Allan Kirk's at it again, this time its the older rider's fault!

[WelshWizard]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/stor...ectid=10501290

Allan Kirk, of the MegaRider Organisation, said yesterday that a raft of proposals announced by the Government last week failed to tackle dangers faced by older riders with reflexes often too slow for today's sophisticated machines.****************************
But he said ageing reflexes meant many were mentally ill

[MSTRS:Me]

That man is dangerous. What a cock.

[riffer]

Not what I got from it.

I think he's got a point.

Mr Kirk said most older people returning to the transport mode of their youth generally retained the physical skills needed to ride motorcycles.
But he said ageing reflexes meant many were mentally ill-equipped to handle the higher-performance machines now available, and needed basic education tips on how to get out of trouble, such as to ease their brakes into a swerve to avoid a head-on crash.
Older riders were at greater risk of broken bones, took longer to heal, and their injuries were likely to have wide impacts on family or business responsibilities.


Please tell me which of the above is inaccurate?

There is more than anecdotal evidence to suggest that a number of people are returning to motorcycling. Compare say a 1970 TR6 with a 2008 GSF1200, which would be a popular bike for a returning rider of middle age. Or perhaps something faster - plenty of returning riders picking up Ducatis, BMWs or Harley-Davidsons. All of which are more powerful than a TR6.


Reflexes are slower in the over-40s compared to the under 30s.

And it hurts more when you crash.

Take the emotion out of it and it makes sense. Not nice reading but.

[Motu]

Reflexes are slower in the over-40s compared to the under 30s.

And it hurts more when you crash.

The reflexes may be slower - but the pathways to react are already built into the brain.In Kenny Roberts speak - you have a package on the wall of your experience to reach out and grab for whatever emergency is at hand....or something that is pretty close anyway.Younger riders are still compiling their packages of experience to hang on the wall.Knowing how to react is more important than how fast you react.

And yes,it hurts more when you crash....and hurts for longer.

I also see nothing wrong with Mr Kirk's statement.

[Usarka]

How many of kb'ers are over 40?

and how many have mental illness?

'nuff said.

[Usarka]

see you old farts reactions are too slow to even reply while i read the article and constructed a positive response....

But Wairarapa-based Mr Kirk, whose organisation has promoted motorcycling safety since 1970, said a survival education package he offered to provide for older riders was turned down by the corporation on cost grounds.

It's alwayse about the money, and whats in it for them eh......

[McJim]

It's alwayse about the money, and whats in it for them eh......

However my question to this would be if there was a refresher course available like the one presented by Mr Kirk, how many would take up the offer?

The Bronz RRRS course is already available and accessible to many motorcyclists - how many have gone on it?

[Hitcher]

Another "organisation" comprising a cock and his word processor. A bit like that pillock Stefan Browning from the "Soil & Health Association". If really fucks me off how the media gives media space to these nongs and never challenges their "credentials".

[Pussy]

How many of kb'ers are over 40?

I'M over 40, you cheeky little whippersnapper! It's MISTER Pussy to you, from now on

[riffer]

The reflexes may be slower - but the pathways to react are already built into the brain.In Kenny Roberts speak - you have a package on the wall of your experience to reach out and grab for whatever emergency is at hand....or something that is pretty close anyway.Younger riders are still compiling their packages of experience to hang on the wall.Knowing how to react is more important than how fast you react.

And yes,it hurts more when you crash....and hurts for longer.

I also see nothing wrong with Mr Kirk's statement.

I think where people are getting upset is that they're misreading the intent of Kirk's statement. It's not so much the age of the rider; more it's those riders who've been away for a while. They're not match fit.

I'm 41. I've been riding since age 12. I spent 12 years away from motorcycles (age 24-36). It took me a good year before I was comfortable giving the bike some stick. My last bike before I left biking was a 80HP 1986 GPZ750. My returning bike was a 105HP FZR750R. Imagine spending 20-30 years away and coming back to a bike with possibly 100 more horsepower. The statistics are telling us that a number of guys are having these problems and its returning bikers. The young ones crash because they're learning but the older ones have to re-learn to a certain extent.

That's what MY experience has taught me (4.5 years back on a bike now - and daily riding too).

[Ixion]

I'm not convinced about the reflexes thing. While undoubtedly medically true , how relevant is it . No man ever lacked for a stone to throw at a dog.

How many riders actually crash because their reflexes are point n of a second too slow? As opposed to crashing because they did stupid shit, and/or didn't know what to do when it all went wrong.

The time for the actual reflex action (the "snatch hand away when it meets something sharp" action) is very small indeed compared with the "process inputs and figure out appropriate reaction " time.

It's reaction time that counts, not reflex time. As as Mr Motu says, that is probably faster in older riders , simply because experiences burns in the neural pathways.

[Ixion]

I've noticed, BTW , that my riding is noticable detrimentally affected by as little as a week not riding. Not anything an outsider would notice , but after a week either caging (as in on holiday) or not out at all (as in sick), when I return the fine edge is slightly dulled. I notice hazards a fraction more slowly , my concentration is just slightly down , fine for a a cage, but as we all know, what's adequate for a cage will have you sliding down the road on a bike.

So, agreed, coming back after years would require a lengthy rebraining process.

By the same token, I wonder if those who only ride once a week ever get out of the trough ? Can you really be a safe rider if you only ride once in a while?

But Mr Kirk is still a Jerk.

[Slingshot]

"credentials".

He's got an Anti-Terrorist Riding Course, that's a good enough credential in my book!

I'm with Riffer on this one, sounds like a few of our elderly members are getting a touch precious.

[Slingshot]

But Mr Kirk is still a Jerk.

I think you might be right, just having a look through his website...it reads as if it's used a template from the Destiny Church.

Here are a couple of gems:

The NZMSC's slogan is "We Will Save Your Life". This slogan is used simply because so many Kiwi riders have come up to NZMSC instructors and, shaking their hand, said: "Thanks. Your instruction saved my life". That, we feel, is what the NZMSC is all about.

It was responsible for the introduction of daytime headlight use in New Zealand, played a major role in a nationwide braking campaign that is said to be one of the most successful road safety campaigns to run in New Zealand, and has been a major influence in motorcycle safety both in New Zealand and in many other countries.

[Mike748]

By the same token, I wonder if those who only ride once a week ever get out of the trough ? Can you really be a safe rider if you only ride once in a while?

I'm not yet forty and have only recently got back on a bike. I also have no choice but to take a cage to work and my riding is "as time permits" so I find that time away from the bike definately makes me repeat the "getting familiar with the bike routine" each time I go out.

So for me, the answer is no, definately not as safe as could be.