Controversial Opinions… 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Riding

Some of these may be unpopular opinions... but I said what I said. These are the 10 things I wish I would've known 7 years ago when I first started riding.

5 Common U-Turn Mistakes I Couldn’t Believe I was Doing
10 Things Motorcyclists Need To STOP Saying
10 Reasons Why This is The Biggest Lie in Motorcycling

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#DieFlatFootLie

[stewarts]

The great thing about these 10 things about riding is that they are based from your actual experiences. No second hand knowledge here, just real and honest experiences passed along which is what the motorcycling community is all about. Well done Doodle

[tomevans]

As one of those "old riders" that has been riding for over 55 years I can totally concur with the addiction of motorcycles. Also I love your channel and this episode was very well done with some great advice.

[royevans]

Busa rider these days, having ridden every size of road bike. 55 yrs of age, been riding for 40 years. Eat good food and keep your energy levels up. Your brain is processing a huge amount of information whilst riding and your body is burning energy on a motorcycle. Keep your human machine running as good as the one you are sat on. Energy is enjoyment. Energy is alertness. Energy enhances reaction times, clear thought, your mood, and spatial awareness among many other things.

[scorpion]

My family always says, “do you want to die? “ I tell them “no, I want to live. “ that’s why I like to ride motorcycles.

[ghostontwowheels]

Banana mic, that's very ap-PEEL-ing...

[madeleyinc]

65 years old and started riding since 1975, can't say I've had many of these problems, the one thing that has kept me alive so long is expecting every motorist to do the wrong thing and prepare for it. Younger riders will learn this eventually if they make it . Your videos may help some get past the temporary citizen stage so well done for your advice.

[arthurcgans]

Great video! I started riding over 50 years ago. I am STILL learning. My dad always said "When you absolutely know you are in full control, it's time to get off". That was not about the skill level, it was about the attitude! Always expect the unexpected. Thanks for all you do! I see many more lady riders than I ever had before. I truly believe young lady's like yourself are helping to facilitate that and it's a wonderful thing!

[zigzag]

Love your videos. I'm 78 and have been riding since 1964. When I first got on the road all it took was driver's licence and $20 for a plate. There were no courses, no schools, no nothing! You went out on the road and learned the hows, whys and wherefores the hard way of how not to get killed or kill yourself. I have the steel plates in my legs to prove I was a slow learner. My unsolicited advice to any rider new or old but especially new has nothing to do with riding skills per se but it's to practise wiping your butt with both your right and left hands till you're competent either way. Sooner or later you might need that very valuable skill.

[Donttellmeitsraining-nbwp]

I have said this so many times it hurts. The driver of the other car is going to turn us into a grease spot, regardless of who is at fault. All we can do is mitigate the chance of an accident. Lane placement, skill practice, speed and looking as far down the road as possible are the things that will save our lives. I am an old rider. I'd like like to be doing it until they put me in the ground. Glad to see you doing a video on this.

[jonakers]

The importance of hearing protection never seems to be stressed enough. Aside from the concept of saving your hearing in the long term, even in the short term it makes a huge difference in your riding stamina. With hearing protection, I can ride all day. I did it once without, and after just a couple of hours I was completely done. Blocking out that constant roaring is seriously important.

[motomitch]

I am an old rider: 62 years on the bike. And, I've been an avid amateur motocross racer for 55 of those years - and I still race. But, I love your videos! And, I learn so much! I am the first to admit that a lot of the skills you practice I couldn't do, or do well, because I don't practice them. Well, I am excited to get out on my street bike and expand my skillset. One thing I do practice is safety. I ALWAYS try to be aware of where I am in relation to cars and trucks, and I have a new habit of never entering an intersection faster than 25 mph. Sounds ridiculous, but it gives me a level of control that I can slow or avoid danger more confidently. Thanks for the videos!

[ssgveight]

Absolutely love your videos. This video specifically. I’m 45 years old and started riding a few months ago. Bought a road glide for my first bike and it had a pretty steep learning curve, but I’m addicted to it and now whip it around with relative ease. She still humbles me occasionally. I have more to learn. I love your advice and seeing your journey. Goes to show you don’t have to be a 200 plus pound, 6 foot tall dude to ride big bikes.
Keep the content coming and stay safe out there.

[JoeGoeMotorcycleAdventures]

That banana mic though 🤣 All great points. Especially the unsolicited advice and skills being perishable. My cousin that has been riding for over 20 years taught me not to use the rear brake. After taking multiple courses, I obviously learned that the rear brake is super important! Great video!

[bsmukler]

It has been a kick, watching your evolution as a rider over the years, from riding around the neighborhood (“Ooh look! A doggie!”) to riding blindfolded and over cars, and then tackling cross-country journeys. I really admire your practical, intellectual approach to consistently upping your game and your dedication to passing along what you have learned. I don’t know the actual statistics, but I believe solo accidents (usually failure to negotiate curves) are right up there with collisions in intersections as a cause of serious or fatal accidents. Not a cheery subject, but all the more reason to participate in training and to keep practicing.

[ooyginyardel]

Number 9 is so absolutely true. Non-riders telling me about moribund escapades of someone that they know, or heard of, or read about. As soon as I catch the drift of the conversation, I tell them to stop right there. Yet, some insist on smugly forcing the antidote on me for some reason of self satisfaction.

[johnw]

Your videos are so delightful. Packed with circumstances and how you've adapted, moto journalist views, product reviews and everything else you do makes for a really enticing story. I've ridden for nearly 60 years, own 4 bikes - Yamaha R1, 2 Sportsters and a 250 V-Star and am only 5' 4" so I really identify with your challenges. Keep it going, you're an inspiration to tons of women and a heck of a lot of guys, too. And thanks for all the hard work that goes into these videos

[BlssedToBeFree]

Love your content Doodle. I’m an old rider and still learn something from you each time I watch. Good job keep it up. Wishing you the best.

[s.gossett]

Lots to agree with, Doodle. Especially the one about keeping fit. I blew out a knee in my 20s and it didnt bother me much for many years so i didnt think about it. So all i did was live my life and pop some Advil on bad days.

However in my mid 30s that knee started to lose its ability to hold itself laterally. I started going to the gym and it has made a massive difference. Now I am a bit of a low level gym rat, but first off i dont feel unsteady no matter the size of bike I'm on and it actually improved my distance riding. I dont cramp up as quickly or suffer from the same kinds of aches and pains i used to.

Working out can suck, but if it makes it possible to keep riding well into my retirement years, it is absolutely worth it.

[darrenstibbard]

I couldn’t help but nod my head on every one of your points. I agree that as riders we need to check our ego sometimes and realize it’s continuing education and practice we need to do. Some people who say they’ve been riding for years feel it’s embarrassing to be seen in an empty parking lot riding in circles. I think the coolest thing is seeing a rider at slow speed control their machine like they’re one with it. I practice a lot because I like seeing the personal growth and as I like challenging myself. Plus as a solo rider it’s important you recognize your limitations and be able to get yourself out of tricky spots. Love your videos.

[jamxtube]

I’ve been riding since I was 15 years old. OMG!!! That’s almost 50 years!!! I love your video that shares your learned experience. Signs, in my opinion, that you’re on your way to becoming a GREAT rider are your points: our skills are perishable; the right gear makes all the difference; of motorcycle involved accidents are caused by people in four wheel vehicles that don’t see us and were never looking for us (and it doesn’t matter. If we’re not defensive, we lose); getting physically stronger is always a good idea. Bravo. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed learning some new strategies.