Motorcycle Myths explored...

[VulcanRev]

Was looking at the online-version of this mag and ran across this:

A Dozen Deadly Motorcycle Safety Myths - Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine

Interesting after reading a similar article posted here about what they "don't" and/or "shouldn't" teach you at the BRC/ERC/MSF.
I will be particularly interested int he comments that follow about the pipes and the braking.

[Michael600r]

Good read, and well written.

[mattoid1]

It's a good article, worth reviewing now and then IMO. I am in favor of wearing a helmet, but not of helmet laws. Give the riders a choice, unless under 18. As far as loud pipes go, I have some HK Kickers on the 1500, and wish they were more quiet. I was hiking in Rockie Mountain National Park last week end and could hear the pipes on some motocycles from almost a mile away while on Deer Ridge Trail. That's a little too loud to me, but again, that's my opinion. YMMV.

Dave

[HellBent]

While I agree with the author about all of the myths except lane splitting I take exception to the fact that he refers to "studies" without providing the actual references. I don't need studies to bolster what I consider to be common sense but an author has an obligation to his readers to provide proof for facts that he cites in an article. Failing to do so simply causes people to shrug and consider these things his opinions with no greater value than the opinions on the other side of the issues.

[wakan49]

Good article I sent it to friends.

Donna

[SleekStreak]

I didn't realize lane splitting was legal in Calif. When are they going to bring that to the parking lots they call interstates her in ATL!!

[Nate]

I didn't realize lane splitting was legal in Calif. When are they going to bring that to the parking lots they call interstates her in ATL!!

Some point out that lane splitting isn't so much legal in CA, but that it isn't illegal. That's probably splitting legal hairs, but, unfortunately, KS, like most other states makes lane splitting specifically illegal (in KS only a police officer in the performance of duties may lane split).

The only way to change it is through the legislative process and it will be a tough sell. Even if it were made legal tomorrow, it would take some motorists a long time to adapt.

Back to the myths. One myth I heard when I first started riding was "Don't touch that front brake as it'll flip you over the bars!" It seemed odd to me that something so "dangerous" could be standard equipment so I started experimenting. Then I read, maybe it was in Cycle World, that something 70% of the bike's stopping power comes from the front brake. I've been a happy front brake user ever since.

[A2rider]

Live by everyone of them daily.