I recently came across this post:
Most every time I ride I hit 150+
I bought the Hayabusa mainly for its power.
So if other manufactures are going to make more powerful
motorcycles then the Hayabusa I may consider them as a future
purchase.
I think the main reason why people own Hayabusa because it was the most powerful
motorcycle at one time. Things have changed for 2012.
which I found troublesome.
If this guy keeps this up on a regular basis, what would you think his odds are of reaching social security age?
While giving thought to this individual's regular testing of the "Law of average" I realized that over the years I have read many, many posts of individuals who were happy to anounce speeds on public roads in excess of 150 mph but never once have I read a post "I went for a ride today and practiced emergency stops from 150 mph"!
So my point/question is: How may of you (If any) have ever practiced emergency stops from high speed? And is there any one person who can honestly state how much time/distance it takes YOU (Not an expert rider who tests motorcycles for the magazines or manufacturers) to bring your bike to a complete stop from 150 MPH?
Try this simple little test to satisfy your own curiosity. Mark a spot on your favorite high speed road to begin your braking zone. You can set a rock on the shoulder if there are no natural markers. Try it first at 100 mph by closing the throttle (Not applying the brake) at your marker and then squeezing the lever coming to a complete stop as quickly as you feel comfortable. Then, walk the stopping distance and count the steps. Now add 10 mph to each run until you reach 150 MPH (Or whatever speed you regularly ride) and continue to count the steps. It will be an eye opening experience.
My point is, if you have a habbit of riding at a buck twenty, you should practice and be aware of your ability to stop from that speed. If you are the guy in the post, you should practice stopping from a buck fifty. I work with truck loads of street riders from all walks of life every season. The lion's share of these folks have little problem with twisting the throttle but it's the very rare exception that can utilize the brakes efficiently (Less than one out of a hundred). Braking is a learned skill just like steering, both of which takes practice to become efficient.
The throttle will never save your life. However, your ability to steer around an object or hazzard as well as your ability to shed speed at a maximum rate can and will save you from a crash at least once in your riding career! Most likely multiple times.
Most every time I ride I hit 150+
I bought the Hayabusa mainly for its power.
So if other manufactures are going to make more powerful
motorcycles then the Hayabusa I may consider them as a future
purchase.
I think the main reason why people own Hayabusa because it was the most powerful
motorcycle at one time. Things have changed for 2012.
which I found troublesome.
If this guy keeps this up on a regular basis, what would you think his odds are of reaching social security age?
While giving thought to this individual's regular testing of the "Law of average" I realized that over the years I have read many, many posts of individuals who were happy to anounce speeds on public roads in excess of 150 mph but never once have I read a post "I went for a ride today and practiced emergency stops from 150 mph"!
So my point/question is: How may of you (If any) have ever practiced emergency stops from high speed? And is there any one person who can honestly state how much time/distance it takes YOU (Not an expert rider who tests motorcycles for the magazines or manufacturers) to bring your bike to a complete stop from 150 MPH?
Try this simple little test to satisfy your own curiosity. Mark a spot on your favorite high speed road to begin your braking zone. You can set a rock on the shoulder if there are no natural markers. Try it first at 100 mph by closing the throttle (Not applying the brake) at your marker and then squeezing the lever coming to a complete stop as quickly as you feel comfortable. Then, walk the stopping distance and count the steps. Now add 10 mph to each run until you reach 150 MPH (Or whatever speed you regularly ride) and continue to count the steps. It will be an eye opening experience.
My point is, if you have a habbit of riding at a buck twenty, you should practice and be aware of your ability to stop from that speed. If you are the guy in the post, you should practice stopping from a buck fifty. I work with truck loads of street riders from all walks of life every season. The lion's share of these folks have little problem with twisting the throttle but it's the very rare exception that can utilize the brakes efficiently (Less than one out of a hundred). Braking is a learned skill just like steering, both of which takes practice to become efficient.
The throttle will never save your life. However, your ability to steer around an object or hazzard as well as your ability to shed speed at a maximum rate can and will save you from a crash at least once in your riding career! Most likely multiple times.