A mindset that I learnt while riding is: "Ride like all the cars on the road are trying to kill you", that way as a defensive rider you stay way more alert and reduce reaction time. Stay safe, but have fun!
@@ambrosiadreamergoes both ways, so many motorcyclists don't know how to share the road with cars either. Whatever you're driving, 2 wheeler or 4 wheeler, always be aware of your surroundings and remember you are not alone on the road.
Lud, as a motorcycle rider and dirt bike rider, motorcycle armor (not leather jackets), gloves, motorcycle boots, helmets are all a must to wear. Its not just you that can cause accidents, its other people as well. Its all fun until you crash. Have fun but be safe!
@victor5157 That's why the death statistics conscerning road travel are proportionally highest among motorcyclists. Even _with_ gear motorcycling is supremely dangerous - without, you're just a step shy of playing Russian Roulette. In other words, get gear, and don't ever not wear it.
@@victor5157 Only time I ever don't wear armour is when I'm on sand or grass and even then I wouldn't go above 30 nor would I wear anything resembling joggers or slacks or something. Nuts.
So true. I've been riding for a good part of my life. There were times I'd go a couple years at a time without a bike and I always had that thought in the back of my head of what bike I'm going to get next and when. Once a rider always a rider
The guy plans to drive across japan with his buddy sharing the experience of facing the wind blowing at high speed, yeah he is not returning to a vespa anytime soon unless QT drags him to it.
@ludwig as someone who has ridden motorcycles for 20 years, it's not if you fall. It's when you fall. Because it will happen at some point whether a crash or you drop it. You just need to know what to do when it happens. Stay safe
@@Aeropunk08 Everyone knows the saying, you dress for the slide not the ride. Took me all of one spill on asphalt bombing a hill on my bicycle as a kid (removing a good chunck of skin from my thigh, hip, calf and the outside of my arm) to take pads and a helmet seriously for everything two-wheeled. Wouldn't catch me dead out without something abrasion rated at the LEAST, I never wanna go through that shit ever again. At least when I wreck on dirt it's just a matter of getting stabbed by sticks and rocks and maybe some soft tissue lmao
@@essayedgar You don't ride hard enough or challenge yourself enough. Or you've never ridden dirt lmao But fair play to all those out there smart enough not to ride like us idiots lol. Gotta respect the time to cruise and relax just as much as revving the piss outta it and barely keeping her on the road
Ride on Lud, as long as your safe! I lost my dad in a motorcycle accident 15 years ago, and ever since then, me and my sisters have been huge advocates for sharing the road! Please drivers, SHARE THE ROAD WITH BIKERS!
LUDWIG! man, you will probably never see this but by God do I have to say that I'm insanely excited for the switch you did!! As a passionate MC rider myself I absolutely adore the choice you made for your first bike. I just wish you would've watched a few more "which bike fits me best" videos on RUclips before you decided to ultimately buy one. there's a lot of motorcycle types that appeal to different situations, however in your situation (wanting a tour, riding cross country which includes dirt roads and gravel paths) I would've reccomended more adventure-esque bikes. Triumph is a great brand to be honest, and they have great adventure bikes too. they don't rev up as fast and they tend to stay a bit more stable, especially since they often come with a main stand. they're also more pack-able for long rides. (and a bigger fuel tank as well... you Will need that in Japan.) A windscreen in nice too, which conveniently comes with places to hold a navigation system in place as well (I can only reccomend Garmin). Clothing-wise I hope you discard everything you got and get yourself geared up Properly in a store. My reccomendations for Japan's humid weather are brands like Held, Klim or maybe even Dainese. Helmet-wise I can only reccomend Shoei or Schuberth, they are the leaders in that department and safety always comes first. Go for Non-membrane Layered Goratex gear if you plan to ride during colder months. Dont pick motorcycle shoes for racing and dont pick any that have laces. there's also intercom systems that I highly reccomend. Sena or Cardo comes to mind in that department. other than that, enjoy your ride :) I hope you decide to ride more even after your trip.
I had a motorcycle and went through the same thought process Ludwig did. The problem isn’t necessarily that you will crash yourself. It’s that other drivers do not see you. You need to become a very defensive driver and guess when cars will pull out in front of you. You’ll quickly learn how many people drive distracted.
I didnt go trough that thought process. my whole thought process as “weeee“ „bike go brrrr“ pattern recognition kicks in nowadays so i just stare down dumb cunts that seem to want to cut me off or something. I guess it really helps to be in a country where the license isnt just given away for a small fee (my bike test was slowspeed manneuvers without foot down think 1-3mph slalom, figure 8, 32foot straight line in >15sec then 25min with instructor backpacking for roadlaws, lane positioning etc) On that note. Defensive driving and driving like they dont see you are key
@@imbored667 Being locked on one idiot doesn't stop a second idiot from crashing into you, fun fact. DanDanTheFireman does really good crash analyzing (reaction) videos, and you can pull a lot of defensive riding tips from him.
haha i wouldn't "guess when cars will pull out" I go into with the mind set that THEY WILL pull out in front of you and everyone is out to knock your ass down. suddenly the safety distancing between cars would increase because "you know" they are out to kill you
the most important thing to remember when driving a motorcycle is that no matter who's right or wrong, you will always be the one who hurts the most. In American culture where car dominates, it's even more dangerous because the car drivers never think about the existence of the motorcycle, a vehicle that can easily be hidden in a blind spot. Make yourself seems as predictable as possible and always keep your distance.
I cannot imagine any world, where I would see a person wearing crocs while on a motorcycle. Not because it clashes so much, but just because I could imagine you easily losing footing, but here you've done it.
ive seen people wear flip flops. there have been dumber people riding motorcycles. Ive heard that in some areas of the world inc usa that helmets are not even required.
As a European I am always surprised at how EASY it is for Americans to get their MC license... I REALLY recommend you take all the extra courses that are available, I've heard you have loads of optional saftey courses you can take. Stuff that should really be mandatory, that actually teach you how to ride and how to do it safely.
@@Dehydratedpencil To be allowed to drive on the street with everyone else? Then yes, it is and absolutely should be mandatory, plus all the optional stuff in the US. Or do you somehow think I feel that we should force EVERYONE to get a license even if they never intend to drive anything?
@@GillsaN Abolish driving licenses. Roads are publicly owned, therefore members of the public have the right to use the roads, whether they have a license or not.
Theres actually not that many optional safety courses. Most beginners take an MSF. Think fundamentals, shifting, turning, etc. Theres usually an intermediate which really just covers the same stuff as the MSF but focusing on a bigger bike. There are skill specific courses out there but they are generally not near where you live. Think 100-300 km away. Sometimes 800km away if you live in a small town. If I want to take a dedicated course for dual sport bikes like the one I own then I would have to travel 600km
@@cziemba1my first bike was an 1100. If you're aware of the power you'll be fine. People fuck up by flying too close to the sun or they let their ego control them. But yeah considering it's Ludwig he should start with a 250 or something.
Ludwig is the type of guy who needs a replacement for his motorcycle as emotional support after his previous one was stolen by his friends and sold off at an auction
As someone who rides motorcycles and who’s entire family rides motorcycles. Ludwig talking about safety is painful. My dad got his back broken from a motorbike crash. SAFTEY. I do not know anyone who has never had a single fall/crash on the bike, me included lmao. Alway be safeee
This whole vid stressed me tf out… it’s obvious that Lud doesnt know wtf hes doing. Does he know how to counter steer and hit corners correctly? He didnt take the CMSP or MSF course, so I dont think he knows anything about motorcycle safety and how to PROPERLY ride. I hope he stays safe, because not knowing this shit gets people killed fast
@@spedgaming2390 I dunno, the video Lud did kinda show that he's somewhat responsible. A 300-500 would've been a way better learning bike, but 40hp will get you killed quite easily as well
“im not going to become a ‘motorcycle guy’ im not gonna be commuting to and from work in my motorcycle…. I just have a simple dream to drive across the entire country of Japan”
Especially for a guy who thinks his 400lbs naked is a heavy, "hard to park" bike and who did seemingly zero research, not knowing about the most basic safety gear- lmao if he had watched on single 10 min video from a motorcycle guy he would know more than he does in this video....
You should definitely take a beginner’s MSF course. There’s a lot of useful information that they give you about safety and riding technique. Things like target fixation or how normal car drivers don’t “see” you, even when they see you. Also, you get used to people telling you that you’re gonna die, it’s not an unfounded fear, but it’s blown way out of proportion by people who have never touched a motorcycle.
Seriously. Talking to the instructors and getting comfortable on the bike, practicing for emergencies will save his life. Nobody thinks something bad will happen to them until it does
@awtodor Yeah, about 30x more likely to get into a fatal motorcycle accident vs car accident iirc, but that excludes all the other variables like the fact a majority of those people killed were speeding or had alcohol in their system. That's why taking safety courses and being cautious and aware at all times dramatically improves your chances of not being one of those statistics. I'm not sure there are numbers for how many fatally killed drivers were MSF graduates or fully alert and law abiding, but it's not unreasonable to think given the vast number of deaths from speeding+drinking ramping up the numbers, the people who don't do those things and wear full gear aren't as at risk, as they're not a significant number of that statistic, since they're obviously not dying. I'd wager it could lower your chances to the same as a car fatality or less if you're smart, a good rider, and always paying attention. And yeah, if you were just as attentive but in a car instead, you'd probably have an even greater chance of survival (though that's just speculation idk. If you're skilled enough at both maybe being smaller and being able to dart in and out quickly in emergency situations is actually a huge advantage) so I'm not denying that motorcycles are more dangerous, I'm just not convinced it's by much if you're doing everything right.
I honestly don't know how you can tell this story so well. If the same experience happened to me, and someone asked how my day had gone, it would last precisely 10 seconds. "I went and bought a motorbike, and I rode it home with sweatpants and crocs because I didn't realise I needed loads of equipment. How was your day?"
Riding a 300cc vespa without gear is basically just as dangerous as riding a motorcycle. Most of the risk comes from other vehicles and you’re just as unprotected if you don’t wear gear on a moped.
for real. He mentioned europeans as examples, but most of the europeans riding with barely any protection gear are teenagers on 50cc scooters (still, i wore protection when i had my own 50cc).
As a rider in the US, i highly recommend taking some beginner and intermediate riding courses. If you’re planning to do the trip within the year they’ll really help you learn some important skills. You’ll even meet a ton of people that will give you advice and tips for the road. Glad to see you’re taking it seriously and have bought the gear though! Hopefully during your time riding you fall in love and stick with it! Welcome to the fam 😁
I rode motorcycles for almost 15 years. I traded in my motorcycle last year because I was starting to have panic attacks when driving it. People don't care about motorcycles at all and don't share the road. The amount of times I've had a vehicle swerve into my lane and push me out of it on the interstate is actually insane... and 9/10 it was because they were too concerned about their phone to care about the lives of others that share the roads with them. In town driving was about all I could manage anymore, so I got ride of mine. Honestly, it's probably extreme... But anyone caught using their phone (Handsfree excluded) should be charged a $1000 fine, and for repeat offenders 3 days in jail.
Hey man long term viewer here, and avid motorcycle rider. Don't let what everyone is saying to you stress you out too bad, as long as you ride safely and wear all of your gear you should be just fine. A really important tip though is to kind of ignore who has the right of way when you're riding. People will either not pay attention or just not care so you do need to be more attentive and careful, but you should be fine as long as you're not dumb!
Listen to this guy. People will be haters, but it's not as dangerous as they think (if you're smart) and after a trip across Japan on a bike, both Bostonmisner529 and I know you won't be going back to the Vespa.
The first thing I learned when I started riding is that there is nothing for safety like there is in a car so you have to *wear* the safety you find in a car. I refuse to ride in the summer because of it, in the winter I have a jacket that I've put some heating elements in because I have bad blood circulation in my arm to help keep it warm and it's such a nice ride at that point
If you stall your bike/car whilst changing gear (implying that the vehicle is already moving, we're ignoring going from neutral to 1st), you shouldn't be on the road imo. Because that takes a special breed of incompetence to achieve.
The Trident 660 was a good choice for sure. Glad you were pointed in the right direction with gear, and the mentality of safe riding. Id propose that you get more formal training if you want to learn to ride better quickly. Yamaha champ school online course has a good breakdown of the fundamentals of riding. Well worth the time. -Street triple rider.
My dad owned multiple motorcycles while I was growing up and always said "Dress for the ride, not the weather". He ended up selling his bikes and got a soft-top Jeep Wangler. Same outdoorsy feel but less prep and much safer. Anyways, Long Way Round is a good movie! I would watch it with my dad when I was little. Stay safe! Ride safe!
The amount of good advice you were given from various people makes me happy. I expected you to get the squid rider responses and say gear is not needed.
@@matt.stevickfr, honestly motorcycles are not at all dangerous if you know what you're doing, and honestly most fatal crashes are not because of the people driving motorcycles but the trash car drivers instead
I live in Taiwan, most people are on scooters and other vespa adjacent motorcycles, they dress casual and have helmets. But those on bigger bikes (the colour of license plates indicates their engine size), almost never wear protective gear apart from the helmet, they are pretty much dressed like people on vespas.
I would love to see some moto vlogs with you on the bike Lud. Just to see your adventures and you learning how to ride the new bike. Good luck and stay upright my guy.
Super important video, getting the message across that motorcycles are dangerous especially as an influencer who’s riding one is vital! Good job for being responsible and teaching all your viewers a lesson❤
@@Wysewolf Statistically (ignoring conditions when any road user is under the influence) car drivers are the greatest risk to bikers, good gear will help you but some negligence of car drivers (even those that ride bikes themselves) is the danger, if people paid attention to the road it would help reduce danger significantly, it's why you don't see many Truck vs Bike or Bus vs Bike because they are held to a higher standard and therefore pay attention to the road
@groodyween8653 I don't disagree at all, but I would word it differently. Lol I'd say the biggest risk to a motorcyclists is that motorcycles do not wrap the rider in a heavily reinforced steel frame meant to keep the passenger of the motor vehicle safe in the laughly predictable probability of a collision. I'm all for riding. But it is inherently more dangerous to enter a highway designed primarily for steel cubes, and then to leave your steel cube at home. Lol
@@Wysewolf Says a lot about your driving if you think crashes are that common.... however I think your resonse is flawed as , everyone should drive tanks around because then no one will ever get hurt, surely the road is meant for tanks because if your puny little death box you call a car hits my tank due to my poor driving then its your fault for dying Right?
hey lud apologies for the unsolicited advice but if you want to get better quickly you might want to look into taking an intermediate or advanced motorcycle training course. ive found being more confident on a bike makes it more fun as well, since you know what to do in dangerous situations. cool bike!
Whenever I hear how easy it is to get a driver's license in the US it makes me scared to ever drive there. And that they didn't even brief you nor test you on theory and safety (like what gear you need and why) is just so crazy.
That's the Land of 'freedom' for you. Nobody making sure you are actually informed in any Kind of way, you're free to stay entirely ignorant if you want - even if it actively endangers society or costs society something.
Ikr, it's insanity! I've had to take 20+ lessons by a certified driving instructor, do both a theory and practical test (failed it twice) before finally getting my driver's license.
I live in redneckville at the base of the Appalachian mountains, so riding bikes is huge here (curves and sunshine = fun times in car or bikes). My whole family rides bikes and it’s essentially a rite of passage. My siblings and I have been riding bikes since we could sit up (not even exaggerating, my first ride I wasn’t even 2). My brother bought his first bike last year, rode it for a bit, and then bought a speed bike. Anyway! Even though we have all this practice and experience, he hit some debris last fall on the highway, and was flung into the air ~10ft after losing control and hitting a guard rail. He shattered his elbow and opposite wrist, and had major breaks in both arms. Miraculously, other than some serious road rash, that was the extent of the damage. He has a lot of crisis training, from being a medic in the military (including in Iraq), working in an ER, and volunteering with EMS and the fire department for years, so he knew exactly how to handle the situation and to keep calm. BASICALLY, if you DO wreck (and little accidents are pretty common) DONT FREAK OUT. Wear your gear ALWAYS. And if it’s serious, stay limp. When you land on the ground, DONT MOVE. You don’t know if your spinal cord is severed even partially. See if you can wiggle your toes, feel your legs, wiggle your fingers, etc. being completely still can be scary for bystanders (as seen by my dad who was riding behind my brother and witnessed, and was very scared when my brother was laying motionless on the ground) but it can be lifesaving. They had walkies in their helmets so they could communicate, which I 10/10 recommend. Your phone can play music, GPS, and walkies so you can stay focused on the road. But staying still and doing a quick body check can save your life. It’s hard to remember in times of crisis, but if you can, DO. Focus on breathing, and WEAR. YOUR. GEAR. Ultimately riding bikes are very fun but not something to be taken lightly. They’re serious and can change your life in the blink of an eye (so can cars, of course, but it’s much easier for surrounding vehicles to see cars and be wary than bikes. People can also be assholes to bikers). Another tip my dad taught me, is to always look at the car’s tires. If they’re turning, the tires will tell you which direction, even if they don’t use blinkers. You can do everything right, but you can’t guarantee others will. Wishing you all the fun and happiness and safe journeys on this new adventure. Watch out for road debris, and mown grass or leaves are INCREDIBLY slick. Have fun!
its always the non motorcycle riders that hype up the danger with "dont die" comments. if you pay attention, ride safe, and have all the proper gear, you greatly minimize risk.
getting to see my favorite youtuber and favorite hobby collide is something i didnt think I would ever see, ride safe lud and all other viewers that ride, its fun but risky :)
I like how he says he doesn't want to be a motorcycle guy, but then says the only reason he got the bike is to drive across a country with his friend (a common biker endeavor).
In India i rode a royal enfield bullet for over 3 years without license, never wore any bike gear ( I came to know about their existence after coming here) and let me tell u that was the best experience, all without helmet or these thick jackets like that. i used to wear shorts and slippers a lot of the time in summers. I would ride again when I go back to India
You should still wear protective gear on a vespa. Mainly to protect yourself from other drivers. Even if you aren't driving on the freeway, you can easily die still at low speeds.
As a motorcyclist, I'm super happy for you! Please be safe, listen to more experienced riders as it will likely prevent you getting into an accident! Motorcycles take a lot more skill than a vespa. On the shifting note, you can actually modify it to shift up and down kind of like a paddle shifter in a car if you'd like!
Welcome to riding, and imo you made a great choice, the Trident 660 is a great bike, but its got a decent bit of power for a first bike so I would take that guy's advice and never leave your comfort zone, it can be the difference between life and death. But if you're careful you'll be safe and you'll have a ton of fun of riding.
respect for getting a 600CC than a 1000+ on your first big bike its kinda overkill still but confident your responsible enough to not hurt yourself the dealer actually gave critical points to beginner riders 10/10
I started on a 650, and it's totally manageable. Lots of highway driving where I am to get anywhere, so something that can move at highway speeds without chugging was a must.
The guy who Ludwig talked to at the store 100% teaches a motorcycle safety class. Where I'm at youre required to take a few of them for different engine sizes and licenses and much of the stuff he said(ride for yourself, dress for the slide not the ride, most accidents are close to home) are all things covered in these courses regularly and 100% true. I love my bikes, riding is one of my favorite things in the world, but I also have multiple people I've known to be killed, paralyzed, or hospitalized while doing 100% the right thing. It can be very dangerous and because of this you need to educate yourself so that you are never adding to the chances of something happening to you. Another big thing is practicing, me and many other people who have rode for years and years still practice, maybe practice some emergency stops or swerving to avoid something, could be whatever but most people who truly ride understand that even if you just do it to commute you should be practicing the things you dont do every say so that when they come up youre prepared.
For context, theres a reason why safety apparel coverage is automatically included in most motorcycle insurances... Same with accessory coverage too. Many buyers, even brand new from dealerships, dont realize that the bikes they are buying have been modified in some way from the factory they came out of.
The thing is that you should be wearing all the gear even on your Vespa. Crashing on scooter does not hurt any less compared to the standard motorcycle.
I love videos like this. Ludwig gets into some kind of *predicament* but then learns a lot about something while cannoodling his way out of it. It’s a great formula and also is slightly heart-warming!
Hahaha, I love seeing a grown ass man almost 30 describe the basics of a vehicle as though its alien reminds me of how I felt when I got on my first bike when I was a teenager. There is a giddiness to riding a bike.
I think a short series or even like a single, longer "documentary" style video about you and michael reeves travelling across japan with a more like authentic, low production vibe would absolutely slap ngl
Be careful out there man. A close friend of mine bought a bike and did everything you're supposed to wore the equipment didn't go too crazy with it then a month later he was in the hospital without his left foot.
On the subject of not wearing gear on the Vespa, even low speed crashes at like 20-30 mph can fuck you up pretty bad with road rash. Imagine running as fast as you can and just penguin sliding on concrete, now multiply that by 3. I’m not saying you need full leathers all the time but there are a lot of companies that make tough lightweight gear that will at least protect your hips and forearms.
Ludwig: "I'm not going to become a motorbike guy" The next 7 minutes: Ludwig becoming a motorcycle guy. The last minute: "I'm definitely not becoming a motorcycle guy" 😂
As a motorcycle gal, I just really want to say that you shouldn’t wear crocs on any scooter, but definitely not one going at 60 - again, think of the slide. But it sounds like you’re already learning a lot, good job! I’d be interested to see your kit set up now :) good luck on the roads
it's not that bad you do get use to it. I got a 650 for my first bike you'll be alright. Just RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. And just be aware while riding don't be zoning out. That's when most accidents happen.
Holy this seems crazy. I wish you tons of good luck. I've wanted a motorcycle for years myself, but just the licence alone here in Norway costs a couple thousand dollars. The ride across Japan seems so crazy, and I'm hopefull it's something i can do one day aswell. Again, I wish you tons of good luck, stay safe, use your gear, and enjoy yourself, don't forget to enjoy yourself
Lud, taking a 3 day training course lowers your insurance and teaches you some really niche skills at low speeds that help tremendously at higher speeds. Highly recommend it, could be fun content too! Congrats on the bike!
For reference. I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle, knowing how risky it is. That being said, about two weeks ago my brother purchased an E bike for all of us siblings to use. There is a huge learning curve in riding powered things in comparison to non-powered things. My handlebars started to shake, I accidentally pulled on them and also accidentally pulled on the front brake out of panic (not because I was an idiot and didn't know which brake was which.) I slid across the road and my left shoulder, elbow knee and shin were road rashed. Minor scratches on my right side. We debated going to the hospital and didn't. Imagine what would've happened if it were a gas motor and I were going at my top speed.
When I first got my motorcycle a few years ago (also a 660cc) I did the EXACT same trip up to San Fran along PCH. Most beautiful ride ever. Big sur area is gorgeous. You'll love it. I would love to do the Japan trip one day. Keep in mind they ride on opposite side of road in Japan. edit: get gear! Wear it all the time! ATGATT. Also get a comphy seat on your bike before taking your trip. Thank me later on that last part.
I've really enjoyed this video lud! I appreciate how you became acquainted with the risks and talked about how it is comparable to other risks people take in life. I hope your love for motorcycles and riding overrules the fear that others may try and instill in you!
The one BIG thing I took from years on a street bike is, as long as you are following the laws, unnatentive commuters in cars are your biggest danger. Keep your head on a swivel, watch every cross road you are going through.
When you crash at 30mph the ground or car you hit doesn’t care if you came from a vespa or motorcycle. Both are equally dangerous 99% of the time since commuting you’ll be doing the same speed anyway. The weight and power don’t matter. Motorcyclists simply realize the dangers and respect them more because they take the whole activity more seriously. Tldr: vespa riders don’t think ahead. wear your gear.
A part of my job means I know many motorcyclists. The number of them who have crashed is genuinely kind of nuts, like, a sizeable percentage and pretty much an order of magnitude more than the drivers and cyclists I know. Mostly fine in the aftermath, but several serious injuries including a leg that was turned to soup (Cause they didnt wear their leathers.) and one coma, and one death pretty recently. My dad also rode a bike... until he crashed it. The things are absolute death traps.
Seeing how chat reacts to motorcycles is the exact reason that people don't like motorcycles. I've never seen so many people be so wrong all at the same time. Great that Lud is educating everyone and himself by asking questions. The vespa has the same risks as a motorcycle, AND they make automatic motorcycles.
His dedication to giving QT a heart attack is admirable
😂
Soon enough it’ll get auctioned off too.
@@Dj07-i3ubeen a few hrs and im still living 😮💨
@@Dj07-i3uno
@@Dj07-i3ugotta admire the creativity, and clearly, it seems to be working for you, but no.
A mindset that I learnt while riding is: "Ride like all the cars on the road are trying to kill you", that way as a defensive rider you stay way more alert and reduce reaction time. Stay safe, but have fun!
the best mindset to have on bikes for sure. its so easy to be invisible on them but as long as you are constantly aware of your surroundings its fine
absolutely vouching this, it's insane how many ppl don't know how to share the road with a motorcyclist
@@ambrosiadreamergoes both ways, so many motorcyclists don't know how to share the road with cars either. Whatever you're driving, 2 wheeler or 4 wheeler, always be aware of your surroundings and remember you are not alone on the road.
Also, just avoid highways as much as possible. they are the least fun to drive on imo and most dangerous
Yup, this is the motto before every ride.
Lud, as a motorcycle rider and dirt bike rider, motorcycle armor (not leather jackets), gloves, motorcycle boots, helmets are all a must to wear. Its not just you that can cause accidents, its other people as well. Its all fun until you crash. Have fun but be safe!
I should get some gear I use a hoodie, jeans, gloves and a helmet. I’m starting to realize that is not safe
@@victor5157all the gear all the time homie. It’s annoying sometimes but shit goes 0-100 real quick riding. Keep safe brother!
@victor5157 That's why the death statistics conscerning road travel are proportionally highest among motorcyclists. Even _with_ gear motorcycling is supremely dangerous - without, you're just a step shy of playing Russian Roulette. In other words, get gear, and don't ever not wear it.
Leather jacket with protection is the way to go bc armor alone doesn't hold you as much so your arms can get ripped off
@@victor5157 Only time I ever don't wear armour is when I'm on sand or grass and even then I wouldn't go above 30 nor would I wear anything resembling joggers or slacks or something. Nuts.
I feel like everyone else who rides motorcycles laughed to themselves when Lud said he wasn't going to be a motorcycle guy.
I +1 that
touring japan on a bike sounds like the perfect way to make someone fall in love with riding lmao
@@beehard44literally
That's how it starts for sure. But if he rode a Vespa for that long...
Bro is gonna fall hard for that bike.
So true. I've been riding for a good part of my life. There were times I'd go a couple years at a time without a bike and I always had that thought in the back of my head of what bike I'm going to get next and when. Once a rider always a rider
Tbh I’m really glad he learned as much as he did so quickly. It takes a lot of guys years and injuries to learn what these dudes told him in one day
It’s common sense wdym
@@aydenwallace4206 You forget they are American
As a motorcycle rider with 3 crashes (2 with flight, 1 without) I support this message.
You always have to ask advice to older men when it comes about motorcycles, cars, trucks, etc
I just obsessively watched motorcycle RUclips videos for years😂
As a motorcycle guy, I'm 90% positive that Lud is gonna become a motorcycle guy.
yea, once he gets some miles using a motorcycle with gears, he realizes it's the most fun part of riding.
100% the thrill of the motorcycle can't be forgotten easily
The guy plans to drive across japan with his buddy sharing the experience of facing the wind blowing at high speed, yeah he is not returning to a vespa anytime soon unless QT drags him to it.
@@glcsanderIt’d be real fucken funny if he returns with the keys to a liter bike already in hand 😂
That throttle Therapy will hit him hard.
@ludwig as someone who has ridden motorcycles for 20 years, it's not if you fall. It's when you fall. Because it will happen at some point whether a crash or you drop it. You just need to know what to do when it happens. Stay safe
I've been riding for 11 years, and I haven't fallen yet, but I still know it's coming. Also, gear up for the fall, not just the weather!
And the gear you wear is not dependant on how fast you ride your motorcycle, its dependant on how fast the car that hits you is going. ATGATT
This is such an r/motorcycles thing to say, there’s plenty of riders that have never crashed or dropped a bike..
@@Aeropunk08 Everyone knows the saying, you dress for the slide not the ride.
Took me all of one spill on asphalt bombing a hill on my bicycle as a kid (removing a good chunck of skin from my thigh, hip, calf and the outside of my arm) to take pads and a helmet seriously for everything two-wheeled. Wouldn't catch me dead out without something abrasion rated at the LEAST, I never wanna go through that shit ever again.
At least when I wreck on dirt it's just a matter of getting stabbed by sticks and rocks and maybe some soft tissue lmao
@@essayedgar You don't ride hard enough or challenge yourself enough.
Or you've never ridden dirt lmao
But fair play to all those out there smart enough not to ride like us idiots lol. Gotta respect the time to cruise and relax just as much as revving the piss outta it and barely keeping her on the road
Can Ludwig do anything that isn’t accidental or a huge mistake?
No I do not believe it is possible
Not even the subathon, even that was somewhat of a mistake lol
does ur mom count lol (Joking btw)
that is literally impossible
Make a child
Ride on Lud, as long as your safe! I lost my dad in a motorcycle accident 15 years ago, and ever since then, me and my sisters have been huge advocates for sharing the road! Please drivers, SHARE THE ROAD WITH BIKERS!
LUDWIG! man, you will probably never see this but by God do I have to say that I'm insanely excited for the switch you did!! As a passionate MC rider myself I absolutely adore the choice you made for your first bike. I just wish you would've watched a few more "which bike fits me best" videos on RUclips before you decided to ultimately buy one. there's a lot of motorcycle types that appeal to different situations, however in your situation (wanting a tour, riding cross country which includes dirt roads and gravel paths) I would've reccomended more adventure-esque bikes. Triumph is a great brand to be honest, and they have great adventure bikes too. they don't rev up as fast and they tend to stay a bit more stable, especially since they often come with a main stand. they're also more pack-able for long rides. (and a bigger fuel tank as well... you Will need that in Japan.) A windscreen in nice too, which conveniently comes with places to hold a navigation system in place as well (I can only reccomend Garmin).
Clothing-wise I hope you discard everything you got and get yourself geared up Properly in a store. My reccomendations for Japan's humid weather are brands like Held, Klim or maybe even Dainese. Helmet-wise I can only reccomend Shoei or Schuberth, they are the leaders in that department and safety always comes first. Go for Non-membrane Layered Goratex gear if you plan to ride during colder months. Dont pick motorcycle shoes for racing and dont pick any that have laces. there's also intercom systems that I highly reccomend. Sena or Cardo comes to mind in that department. other than that, enjoy your ride :) I hope you decide to ride more even after your trip.
I had a motorcycle and went through the same thought process Ludwig did. The problem isn’t necessarily that you will crash yourself. It’s that other drivers do not see you. You need to become a very defensive driver and guess when cars will pull out in front of you. You’ll quickly learn how many people drive distracted.
I didnt go trough that thought process. my whole thought process as “weeee“ „bike go brrrr“
pattern recognition kicks in nowadays so i just stare down dumb cunts that seem to want to cut me off or something.
I guess it really helps to be in a country where the license isnt just given away for a small fee (my bike test was slowspeed manneuvers without foot down think 1-3mph slalom, figure 8, 32foot straight line in >15sec then 25min with instructor backpacking for roadlaws, lane positioning etc)
On that note. Defensive driving and driving like they dont see you are key
@@imbored667 Being locked on one idiot doesn't stop a second idiot from crashing into you, fun fact.
DanDanTheFireman does really good crash analyzing (reaction) videos, and you can pull a lot of defensive riding tips from him.
haha i wouldn't "guess when cars will pull out" I go into with the mind set that THEY WILL pull out in front of you and everyone is out to knock your ass down. suddenly the safety distancing between cars would increase because "you know" they are out to kill you
Spot on, but if you do it correctly, I think it not only makes you better rider but also a better driver.
the most important thing to remember when driving a motorcycle is that no matter who's right or wrong, you will always be the one who hurts the most. In American culture where car dominates, it's even more dangerous because the car drivers never think about the existence of the motorcycle, a vehicle that can easily be hidden in a blind spot. Make yourself seems as predictable as possible and always keep your distance.
I cannot imagine any world, where I would see a person wearing crocs while on a motorcycle. Not because it clashes so much, but just because I could imagine you easily losing footing, but here you've done it.
It appears I've spoiled myself.
Come to any SE Asian countries, you'll see dumber bike footwear here
SE Asia and Greece want to have a word with you. We used to do wheelies while wearing shorts and without a shirt.
ive seen people wear flip flops. there have been dumber people riding motorcycles. Ive heard that in some areas of the world inc usa that helmets are not even required.
Lol come to India 😂
As a European I am always surprised at how EASY it is for Americans to get their MC license... I REALLY recommend you take all the extra courses that are available, I've heard you have loads of optional saftey courses you can take. Stuff that should really be mandatory, that actually teach you how to ride and how to do it safely.
It shouldn't be mandatory. Driving licenses shouldn't be mandatory
@@Dehydratedpencil To be allowed to drive on the street with everyone else? Then yes, it is and absolutely should be mandatory, plus all the optional stuff in the US. Or do you somehow think I feel that we should force EVERYONE to get a license even if they never intend to drive anything?
@@GillsaN Abolish driving licenses. Roads are publicly owned, therefore members of the public have the right to use the roads, whether they have a license or not.
@@Dehydratedpencil Sure Mr "Im not driving, Im traveling", sure Mr Sovereign citizen.
Theres actually not that many optional safety courses. Most beginners take an MSF. Think fundamentals, shifting, turning, etc. Theres usually an intermediate which really just covers the same stuff as the MSF but focusing on a bigger bike. There are skill specific courses out there but they are generally not near where you live. Think 100-300 km away. Sometimes 800km away if you live in a small town. If I want to take a dedicated course for dual sport bikes like the one I own then I would have to travel 600km
First motorcycle tour vid title:
„The Fall…“
Second vid title:
„I‘m okay“
Not RUclips recommending this after his Vespa highway crash...
As a motorcycle guy, I am very worried about the continued health of lud
He needs to take a course, he is absolutely clueless.
To jump straight to a 660 with no real experience is fucking insane. Someone needs to get rid of that bike for his own good
@@cziemba1 Absolutely. He talks about the vespa like its valid experience. He should have got a 300 or 400.
@@cziemba1my first bike was an 1100. If you're aware of the power you'll be fine. People fuck up by flying too close to the sun or they let their ego control them.
But yeah considering it's Ludwig he should start with a 250 or something.
@@mattikrohell yes. Could be some good content too..
Ludwig is the type of guy who needs a replacement for his motorcycle as emotional support after his previous one was stolen by his friends and sold off at an auction
@@Dj07-i3uk
@@Dj07-i3u👎
funny story ... the dude that bought the bike canceled the purchase , claimed fraud ... so idk .
@@Dj07-i3ui think you should touch grass☝️🤓🗣️
As someone who rides motorcycles and who’s entire family rides motorcycles. Ludwig talking about safety is painful. My dad got his back broken from a motorbike crash. SAFTEY. I do not know anyone who has never had a single fall/crash on the bike, me included lmao. Alway be safeee
You went to the right store, good on them for telling you straight
Honestly they probably shouldn’t have sold it to him
This whole vid stressed me tf out… it’s obvious that Lud doesnt know wtf hes doing. Does he know how to counter steer and hit corners correctly? He didnt take the CMSP or MSF course, so I dont think he knows anything about motorcycle safety and how to PROPERLY ride. I hope he stays safe, because not knowing this shit gets people killed fast
@@spedgaming2390 I dunno, the video Lud did kinda show that he's somewhat responsible.
A 300-500 would've been a way better learning bike, but 40hp will get you killed quite easily as well
“im not going to become a ‘motorcycle guy’ im not gonna be commuting to and from work in my motorcycle…. I just have a simple dream to drive across the entire country of Japan”
That is a lot of power for the beggining
Especially for a guy who thinks his 400lbs naked is a heavy, "hard to park" bike and who did seemingly zero research, not knowing about the most basic safety gear- lmao
if he had watched on single 10 min video from a motorcycle guy he would know more than he does in this video....
You should definitely take a beginner’s MSF course. There’s a lot of useful information that they give you about safety and riding technique. Things like target fixation or how normal car drivers don’t “see” you, even when they see you. Also, you get used to people telling you that you’re gonna die, it’s not an unfounded fear, but it’s blown way out of proportion by people who have never touched a motorcycle.
Statistically it's insanely dangerous
Seriously. Talking to the instructors and getting comfortable on the bike, practicing for emergencies will save his life. Nobody thinks something bad will happen to them until it does
You’re coping if you don’t think it’s a huge risk.
@awtodor
Yeah, about 30x more likely to get into a fatal motorcycle accident vs car accident iirc, but that excludes all the other variables like the fact a majority of those people killed were speeding or had alcohol in their system. That's why taking safety courses and being cautious and aware at all times dramatically improves your chances of not being one of those statistics.
I'm not sure there are numbers for how many fatally killed drivers were MSF graduates or fully alert and law abiding, but it's not unreasonable to think given the vast number of deaths from speeding+drinking ramping up the numbers, the people who don't do those things and wear full gear aren't as at risk, as they're not a significant number of that statistic, since they're obviously not dying. I'd wager it could lower your chances to the same as a car fatality or less if you're smart, a good rider, and always paying attention.
And yeah, if you were just as attentive but in a car instead, you'd probably have an even greater chance of survival (though that's just speculation idk. If you're skilled enough at both maybe being smaller and being able to dart in and out quickly in emergency situations is actually a huge advantage) so I'm not denying that motorcycles are more dangerous, I'm just not convinced it's by much if you're doing everything right.
@@t-yu learning to ride a motorcycle has 100% made me a better car driver.
I honestly don't know how you can tell this story so well.
If the same experience happened to me, and someone asked how my day had gone, it would last precisely 10 seconds.
"I went and bought a motorbike, and I rode it home with sweatpants and crocs because I didn't realise I needed loads of equipment. How was your day?"
he was an english major, padding your word count is like the main thing you learn
@@johndoberman4970😂 Can confirm.
Riding a 300cc vespa without gear is basically just as dangerous as riding a motorcycle. Most of the risk comes from other vehicles and you’re just as unprotected if you don’t wear gear on a moped.
I was going to say the same thing. 25mph on two wheels is 25mph on two wheels no matter how you slice it.
for real. He mentioned europeans as examples, but most of the europeans riding with barely any protection gear are teenagers on 50cc scooters (still, i wore protection when i had my own 50cc).
As a rider in the US, i highly recommend taking some beginner and intermediate riding courses. If you’re planning to do the trip within the year they’ll really help you learn some important skills. You’ll even meet a ton of people that will give you advice and tips for the road. Glad to see you’re taking it seriously and have bought the gear though! Hopefully during your time riding you fall in love and stick with it! Welcome to the fam 😁
Don't forget the insurance discount
I rode motorcycles for almost 15 years. I traded in my motorcycle last year because I was starting to have panic attacks when driving it. People don't care about motorcycles at all and don't share the road. The amount of times I've had a vehicle swerve into my lane and push me out of it on the interstate is actually insane... and 9/10 it was because they were too concerned about their phone to care about the lives of others that share the roads with them. In town driving was about all I could manage anymore, so I got ride of mine. Honestly, it's probably extreme... But anyone caught using their phone (Handsfree excluded) should be charged a $1000 fine, and for repeat offenders 3 days in jail.
I dont think lud should be driving a motorcycle considering the fact it took him like 3 tries to pass just the WRITTEN TEST lmao.
@@Dj07-i3uI'd rather die
tbf took him 1 try for the physical
Depending on the state you live in the written part can be a bitch to pass.
@@T0ASTYC0ASTYCuz his body don’t quit.
@@G37NYCCalifornia is not hard
Hey man long term viewer here, and avid motorcycle rider. Don't let what everyone is saying to you stress you out too bad, as long as you ride safely and wear all of your gear you should be just fine. A really important tip though is to kind of ignore who has the right of way when you're riding. People will either not pay attention or just not care so you do need to be more attentive and careful, but you should be fine as long as you're not dumb!
Listen to this guy. People will be haters, but it's not as dangerous as they think (if you're smart) and after a trip across Japan on a bike, both Bostonmisner529 and I know you won't be going back to the Vespa.
Vouching for this statement
@@Melrose781 can confirm, he will fall in love within the first month
the problem is that he thought crocs and tank tops was enough gear lol
The thing is he doesn't want to wear the gear and that's why he will go back to a vespa.
Michael's master plan coming into play, life insurance on Lud
The first thing I learned when I started riding is that there is nothing for safety like there is in a car so you have to *wear* the safety you find in a car. I refuse to ride in the summer because of it, in the winter I have a jacket that I've put some heating elements in because I have bad blood circulation in my arm to help keep it warm and it's such a nice ride at that point
This will be a hard one to watch in the library once you’ve passed. It’s been so fun watching you man thank you for everything 💯 prayers for QT
A roadtrip across a country with two guys that cant change gears without stalling would be great idea
If you stall your bike/car whilst changing gear (implying that the vehicle is already moving, we're ignoring going from neutral to 1st), you shouldn't be on the road imo.
Because that takes a special breed of incompetence to achieve.
i wouldn’t put it past either of them to pop a money shift on the way to work lmao
The Trident 660 was a good choice for sure. Glad you were pointed in the right direction with gear, and the mentality of safe riding. Id propose that you get more formal training if you want to learn to ride better quickly. Yamaha champ school online course has a good breakdown of the fundamentals of riding. Well worth the time. -Street triple rider.
Optionally is also learning basic bike handling in an open empty area (like parking lot).
Can’t believe Ludwig is going through a quarter-life crisis already. I hope he gets better.
My dad owned multiple motorcycles while I was growing up and always said "Dress for the ride, not the weather". He ended up selling his bikes and got a soft-top Jeep Wangler. Same outdoorsy feel but less prep and much safer. Anyways, Long Way Round is a good movie! I would watch it with my dad when I was little. Stay safe! Ride safe!
the california motorycle safety classes you can take are really helpful and taught me a lot about riding, you can even use your own bike in the class.
The amount of good advice you were given from various people makes me happy. I expected you to get the squid rider responses and say gear is not needed.
Anything Ludwig does on purpose is a mistake, while anything clever is an accident…
:)
...and all of it click bait.
Yummy yummy bait.
11:30 you should have gear for the vespa too. not as much but never crocs
Should just never wear crocs in general.
Exactly, a 70 mph 300cc Vespa is just as dangerous as a regular motorcycle and you still need all the gear for it
6 months: Slime's Charity Auction First item: Ludwig's Trident 660 Motorcycle!
i really hope he doesnt get hit by a car on this vespa
The one thing I was always told growing up getting a bike license; there are 2 things every new bike owner does.
Buy the gear, write a will.
Ludwig is the type of guy to make mistakes and buy motorcycles
@Piveeo exactly toilet gang for life!!!
@@matt.stevickfr, honestly motorcycles are not at all dangerous if you know what you're doing, and honestly most fatal crashes are not because of the people driving motorcycles but the trash car drivers instead
I love how Ludwig gets his motorcycle knowledge from mission impossible
That really is so innocent and pure. 😅
I live in Taiwan, most people are on scooters and other vespa adjacent motorcycles, they dress casual and have helmets. But those on bigger bikes (the colour of license plates indicates their engine size), almost never wear protective gear apart from the helmet, they are pretty much dressed like people on vespas.
I would love to see some moto vlogs with you on the bike Lud. Just to see your adventures and you learning how to ride the new bike. Good luck and stay upright my guy.
Super important video, getting the message across that motorcycles are dangerous especially as an influencer who’s riding one is vital! Good job for being responsible and teaching all your viewers a lesson❤
They're not that dangerous, but it's good for him to stress the importance of the right gear.
@stephen9894 They are 100% that dangerous bro.
Wtf are you talking about? Lol
@@Wysewolf Statistically (ignoring conditions when any road user is under the influence) car drivers are the greatest risk to bikers, good gear will help you but some negligence of car drivers (even those that ride bikes themselves) is the danger, if people paid attention to the road it would help reduce danger significantly, it's why you don't see many Truck vs Bike or Bus vs Bike because they are held to a higher standard and therefore pay attention to the road
@groodyween8653 I don't disagree at all, but I would word it differently. Lol
I'd say the biggest risk to a motorcyclists is that motorcycles do not wrap the rider in a heavily reinforced steel frame meant to keep the passenger of the motor vehicle safe in the laughly predictable probability of a collision.
I'm all for riding. But it is inherently more dangerous to enter a highway designed primarily for steel cubes, and then to leave your steel cube at home. Lol
@@Wysewolf Says a lot about your driving if you think crashes are that common....
however I think your resonse is flawed as , everyone should drive tanks around because then no one will ever get hurt, surely the road is meant for tanks because if your puny little death box you call a car hits my tank due to my poor driving then its your fault for dying
Right?
hey lud apologies for the unsolicited advice but if you want to get better quickly you might want to look into taking an intermediate or advanced motorcycle training course. ive found being more confident on a bike makes it more fun as well, since you know what to do in dangerous situations. cool bike!
Whenever I hear how easy it is to get a driver's license in the US it makes me scared to ever drive there. And that they didn't even brief you nor test you on theory and safety (like what gear you need and why) is just so crazy.
That's the Land of 'freedom' for you. Nobody making sure you are actually informed in any Kind of way, you're free to stay entirely ignorant if you want - even if it actively endangers society or costs society something.
Ikr, it's insanity! I've had to take 20+ lessons by a certified driving instructor, do both a theory and practical test (failed it twice) before finally getting my driver's license.
@@joostfloot5279is it like that in every state?
I live in redneckville at the base of the Appalachian mountains, so riding bikes is huge here (curves and sunshine = fun times in car or bikes). My whole family rides bikes and it’s essentially a rite of passage. My siblings and I have been riding bikes since we could sit up (not even exaggerating, my first ride I wasn’t even 2). My brother bought his first bike last year, rode it for a bit, and then bought a speed bike. Anyway! Even though we have all this practice and experience, he hit some debris last fall on the highway, and was flung into the air ~10ft after losing control and hitting a guard rail. He shattered his elbow and opposite wrist, and had major breaks in both arms. Miraculously, other than some serious road rash, that was the extent of the damage. He has a lot of crisis training, from being a medic in the military (including in Iraq), working in an ER, and volunteering with EMS and the fire department for years, so he knew exactly how to handle the situation and to keep calm.
BASICALLY, if you DO wreck (and little accidents are pretty common) DONT FREAK OUT. Wear your gear ALWAYS. And if it’s serious, stay limp. When you land on the ground, DONT MOVE. You don’t know if your spinal cord is severed even partially. See if you can wiggle your toes, feel your legs, wiggle your fingers, etc. being completely still can be scary for bystanders (as seen by my dad who was riding behind my brother and witnessed, and was very scared when my brother was laying motionless on the ground) but it can be lifesaving. They had walkies in their helmets so they could communicate, which I 10/10 recommend. Your phone can play music, GPS, and walkies so you can stay focused on the road. But staying still and doing a quick body check can save your life. It’s hard to remember in times of crisis, but if you can, DO. Focus on breathing, and WEAR. YOUR. GEAR.
Ultimately riding bikes are very fun but not something to be taken lightly. They’re serious and can change your life in the blink of an eye (so can cars, of course, but it’s much easier for surrounding vehicles to see cars and be wary than bikes. People can also be assholes to bikers).
Another tip my dad taught me, is to always look at the car’s tires. If they’re turning, the tires will tell you which direction, even if they don’t use blinkers. You can do everything right, but you can’t guarantee others will.
Wishing you all the fun and happiness and safe journeys on this new adventure. Watch out for road debris, and mown grass or leaves are INCREDIBLY slick. Have fun!
its always the non motorcycle riders that hype up the danger with "dont die" comments. if you pay attention, ride safe, and have all the proper gear, you greatly minimize risk.
Still lots more dangerous than cars, no matter the prep you put in. A neighbor broke his leg just stopping the bike on a bumpy place
@@pedroclaro7822 he just didnt wear proper boots right?
@@MyFearGear Definitely did not. But idk how much they would have helped him from his heavy ass bmw rt1100 falling on him
stopping heavy bike in a bumpy place 🤣
getting to see my favorite youtuber and favorite hobby collide is something i didnt think I would ever see, ride safe lud and all other viewers that ride, its fun but risky :)
I like how he says he doesn't want to be a motorcycle guy, but then says the only reason he got the bike is to drive across a country with his friend (a common biker endeavor).
This was hilarious hearing after riding bikes forever. At least you're honest with it all. Welcome to the big boy 2 wheel club. Be safe
Lud is 100% one of the people i can see in a motorcycle posse that meets up every other sunday at the local coffee shop
In India i rode a royal enfield bullet for over 3 years without license, never wore any bike gear ( I came to know about their existence after coming here) and let me tell u that was the best experience, all without helmet or these thick jackets like that. i used to wear shorts and slippers a lot of the time in summers. I would ride again when I go back to India
Micheal has definitely gotten some life insurance on Lud
You should still wear protective gear on a vespa. Mainly to protect yourself from other drivers. Even if you aren't driving on the freeway, you can easily die still at low speeds.
As a motorcyclist, I'm super happy for you! Please be safe, listen to more experienced riders as it will likely prevent you getting into an accident! Motorcycles take a lot more skill than a vespa. On the shifting note, you can actually modify it to shift up and down kind of like a paddle shifter in a car if you'd like!
Welcome to riding, and imo you made a great choice, the Trident 660 is a great bike, but its got a decent bit of power for a first bike so I would take that guy's advice and never leave your comfort zone, it can be the difference between life and death. But if you're careful you'll be safe and you'll have a ton of fun of riding.
They did a sequel to that documentary series with Ewan McGregor btw.
respect for getting a 600CC than a 1000+ on your first big bike its kinda overkill still but confident your responsible enough to not hurt yourself the dealer actually gave critical points to beginner riders 10/10
I started on a 650, and it's totally manageable. Lots of highway driving where I am to get anywhere, so something that can move at highway speeds without chugging was a must.
I really hope ludwig isn't stubborn.
His safety is more important than trying to look cool or his addiction to crocs
The guy who Ludwig talked to at the store 100% teaches a motorcycle safety class. Where I'm at youre required to take a few of them for different engine sizes and licenses and much of the stuff he said(ride for yourself, dress for the slide not the ride, most accidents are close to home) are all things covered in these courses regularly and 100% true. I love my bikes, riding is one of my favorite things in the world, but I also have multiple people I've known to be killed, paralyzed, or hospitalized while doing 100% the right thing. It can be very dangerous and because of this you need to educate yourself so that you are never adding to the chances of something happening to you. Another big thing is practicing, me and many other people who have rode for years and years still practice, maybe practice some emergency stops or swerving to avoid something, could be whatever but most people who truly ride understand that even if you just do it to commute you should be practicing the things you dont do every say so that when they come up youre prepared.
For context, theres a reason why safety apparel coverage is automatically included in most motorcycle insurances... Same with accessory coverage too. Many buyers, even brand new from dealerships, dont realize that the bikes they are buying have been modified in some way from the factory they came out of.
The thing is that you should be wearing all the gear even on your Vespa. Crashing on scooter does not hurt any less compared to the standard motorcycle.
I love videos like this. Ludwig gets into some kind of *predicament* but then learns a lot about something while cannoodling his way out of it. It’s a great formula and also is slightly heart-warming!
Congrats on the triumph! Great first bike. The japan trip sounds amazing, hope to take my hp4 up PCH soon!
@@LingLing1337 Triumph Trident. Pepega
Hahaha, I love seeing a grown ass man almost 30 describe the basics of a vehicle as though its alien reminds me of how I felt when I got on my first bike when I was a teenager. There is a giddiness to riding a bike.
I think a short series or even like a single, longer "documentary" style video about you and michael reeves travelling across japan with a more like authentic, low production vibe would absolutely slap ngl
Careful on the 17 to San Jose, that stretch ain't for beginners
I'm sure lud will become a bike guy once it's over, it's dangerous but super addictive, nothing beats cruising
Be careful out there man. A close friend of mine bought a bike and did everything you're supposed to wore the equipment didn't go too crazy with it then a month later he was in the hospital without his left foot.
Was that due to him riding his motorcycle?
Weird wording
We’ll miss you Ludwig, thanks for all of the content! ❤
You can’t go back FYI. Ludwig -> Motorcycle Guy. Also, if you need extras for the PCH I’m available in SD 😂👍
On the subject of not wearing gear on the Vespa, even low speed crashes at like 20-30 mph can fuck you up pretty bad with road rash. Imagine running as fast as you can and just penguin sliding on concrete, now multiply that by 3. I’m not saying you need full leathers all the time but there are a lot of companies that make tough lightweight gear that will at least protect your hips and forearms.
Ludwig: "I'm not going to become a motorbike guy"
The next 7 minutes: Ludwig becoming a motorcycle guy.
The last minute: "I'm definitely not becoming a motorcycle guy"
😂
Lost my best friend riding a bike, legally and everything. Just be careful man
Ludwig’s storytelling skills are top notch ❤
As a motorcycle gal, I just really want to say that you shouldn’t wear crocs on any scooter, but definitely not one going at 60 - again, think of the slide. But it sounds like you’re already learning a lot, good job! I’d be interested to see your kit set up now :) good luck on the roads
it's not that bad you do get use to it. I got a 650 for my first bike you'll be alright. Just RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. And just be aware while riding don't be zoning out. That's when most accidents happen.
Holy this seems crazy. I wish you tons of good luck. I've wanted a motorcycle for years myself, but just the licence alone here in Norway costs a couple thousand dollars. The ride across Japan seems so crazy, and I'm hopefull it's something i can do one day aswell. Again, I wish you tons of good luck, stay safe, use your gear, and enjoy yourself, don't forget to enjoy yourself
Lud, taking a 3 day training course lowers your insurance and teaches you some really niche skills at low speeds that help tremendously at higher speeds. Highly recommend it, could be fun content too! Congrats on the bike!
I saw this stream not even kidding 3 times, but because Ludwig has such gobsmacking storytelling abilities im here again. 🗿
For reference. I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle, knowing how risky it is.
That being said, about two weeks ago my brother purchased an E bike for all of us siblings to use. There is a huge learning curve in riding powered things in comparison to non-powered things. My handlebars started to shake, I accidentally pulled on them and also accidentally pulled on the front brake out of panic (not because I was an idiot and didn't know which brake was which.)
I slid across the road and my left shoulder, elbow knee and shin were road rashed. Minor scratches on my right side. We debated going to the hospital and didn't.
Imagine what would've happened if it were a gas motor and I were going at my top speed.
Twisting it to be a jet lag type video series would be something I would want to see
If you have to think about shifting you are not yet ready young luddy.
called it
Man's bought a 600cc bike to learn manual and came from riding a vespa around town, Goodbye lud I'll be missin ya
Ludwig really cheating on his Vespa 😔
The Trident is a great choice, not the best for touring but still a great bike.
When I first got my motorcycle a few years ago (also a 660cc) I did the EXACT same trip up to San Fran along PCH. Most beautiful ride ever. Big sur area is gorgeous. You'll love it.
I would love to do the Japan trip one day. Keep in mind they ride on opposite side of road in Japan.
edit: get gear! Wear it all the time! ATGATT. Also get a comphy seat on your bike before taking your trip. Thank me later on that last part.
I've really enjoyed this video lud! I appreciate how you became acquainted with the risks and talked about how it is comparable to other risks people take in life. I hope your love for motorcycles and riding overrules the fear that others may try and instill in you!
The one BIG thing I took from years on a street bike is, as long as you are following the laws, unnatentive commuters in cars are your biggest danger. Keep your head on a swivel, watch every cross road you are going through.
Ride safe Lud, I only had my bike for 2-3 weeks brand new before somebody pulled out in front of me. Stay vigilant. ❤
when is japan moto trip comeing, its been a year big lug
Big props to Lud for going through all this thought process because many bikers go through it only after they see their bones exposed to open air
When you crash at 30mph the ground or car you hit doesn’t care if you came from a vespa or motorcycle.
Both are equally dangerous 99% of the time since commuting you’ll be doing the same speed anyway. The weight and power don’t matter. Motorcyclists simply realize the dangers and respect them more because they take the whole activity more seriously.
Tldr: vespa riders don’t think ahead. wear your gear.
ludwig is the kind of guy to make a video out of the first 15 minutes of his stream.
This has the potential to be on of the best experiences he (or anyone) may have.
A part of my job means I know many motorcyclists. The number of them who have crashed is genuinely kind of nuts, like, a sizeable percentage and pretty much an order of magnitude more than the drivers and cyclists I know.
Mostly fine in the aftermath, but several serious injuries including a leg that was turned to soup (Cause they didnt wear their leathers.) and one coma, and one death pretty recently. My dad also rode a bike... until he crashed it.
The things are absolute death traps.
death traps is a very strong word for them
Hell yeah Lud! I love my triumph! I got a scrambler made into a cafe racer. You’ll end up loving it so much
Seeing how chat reacts to motorcycles is the exact reason that people don't like motorcycles. I've never seen so many people be so wrong all at the same time. Great that Lud is educating everyone and himself by asking questions. The vespa has the same risks as a motorcycle, AND they make automatic motorcycles.