360Bikers Foundation

Welcome faithful readers, to another edition of 360 Bikers Blog.  The latest blog from the most popular Motorcycle Club in South Florida.   The members of  360 Bikers are some of the finest people you will ever meet.  Check out our website and follow our visionary leader as he leads a great group in supporting a great cause.

Today I would like to share a helpful tip I picked up in Daytona, during Bike Week 2009.  I was actually watching the Harley Davidson drill team go  through their paces at the Harley Davidson dealership on Beach Street.  If you have never seen a drill team go to work it is something to see.  Have you ever seen the fully dressed touring motorcycles in parades?  They accelerate and do figure eights all within inches of each other.  Chances are those motorcyclists were part of a drill team.  The motorcycle units on Police forces have to go through similar training to hone their skills.

My wife, Brandy and I watched the entire show. The entire time the drill team was riding in circles and figure eights, the leader was talking about what they were doing on his headset microphone.  At the end of the ride.  The leader stopped and invited us all a little closer.  As we got closer he got off his 2006 Ultra Glide and proceeded to lower it , as gently as possible, over on to it’s side!!!!  As the Harley laid on it’s engine guard, I could only think of the veins popping out of my brother’s neck if he saw his 2003 Ultra laying on it’s side!!!  The leader walked over to the crowd and asked us, “how many guys will it take to get this bike upright?’  The general consensus was a minimum of 2, there were calls for 3, if the second was your 98 lb wife.  The leader said, “what would you say if I told you an 11 year old girl picked this bike up all by herself?”

About this time I am looking for the angle.  My thought was, he doesn’t expect us to believe him so where’s he going with this?  Outside of a short, retired, former Olympic women’s weight lifter coming out of a dressing room and lifting this bike, I can’t see it happening. 

The leader’s name is Don.  Don says, “Have you ever laid your bike down or had a buddy lay his bike down?  I’m going to show you how an 11 year old girl picked up this bike and how you can too. I will need a volunteer.”  Being the nice guy that I am, I put my hand in the small of Brandy’s back and shoved her into the middle of the circle.  She was less then pleased.  Eventually though, she relented to being a volunteer. Don began with a few questions for Brandy and then went into the steps she would use to lift the bike. 

“First thing you must do is make sure you are not hurt or your passenger is not hurt.  The bike can be repaired.  The second thing you must do is make sure the bike is off, power, ignition switch.  Next you make sure the bike is in gear, so it does not roll away as  you are trying to lift it.  Extend the kick stand, depending on which way your bike is laying.  Do a little stretching to prepare yourself.  Put the small of your back into the front seat and plant your feet about six inches apart in front of you. Use your left or right hand (depending on which way your bike is laying) to grasp the handlebar, under handed.  Use the other hand to find a something to hold onto, normally a passenger grab rail.  Choose something that won’t brake or bend.  You will be using your legs, the strongest muscles on your body.  Slowly shuffle your feet backward using the muscles in your legs to push the bike upright.  The shuffle motion is like doing Michael Jackson’s moonwalk.”

I am fairly pessimistic, so I’m thinking my 5′ 2″ inch wife will not be able to lift this bike alone.  Boy, was I wrong.  Brandy lifted the bike ont he first try, all on her own.  After her, an even smaller young lady lifted the bike.  Then an older lady lifted the bike.  Of course, I wouldn’t embarrass myself (and as far as I saw, neither were any of the other men) by trying myself.  What if I couldn’t do it!?!?!? 

This was an amazing display and a great tip.  Don told the story of one of his female students who wouldn’t go out for a ride unless her boyfriend rode along.  She said she was scared she wouldn’t be able to handle the bike if it fell over or something.  After being taught how to pick the bike up properly, she turned to her boyfriend and said. “I guess, I don’t need you anymore.”

Finally, this really does work.  If you’re ever out with the 360 Bikers, ask Brandy about it.  She offered to demonstrate but I won’t allow her to lay my bike on it’s side.  Next time we’re out at Fisherman’s village though Hawk, you have nothing to worry about.  Until next time, Ride Safe!!!

GR

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As everyone has noticed, winter is upon us.  Even here in Sunny South Florida.  It’s not a problem though, Florida is still the ride all year state!  Since the weather is cold I just wanted to share my thoughts on typical riding gear.  One of my favorites, and the one I get the most grief about, is my leather chaps.  Besides looking like i’m dressed for halloween or a refugee from a YMCA video, people wonder where your horse is. I tell them the HORSES are parked outside and there’s about 76 of them!  Unless you’re heading for a biker meet or it’s freezing outside, you may be a little sensitive about wearing them.  I have to say, when I first got them, I felt a little self conscious, but really, the benefits far outweigh loss of dignity, lol.  Seriously, for long trips or cold weather, chaps can’t be beat.  I actually didn’t know what I was missing.  My first 2-3 hour ride with the chaps on, showed 2 major differences.  The first is obviously my legs were warmer and I was more confortable during the ride.  The second was bit of a surprise.  I did not realize how the wind resistance affected my legs.  After a ride wearing chaps and spending the day at an event, I felt less stress and less tired then before the chaps.  More comfort and less weariness adds up to a safer ride!  Of course, being able to enjoy your entire day’s ride with less aches and pain is great too.  Motorcycle pants serves this purpose as well but won’t last as long and won’t keep you as warm.  So, for those of us who have chaps, keep enjoying them.  For those who don’t, give it a shot, they really work, you will really appreiciate them on your next long cold ride.  If you find it works and this was helpful, pass it on to  your ride buddies.  After all, if we are all wearing chaps, there will be too many of us to make fun of.

Ride Safe,

GR

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