Ninjette

My job in the workplace, is understanding our Company "Culture," and teaching the squids of our workplace the ropes. Our history, what we do, why we do it, etc..

Essentially, once they "understand" the big picture, (vs being told "do this, do this do this..") they buy in more, last longer, enjoy their work more, etc.. I get to travel to all of our locations and educate our people to keep it consistent - and us progressing and growing our people right out of the gate, helps us as a whole. Buy in is important, and people take a sense of pride once they understand the whole-shebang, verses simply the "face" of what the company produces.

In regards to the "Culture of the Sportbike," I'd like to know (since I am still a newbie in the grand-scheme of things, and have been exposed to it minimally when I get to travel back home and ride with my sportbike pals) - here I'm stuck with Harley's ...

WHAT is the "Culture of the Sportbike" is to you? What are some tips/trends/things you've noticed "universally" with the people you ride with?

Also, what is some sportbike "etiqutte?" (Things that you do/things that are taboo tor frowned upon to do).


I'll start with a few questions...

"Sweatband" - I've noticed a ton of people ride with it on their bike. What is the purpose?

Stickers on aftermarket items - for instance, I bought a Zero Gravity windscreen and installed last night - makes the bike look SO much better (pics to come soon) - but I want to take the stickers off.. do people typically leave them on?

Things I've (personally) learned - when I go back home, I ride with pals, but obviously, my bike isn't there..so I'll ride on the back of my friend Kristen's
Zx6r OR another pals.. so differences I've picked up, besides the basic UNIVERSAL handmotions (speed up/slow down/watch for item in road) that the "Harley Folk" typically don't use (besides the lack of 2 wheels wave that we've discussed in another thread):

Handmotion for "FUZZ" (aka 50 or Police) - a few taps on the top of the helmet to let your fellow riders know to watch out because they're around/in the area.

I'd love to have everyone weigh in - what is Sportbike Culture/Etiquette to you and who you ride with?

ZXNasty

The sweatband for some people is for looks and some claim that it prevents the sunlight from degrading your brake fluid. It's a 50/50 argument it seems. As for things that are frowned upon I'm sure you're gonna get the regular "squid" mentality. I have no problem with people riding wheelies, speeding, no gear, etc. as long as they can be respectful to other riders and drivers. If they get hurt it's their own fault.

Speaking of hand signals, I just have a few.
The cop one-tap on helmet
Speed up(with passenger)-tap leg
and then any number of pointing gestures. Most of the people I ride with can understand what the other is meaning with just a look.

There is my small contribution

MOTOcityride

i put the sweat band on the fluid reservior when im not riding. i take it off and put it on the toe of my left shoe to keep black stain from shifting away(i wear alot of white shoes and im OCD about clean shoes).

ive hear that people put it on there to keep the fluide from degradation from the sun, ive also heard that bikes are made to withstand that type of stuff from the sun. so yeah 50/50.

in the groups that i ride with, the lead bike uses hand signals versus lights, everyone behind will use either/or. - the point gets across faster to the sweeper.

ive taken the stickers off all my bikes. used a yellow bottlle called "goo off" and a blow dryer.


and dont be the bike thats CONSTANTLY revving when they pull into a parkinglot meet.

nannho

motions and unwritten rules:

-when riding in a group especially with friends or new riders you just tagged along with, dont be an ass and jockey for the front.
-when leading a group or in the middle of one, motion your left foot (toe taken off the rearset and point out and down) to signal back to others that there is sand, graval, slick conditions on the left side...and right foot, to signal right hand side, for the same.
-use your turn signals


and in terms of culture, know that:

-chicks dig sportbikes haha
-sportbikers are cheap!
-attachable mohawks for helmets are incredibly stupid
-wear your gear!

Ninjette

Loving all of this

Keep it coming!

zeroplace

The sweat bands on the res originated from the track. If you drop the bike, it will keep fluid from leaking on the track (if the res is jeapordized in any way). Then people started to put them on for street as a statement for looks. Then some claim it helps prevent damage from the heat. The sun will turn the color of the fluid darker, but as far as damaging the fluid, IMHO, I dont think it hurts it as much as people say. Darkened fluid is a sign for a flush but sun darkened and deterioration look completly different.

Vjones

The big one I think is on parking- ppl saying what makes you special to park on the curb and the same ppl finding a parking spot just to see a bike tucked in there saying stupid biker lol

Ninjette

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brar

what is the wheelie sign i really have no clue LOL :S

MOTOcityride

i think about this all the time....

is it safer to park normally in a stall? or on the sidewalk where people are constantly walking by scowling. im always paraniod about people touching my bike when im parked on the sidewalk at a walmart

mark72

my motorcycling background quickly
ive been riding motorbikes since i was 16 .....im now 42
only got legal when i was in my late 20s and soon as i passed my test never bothered for a few years .....then bought a zx6r b1h new and loved it ....ive had a few bikes while ive had the ninja's..... but one day that came to an end with a car rear ending me on the b1h.....after a short while i had to get another ninja so went out and got a j1 and still have it .....other bikes with me come and go but i allways have a ninja around as i find they are great bikes

the group of mates i ride with consists of ex road racers and nutters that can handle a bike so they all have a screw loose our ages covers from 40 to mid 60's......every sunday early in the morning in the summer we start out....we go some but dont do wheelies or shit like that ....we are out for a ride
now we all stay in a line on the twisties ....no one overtakes as we are hitting some speed .....soon as a car gets infront we have a golden rule we stay as a group so no one pisses off up the road.....get past the car one by one and as soon as we are all clear its back on....we never overtake the one in front as we are going fast and respect each others space
nodding .....if a group goes by its front nods to the front and the rear nods to the rear .....
as in bike looks and flashy shit on the bike.......our bikes look good all of them....everything is there that we need to use ....no bullshit extras ....waste of time ......
screens .....double bubble ....only reason i have these are not for ....it looks good .....or any stuff like that .....for me it serves a purpose gives me that extra bit or air deflection when im going at speed

as for protection.....never ride without it ......full suit i have 1 piece and 2 piece suits ....have upgraded spine protection and a chest protector
if we see another sports bike rider broken down we all stop to help the person ....any other type bike we dont

MDeezy

Sweatband: I've never fully understood it but seems like just an extra fashion statement. The reservoir wont turn brown from the SUN, the reservoir can more than withstand the temps from the sun. Especially if it can handle the temps of the hot brake fluid.

Stickers on aftermarket parts is going to yield different answers, but originally bikes and cars have them all over their vehicle as a condition from their sponsors. This look became "cool" and people did this on their own vehicles even tho they do not have a sponsorship from K&N or who ever. These companies provide the stickers to help feed into this also its easy free marketing for them. You see a sick bike going and they have say "vortex" stick on it, and its looks like a bad ass bike, you'll be curious what vortex parts are on the bike. It's easy free advertising.

Me myself?! I don't put any stickers or such on my bike. I have some from various places I've ordered from but I won't advertise for them for free, plus its not an attractive look for me. I'd prefer simple and clean.


As for the hand signal I didn't know the tap on the helmet is for cops. I'll keep that one in mind.

Haven't rode in groups much yet due to my work schedule so I'll have a lot to learn and will be at the end of the pack.

vividlust

good post girlie.

-the head tap is a must when seeing a cop
-usually when coming up on something dangerous in the road, i will take my left hand off the bars and do a slow down motion(up and down), same is said for coming up on bad turns with newer riders.
-stickers are cool on race bikes. or on sticker bombed bikes. however that is completely opinionated
-when riding with people that you dont know or just taging along, find out what the group rides like if your able to. ie if they dont mind shinnegans your good, but if there a group that like safety they may end up telling you to leave the ride at the next convienent local.
-also in groups never push the person in front of you. and if you need to pass do it on a straight where the rider can see you. (nothing worse then having a faster rider pass you in the middle of a turn, scares the shit outa you.)

anjos

Good thread. As a new rider, I've read a ton of useful info in here already.

Keep it coming

NuggetNik

I will have to remember the helmet tap!