Most important skills...
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 8
From: Dogtown, Oakland, CA
RE: Most important skills...
ORIGINAL: TampaJim
I've always felt that emergency braking was the most important riding skill. To be able to stop automatically, quickly and under control.
I remember reading (think from the Hurt Report), that analysis of motorcycle crashes revealed that in most cases there was no evidence that the rider ever attempted to stop, suggesting that the the rider froze when confronted with the situation.
I try to practice emergency stops a couple of times each month so the reflex is there if I need it.
Other points brought up are also very important, particularly situational awareness.
I've always felt that emergency braking was the most important riding skill. To be able to stop automatically, quickly and under control.
I remember reading (think from the Hurt Report), that analysis of motorcycle crashes revealed that in most cases there was no evidence that the rider ever attempted to stop, suggesting that the the rider froze when confronted with the situation.
I try to practice emergency stops a couple of times each month so the reflex is there if I need it.
Other points brought up are also very important, particularly situational awareness.
simliar, but for _avoidance_ including swerving acutally it said:
"28. Motorcycle riders in these accidents showed significant collision avoidance problems. Most riders would overbrake and skid the rear wheel, and underbrake the front wheel greatly reducing collision avoidance deceleration. The ability to countersteer and swerve was essentially absent."
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 8
From: Dogtown, Oakland, CA
RE: Most important skills...
ORIGINAL: celltech
Don't blame everything on cell phones. Most people can drive and talk with no problems.
Eating, putting on makeup and kids are way more distracting then a phone call.
Don't blame everything on cell phones. Most people can drive and talk with no problems.
Eating, putting on makeup and kids are way more distracting then a phone call.
" The study, published in the June 29 issue of Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, found that drivers talking on cell phones, either handheld or hands-free, are more likely to crash because they are distracted by conversation.
Using a driving simulator under four different conditions: with no distractions, using a handheld cell phone, talking on a hands-free cell phone, and while intoxicated to the 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level, 40 participants followed a simulated pace car that braked intermittently.
Researchers found that the drivers on cell phones drove more slowly, braked more slowly and were more likely to crash. In fact, the three participants who collided into the pace car were chatting away. None of the drunken drivers crashed."
you can find the rest of the article at http://news.com.com/2061-10801_3-6090342.html and if thats not enough i am happy to provide a few other sources.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
RE: Most important skills...
Motorcycle goes where you look - so look where you want to go - and everything else that all said before
Take MSF or CSC course -not just for safety's sake - increase in skills and knowledge makes for increase in riding experience and fun! Riding instructors help you connect with your bike, and the environment we all ride in.
Take MSF or CSC course -not just for safety's sake - increase in skills and knowledge makes for increase in riding experience and fun! Riding instructors help you connect with your bike, and the environment we all ride in.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Most important skills...
my skills were honed by growing up in the country on dirt roads.My first bike was an EL 80" Harley that I used to ride it like I stole it and got real good at dirt tracking.So since then I have no fears at all out on asphalt.When I decide to get a little stupid,I am more than aware of what is going on around me.The other thing that should be mastered, is totally knowing your machine,it's maximum accelleration rate it's stopping power,lean angle etc.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Most important skills...
Basic skills will get you rolling. Riding within your limts and your machines limits are critical, don't push the envelope. This applies to single vehicle accidents nearly 100% of the time I think. Expect the unexpected! Most accidents involve another vehicle, so situational awareness is of the utmost importance. Situational awareness is hard to define...I drove an 18 wheeler for a couple of years and I think it can best be described as a sixth sense. The tiniest of clues, even uncontious clues, can trigger a caution. Try to think what another vehicle's driver is thinking (or not thinking!).... When you pass, is there a sidestreet or any place this person could suddenly turn into? A person sitting in a parked car, wheels turned on a car. A million things that can trigger a feeling in you on board computer (your brain). Its hard to describe...truley a sixth sense! The best, most highly skilled rider on the best motorcycle in the world can't possibly avoid all accidents if he does not know, or fails to identify risks until the last second!
[IMG]local://upfiles/21044/0883A81504B34C20A11A3CEB8C8E8145.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/21044/0883A81504B34C20A11A3CEB8C8E8145.jpg[/IMG]
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
RE: Most important skills...
Here are a few things to be aware of that occasionally cause novices to dump their bikes:
1. Pulling into a driveway at from the street: Since this is usually done in combination with turning the motorcycle, and the entry to the driveway often changes pitch suddenly, and the speed is usually fairly slow, bikes can tip over easily. Try to not be in a leaning angle when entering the driveway, be straight up. Do your turn in the street, straighten up the bike, and enter. It's ok to enter at an angle, just don't lean it, esp. at slow speed.
2. Leaving a parking lot onto a main boulevard. Do not stop your bike with both wheels straddling the gutter area (where the driveway meets the street). This results in a longer reach to the ground with your legs and can catch you off-guard if you're not really thinking about it, and the bike can start tipping and be down before you know it.
3. Congested traffic. Keep a following distance double what you'd do in a car. People stop suddenly, and you don't want to be among those who say: "I had to lay her down!" It's like, dude, when you lock up that rear wheel, it's only a matter of seconds before "she" lays down, no matter what you do.
4. Always turn your head an look before changing lanes, mirrors are have blind spots.
5. Don't pull out in congested traffic thinking that you'll just merge like you do in a car. We don't have automatic transmissions in our bikes and they will sometimes stall.
6. Be careful when crossing dark shinely spots (oily spots) in the road, especially on tight corners where you may be leaning and accelerating at the same time. I've seen both front and rear tires slide out under these circumstances.
7. Don't get too cavallier when stopped at a light, gabbing away with your buddy. That's when bikes can tip over, when you're not paying attention.
1. Pulling into a driveway at from the street: Since this is usually done in combination with turning the motorcycle, and the entry to the driveway often changes pitch suddenly, and the speed is usually fairly slow, bikes can tip over easily. Try to not be in a leaning angle when entering the driveway, be straight up. Do your turn in the street, straighten up the bike, and enter. It's ok to enter at an angle, just don't lean it, esp. at slow speed.
2. Leaving a parking lot onto a main boulevard. Do not stop your bike with both wheels straddling the gutter area (where the driveway meets the street). This results in a longer reach to the ground with your legs and can catch you off-guard if you're not really thinking about it, and the bike can start tipping and be down before you know it.
3. Congested traffic. Keep a following distance double what you'd do in a car. People stop suddenly, and you don't want to be among those who say: "I had to lay her down!" It's like, dude, when you lock up that rear wheel, it's only a matter of seconds before "she" lays down, no matter what you do.
4. Always turn your head an look before changing lanes, mirrors are have blind spots.
5. Don't pull out in congested traffic thinking that you'll just merge like you do in a car. We don't have automatic transmissions in our bikes and they will sometimes stall.
6. Be careful when crossing dark shinely spots (oily spots) in the road, especially on tight corners where you may be leaning and accelerating at the same time. I've seen both front and rear tires slide out under these circumstances.
7. Don't get too cavallier when stopped at a light, gabbing away with your buddy. That's when bikes can tip over, when you're not paying attention.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Most important skills...
thanks DAVET , very practical advice I'm still inexperienced enough to really benefit from a couple of those situations that I'd never thought of
The one thing that I learned NOT to do real quick is this: If you're about to go around a curve on a mountain road that you've never been on before
and the sign says 40MPH, don't be doing 70 on a650lb. motorcycle that has been lowered 3 times. You will not be "curving" as the sign says
The one thing that I learned NOT to do real quick is this: If you're about to go around a curve on a mountain road that you've never been on before
and the sign says 40MPH, don't be doing 70 on a650lb. motorcycle that has been lowered 3 times. You will not be "curving" as the sign says
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
anubisss
General Harley Davidson Chat
32
May 27, 2007 08:17 PM