Episode 037: Questions and Answers

tom: [00:00:00] Today we're tackling your burning motorcycle questions Todd from the internet. So no, we're not gonna ask you. Did you google it first, but we're not guaranteeing accurate answers.

All right

milemarker

tom: for the mile marker, Todd, uh, we, we found some questions from some different places on the, on the old interwebs. So, the first one is one that you found, right?

Yes. Uh, on the subreddit,

WinstonSalemBadWolf, 1988. That's right. That sounds like, uh, that's interesting. Yeah, it was just, uh, about two weeks ago. Okay. So he's been thinking about starting a motorcycle riding club in his area and he was looking for some tips. He doesn't want it to be the standard, um, motorcycle club that you're, you're used to seeing where you got to ride a certain type of bike and wear certain patches and, and that this is kind of a come as you are, ride what you ride, more of a social group.

So, um, What do you think about that? Yeah, a couple of things [00:01:00] So I recently spoke to john del vecchio He's got that book called cornering confidence and he actually started one in his area, rochester, new york Just using the old meetup. com So like that thing still exists people still post events on there.

Yeah, and I think there's a couple others like that Um, and then I would talk to the local motorcycle shops and dealers. Those guys You You know, kind of an endless supply of people coming in with motorcycles and, you know, I'm sure that you could probably get some little, um, business cards or something made up, um, to kind of, you know, have contact information.

So if people are interested and then the last part, I would take those same cards and then just see people with motorcycles in your area and give them to them. What John told me he did, which works great, was one of the local motorcycling people, um, owned a coffee shop or something, or like a burger joint or something, and so they would just every Thursday meet there.

And so he just makes it a weekly thing, and so that's what I would do, is look for a place, someone, you know, I'd try to go local, [00:02:00] maybe that has a decent parking lot. Maybe he's done car shows or other things in the past, see what you can find. But that would be one way to do it weekly, monthly, uh, you know, every other week or something, third Tuesday, uh, those kinds of things I think can work out pretty well.

I mean, I know that there's some local cars and coffee groups for, for cars, and I'm sure you could also join up with them. With them, you know, I'm sure it's bikes and cars. So is the idea there then to meet someplace local and then go for a ride? Or do you go for a ride and then meet local afterward? Yeah, I think you're just meeting to talk and chat, not riding like every week.

Uh huh. Right. So, and then I think you can plan some day rides from there. You know, you can start to kind of get to know people and plan out rides and do different things. So is it important to have a group name or group website or anything? I wouldn't. I mean, I think it's just, uh, informal, you know. I mean, eventually, I suppose you probably could start a Facebook group.

Um, but other than that, I think it'd be good. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:03:00] So another one that was asked a couple, just a little bit ago from a subreddit motorcycle gear. So this is a long one, but it was kind of interesting since in episode three six we've been talking about gear. I'd never really understood what all the difference, um, levels or I didn't realize there were actually was certain levels.

Mm-Hmm. . So this is from your leader says, and he says what gear is, is good to get as a beginning writer. Um, and he says, I've been obsessively looking at motorcycle gear to get next year when I get my bike. So he goes, what should I be looking for? So then they started talking about, uh, AA versus AAA rated level two CE armor.

And so then I was like, well, what the heck does that even mean? So then I ended up, I Googled it for you, Todd. Um, but AA and AAA, they're all ratings for motorcycle gear that kind of. Um, they tell you what kind of protection that you can get from the, from the different things. So triple a is the highest level of protection.

It meets the highest standards. Um, like this would be [00:04:00] stuff that you'd be thinking, like you see people wear it like a track. So like you could be skidding down the road and you know, like that whole thing. Um, so then if you break down to AA gear, then we're talking about middle layer. Really? This is about kind of, um, it's higher than the lowest a, but it's kind of the middle.

So I think. That's kind of the normal stuff that you see most people riding with on the street. I would say like kind of the, the jackets that have that sort of thing. And then there's a, which is kind of the lowest level of protection. It just meets the requirements. So, um, anytime you're thinking it's probably the cheaper, the cheaper gear would fall under that specification.

Okay. Um, then if you look, Uh, they do have a class B, which is like just protects from abrasion. So, I mean, I think probably like the, the Kevlar pants would probably fit into that. Um, like a leather jacket, leather jacket, cause it's going to stop, it won't get you abrasion, but it's not going to stop you if you hit a post or like a curb or something so much of that, uh, level C talks about the impact [00:05:00] armor.

So it would be just about the armor. The armor doesn't meet abrasion. So you'd have to combine, that's when you see these combining together. And then, then it goes on and CE ratings are based on all kinds of impact and abrasion. And there's not an official rating for all these. It's kind of like, that's how this kind of goes.

But another, I would, you always see this comment every time you talk about gear. Okay. Equivalent 3180 said, The best gear is whatever you're going to wear and whatever you have on. And he's not wrong. I mean, uh, it definitely, um, that's definitely true. But at the same time, it's a classic internet answer, right?

What's the best, you know, camera. It's the one you have in your hand, you know, like, okay, we get it. But, um, but then also, um, a couple of times I've been referred to this moto legends and moto Kenji. Kenji25, uh, also recommended Moto Legends on YouTube. He's a European fellow, but he, he has very in detail reviews of tons and tons of gear.

Um, so definitely check out that channel and that'll help you a lot, but it is very well [00:06:00] done. He's a very, uh, He's a very, it's, he does helmets, gear, all kinds of, all kinds of things. That sounds good. So we did have a question from Jimmy James, 1968. He asked us, why do we push like motorcycle trips over just the day rides?

Like we talked a lot more about motorcycle trips here than we do about day rides. And, and I'll let you start with that. I think, um, well, I think we talk about trips because that's what our group does. We take. Multi day trips. Uh, I mean, occasionally we take a day ride. I think we're talking about maybe doing a leaf ride, but you know, I think all of that is because of our friendship and that we like to hang out for multiple days.

You know, it's, it's a vacation from work. It's a, you know, vacation from family. I mean, uh, unless we're bringing spouses along, but I mean, you know, I mean, still it's, it's, it's getting out of town and, you know, we just enjoy each other's company. And for us, it's, it's maintaining this friendship that we've had for.

Over 35 [00:07:00] years, you know, and so, uh, that's why we talk about multi day trips. And, um, we don't talk quite as we're not, I don't wouldn't say we're pushing multi day trips, but it's just what we like to do. There's a few things that I agree with you, everything you said there, Todd, I think, well, and I will say also, like, we'll do a lot more day trips with people that are local that maybe don't want to do a multi day.

So we've done that like, you know, and maybe to kind of spice up the number of, of rides that we get in, but, But yeah, I mean, I think it's kind of our thing, right? I mean, it's this group of people's thing to do And you know, we've talked about a little bit before I know we have plans to talk more about it in the future but it's like they're kind of like it's kind of uh, Psychological helpful for us all like, you know, it's like it's a it's kind of Nice, you know, it's to get out and just kind of be talking about things whether things are happening in your life Or you're just not enjoying life as well.

And I don't know for me. That's I think partially what it is to us Oh, it's been great You know [00:08:00] bickering Yelling joking, you know, it's just fun. Yeah, so I think it's just our way to release it It is the theme and just enjoy ourselves each other. Yeah, and I know we've talked about it. It's been great therapy for Yeah, several of us, you know, I mean to get away with friends and you know talk about some things that are you know, I've got you down or troubling you and to just have that support and friendship and and you know, we've got the communicators in our helmets, so It's kind of nonstop from the moment we, you know, get out the door and start writing, there's always something to talk about.

And, um, you know, really that's, I think that's kind of why we do it. Yeah. At least there's a new podcast I've picked up not too long ago. And this kind of sums up, we mansplained to each other a lot. We do. Um, another question that came again. This one is off the subreddit and motorcycle rats boy had a question and we've dealt with this.

I mean, everyone I think [00:09:00] dealt with this, but how do you clean bugs off your visor and helmets? Um, moto mo to me has the answer that I like. I think what people try to do is they just try to get in there and this works on windshields too, right? It's um, but they get in there and they're trying to take it off instantaneously.

Right? So it's like a, it's a wax on wax off situation. Rub it right in and scratch. What I've done is just honestly, either paper towel or some other sort of towel, wet it, just lay it on there and just let it soak in for awhile. If you know, uh, someone had mentioned, uh, in this, in this, uh, answers, he says, put the paper towel, wet paper towel on there, go drink a cup of coffee and then come back and everything will be.

Easy to get off. Yeah. Um, but then also I hadn't heard of this before RPK Hero said he actually gets everything clean on the bike, you know And there's a lot of do it yourself ceramic coatings And he said there's a specific one that's for plastic and he uses on his helmet and the bike And he says huge difference now.

I don't have it on my helmet, but I have the ceramic coating on my bike [00:10:00] It's unbelievable. Like it really truly is. I think the only thing you gotta be careful of is you can't use any waxes, um, it'll, that tears it off. Oh, okay. So, so you're saying if you've got the ceramic coating on there and you do get a bunch of bug splats, do they just kind of wipe off?

Well, I don't think so, but I think it's still like, it just, it kind of, if I understand the ceramic coating, they're using like nano, like technology to kind of fill in the gaps on the plastic that you don't see, so it's almost just making it a smoother surface for That they can't attach to. Like, that's the way I understand it.

Like, dirt and things just can't attach. That makes sense. It attaches to the divots that you can't, that we can't see with the human eye. But like, if you look at the microscope, you're like, Is this the Grand Canyon? No. Oh, yeah. It's a zoomed in version of, you know, your windshield. Gotcha. Yeah. Alright. You got any more?

Yeah, another question. Uh, this came to us on our, um, on our YouTube channel. Okay. Um, And, uh, [00:11:00] someone was asking what's the most important thing to remember, uh, when riding with a group. And I think they were, uh, new to group riding. They hadn't done a group ride yet. So they were getting ready to go on a group ride.

And so they wanted to know like, Hey, what are some tips and tricks? So, um, first, I mean, there's lots. Okay. So first of all, When you're going to a group ride for the first time, arrive with a full tank of fuel. Uh, don't get there and then say, Hey everybody, I have to stop. Yeah, um, that won't go over well. Uh, make sure all of your, your water bottles or anything that, you know, you're taking to stay hydrated are full.

Full, you're ready to go. Uh, make sure that you've done the safety checks on your bike. You've checked all the fluids you've checked, you know, if you have a chain, make sure that's lubed and it's the right tension, all that, um, all that stuff. And if you're, if you're carrying external luggage, uh, you know, make sure it's fastened down really well.

Uh, you know, from experience that you've driven away and had a go fly it off or a cover, go fly it off. You [00:12:00] name it. I was kind of thinking, how do we test for that? Because we really don't, I wonder if you could just take like a leaf blower, you know, like, and really just blow it on your bike and I don't know.

Let's see if anything's flapping or, you know, getting ready to come off. But, um, make sure all that stuff is, is really fastened down well. And bring your rain gear, uh, because we never know, you know, what's going to happen on the trip. And, uh, you know, they don't, They don't, you know, usually a ride is scheduled three, four or five weeks out in advance, the date is set, and it might rain that day, so.

And then when you, uh, do get in with your group, I would really check on communication, uh, find out if they're going to use hand signals, uh, find out if they're, they've already agreed on, uh, stopping points, so that, you know, if you're using any sort of a GPS, you can kind of get that marked, um, and then, you know, You know, if you're leading that group, you know, just make sure that you're taking a pace that everyone's comfortable with.

Um, sometimes it's nice to have, you know, like more [00:13:00] beginner riders towards the back, um, so that they can kind of, you know, slow down if they need to ride at their own speed. Um, but I, as the leader of the group, I would really just kind of watch out and make sure everyone is, is a, and I wouldn't require people to ride too closely together, especially if it's in a group, um, you know, just, Let everybody kind of be comfortable and you know riding the stagger, but um, yeah, keep it comfortable What what else do you think tom?

What would just be on time at least for the first time at the very very beginning? I think um and in the mornings like you know We generally talk and agree on a time and then just Be there at that time, you know, like it's that's you don't want to start the day off poorly like kind of like, you know I mean, it just doesn't yeah by the second or if you're on a three or four day, you know But the second and third day people are grumpier because maybe they're not sleeping at home Yeah, you know and I think just uh, and then on the same flip side right is just be be nice You know, I mean like we've talked about that before it's like there's we're here to relax not to Yeah.

You know, get crazy. [00:14:00] Yeah. And if people are using helmet communicators and you have one, make sure you get linked up with them. Oh, I just turn it off. Yeah. Have your playlist ready to go then if you're just, if you're not, you know, your playlist or your podcasts, uh, you know, whatever you're going to listen to, you know, have that stuff ready to go.

Um, yeah. Have some sunscreen with you. Important one that I generally forget. Yeah. Uh, and fry myself. But, uh, Yeah, that's good stuff. Yeah, if you like that send us some more questions and we kind of get some more questions We find them on the yeah on the interwebs. We'll put them together every so often and add a q a so yeah Um,

Toolkit

tom: In the toolkit today, I thought, Todd, what about the MSF course, the motorcycle safety course that people can take? Um, you know, if you, if you don't have a motorcycle license for me, I think it's a great way to get a motorcycle license. Most States, if you take the class, it's usually a two or three day [00:15:00] class for the first one.

It's a written, and then usually, uh, you know, you get some drive time on motorcycles that are brought in for this. Um, And what's, what's nice, at least in Iowa, once you pass that, then you can go down and they give you, you don't have to do a writing test, uh, down there at the, at the DMV. Probably have to do a written test though, right?

No, it's all, yeah, you might have to, yeah, I can't, I don't think so, but check, but, but what's nice about that is then it's just a lot less stress. And yeah. The tests that they have down there can be hard. I mean, it's not easy. Um, and then you and I have taken some of the advanced classes as well, and we really enjoyed them.

Um, it's kind of nice to take that after a year or two or more of writing. Uh, it really kind of, I would say it kind of, um, what does it do? It kind of level sets you a little bit. When you see what some people can do, um, it really does kind of humble, humbles you a little bit. It sure does. I remember our instructor had a very long, uh, bike.

I don't remember exactly what that was. Yeah, it was a Victory Vision. That's what it was, the Vision. Um, and boy, he, he at [00:16:00] very slow speeds was able to do some really tight corners. Yeah. Uh, weave in and out of cones that were tight. Yeah. And it was impressive. So you look at that and go, okay, well, I guess I should be able to do that on my Goldwing.

Yeah. Well, and if you ever think that you're doing great, just go search like police writing courses or something. These, these people are amazing. That's amazing. Control of their motorcycles is, is just, it doesn't even seem possible. It's so good. And then there's also some off road classes. Um, I know up in Wisconsin, there's a couple of places that'll, um, they'll teach you how to ride on off road.

Uh, which is something I'd love to go do sometime, is just learn more about how to control that bike when there's less traction. Um, to me that's, that's really good too, because it always helps you. Yeah. Um, there's a couple books out there, I talked about John Dovecchio's Cornering Confidence, a good book, you can pick that up on Amazon.

And then for the kind of engineering minded folks out there, um, there's another book that's called [00:17:00] Motorcycle Dynamics and it talks a lot about like the physics of motorcycling, how it works. The physics of motorcycling is really cool. It's, it's kind of the same thing you see sometimes with those guys that have the, the wheel on the end of the pole.

Yeah, the gyro. The gyro effect, because it's, it's real. It is real. You know, I mean, one of the most difficult things I think when you first start writing is, is kind of your personal You're turning the wrong direction like you turn the handlebars to the left to go right, you know, you're right You're you're pushing on this on this handlebar to go that way.

Yeah, it's straight. Um, yeah it's it's interesting until you kind of when you see people like in these videos where they're going off the road and it looks like they're fighting they are they're like I think they're sometimes fighting to try to turn what they what their mind think they have to do And yeah, you really just have to kind of Just believe that's gonna happen and that's one of the things I've enjoyed mostly about some of the courses They tell you all about it and why that's the way it is.

Mm [00:18:00] hmm Yeah, it's really really good. And I don't know the more you can learn about these things It just seems like the better writer that you become absolutely and then you know all the different rains and winds and Things, you know, so yeah, it's good stuff.

If you liked the podcast today, please like and subscribe and sign up for our Rider Alerts.

tom: It's our way of keeping you in the loop, and we promise, no spam. Keep the spirit of adventure alive, and remember, bikes, friends, and endless roads, the stories ride forever.