Best Riding Practices
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 60
Likes: 8
From: upsate, new york
When I see someone turning left I like to have a cage behind me or to the side of me. I am not sure they can see me, but they will see the car/truck near me.
I also like to weave back and forth, hopefully? it helps people notice
I do not find eye contact helpful. I came inches from having my leg crushed against my bike by a truck, after making direct eye contact for seconds. We both pulled over, and I asked WTF. He stated he did not see me or the motorcycle and was actually looking at the road behind me.
I also like to weave back and forth, hopefully? it helps people notice
I do not find eye contact helpful. I came inches from having my leg crushed against my bike by a truck, after making direct eye contact for seconds. We both pulled over, and I asked WTF. He stated he did not see me or the motorcycle and was actually looking at the road behind me.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 89
Likes: 12
From: Southern Oregon
Backing up
When you're walking the bike back, bike up make sure you're in neutral. WHY? Because I met a lady once with a horrible scar on her thigh. She wa backing up when her foot slipped. The bike (not a Harley) jumped forward and drove a center kickstand halfway through her leg. Not something I'd ever thought about until then.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: az
Blinkers
This was touched on a little earlier. When stopped for an on coming vehicle never trust that they will turn just because their blinker is on. They may not know it is on so always wait until they turn or pass by.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 362
Likes: 76
From: Minnesota
When you're walking the bike back, bike up make sure you're in neutral. WHY? Because I met a lady once with a horrible scar on her thigh. She wa backing up when her foot slipped. The bike (not a Harley) jumped forward and drove a center kickstand halfway through her leg. Not something I'd ever thought about until then.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 490
Likes: 107
From: Bremerton, WA.
Reason for this that was told to me was that too often a rider sees the driver looking in his direction and mistakenly assumes that the driver sees him. Many times I have noticed a driver looking straight at me and not "seeing" me.
It has saved my bacon a few times.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 77
Likes: 26
From: Long Island
After the dreaded blind left turning cager and the red light runner, what I fear the most is being rear ended at a light, especially if I am sitting alone there. I keep my eyes on my mirror hoping someone will safely pull up behind me. As they approach I give them a little brake tap and hope the triple play brake pattern (custom dynamics) gets their attention.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Yesterday my spidey senses told me that traffic was going too fast, with too much tailgating on I94 near Milwaukee. It's only 2 lanes each direction there, but the speed limit is 70, people go 80 with 1-2 car length following distance.
I usually go 80, in the left lane, but I switched to the right where I could keep a decent following distance. Sure as ****, after about 3 miles the left lane is slamming on the brakes, and 2-3 cars come into the right lane. It happened so fast I'm not even sure what happened, but I threaded my way through, and I knew it was a close one. I think I would be dead if I had stayed in the left lane.
I also have avoided road debris by leaving a good following distance. 2 seconds or 1 car length/10 mph.
I usually go 80, in the left lane, but I switched to the right where I could keep a decent following distance. Sure as ****, after about 3 miles the left lane is slamming on the brakes, and 2-3 cars come into the right lane. It happened so fast I'm not even sure what happened, but I threaded my way through, and I knew it was a close one. I think I would be dead if I had stayed in the left lane.
I also have avoided road debris by leaving a good following distance. 2 seconds or 1 car length/10 mph.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 228
Likes: 29
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
This is turning out to be a great thread.
A few that I haven't seen anyone mention...
Brake lights
I always flash my brakes a few times whenever I decelerate or even think about decelerating.
Lane positioning.
I tend to ride to the right on two lane highways to avoid bad drivers going over the line.
If I see gravel driveways, I usually move to the left to avoid debris dragged onto the road.
Overtaking
When I'm passing someone, I try to choose a lane position where I can see their face in the mirror. If I can see them, then IF they check their mirrors, they'll see me. Of course there are lots of exceptions to this.
I also make a point of overtaking aggressively. I never want to linger next to another vehicle.
A few that I haven't seen anyone mention...
Brake lights
I always flash my brakes a few times whenever I decelerate or even think about decelerating.
- Easing back on the throttle, tap the brakes
- See a red light up ahead, tap the brakes
- See brake lights two cars ahead of me, tap the brakes
- Blind hill where there might be a stopped car I can't see, tap the brakes
Lane positioning.
I tend to ride to the right on two lane highways to avoid bad drivers going over the line.
If I see gravel driveways, I usually move to the left to avoid debris dragged onto the road.
Overtaking
When I'm passing someone, I try to choose a lane position where I can see their face in the mirror. If I can see them, then IF they check their mirrors, they'll see me. Of course there are lots of exceptions to this.
I also make a point of overtaking aggressively. I never want to linger next to another vehicle.
