KYguy's post regarding MC crash fatalities got me to thinking about the things we individually may do in order to reduce our risk of accident while riding, or maybe some things we may need to improve upon.

Here are some of the things that I think I do well and some were I don't do so well:

1. I never ride the bike before I complete an overall visual inspection that includes checking for proper air pressure in each tire, proper operation of all foot/hand controls, and that all lights are working.

2. I plan my route in advance of the ride in my head whenever possible so that I can identify the most likely higher risk areas and possibly either avoid them or ride through them more alert to the hazards.

3. I take into consideration the time of day, day of week, in order to avoid higher traffic areas if possible.

4. I don't ride when physically or mentally fatiqued or when I'm emotionally upset or after taking medications that may affect my ability to stay alert.

5. I don't ride in large groups.

6. I don't ride at night unless absolutely necessary in order for me to get home.

7. I wear a DOT helmet, proper eye protection and gloves.

Not so well;
1. My DOT helmet leaves a lot of protection to be desired! Its the bare minimum!
2. In warm weather, I ride in a tee, jeans, and sneakers - not much protection there!
3. Twice lately when out riding with friends, we stopped for a quick lunch and I've joined them in having a beer...or two!
4. I haven't done anything in some time that would increase my riding KSAs, like taking the Advanced Rider's Course.
5. I sometimes ride too fast.

 

I listen to that little "sixth sense" voice that warns me of danger when I'm riding my scoot!

 

Geez, I have more on the 'not so well' list than the one I ought to have! I do Some of the 'do well' list though (does 'Sometimes' count??)
#1 is an Ooops... don't check every time...
#2 & 3 are a sort-of
#4 ..pass...
# 5 & 6 are true, .
#7 is partly true.. don't always wear gloves.

I Always wear jeans & boots to ride.


How many cruise the stopsigns? Or trust the riding buddy's (in front of you) judgement that it is safe to proceed, without actually stopping to see for yourself?

Someone said that you make the same mistakes driving, as you do riding, but I disagree... they are just different ones, but all are habits that can be altered.

 

It's easy to slip into bad habits, so taking a little personal inventory once and a while is a good thing. Thanks for the reminder.

 

I try to plan my city routes so I can do it with the most right turns. Keeps the moron encounter number a little lower at least.

 

excelent post Jezcruzen!
im guilty of the t-shirt! [sm=bustedsign.gif]
its just been too freakin HOT! way too hot for full road gear.[sm=icon_flaming.gif]

 

I always stop! It's not that I don't trust myself (or folks I'm riding with) so much as it is that I've seen the way others drive. The penalty for failure at an instersection is very high!

 

I usually do a quick walk around the bike and also check the lights (have had a problem with bad turn signals in the past).
One thing I always do is when coming up to intersections taking at least 2 looks each way before proceeding. This has saved my butt a few times on the bike and in the cage.
I just saw an accident happen in front of my eyes last week. I was coming up to a intersection with left, straight and right turn lanes and we had the green but traffic was moving slow. Some guy coming from the left ran the red light doing at least 45mph and the person 4 cars in front of me (we were going straight) didn't have a chance to see it due to the semi waiting to turn left blocking their view. Car running the light gets t-boned and sends it airborne on it's side (looked like something out of the movies). Everyone was ok, but really put a shiver down my spine since I was on my bike.

 

Every Saturday morning when I roll out of bed and head downstairs for a cup of java, I stroll out to the garage, turn on the classic rock jams have a seat on my roll around and start going over the scoot from front to back. I spend about an hour.

Talking to it.
Checking nuts and bolts.
Checking tires and suspension pressures.
Checking the belt.
Checking the battery.
Checking for any signs of leakage.
Checking the oil.
Thinking about it.
Mentally riding it.
Playing back the mental "tapes" of the last few days of riding, looking for anything unusual.


Every time I walk out to saddle up, my "pre-flight checklist" is a routine practiced over many years and many bikes.

I look at it as I approach, looking for the tell tale signs of a suspension or tire pressure problem.
I straddle it and unlock, straighten the bars, feeling the controls (for any abnormal indications).
I turn on the fuel, pull the choke, give a little twist of the throttle, turn the ignition on, note the volt meter and neutral indicators and hit the starter.
As soon as it fires off, I start easing the choke back in, using only just enough to keep it running at about 1,000 rpm.
I keep an eye on the oil pressure and volt gauges, listening carefully for anything out of the ordinary.
Blip the throttle gently a couple times, continuing to ease the choke in until it is able to idle on it's own.
Standing the bike up, I retract the Jiffy Stand, tapping it "home" and VISUALLY looking over and down to ensure that it is securely stowed.
Flip the lights, tap the brakes, visually noting that lighting is operational.
Pull in the clutch, waiting about 2-3 seconds and lightly tap the toe shifter into first.
With a visual clearance for "take off" and the pre-flight checklist completed, I ease the clutch out and let the lady have her way.


In-flight management is habitual as well.

Rule #1 - I'm invisible (if I get hit, it's because I was in their way. (My rights and having the right of way is NOT a part of defensive driving OR protective gear)
Rule #2 - Everyone else is in their own "world". (I'm not part of it and I don't want to be)
Rule #3 - If it moves, it's a threat. If it doesn't move, it's a threat. (avoid contact with threats)
Rule #4 - Bikes break, when you're riding. (pay close attention, listen carefully)
Rule #5 - Be intimate with the bike. (know what it can do and what it can't and stay in the "envelope". PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!)


Learn and understand what these terms mean and how the relate to your survival:

"Preventive Maintenance"
"Pre-Flight, In-Flight, Post-Flight checks"
"Threat avoidance"
"Task Saturation"
"Temporal Distortion"
"Target Fixation"
"Two Week Blindness"

Lastly...

Spend some time, practicing GOOD, EFFECTIVE, DEFENSIVE, riding techniques. Mentally practice them often. You may well save a life. It could be yours.

Humbly,

Dutch

 

Some good rules.