Best Riding Practices
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 406
From: Hurdle Mills NC
just down the road from you, in Raleigh...
rule of thumb is is :
"the light isn't green until the third car runs the red"
There seems to be no rhyme, or reason... folks in hurry, got to.. go got to go,... got to go
Remember the only one person on this planet that cares whether you arrive home safe.... is YOU...
Thankfully THAT portion, isn't as large as you may be led to believe..... as with most groups, sometimes those who get the press... or make the most noise, LOOK like a majority.... but they aren't
I'd guess that 80% of the riders I know wouldn't even think about drinking so much as a single beer, until the bike is parked...and those that DO enjoy drinking... don't like riding with me, because it cuts down on their bar-time
rule of thumb is is :
"the light isn't green until the third car runs the red"
There seems to be no rhyme, or reason... folks in hurry, got to.. go got to go,... got to go
Remember the only one person on this planet that cares whether you arrive home safe.... is YOU...
Thankfully THAT portion, isn't as large as you may be led to believe..... as with most groups, sometimes those who get the press... or make the most noise, LOOK like a majority.... but they aren't
I'd guess that 80% of the riders I know wouldn't even think about drinking so much as a single beer, until the bike is parked...and those that DO enjoy drinking... don't like riding with me, because it cuts down on their bar-time
Not every time but often .. one of two things happen. Accidents with bikes .. minor or major .. .and beer muscles. Same kind of thing at Locked and Loaded.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 362
Likes: 76
From: Minnesota
-One thing I was taught is to look at the wheels/rims of a car in the intersection as you'll be able to see those moving before you can tell the car is moving.
-Always scanning the intersection both ways as you cross.
-Always scanning the road for salt, gravel, glass, debris, etc.
-Always scanning the intersection both ways as you cross.
-Always scanning the road for salt, gravel, glass, debris, etc.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
I try to go slightly faster than traffic so it's approaching me from the front, not from behind, until I can find a spot to maintain some space around me. I try to accelerate away from traffic at stoplights for the same reason. I try to get away from for distracted drivers, looking down at their phone, random braking, leaving a big gap, hanging in other vehicles blind spots, rubbernecking, etc., so when they suddenly do something (else) stupid, I'm not collateral damage. There are also certain vehicles I try to avoid but that's a whole 'nother subject 
I also look farther down the road than a lot of drivers. Amazingly, some of them don't notice anything until they're within 20-50' of it.
I slow down at all intersections, as well as covering clutch and brake, as most of you do I am sure. If someone is in the turn lane I also do a little dip or movement in the lane, I don't know if it makes me more visible, but maybe that little move catches their attention and they finally see me.
The motorcycle handbook give directions about how far you should be from the car bumper in front of you. To make it simple I put it in these words:
"For every 30 MPH leave one complete tractor trailor (70 feet) of space."
People will look at all the "wasted space" and jam in there the minute you leave it.
"For every 30 MPH leave one complete tractor trailor (70 feet) of space."
People will look at all the "wasted space" and jam in there the minute you leave it.
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 76
Likes: 3
From: Beachcrest, WA. USA
I never stop to turn left unless at a stop sign or traffic signal (I guess these would be called controlled intersections). That little turn indicator is not going to stop someone from rear ending me. If there is on coming traffic, I'll go passed the turn I want and come around from the other side (turn right at the next intersection and come around).
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Yes, this is an excellent tip that my original driving instructor imparted to us. You can tell when a cage is starting to move by observing its wheels.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 228
Likes: 29
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
My theory is that they might not see the MC gradually getting bigger, but their eyes should focus on the one that is changing sides of the lane. If they think "what the hell is he doing", all the better.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 60
From: Colorado Rockies
I started doing something similar a few months ago. When I approach an intersection where I have the right of way, and there is an opposing car that may or may not see me, I do quick "wobble" (left-right-left-right) within my lane.
My theory is that they might not see the MC gradually getting bigger, but their eyes should focus on the one that is changing sides of the lane. If they think "what the hell is he doing", all the better.
My theory is that they might not see the MC gradually getting bigger, but their eyes should focus on the one that is changing sides of the lane. If they think "what the hell is he doing", all the better.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
But about the twisties...We all love some spirited riding through the twisties. I know I do. Even so, many times, I have had people on my tail because I'm just not going fast enough to suit them. My practice is to only go as fast as I can stop given my line of sight. Frequently, I use turn-outs, or pull as far to the right as possible to allow these "Valentino Rossi/Mario Andretti" types go by. I'm just not in that big of a hurry.
This last sunday, while riding in the mountains near Shaver Lake (central Sierras) I was cruisin' along with my wife on the back. Not particularly slow, but not draggin' floorboards either. I come around a blind switchback turn, and there's a whole family of turkeys crossin' the road. And, I was able to stop without applying full pressure braking, allowing Mrs Turkey and her family to cross safely, and not jeopardizing our safety.