YES, MY SON
Posted by Tony Down at 12/6/2007 11:42 AM and is filed under Vintage Motorcycles,Vintage Bikes,Road Bikes,Trials 
YES, MY SON
And lo, they did come unto him and did say "Teach us our Father, teach us, for we know not
what we do" and so it was that first, my step-son Phill, and then Edward decided that they needed
a little instruction in the saddle.
Both were lucky that as I was currently riding the Tiger Cub and that "Glitzmobile" my trusty
mount from 2006 was due for some running time.
Using the Motorcycle Safety Foundation as a guideline, and I can think of no better way, we enter
the world of motorcycling with the emphasis on safety and FUN! For beginers the importance of the
"right gear" in terms of equipment, then a little on the technical side of "how and why" and then
the "do's and don'ts" and finally the lifebelt section of "what if's".
Cover the Clutch
Head and Eyes UP!
let's Talk 2 Finger Braking
Phill gets to grips with it in no time and after following all the basics it's time to start talking basic
trials, throttle control, 2 finger braking, handlebar pressure and counterweight and the correct
stance. Within the hour he and his Mother (Brenda) are long gone and I can hear the whoops of
delight and the sounds of Yamaha engines as they rocket through the stables making lots of noise
and even changing gear on the odd occasion. Phil, however has plenty of other interests so I
don't think he will be on the trials scene anytime soon. At the end of this article I invite you
(the reader) to listen and watch Phill's YOU-TUBE link.
1 Down, 4 Up
Next up Edward arrives for a visit and after some Clay Shooting on the Ben Avery Range he now
wants a shot at the trials bike again and this time he does seem to be getting a handle on it and
is up and down the dirt mounds that formed part of the "Touch of Scotland" section in the Birthday
Trial. I leave him to practice and do some more work on the Royal Enfield which was running
behind schedule.
Get your Knees Apart!
Some time later he appears with the sheepish "Dad ?"........... I'm thinking what's he done?........
but the sheepishness is not one of I wrecked the Glitz but, "I was just wondering....... if there
was any way......any way at all,...... that I could,...... well just a thought.......that perhaps..........
I could have a go on the Rothmans crotch rocket?????????......you think??"
OK Valentino, Let's GO
So a whole new set of riding gear, full face, jacket, gloves etc and a whole new breifing on
techniques and what WE are doing today and what WILL constitute the immediate STOP and
end of session.
NO Riding it like you Stole it!
Out to the road and within 5 minutes I have a budding Valentino Rossi on my hands as he rockets
past me on another "fast pass" (I think he was imagining himself going for the land speed record)
Vvvvrrrroooooomm!
Clearly the only way to stop this is to offer an alcoholic beverage thereby terminating the session
as my nerves are getting shot. Next time he is here we may go to Firebird Raceway and he can try
his hand there on the "unskilled novice rider on a closed course"....... in truth, even though I'm
slightly biased, boy DONE DID GOOD
That's ENOUGH for today
TONY DOWN why did I do that MSF Instructor's course??
Phill's You Tube Video
Lots of GOOD Stuff in OCT and NOV Archives
Thats a brave thing that you did,letting a green rider play with some of your goodies.The last time I did the same it was disheartening.I had a young woman who wanted to try riding one of my trials bikes.The next weekend I took her with me out to a friends place in the country.I spent a couple of hours helping this fellow sort out his brakes on his Scorpa,while doing this I gave some brief lessons to the fair maiden,on my pride and joy,my 175,and had her riding around the yard,trying out 1st,2nd and 3rd gears,doing stops and getting generally used to things.She seemed to do well enough.Well the brakes were sorted out and the four of us decided to go down the country road a few miles to a nice practice area.Off we went but I noticed the maiden getting farther and farther behind.Finnally I turned around and went back to see what was the problem.She hadn't realized that there was more than 3 gears ,so there she was screaming along in 3rd at flat out rpm.Ended up squeaking my freshly rebuilt ty and now it has a rod knock.Ouch,that hurt my heart! Steveo
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Well, now you've done it, Tony!
First, the disclaimer: I did a little bit of the same thing this Spring, taking out the 250 and 175 Trials bikes to a practice area for the benefit of my close friend's fiancee. I did it because he asked me to do it, and apparently, he wanted to see if Colleen could get over her reluctance or fear of motorbikes. It went ok, but let's just say she won't be out for the next Trials. Probably not even trail riding.
It's better if the kids start learning when they are younger, even though all of us can't be like Dave Lindeman.And they've got to have the fire for it from the inside, otherwise it's all for show.
As far as any given young man on any given Rocketbike, well they'll always want to run before they've learned to walk, we were the same way.
We need a better, tiered licensing system, so they can start on 125s and 175s , and go up in steps. ( But that would mean that you yourself skipped sevral steps, when you went out and bought the Deuce!)- - Maybe Solomon could figure this out, I can't.
Best regards, Jose.
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