Why Germans are safer riders IMO...

[Motoracer]

I have been living here in Germany since Jan this year and I have been riding here since April. During this time I have observed group rides and I have noticed the following key rule that 95% of the riders follow:

"You are not allowed to overtake another rider of your group, while the ride is in motion. You can only swap positions during stops."

While this practice sounded boring and "Ullysess" like to me at 1st, even I have come to realise the benifits of this. Think about it. IMO - it results in, instant elemination of so many factors that can cause a motorcycle accident. You can still have fun even if you are a bit faster than the rider in front, by slowing down before the corners and then speeding up through the turns. Then you can always swap with him or her at the stop.

OK... people still die here and maybe the %, statistic wise will show a similar figure to NZ for death tolls due to bike accidents. However I think they are more to do with city traffic accidents. I reckon on the road rides, there are fewer accidents here than in NZ. Thats just my opinion though. There are also other reasons like lower speed limits here in the twisties and cops and transport authorities who have desgined the system so people can break less laws. But still, I think the point I highlighted makes one of the biggest difference here...

[McJim]

I've learned to ride on my own. I haven't had any "Oh Shit!" moments since I stopped participating in group rides.

[Jaxi]

Never really thought of this as a "rule" as such, but the group rides (on the road) that I've been on in the UK and Europe more or less stick to this school of thought... They are far from boring!

[paddy]

I know a LOT of people will disagree with me, but (sports) bikers in this country seem a bit obsessed with "the twisties" - riding super fast and not seeing any of the scenery they ride though. I like to cruise on the road and take in the nature that I am much closer to on my bike that I would be in the car. Otherwise I may as well be in my car. I don't understand. If you really want to test yourself and feel that adrenaline rush - why wouldn't you go to a track day. It's safer for you and safer for everyone else.

Maybe it's psychological. Maybe folks are intimidated by the concept of "the track" but are comfortable on the road because they've been on it as long as they can remember (as a passenger from childhood, to driver, to rider).

That's just my opinion though. Others are entitled to their very own.

[Kickaha]

why wouldn't you go to a track day. It's safer for you and safer for everyone else.

Because they might find out they're nowhere near as quick as they think they are

[jrandom]

Because they might find out they're nowhere near as quick as they think they are

I suspect there are one or two or a couple dozen of that sorta fella on KB...

For what it's worth, I think MR makes an excellent point.

Fuck group rides, anyhow. If I want to race I'll go to a race meet.

I'm off now for a few hundred kilometres of touring pace. Have an equally awesome day, y'all.

[Sheba]

I know a LOT of people will disagree with me, but (sports) bikers in this country seem a bit obsessed with "the twisties" - riding super fast and not seeing any of the scenery they ride though. I like to cruise on the road and take in the nature that I am much closer to on my bike that I would be in the car. Otherwise I may as well be in my car. I don't understand. If you really want to test yourself and feel that adrenaline rush - why wouldn't you go to a track day. It's safer for you and safer for everyone else.

Maybe it's psychological. Maybe folks are intimidated by the concept of "the track" but are comfortable on the road because they've been on it as long as they can remember (as a passenger from childhood, to driver, to rider).

That's just my opinion though. Others are entitled to their very own.

I was just talking to someone today who couldn't figure out the point of riding a bike on just roads (unless commuting to work perhaps). He found it pointless and would just want to be in the woods or somewhere with a bike. I personally love the concept of both and will do both when I eventually get a bike and license.

But I like how you described being closer to nature even on the open road.

[vtec]

Yeah MR is onto something. All the group rides I've been on involve people trying to show how "hard" they are, unfortunately me included. People crash a lot more often on group rides, especially KB ones.

Now I only like to ride with others on the track, I will go on a ride with a noob or two, and if it gets boring I put some space between us and for the sections of the trip that I want to I can boost through some twisties on my own, but usually I much prefer to follow, and let the other person set the pace, cause I can nearly always match it well within my comfort zone. No danger.

Mostly my motorbike is used for cheap transport and time saving traffic evasion, but it's also my race bike. Haven't done much touring, but if I do, it'll most likely be solo.

[jono035]

Because they might find out they're nowhere near as quick as they think they are

More likely other people will find out that they're nowhere near as quick as they say they are...

[Motu]

- why wouldn't you go to a track day.

Why,anyone who wouldn't go to a track day isn't a real motorcyclist - you should take their bikes off them for being so damn stupid.

[jrandom]

Had a nice 'tour' around the Coromandel yesterday on Betty.

Shiny new Ninja 250 went into a ditch in front of me on the first uphill corner out of Tairua.

He was, of course, trying to keep up with a pack of 'bigger' bikes.

Apparently that was his second bin of the day.

Welcome to the Coro GP.

[SPman]

Originally Posted by paddy
I know a LOT of people will disagree with me, but (sports) bikers in this country seem a bit obsessed with "the twisties" - riding super fast and not seeing any of the scenery they ride though.

I prefer to ride not particularly fast, but at "a good clip" and still seem to encompass and enjoy the scenery and seeing things that others riding at a sedater pace don't notice........

[red675]

one theory not touched on so far (on why Germans might be safe riders) could be their choice of bikes - BMWs might be built like panzers in most departments but not sadly when it comes to their forks ...