Life of an addicted rider

After a few weeks of pondering life and whether I want to ride again… I will continue to update this blog until it is complete. Today’s topic, helmets. I will cover all the different types of helmets and the different arguments for each.

1/ None: This is the easiest to answer. You wear no helmet. You are Jesse James on a custom chopper, or a rebel on a Harley. Either way, you wear nothing buy your hair and scalp. Safety aspect of this choice is ZERO. You will suffer harsh consequences in high speed crashes. Even low speed crashes can occur.

2/ Turban: Due to religious reasons, many don’t wear helmets because of their head dress. It’s a step up from nothing, but the cushioning hair is still neglegable.

3/ Beanie: This is a skull cap. A shell. It covers just the top of your head. These are NEVER DOT approved. More on DOT later. This offers possible protection on the top of you head. Let’s be realistic, if you fall backwards, you hit the back of your head. Same with falling on any side or forward. Chances of using it is unlikely. You’re more likely to hit a bare spot of your head than the helmet itself.

4/ 3/4 Helmet: This helmet is DOT approved. It covers 3/4 of your head. The most likely to get injured in a crash. The top, and the back. Your face is still exposed. Obviously more protection.

5/ Full-face: This is a helmet that covers your entire face. There are many types and it deserves an in depth coverage, which is next. It is by far the safest helmet you can wear.

There are 3 major types of full face helmets. The standard one, the off road style, and the flip up helmets. All of these helmets have different certifications. DOT stands for Department of Transportation. It is a US standard that many states, and Canada requires on helmets. The other major North American standard is SNELL. It is a more stringent test. There are several Euro and Asian standards as well, but I’m not familiar with them. When looking for the safest, you’d want both a DOT and SNELL approved helmet. Beware of fakes. DOT pretty much stops when you go to a 3/4 helmet. SNELL requires a full face helmet. Flip up helmets do not qualify. There are a few studies out there that says SNELL approval is bad, and DOT is better. However, that’s based on the type of testing and their inherent flaws. SNELL has more stringent qualifications, but their testing is done primarily on samples. DOT tests batches. Ultimately, if you want safety, get a helmet with both SNELL and DOT.

It is ultimately your choice what you want to wear. It is your life. You can choose to wear nothing but shorts and a tank top. No helmet, no gloves, nothing. It’s your choice. My personal recommendation is a SNELL and DOT approved full face helmet. You cannot go wrong if it’s approved by both. Many low end helmets are only DOT approved. All high end full face helmets are DOT and SNELL. You also have a good chance that it is approved by ALL standards for helmets. Price is the next point. Graphics cost money. So does a brand name. Studies have shown that while you pay a premium for graphics or a brand name, you aren’t necessarily safer. Buying a brand buys you quality. Liners, weight, and style. If someone says, “OOoooo. That brand. Oh well.” They don’t know what they are talking about. It may not be as bling, it may not be as cool, but it is just as safe as the biggest brands. Happy hunting in your first necessity. Your helmet.

Today, we laid to rest a beautiful woman, mother, fiancee, friend, hero, and daughter. In my previous post, I told you about the life of Julia Sit and her impact on the motorcycle community, and the entire community. Today was the day we all said goodbye.

I am privilaged to have known, met, and been a friend of Julia. I hear it all the time. She would have wanted us to party at her funeral. Not mourn her. Do not shed a tear. Celebrate her life, not mourn it. I’m sorry Julia. I am not mourning your life. I’m mourning over the temporary loss of leadership within our community. This morning, Vancouver has seen it’s largest funeral procession in just over a year. Last year, we sent Bog off with a terrific ride. This year, it was Julia’s turn. My guess, 600 bikes of all shapes and sizes. Cruisers, side cars, sport bikes, touring bikes, dirt bikes, even scooters. There was people of all races, ages, and sizes. Each with a different motive for today. Some were there to send her off in style. Others, to pay their respects. From talking to people bother before, during, and after the procession and reception, I have found there are different types of people when we lose someone close to us.

A lot of people there didn’t know Julia. They heard of her, knew of her, maybe even met her once or twice. They joined the service out of respect. They respected her as a rider, and all the good things she has done. The respected her youthfulness and joy. Then, there are those that knew her. Some would join her on her last ride and leave. Others would stay for the service and then leave. Even more would continue on to the burial and depart at differing times. Some had personal obligations. Others felt that she would have wanted us to do something. Still, others just couldn’t stay. Myself, I don’t know if I could sit through another funeral again. It’s too much, emotionally. It is one thing to send someone off in style, it’s another to hear the sad stories from everyone. Some chose to stay away for just that reason. It is hard.

Today, Julia Sit is looking down at us laughing. She’s laughing AT us. She’s saying, “why are you guys crying? Why are you so sad? STOP BEING SAD. GO OUT AND HAVE FUN!!! I sure am.” Each of us has our own personal ways of dealing with loss. When the loss is of that of another rider, you have to take time out to think things over. I am still a new rider. I haven’t experienced the loss of a friend until that day. It’s hard. I wish she was here with us. It has made me seriously look at my life, my riding, and what I want to do. I know she would tell me to just get back out there and ride. With my personal issues (moving to Japan for 10 months in September) I think I chose to stop riding. I’ll have my bike. I may go for rides again before I leave, but not the same way as I used to. I think it’s time to go to the track.

That is my personal decision. What you do when something like this happens, is up to you. She was my friend, my hero. I thought she was invincible. I knew she wasn’t, but I hoped she was. I know many people will let this slide off them. They’ll be back riding like before in no time. Others, may stop riding altogether. Myself? Riding is in my blood. Maybe it’s just time I rode in a safer environment. If you are ever too scared to ride on the street, go to the track. It’s safer. Not perfect, but better than oncoming cars, ditches, and other unforgiving things. If you continue to ride, or you are still determined to learn to ride, do it. Many people ride for many years without a single accident. You could be one of them. Be safe, ride smart, and live the moment.

On Sunday July 10, 2005, Julia Sit’s life ended. Who is Julia Sit? She was Vancouver’s ambassador to motorcycling. She was a friend to everyone. She was a pillar in our community. She was a mother, a daughter, a widowed partner, and a fiancee. In a tragic twist of fate, Julia died on the same day her beloved Bog was buried one year ago. Bog was her life partner until he crashed and died on the very same highway that Julia passed. To make this even more tragic, she was riding with her fiancee, Robert, and they were to be married on August 6th.

While many have read the stories about Julia in the major local papers, the Vancouver Sun and the Province, many people probably passed over the articles. If you ever took up motorcycling, you have probably heard of Julia and the Flying Swan Coffee House. In any given week, there were 3 rides. Tuesday saw the Hot Chicks ride. Thursday’s were the Newb rides. Weekends were reserved for the loop. She would hold all of these rides in hopes of helping her fellow riders. Girls have a tough time learning to ride a motorcycle. I heard her stories over and over again. Newbs have a tough time too. They require guidance so they don’t kill themselves. The weekend rides were also for newbs wishing to test their endurance. An 800km trip full of twisties. It’s with great sadness that these rides are on an indefinate hold. While these rides are important, this past winter saw the start of the New Riders Network, or NRN. Every second Monday, she would hold a seminar for newbs. Everything from storing a bike over the winter to fixing a flat tire. She even provided free food for the hungry riders. All out of the kindness of her own heart.

While many people read about these events, they never got to know Julia in person. She knew, literally, hundreds of people. She made each and every one of them feel like a good friend. She’s scream your name when you went for breakfast. She’d introduce any newb to the group of old friends and basically hold your hand until you got comfortable. She always had a smile for you. Her smile was only eclipsed by her heart. She helped 2 major charities, and 1 non-profit organization. She was monumental in the sportbiker’s Burns Camp ride. At least 200 motorcycles travel up to Whistler, and then back to Vancouver. She started the Big Sisters’ Charity Weekend Ride. A good 50 riders participated. It was a blast, from what I hear.

How would you know Julia from the other girls in the community? Well, for starters, she had her signature colour. Mauve. Not pink. Every girl who wants a “signature” girl colour picks pink. She wanted Mauve, with silver flames. She had a mauve Suzuki Hayabusa, race modified mauve Honda F4i, a cruiser, and she was about to become the proud owner of a brand new mauve Suzuki GSX-R 1000. Robert had purchased it since December, hidden it from her, and just recieved the personal plate (4 Julia) and the custom paint on the fairings. How else could you spot her? She had her friends and fans around her. She was a petit asian that looked younger than her age, and acted even younger. She had a huge spirit. She would also be the first to introduce herself if she didn’t know you.

Julia will be missed. She was a celebrity amoung riders. Corrie Miller and Dagmar, of local fame knew her. The local racing community also knew her well. Bernie Ryan, Steve Dick, Misty Hurst, and countless other ameture racers and race officials. She will truely be missed.

So you’re interested in motorcycles? There are dozens of opinions on how to get started. I’m considered an exerienced rider by many friends, and yet I’m still a newb. I’m new enough to still remember what it’s like to just start riding, yet not experienced enough to know everything. I’ll give you my insight into how to get started.

First things first, do you have money for a bike. While a bike is cheaper on gas, depending on what bike you buy, the insurance is expensive. Gear is another thing you must budget. License? Training? Never thought of these? You’d better start thinking. First thing you must do before riding any motorcycle is go to a school. In the Lower Mainland, there are 2 reputable schools. Action is the oldest and most popular. I recommend them. They are patient and willing to teach to those willing to learn. They have several different times for courses and all of them will give you the basics of riding. They will train you to pass your tests and ride safely on the street. The other school is BC Safety Council. Held in Richmond and Delta, this school is also highly recommended, although I can’t say much on what they do as I have not taken their courses. There is a school in Abotsford, Maple Ridge, and Proride in Vancouver. All of them are good, but Action and BCSC are the most popular.

Action Motorcycle School:
http://www.actionmotorcycleschool.com/
BC Safety Council:
http://www.safetycouncil.bc.ca/Default.aspx

Once you decide on a school, you need to decide on gear. While the school will tell you about basic gear and the types of gear, many people want their own before they go to school. There are 4 types of riders. Squids ride without any gear. Street-casual will wear jeans and possibly a motorcycle jacket. Street riders wear a kevlar suit. Then there are racers. Full leathers. Here are the pros and cons of each:

1/ Squid: The pro is that you stay cool and “look cool” when riding. Especially on hot day. When the temperature goes over 25C, it’s hot. However, if you crash, even at a slow city speed of 30kph, you’ll be hurting for a month.

2/ Street-Causual: This is a good compromise to the squid look. You add the marginally better pair of jeans that last a few feet of sliding and a motorcycle jacket. The pros are it’s easier to go to the store or the pubs. You can get out of the house quicker and not worry too much. The cons are the gear offers very minimal protection, if any at all.

3/ Street: This is a good choice if you ride within the city and do little or no highway riding. Kevelar suits hold up quite well and has impact padding for any falls or crashes. They are bad in a slide, so any speeds over 50kph is potentially damaging. Any accident is painful, but a kevlar suit is usually good up to 50kph when they are only marginally better than street-casual.

4/ Race: A full leather suit is the best outfit for safety. Racers wear it for the protection when sliding down the track. Street riders wear it to do the same. However, any sudden stops will make any protection worth nothing.

This was your introduction to riding. Look for the next entry that details the differences within types of gear. What’s good, what’s not good. Further down the line of short tips, look for types of motorcycles, advanced training, socializing, and is motorcycling for you.

So you reached my blog. Just so you know, I’m an obbessed rider. I love it. I can barely stop. I’m a graduate from Action Motorcycle school and Westcoast Superbike Racing School. I have been riding nearly 3 years now and may not stop. I’ll give you a quick starter kit on how to ride and what to do when you start. I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands soon, so I’m going to be doing these projects. Be on the lookout.