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Posts Tagged ‘Puget Sound motorcycle’

Are you riding dirty without an endorsement? You’re not alone. BestScenicRoutes.com investigated motorcycle crashes in Washington State to find out how many unendorsed motorcycle riders are being killed in crashes. The facts are astounding.

According to Washington State Patrol records, during the five-year period from 2005 to 2009 (complete 2010 data is not yet available), crashes killed 364 motorcyclists in Washington State. Those records show that during that period, nearly 40 percent (141 riders) did not have a proper motorcycle endorsement. The 141 unendorsed riders may have had a permit, but had never completed a motorcycle skills test to ensure that they had the minimal skills to operate a motorcycle on Washington roads.

A motorcycle permit is rather easy to obtain in Washington. You go to a Department of Licensing office, pay a $5 application fee, pass a basic knowledge test and upon passing the test pay $15 for an instructional permit. The permit is valid for 90 days and can be renewed as many times as you’d like.

Nearly 40-percent of riders killed in crashes only make it this far in the licensing process. They find it more convenient to renew a permit than to finish out the process by passing an approved motorcycle safety course or riding test at a DOL office. Many riders opt out of passing a very basic riding skills test and instead ride on the street unlicensed, sometimes for years. At the same time, these riders are opting themselves into a grave – statistically speaking.

The ability to infinitely renew a temporary motorcycle permit may be changing.

Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Kitsap County), recently introduced 2011 Senate Bill 5141 limiting the number of times a motorcycle instructional permit can be obtained. The bill limits riders to two permit renewals and a third is possible with proof of enrollment in a motorcycle safety course. The bill passed 44 to 2 in the Senate on February 9, 2011 and was referred to the House Transportation Committee the next day.

DOL records show that more than 127,000 new motorcyclists received endorsements from 2005 to 2009.  Of all newly endorsed riders, 64-percent took a motorcycle safety course. These riders took a single weekend out of their busy schedules to learn motorcycle skills. These skills are very basic, but they are the building blocks to enjoy a lifetime of motorcycling.

Motorcycling can be a high-risk activity. There are many ways to reduce that risk beginning with actually passing a motorcycle riding skills test.

The Washington State Patrol says that riding without a motorcycle learner’s permit or violating the provisions of a permit could result in a $124 ticket.

Don’t get caught riding dirty. It may not be a police officer who catches up to you. Beat the dark being with a sickle to the punch and enroll now in a motorcycle safety rider course at one of the locations listed below.

Aberdeen

Grays Harbor Motorcycle Education LLC
Phone: 360-533-5937
Email: ghme@techline.com
Website: www.ghme.net

Auburn

Pacific NorthWest Motorcycle Safety
Phone: 360-779-6378
Email: info@pnwmotorcyclesafety.com
Website: www.pnwmotorcyclesafety.com

Bellingham

North Sound Safety
Phone: 360-424-7136
Email: motorcycle@nssafety.com
Website: www.nssafety.com

Burlington

North Sound Safety
Phone: 360-424-7136
Email: motorcycle@nssafety.com
Website: www.nssafety.com

Everett

Washington Motorcycle Safety Training
Phone: 360-435-1600 or 1-877-801-9678
Email: motorcycle@gowmst.com
Website: www.gowmst.com

Hoquiam

Grays Harbor Motorcycle Education LLC
Phone: 360-533-5937
Email: ghme@techline.com
Website: www.ghme.net

Kirkland

Evergreen Safety Council
Phone: 1-800-521-0778 or 206-382-4090
Email: motorcycle@esc.org
Website: www.esc.org

Kitsap County

Pacific NorthWest Motorcycle Safety
Poulsbo, WA 98370
Phone: 360-779-6378
Email: info@pnwmotorcyclesafety.com
Website: www.pnwmotorcyclesafety.com

Moses Lake

Columbia Motorcycle Training
Phone: 509-884-6186
Email: info@columbiamoto.com
Website: www.columbiamoto.com

Mount Vernon

North Sound Safety
Phone: 360-424-7136
Email: motorcycle@nssafety.com
Website: www.nssafety.com

Okanogan

Columbia Motorcycle Training
Phone: 509-884-6186
Email: info@columbiamoto.com
Website: www.columbiamoto.com

Olympia

Puget Sound Safety
Phone: 253-770-8888
Email: ride@pugetsoundsafety.com
Website: www.pugetsoundsafety.com

Port Angeles

Peninsula Motorcycle Rider Education
Phone: 360-681-2058
Email: info@pmre.net
Website: www.pmre.net

Richland

Motorcycle Training, Inc.
Phone: 509-371-0888
Email: mtinc.office@yahoo.com
Website: www.motorcycletraining.ws

Renton

Evergreen Safety Council
Phone: 1-800-521-0778 or 206-382-4090
Email: motorcycle@esc.org
Website: www.esc.org

SeaTac

Evergreen Safety Council
Phone: 1-800-521-0778 or 206-382-4090
Email: motorcycle@esc.org
Website: www.esc.org

Seattle South

Evergreen Safety Council
Phone: 1-800-521-0778 or 206-382-4090
Email: motorcycle@esc.org
Website: www.esc.org

Spokane

Spokane MotorSchool
Phone: 509-326-6181
Email: admin@spokanemotorschool.com
Website: www.spokanemotorschool.com

Westside Motorsports
Phone: 1-800-233-7834
Email: CH@Westsideracing.com
Website: www.westsideracing.com

Steilacoom

Puget Sound Safety
Phone: 253-770-8888
Email: ride@pugetsoundsafety.com
Website: www.pugetsoundsafety.com

Tacoma

Puget Sound Safety
Phone: 253-770-8888
Email: ride@pugetsoundsafety.com
Website:www.pugetsoundsafety.com

Vancouver

Vancouver Parks and Recreation
Phone: 360-487-7027
Email: david.miller@cityofvancouver.us
Website: www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/sports/motorcycle/index.htm

Wenatchee

Columbia Motorcycle Training
Phone: 509-884-6186
Email: info@columbiamoto.com
Website: www.columbiamoto.com

Yakima

FACT Motorcycle Training
Phone: 509-248-2373
Email: motorcycle@factsafety.com
Website: www.factsafety.com

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Håkan Söderbom planned for an around the world adventure, we hit eastern Washington instead.

My ride companion and I meet up in Monroe, Washington. US Highway 2 provides a scenic, yet quick escape from the hustle of Seattle. The city of Seattle would offer much to riders if it weren’t for that hustle and bustle. The many conveniences are wrapped in all directions with potential adventure. The mountains to the east, volcanoes to the south and north, and saltwater that splashes the urban shores and calls to us who breathe adventure. It is the weekend and we need to take a deep breath of life.

True adventure is the goal of the weekend. I’m meeting with fellow MSF-coach Håkan Söderbom to SEE if we can find a great motorcycle adventure a short distance from Seattle.

Hakan has planned an extraordinary route for us to open our throttles on and exercise the off-road side of our adventure motorcycles.

Up and over Steven’s Pass we climb and descend through the thick evergreens. Their scent is strong in the air. With every mile we escape further into the possibilities of adventure. The broad pavement of Highway 2 continues east as we connect with US Highway 97 just outside of Leavenworth. Up and over Blewett Pass we travel 25 miles to the Mineral Springs Restaurant.

Mineral Springs Restaurant serves up a decent hot meal. My burger was good, but Hakan’s chili burger looked incredible.

Mt Rainier as seen from 6,240 feet on Lion Rock.

Food now down the hatch, we continue a few miles to Liberty Road, Fire Service Road 9718 and FS 35. The route up to this point would leave most riders satisfied. The adventurer comes out and plays from here on out. The road surface quickly changes to dirt and small rocks. Our bikes handle the terrain with ease. The road climbs quickly. With each foot of elevation the views grow in magnificence. We climb up to 2,000; 3,000 and 4,000 feet. As we climb the road becomes a bit more challenging. Our bodies sway gracefully directing the motorcycles’ wheels over slight ruts and avoidable boulders growing in diameter. The road climbs to 6,240 feet. This is the lookout at Lion Rock Spring. The views stretch for miles. The Table Mountains and the rest of the Cascade Range are in full view. Mount Rainier pokes above the mountains far to the west.

The very rocky road could easily eat the vulnerable underside of the Suzuki V-Strom. It is still relatively easy to navigate up to this phenomenal viewpoint. There are a few primitive camp spots at Lion Rock Spring. We pitch out tents to reserve a place to sleep for the night.

It is 2 p.m. by the time that we have camp set and Hakan has replaced his street tires with proper knobbies. This guy comes prepared. We mount up and head down the mountain and into Ellensburg via FR 35 and Reecer Creek Road.

Leaving Ellensburg on Umtanum Road we carve the few miles of pavement to Durr Road. This is the route that we came all this way to ride. It soon becomes double track with two way traffic. This is fine as we only come upon one 4×4 the whole time that we’re out here.

Umtanum Creek water crossing. Bounce, bounce, splash and wahoo!

The road curves around the south side of a hill to allow a view of the canyon below. Just a couple hundred feet down is Umtanum Creek. It crosses the road and will be my first water crossing. The road passes under the water for 25 feet. Fairly large rocks exercise my suspension as I follow Hakan through the water. The BMW 1200 GS Adventure glides through the water. To my surprise, so does the V-Strom. Hakan was slow to pull out the camera, so I oblige him with another photo-op run. It felt great to make it through and make it look so skillfully done. Thanks for the photograph my Swedish pal.

The trail on the other side of the creek quickly becomes filled side to side with the same large rocks as the creek bed. “Clunk” goes each rock under the bike. Each time the familiar terrain meets metal sound makes me cringe. No skid plate under my bike means that the metal noise is likely the center stand hitting, but perhaps the oil filter or worse.

Second gear is too fast. I slow and shift to first gear only to get bounced around even more. Powering on, the bike becomes a bucking bronco.

I used to break horses on our 50-horse ranch as a kid. I can hold my own when it comes to rodeo-style rides. After dropping my eyes and looking for the very next rock and buck thereof, I go exactly where I was looking. Instincts kick in and I muscle the bike down to the rocks as softly as I can as I tuck and roll off into the ditch.

The trail ate my right blinker, GIVI crash bar, body panel, headlight bezel and passenger foot rest mount that day. The views were spectacular, but the roadway brutal. That first fall laid the groundwork for what seemed like a dozen more.

Durr Road and the trail that we jutted onto was made of softball to football-sized rocks. Beware the underside of vulnerable bikes.

The hills rolled up and down with each slope becoming steeper. We arrive at a “Y” intersection and we turn left. Let me tell you, left made for one hell of an adventure. Turning right would have taken us right into Selah. This, by the way, was our intended destination.

Durr Road is a primitive road with minimal maintenance. It runs from Umtanum Road south of Ellensburg to Selah near Yakima, Washington. Durr Road runs through the heart of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area. This area is as much of an adventure as you can find. It is adventure motorcycling at its best. If you’re going to attempt this journey, then I suggest a good map, GPS and travel with a suitable riding partner. Hakan travelled this route solo a year prior to our visit. Now that I’ve done it, I wouldn’t go back without someone to help lift a bike off of me in a sticky situation.

Back to the adventure. We’re now several hours into our ride and exhaustion is setting in. Our intended route became too steep to traverse. With the sun hanging low in the sky, we turn around and head back the way we came. The more difficult sections are now more complicated by the harshness of the setting sun pointing blinding light directly into our eyes. We would have been just as well off had we shut our eyes completely.

This is exactly what we could see as we climbed the hills directly into the setting sun.

We find our way back, but not before the fatigue catches up to me. Yet again, the bike bounces off of the rocks and concern for the underbelly causes my wrist to react. This causes a chain reaction that ends in the final dirt nap of the day. This time Hakan has ridden up ahead. My ankle stuck between the side case rack and some rocks. There wasn’t any way that I could lift the bike or wiggle my leg free. I was trapped.

After a few futile yells for help, I resorted to honking the horn. Hakan heard my beeping pleas for assistance and came back to lift the 500-pound hunk of bike off me.

With wheels back on terra firma, we make it back to the “Y” intersection, cross Umtanum Creek and head back to Lion Rock Spring campground for the night.

We uncork a bottle of wine and toast to the pursuit of adventure and to sleeping under the stars at 6,240 feet above sea level. Despite a few tumbles, the day was amazing. Stamina and skills were tested and with that comes accomplishment.

Close estimate of our route (had technical issues loading full map to page).

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