what determines experience? Miles or years?

[myfirstbusa]

Just a quick question that my buddy and I argue about. He's been riding a gixxer 750 for about 6 years now and has put right around 8k miles on it. I've only been riding for just over a year, first bike being my k9 Busa, but I've got just over 12k miles. Who is the more experienced rider? I'm not trying to start a war, just really wanna know what all you guys think about this.

 

[BUBBA]

Just a quick question that my buddy and I argue about. He's been riding a gixxer 750 for about 6 years now and has put right around 8k miles on it. I've only been riding for just over a year, first bike being my k9 Busa, but I've got just over 12k miles. Who is the more experienced rider? I'm not trying to start a war, just really wanna know what all you guys think about this.

Depends on what kind of miles!

I have been on the mean streets of LA for more than 20 yrs and I thought that was street riding, going back and forth to work.

But after I experienced the twisties, My whole riding experience changed and now I need Saddle time in the curves. It really is what you want and what you are willing to give, in terms of riding pleasure!

I put 15,500 on my first '09 in 11 months, and most was in the fun stuff!
Just 2,
Ride safe what ever you choose!
Bubba

 

[myfirstbusa]

Well, if it's any indication, my buddies on smaller gixxers tell me that I ride too hard and that I'm crazy!! haha. Guess I got them beat!

 

[kromdom]

judgement, maturity, risk assessment/management/avoidance/tolerance........AKA what's between your ears...that's what counts! matters more than miles travelled or years riding IMHO.

 

[semi]

I think it is a combination of the two. If a rider puts a ton of miles on but it is only during good weather on the best roads, I don't think they are as prepared for unexpected circumstances as one who rides in all kinds of conditions. I don't view any rider as truly experienced until they get at least 100,000 miles under their belt on two wheels. It takes a lot of miles in some nasty conditions to grasp an understanding of what can happen in the next split-second. Just my opinion.
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[theskaz]

I wondered about this too... I have been riding for just over a year. Busa as a first bike. Been 30k miles, through a tropical storm, damn near a blizzard, couple tornadoes, SoCal twisties, gravel, dirt, sand, water, and some endurance stuff (cross country), 12 states, 1 wreck and a couple tickets that didnt stick.

all of this since April 24, 2009. The day I bought my Busa.

The ONLY thing I can think of, that I havent done, is a trackday. and that will change here very shortly.

 

[Rainbow7]

I say miles count for more than years. - A dentist who takes his Ducati out only on sunny Sundays in summertime for ten years has nothing on the steel worker who rides to work every day for 5 years.

 

[BusaWizard]

Miles over years, you may have had your bike 5 yrs. and put 1000mis. on it, where as somebody else has theirs for a year and has 10,000 mis.

 

[UncleSteve]

Miles and time mean nothing if you are not learning.

 

[Rainbow7]

Miles and time mean nothing if you are not learning.

Well said, well said!

 

[BusaWhipped]

Miles and time mean nothing if you are not learning.

Same as with the job. There are folks in the office who have 10 years of experience, and those who have one year of experience 10 times.

 

[Edeezy]

I think it is a combination of the two. If a rider puts a ton of miles on but it is only during good weather on the best roads, I don't think they are as prepared for unexpected circumstances as one who rides in all kinds of conditions. I don't view any rider as truly experienced until they get at least 100,000 miles under their belt on two wheels. It takes a lot of miles in some nasty conditions to grasp an understanding of what can happen in the next split-second. Just my opinion.
Posted via Mobile Device

That would be someone like me who will ride in the rain or shine wherever. Ive faced just about every nightmare a rider can think of and survived without a crashing....so far. 4 flat tires on 3 diff bikes 2 of which were front tires at high speed turn. A number of tank slappers, Running through gravel mid turn, running over a pylon doing 90mph and finding out on the 20mph exit offramp still doin 80 that i have no front brakes lol. Yea that sort of stuff. I'm far from a highly skilled rider as ive had my ass handed in the canyons a few times, but common sense and being rational will save your azz in case of a bind. nearly 70K miles and 4 speeding tickets later im still in one piece and never wrecked despite my stupidity in riding styles.

 

[theskaz]

That would be someone like me who will ride in the rain or shine wherever. Ive faced just about every nightmare a rider can think of and survived without a crashing....so far. 4 flat tires on 3 diff bikes 2 of which were front tires at high speed turn. A number of tank slappers, Running through gravel mid turn, running over a pylon doing 90mph and finding out on the 20mph exit offramp still doin 80 that i have no front brakes lol. Yea that sort of stuff. I'm far from a highly skilled rider as ive had my ass handed in the canyons a few times, but common sense and being rational will save your azz in case of a bind. nearly 70K miles and 4 speeding tickets later im still in one piece and never wrecked despite my stupidity in riding styles.

SoCal huh? Where u iz?

 

[Edeezy]

SoCal huh? Where u iz?

North el Monte / temple city area.

 

[ogre]

composite risk management. just saying, apply it to your riding, and you'll be good