them before we got together and lost our copies. Recently we ordered new copies so we can refresh and read the ones new to us.

Classes... My wife took the MSF class again last year and felt it was degraded in quality. Mainly 6 bikes and 12 class participants. So seat time was half what it should have been based on previous classes. Add a tougher passing requirement and it almost feels like you're setup to fail (and pay to retake the class). The result was several discouraged class participants which, IMHO, is the opposite of what it should be . Hopefully that's just the local place and not MSF in general.

OK state police and the local city police offer free motorcycle classes to the public. Their beginner class is similar the the MSF advanced class (but it's only one day unlike the MSF class). Advanced class builds on that by closing a local park so you can get up to speed then brake hard for the boxes. And high speed swerves. And hard braking from asphalt to grass (a little scary w/o ABS). Check your area for similar courses.

No YouTube suggestions but I'll check out the ones mentioned here.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
 
He doesn't teach rider safety and proficiency per sae, but if you want some strategies for riding a Harley to base camp Everest. I simply must recommend, million dollar bogan. He also has some solid strategies for transporting farm animals in a ferrari.
 
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