New Ride (1972)

[Music] riding the feeling of speed and  motion it's an experience that man has known and enjoyed as long as he's known the  horse today we still have horses and people especially kids love to ride for fun but  lately kids have responded to a new kind of [Music] ride the mini bike it's motorized  appeal has captured kids' attention like nothing else has done for a long time  the minibike it's the new ride [Music] a way of recreational living that seems to  be gaining more and more interest year after year that's the sporting fun of minibike  riding but with mini bikes there's a broad concern for safety and there should be  because safety and fun must go together safety in order to be effective is learned  in a positive way and used in good practice it's an attitude let's make  sure it's the right [Music] one the privilege of having a minibike  carries with it responsibilities mature responsibilities it was made to  be used but at the right time the trouble is most youngsters put  mini bikes and bicycles in the same category granted they both have two wheels  but the minibike is different it has a motor [Music] it's a dangerous playground the small  minibike the small Rider the street is definitely the wrong place to be any  time people just don't expect to see something as small as a mini bike making an  appearance on the street its profile is even smaller than a bicycle all too often  the rules of Common Sense are broken the temptation to ride illegally at  that overcomes the concern for [Music] safety the law has been applied for  a purpose parents have to supervise proper use of the small motorized cycle  and it's everyone's job to see that laws are obeyed this kind of underground riding  isn't doing much for the reputation of the minibike and it can only lead to one thing  [Music] trouble one of the things that we're most concerned about is the size of the machine and  we find that as we investigate accidents that so often the driver of the car did not see the rider  or the motorcycle or the minibike a minibike is characterized by a short wheelbase tiny Wheels  low seat very small and easy for youngsters to handle and so we're concerned that youngsters  don't try to ride these on the streets and highways in traffic on a machine like this they  should always use their rear brake first and of course if they use the front wheel brake and not  the rear wheel brake they run the risk of locking up that front wheel and then of course they can't  stir it some other key things about mini bikes is the use of the kill button so that you can shut  the engine off if you should fall and of course a really important feature for youngsters is  not to take the muffler off because a a real factor in public acceptance is quietness so  we want to keep these machines quiet so that they do not disturb people learning how to  ride minibikes is easy for many the bicycle has been a good teacher of balance mini bikes  are different though and there's a proper time and place to learn a cleared par working lot  obtained with permission can be used for your beginning checkout you'll go through these points  know your bike a maintenance pre-check with a familiarization of controls followed with engine  off stops restricted riding and supervised [Music] riding the most important part of  manyi bike riding is knowing how to safely stop this is where the  instructor puts the three T's to work they are teach test and try out we  first teach brake familiarization some bikes have two hand brakes other bikes  have a front hand brake and a rear foot brake and down is the foot here's the  throttle the rider while sitting on the bike learns the feel of the parts  and controls that make the many bike react other things like finding neutral  are taught as well dry land instruction beforehand makes it easier for the writer later on next the teacher tests the learner this review  helps the student remember and gives him practice right very good now each mini bike rider tells what  he's just learned in getting to know the bike this kind of programmed  learning helps when the next steps are taught tested and tried out  with the bike in motion good very good hey you're doing all right okay  now let's get your helmets on the helmet one of the most important  items of safety is used whenever the bike and Rider are in motion it is  strapped on for a snug but comfortable fit make it a natural Association the helmet  and the bike always go together okay now let's put your gloves on protective clothing  and gloves are also part of your safety appearance hey look at me okay now sit a little  further back on the seat a good minibike Rider should have a good posture feet are correctly  placed on the pegs eyes looking forward not down leg position goes hand in hand with body position  the knees are kept close to the gas tank now to try out with the engine off dry run stops let the  rider put to work what he's just learned about brakes practical knowledge of how to stop is good  safety knowhow ready to ride eye protection in place this is the restricted riding part of  the lesson with the engine powering the bike the instructor guides speed and balance  as the mini biker pushes off and steers Straight Ahead okay not too much gas holding on  to the bike helps to smooth sudden starts [Music] the learner now feels the mini  with the engine working under this bike power he practices straight line [Music] braking the instructor still maintaining  close control jogs along with the rider as a new experience in the lesson unfolds  this time it's steering over a predetermined route now confident that the lesson has  progressed comfortably the instructor watches from the sidelines this is  the supervised writing part of their training occasional prompting and  guidance is given but it's mainly an individual effort by now  objects are easier to tackle every now and then a corrective reminder  like keeping good posture is given gradual progression is encouraged gear shifting is still  another Plateau to reach in the safety learning session safety techniques become  natural with familiarization an emergency stop command is given  Panic stops help reaction skills turning braking and balancing staying on the  right track this is just part of what it takes in the procedure of developing good riding  habits and part of the progress learned in your improving safety attitude shifting involves  coordination with the throttle as you ease into a higher gear be sure you're using both brakes apply  the rear brake slightly ahead of the front brake part of riding is making sure your  bike is safe before mounting it in your walkaround inspection check all  cables brake action and brake [Music] adjustment check the oil the gas supply The Handlebar should be locked in place  all bolts are [Music] tight tires are kept properly inflated your owner's manual will  tell you the correct pressure to [Music] use a loose chain needs adjustment the alignment  marks which should match up on both sides of the tire are your guides when adjusting to  about a/ in of play chain care in the way of lubrication is also important the air air  cleaner is also given periodic attention the filter is cleaned in a nonflammable solvent  rung dry and given a drop of oil before it's reassembled moving a minibike by car  requires attention to preparation all parts that allow the gas to flow  are turned off the carburetor is drained going have to turn handlebars are folded  down to make the bike more Compact and they're locked into place don't make the mistake of tying  a minibike to a car instead load it into the trunk e as it is eased into position keep the  oil cap side of the bike up that way there's less chance of an oil leak there we are how about  that what do you say we go many families have station wagons which are handy when it comes  to transporting minibikes the key to stowing a minibike in a station wagon is to Anchor  it into position the bike's weight should be kept as low as possible lower it into the luggage  storage compartment it's much safer to have most of the weight below and on the rear wheel help  cushion the ride with the aid of an old blanket or pad lock the bike into place with the aid of  a tie down strap one end is hooked to the bike the other end is fastened to the floor of the  wagon once anchored the minibike is safe from hazardous movement inside the station  wagon helmets should be stored below as well they're out of the way here and can't roll  around while you're traveling other bikes like the larger ones adults ride can be towed on  a special trailer if the bike is not properly locked into place it could create a perilous  situation if it should come off on the road finding a place to ride doesn't have to  be a problem you'll discover there are many areas available in some parts  of the country there's the national forest before riding check in at the  ranger station there may be parts of the for us that are not open for bikes  remember when you borrow something you ask permission before you use it and you  respect and take care of it when you use it that's what most off-road riding is  all about the Rangers are glad to offer information their Maps will point out  the places for riding that are open to motorcycles courtesy and safety in the forest  is everyone's concern make sure the forest Serv knows that you're among the people who  care review their Common Sense policy of protecting our natural environment  always stay on existing Trails off open Meadows out of live stream beds and off  of fire brakes and the Rangers remind us that all bikes must be equipped  with USDA approved spark arrestor Mufflers on [Music] Camp location ready to prepare for the  ride but before riding make sure you have the right safety attitude boots  give protection that no tennis shoe or street shoe can let's get wring  pants are straight-legged no bell bottoms hey let's get ready to  ride a long sleeve shirt is a must for trail riding helmets should  meet strict safety standards check for a rating it should have at least a  z90 and preferably a snell Foundation approval this glove has no seam which could cause riding blisters the other side of  the glove has protective ridges right here goggles keep dust and bugs out of your  eyes it's good practice and common sense to wear them after dressing with protection don't  forget your pre-b walk around check how's the chain don't forget to check the  gas and oil how about the brakes time to ride check over your shoulder before you go remember to respect others and their  right to use the forest by staying away from other campers be conscious of things  like noise and dust things that you can control always stay on existing trails  and avoid running over plants of any kind and don't spin your wheels that's  the kind of thing that causes erosion one of the advantages of traveling  by bike is that you can get to places faster and many times easier it's a time for  Discovery exploration and fun [Music] remember just because your mini can  go far on little gasoline doesn't mean that long trips can be taken always  know your location make sure you can easily walk back to Camp if you have  a breakdown always ride together never alone the fun of riding together it's much  better sharing things that way man to man [Music] private property owners want to know who's  using their land and how it's being used it might surprise you to learn how many people are  receptive to your riding on their land if you ask first out of there in farm country let the  farmer know of your concern for his livestock and planted ground tell him about your safety  attitude it's reassuring that you have safety equipment and all bikes are equipped with  Mufflers everyone must do their part in maintaining a good image for the cyclist doing  the right thing can mean more ground for all Riders especially in those areas of the country  that have less public land to ride on [Music] be on the alert for the unexpected wire  is always a potential Hazard it can be hard to see so always be prepared for sudden  stops carefully cross fences if they're down stay on trails and those areas the  farmer gives permission to ride on adults should lead the way keep your speed down if this is unfamiliar territory stay on the  farmers trails and enjoy the fun of riding here's a special situation  that calls for these Riders to bring their bikes to a stop alongside the trail the motors are being shut off too the reason  horses can be easily frightened by bikes pull well off the trail and sit still be considerate  of others make a friend on the trail one of the questions that is put to us so often is if the  youngsters cannot ride on the streets and highways where can they ride well we feel that one of the  most important things is for City fathers and public officials to make off street riding areas  available to youngsters and if we're going to teach them young and teach them early we need to  provide a place where they can't get hit by cars so many bike parks and trail riding areas are  really necessary in this whole kind of a program we're pleased to find that many communities  are doing this sort of thing and if they have an opportunity to get on the machine and to  learn how to break it and how to accelerate it and uh how to turn and how to maintain their  balance and interact with other vehicles on the trail and off Street then this provides them  with a very important uh sense of response that uh just can't be learned too early and 'll  be better car drivers and if they progress to motorcycles while they'll have conquered  many of these things at a point in time where they're really skillful so we think that the  off Street area is very vital to a good job of teaching safety with motorcycles the bike park  is one popular outing for the rider the desert still another here unfamiliar territory tells  these cyclists the correct attitude of safety slower travel looking ahead for the unexpected  and keeping in control of the bike at all times if that doesn't happen then the in cautious  Rider may be in for a few surprises [Music] those are some of the potential hazards to  watch out for they usually appear when you least expect them another is following too  closely especially when going up [Music] hills Hill travel means solo travel wait  for your buddy this is the time to ride without following and without being followed use both brakes and stay in gear when going  down keep a good body position going up your engine downhill can be your third brake  and when going up shift your weight slightly forward sensible Hill travel part of your  safety attitude let's review some of the points first your protective clothing a long  sleeve shirt boots helmet goggles gloves [Music] second your off bike check brakes bolts cables  chain gas oil tires third your on bike attitude look before you go travel with companions keep  your distance stay in line know how to use your brakes think of protection of the environment  keep noise and dust to a minimum be courteous of others ride with a safety attitude teach it  to others by respecting the rules you help keep the fun of riding alive show people that  you care about the minibike show them that you care about the safety attitude your biggest  reward will be in the comfort of knowing that others respect you your minibike and your attitude  after all it makes for a better world for everyone [Music] he