motorcycle

If you ride motorcycles and live in PA there is a new Advanced Rider course(ARC) being offered this year. On April 15th, I and 7 other riders participated in the very first class offered within the state. The content of the class is based upon the Motor Cycle Safety Foundation's Advanced Rider course and is half classroom and half on a controlled riding range.

PA used to have a Beginner course for which you only needed to be able to balance on two wheels and an experienced rider course for which you should have had 1,000 miles of experience. This was changed last year so that the state now has the same Basic Rider course but the former experienced rider course is now called the Basic Rider course 2. Confusing hu?

Basically as it stands now you can take any of these classes as a PA resident for no additional cost. The cost involved with these classes are covered by the license fees we pay for motocycle permits and our class M licenses. The classes are:

1. Basic Rider Course -- no motorcycle experience required at all, you just need your permit. The bikes are supplied. At the end of the course you can receive your license if you pass the test. This course is usually offered as two evenings of classroom and two 1/2 days of riding on the range.
2. Basic Rider Course 2 -- you need to supply your own motorcycle and at the end if you pass the test you get your license. This is a one day course.
3. Advanced Rider Course -- you need to supply your own motorcycle, this is a one day course and you also need to have your class M license. This course doesn't lead to a license as it is for advanced, experienced riders.

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Since bestest isn't a word, I'll revise that to my favorite pair of gloves. I wear gloves whenever I ride no matter if the temperature is such that they are not needed for warmth. Gloves provide protection of your hands in the event of a mishap but more often they provide protection against flying road debris. I've been smacked on my hands numerous times from everything from massive insects to tiny pebbles and having that extra layer of skin protecting those hands stuck out there in that 75 mph wind is simply good sense.

I'm a bit fussy when it comes to gloves. I like them to fit perfectly and feel right. Feeling right means they provide a comfortable and confident grip while riding. That lack of feel is why I don't wear my Olympia gauntlets at all. They are warm and fit well but to me they make the hold on the grips feel slippery and that means I grip them too hard and that leads to pain in the hands after just a short ride. I've tried many similar gloves and while some do the trick, there is one pair that I use every time that I ride unless the temperature approaches 80 F or beyond. The DeerTours gloves from Lee Park Designs are simply amazing. Continue Reading »

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I'm looking forward to taking a couple of extended solo motorcycle rides in 2012. I'd like to ride all the way to Washington state, but such a trip would require a lot of time, so I'm planning on doing a couple of rides within a 1,000 mile radias of home. That way I can be there and back in about 5 days and spending 4 nights in hotels, one night on the way, two nights at the destination and one night on the way back. Continue Reading »

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Counter steering is one of the most basic ways that a motorcycle rider controls their bike. It may seem counter intuitive but there is simply no other way to steer a motorcycle. What is counter steering? It is really very simple. To turn to the left, push on the left handlebar and to turn to the right, push on the right handlebar. Continue Reading »

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Everybody has noticed the occasional motorcycle rider out for an afternoon ride in the summer. The rider is enjoying a sunny day on his machine. If everything goes perfectly, he may make it home in one piece without injury, however, if something unexpected happens, he just may end up in the hospital for a long and painful convalescence. While out for his afternoon ride, he neglected some of the very basic things that are vital to protecting every rider no matter how skilled.

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On Saturday the 25th of September, my wife and I participated in the 2010 Ride for the Ribbon.  Here's a small snippet to give you a flavor of the event.

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