Stayin safe
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 202
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From:
RE: Stayin safe
We had a Poker Run at the local dealership a few weeks ago and one of the riders crashed. He looked behind him, searching for his brother on another bike and missed a 20 MPH curve. Ended up doing a high sider. The rider ended up with 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung. He's still in the hospital. His wife sustained a fractured pelvis. She's already out of the hospital but using a walker.
Since then, I've taken over the Safety Officer's dutys. Bottom line is this weekend we're having a Group Riding Seminar and June 4th we're putting on the Riders Edge ERC Class. It's a day late and a dollar short for them but not too late for the rest of us. We put on the ERC for 50 bucks and then HD or HOG, can't remember which, rebates each participant the 50 bucks.
It's a lot more fun riding when you are in control of your bike, know how to ride according to the situation you're in, close quarters, group riding, etc., and you're not in fear of what can happen to you out on the road.
As far as the comments go about practicing maneuvers, I'm one of those goofy asses you see weaving the centerline at 40 MPH when there's no one around of course, emergency stopping when there's no one around for a mile or 2, and of couse my favorite, riding the MSF "20' box" on my Ultra.
We do a lot of group riding at our dealership. Knowing the rules of the game is paramount in MHO.
28,000 incident free miles this year makes me think that I must be doing something right. But I'm still learnin'.
Since then, I've taken over the Safety Officer's dutys. Bottom line is this weekend we're having a Group Riding Seminar and June 4th we're putting on the Riders Edge ERC Class. It's a day late and a dollar short for them but not too late for the rest of us. We put on the ERC for 50 bucks and then HD or HOG, can't remember which, rebates each participant the 50 bucks.
It's a lot more fun riding when you are in control of your bike, know how to ride according to the situation you're in, close quarters, group riding, etc., and you're not in fear of what can happen to you out on the road.
As far as the comments go about practicing maneuvers, I'm one of those goofy asses you see weaving the centerline at 40 MPH when there's no one around of course, emergency stopping when there's no one around for a mile or 2, and of couse my favorite, riding the MSF "20' box" on my Ultra.
We do a lot of group riding at our dealership. Knowing the rules of the game is paramount in MHO.
28,000 incident free miles this year makes me think that I must be doing something right. But I'm still learnin'.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,519
Likes: 5
From: Slidell, LA
RE: Stayin safe
The one thing I always think about doing is looking where I am going not where I am. Been through all the courses - student, advanced and instructor. Never knew that I knew so little about riding.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
RE: Stayin safe
Well
Based on what ive seen and the story ive heard, experience won't help you much in a fatal crash. The worst thing that can happen is a collision.
Your experience will help you detect and avoid certain dangers ahead but in a fatal crash, once you cross the red line, nothing can help. It happen very fast. Usually something unusual... like a deer or some animal on the road or a drunk drivers etc...
A bike only has 2 wheels.. and you can't beat the law of physic..
I've seen a 30 years experienced motorcycle teacher crash into a car. The car suddently stopped did a U turn right in front of him just like that. He survived because it happened at 30 mph. but his elbow was pretty much done....
Wearing a Helmet, a padded Jacket, pants and boots is a must... I know its fun without the helmet with the wind in the hair but there's a very big price for that.
By keeping a large distance between the vehicule in front (and behind) you play safe. The problems are randoms car cutting inside if you leave too much space in front.
Anyway, like i said. Experience won't help much once you cross that red line.. it will only help you see that red line coming.
Based on what ive seen and the story ive heard, experience won't help you much in a fatal crash. The worst thing that can happen is a collision.
Your experience will help you detect and avoid certain dangers ahead but in a fatal crash, once you cross the red line, nothing can help. It happen very fast. Usually something unusual... like a deer or some animal on the road or a drunk drivers etc...
A bike only has 2 wheels.. and you can't beat the law of physic..
I've seen a 30 years experienced motorcycle teacher crash into a car. The car suddently stopped did a U turn right in front of him just like that. He survived because it happened at 30 mph. but his elbow was pretty much done....
Wearing a Helmet, a padded Jacket, pants and boots is a must... I know its fun without the helmet with the wind in the hair but there's a very big price for that.
By keeping a large distance between the vehicule in front (and behind) you play safe. The problems are randoms car cutting inside if you leave too much space in front.
Anyway, like i said. Experience won't help much once you cross that red line.. it will only help you see that red line coming.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Dirty Jersey
RE: Stayin safe
I'd love to take a motorcycle saftey course, but they all close up so fast here in Jersey that I can't get in an advanced course until September. I had the same dilema when I bought my bike. There wasn't an open beginner course for two months after I took delivery. As much as I'd rather buy chrome I'd be willing to part with the $175 if there was an open class within a reasonable amount of time.
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Elkridge, MD
RE: Stayin safe
I only ever took the basic class, i am going to take an advanced class. All these years of riding (30) have been mostly incident free - I am LUCKY for sure! There is so much I do not know and skills I need to refine. I will say that I am EXTREMELY cautious when I ride, I take no long risks. I leave plenty of spece between me and the next vehicle, if a car cuts in front of me I drop back and leave the same space.
Another thing I do that I did not see posted is to watch my rear view mirror. If a vehicle is approaching, I always flash my brake light a few times. I do the same thing when slowing in traffic.
I have thought about getting a set of LED's for the back on a blinker relay as several others have done. I guess I do not care about how cool it is or anything. If it helps someone see me it may be worth it. The ones I saw look great and would not take away from the bike.
Another thing I do that I did not see posted is to watch my rear view mirror. If a vehicle is approaching, I always flash my brake light a few times. I do the same thing when slowing in traffic.
I have thought about getting a set of LED's for the back on a blinker relay as several others have done. I guess I do not care about how cool it is or anything. If it helps someone see me it may be worth it. The ones I saw look great and would not take away from the bike.
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