Best Riding Practices
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
A lot of great comments in this thread, particularly the intersection practices. I've been at the front at intersections a few times while the driver behind honked their horn while I was scanning fro red light runners. On one such occasion, light turns green, a few seconds later person behind honks, THEN a car blows through the red. So t'hell with the hornblowers!
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.
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.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Lane position and line of site. Be where you need to be for those who need to see you.
If you're to the far right of the lane, behind another vehicle, approaching an intersection where someone is waiting to turn left, they can't see you!
If you're to the far left of the lane, behind another vehicle, where vehicles may be pulling out on the right (like near a shopping/business area), they can't see you. Move to the right.
Always adjust your lane position to your advantage.
If you're to the far right of the lane, behind another vehicle, approaching an intersection where someone is waiting to turn left, they can't see you!
If you're to the far left of the lane, behind another vehicle, where vehicles may be pulling out on the right (like near a shopping/business area), they can't see you. Move to the right.
Always adjust your lane position to your advantage.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 362
Likes: 76
From: Minnesota
A couple more I thought of:
-Pertaining to "twisties" or curved roads....as much as I want to twist that throttle, I'm 10000% more worried about a cager taking the turn inside and crossing the center line. That's why, when alone, I'm riding as close to the fog line (the outside) as possible even if it means slowing down a bit.
-If there's a turn I can make without touching the brakes, I'll tap the brakes anyway. For example, if there's no cars coming when I turn into the road I live on, I typically just downshift into second and take the turn. Same scenario if there's a car behind me, I'll tap the brakes and light up my rear end anyway just to give the car behind me reference I'm slowing down.
-When riding solo, like someone mentioned....I like to drift throughout the lane to make myself seem larger. I'll stay inside for a bit, get over to the middle for a bit, then drift to the outside before coming back inside. Obviously if I'm riding with a group, I'll stay on the inside/outside of the staggered group but solo, I want to take up as much of that lane as possible.
-At intersections, EYE CONTACT is another big one. I can tell A LOT about a cager by what they're doing in their car at the intersection. Eyes down? Not paying attention. Eyes up? Even better. Head/eyes moving back and forth? I feel good.
-When riding in a group and there's debris (dead animals, blown tires, tree branches, rocks, etc.) in the road, POINT IT OUT TO THOSE BEHIND YOU. Left hand pointing at it if it's on your left, right leg in a kicking motion towards the hazard if it's on your right.
-Hand signals in addition to your blinkers is also a very good idea.
-Pertaining to "twisties" or curved roads....as much as I want to twist that throttle, I'm 10000% more worried about a cager taking the turn inside and crossing the center line. That's why, when alone, I'm riding as close to the fog line (the outside) as possible even if it means slowing down a bit.
-If there's a turn I can make without touching the brakes, I'll tap the brakes anyway. For example, if there's no cars coming when I turn into the road I live on, I typically just downshift into second and take the turn. Same scenario if there's a car behind me, I'll tap the brakes and light up my rear end anyway just to give the car behind me reference I'm slowing down.
-When riding solo, like someone mentioned....I like to drift throughout the lane to make myself seem larger. I'll stay inside for a bit, get over to the middle for a bit, then drift to the outside before coming back inside. Obviously if I'm riding with a group, I'll stay on the inside/outside of the staggered group but solo, I want to take up as much of that lane as possible.
-At intersections, EYE CONTACT is another big one. I can tell A LOT about a cager by what they're doing in their car at the intersection. Eyes down? Not paying attention. Eyes up? Even better. Head/eyes moving back and forth? I feel good.
-When riding in a group and there's debris (dead animals, blown tires, tree branches, rocks, etc.) in the road, POINT IT OUT TO THOSE BEHIND YOU. Left hand pointing at it if it's on your left, right leg in a kicking motion towards the hazard if it's on your right.
-Hand signals in addition to your blinkers is also a very good idea.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 1,967
From: PA
2 from me...
Get in the habit of checking your side view mirrors regularly, like every 10 seconds, or more if traffic warrants.
Take advanced rider courses. This past summer I took the BRC2 and ARC classes which are offered by MSF. Thankfully they are free in PA, but I'd pay to take them if that was required. I came away from both with valuable knowledge which has already paid off.
Get in the habit of checking your side view mirrors regularly, like every 10 seconds, or more if traffic warrants.
Take advanced rider courses. This past summer I took the BRC2 and ARC classes which are offered by MSF. Thankfully they are free in PA, but I'd pay to take them if that was required. I came away from both with valuable knowledge which has already paid off.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 406
From: Hurdle Mills NC
2 from me...
Get in the habit of checking your side view mirrors regularly, like every 10 seconds, or more if traffic warrants.
Take advanced rider courses. This past summer I took the BRC2 and ARC classes which are offered by MSF. Thankfully they are free in PA, but I'd pay to take them if that was required. I came away from both with valuable knowledge which has already paid off.
Get in the habit of checking your side view mirrors regularly, like every 10 seconds, or more if traffic warrants.
Take advanced rider courses. This past summer I took the BRC2 and ARC classes which are offered by MSF. Thankfully they are free in PA, but I'd pay to take them if that was required. I came away from both with valuable knowledge which has already paid off.
If your into training see if your state offers this
http://www.bikesafenc.com/
And certainly read Proficient Motorcycling by Hough
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 23
From: Heavenlies
Sitting at a thru lane yesterday - a woman and her mother were
next to me in the left turn lane....onto a 50+ mph four lane
she had the green left turn signal. Out of the corner of my left eye I see a tractor trailer that's going to go right thru the intersection on red - he was loaded going way to fast....I hollered at her she stopped! Driver went right on thru....
Her mother and her would have def died in that crash.
I never go on "red" any more! I'll always hesitate and look both ways whether I'm on my bike or in my van. The other major issue is all of the heroin addict's in the Northern Ky/Cincinnati area...I can't figure out defensively how to avoid them ----ANY SUGGESTIONS?
next to me in the left turn lane....onto a 50+ mph four lane
she had the green left turn signal. Out of the corner of my left eye I see a tractor trailer that's going to go right thru the intersection on red - he was loaded going way to fast....I hollered at her she stopped! Driver went right on thru....
Her mother and her would have def died in that crash.
I never go on "red" any more! I'll always hesitate and look both ways whether I'm on my bike or in my van. The other major issue is all of the heroin addict's in the Northern Ky/Cincinnati area...I can't figure out defensively how to avoid them ----ANY SUGGESTIONS?
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 11,630
Likes: 990
From: NC
One I have noticed lately is cars running upon me because they are going way too fast. Usually on a straight road out in the country.
Three times last couple of years where it was a young girl on the phone.
Twice it was young boys racing.
One of the girls had to be doing better than 100 mph because she marked the road when she cut to miss us and the car in the other lane.
Still haven't figured out how we didn't get killed.
By the way, my wife is oblivious to this one.................
Three times last couple of years where it was a young girl on the phone.
Twice it was young boys racing.
One of the girls had to be doing better than 100 mph because she marked the road when she cut to miss us and the car in the other lane.
Still haven't figured out how we didn't get killed.
By the way, my wife is oblivious to this one.................
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Watch the top portion of the sidewall of the front tire. It'll move twice as fast as the rest of the car.