City riders.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 1
From:
RE: City riders.
Practice covering your front brake AND your horn. There is nothing worse than someone coming in to your lane and when reaching for the horn you instead give them the dreaded left turn signal. What this does is allow for you to practice using the front brake you had covered..
Riding in the city is a pain. I love being on the bike but you need to be constantly asking yourself "what if" questions. You'll actually get quite good at anticipating 90% of the drivers. That doesn't give you the right to let your guard down though.
Swap the stock headlight for a Sylvania H4 bulb and run the brights. You may want to consider wearing a high visibility safety vest with reflective trim like the military requires their personnel to wear. Visibility and practicing emergency techniques are key to staying alive.
Ride safe and good luck with the purchase!
Riding in the city is a pain. I love being on the bike but you need to be constantly asking yourself "what if" questions. You'll actually get quite good at anticipating 90% of the drivers. That doesn't give you the right to let your guard down though.
Swap the stock headlight for a Sylvania H4 bulb and run the brights. You may want to consider wearing a high visibility safety vest with reflective trim like the military requires their personnel to wear. Visibility and practicing emergency techniques are key to staying alive.
Ride safe and good luck with the purchase!
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
RE: City riders.
I tend to ride in the left tire track (here in the states) and I don't crowd the vehicle in front of me, front wheels on a lot of vehicles will tell intended movements (lane changes), cover your front brake and always be ready for anything. Use a vehicle for "cover" when going through intersections.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: City riders.
I tend to stay one gear higher so when I let off the throttle i slow fast.
Stay close to the middle of your lane or you will get passed in your lane.
Watch peoples eyes, not their bodies. Don't check out the hot chick in heavy traffic
Keep horn, clutch and brake covered.
Stay close to the middle of your lane or you will get passed in your lane.
Watch peoples eyes, not their bodies. Don't check out the hot chick in heavy traffic
Keep horn, clutch and brake covered.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: City riders.
Avoid riding along side a car whenever you can. If things are such that you can't help it, shot forward enough to be sure the driver sees you before you drop back in along side his car.
Don't stick your bike anyplace you wouldn't put your car.
Don't think you are too cool for the peons in cars and that you own the road.
Don't stick your bike anyplace you wouldn't put your car.
Don't think you are too cool for the peons in cars and that you own the road.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
RE: City riders.
Get the "Ride Like a Pro" video. Learn the techniques and PRACTICE them. It will be invaluable to you in heavier traffice, at stoplights, in parking garages etc. Oh, and watch out for all the other stuff already mentioned.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: S.C.
RE: City riders.
You got great advice from everyone - my advice developedduring my daily160 miles round trip from Long Island to New Jersey, through NYC,during the rush hour for work is to stay totally awake and don't daydream, sightsee, check out the hot blond in the car next to you, etc. Watch every car and pedestrian and try to anticipate what you would do if they do something stupid because believe me, they will. Oh, and if someone cuts you off don't get mad and give them the finger - they may have a gun and be willing to use it....don't ask me how I know......
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RE: City riders.
There are countless situations you will come across and many have been brought up by the other members here. All I can offer as a rider for over 25yrs is mostly common sense stuff....ride according to your skill level and confidence, road/environment conditions, mental state, give yourself plenty of time and space to make emergency manoeuvers, just to name a few. Take things slow at first to build your confidence like avoiding rush hour traffic at first and busy streets. Then as your skills and confidence builds, you can venture out into bumper to bumper traffic, only to realize you will want to ride outside of the city. At any rate, good luck and most of all......PUT 'ER INTO THE WIND AND HAVE FUN!
