More Dumb Questions

[unwind2]

Well...think I told you'll the one where I pull up to gas up the bike, go in the pay, and the fella behind the counter says 'Can you ride that thing?'......No I push it around town for exercise. ::)

Took the bike to a new kawa dealer yest (now closest to me- we'll see how they do) for oil change. When I came back to get it there was 4 of the employees standing around it looking at it. One of them asked me, 'Can you reach everything when you're riding?...No I can't reach the rear brake with my foot so I just always us the front brake. ::)

Nother one asked (this was not stupid -actually sensible Q). 'I know you didn't start out on this size bike - what bike did you have before this one? Honda Shadow Saber 1100.

I'm sure you guys don't have the fun of being asked these kinda dumb questions do you?

[caddman11]

They sound pretty "off the wall" unless you 4'2".

[cactusjack]

I could see them asking you these stupid questions is you were a dwarf or something. Motorcycle dealership employees asking you if you can "reach everything"? Don't any of them ride? You seem to have some snappy answers to stupid questions though.

Actually, the guys in the shop may have been asking you if you wanted them to adjust anything for you, for better comfort. I have the best crew in the world at the place where I do business. They are always asking if everything is O.K. and if I need them to adjust anything for me. I reaize that may be the exception, but Terry Adams, owner of Adams Motorsports in Montgomery, Alabama has a SUPER crew, in ALL departments. (Shameless plug!)

[dui546]

I get asked 'super dumb' questions every day and frankly, a comedian doesn't have to look far for material based on what people simply think, do and say.

Bill Engvall has the best statement I've ever heard when it comes to people's questions like you experienced ... "Heeeeeeerrrrrrrreeeeee's your sign."

On the flip side, from a crash investigator's perspective, size can definitely matter and should not be ignored in close corner operations. Especially when entering or exiting rough parking lots that have things such as an incline or slope or gravel or uneven pavement. Riders dump their motorcycles or get hit entering or exiting a roadway when they have difficulty handling their bike at slow speeds during starting out or stopping. The weight of a passenger can significantly add to handling problems.

I find that novice riders are the worst and remember that you could be a rider with 30 years of motorcycle experience and can still be considered a novice rider on a motorcycle that you've never ridden before. (size, horsepower differences, acceleration differences, etc) For example; a change from a small cruiser to a large cc sport bike or a 650 cc cruiser to a Nomad.

Please don't ignore that there can definitely be a 'bad match' when it comes to rider ability and experience and the type and size of motorcycle being ridden under varied riding conditions. I've seen a lot of serious injuries and deaths related to inexperience or inability to maneuver an over sized machine in tight or critical conditions.

AND FOLKS...PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ...our driving and riding ability changes as we get older. I hate hearing, "At least he died doing what he loved to do." Here's a thought, "Maybe if the old guy downsized his happy meal ride he'd still be smiling as he's super sizing his riding mileage."

We discuss things like that with family and friends of the deceased during pre-crash, crash, and post crash phases. It never ceases to amaze me that the 'bad match' is (or was) a problem that was always recognized but never openly discussed or addressed.

(lots of smiles and laughter in the beginning http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif-- lots of frowns and tears in the end :'()

However, I fully agree that rider experience and excellent riding technique can overcome or supersede many issues. It sounds like the guys in your case were making some ridiculous assumptions based on your gender and/or possibly your size. YOUR COMFORT on YOUR NOMAD is the only thing that counts.

A hint for all -- if your motorcycle has ever scared ya, take it through an advanced riders safety course in a controlled environment. If you can't successfully complete it, sell it.

SAFE RIDING IS FUN RIDING http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[MarkG]

Don't you get wet when it rains? ::)

Actually no, there are special deflectors (lowers of course) on the front of the bike that stop the rain. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif "Heeeeeeerrrrrrrreeeeee's your sign." ;)

[pirate]

The dumbest thing I hear a lot isn't a question, but more of a statement. Since I only have about six months of riding time here in North Dakota, I always ride as much as I can, because November through March gets really long here. I always have lots of miles when I sell my bikes. So, when selling previous bikes, or when people ask how many miles I have on the bike, their response is almost always, "Wow, you must ride that thing." Well, no $hi+! I didn't plunk down thousands of dollars to buy a motorcycle, park it in the garage and invite my friends over to look at it with me! Dealers even say this to me a lot when I go in to buy oil or parts. "Wow, you must ride that thing." Yes, I do, that's what they were designed to do. :)

[dantama]

A few time at the bank recently the teller has seen me with my helmet hooked around my forearm and said, "are you riding today?"

I usually say, no, I'm just carrying my helmet around; then smile at them and it turns into a laugh.

Small talk often is devoid of logic when a boss is telling them that they have to be nice and talk friendly to the customer.

Another one around here is at the grocery store. The cashier always asks if you found everything. If you say no, they don't know what to say back and it throws them for a loop. The boss said to ask, he didn't say what to do if the answer is no.

[markusmaximus]

Small talk often is devoid of logic when a boss is telling them that they have to be nice and talk friendly to the customer.

Another one around here is at the grocery store. The cashier always asks if you found everything. If you say no, they don't know what to say back and it throws them for a loop. The boss said to ask, he didn't say what to do if the answer is no.

You nailed it Dan. I believe this is a cultural issue. It's sad that many people don't know to think. But that's another thread for another website.

[macmac]

My bet is better than 1/2 of the techs have never ridden, and can't ride the Nomad..

When I crashed and burned in SD, my bike had to go to a dealer. The 2 so called techs there (farmboys) were all wide eyed at the Nomad...

[skeeter]

At 20 degrees F- Aren't you cold? No, I'm numb.

[Idaho]

Stand in front of a counter of ANY fast food restaurant on the planet in full leathers my two fav stupid questions:

1. Are you on a motorcycle? Either that or I'm dressed funny.

2. Is this to go or to stay? heeeeeeers your sign.

[caddman11]

I really think most of the time people are just trying to be friendly and just want to talk with the hulk riding the big bike.

[flightdoc]

I agree with caddman11. I think folks are just trying to be nice.

[ruruson1]

OK I have to wage in here. I agree that most people are trying to be nice and some are just...well...DUMB. I guess I'll stop with that because I can go on all day.

[cactusjack]

I was in the elevator one morning going to my office. I held the elevator door for a lady and I had on my leather jacket, my do-rag, shades and was holding my helmet. She asked me "Oh, do you ride a motorcycle"?

No lady, I just flew here in my sopwith camel.

[skeeter]

I really think most of the time people are just trying to be friendly and just want to talk with the hulk riding the big bike.

And being the nice guy that you are, you introduce them to your friends.