Rule # 1

From: jon springer [mailto:avengercycle@msn.com]

Ya'll know that I always say that the first rule of bein a motorcyclist is ta never let anyone ride yer bike, unless it's the mechanic.

Well, yesterday Iwas pullin my newest bike, 04' YZF600, absolutely mint condition and only owned it fer two weeks, in ta the back of the shop soI could close up. I stopped at the bay door of my neighbor ta chat and he asks,"Can I ride yer bike?" So since I had a few beers and was feelin easy, I let him hop on thinkin he was just gonna do a couple laps in the parkin lot in front of the shop.Ta my surprise he heads right onto the street and nails the throttle and heads down the street.I started thinkin,"This is not gonna be good!" He makes a u-turn and comes back haulin ass and the street starts ta bend but guess what, he see's the bend comin up quick and decides ta go straight then nail the front brake as he see's the curb approachin and downs my bike! I haven't dropped one of my bikes in 15 years! Lesson learned, practice what I preach and make sure this don't happen ta you!

Fortunately he scrubbed off most of the speed before he downed my bike and just did a tuck and roll and just gotta lil roadrash and only did $800 worthof damage. Framesavers are a good thing!!!
Z-tupid

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That has always been RULE # 1 with me too Zig. Long before I opened a bike shop I had learned that loaning a motorcycle is not like lending your car to a friend.

Being in the bike business has reinforced that rule a thousand times over the years. I can't count how many guys brought in damaged bikes for repair or to sell us as a write off, and when I asked them what happened they said " Oh, like an idiot I let my friend take my bike for a spin...".

With a car you have 4 wheels and a cage and seat belt. On a bike you have 2 wheels, surprising acceleration, super brakes, and controls and handling that act different on every machine. Add that to the fact that the new test rider wants to see how the bike performs and not look like a wimp when he rides away, and you have a recipe for disaster.

I have actually lost a couple of friends who were offended by my #1 Rule in the past, but I didn't lose them to a bike accident. They are still alive and not riding around in a wheelchair.

John