-
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ABLE TO POST? REGISTER FOR COG MEMBERSHIP
All registration must be done through the club's main webpage: To register / join COG, click here
For instructions to convert to full membership, click here
-
Can't post after logging to the forum for the first time... Try Again - If you can't post in the forum, sign out of both the membership site and the forum and log in again. Make sure your COG membership is active and your browser allow cookies. If you still can't post, contact the COG IT guy at IT@Concours.org.
Your top two odd improving behaviors?
- Thread starter salish14
- Start date
I have two rules to ride by:
First, I don't like to follow, or be followed,
too closely by any vehicle.
Second, I don't ride if I'm running late,
like for work. I never try to make up
time on the bike.
I also have three rules for new riders:
1) Wear a helmet.
2) Get a MC license.
3) Don't drink and ride.
Sorry if that sounds preachy.
First, I don't like to follow, or be followed,
too closely by any vehicle.
Second, I don't ride if I'm running late,
like for work. I never try to make up
time on the bike.
I also have three rules for new riders:
1) Wear a helmet.
2) Get a MC license.
3) Don't drink and ride.
Sorry if that sounds preachy.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/what-virginia-tech-learned-about-how-and-why-we-crash-our-motorcycles?utm_campaign=boosted-posts%7Ctpfn&utm_content=common-tread-how-to&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=what-virginia-tech-learned-about-how-and-why-we-crash-our-motorcycles-post-112116-%7Ctpfn
The full report in pdf is here. I printed it out and read through it several times. :beerchug:
https://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/msf100_2016/Risk_Factors_From_MSF_100_Study_Paper.pdf
The full report in pdf is here. I printed it out and read through it several times. :beerchug:
https://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/msf100_2016/Risk_Factors_From_MSF_100_Study_Paper.pdf
instructor
Road Bike
All of the above and I don't mind at all being preached to, I can use all I can get these days it seems. Number one for me is speed and road/traffic conditions. Friend of mine always said he did not need to take a class for motorcycle riding and in the past 2-3 years he has crashed and has earned couple speeding tickets. No hope for this guy from my viewpoint and it's a good thing his wife is wealthy and can spend money to cover his mistakes, but someday that won't work out so good I fear.
ConcoursKZ
Sport Tourer
1 Never Tailgate
2 Always move through traffic at a pace faster than the flow looking for open real estate.
3 If people are passing you its time to park your bike and get a new hobby.
2 Always move through traffic at a pace faster than the flow looking for open real estate.
3 If people are passing you its time to park your bike and get a new hobby.
ConcoursKZ
Sport Tourer
old n slow said:
Everyone rides different. I get claustrophobic riding in a pack of cars and trucks. Some riders poke around in all lanes on a bike and get caught in blind spots, wind traps, frustrated drivers, drivers texting and eating. I have never had the patience for that. I am a pass on the left and merge back to the right rider. Constantly looking for the most open parts of the road.
I will adjust #3
3 If the flow of traffic is passing you IMO its time to park your bike and get a new hobby.
I will add a #4
4 If people are passing you on the right its time to park your bike and get a new hobby.
And keep in mind. These are my opinions and riding style, not necessarily yours. Always willing to hear the other side.
ConcoursKZ
Sport Tourer
cra-z1000 said:
The great thing about a Concours is: Triple digits are only about 3/4 of an inch of throttle and a couple seconds away.
Interesting, fun and thought provoking replies. Glad to hear them. Sorry I hadn't originally posted this on the safety forum. One of the folks here said they advise their people not to drink and ride. I think that falls under the stupidity exemption! Hough points out that about 50% of all motorcycle fatalities involve drugs or alcohol. That's an easy one to put in your favor. Another 25% is dudes under 25, and for us codgers, we're safe on that one.
So putting that sort of stuff aside, it is genuinely interesting to hear what people do to skew the odds. I watch other riders and see what I like, or don't like, about what they are doing. Just yesterday I went for a pleasure ride and a guy on a 650 crotch rocket and full leathers came up behind me. Speed limit 40. Car in front of me doing about 42. Blind corners everywhere. The dude swerved hard in a low visibility area, gassed his bike, whined it out, and passed me and the car in front of me, not too quickly I will add. I laughed about the weak sauce power of his bike, but also said: He's dead in a year or two or today if he keeps that up. Low % move.
Curious what two things other people could identify as being their go to odd improvements?
So putting that sort of stuff aside, it is genuinely interesting to hear what people do to skew the odds. I watch other riders and see what I like, or don't like, about what they are doing. Just yesterday I went for a pleasure ride and a guy on a 650 crotch rocket and full leathers came up behind me. Speed limit 40. Car in front of me doing about 42. Blind corners everywhere. The dude swerved hard in a low visibility area, gassed his bike, whined it out, and passed me and the car in front of me, not too quickly I will add. I laughed about the weak sauce power of his bike, but also said: He's dead in a year or two or today if he keeps that up. Low % move.
Curious what two things other people could identify as being their go to odd improvements?
jberkman98
Moped
1. I try to never let another driver get into a place where they could hurt me. If I'm in their blind spot, I go somewhere else.
2. I never assume that other drivers (and animals) will necessarily do the smart thing.
3. At intersections with cars waiting at stop signs where I have the right of way, I always watch the stopped cagers' front wheels - if they start to pull out in font of you, they can't move more than a couple of inches without you seeing their wheels start to turn, the rotation is obvious well before they've started to really get moving.
4. Intersection are DEATH TRAPS for motorcycles, never take them lightly.
2. I never assume that other drivers (and animals) will necessarily do the smart thing.
3. At intersections with cars waiting at stop signs where I have the right of way, I always watch the stopped cagers' front wheels - if they start to pull out in font of you, they can't move more than a couple of inches without you seeing their wheels start to turn, the rotation is obvious well before they've started to really get moving.
4. Intersection are DEATH TRAPS for motorcycles, never take them lightly.
Ranger Jim
Sport Tourer
1. Don't do stupid things.
2. Expect others to always do the stupid thing.
2. Expect others to always do the stupid thing.
To build off Irreverent Joe's last two:
1. I always stay in first gear at a traffic light. If I need to get out of the way of someone, I'm ready. (Gear and bike adjustments, etc., are handled by pulling off the road.)
2. Make sure you have an exit route at the light. I will stop so I can scoot between the cars ahead or onto a shoulder.
1. I always stay in first gear at a traffic light. If I need to get out of the way of someone, I'm ready. (Gear and bike adjustments, etc., are handled by pulling off the road.)
2. Make sure you have an exit route at the light. I will stop so I can scoot between the cars ahead or onto a shoulder.
I don't think it is smart to pull into the shoulder if you think the car behind you is not going to stop. It is much better to pull between the cars in front of you but not much. What would you do if you can't stop and a bike is in front of you stopped? You are going to try and swerve to the shoulder to miss the bike. If the bike then also heads for the shoulder, 
Good point on using the shoulder. Of course, the car swerves assuming the driver has seen you. They may not. That's not a route I'd normally consider if I can get between two cars and get some protection that way.smithr1 said:I don't think it is smart to pull into the shoulder if you think the car behind you is not going to stop. It is much better to pull between the cars in front of you but not much. What would you do if you can't stop and a bike is in front of you stopped? You are going to try and swerve to the shoulder to miss the bike. If the bike then also heads for the shoulder,
Two weeks ago I was on an interstate on ramp and about 5-6 vehicles ahead of me a car plowed into the car ahead because the driver didn't realize the traffic on the ramp was stopped. Maybe the driver was on his phone; I don't know. But he didn't slow down one bit nor swerve in either direction.
I also follow #2 in the fact that I will accelerate to get into a more 'open' spot when on the interstate / commuting. I have more awareness of what is in front of me, than what is behind me, so often that means moving a bit faster than the flow (within reason). For me it is usually brief, but I was also ticketed for 85 in in a 60 for that. It was gameday football traffic, and I was looking for a hole/open spot in traffic. Most of the folks were decked out in their fan gear, and texting / talking / etc... I sped into a pocket only to find myself pulled over by the Highway Patrol.
He was a bit surprised to find an 'old guy' under the helmet, but I still go the ticket. In hindsight I would have been a little less enthusiasic in my approach, but I still was very uncomfortable in the four full lanes of traffic.
He was a bit surprised to find an 'old guy' under the helmet, but I still go the ticket. In hindsight I would have been a little less enthusiasic in my approach, but I still was very uncomfortable in the four full lanes of traffic.
cra-z1000 said:
Thud300 said:
I'd not heard of the weaving, but like that idea. I find myself often flicking my brights at every intersection or anyone possibly pulling out into my lane from a side road.
And if I had listed a #3, I would agree with those saying to assume the worst of everyone. My mantra is that I assume everyone is TRYING TO KILL ME, BUT THEY ARE CLEVER! They try to hide their intentions to better catch me off guard. This pisses me off just enough to keep me on my guard!
Sport rider
Iron Butt
1. when in town, I always watch vehicle actions and changes, not the driver. for example, I watch for a wheel to turn, or a slight roll. characteristics of the vehicle while they stop. or their lane positioning when riding with flow. I never trust eye contact with a driver.
2. never relax on the bike to the point that I am riding on it. I'm upright and attentive in my riding style to better handle the bike and circumstances. arms bent, core strength, pegs on the balls of my feet.
2. never relax on the bike to the point that I am riding on it. I'm upright and attentive in my riding style to better handle the bike and circumstances. arms bent, core strength, pegs on the balls of my feet.
Look ahead at least 12 seconds.
Keep my speed legal.
Keep my speed legal.
[quote author=Salish14
[/quote]I find myself often flicking my brights at every intersection or anyone possibly pulling out into my lane from a side road. [/quote]
I would caution against this practice.
Drivers may misinterpret this as "go ahead"
and pull out into your path.
[/quote]I find myself often flicking my brights at every intersection or anyone possibly pulling out into my lane from a side road. [/quote]
I would caution against this practice.
Drivers may misinterpret this as "go ahead"
and pull out into your path.
Years ago, when I was working in pipeline safety, I was certified as a "Smith System" driving instructor. You guys are talking about some very good points. To sum them up using Smith System jargon, and keeping with two odds improving behaviors, I'd offer the following:
1. Situational awareness
2. Always leave yourself an out
Mark aka sailrider
1. Situational awareness
2. Always leave yourself an out
Mark aka sailrider
I find myself often flicking my brights at every intersection or anyone possibly pulling out into my lane from a side road. [/quote]works4me said:
I would caution against this practice.
Drivers may misinterpret this as "go ahead"
and pull out into your path.
[/quote]
I learned that this was a no-no at the Stayin Safe Advanced Riding course. To reinforce that point, they showed a video of a ride group leader flashing his lights at a truck pulling a horse trailer waiting to turn right. The driver of the truck interpreted that flash as a "go ahead and pull out" and the group had to endure following that slow truck through the best twisties on the entire ride. :-[
Among the many values of these sorts of hive mind forum threads is the chance to learn and calibrate what is best practice. As far as flashing brights, I see the dilemma. We know the main goal is to be seen. Swerving is one way to try and be seen, and would work many situations. I live here in the very rainy PNW, and this may play some part. Water spray and dirty windshields further reduce visibility.
I hear the concern about brights flashing, and yet see a role for it at times still. If I am flashing brights, I am only seeking to be seen. If I am flashing brights, I have seen that threat from some distance. That means my eyes are on them. If they see my brights flash, and interpret that to go ahead, then they have seen me. So far so good. If I am going a reasonable speed, and have sight distance in play, even if they are boneheads and pull out I have time to evade. Seeing me, and seeing them, is still the highest priority.
On a dry day and dry road with good sight lines, I would be way less concerned and see swerving as a good approach.
Or maybe I will go ahead with my plan to build an LED powered billboard mounted to my windshield, about 8X8 feet, that displays a picture of a big scary 18 wheeler with skulls and rim spikes barreling down on them.
I hear the concern about brights flashing, and yet see a role for it at times still. If I am flashing brights, I am only seeking to be seen. If I am flashing brights, I have seen that threat from some distance. That means my eyes are on them. If they see my brights flash, and interpret that to go ahead, then they have seen me. So far so good. If I am going a reasonable speed, and have sight distance in play, even if they are boneheads and pull out I have time to evade. Seeing me, and seeing them, is still the highest priority.
On a dry day and dry road with good sight lines, I would be way less concerned and see swerving as a good approach.
Or maybe I will go ahead with my plan to build an LED powered billboard mounted to my windshield, about 8X8 feet, that displays a picture of a big scary 18 wheeler with skulls and rim spikes barreling down on them.
Sport rider
Iron Butt
last year I took a motorcycle safety course taught by the NC Police departments. http://ncmotorcyclesafety.org/courses/
it was really a more basic course, but also included half day of road riding and critique by officers. one of the things they mentioned was riding the bike back/forth across the lane to get more attention. from what I gathered, any attention you can get while riding is generally good in terms of being seen.
it was really a more basic course, but also included half day of road riding and critique by officers. one of the things they mentioned was riding the bike back/forth across the lane to get more attention. from what I gathered, any attention you can get while riding is generally good in terms of being seen.
willyp
Iron Butt
1... Don't put your knee down unless you are on a track and wearing knee-sliders. If you hang off the bike in a turn keep your knee tucked in, the pavement is closer than you think!
2... Don't get more than one speeding ticket in any one area. Or more than a couple in one state. Because, if you do then you might find you have to ride without a license, which (so I'm told ) is very dangerous.
2... Don't get more than one speeding ticket in any one area. Or more than a couple in one state. Because, if you do then you might find you have to ride without a license, which (so I'm told
) is very dangerous.
UncleRob
Scooter
On four lane roads with heavy and crossing traffic, I always ride to the left side of the left lane. This is to make myself more visible to oncoming or cross traffic. If you ride in the right lane, vehicles in the left lane act as rolling screens and it is much harder to be seen.
hAS9G5Zkrx
Training Wheels
Told to me when I was 16 by a Professor of Physics who rode a bad-ass Z1.
1. Be as predictable as you can be to the other vehicles, without impeding your own safety.
2. The inherent danger of any situation is proportional to the number and proximity of other vehicles.
3. Any danger you bring upon yourself is called "stupidity".
Simplistic perhaps (and one more than you asked for), but found I've never been able to fault them.
1. Be as predictable as you can be to the other vehicles, without impeding your own safety.
2. The inherent danger of any situation is proportional to the number and proximity of other vehicles.
3. Any danger you bring upon yourself is called "stupidity".
Simplistic perhaps (and one more than you asked for), but found I've never been able to fault them.
Bunches of excellent ideas!
Mine:
1. Don't doddle in another vehicle's blind spot. Kick it up a notch until you're even with the driver.
2. On a busy/crowded freeway move to the left lane, go whatever speed they're going, maintain a safe following distance, and do the look 12 seconds ahead, and try to divine what other drivers might do. The idea being that in this situation trouble will only come from your right. You don't need to worry about merging cars or the kamikaze driver that will blindly cross three lanes of traffic to make the next exit, or cars changing lanes from either side.
Mine:
1. Don't doddle in another vehicle's blind spot. Kick it up a notch until you're even with the driver.
2. On a busy/crowded freeway move to the left lane, go whatever speed they're going, maintain a safe following distance, and do the look 12 seconds ahead, and try to divine what other drivers might do. The idea being that in this situation trouble will only come from your right. You don't need to worry about merging cars or the kamikaze driver that will blindly cross three lanes of traffic to make the next exit, or cars changing lanes from either side.
sailrider said:
I was trained in the Smith System a year ago, and just finished a follow up course, and I agree completely.
The companies trained us in this to save money on accidents, but the system is great for motorcycles too.
We do not get to do the instructor course unless we have an accident. I had someone hit me, from behind, but it happened so quickly, they did not blame me, so no instructor course.
beaucephus
Scooter
I do most of my riding with my dad and brother. We put most of the miles on before 8:30 on Sunday. I don't expect anyone to keep lane discipline, or follow traffic signals. I go when I see everyone stop, even if it means I get honked at. First gear until I see all the cars behind me stop. Stay out of the shadows of other vehicles when stopping.
This has been such a fruitful and interesting discussion. Someone who writes for the magazine should compile these and put together a little best of. Truth is, if we all did these things all the time, our chances of bad accidents would go far down. I'm already delighted that I'm over 21 and never ride under the influence. Just those two facts reduces my chance of death on my bike by over 50%. I buy back some of that death chance by how I ride, but not much.
Since starting this thread I've been even more mindful of my daily safety behaviors. One thing I'm curious about that gets said here a lot, is the approach to staying safe at stops. I hear people talk about giving yourself an out at stops, and I get why, but really, how would you do that? I suppose you can stop way over on the side of the lane, and watch your mirrors, and at the last second if the bozo isn't stopping, gas it and try to squirt forward between cars or onto the shoulder. That must be what people mean. I watch my mirrors, but haven't arranged myself in the lane for that sort of ready escape forward in the final micro second.
Since starting this thread I've been even more mindful of my daily safety behaviors. One thing I'm curious about that gets said here a lot, is the approach to staying safe at stops. I hear people talk about giving yourself an out at stops, and I get why, but really, how would you do that? I suppose you can stop way over on the side of the lane, and watch your mirrors, and at the last second if the bozo isn't stopping, gas it and try to squirt forward between cars or onto the shoulder. That must be what people mean. I watch my mirrors, but haven't arranged myself in the lane for that sort of ready escape forward in the final micro second.
I try to take extra care to avoid riding near sunrise or sunset. Our roads go east-west because it's a long island but not a wide one. My 1 hour commute had me squinting into the sun for too much of the ride and I developed the habit of stopping for breakfast as soon as the big orange ball came over the hills and trees. Enjoy a meal and read a book until the shadows are not too long. I also put a strip of metallic tape on my faceshield where it would substitute for what a sun visor does in a car.
1- Be seen. I normally wear bright colors, brightly colored helmet, and have two 10W LED running lights mounted at the widest point on the bike. That makes me a wider, brighter picture.
2- Stay out of blind spots. As others have said, if you're going a bit faster than vehicles around, spend as little time as possible in their blind spots, and even next to them. "Jump" from just behind their rear bumper, to in front of the driver, or right fender.
2- Stay out of blind spots. As others have said, if you're going a bit faster than vehicles around, spend as little time as possible in their blind spots, and even next to them. "Jump" from just behind their rear bumper, to in front of the driver, or right fender.
Ingramite13
Training Wheels
Whew, all good responses, so it's difficult to add much of value.
As a Certified Smith Systems Safe Driving Instructor and safety professional for large trucking fleets for the past 35 years.....I could bore ya to tears...in just a few sentences.....trust me, I lecture for a living.
Instead, let me impart a little old leather Road Craft to see if ya dig what I'm layin down on mirrors
1) Mirrors can NEVER tell you yes....only no. Just because you don't see a car in your mirrors doesn't mean that there is not a car there. Remember this S.M.O.G..
(S) ignal
(M) irror
(O) ver The Shoulder......the famed "Head Check"
(G) o
That's the only safe way to change lanes.
2) Mirrors - Do you ride at night? Troubled by dazzle from headlights behind you?
Cut the feet off of a pair of your wifes pantyhose (remember those)?
Slip the stockings over your mirrors.....wow, why didn't I think of that before???
This little trick knocks down all of the distracting glare but you remain aware of the traffic behind you.
Tom
As a Certified Smith Systems Safe Driving Instructor and safety professional for large trucking fleets for the past 35 years.....I could bore ya to tears...in just a few sentences.....trust me, I lecture for a living.
Instead, let me impart a little old leather Road Craft to see if ya dig what I'm layin down on mirrors
1) Mirrors can NEVER tell you yes....only no. Just because you don't see a car in your mirrors doesn't mean that there is not a car there. Remember this S.M.O.G..
(S) ignal
(M) irror
(O) ver The Shoulder......the famed "Head Check"
(G) o
That's the only safe way to change lanes.
2) Mirrors - Do you ride at night? Troubled by dazzle from headlights behind you?
Cut the feet off of a pair of your wifes pantyhose (remember those)?
Slip the stockings over your mirrors.....wow, why didn't I think of that before???
This little trick knocks down all of the distracting glare but you remain aware of the traffic behind you.
Tom
This is a great thread. When I come up on traffic on a multi lane road and a car is tailgating another car my radar goes into warning mode. There's about a 99% probability that the tailgater is going to abruptly change lanes without a turn signal. They just have to get ahead of that car in front of them. I always back off in that situation and let 'em do their thing. Let me also add that I never trust that people have their side rear view mirrors set properly. Most don't.
My $0.02...
1) read cars' front tires, all around you.
2) Never EVER tail gate, anyone.
3) If when stopped at a light the cager in front of me is building a fort, reading the paper, playing with his phone, and late to take off on green, I pass them safely but quickly, and get away from them as much as possible.
4) Be mindful of the outside temperature, and my tires' temperature; dew, the cold, all of that affects my traction.
5) If I realize I'm starting to tense up, it is probably because I am riding a bit "too close to the edge"; time to lay off the throttle a bit, relax, and take my time/enjoy the ride.
6) Very important one; if the driver beside me, on an avenue, is clutching to the wheel for their lives, almost white knuckles, get away from them. No worse driver than a scared one.
1) read cars' front tires, all around you.
2) Never EVER tail gate, anyone.
3) If when stopped at a light the cager in front of me is building a fort, reading the paper, playing with his phone, and late to take off on green, I pass them safely but quickly, and get away from them as much as possible.
4) Be mindful of the outside temperature, and my tires' temperature; dew, the cold, all of that affects my traction.
5) If I realize I'm starting to tense up, it is probably because I am riding a bit "too close to the edge"; time to lay off the throttle a bit, relax, and take my time/enjoy the ride.
6) Very important one; if the driver beside me, on an avenue, is clutching to the wheel for their lives, almost white knuckles, get away from them. No worse driver than a scared one.
Bill said:
Interesting. Do you actually cover them at ALL times, or only at all times that warrant? I find myself covering as needed, but not when on a very low risk stretch of road. This actually reminds me of the importance of practicing your panic stops in a parking lot. It's incredible how quickly an ABS bike with good tires can stop if you just clamp down and brace. The hardest thing is letting up at the last second so you don't just teeter over on your side!
UncleRob
Scooter
1. Don't get distracted and lose focus. Most of my accidents and close calls have been from lack of situational awareness.
2. Don't depend on your mirrors on the highway. Turn your head before you change lanes. It helps you see others and may make it apparent to them that you are looking to to change lanes.
3. Keep your spacing. If someone really wants to pass you, let them. It's easier to keep an eye on them if they are in front of you.
4. Try to be visible and predictable.
2. Don't depend on your mirrors on the highway. Turn your head before you change lanes. It helps you see others and may make it apparent to them that you are looking to to change lanes.
3. Keep your spacing. If someone really wants to pass you, let them. It's easier to keep an eye on them if they are in front of you.
4. Try to be visible and predictable.
Locomotiveman
Scooter
Good Helmet, gloves.
Have an 'Out' if something nutty happens ahead.
Defensive braking as needed.
Leave the Ego back home.
Have an 'Out' if something nutty happens ahead.
Defensive braking as needed.
Leave the Ego back home.
Uncle Rob said:
+1 :great:
This is an old thread, but a LOT of wisdom here.
My $ .02:
Personally, I try to do most of the things others have suggested here, but there are three things I always do--well, almost always, that is:
1. Before I take off on the bike, I ask myself, "Is this the day I'm going to kill myself on this bike". That seems to clear my head of all peripheral concerns and thoughts and gets me in the right frame of mind.
2. First part of my mantra: "Split the danger." A phrase from our Idaho motorcycle safety courses, and useful for riding on freeways, or two lane country roads or city traffic, whatever. It means to ride in the lane so that you split the danger among all oncoming things that might kill you. (Cars, light poles, whatever.)
3. Second part of my mantra: "Blind spots, blind spots." Watch for them, stay out of them.
Finally, ride with a headlight modulator and a white helmet. That works for all the visibility questions. I've been riding with a headlight modulator for years, and it still amazes me how it changes cagers' behavior--in my favor.
Good thread!
My $ .02:
Personally, I try to do most of the things others have suggested here, but there are three things I always do--well, almost always, that is:
1. Before I take off on the bike, I ask myself, "Is this the day I'm going to kill myself on this bike". That seems to clear my head of all peripheral concerns and thoughts and gets me in the right frame of mind.
2. First part of my mantra: "Split the danger." A phrase from our Idaho motorcycle safety courses, and useful for riding on freeways, or two lane country roads or city traffic, whatever. It means to ride in the lane so that you split the danger among all oncoming things that might kill you. (Cars, light poles, whatever.)
3. Second part of my mantra: "Blind spots, blind spots." Watch for them, stay out of them.
Finally, ride with a headlight modulator and a white helmet. That works for all the visibility questions. I've been riding with a headlight modulator for years, and it still amazes me how it changes cagers' behavior--in my favor.
Good thread!
1. Don't ride if you don't feel 100% You need to be at 100% to notice and react.
2. There is a place for bad behavior. In traffic is NOT it. You have an additional escape route in the slow lane
I remember pulling on to a highway in my cage, in a residential area. I saw a bike at least a quarter mile away, plenty of room. Except he was going 100+ in a 40. And HE was pissed that I pulled out and passed me on the shoulder. Don't be that guy.
2. There is a place for bad behavior. In traffic is NOT it. You have an additional escape route in the slow lane
I remember pulling on to a highway in my cage, in a residential area. I saw a bike at least a quarter mile away, plenty of room. Except he was going 100+ in a 40. And HE was pissed that I pulled out and passed me on the shoulder. Don't be that guy.
smithr1 said:
Yep, I used to be a black helmet/jacket kind of guy, then I moved to California. Highlighter yellow jacket and helmet now. Much cooler in the summer, and way more people see me. This is evidenced by more cars sliding over while filtering.
As for my rules:
1. Don't ride in an obnoxious manner
2. Remain hyper aware of my surroundings and what others are doing
3. Enjoy the ride
I check my mirrors often.
Stay out of car/truck blind spots, I either slow down or speed up, minimize the time in the blind spot.
If I see a lane switcher on the 4 lanes I keep my eye on them, many switch lanes abruptly without warning or turn signal.
I pick my spots where I will run fast.
Make sure my bike and tires are in good nic.
Stay out of car/truck blind spots, I either slow down or speed up, minimize the time in the blind spot.
If I see a lane switcher on the 4 lanes I keep my eye on them, many switch lanes abruptly without warning or turn signal.
I pick my spots where I will run fast.
Make sure my bike and tires are in good nic.