Skills vs. Posing - The Trap of "Cool" It's a tough thing for new riders, settling for a decent bike to learn on instead of getting the bike they really want. But what about those that just go ahead and buy the dream bike right off the bat? New riders beware; there's a trap when it comes to buying that bike you really want because you can't settle for something that isn't as cool.

The trap is this: experienced riders will say, "There goes that guy on that sweet bike. Too bad he can't ride it for sh**." As cool as that dream bike is, it creates a lot of expectations. Kind of like showing up to the local rec center basketball court wearing a Lebron jersey and new Nike Lebrons - you better have the skills to go with that stuff.

On the flip side, experienced riders ooze respect for people that can ride the tires off of smaller or older bikes. I'm not saying I'm a great rider, but I'm not the slowest rider either -- and I remember being smoked on a canyon road by a guy on a little 250. I went to a track day and watched a 14 year old kid on a 250cc two-stroke pick his way through good riders on 1000cc sport bikes. Skills earn respect.

It's all about how much your ego can take. It's not the best feeling, settling for a bike that isn't everything you want. But then again, neither is knowing that people don't respect you as a rider because you've got an incredible bike but not the skills to go with it.  ¶ 1:04 AM