Developing bad habits while riding?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
Some things you just cannot prepare for and most of these situations are usually directly linked to the actions of others.
The last time (6-7 years ago) that I had the c**p scared out of me, I was less than 1/2 mile from my house on a county road, going under the posted speed limit, when a double-bottom gravel came around the curve while approaching me and the drive swung "wide" on the curve an allowed the rear trailer to drop off of the should of the road and then back across my lane!
I went onto the shoulder of the road on my side and the next move would have been into the ditch and then into an open field!. Even NOT hitting anything other than the ground or some shrub trees at 50 MPH can be serious.
For years I have been riding on this same road and my biggest concern was deer and never once did I even consider the possibility of (nearly) being hit or being ran off of the road by a BIG truck!
The last time (6-7 years ago) that I had the c**p scared out of me, I was less than 1/2 mile from my house on a county road, going under the posted speed limit, when a double-bottom gravel came around the curve while approaching me and the drive swung "wide" on the curve an allowed the rear trailer to drop off of the should of the road and then back across my lane!
I went onto the shoulder of the road on my side and the next move would have been into the ditch and then into an open field!. Even NOT hitting anything other than the ground or some shrub trees at 50 MPH can be serious.
For years I have been riding on this same road and my biggest concern was deer and never once did I even consider the possibility of (nearly) being hit or being ran off of the road by a BIG truck!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,431
From: Idaho Panhandle
Friend got killed by a tandem dump truck swinging wide into his lane to make a right turn. He told me he had an instant of target fixation. Cost him him life. **** happens, but not being aware or not reacting instantly can mean the difference. My own experience in June was in Scotland, van pulling a camper trailer came fast around a sharp curve two feet into my lane. I had to swerve into the ditch and miss the stone wall. Could have been real bad. So I can appreciate you reacting to a tandem bouncing into your lane. But only good reaction, instantly doing the correct action will reduce the chance of you dying. Most accidents happen close to home because riders relax.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 1,735
From: Variable
I see a number of things going on here.
There was the mention on complacency- which is spot on I think.
The more we ride, the more years and experience, the more "expert" we think we are at riding. But what we fail to see is that the older we are, the less physically capable we are at handling a bike. Our reactions are slower, we become physically weaker, our sense of balance and kinesthetic senses are not what they once were.
What I feel we should focus on as we get older, is to become smarter and wiser riders... Riding slower through those turns that we once took much faster, giving a 4-6 second window to the car in front of us, etc...
As we get older, we should be riding slower and more carefully - because we are wise enough to understand that our minds and bodies just can't do what we used to do. That is what makes the older riders experts.
R,
Sanjuro
There was the mention on complacency- which is spot on I think.
The more we ride, the more years and experience, the more "expert" we think we are at riding. But what we fail to see is that the older we are, the less physically capable we are at handling a bike. Our reactions are slower, we become physically weaker, our sense of balance and kinesthetic senses are not what they once were.
What I feel we should focus on as we get older, is to become smarter and wiser riders... Riding slower through those turns that we once took much faster, giving a 4-6 second window to the car in front of us, etc...
As we get older, we should be riding slower and more carefully - because we are wise enough to understand that our minds and bodies just can't do what we used to do. That is what makes the older riders experts.
R,
Sanjuro
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 362
Likes: 76
From: Minnesota
Some people may like twisting and winding roads but I don't care for them, if there's a lot of downshifting and hills. And if I'm on one of those roads and I'm unfamiliar with it, I'll go the speed limit, so don't get behind me, thinking I'm going to drag my pegs because I won't.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Stick with me on this, it will make sense.
I am a musician. I practice the same thing over and over and over and over again. Even songs I have played a million times. The result is not only that my playing improves, but also muscle memory. I can play a song correctly without even thinking about it. I can even be doing something else, like talking to someone, while I am playing.
Doing the same thing with riding is the cure for complacency. My "practice", aside from riding skills, is to identify every potential threat in my head, and decide what I will do if it does become a threat. I've always done this while riding. At first, it is a very conscious thing, but over years and years of riding, it has become "muscle memory" (my brain) and I do it without noticing I am doing it. People riding with me have noticed my apply my brakes long before it seemed a car would pull out in front of me (and the car does pull out in front of me, but I've already slowed enough so it's not an issue). They later ask me what I saw, how I knew ... and I really don't know. It's just automatic.
So ... play that game ... "What if I crest this hill and there is a sharp curve? What if I crest this hill and there is a stopped vehicle, or a cow in the road? What does the side of the road look like if I need to bail? What if I slow down a bit until I can see what I'm getting into? What lane position might give me the most/best options? ...
I've had people tell me they couldn't enjoy riding if they had to do that. Perhaps, but then, you can't really enjoy riding if you're dead or crippled either, eh?
I am a musician. I practice the same thing over and over and over and over again. Even songs I have played a million times. The result is not only that my playing improves, but also muscle memory. I can play a song correctly without even thinking about it. I can even be doing something else, like talking to someone, while I am playing.
Doing the same thing with riding is the cure for complacency. My "practice", aside from riding skills, is to identify every potential threat in my head, and decide what I will do if it does become a threat. I've always done this while riding. At first, it is a very conscious thing, but over years and years of riding, it has become "muscle memory" (my brain) and I do it without noticing I am doing it. People riding with me have noticed my apply my brakes long before it seemed a car would pull out in front of me (and the car does pull out in front of me, but I've already slowed enough so it's not an issue). They later ask me what I saw, how I knew ... and I really don't know. It's just automatic.
So ... play that game ... "What if I crest this hill and there is a sharp curve? What if I crest this hill and there is a stopped vehicle, or a cow in the road? What does the side of the road look like if I need to bail? What if I slow down a bit until I can see what I'm getting into? What lane position might give me the most/best options? ...
I've had people tell me they couldn't enjoy riding if they had to do that. Perhaps, but then, you can't really enjoy riding if you're dead or crippled either, eh?
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,279
Likes: 56
From: Union Bridge, MD
Stick with me on this, it will make sense.
I am a musician. I practice the same thing over and over and over and over again. Even songs I have played a million times. The result is not only that my playing improves, but also muscle memory. I can play a song correctly without even thinking about it. I can even be doing something else, like talking to someone, while I am playing.
Doing the same thing with riding is the cure for complacency. My "practice", aside from riding skills, is to identify every potential threat in my head, and decide what I will do if it does become a threat. I've always done this while riding. At first, it is a very conscious thing, but over years and years of riding, it has become "muscle memory" (my brain) and I do it without noticing I am doing it. People riding with me have noticed my apply my brakes long before it seemed a car would pull out in front of me (and the car does pull out in front of me, but I've already slowed enough so it's not an issue). They later ask me what I saw, how I knew ... and I really don't know. It's just automatic.
So ... play that game ... "What if I crest this hill and there is a sharp curve? What if I crest this hill and there is a stopped vehicle, or a cow in the road? What does the side of the road look like if I need to bail? What if I slow down a bit until I can see what I'm getting into? What lane position might give me the most/best options? ...
I've had people tell me they couldn't enjoy riding if they had to do that. Perhaps, but then, you can't really enjoy riding if you're dead or crippled either, eh?
I am a musician. I practice the same thing over and over and over and over again. Even songs I have played a million times. The result is not only that my playing improves, but also muscle memory. I can play a song correctly without even thinking about it. I can even be doing something else, like talking to someone, while I am playing.
Doing the same thing with riding is the cure for complacency. My "practice", aside from riding skills, is to identify every potential threat in my head, and decide what I will do if it does become a threat. I've always done this while riding. At first, it is a very conscious thing, but over years and years of riding, it has become "muscle memory" (my brain) and I do it without noticing I am doing it. People riding with me have noticed my apply my brakes long before it seemed a car would pull out in front of me (and the car does pull out in front of me, but I've already slowed enough so it's not an issue). They later ask me what I saw, how I knew ... and I really don't know. It's just automatic.
So ... play that game ... "What if I crest this hill and there is a sharp curve? What if I crest this hill and there is a stopped vehicle, or a cow in the road? What does the side of the road look like if I need to bail? What if I slow down a bit until I can see what I'm getting into? What lane position might give me the most/best options? ...
I've had people tell me they couldn't enjoy riding if they had to do that. Perhaps, but then, you can't really enjoy riding if you're dead or crippled either, eh?
Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,279
Likes: 56
From: Union Bridge, MD
A lot of good replies here guys and thanks for calling me out on a few items like complacency. I know what I am suppose to be doing while riding and I am very good at preaching it. I have been in accidents before and was able to keep the bike up. Really thought I was hot sh*t to be honest. This accident was a wake up call and a little embarrassing to, a dose of humility so to speak. My arm has healed beautifully and I have to go for x-rays because of lingering injuries, but I know I have dodged a bullet and I have been saying thanks to the Power that got me through it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 154
From: Lake City, Florida
Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm also 64, it's Not time to Hang Up riding motorcycle. It's time to buy a newer bike with Brembo ABS brakes, they don't lock up and they stop you in shorter distances than the older Harley brakes.
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nooooo!!!!!! Glad you walked away from that. I generally don't ride spirited in places i haven't been before or don't trave much. Wet roads are an automatic "slow down" indicator for me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
It doesn't just come with age. I'm 35 and have found myself daydreaming, looking at nature, thinking about life, etc. Basically putting myself in the same situations that many here talk about and it sometimes scares the hell out of me for a little bit.
