Step 5: Questions & Answers, a comprehensive guide to Squidism.
"What the hell is Squidism...?"
Just a little word I created to describe the behavior of squids.
"...What the hell is a squid?"
I'm glad you asked. Luckily you seem to be off on the right foot and you took my advice, so even though you are a new rider, you are NOT a squid. Even if you don't ride well or have much in the way of skill yet.
A squid is basically an idiot on a motorcycle. They ride everything, from scooters, to dirt bikes, to enduros. From sport bikes, to harley davidsons and even choppers. On EVERY SINGLE kind of motorcycle you will find both good, well versed riders and squids.
Squids are generally people who ride motorcycles for the image and not for the love of motorcycling itself. They don't take the proper safety measures, start out on the right kind of motorcycle, do generally stupid things like stunts (on crowded streets), drive way too fast at the wrong times and are normally over opinionated. If you try to tell them you're wrong? They'll just laugh and make fun of you for not being as Awesome as they are.
You might even have a nice friend who's not so completely opinionated but tries to offer you advice. Do they do wheelies and ride around in T-Shirts? I'm sorry, as much as you may love them they are a Squid.
"What can I do if some one I know or love is a squid?"
Well, they say motorcycling is a religion and when you start trying to preach safety people generally don't want to hear it. So show them, by being a good example and try to be creative about getting them suited up properly and making wise decisions. This is another good thing about starting off on the right foot, you yourself will become a very accomplished motorcyclist and just as I'm doing now, can help prevent squidism and lead people down a path of happy and safe motorcycling.
"Very good, I get it. So if people make fun of me for not wanting to race or wearing all this gear-"
Ignore them. They're stupid, you aren't. This isn't an opinion at this point, it's a fact. You're an adult and shouldn't even need me to tell you this... Not to mention, by being a well versed, proper and safe motorcyclist, you'll earn the respect of other great motorcyclists and not squids. When that guy on the Ducati 1198 rides past you in his full track leathers and 20 years riding experience, he's going to see some one starting out in the right direction and be proud of you.
"Alright. I know what a Squid is now and how not to be one. I think I've got the jest of it anyways. So on to my next question...
Should I do my own maintenance, or take my bike to a dealer?"
If you experience problems or for bigger maintenance, for now, please take your motorcycle to a dealership or a local shop so they can properly assess the problem and fix it.
For smaller things, like cleaning and lubing the chain and some times even changing the oil, if you want to, you can do these things yourself relatively easy.
"Fair enough. Speaking on fiddling around with the bike, are there any modifications I can look forward to? I do like to accessorize."
Accessorize first by buying all the proper gear you might need. After that, start off with the #1 most important accessory, a rear stand. They're tricky but very easy to use. It lets you lift up the rear tire which you'll REALLY want to do for chain maintenance and oil changes. They're only about $100 bucks to, some times less. Of course, having a good set of tools is helpful as well.
After that, you might look into getting a tank bag for your bike. They're very useful and not much at all. Luggage is another smart accessory. If you want to put down some serious cash, you can always get an aftermarket exhaust, but for the love of all which is holy don't get one which has the sole purpose of making your bike louder. Plenty of them just change the tune to make it sound neat in some way, but not always louder. You don't want to end up being called... Well... You know... You've seen the episode I'm sure. It's so true, especially in the motorcycling world... Even squids will hate you if your exhaust is too loud.
There are plenty of other things, but don't go doing silly things like extending the swing-arm (beyond stupid for so many reasons) and generally making your bike look trashy. Remember, originality, just like with cars looks better than something with a bunch of aftermarket, immature bullcrap all over it.
"Noted. Next question, I see guys waving to me from time to time, what's that all about?"
We motorcyclists will give each other a small wave when we pass each other. Generally we won't do it if we're on a highway/interstate/motorway or if we're across many lanes from each other. Some times we're clutching or have to use both hands and can't wave, so we just give a nod in that situation and some times, we will miss each other, so don't feel bad if some one doesn't wave back, chances are they missed you.
"But I know that one dude saw me. It was a two lane road, we were both cruisin' and he was coming strait for me."
Don't worry, it was just a squid. Remember, these people don't understand the true joy of actual motorcycling. They're just riding for the image, to go fast and are, squids. They don't matter. You never know till you wave. Always be sure to wave if you SAFELY can, otherwise, nod if you can, if you can't? Don't sweat it.
"Wow, this is pretty awesome. That old guy on the full dress harley davidson waved back to me and I'm just some new rider on a little sport bike."
It's because he understands man... He understands. He gets it. We're a community. Motorcycling is one awesome community to be a part of as well. It doesn't matter what you ride, or even if you dislike what that other guy is riding. You respect them and are always happy to see them, a fellow motorcyclist.
"Well, that's some cool shit my good sir, but I must ask... Who are you anyways?"
Just a guy who's been riding motorcycles for 15 years. From dirt bikes, to enduro and adventure bikes, to sport bikes, to standards and naked, to cruisers and even big touring bikes like goldwings. I've ridden them all, down trails, through tight mountain roads, across the interstate highways, on race tracks and through big city traffic as daily commuting.
"Well holy shit, you sound like you know your stuff. How many times have you been seriously injured on a motorcycle? Or, for that matter, even dropped one?"
Never been injured in all my years or riding and as I said, that includes daily commuting in Southern California. As far as street bikes go (dirt bikes don't count, if you aren't dropping those you aren't trying hard enough!), twice. Once when I was a little newbie rider first starting out and turned into a parking space a tad too tightly. The next time I hit a small patch of gravel on a country road at night.
"That's not too bad of a record... But it got me thinking, what if I drop my bike?"
It happens, don't worry, even to the best, some times it just happens. If you're doing all the right things you greatly reduce the chance of seriously injuring you OR your bike, but even then, this is the real world my friend. Ride safe.
"Very good, thanks for all the help, I might have some more questions in the future, is there any chance this will get updated? Maybe even some new bikes to the list of starter bikes?"
Perhaps, in time... We'll see. Just keep a check here.
"Very good, thank you my friend... Oh, one last thing, could you provide me with some helpful links, resources, things of the like?"
Sure, head on up to Bonus Step. I'll see you on the open road.
Just a little word I created to describe the behavior of squids.
"...What the hell is a squid?"
I'm glad you asked. Luckily you seem to be off on the right foot and you took my advice, so even though you are a new rider, you are NOT a squid. Even if you don't ride well or have much in the way of skill yet.
A squid is basically an idiot on a motorcycle. They ride everything, from scooters, to dirt bikes, to enduros. From sport bikes, to harley davidsons and even choppers. On EVERY SINGLE kind of motorcycle you will find both good, well versed riders and squids.
Squids are generally people who ride motorcycles for the image and not for the love of motorcycling itself. They don't take the proper safety measures, start out on the right kind of motorcycle, do generally stupid things like stunts (on crowded streets), drive way too fast at the wrong times and are normally over opinionated. If you try to tell them you're wrong? They'll just laugh and make fun of you for not being as Awesome as they are.
You might even have a nice friend who's not so completely opinionated but tries to offer you advice. Do they do wheelies and ride around in T-Shirts? I'm sorry, as much as you may love them they are a Squid.
"What can I do if some one I know or love is a squid?"
Well, they say motorcycling is a religion and when you start trying to preach safety people generally don't want to hear it. So show them, by being a good example and try to be creative about getting them suited up properly and making wise decisions. This is another good thing about starting off on the right foot, you yourself will become a very accomplished motorcyclist and just as I'm doing now, can help prevent squidism and lead people down a path of happy and safe motorcycling.
"Very good, I get it. So if people make fun of me for not wanting to race or wearing all this gear-"
Ignore them. They're stupid, you aren't. This isn't an opinion at this point, it's a fact. You're an adult and shouldn't even need me to tell you this... Not to mention, by being a well versed, proper and safe motorcyclist, you'll earn the respect of other great motorcyclists and not squids. When that guy on the Ducati 1198 rides past you in his full track leathers and 20 years riding experience, he's going to see some one starting out in the right direction and be proud of you.
"Alright. I know what a Squid is now and how not to be one. I think I've got the jest of it anyways. So on to my next question...
Should I do my own maintenance, or take my bike to a dealer?"
If you experience problems or for bigger maintenance, for now, please take your motorcycle to a dealership or a local shop so they can properly assess the problem and fix it.
For smaller things, like cleaning and lubing the chain and some times even changing the oil, if you want to, you can do these things yourself relatively easy.
"Fair enough. Speaking on fiddling around with the bike, are there any modifications I can look forward to? I do like to accessorize."
Accessorize first by buying all the proper gear you might need. After that, start off with the #1 most important accessory, a rear stand. They're tricky but very easy to use. It lets you lift up the rear tire which you'll REALLY want to do for chain maintenance and oil changes. They're only about $100 bucks to, some times less. Of course, having a good set of tools is helpful as well.
After that, you might look into getting a tank bag for your bike. They're very useful and not much at all. Luggage is another smart accessory. If you want to put down some serious cash, you can always get an aftermarket exhaust, but for the love of all which is holy don't get one which has the sole purpose of making your bike louder. Plenty of them just change the tune to make it sound neat in some way, but not always louder. You don't want to end up being called... Well... You know... You've seen the episode I'm sure. It's so true, especially in the motorcycling world... Even squids will hate you if your exhaust is too loud.
There are plenty of other things, but don't go doing silly things like extending the swing-arm (beyond stupid for so many reasons) and generally making your bike look trashy. Remember, originality, just like with cars looks better than something with a bunch of aftermarket, immature bullcrap all over it.
"Noted. Next question, I see guys waving to me from time to time, what's that all about?"
We motorcyclists will give each other a small wave when we pass each other. Generally we won't do it if we're on a highway/interstate/motorway or if we're across many lanes from each other. Some times we're clutching or have to use both hands and can't wave, so we just give a nod in that situation and some times, we will miss each other, so don't feel bad if some one doesn't wave back, chances are they missed you.
"But I know that one dude saw me. It was a two lane road, we were both cruisin' and he was coming strait for me."
Don't worry, it was just a squid. Remember, these people don't understand the true joy of actual motorcycling. They're just riding for the image, to go fast and are, squids. They don't matter. You never know till you wave. Always be sure to wave if you SAFELY can, otherwise, nod if you can, if you can't? Don't sweat it.
"Wow, this is pretty awesome. That old guy on the full dress harley davidson waved back to me and I'm just some new rider on a little sport bike."
It's because he understands man... He understands. He gets it. We're a community. Motorcycling is one awesome community to be a part of as well. It doesn't matter what you ride, or even if you dislike what that other guy is riding. You respect them and are always happy to see them, a fellow motorcyclist.
"Well, that's some cool shit my good sir, but I must ask... Who are you anyways?"
Just a guy who's been riding motorcycles for 15 years. From dirt bikes, to enduro and adventure bikes, to sport bikes, to standards and naked, to cruisers and even big touring bikes like goldwings. I've ridden them all, down trails, through tight mountain roads, across the interstate highways, on race tracks and through big city traffic as daily commuting.
"Well holy shit, you sound like you know your stuff. How many times have you been seriously injured on a motorcycle? Or, for that matter, even dropped one?"
Never been injured in all my years or riding and as I said, that includes daily commuting in Southern California. As far as street bikes go (dirt bikes don't count, if you aren't dropping those you aren't trying hard enough!), twice. Once when I was a little newbie rider first starting out and turned into a parking space a tad too tightly. The next time I hit a small patch of gravel on a country road at night.
"That's not too bad of a record... But it got me thinking, what if I drop my bike?"
It happens, don't worry, even to the best, some times it just happens. If you're doing all the right things you greatly reduce the chance of seriously injuring you OR your bike, but even then, this is the real world my friend. Ride safe.
"Very good, thanks for all the help, I might have some more questions in the future, is there any chance this will get updated? Maybe even some new bikes to the list of starter bikes?"
Perhaps, in time... We'll see. Just keep a check here.
"Very good, thank you my friend... Oh, one last thing, could you provide me with some helpful links, resources, things of the like?"
Sure, head on up to Bonus Step. I'll see you on the open road.