Riding Tips

[redbirds_imp]

To the point of mindset, If I have an "off" day, feel tired or distracted, I don't ride. As example, several years back a dear friend to my wife had passed away from cancer. About a week after, my wife and I were out for a ride and she nearly rode straight off a curve. I was behind her and felt helpless as I saw what was happening. Fortunately she recovered from her mental distraction in time to avoid running off the pavement. The loss of her friend was weighing heavily on her and she decided not to ride again until she felt past her grief.

[mininsx_imp]

"Look where you want to go" is probably the best advice, ever. Target fixation (looking at the obstacle you want to avoid instead of around/through it) will mess you up every time.

[the Ferret]

Counter steering.
Makes all the difference. Ride smooooth.....

I learned counter steering 6 or 7 years ago. I found it to be very counter-intuitive, took me a few hours in a class to get it down-pat.

I posted this up last night and then deleted it as Chapomis says it's counter intuitive and as these are meant for beginners I didn't want to confuse anyone.

When going thru a turn at speed, to tighten your turn, push on the downhill or inside bar. Lets say you are going thru a tight left hander. You'd think you'd want to push on the right handlebar to go tighter left (like you would in a parking lot to turn left), but in reality you want to push on the left handlebar. You'd be surprised how tight of a turn you can make. Practice this as you go thru turns, push on the inside bar and watch your line tighten up. Go easy when you practice but you will eventually see.

Living on a motorcycle is a COMBINATION of offensive and defensive driving..it's not all defense. Sometimes you have to be aggressive (offensive) to get yourself out of situations that could turn dangerous.

Don't tailgate, especially on the freeway, but anywhere and especially behind vehicles you can't see through. This is the hardest one for us (well it is for me) because we tend to run faster than other traffic. If they run over a skid, muffler, dead animal that they can clear with their undercarriage and between their wheels, you will not see it until it suddenly pops out under/behind them, and if you are following too close then it will be too late, you will see it, focus on it and you will hit it.

For over a year I have been doing the weave (developed in Britain I believe) when approaching a car that may pull out or turn in front of me. I am convinced after seeing peoples reactions that it has stopped people numerous times from pulling in front of me.

[Rebel73_imp]

Now, this is not specifically a "riding tip", but it pertains to the issue of rider safety.

I'm a big believer in headlight modulators and brake light flashers. Something about a flashing light that helps kick cager brains out of their stupors.

Now, might they be a little annoying? Perhaps, but if a cager is annoyed it means he knows you're there! I've seen cars start to pull out of a driveway then suddenly stop when they notice the flashing headlamp.

Of course, electronic gizmos are no substitute for situational awareness, but every little bit helps.

[DJS_imp]

Now, this is not specifically a "riding tip", but it pertains to the issue of rider safety.

I'm a big believer in headlight modulators and brake light flashers. Something about a flashing light that helps kick cager brains out of their stupors.

Now, might they be a little annoying? Perhaps, but if a cager is annoyed it means he knows you're there! I've seen cars start to pull out of a driveway then suddenly stop when they notice the flashing headlamp.

Of course, electronic gizmos are no substitute for situational awareness, but every little bit helps.

i would like to add extra brake light flashers.
where is best to tap into brake wires?

i have a set of 2 wire (ground and brake) pods and a 3 wire (ground run and brake) bar.

[DGShannon_imp]

Gentlemen,

There are two major components to potentially deadly pursuits like gun fighting, flying, and street biking. The first is physical skill set. The second and far more important is mindset. An entire book would be required to detail this but in short, most street riders are deficient in both areas.

Every year thousands of motorcyclists fail to make a turn and hit obstacles because they are afraid to lean farther fearing the bike will slide out from under them. They have no idea how far their bike can lean safely, or how hard they can brake, or how to brake. These physical skills are best learned on a track with good instructors. One quality track day course is both life changing and may save your life.

But the best track skills are worthless without an always "on" street survival mindset. Constant awareness of traffic, conditions, positioning, blind spots, etc, keeps a rider on point and ready to use those physical skills to evade, escape, stop, or take some other action. It's not enough to obey the traffic laws and assume auto drivers will both see you and do the same. To stay alive riders need to avoid accidents that are others fault.

The advise I give young riders is to imagine they an their motorcycle are completely invisible. How would you ride then? Would you ride beside a car or try to be in front or behind it? How would you approach a busy intersection if you were invisible? How wary would you be crossing a busy intersection or of a car at a stop sign that might pull out in front of you? If new riders imagine themselves invisible their mindset will immediately improve. Give it a try. All the best.
Chip

I could not agree with this more. Track days will help you understand far more about what your motorcycle is capable of. As Chip says, so many accidents are the result of folks running into a turn too hot for their skillset. Survival instinct kicks in, and rather than knowing how to turn harder, they run wide and gamble on the consequences, which can sometimes be disasterous.

The idea that track days are only for roger racer, the crotch rocket crowd, etc. is totally wrong. The higher lever classes do cater to these guys, but the beginner classes are for everyone. I have seen all sorts of bikes out on the track for novice classes. Do it, and as Chip says it may well save your life.

[Blockhead_imp]

Great thread...so much good advice.

One thing I will add is keep your head on a swivel, checking mirrors constantly, especially when approaching or sitting at an intersection. Keep the bike in gear and always leave yourself an escape route when that distracted cager is coming up behind you....a couple flicks of the brake light is always a good idea.

[Rebel73_imp]

Now, this is not specifically a "riding tip", but it pertains to the issue of rider safety.

I'm a big believer in headlight modulators and brake light flashers. Something about a flashing light that helps kick cager brains out of their stupors.

Now, might they be a little annoying? Perhaps, but if a cager is annoyed it means he knows you're there! I've seen cars start to pull out of a driveway then suddenly stop when they notice the flashing headlamp.

Of course, electronic gizmos are no substitute for situational awareness, but every little bit helps.

i would like to add extra brake light flashers.
where is best to tap into brake wires?

i have a set of 2 wire (ground and brake) pods and a 3 wire (ground run and brake) bar.

i would like to add extra brake light flashers.
where is best to tap into brake wires?

i have a set of 2 wire (ground and brake) pods and a 3 wire (ground run and brake) bar. Sorry, I wish I could be more help but I cheated and just got a plug and play bulb - all the electronics are integrated into the bulb so no wiring to worry about.

[treytexag_imp]

Gentlemen,

There are two major components to potentially deadly pursuits like gun fighting, flying, and street biking. The first is physical skill set. The second and far more important is mindset. An entire book would be required to detail this but in short, most street riders are deficient in both areas.

Every year thousands of motorcyclists fail to make a turn and hit obstacles because they are afraid to lean farther fearing the bike will slide out from under them. They have no idea how far their bike can lean safely, or how hard they can brake, or how to brake. These physical skills are best learned on a track with good instructors. One quality track day course is both life changing and may save your life.

But the best track skills are worthless without an always "on" street survival mindset. Constant awareness of traffic, conditions, positioning, blind spots, etc, keeps a rider on point and ready to use those physical skills to evade, escape, stop, or take some other action. It's not enough to obey the traffic laws and assume auto drivers will both see you and do the same. To stay alive riders need to avoid accidents that are others fault.

The advise I give young riders is to imagine they an their motorcycle are completely invisible. How would you ride then? Would you ride beside a car or try to be in front or behind it? How would you approach a busy intersection if you were invisible? How wary would you be crossing a busy intersection or of a car at a stop sign that might pull out in front of you? If new riders imagine themselves invisible their mindset will immediately improve. Give it a try. All the best.
Chip

To me, these are the two paragraphs that spell it out. The always "on" mindset - every one of the metal boxes near you on the road is an "enemy" and to live, you better watch them like a hawk - diligently, completely, and not assuming a thing about what they will or won't do . . . .

[Rebel73_imp]

I always assume that I'm invisible and that everyone else on the road is an utter and complete moron. It helps to anticipate stupid maneuvers before they happen.