What do you do to survive?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 860
Likes: 28
From: southbury connecticut
i liked reading everbody`s safty tip`s but i do not agree with the OP OF KEEPING TWO FINGERS ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES, I BELIEVE THAT IS A MISTAKE, beacuase if you need alot of brake in a hury you will not be able to pull hard enough with two fingers, and you won`t be able to get the others up in time because the first 2 will be in the way,
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,919
Likes: 29,905
From: PNW
i liked reading everbody`s safty tip`s but i do not agree with the OP OF KEEPING TWO FINGERS ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES, I BELIEVE THAT IS A MISTAKE, beacuase if you need alot of brake in a hury you will not be able to pull hard enough with two fingers, and you won`t be able to get the others up in time because the first 2 will be in the way,
Maybe your bike is different, but two is plenty to engage the abs in dry conditions on my bike and the other fingers do not get in the way.
Last edited by nevada72; Jun 22, 2011 at 09:20 PM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,919
Likes: 29,905
From: PNW
Honestly, its a constant concern.
Before anesthesia when I was a paramedic, then a flight Nurse I picked up bikers nearly every week in various degrees of FUBAR. Though it never deterred me from riding it has certainly kept me as vigilant as possible. I drive defensively, constantly watching everything around me when im near other vehicles.
I avoid the freeway as much as possible and keep off busy streets. These are the places where I have seen the most carnage.
The risk is certainly high that some cager will eventually threaten you in a very serious way (likely without even being aware). When I rode a sport bike I had to pop up onto a curb to avoid a jackass lane switcher who never looked more times than I can count. When I ride my HD im distinctly aware that I cant do that. It is terrifying.
I do my best to make myself as visible and audible as possible.
Before anesthesia when I was a paramedic, then a flight Nurse I picked up bikers nearly every week in various degrees of FUBAR. Though it never deterred me from riding it has certainly kept me as vigilant as possible. I drive defensively, constantly watching everything around me when im near other vehicles.
I avoid the freeway as much as possible and keep off busy streets. These are the places where I have seen the most carnage.
The risk is certainly high that some cager will eventually threaten you in a very serious way (likely without even being aware). When I rode a sport bike I had to pop up onto a curb to avoid a jackass lane switcher who never looked more times than I can count. When I ride my HD im distinctly aware that I cant do that. It is terrifying.
I do my best to make myself as visible and audible as possible.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 733
Likes: 8
From: Georgia
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
High visual horizon. Watch what's going on far enough ahead to react to it. Don't tailgate, leave an out. Don't let other tailgate me. If they do I'll slow down then speed up then slow down then speed up. They don't like it and quit.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: NC
It comes with riding a motorcycle. Our sport is fun but dangerous. Its not for everyone. You hold to close to life then you will not live. As an old biker asked me, "Is that motorcycle worth loosing your life for?" "It can kill you real easy." I told him I would get back to him in my younger days. I saw the old man a few months later and I said "Yes it is worth loosing my life for because it is how I enjoy living my life." He looked at me and laugh out loud and said, "Your a biker now young man." It took me a while to figure out what he meant by that statement but when its in your blood you cant get it out.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
+2 MSF now allows and recommends riding with the forefingers on the brake lever. That 1/2 to 1 second lost reaching for the lever can be the difference in stopping in time and crashing. It's common in racing also. My tip: I always try to go through an intersection behind a car. Close enough so the person making a left in the other direction can see me and the car. If they wait for the car to go through, they will also see me and wait for myself to go through.
Last edited by barjbar; Jun 22, 2011 at 10:06 PM.