| Author | Message | ||
     Fl_a1a |
Hey I've taken the MSF and read 'Proficient Motorcycling'. But when I had my wipe out I wish someone would have told me to beware of the mistake I made. What are 3 tips you can impart that are not so common to the experienced rider? Here are my tips: -Never accelerate hard until you you have been moving for about 5 mins and the tires are sticky. -Car shield. Always try to have a car in front of you so no one will pull out in front of you at the last second. -If it is windy and you are near a beach, there will be new sand on the road for you to slip on. | ||
| Josh_cox |
I totally agree with the car shield. That could have saved my butt before. 1. Don't trust parallel parkers to use turn signals before turning out into you. 2. When in town, ride in the left lane when possible to be more visible. 3. Always wear your gear (this really did save me). | ||
| Skyguy |
There is no such thing as a red light or stop sign. When stopped stay far enough away from the car in front to move quick and watch your mirror. You are invisible. | ||
| Murdoch |
Dont ride in heavy fog  | ||
| Eboos |
Expect anything that could possibly happen will, and make a plan. This will cut your reaction time when the time comes. Don't "play" on roads that you are not familiar with. It is better to know what is around the corner. Look where you want to go, not where you are trying not to go. When I said to myself "oh crap, I'm heading off the track" that is exactly what happened. If you find yourself in gravel or sand (or in the case of Loudon, rocks and chunks of asphalt), do not try to brake. | ||
| Fl_a1a |
-Try to leave at work late. Avoid the mad rush at 5pm. Less stopping, less fumes, less soccer moms, less fast and furious teenagers. | ||
| Grimel |
be careful with a car shield, you are in the gap the moron will try to shoot. | ||
| Fl_a1a |
I heard this and it sounds good, but don't really know. If you see a deer in the middle of the road that you can't slow down for, aim for the deers ass. If it takes off you'll get a glancing blow. Also the deer is unlikely to do a u-turn and more likely to bolt out of your way. If you see a deer sign it was put there due to body counts of dead deers, it is not a warning sign but more of a speedometer of dead deers on that road. | ||
| Socalbuell |
strech and be in relaitive shape because if you have no flexibility your more likely to pull a hamstring or more. | ||
| Grimel |
If you see a deer in the middle of the road that you can't slow down for, aim for the deers ass. If it takes off you'll get a glancing blow. Also the deer is unlikely to do a u-turn and more likely to bolt out of your way. I REALLY wish people would have something that resembles experiance before they start jabbering. Find someone who deer hunts. Ask them if deer are unlikely to do a u-turn. Deer will jump in what ever direction it thinks is safe. If there is any safe place to aim it would be right behind the front shoulder. The only solution for deer is to go slow with lots of lights while scanning the sides of the road. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Had a real serious almost yesterday. We were riding home from WV and had hit some traffic on the highway (Rt6/17 East in NY. We were plum tuckered out from 500 miles of riding, and didn't even have time to react as I heard tires squealing, and saw a jeep in my rear view mirror doing the old 4-wheel lockup behind us smoking tires and all. I guess he was half-asleep and noticed the dead stop in front of him a little too late. Anyway, the moral is watch those mirrors and be aware of what's behind you as well as what's in front of you. Flash your rear brake light when stopped in traffic so you are more visible. We almost got killed and we weren't even moving. | ||
| Madsx |
Avoid SQUIDS at all costs. Like the pack 'o' ricers that blew by me weavin an bobbin in and out of traffic like they have somewhere important to be. One of these A-HOLE Muther-Fers actually whizzed by me in my own lane. I'm doin' 80 and I never saw him coming. If I had left my line he would have clipped me and that would have been it for me and possibly many others. This is why my Ins. rates are so high. And I get pulled over for having my plate running vertical. DAMMIT! | ||
| Garp |
Deer will jump in what ever direction it thinks is safe I cannot think of any time I have used the words "deer" and "think" together in a sentence, except perhaps to say that I think deer are tasty. | ||
| Elff |
1> Wear your leathers including good gloves 2> Wear a Full Face helmet 3> Wear Boots that go above the ankle All 3 of these saved me from serious harm in my wreck. | ||
| Fl_a1a |
Somebody else said it/wrote it and I agree. Volvo drivers, SUV drivers, Mini-Vans. Stay away from them and give them plenty of room. | ||
| Teddagreek |
Headlight Modulators... Had a lady pulled out from a drive last week but stopped because she saw me.. I think if It didn't this obnoxious device she might had pulled out.. On certain roads I ride the rear bumper of a car to my left.. I try to stay right in the cusp of not being in his blind spot.. once through the intersection I drop back or haul forward.. I use cars as shields quite often but you have to be very careful..  Don't shadow anything going through a light.. Give the guy in front of you some space.. That gives those left turners a chance to see you.. So you got a red light beats the side of car.. I also glance both directions at certain intersections... I deal with accidents with my job so I've very protective of my arse..... | ||
| Xbeau12s |
Just imagine your invisible to everyone. that' includes other motorcycles! I have to drive to work everyday in a town 30 miles away on the interstate during the Sturgis Rally. There are a lot of (excuse me) farkin posers out there that really don't know how to drive. Be a defensive driver, always think about what "could happen" and you should be safe! Wish me luck! | ||
| Diablobrian |
1) They are out to get you! 2) Take nothing but #1 for granted 3) ATGATT: All The Gear All The Time. Worst accident I've ever had was taking my wife to college. It was 12 city blocks or so away. Short runs are not good times to ditch the gear. I'm glad I didn't. 4) You are responsible for the passengers you take. Even if they are adults you need to make them aware of how to be a good passenger. 5) For recreational riding try using "The Pace. "http://www.sportrider.com/ride/146_9306_motorcycle_pacing/ | ||
| Brineusaf |
1 - Ride as if you are invisible (not invincible) 2 - Be ready for anything 3 - ATGATT 4 - Scan Scan Scan | ||
| Crashm1 |
1. ATGATT When it's 90 degrees out it's hard but road rash sucks, and head injuries suck even worse. I have a both a cousin and a friend who have both gotten way dumber after their accidents. 2. Training whether it be the ERC or trackdays or something like this; http://www.ridingcourse.com motorcycles are weird, they require a lot of counter intuitive inputs to stay on two wheels and you always revert to your level of training in an emergency. Always. 3. You can't argue with physics. The car will always win in a collision. 4. Eyes up and looking where you want to go. (My first two years of racing stock cars I went through more bumpers and body panels than I can count because I didn't look far enough ahead of the car and kept looking at the accident happening in front of me. The last three the budget on body parts got way smaller and the motor bill got bigger.) 5. Ride your bike. No one else can. There is always going to be someone faster than you and in the long run it doesn't make a bit of difference on how much fun it is to ride a twisty, snakey road. | ||
| Fl_a1a |
Find another car for shielding if: -It has tinted windows and you can't see through its glass -It is a semi or van Basically opposing traffic should see you behind the shield. (Message edited by Fl_a1a on August 08, 2006) | ||
| Maxbuell |
I was told in motorcycle safety to always keep the bike in gear at stop lights. This way if someone is coming at you or you need to get out of the way in a hurry all you have to do is release the clutch, you don't have to try and find the shifter and place it in gear. Can save several second in an emergency. | ||
| Eexb |
"What wisdom can you impart from you bike crash" Jeans offer little or NO PROTECTION. Your knees, shins and hips will get BADLY bruised or beaten up unless you wear some type of armored protection. Leather riding pants are best, but you can also wear armor under pants or jeans that will help significantly. Bohn "Adventure Pants" and Icon Field Armor are both MUCH better than just jeans. | ||
| Cereal |
If riding in a big city, expect a car to jump out from every alley. | ||
| Macbuell |
I didn't read everyone's list so some of these may have been said but here it is: 1) When riding in traffic and around cagers, always cover the front brake lever so your reaction time is much quicker. 2) Always assume a car coming to a stop sign on a side street is going to pull out in front of you. Prepare your escape route whether that is accelerating, stopping or swerving or all of the above. 3) Never spend any time in a cars blind spot. Always be far enough in front or behind them that you are certain they can see you. 4) This last one I learned in my one low side. Manhole covers and painted lines get very slick in the summer heat. Avoid them as much as possible especially when accelerating or braking. Also, painted lines can get very slick in the rain as well. | ||
| Vonsliek |
do NOT enter unfamiliar corners too hot .. slow down. (up north, there may be gravel!!) grip the tank/frame w/ legs (builds strength in abductors) & keep *soft* hands & bent, loose arms, so u can move on bike to make corrections if things get weird. deer are dumber than dumb, as are elk & dahl sheep are brainy .. deer jerky tastes better than just abt any other meat. jerky is good long, long touring riding food. tire pressure relative to ambient conditions can be a lifesaver .. hotter = can use a little less pressure (air expands) but in cooler, wetter temps higher air so under load, tire can evacuate water from tread more effectively. even tho i don't always .. all gear yes .. esp quality helmet & padded joint protection .. u can use jeans w/ something like bohn's underwear padded gear (its light & looks like it'd do in a hard crash) .. or alpinestars, or dainese or whoeverppllike ... my knees ALWAYS take a nasty whack on that buell when i crash .. as do elbows, neck & feet/ankle .. i spent most coin on boots w/ inner boots & steel sole reinforcement. lastly, ride on track & not street & less chance of idiot-induced crashing | ||
| 44mag2 |
Question ... is the full face helmet really safer than the 3/4 helmet? Seems like my 3/4 helmet is safer because I have more visibility. The 3/4 helmet still covers the side of my head ... just not my chin. Opinions? | ||
| Mr_cuell |
Overcome the urge to get on front brake when in too deep too fast. Will yourself, against all natural instincts, to not grab the brakes, do look through the corner and lean with neutral/slight throttle. Don't dump the throttle/grab brake and load the front end. On downhills be especially careful not to get sucked into a decreasing radius unaware. Urge to grab brake is even stronger and result is magnified. Ask me how I know . . . (Message edited by mr_cuell on August 13, 2006) | ||
| Mr_cuell |
If someone said I am going to throw you off this moving flatbed at 60 mph - which helmet do you want - I would go full face every time. I am not the best looking guy around, but I do look better with a nose and chin than without I think - | ||
| Fl_a1a |
I just got a 3/4 HJC AC3 Helmet and luv it. It is much cooler than my x-11 shoei and comes with a face shield. It is snell and DOT. It has a dual air vent charger like the shoei x-11. I use it around town and under 75mph trips. It only cost $130. However, I've heard that if you fall and hit your chin you will most likely die, which is why a full face offers more protection. I try to use the X-11 as much as possible but in FL riding in slow traffic 3/4 helmet is soo nice. (Message edited by Fl_a1a on August 13, 2006) (Message edited by Fl_a1a on August 13, 2006) (Message edited by Fl_a1a on August 13, 2006) |
