Rate Your Skills - Harley Forum

GOMO · #1 05-08-2009, 12:32 PM

I'm in the process of gathering some info and your input could be helpful.

I am curious how you would rate yourself as a skillful rider. Preferably an honest answer would work, but if you feel you need to bump it up a notch or two - ok.

If you could also include your years of riding that would be appreciated. You can include any riding skills classes you may have taken.

Ratings are 1 through 10

1 = Better off walking
2 = Beginner
3 = Getting better
4 = Starting to log some miles now
5 = Fair / Average
6 = Stepped up a Notch
7 = Above Average
8 = Track Worthy
9 = Capable of Amazing Feats
10 = Pro - born, raised & lived on a motorcycle

You get the picture.....................

Bigincher · #2 05-08-2009, 12:39 PM

Isn't this a lot like rating the size of your 'manhood'?

unclepsycho · #3 05-08-2009, 10:45 PM

7 = Above Average
8 = Track Worthy
9 = Capable of Amazing Feats

Explaination....

7 Now I am a ''7'' most of the time

8 Once in a while on a good day, I can be an ''8''

9 When I was drinking... I was a ''9'' most of the time on weekends.

I have taken no classes... there for I have ''no class''

I just bought a bike one day back in 1980 and started riding. I sold my bike (somewhere in the 90's)and didnt ride for about 10 years and got back on a bike in 2003.

Bigincher · #4 05-08-2009, 11:43 PM

Unc, does that mean you're a 7-8-9?

(rolls eyes)

Personally, I'm a 10. End of discussion.

Agent Orange · #5 09-08-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOMO

I'm in the process of gathering some info and your input could be helpful.

I am curious how you would rate yourself as a skillful rider. Preferably an honest answer would work, but if you feel you need to bump it up a notch or two - ok.

If you could also include your years of riding that would be appreciated. You can include any riding skills classes you may have taken.

Ratings are 1 through 10

1 = Better off walking
2 = Beginner
3 = Getting better
4 = Starting to log some miles now
5 = Fair / Average
6 = Stepped up a Notch
7 = Above Average
8 = Track Worthy
9 = Capable of Amazing Feats
10 = Pro - born, raised & lived on a motorcycle

You get the picture.....................

Ok, lets see..first I'm 53,started riding when I was 18..you do the math..I don't like your above choices though..
#7 above average..I'd say yep!!maybe a bit above average...maybe more..
#8..trackworthy...nope..not how I ride..I will say I can "probably" keep up with most other cruiser/touring riders in the twisties on my '07 FLTR
#10 PRO?? Let see..that would be Valentino Rossi right..never even seen a "pro" on the street...some may think so but the skills I've seen havent proved it...legends in their own mind!!

I will say I could play in a parking lot with most any one I think...anyone can ride fast,you want to show me you can ride..do it slow...
MSF Rider Coach/Instructor Denver Co..

Hammerhead Pat · #6 09-08-2009, 04:35 PM

5= Fair/Average
6= Stepped Up a Notch
Seeing as this is my first street bike and I've got 13,000 miles on it I feel comfortable at where I' m at. Plenty of time on the interstates and a 1500 mile trip under my belt so far. Next year planning on the Bikes, Blues and BBQ in Arkansas, that'll be about 2600 miles!

FYI There's a weekly bike show on tv every week down here and I tape it just so I can watch the "Ride like a Pro" segment then erase the show. Good pieces of advice from the Motorman

botzman · #7 09-08-2009, 08:29 PM

I would basically have to say:

7 most of the time

8 on occasion

9 maybe.... a few years back after a few cold ones. Although I have launched myself over a car and through a deer in the past 2 years....does that count?

Been riding dirtbikes since I was 8. Started riding street at 21. Still riding street 25 years later continuously. Hoping for another 25. Botz

GOMO · #8 09-08-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent Orange

Ok, lets see..first I'm 53,started riding when I was 18..you do the math..I don't like your above choices though..
#7 above average..I'd say yep!!maybe a bit above average...maybe more..
#8..trackworthy...nope..not how I ride..I will say I can "probably" keep up with most other cruiser/touring riders in the twisties on my '07 FLTR
#10 PRO?? Let see..that would be Valentino Rossi right..never even seen a "pro" on the street...some may think so but the skills I've seen havent proved it...legends in their own mind!!

I will say I could play in a parking lot with most any one I think...anyone can ride fast,you want to show me you can ride..do it slow...
MSF Rider Coach/Instructor Denver Co..

Similar history; 50yrs old and have been riding motorcycles since I was 13. Along with being a RiderCoach, I've taken track schools, advanced riding courses, police motor officer training and basically consider my overall skill level for general riding around a 7.

I've done a bunch of informal surveys asking folks how they rate themselves and have gotten some interesting responses. For instance, a group that I know whose overall skill level would be considered fair at best collectively rated themselves at an average of 8 to 8.5 - kind of scary if you saw how they rode.

I think a lot of riders feel they are better than they really are - this statement usually gets me a lot of flack, but with the high number of single vehicle motorcycle fatalities I may not be to far off base. Riders need to understand that experience does not equate to skills. Granted having experience will help one recognize road conditions developing ahead of them, but if they do not have the proper skills all that experience will mean very little.

unfknblvbl · #9 09-08-2009, 10:37 PM

I would say I fall somewhere in between a 5 and 6. I got my bike in March 08 with 15 miles on it and now have almost 9k. In that time I've had my bike I had 6 weeks of down time due to my accident and a broke hand, the 2 or so months my bike sit in Arkansas while I was in Mississippi.

I consider myself (and my ridings buddies do to) an aggressive rider. Don't construe aggressive with stupid. I am very cautious of cagers and my surroundings while on the roads. My longest ride to date is 922 miles in 28 hours.

I've been to both the Beginners Riding Course and the Experienced Riders Course through the MSF. I have plans to take the group riding course as well.

Agent Orange · #10 09-08-2009, 11:47 PM

GOMO...""I think a lot of riders feel they are better than they really are""...I would have to agree wholeheartedly..its nice to talk the talk..but when it comes to walking the walk a lot fail...some bad...
As a rider coach, I'm always talking up school and the benefits of a class..and I ALWAYS hear the same old..." I've been riding 30(whatever) years,I dont need a class"...as they paddlefoot around and off they go...
Like you say...experience means nothing if its just repeating bad habits for years...