You hit the nail on the head. I am really concerned about the safety and skills improvement. Rode with him yesterday and really took it easy so he could follow without stress. Pulled into Tim Hortons coffee shop. At least 50 plus bikes. Was hard to find a parking space. My pal noticed some chicks riding a full bagger Harley, another a chromed out 1200 Sportster. The other chicks were riding 1100's, 650's etc. Before pulling out of the lot he said he's keeping the Road Star, no way he's riding a smaller bike than those chicks. From here on I am going to stop being so judgemental and realize it is what it is and stress safety. He's a lead player, and very good at classic rock. Can play like a son of a gun. He said riding a bike is like being on stage, you want to have the biggest stack of Marshall's behind you. Same as the bike. I disagree with that. Get a bike suited to skill set, not just for looks. My thoughts, you can get hurt real bad on a bike, so training and becoming one with the bike is very important. My new thought is let people be and they have to live with their decisions. I would pay for the course for my pal but he will have nothing to do with it. I feel for my pal like a brother, so what I say is out of concern, not a put down. I may come across like a jerk sometimes, as a proverb once stated. He who keeps mouth shut, hides his foolishness well. Actually I just made it up but you get the idea. Thanks for all the comments. I appreciate you all.

scionreality wrote:
Do I understand correctly that this guy wants to keep riding either way, just not interested in passing a certain skill plateau? Like, he's not going to get better any time soon but he's gonna ride anyway. You thought it would be cool for him to have a Roadie, it's freaking him out, and now you feel bad about the situation, as well as frustrated because you feel confident he could learn if only he'd put in the effort.




...You said you've been in a band with him. You're a drummer. He is (wild guess from my butt) a singer? Please be a singer, because it would make only THE MOST SENSE, hahaha.

What do you call people that follow musicians around? Drummers....

I have other talents other than drumming and riding. I can copy and paste stuff.

How do you tell if the stage is level?
The drummer is drooling from both sides of his mouth.

How can you tell a drummer's at the door?
The knocking speeds up

What do you call a drummer that breaks up with his girlfriend?
Homeless.

What do Ginger Baker and black coffee have in common?
They both suck without Cream.

What do you call a drummer with half a brain?
Gifted.

What does a drummer use for contraception?
His personality.

What do you say to a drummer in a three-piece suit?
"Will the defendant please rise?"

"Hey buddy, how late does the band play?"
"Oh, about half a beat behind the drummer."

Hey, did you hear about the drummer who finished high school?
Me neither.

Why do guitarists put drumsticks on the dash of their car?
So they can park in the handicapped spot.

How is a drum solo like a sneeze?
You know it's coming, but there's nothing you can do about it.

What's the first thing a drummer says when he moves to LA?
"Would you like fries with that, sir?

What is the difference between a drummer and a savings bond?
One will mature and make money.

Why do drummers have lots of kids?
They're not too good at the Rhythm Method.

What do you do if you accidentally run over a drummer?
Back up.

What did the drummer say to the band leader?
"Do you want me to play too fast or too slow?"

Deep in the African jungle, a safari was camped for the night. In the darkness, distant drums began a relentless throbbing that continued until dawn. The safari members were disturbed, but the guide reassured them: "Drums good. When drums stop, very bad." Every night the drumming continued, and every night the guide reiterated, "Drums good. When drums stop, VERY bad." This continues for several days until one morning the drumming suddenly stops and all the natives panic and run screaming. The man asks the guide what's the matter? The guide looking very frightened says: "When drums stop, VERY, VERY bad," he said. "Why is it bad?" asked a member of the safari. "Because when drums stop, bass solo begin!"

I've been watching this thread develop and tried really hard to stay out of it; that said...here's my two cents...if your friend is too scared to ride at safe speeds given a variety of conditions (no shame in that) and too STUPID to take a MSF class (all due respect of course) and still wants to keep riding...my advice is politely decline to ride with him. When he asks why, if he asks why, tell him that until he develops the skills required to ride safely, including at or slightly above the flow of traffic, you do not feel safe riding with him. I rode with a guy like him as part of a larger group that did a regular Sunday morning firehouse breakfast tour around our area. Nobody wanted to be near him and if he was anywhere but the back of the pack everyone behind him got held up and the group was constantly split up...he was asked to leave the group...Life is too short to let stupid people risk shortening it further...JM2CYMMV.

TMK wrote:
I've been watching this thread develop and tried really hard to stay out of it; that said...here's my two cents...if your friend is too scared to ride at safe speeds given a variety of conditions (no shame in that) and too STUPID to take a MSF class (all due respect of course) and still wants to keep riding...my advice is politely decline to ride with him. When he asks why, if he asks why, tell him that until he develops the skills required to ride safely, including at or slightly above the flow of traffic, you do not feel safe riding with him. I rode with a guy like him as part of a larger group that did a regular Sunday morning firehouse breakfast tour around our area. Nobody wanted to be near him and if he was anywhere but the back of the pack everyone behind him got held up and the group was constantly split up...he was asked to leave the group...Life is too short to let stupid people risk shortening it further...JM2CYMMV.

Another one I agree with. Anyone who turns down a FREE (whether it is actually being offered free or a friend or family member is offering to pay) should not be riding at all. Period. End of story. You're a danger to yourself or others around you if you are dumb enough to turn down something that can make you safer for yourself and those around you. As for me, I wouldn't be so polite about it. If I were to say to one of my friends "Dude, if you take the MFS course I'll pay for it" and he says no, I'd be like you an f'n idiot and I don't want to ride with you anymore. I would also question whether or not I would want to ride with someone who a.)isn't confident enough in himself to at the very least keep up with the flow of traffic, b.)doesn't have the ability to throw his bike around with confidence to be able to avoid danger, c.)picks his bike based on how "cool" it is and "I'm not going to ride a bike that a chick rides" instead of picking a bike that he is comfortable on and is within his abilities (which to me it sounds like a scooter wouldn't be within his abilities). I would tell him that either he take the course and build up some confidence or he can find someone else to ride with. Just my $0.02. I'm generally not the type of person to beat around the bush and be nice about it when someone is acting like an idiot and endangering my life or other's lives. And especially if you've know the guy pretty much your whole life, I wouldn't be afraid of being quite frank with him in letting him know he's being an idiot.

billieg wrote:
What do you call people that follow musicians around? Drummers....

I used to tell that joke, having played various instruments since I was a kid.

Then about 3 years ago I bought a big drum kit and started taking lessons with a jazz instructor.

I have a lot of respect for drummers, especially those who aren't just playing simple back-beats. To keep time, get good tone and demonstrate great technique requires a lifetime pursuit of excellence - like any other instrument, I suppose.

I recommend every musician spend some time learning drums - really helps one's sense of rhythm and time.

Q: How do you get an electric guitarist to stop playing?

A: put a sheet of music in front of him.