TEAM Arizona Riding Tip: Six Ways to Sexy-Up Your Riding in 2016
Last Updated: December 1st, 2020
We know, we know, this isn’t a Cosmo piece. But who says motorcycling can’t be a sexy thing? Plus, riding is a dynamic activity. The new year gives us the opportunity to mix things up a bit. We don’t want you to get stagnant, so we’re proposing six ways to make you a more sexy rider in 2016. Are you ready to take the plunge with us?
1) REFINING BRAKE SQUEEZE/RELEASE and THROTTLE CONTROL
Do you ride with passengers? In a group? Having a silky smooth throttle hand and top-notch mastery of your brakes will immediately make you more appealing. The passengers will thank you for NOT turning them into a milkshake via abrupt take-offs and stops, and fellow riders will appreciate your consistency.
Sounds simple right? You learned how to use the brakes and throttle in the Basic RiderCourse didn’t you? Well, yes and no. The gross motor skills were presented and reinforced through the basic training; however, fine motor skill development is something we work on in our advanced courses and every day we ride. Yep, we never perfect our throttle/brake coordination, but we can refine it to be ever more precise.
We want you to consider your motorcycle to be one giant bath tub full of water. The more abrupt we are with our stops, starts, and shifts, the more water sloshes out of the bath tub. We talked about throttle control in this 2012 post. When it comes to brake control, we can also consider not just the squeezing of the brakes but also the releasing of the brakes. The less abrupt we are with these two controls, the more traction we’ll have and the ride will become more enjoyable.
2) APPLY TO BE A TEAM ARIZONA RIDERCOACH
RiderCoaching can be a rewarding, enriching experience. By joining the TEAM Arizona family, you’ll not only be enhancing your own riding skills, but you’ll be ensuring the success and safety of riders all over Arizona. Besides, doesn’t having one more feather in your cap make you instantly more appealing? Visit our BECOME A RIDERCOACH page to learn more and obtain an application!
3) BECOME A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON ONE PIECE OF RIDING TECHNOLOGY
Want to be that go-to guy or gal when it comes to ride-by-wire technology? Want to be the Cliff Clavin of CVT? Why not take an afternoon and travel down the rabbit hole that only motorcycle technology can offer. Here are some recommended rabbit holes:
- Radial braking systems
- Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
- Engine Control Unit (ECU)
- Traction Control
- Pneumatic Valve Springs
- Seamless Shift Gearbox
There’s plenty more riding technology to dig into. Once you have the material nailed down, why don’t you impress the with the rest of us on the TEAM Arizona Facebook page!
4) TAKE A COURSE TO IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS
Is anything more sexy than confidence? Being able to have total control of your motorcycle will absolutely make you more attractive to the person whose eye you’re trying to catch. TEAM Arizona is the only rider training organization in Arizona to offer the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. This first quarter we’ve partnered with Desert Road Racing Organization to take your learning one step farther. Check out this outstanding opportunity!
Of course you don’t have to go to the track to improve your riding skills. We have plenty of other courses that may whet your appetite and advance your skills. Check out our skill improvement courses HERE!
5) BUY A COOL NEW PIECE OF RIDING PROTECTIVE GEAR
Motorcycle gear manufacturers are not only making their riding gear more sexy, they’re also using more advanced materials to make their gear more protective. What a win-win! Is your helmet older than five years? If so, how about looking for a new helmet with some bright colors to enhance your visibility? How many miles have your sweaty palms twisted the throttle? Maybe it is time to replace those stinky mittens with something fun and exciting? Have you checked out the latest in motorcycle boots? Heck, the new models are even comfortable to walk around in at events. PROGRESS! They are also starting to look more and more like fashionable sneakers all while retaining their protective abilities. Something to consider for 2016….
6) RIDE SOMEWHERE NEW IN 2016!
The first ever TEAM Arizona Staff Ride in 2015 up the Coronado Trail (Hwy 191). It will happen again in 2016…maybe to somewhere new!
“We are the sum total of our experiences. Those experiences – be they positive or negative – make us the person we are, at any given point in our lives. And, like a flowing river, those same experiences, and those yet to come, continue to influence and reshape the person we are, and the person we become. None of us are the same as we were yesterday, nor will be tomorrow. -B.J. Neblett”
Take out a map (or visit Google Maps), take your index finger, and place it somewhere on the map. Then make that your destination. Just ride. Could anything be more sexier?
For the Entire TEAM Arizona Newsletter Content, CLICK HERE
Bill Seltzer has been a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach since 2003 and a Total Control Advanced Riding Instructor since 2011. He currently serves as the Marketing Director for TEAM Arizona and is a member of the Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Planning committee. Have questions or comments about the article? Email him: Bill@MotorcycleTraining.com
