It has nothing to do with over confidence. The day I stop learning new skills is the day I stop riding. I do wear protective gear at times but I don't get into a false sense of security over it. Like no **** you can't control all of the unforeseen circumstances and you can not control every emergency. But you can be on the look out for trouble a head of you. Just plain common sense and good defensive riding. I am sure all of the motorcycle safety books have different opinions but I learned my skill over years of riding on and off track, from MX, hill climbing and flat track in the Altimonts near livermore, Ca to some road racing. Oh and not to forget a crap load of street miles. I am sure all of your book knowledge and weekend MSF classes more then trump my real world experience.

 

That's some serious riding range there , did some 4 wheel quad running on those hills they are no joke . You can see it on the screen but it doesn't give the perspective standing in the dirt looking up one of those 500 foot 65 to 90 degree monsters does . BOOYAH

 

Saw a show the other night and and some ol guy in his 80's or 90's is still going at the titles in the hill climbs.

I sure miss it. But I don't think my ol bones can take the abuse any more. I grew up not far from you over in Pleasanton back in the 60's early 70's I would not even recognize the area today. Back then Hopyard rd was all but farm land Until you got up to old canal that ran along to the backside of the fair grounds by the horse track.

 

Ya it's changed big time since I wandered out here in 88 that was still wide open area then , one of the biggest traffic jams around now . Big change here to cheese land I can't do winters anymore .

A BSA 441 victor cured my dirt & hill urge in the 70's .