Houston, we have a problem.
The problem is dirt riding should be way more popular than it is.
And we could learn something from Justin Bieber.
He only started to get really popular and hit the mainstream once he developed his bad-boy image.
We enduro riders like to whinge and whine about how we keep losing riding areas.
But of course we never get off our asses and actually do anything about it.
I think if we develop our bad-boy image it should
impress the public so much they'll be giving us more places to ride.
A real winner is a bit of stunt-riding on public roads.
Ideally you should be underage, no license, and no registration.
The more risk to bystanders?
The more they'll be impressed.
Of course you need to attract attention so
make sure you get the loudest aftermarket exhaust possible.
Or just run a straight-through exhaust.
Yes, most of the public say they hate loud exhausts.
But research shows there's a critical threshold just before
eardrums break where even the biggest noise-haters suddenly go crazy for Braap!
What else?
When you are in your riding area,
focus on the tracks that are near houses and hit the rev limiter if possible.
If you are in a shared forest area, don't slow down for hikers.
Try to roost them as you go past.
Ditt for horse riders.
They might yell and shout but deep down they are very impressed by loud bikes flying past.
Picnickers?
Let's face it, nature is pretty boring
and picnickers get bored fast with all that peac and quiet.
So again... lots of noise.
Do a few stunts close to them and see if you can create a cloud of dust to settle over that food.
Speaking of nature... almost green and brown colors get boring.
See if you cannot liven up the scenery a bit by throwing your
old drink bottles away. Food wrappers.
Broken motorbike bits.
Tear-offs from your goggles.
It's easy once you get the hang of it.
The basic message here is be a dick!
And if you aren't naturally a dick?
Then work at it.
All of this applies even more when you see another dirt rider.
Always wheelie past oncoming riders.
You get double points if you flip the motorbike and take them out.
I you see a beginner rider, try to ;spook; them as you ride past and make them run into a tree.
It's the only way to toughen them up and make them learn fast.
The biggest problem is that experienced dicks will take this vidoe seriously.
So on a more serious note....
Why is there a small noisy percentage of dirt riders ruining it for everyone else?
Me? I think it comes down to the 'dick' quotient.
I must admit I've done some dumb things
on motorbikes years ago so I'm not entitled to preach.
But what the hell.... I'm going to preach anyway.
The main components of being a dick tend to be age-related, your parenting,
a possible brain injury, your own choices in life, or maybe even being a psychopath or sociopath.
Over the years I have seen many complaints
on forums where riders say local residents hate noisy motorbikes.
Then all these dicks reply with comments like
"Hey go and do some 'donuts' on their front lawn!"
"Get all your riding buddies over on the loudest bikes possible then really give them an earful!"
Great.
We riders might like the sound of a bike going hard.
But it doesn't take too many brain cells to realize it's really annoying for most non-riders.
We have all had times we are annoyed with someone else's noise....
the old deaf neighbor into Polish marching music.
The 'pot smokers' next door who play loud reggae music into the night.
The new parents with the screaming baby and they don't even think to close the windows.
I am just suggesting we use more brain cells and occasionally try
to see the world through other people's eyes.
Apparently it's highly recommended by psychologists, hippie,s and religious leaders.
And research actually proves it leads to a happier lifestyle overall.
Anyway that's enough preaching for one day.
Here's a bit from other riders I found on the forums.
And just to finish off.....
there are actually riders who actively doing things to improve the sport instead
of just complaining on forums. For example I like this bit about trail riding etiquette.
Anyway guys, enjoy your ride.
See you later.