Your opinion-Sportbike Safety Events?

[Ken C]

I mentioned in another thread that Tony and I met with the MA RMV a few weeks back to discuss how to reach the sportbike population. (I know Derek also met with them last year). The cruiser guys are well serviced with poker run events where the RMV can distribute info to the crowd. They have been running a series of TV spots that announce weekend cruiser events and take tech opportunity to throw in a safety message.

Since there are not many sportbike events (besides bike nights) the RMV has little opportunity to spread tech word.

The best idea I could come up with is to have a "Battletrax- type" parking lot event; sort of like autocross for bikes. The idea is to have a fun event to draw the squids, but pepper them with safety and skills material while they are there.

Imagine this: A parking lot full of sportbikes; people milling around; music blasting; vendors; a coned-off course for you to ride on FREE.
Also: instructors at the end of the cone course coaching riders in braking and cornering; tables with safety information and videos playing that show responsible riding; instructors, cops and racers talking the talk; state safety inspections; giveaways.

The idea is that these events (sponsored by the RMV) would be held throughout the state at different times during the season.

We may do some of the TV spots specifically for sport riders, but we would love to have some events to promote.

(Constructive) Thoughts?

[KillBill]

Ken -

That sounds like a fantastic idea.
Perhaps NESR could be a sponsor

[Kitt]

sounds like it could turn into a dangerous outing - cones don't protect people... what's from stopping one idiot in the bunch from proving his manhood by "winning" the safety course (a step below crashing out of the rookie race).

[KillBill]

The cost of insurance might be prohibitive. You bring up a great point Kitt.

[eboos]

I would gladly volunteer to help run any such event held in the Worcester area.

[The Snowman]

Ken -

That sounds like a fantastic idea.
Perhaps NESR could be a sponsor

Maybe if we did a donation thing, since NESR itself is a non-profit?? (Jay, correct me if I'm wrong.)

[McBiggity]

Ken, sounds like a great idea. Keep me/us updated on the progress. I would be more than happy to lend my time to this.

[DucDave]

sounds like it could turn into a dangerous outing - cones don't protect people... what's from stopping one idiot in the bunch from proving his manhood by "winning" the safety course (a step below crashing out of the rookie race).

...we can only hope...what better example could you ask for???

[DucDave]

Ken, sounds like a great idea. Keep me/us updated on the progress. I would be more than happy to lend my time to this.

+1...if there's anything practical I could contribute feel free to tag me!

[Pittenger5]

I say we get a track day, bring all the big bad 600s and 1000s, and bring out all the racers on lightweight bikes to do a few laps with them and prove they cant ride those big bikes.

But I think this would be cool, not sure how effective it would be, since most of the people I consider true "squids" will never listen to any voice of reason no matter who or what it coems from.

[Ken C]

The MA RMV actually has the money (although perhaps a lot less after this economic crisis), so funding shouldn't be a problem. But, the liability thing is something the RMV must consider. The instructors would need to be certified MSF coaches and the event would have to pass the RMV lawyers. The easiest thing is to use the previous and current MSF ERC evaluation layout, which is just challenging enough for instructors to identify rider errors. Also, there would be no timing. Still, the risk of someone falling is real.

[DucDave]

The MA RMV actually has the money (although perhaps a lot less after this economic crisis), so funding shouldn't be a problem. But, the liability thing is something the RMV must consider. The instructors would need to be certified MSF coaches and the event would have to pass the RMV lawyers. The easiest thing is to use the previous and current MSF ERC evaluation layout, which is just challenging enough for instructors to identify rider errors. Also, there would be no timing. Still, the risk of someone falling is real.

Doesn't someone always fall? Seriously? And it seems to me that the danger is less on a sport bike than a big heavy cruiser...

As long as we require that they be approripately geared up it doesnt seem to me this is substantially more risky than the cruiser events they already offer.

...but wadda eye no...

[akira700]

The MA RMV actually has the money (although perhaps a lot less after this economic crisis), so funding shouldn't be a problem. But, the liability thing is something the RMV must consider. The instructors would need to be certified MSF coaches and the event would have to pass the RMV lawyers. The easiest thing is to use the previous and current MSF ERC evaluation layout, which is just challenging enough for instructors to identify rider errors. Also, there would be no timing. Still, the risk of someone falling is real.

Ken, this sounds like a great idea. The problems with it can be worked out
I'm sure. I'd go to something like this. I'd imagine it could get pretty crowded though.

[NeverlosT]

I went to this squid fest with Jason Britton last year in philly. Big event, tons of sport bikes. Stunting shows on the hour, tons of people with no affiliation stunting in the parking lot, no cops whatsoever. If that can happen, something safe, sanctioned, coned off and regulated has to be possible.

Also, there were girls with pasties at this event in philly. I would like to request that at the Northeast Bro-down Ho-down.

[RandyO]

I say we get a track day, bring all the big bad 600s and 1000s, and bring out all the racers on lightweight bikes to do a few laps with them and prove they cant ride those big bikes.

But I think this would be cool, not sure how effective it would be, since most of the people I consider true "squids" will never listen to any voice of reason no matter who or what it coems from.

track day, where, would MA spend money for an even out of state

[Pittenger5]

track day, where, would MA spend money for an even out of state

That was sarcasm, it could never happen.
I think Ken brings up an awesome idea, if it can happen. I dont think the state could do anything to "help" a lot of the worst riders, but if they can reach some of the middle ground it would be a real good thing.

[Doc]

I think that is a great idea Ken.

There was a sportbike day this year up here in Vermont (Thanks to the hard work of Vix and Silverghost)

We had the MSF there, a bunch of vendors with safety gear, A MC cop did a skill show on his Harley, trackday vendors and racers set up a couple area, there was a dyno...

I think adding a skills course is a great idea BUT.

What you will get from the squidly types is that it isn't fast enough. They don't think doing parking lot spped drills helps them much when most of the time they are going faster.

I think money spent on advertising on TV with educational spots and peer pressure will do more to want them to wear gear and get more training.

(That and making it available and affordable.)

[SVRACER01]

when i was in AZ we did something "similar". we also added in the "slow" race and the barrel roll, and the rings on the cones slalom (with a passenger).

[noxin]

While I applaud the idea, I think it's a recipe for disaster.

The target audience is the "unsafe" riders. Putting them into a cone course, just means people are going to be bouncing all day long. Cones are slippery when you hit them. While they'll have the requisite helmet, not many will be wearing full gear, enough to protect them in the event of a dance with the pavement.

The crowd injury aspect is something to consider as well.

I hope I'm wrong and it all works out for the better.

[Awesome]

when i was in AZ we did something "similar". we also added in the "slow" race and the barrel roll, and the rings on the cones slalom (with a passenger).

and the hotdog contest!

[Doc]

I think a really good TV spot would do wonders.

I have noticed that "Superbikes" is endorsing gear more now than they used to and I think that kind of thing needs to happen more often.

Maybe shooting a spot about the track and how to get into doing trackdays and racing and skills course would be fun to watch AND educational. I bet you could get some sponsorship from Red Bull or the manufacturers.

[The Snowman]

I think a really good TV spot would do wonders

Something along the lines of:

Sportbikes are often looked upon as extremely dangerous. However, it is the lack of education and the failure to wear the proper protection for some riders that makes the situation dangerous, not the motorcycle itself.

[Mr. Kurtz]

Great idea Ken.

Even the squidliest of squids would be impressed by a skilled rider with really good body position dragging his knees on a small coned off course(i.e. Lee Parks ARC type stuff).

[eboos]

4 cones and a TTR125 tought me quite a bit about body positioning and throttle control. So much so, I went out and bought a TTR afterwards.

[SVRACER01]

and the hotdog contest!

no jay...no hot dogs