Never let a friend ride your bike...true. When I was a Senior in High School I finished rebuilding a 67' 650 Triumph and it was beautiful. I was working on a bike in the garage and my friend Gary that has been a friend since 5th grade came by the garage. He fell in love with that Triumph and kept bugging me to let him take out for a ride. He said he knew how to ride and I finally gave in and let him take it out for a ride but, (Thank God) I made him wear one of my helmets. Just before he started the bike I made sure he knew it had right side shift and left side rear brake, English bikes back then were made backwards. He fired up the bike and off he went. About 30 minutes he was pushing the bike back. I looked at him and his right hand, elbow and knee were bloody. The right side of the bike was a mess, handle bars bent, throttle cable broken off, Grips were shreadded, the right fork tube was bent, pegs and other stuff damaged. I looked at him and asked, Gary, are you ok? he said yea,.... What happened? He said he went into a left sweeping turn on the road too fast and kissed the curb. I went flying right and the bike landed in the street. I looked and the helmet I made him wear had a gouge in it too. All Gary kept saying is, Tommy, Im so sorry, Im so sorry, I will pay for what it costs to fix it. I said don't worry about that, get in my car I'll get you home and you get yourself cleaned up. I week later I see Gary pull up in the driveway in his 69 Z-28 Camero.He gets out wearing shorts, his right hand, knee and elbow were bandaged up. He hobbles into the garage and asks, how much to fix the Triumph? I said Gary don't worry about it, Im just glad your still alive. Then he asks again, how much damage? I said it cost about $275.00 but I can do all the work. Gary reached into his pocket and hands me $300.00 in cash and refused to take it back..Thats a stand up kinda guy. $300.00 back in the 70's was a hell of of lot of money. Were both in our 60's now and still good friends.....sorry for the long read, thought some might enjoy it.

Good down to earth advice Itch. Most bikers will say “Yeah I know all that.” But it needs to be said and everyone needs to still hear it from time to time!

I remember my grandad saying to me.. It's more fun riding a slow bike fast then a fast bike slow 🐌😀👍😎😄👌

Nothing like being in the wind. I have this angel on my right shoulder and a devil on my left shoulder. As I've gotten older, the angel has been winning out more.

Very good down to earth tips, a lot of people in my country are in covid Lock down or quarentine and look forward to the days of freedom and riding again . Thanks from Australia.

Good advice Itchy. 50yrs in the saddle myself this year, 3 as a motor officer, 30 on the same '72 FLH, and only 3 minor mishaps. I still ride like "The Big One" could lie just beyond the next curve in the road though.

Every long time rider can agree with all these things, and new riders NEED TO WATCH THIS. Thank you for putting it all together! This channel rocks, much love and respect.

This video just popped up and I skeptically watched it. I have well over 1/2 million miles experience and you are right on 100%.

Very good advice, maintenance and awareness on the road so important, I tend to drive not only for myself but for others, aware of all that's going on around me. Safety first.

Love when your bike TELLS you where the tire pressure is. And ALWAYS have a parking puck. Js.

I'm cager who daily's a Miata and I have enough trouble being seen and not doing #4 has saved my car and probably my life at least 50 times in the past few years. If they can't pay enough attention to see a bright white Miata, you know they're not looking closely enough to see a bike. Great video with some good common-sense tips; I'll keep all these in mind if and when my day comes to hop on a bike.

I think your #1 rule is very important. So many people will actually think that you will just let them take off on your bike! Like you said, this never ends well. Don't do it! This is my first comment, but I never miss your stories and good advice. I'm in S.C.,but I feel like I know you guys. Keep 'em coming! God Bless..

I've been riding over 40yrs. I even have a few years of club-level road race and drag race track experience. I'd never let anyone I never rode with ride my bikes. I can tell in the first few miles if someone can ride. Sometimes I've swapped bikes with others who I've rode with to diagnose troubles they may have. Some riders , including some so-called mechanics , I wouldn't let WASH my bikes!

Very nice garage/workshop area. Highly organized, clean and we'll stocked. 👏👏👏

I used to love my first HD a 73FXE ! I put a round swing arm instead of the square one, I lowered the bike 2inches! I also had a 15 inch Crome mag with a Volkswagen tire. That bike was 😎 cool! I had the 80 inch flywheels that replaced the 74inchers that bike flew Itchy! It was a lot of fun I could go on and one about it.Talking almost forty years ago, yep it was a blast! Thanks Itchy for your videos, hope Vee and you are doing good !

Brother you were speaking truth.I have a 1997 Ultra Classic,a 1998 Fat boy and a 2005 Soft Tail Deuse.Iv have not nor will I every let anyone but me ride my bikes.I ride alone.Because I prefer to.I don't drink.Every 2 or 3 years I replace my tires on all 3 bikes.They do have a date of manufacturing on them.I also maintain my own bikes.I simply don't trust someone else working on my babies.They are my best friends.Sure that may sound crazy to some but my bikes are family.Another good tip is to nut and bold chech your bike make sure everything is tight as per specs.Down here it's more sand than dirt so I have kick stand pads IV made and I keep them in each bike along with a basic set of tools for each nut and bold on the different bikes.If a group of ride roll up I'm not speeding up.They can go around me if it's safe to do.I never expect drivers of cars or trucks to see me.Im sure those that's been hit by a car the drivers first words are oh I didn't see you.When I ride I ride simply because that's what IV loved to do for the past 35 years or so IV not dropped my bikes yet or been in a crash yet but IV lost very close friends because they either drank to much and didn't want to hear we get you home.Iv lost my best Freind because he love to speed down just about any road.I guess I'm either lucky I do my best to use common since or The good Lord is watching over me IV had my fair shares of close calls.But I was excepting them to pull out in front of me.At stop light I always try my best to have a way out if a car driver isn't paying attention and while at the stop light I keep checking my mirrors.And being in hot weather most of the year I keep a couple bottles of water in my bags.Dang this commit was long.Ride safe out there.Theres idiot drivers everywhere.Love and peace to all

Had to retake my bike license in a different state and I thought I new it all,the cop didn't fall me on the bike but gave me a good tip for where I was riding on the road. He told me to ride near the centre line because the driver in front can see you in their rear vision and side mirrors and the centre of the road is where all the drips from drive train leaks will be. Have never forgotten that info.

I have been riding for 50 years also, and I agree with everything you said. God bless you and Vee

They sell a lock that locks on the.. brake rotor that has an alarm ! An excellent idea even if you're running into a place for a few minutes

#6. Ive been riding almost 50 years myself. And I always learn something new at palladino motorcycle training on KZfaq.

#1 Don't let others ride your bike, #2 Don't ignore your tires, #3 Use kickstand pad , #4 NEVER assume someone sees you.,#5)Don't leave bike unsecured.#6)Don't ride beyond your limitations.#7)Don't drink and ride. All good tips for those that ride.

Four thumbs up on the kickstand tips! Years ago I was doing a cross country ride on a R 60 BMW and I stopped in LA to visit a friend. The next day we went for a ride to a local mariner and I left my bike on the side stand in a parking lot. when we returned half an hour later there was a guy struggling to stand my bike up. he told us that it had tipped over earlier and somebody had stood it back up only to have it top over again! Broken turn signal! Scratched side case! Scratched muffler! From that point on I carried a small 1/4" aluminum plate that went between the asphalt and my side stand!

I love hearing stuff like this. There’s ALWAYS something to learn about riding smart 👌🏽

I really enjoyed the video. I been thinking about buying a bike it's been 50 years since I have rode one. One thing I think you could cover on another video is what to do when a death wobble starts in and how to deal with it. I just heard about this a few days ago. Thanks again for the great advice.

THANK-YOU BROTHER, YOU HAVE A NICE SHOP, GREAT ADVISE, I,LL KEEP THEM IN MIND .

I'm blessed to say I live in a area in Tennessee that I never lock my house, car, or bike unless I go riding.

Thank you for the tips... Never assume others guyz see you

I rode a lot of chain driven bikes over the years. With my 1100 I went to shaft driven. It's a whole other animal based on throttle response and acceleration. I've owned and ridden quite a few bikes over the years. I have to agree, every single one of them had its own personality. I learned the hard way about kickstand and hot asphalt. I always carry a board with me in my bags for suck an occasion.

Never mind all that I LOVE your shed, so green right now.

Yup, an old can from Dinty Moore Beef stew or B&M baked beans. Wish I knew that back in the 70's.

Hey Itchy Thank you for sharing with us and God bless you and Vee ! This video was a life saver so please listen to his great tips!

#7 was great advice ,that no one talks about.... Thank you for adding #7

good advise. A couple of my rules are don't ride in the blind spot of a vehicle (Rear quarter panel area of a car/truck ect). Don't ride beside a semi. I typically don't like to be beside any vehicle.

I’ve gone from a goldwing to a ultra lately and it’s like learning to ride again

All great points. I've followed #4 ever since I started riding on the road. Stay safe! 👊😎

Good point on bringing up tires, but keep in mind that age is a factor. I know too many riders right now that have tires more than 10 years old because someone put new tires on and quit riding. I've shown people how to read a tire. Maybe you could make a video on that.

Now that is wisdom right there. Thank you for these reminders. I must get into the habit of checking my tire pressure, you have given me a friendly kick up the arse, so again thank you sir.

This should be national notification, and encouraging information for all new and old, thanks itchy n vee👍

Sage Advice. Thank you, Sir!

I went to a car museum once that was amenable to motorcycles. They had a section of their (asphalt) parking lot marked for motorcycles with a box of kickstand pads to use while there.

Great video, Itchy. Very good advice. You nailed it spot on! Blessings to you and Vee.

spot on with every bike being slightly different. I wasn't aware of this when I went from my Honda CB750 to a Suzuki gs750 (almost identical bikes), but the clutch engagement point on the Honda was all the way towards the end, and the Suzuki starred engaging as soon as you started letting off the lever. that combined with throttles being different as well made for fun times. wouldn't you know it, when I went to take it for a test ride, Ipopped a big ol wheelie. It was pretty comical especially on a heavy ass 1970s UJM set up as a fully decked Out cruiser with saddlebags bat wing, etc. luckily I managed to save the bike and most importantly, my pride

Great advice brother! All should be common sense, but we no common sense isn’t common.

man i love your vids....just always simple common sense truths.....thx....now get out there on your ride on a awesome day

timeless advice. thanks. 👌🏾👌🏾👍🏽👍🏽

Some really great points. There should be no thumbs down on this.

I saw a video and the Dude recommended a “Jewelers Dapping Block” instead of this cheap kickstand blocks. That baby cost me $10 it’s probably4”X6” maybe an inch inch and a half. Works awesome on Hot Asphalt, grass even on Beach Sand. Best $10 I ever spent. Just to pick it up when you get ready to leave.

As a newISH rider, I totally agree with you!! Thanks for posting. On a side note... you make me sick with your perfect garage!! That beautiful Chevy truck, that badass Harley, and most of all that perfectly clean and orderly, well kept garage itself!! 👏👏👏 I frickin hate you 🤣🤣🤣

Great words of Wisdom...the sad thing is most of us learn these things the hardway....

Aloha.... I've been riding 50 years myself and you just gave some great advice.

The one I see broken the most is drinking and riding. I hold my own rule. Eight hours from bottle to throttle. Eight hours must pass from the last drink to getting on the bike. Now, this only applies if you have three or four. But, if one drinks in excess, then even more time should be added.

Great advice! Most are common sense like you said but it amazes me how many people don’t seem to have common sense these days. I would rather have common sense than to be book smart and luckily I think I do.😂 Your house and property always make me happy to see. Looks so nice and I know a lot of work goes into it everyday. I hope Vee is doing well and know she’s in my prayers always. Same way with you. We all can use prayers right? 😉🙏🏼 Have a great weekend and stay safe. Enjoy the nice weather because I can tell living here in WV the fall and dreaded winter is much closer than people want to think.

I preach all of these lessons except for the kick stand pad so thank you for reminding me of something I've known about but just got ny first Harley so that tip will save me while out exploring God's creation.

Turn the order around and make drinking driving the number one instead of the number 7

Excellent video brother 💪😎 Any advice is helpful, no matter how long they been riding. God bless 🙏

I first rode a Montgomery wards wizard in summer of 1958

Good tips and advice!

Thank you Itchymoche for sharing with us, This was a great video with good tips Thanks

Great advice, thanks.

Great video I just watched your channel first timer but long time rider over 50 years a few crashes and a lot of road rashes. Mostly when I was younger and had two many bottles of liquid courage it's not worth it . I honestly don't know how I'm still alive but after my son was born I stopped drinking and riding after my 2nd dui listen people take in from experience ITS NOT WORTH IT front all my crashes and concussions I suffer a stroke in my 62 year and now I miss the thing I loved the most was riding my harley. So it's not just the monetary cost it's the health cost remember and take it from an old experience rider motorcycles and parts can be replaced arms legs and most injuries can be fixed now days with modern medicine but it's years down the road when it bites you in the ass hard

Solid tips! I live by “look how your riding and look twice how other’s are driving “

Great vid!! Now do one on your garage setup and tools/equipment. Thx

Also use you turn signal's. Check you brake once in a while. Before long trip .Check and tighten handlebars .And the fork head bearings.and bulb's before long ride.Make sure you have enough Motorcycle Insurance. Now day if in a accident. Now days going to cost you $$$$.lots of money.make sure you get a good night's rest. And again no no Drinking and driving. Protect your Head wear a Helmet.I know i don't like them .But i want to live a little longer. I have been riding Harley's for about 55 years.Do ride past your experience level.Well enough preaching.GOD BLESS YOU AND VEE ALWAYS .ERIC

Hey my Friend, thank you of Video thats a Beautiful Garage 🤗👍👍Reinhard out Germany sorry my Englisch is Not so Good, i am 64 years old and y Drive 28 .000km in Year One my Honda St 1300 Pan Europaean

An ounce of prevention is worth 500 tons of cure when it comes to motorcycles. It is MANDATORY that you develop and maintain good habits such as constant threat assessment, proper speed in corners, staying out of blind spots, maintaining safe distances from cars, proper braking techniques etc. For newbies it might seem to take the fun out of riding but you get used to it. Good maintenance and riding habits WILL save your life at some point.

Great advice bro and it is about common sense , enjoying the ride ,my mate got a Triumph 350 Tiger on a good day 120 km

Another good video brother keep it up prayers to your better half!!

Nice job. Great video for all riders. Thx for the 7 commandments buddy. Keep up the great work

Agreed, all good stuff. Yup, not riding mine!

Yeah. Great advice

All good tips brother. Man, you have a really nice place.

Fran Haash law firm that specialized in bike accidents gave free pux to put under the kickstand, I did not know asphalt lost its strength on a hot day, that was back in the 70's I had a Honda Scrambler 360 a hot day in the parking lot at work. Itchy, that bike has a welded hasp for that nice round chrome lock? I heard the built-in fork locks are NOT as secure as the welded hasp type I have on my Sporty, which I think is a much more secure set-up.

Well said, good video.

Great video.

Great reminders. By the way, nice "Man-cave".

Solid advice as always. Great talk. Thanks.

Your list is Very Good!

I'm new to your channel and new to riding I've only been riding for 4 months I will continue to support your Channel

Awsome video, thank you for sharing good Sir.

Very good suggestions, thank you Sir.

i rode a honda for first time experience ,, was guys in neighborhood and laid it at end of street turning in some sand when turning around.. yikes ..never rode since .. sat on electroglyde a few years ago and revved engine . that is it

Dont be cheap when it comes to tires as well! Nice set of dunlops like you have is a great tire.

Great video

Thanks brother very nice video. Thank you sir😎

Speak of blow out. I watched a guy get killed because of a blow out. Riding down the road him and his wife. No helmet had a buddy with him. They was pulling a trailer I was Two cars behind them all the sudden shit went south I stopped to keep cars from hitting the bike in the road. The lady hit the fence in the median. He flew almost to the other two lanes. When the state trooper showed up we looked at the bike. There was 3 holes in the sidewall and the tire it's was bald. He died of internal injuries at the hospital. His wife didn't pass. She was injured but nothing life threatening.

Great video sound information for anyone and really any type vehicle

love the list and great advice except the lane choice, two issues with Harley Riders the glue their asses to 1 lane position and stay there, there are 3 lane positions 1 the inside nearest the center line, 2 the center (not the best place to be when it starts to rain and lift the oil) and 3 the far right position closest to roads edge, you should be where YOU can see the Best, Sometimes that's position 1, sometimes position 3, and to be seen better change your positions from time to time, and DON'T FOLLOW TO CLOSE !!! and proper cornering to the left start position 3, come into between position positions 2 and 1, never fully 1 till you can see the exit, then back to 2 or 3 when you come out, a right turn the reverse start in 1, and come in to between 2 and 3 the back towards 1 and then resume to the best lane position for you to see.

Lol I bought my first bike after “riding someone else’s”….. right into a loading dock. He just got his panels back from the body shop and hell, how different can riding a crotch rocket be than an RM 125? I actually told him no numerous times but he insisted. Well 1st gear and about 15-20 feet and it bent the frame of the Inceptor. Got lucky and traded it for a Chevy Pick up.

Good advice. Even if you don't live in the US

Another great vid itch. God bless you and yours

Most of my bikes have kick starters on them and or starter buttons in an inconspicuous place so not too worried about having them stolen...

Good advice....

Two Identical model Motorcycles , straight off the Production Line can be significantly different in operation , let alone Different Configurations . I used to own a Heavy Shaft drive Kawasaki with an EXCELLENT feature . Lockable Centre-Stand . Stealing this you CARRY it . All 300kg of it . One beer , with a Pub Meal . Not a real Issue . Feed takes an hour usually . One Dozen and now Bullet-proof ? Been nice knowing you.........................

Hey Man! Hope you're doing well mark. Watching all the videos i never scene b4. 😊 hang tough brother. Always praying for you.

There’s old bikers, and bold bikers. But not many.

ALL good points Itchy 🤠

Ignoring or not knowing #1 was what got me on my first motorcycle ride, I lied to a friend of mine that I had ridden someone else's bike... My parents wouldn't let me have a motorcycle, my BMX bikes were dangerous enough with me setting jumping records and having been hit by a car on one...so My friend let me ride his Honda cr80. things went wrong but I was able to recover real well and made it look like it was all planned. hit a jump, landed goosed the throttle lifted the front wheel slammed the rear brake set the thing back down for a left hand turn, goosed the throttle again exiting turn raising front wheel again spraying dirt and gravel everywhere . outta sight down the straight,,,, came back everyone was cheering me on.. RIP my friend Greg ( died in a single car accident at 16 in 1986)

You make sense Brother I let someone ride 1 of my bikes before I had to go get it never again Brother

When I was 18 years old.. I got my first real bike.. well I was a newbie also we were celebrating my buddies girlfriends birthday at a bar.. my rule was not to drink but I had two beers. Then everyone decided to leave. As we're getting on our bikes.. I ran into a girl I knew going into the bar so I was talking to her for a few minutes.. while my friends took off.. then I did a foolish thing. I tried to catch up to my friends... And yeah I only had two beers but still.. well I almost did not negotiate a sharp curve in the road going at a high speed trying to catch up to my buddies not a good idea never did that one ever again

I read that the insurance industry has statistics that show 1 shot of alcohol in your systems makes you 50% more likely to be in an accident.