ATTGATT – Acronym for All The Gear, All The Time. This refers to riders who prefer to wearthe maximum amount of protection rather that just wearing part of it.
Armor – Motorcycle riding gear often has foam pads in strategic areas called armor. Some jackets have motorcycle armor permanently built-in, while in other styles it is removable. The are many types of motorcycle armor including Dual Density, Memory Foam,GP armor, Molded Rubber & Core Comp varieties. There is currently no regulated standard in the US. The most trusted standard was developed by the European Commission and is marked CE approved.
Back Door – The last rider in a group ride. Customarily,the most experienced motorcycle rider. Also known as sweep or tail gunner.
Blip – Quickly rev then release the throttle
Cage – The term used by riders of 2-wheeled vehicles for cars and trucks.
Cager – Someone who is driving or riding in a “cage.”
Carving – Riding a motorcycle hard and fast through curves and corners with the bike leaning near horizontal. Sometimes known as”canyon carving.”
Chase Vehicle – A truck or van that rides behind a group of motorcycle rider on a long trip to haul any vehicles that break down along the way. AKA Sag Wagon
Counter Steering – At speed a motorcycle is controlled by turning the handlebars away from direction you want to turn. It is summarized in push the right hand grip forward to turn right, push the left hand grip forward to turn left.
CVT: Acronym for “Continuously Variable Transmission.”Type of automatic transmission found in modern auto scooters. The pulley-based CVTs in scooters employ a clutch, variator and drive belt rather than the gears found on manual transmissions and most automobile automatics. Centrifugal forces from engine RPMs(revolutions per minute) cause roller weights in the variator to move inwards and outwards, altering the circumference of the drive belt and changing the gear ratio. While a CVT technically has an infinite number of gear ratios, in practice the variator and weights of the rollers create thresholds in which the gear ratio discernibly changes at certain RPMs.
Gear – A general term used to refer to protective equipment and gear worn while riding.
Grabbing a Handful – This term can mean either applying the brakes or rolling on the throttle quickly and firmly.
Hack – Slang term for a scooter or motorcycle with a sidecar attached.
High Side – A particularly nasty type of crash where a rider can be bucked up and over the vehicle. Usually caused when the rear break is released after a rear wheel lock up. When under power a motorcycle naturally keeps the two wheels in line. If the rear brake is over applied and the rear wheel locks up it will often slip out of line. If that brake is released and power returns to the rear wheel it violently snaps back in line with the front wheel, often with catastrophic results for the rider.
KSU – Kick Stands Up.This is the time that the ride leader plans on leaving a given location.
Low Side or Lay it Down – Another type of crash where the wheels slip out from under the bike. This is most likely to happen when in a corner and one encounters loose sand/gravel or a slick spot where oil or other substance is on the pavement. A rider can also “lay down” his motorcycle intentionally when a danger ahead is even less preferable.
MSF – Acronym for Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This is an organization that exists to educate riders on how to safely operate their motorcycle on the road.
OEM – An acronym for “Original Equipment Manufacturer”which are stock parts (as opposed to aftermarket parts).
Pet Carrier – A term referring specifically to the under seat storage area found on many scooters. It is so called because of stickers found on some bikes with the symbol for “No Pets.”
Poker Run – A road rally style event where riders stop at 5checkpoints along a route to draw playing cards. At the end of therun the rider with the best poker hand wins.
Road Rash – An abrasion that results from sliding along the ground after a motorcycle crash. Wearing proper gear can limit road rash but may not prevent it entirely.
Rollers: Cylindrical weights found in the variators of a scooter with a CVT-based transmission. Under centrifugal forces caused by engine RPMs, roller weights move outwards, altering the shape of the variator and the circumference of the drive belt.Installing rollers of varying weights can produce different effects on the transmission, increasing acceleration or maximum speed.
SIPDE – Acronym for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide &Execute. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recognizes these as five critical behaviors for safe motorcycle operation. The concept applies just as effectively with all vehicles.
SQUID – Acronym for Stupidly Quick, Under dressed, Imminently Dead. Reckless and inexperienced motorcycle riders who ride without proper gear and beyond their abilities, endangering themselves and others.
Stock – A motorcycle that is unmodified the original factory specifications (no after-market parts).
Super Slab – Large expanses of open road – highways,interstates & express ways.
Sweep – The last rider in a group motorcycle ride. This is conventionally the most experienced rider aka the back door or tail gunner.
Tail Gunner – The last rider in a group motorcycle ride.This is conventionally the most experienced rider aka the back door or sweep.
Tar Snake – The material used to patch cracks in the asphalt have less traction than the original pavement and can be slippery. This material also has a lower melting point and will get soft or melt on hot days – this can be potentially hazardous.
T-CLOCK – An acronym used by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to remember the key points of the pre-ride inspection(Tires, Controls, Lights & Electronics, Oils, Chassis & Chain, Kickstand).
The Ton – The 100 mile per hour mark.
Twisties – Slang for a road with many turns.