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From: evincent@oberon.UUCP (Eric Vincent)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Automatic High Beam Flashers
Message-ID: <116@oberon.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 19-Sep-85 01:13:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: oberon.116
Posted: Thu Sep 19 01:13:36 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 23-Sep-85 00:41:40 EDT
References: <692@ihu1g.UUCP> <793@ihlpa.UUCP> <10413@ucbvax.ARPA>
Reply-To: evincent@oberon.UUCP (Eric Vincent)
Distribution: net
Organization: U. of So. Calif., Los Angeles
Lines: 38
Summary: 

In his article posted 18 Sept 1985, Rick McGeer raised some very
good questions that many of those who are interested in starting
to ride motorcycles ask. I thought I would offer my feelings
on some of them:

First, most new riders say they don't intend to ride on the 
freeways, but in time, you will.  

Your family, friends and associates who say that riding is 
dangerous are simply simply expressing a feeling that most
non-riders have about motorcycles.  To a certain extent, 
they are right.  Therein lies a basic obstacle that all
riders should confront.  You really need to accept the fact
that riding a motorcycle puts you in a more suseptible position
for an accident or injury.  What counters the argument against
riding is the amount of freedom and plain fun you can get from
it.

Riding a motorcycle requires a few different techniques from those
of driving a car, but primarily, riding a motorcycle demands that
you concentrate on the same skills you use in driving a car. One 
of these is concentration in itself.  Unlike a car driver who can
blithely roll down the road, unaware of 90 percent of his/her 
surroundings, a motorcyclist must devote far more attention to 
his riding - part of which is watching out for the half dead car 
driver beside him.

Finally, the last note about taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
course is right on the mark.  I have only praise for these programs,
and so does everyone I have met who has taken them.  This includes
both the beginner rider course as well as the experienced rider 
course they offer.

Take it easy,

Eric Vincent
Associate Editor, Free 2 Wheel Magazine
Assistant, 'Centerstand', KPFK-FM  Los Angeles
(Opinions expressed are entirely my own)