Stayin safe
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Elgin, IL
Stayin safe
It's so very sad and a little scary that every time I've logged on lately there's news of another biker killed. Thease threads are filled with our condolences for the family and our anger at the cager that's very often at fault. What isn't repeated enough though, is informaton on the skills and statagies that can save our A$$ if we're about to become one of those tragic posts. The new riders that show up here as well as the lifelong know-it-alls (like me) could benifit as much from what we've learned on this subject as they can from our choice on pipes and seats. To bad they don't ask as often.
I'll start the discusion with this. I've decided I'm not as good a rider as I think I am. I've relied too much on the number of years I've been doing this rather than practicing emergency skills and staying focused on the riding statagies that I know will help me stay safe. With this revealtion in mind and the startalling fact that in too many accidents the rider failed to effectively use the brakes or worse braked an swerved, I'm making it a point to become and stay well practiced in hard braking and quick avoidance turning. My goal is to know, in that split second, weather I can stop or I need to swerve/ditch and to have the up to date skills to cheat the reaper. We all know this but how many of us go out and practice regularely. I don't (until recently) my buddies don't (I'm starting to bug them to).
If you have a practice routine or a riding stratagy that you reley on please add it to the list.
I'll start the discusion with this. I've decided I'm not as good a rider as I think I am. I've relied too much on the number of years I've been doing this rather than practicing emergency skills and staying focused on the riding statagies that I know will help me stay safe. With this revealtion in mind and the startalling fact that in too many accidents the rider failed to effectively use the brakes or worse braked an swerved, I'm making it a point to become and stay well practiced in hard braking and quick avoidance turning. My goal is to know, in that split second, weather I can stop or I need to swerve/ditch and to have the up to date skills to cheat the reaper. We all know this but how many of us go out and practice regularely. I don't (until recently) my buddies don't (I'm starting to bug them to).
If you have a practice routine or a riding stratagy that you reley on please add it to the list.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: Stayin safe
ORIGINAL: LDrider
. I've decided I'm not as good a rider as I think I am. I've relied too much on the number of years I've been doing this rather than practicing emergency skills and staying focused on the riding statagies that I know will help me stay safe.
. I've decided I'm not as good a rider as I think I am. I've relied too much on the number of years I've been doing this rather than practicing emergency skills and staying focused on the riding statagies that I know will help me stay safe.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 0
From: St. Johns, MI
RE: Stayin safe
I have to admit that I don't practice. I even bought "Ride like a pro". Practiced the moves a few times but I'm sure not enough. I guess I'd rather be on the road. At least I'm honest enough to admit my ignorance. Something that does bother me is how much they charge for the classes. In my neck of the woods they want 175.00 for a three hour advace course. Again , showing my ignorance, I can buy some parts, beer, or lap dances for that kind of money. It just seems awfully steep. I know you can't put a price on safety, but I don't make that kind a cash. If you really care about my safety,offer a non-profit program.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: Stayin safe
I don't have a routine that I do regularly though that is a great idea. I have 35 years riding experience and each conflict I have had from cars was me being invisible to the other guy. The last one, and it hurt a lot, was a guy doing a U-turn from a freeway offramp to the onramp which I was accelerating on at nighttime. He said he didn't see me, even though I remember going from high beam to low so as not to blind him.
Another time I was rearended by a drunk, more clipped than actually hit square in the rear. I was stopped and he was going for a left turn lane. "Didn't see you". Point is, car traffic isn't always aware of motorcycles, and we need to ride just as if they don't see us. Doing this puts us in the state of mind when we see situations developing ahead of us to avoid getting caught in the crunch.
I always watch my rear view mirrors when stopped until traffic has stopped behind me. I always leave myself a way out to avoid the rearend scenario. I always watch that left turn guy; his eyes (is he distracted?), the positon of his front wheels, is he rolling or stopped? Is oncoming traffic entering a curve too fast? Should I slow or be prepared to swerve out of his path? It is all about situational awareness. Sometimes I think riders become a bit arrogant and think they are invulnerable because the bike is quick and manueverable. We should all ride as if no one knows we are there every time we share the road with another vehicle.
By the way, I am signed up for an Advanced Rider Skills course at Dixie College this summer. It is being taught by our local motorcycle police instructor. I hope to gain some more skills even after all these years to protect my a$$ for a bit longer.
Another time I was rearended by a drunk, more clipped than actually hit square in the rear. I was stopped and he was going for a left turn lane. "Didn't see you". Point is, car traffic isn't always aware of motorcycles, and we need to ride just as if they don't see us. Doing this puts us in the state of mind when we see situations developing ahead of us to avoid getting caught in the crunch.
I always watch my rear view mirrors when stopped until traffic has stopped behind me. I always leave myself a way out to avoid the rearend scenario. I always watch that left turn guy; his eyes (is he distracted?), the positon of his front wheels, is he rolling or stopped? Is oncoming traffic entering a curve too fast? Should I slow or be prepared to swerve out of his path? It is all about situational awareness. Sometimes I think riders become a bit arrogant and think they are invulnerable because the bike is quick and manueverable. We should all ride as if no one knows we are there every time we share the road with another vehicle.
By the way, I am signed up for an Advanced Rider Skills course at Dixie College this summer. It is being taught by our local motorcycle police instructor. I hope to gain some more skills even after all these years to protect my a$$ for a bit longer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,949
Likes: 6
From: My house
RE: Stayin safe
Riding safety and habits start with the bike, it's gotta to be as safe as can be first, good tires, proper tire inflation, good brakes, all the bolts tight, steering head bearings not loose, etc. the bike needs to be mechanically sound. Mechanical failures, poor maintenance and bad tires( dry rot, worn out, over/under inflated tires, have caused many a biker to go down. Your bike has to be adjusted to you, handle-bars, mirrors, foot rests, etc. Sure things can break, replace them right then, don't wait and remember your tires are the only thing between you and the road. Get to know your bike, it's limits as well as yours.
I try to ride like everyone is trying to kill me with their car, meaning I don't take for granted that I'm seen, I ride with my highbeam and lightbar on all the time, it does make a difference. Give yourself some room, don't tail gate, anticipate everything way ahead of time, if you see a car wanting to make a turn across your lane don't take for granted they see you, slow down right then, look for an out never rely on that they see you, same for a car pulling out from a stop. 75% of all accidents happen at an intersection, pay attention when you come to one, never, never think that they see you coming or fixing to pull out. Watch them like a hawk. Use good common sense, especially when riding in a group, pay attention 110% of the time. Slow down in bad weather conditions.
Road hazards, hate em, they scare me, such as tire carcess, pot holes, gravel in turns, junk in the road thats fallen off a truck, trailer etc. I always try to look way ahead on the road as much as I can as I ride, if on the freeway and following, I back off and get to one side so I can see the road ahead in my lane or the other lane.
That's a few things that I do, and you can't ever learn enough about saftey and good riding habits. Whens the last time you checked the air in your tires? Ride Safe
I try to ride like everyone is trying to kill me with their car, meaning I don't take for granted that I'm seen, I ride with my highbeam and lightbar on all the time, it does make a difference. Give yourself some room, don't tail gate, anticipate everything way ahead of time, if you see a car wanting to make a turn across your lane don't take for granted they see you, slow down right then, look for an out never rely on that they see you, same for a car pulling out from a stop. 75% of all accidents happen at an intersection, pay attention when you come to one, never, never think that they see you coming or fixing to pull out. Watch them like a hawk. Use good common sense, especially when riding in a group, pay attention 110% of the time. Slow down in bad weather conditions.
Road hazards, hate em, they scare me, such as tire carcess, pot holes, gravel in turns, junk in the road thats fallen off a truck, trailer etc. I always try to look way ahead on the road as much as I can as I ride, if on the freeway and following, I back off and get to one side so I can see the road ahead in my lane or the other lane.
That's a few things that I do, and you can't ever learn enough about saftey and good riding habits. Whens the last time you checked the air in your tires? Ride Safe
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Stayin safe
Scan intersections BEFORE you get there.
Hubby would have been truck meat but we saw the guy coming way
to fast ....The truck blew the stop sign and had to fast skid into a left turn.
Hubby was stopped in plenty of time and watched the fool go.
Hubby would have been truck meat but we saw the guy coming way
to fast ....The truck blew the stop sign and had to fast skid into a left turn.
Hubby was stopped in plenty of time and watched the fool go.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 1
From: Southwestern Virginia
RE: Stayin safe
It also helps to ride with someone who has superior riding skills. I can learn more in thirty minutes riding with, and talking to, a skilled rider, than in a whole day of watching videos or reading a book and then trying to learn the skill in some parking lot. I've learned to never be afraid of asking someone why he or she did something or reacted in a certain way given a particular situation.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Stayin safe
I've been riding since the 40's and also thought I "knew it all". I never took the basic rider course but about 10 years ago I took the MSF advanced course and it was a real eye opener. I really had a chance to learn the things I had been doing wrong.
I was impressed enough that (being retired) I went on to become a MSF instructor (coach). I would recommend everyone take the advanced course. It is well worth it.
I was impressed enough that (being retired) I went on to become a MSF instructor (coach). I would recommend everyone take the advanced course. It is well worth it.
