MotoBrief

The Long Way Down team has arrived in Africa and the challenges have started. In this latest update Russ Malkin describes some of the problems they had with Customs in Tunisia.

Heads up for Mac users — the BBC video isn’t very Mac-friendly. I can’t watch it in Firefox or Safari, despite having the Flip4Mac Windows Media plugin. Grrrr.

Last week KTM and the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of certain models in the 2005 to 2007 model years. The recall says there have been over 5,000 incidents of a seal failing and allowing fuel to leak from the fuel tank.

If you’re off-roading on a KTM, it’s time to call your dealer.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have a local source for metric fasteners for our bikes. For those who aren’t, a recent thread on the Airheads mailing list points out some good mail order suppliers.

• Bolt Depot (no minimum order)
• Allen’s Fasteners
• McMaster Carr (they have a lot of stuff but their atrocious website makes it hard to find anything)

Michigan motorcyclists have been fighting for years to repeal their longstanding helmet law. The Detroit Free Press reports that this year, proposed legislation offers a trade — if a rider meets some requirements they can purchase a license sticker that certifies they can ride helmet free. The price? $100 for a one-year sticker, or $200 for three years.

I think this legislation (introduced as House Bill 4749) is remarkably misguided. I’m generally opposed to helmet laws on principle (I’m not a fan of nanny laws) but I don’t get involved in efforts to overturn them. I’d rather see that energy put toward promoting rider education and awareness campaigns for automobile drivers.

But this legislation seems to be a terrible solution. By setting a price tag on this particular risky behavior, it opens the door to broader attacks on motorcycling.* Once we establish a fee-for-risk model, why shouldn’t it be applied to other risky behavior? I might think it’s crazy to get on a bike without a helmet, but I’ve met a sizable number of people who think it’s madness that I get on a bike at all. I wonder how much should I have to pay?

Risk acceptance is a big part of riding a motorcycle. It’s no different than any other sport — mountain climbers, skydivers, bicyclists, whatever. Everyone determines what level of risk they’re willing to accept in pursuit of their passion — from a fatal mountaintop fall to getting cracked on the noggin by an errant golf ball. It’s a personal choice that each of us has to make. To start paying for the privilege? Madness. But no crazier than thinking that paying to ride without a helmet is some kind of anti-helmet law victory.

* I recognize that the same logic could be applied to helmet laws. But helmet laws have been around for decades and haven’t led to a general ban on motorcycling.

It’s official. The Long Way Down site has replaced its longstanding “Coming Soon” page with some new stuff. The site is Flash-based, I think — is that why it took so long?

They have some great information, including details of the Touratech bits they’ve added to their R1200GS motorcycles and some of the other equipment they’re using. There are still no videos or photos, so the best bet remains the BBC site if you’re hoping to follow along as they go.

I saw an article the other day from a Washington newspaper about a guy who crashed on his way home after purchasing a new motorcycle. The article is short on details but immediately conjures visions of a familiar tale — the young, unlicensed, presumably untrained motorcyclist who purchases a high-performance sportbike (in this case, a 2004 Yamaha YZF600) and promptly crashes.

I don’t want to focus on the details of this incident. The rider was apparently pretty seriously hurt and probably doesn’t need any more grief. Instead I’d like to ask what a new rider should be considering when looking for their first bike. I have my own thoughts on what a new motorcyclist’s strategy should be; we’ll see if anyone agrees with me.

Get Prepared

To state the obvious, motorcycling is a serious activity that entails significant risks. Preparing yourself is a big part of becoming a motorcyclist. Some basic steps you should consider before buying your first motorcycle:

1. Plan to ride legally. Every state requires a separate motorcycle endorsement to operate a motorcycle. And most states have some kind of learner permit system. At the very least, you need to plan to get a learner permit; you’ll generally need to pass a written test for this. Studying for the permit will familiarize you with the motorcycle controls and some basic motorcycling concepts. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has a summary of state licensing requirements, although it appears to be a bit out of date.
2. Read more! It won’t hurt to study more than the DMV handbook. I (and many others) highly recommend David Hough’s Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling.
3. Take a class! Your learners permit exam may give you some basics and Hough’s books are filled with useful knowledge, but nothing is going to beat a class where you can learn the principles of motorcycle operation, practice in a controlled environment and get coaching and feedback from professional instructors.

   Contact your state DMV or visit their website and see what kind of motorcycle training is available. Motorcycles are provided in beginner’s classes, so this is a great way to try out motorcycling before you invest in a bike. Cost varies greatly from state to state, ranging from free (go Illinois!) to several hundred dollars.

   It’s really worth it to take a course. You’ll find that the classes fill up very fast — ask about waitlists and walk-ins. Because the classes fill up so far in advance, people often have unexpected conflicts and some classes end up with empty seats. Find out what the procedures are in your state and do what you can to get in. In many states, successful completion of the class also earns you a motorcycle endorsement. Pass the class and it’s official — you’re a motorcyclist!

Decide What You’re Actually Going To Do

Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes. Many new riders are instantly drawn to sportbikes. Ask yourself why you’re looking at a particular type. Do you really intend to take your motorcycle to some track days and open it up? Or are you planning on wreaking havoc on city streets? The former is a blast; the latter, not such a good idea.

If you really think you just want to tool around town, maybe a simple standard is what you should be considering. Or maybe you want to get out of town and take some weekend trips with friends — a sport tourer or touring bike might be just the ticket. You may have a hard time carrying an overnight bag and some camping gear on a standard or a sportbike.

Personally, I like to take long trips and check out some isolated back roads, which can be pretty poorly maintained in lots of places. For this reason, I’m hooked on big BMW dual sport motorcycles that have the size and power for long days riding two-up and the flexibility to accommodate rough or unpaved roads. It’s important to know what you like to do and buy accordingly.

Pick Your Motorcycle

OK, so you’re all trained up and licensed. You’ve just returned from 15 days in a monastery under a vow of silence, where you did nothing but meditate on how you would use this new motorcycle. So now how do you actually pick one?

Once you know what style of bike you’ll want, you’ll need to start narrowing it down. But I’ll tell you up front — I’m not going to suggest you buy a new motorcycle. Instead, I’m going to encourage you to get a used bike.

Frame Size. The first thing you’ll want to take into account is the motorcycle’s seat height and weight. If you have a short inseam you’ll probably want to seek out a bike with a lower seat height. Some people may be tempted to get a taller, heavier motorcycle right away, assuming they’ll grow into it. And I’ve definitely seen short riders handle some very large motorcycles.

Unfortunately, as a new rider you’re going to want all the stability you can manage in slow speed situations. I’ve watched people try to learn on bikes that were too tall for them, performing well while in motion only to topple over while coming to a stop. Try sitting on the bike. Can you place your feet flat on the ground? Can you straighten the motorcycle off the side stand without straining? If the answer to either question is no, take a look at some smaller bikes and see how they feel.

Engine Size. Now we’re talking. How big an engine can I get? I want to go fast, right? Well, maybe not. The fact is that for new riders, it’s not going to be the engine size holding you back — it’s going to be your skill level. Most single-vehicle motorcycle accidents result from the motorcycle running wide in a corner. In other words, the motorcycle’s performance exceeded the rider’s abilities.

Take a look at smaller displacement motorcycles. Seriously consider starting out on something with less horsepower. My first street bike was a Kawasaki KZ440LTD that was over ten years old. I still have this motorcycle and it’s still a great little machine.

“But won’t it be underpowered? Won’t I outgrow it?” you might ask. This is one of the advantages of buying a used motorcycle — much like a car, motorcycles lose a lot of their value very quickly. If you’re looking at something that’s five or ten years old, you’ll be able to recover most of the cost when you’re ready to sell it and move up.

Price. So how much should you expect to spend? My general guideline is $1,500 to $3,000. You can certainly find cheaper bikes, but I’ve always found that they needed some work and weren’t the bargains I expected. If you’re a competent mechanic, definitely be on the lookout for a deal. But if you’re not, expect to pay around $2,000 and be sure to have the bike looked over by a mechanic. Adam Glass has produced an excellent guide for the used bike buyer.

You’re Not Ready Yet!

Before you ride off into the sunset, be sure you pick up some gear to go with it. Your gear is just as important — it’s your last line of defense in case of mishap. Buy a good helmet, some gloves, and motorcycle jacket, pants and boots. Expect to spend some money here. Protection doesn’t come cheap.

So there you have it — my advice for the novice in search of a first bike. I strongly believe smaller, used bikes are the way to go for the beginner. Don’t finance a new motorcycle right away and cringe every time you bang it up.

Instead, take some time and develop your skills. Put 5,000 to 10,000 miles on your starter bike and then start evaluating new motorcycles. You’ll have more experience, you’ll have a better idea of what you really want, and you’ll have ridden enough that you’ll feel confident asking for a test drive. And you’ll be able to pick out something you really love.

Oh, and if it turns out that you fall in love with those old motorcycles and become a vintage junkie? Not my fault.

Does anyone agree or disagree? Feel free to leave the story of your first bike in the comments.

Boing Boing points out an open face helmet by Nexx covered in denim. Denim?

I can’t say that I’ve ever felt a burnining desire to have a denim-covered helmet. And I’m usually an advocate of full face helmets, because I consider my face an important part of my head.

Still, Nexx has some pretty cool helmets of the non-denim variety. I like their off-road line, the Cross X20, and they have an interesting modular helmet. And if I were looking for an open face helmet, I’d take a close look at the X60 line.

Here are some of my favorites:

Vision Vintage
Vision Yamaha
Pop 01

Just definitely not the denim.

The BBC has a Long Way Down site with video, photos and journals from the trip. The journals aren’t current — right now, they contain one entry each from May 5 — but I’m hoping that they get updated soon and we can all follow along on the way to Cape Town. Their proposed route is shown and looks pretty exciting. I wish them luck.

A UK Honda Trail Bike forum thread says that Charlie and Ewan have started their new motorcycle adventure, The Long Way Down. Following up on their round the world trip chronicled in The Long Way Round television series and book, this time they’re riding from John O’Groats, Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa.

I loved the Long Way Round and have mentioned Boorman’s Race to Dakar series in the past. I can’t wait for this show to air.

I often see articles written by non-riders ranting about some aspect of motorcycling. Today there’s a commentary in the Chicago Tribune called Highly stupid at high speeds. (I can’t say how long the link will be valid; I think the Tribune walls off its archives in an effort to speed its rush toward obsolescence.)

Emily Hauser complains about motorcyclists who don’t wear helmets. I don’t have a big problem with that — I think its a pretty unwise choice myself. But Emily quickly spins up to serious anger about how much of an impact a helmetless rider’s death would have on…well, Emily.

She writes,

…you’re not just choosing your own messy, God-awful death (or catastrophic brain injury) — you are consigning me to a life of misery.

If my car and your bike meet — even if it’s your fault, even if it’s no one’s fault — I will never sleep again. I will see your blood, your broken face, your weeping children, your shattered parents every day and every night for the rest of my life. Because I was behind the wheel, because my car happened to get all messed up in your search for some kind of freedom in which the needs of no one else (least of all your parents or children) were a factor.

Emily probably thinks she has something unique to say but it’s surprising how many articles like hers demonstrate bewilderment, no, outright resentment, over why someone would ride a motorcycle. They just can’t seem to grok why so many of us revel in it. They don’t understand and that makes them angry.

It’s not something you can explain to most of them. It’s so far removed from their typical view of motorized transportation, where you get from point A to point B while juggling cell phone calls, your lunch, your screaming children and the radio. To get on a motorcycle for fun, maybe even with nowhere in particular to go, just to experience something that requires all of your attention, all of your focus, all of your skills?

It’s the same old story — if I have to explain it to you, you’re probably never going to get it. Are the stakes high? Absolutely. Are the stakes worth it? Unquestionably.

For what it’s worth, I sent a response to Ms. Hauser’s observations to the Tribune.

I wanted to respond to Emily Hauser’s recent commentary “Highly stupid at high speeds.” Emily, I sincerely hope that a helmetless motorcyclist never has the impertinence to die and intrude on your peace of mind. It would be a tragedy if you had to endure some sleepless nights.

I’ll admit that I’m not one for helmet debates. I wear a helmet every time I get on one of my motorcycles. (I’ll also admit that was not always the case in my nearly 30 years of motorcycling.) So I can’t get too fired up to fight helmet laws and defend the rights of the helmetless, despite the fact that I recognize the slippery slope that exists when we allow others to define the risks we may take. Personally, I sometimes choose to just wear jeans instead of proper motorcycle pants. I’m sure there’s someone in the world who feels that I shouldn’t be allowed to do that. In fact, I’m sure there’s someone in the world who feels I shouldn’t be allowed to ride a motorcycle at all.

No, I take offense at self-involved commentaries like yours because, while up on the soapbox, you and others fail to point out the most important component of these crashes. Statistically, if a motorcycle collides with a car it was the auto driver’s fault. I can’t believe you were ignorant of that fact given the stats you cite on lower fatalities when helmets are worn. So why not mention it?

Every year a few hysterical articles like yours show up decrying deadly motorcycles and their crazy riders. They point out some dangerous antics, or lack of helmets, or recent deaths. And they never, ever seem to take a moment to point the finger at themselves.

They don’t ask why an automobile driver can blow through a stop sign, kill a motorcyclist and only receive a traffic ticket, as happened more than once in the Chicago area in recent years. Or why former South Dakota congressman Bill Janklow can be found guilty of second-degree manslaughter for running down a motorcyclist and be sentenced to only 100 days. The examples of how little value is placed on the lives of motorcyclists are legion. And you and your kind never take a moment to say, “Put down your coffee! Hang up your stupid cellphone! Pay attention! Watch out for others!” Instead you go and buy a bigger SUV, so that motorcycle guy won’t do too much damage when he runs into you.

So let me at least relieve you of one concern. You said you in your article “even if it’s [the biker's] fault.” Don’t worry — odds are that it won’t be. It will be your fault. Helmetless or not, dead or not, if I (or one of my friends) get in a crash with you it will be because you turned left in front of me, or changed lanes into me, or just ran me over as you pass through an intersection. And helmetless or not, dead or not, I hope it haunts you until the day you die.