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Unskilled motorcyclists are prone to more mishaps. Typically, if you’ve ever purchased a used motorcycle, you’ve steered clear of bikes that have been “dropped.” The scratched fairings, bent levers or tweaked handlebars are all evidence of a bike owned by an unskilled rider.

The scratches on the fairing of my bike tell you that my bike has been dropped. In fact, it is arguable that my Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom may have narcolepsy. It has taken naps in the snow, in my lawn and on dirt back roads.

Down goes motorcycle, Monica and Sean. Read full article by clicking on image.

The fact that a motorcycle is an inanimate object could lead you in the direction that the operator is unskilled. That part of the equation doesn’t compute for me. I pride myself in being a skilled rider. I grew up riding all sorts of motorized contraptions through unforgiving terrain. I ride 100 miles per day commuting to work. Weekends are spent riding as often and as far as possible. I have taken numerous motorcycle safety courses and happen to also teach some of them on non-riding weekends. When the weather outside is frightful, I can often be found reading a book on motorcycle safety or touring. Like any person with a passion, I study hard and practice often.

Perhaps unskilled is the wrong word to describe the napping mishaps. A thread on a motorcycle forum that I frequent recently asked why riders of my particular style of motorcycle treat dumping the bike as a right of passage? To that I answer, because rights of passage typically occur as a person grows and reaches a certain footing from which the next rung in the ladder can be reached. The right of passage here is learning to expand our two-wheeled comfort zone onto more difficult terrain and conditions that many riders avoid.

Zen is often talked about when describing motorcycling. Zen can be found on many paved twisty roads where traction abounds. Some people become quite skilled on that type of surface and can rightfully call themselves motorcyclists. Others enjoy a similar level of skill on paved surfaces, but actively seek Zen on more diverse surfaces such as dirt, rocks and snow. These are the surfaces where I often find my groove. These are also the surfaces where the lack of finding the groove can lead to a scratched up surface that makes the bike appear to have narcolepsy.

Riding a large adventure-style bike opens new avenues of riding opportunities. Accomplishing these new opportunities requires practice and the building of riding skills. Don’t always discount a used motorcycle because of the scratches or dings on the bodywork. Those may be the scars of a bike with a lot of character. A bike that may lead you to find new types of riding opportunities and expand your own skill sets.

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