50 steps to Stay Alive

[kobudo]

I train people on driver safety as they regard to patrol techniques (not motorcycle patrol), and I learned some things reading that! When we teach patrol, most drivers who are experienced learn the "two second rule." Two seconds between you and the car ahead.

For patrol, since we have a lot more we should be paying attention to, we expand that to a recommended minimum "four second rule." As someone looking to get on a bike, would the more experienced here recommend that, or is it over-cautious/asking to be rear ended in traffic?

Thanks!

[whyssb]

Two other items for new riders to think about if riding in traffic in the city.

Double Left Turn Lanes.
When making left turns from a double left turn lane, always go to the median lane. This eliminates having to pull way out into the middle of the intersection to be able to see around on-coming left turn lanes.

Also, cars will more frequently swing wide (and into your lane) than cutting the corner short. Staying on the inside median lane prevents finding yourself being squeezed to the curb.

Storm Sewer Grates
If you live where there are storm sewer grates to deal with heavy run off, be very wary of them. It is tough to get traction on them and your rear tire can easily slide sideways, or get goosey on them

In our city they are often 15 feet back from the intersections. If you are stopped on top of one and start to take off for the light they can be like ice. Either stop back behind them, or if you must stop on top of them accererlate slowly when taking off.

Worse yet is if you are leaning around a corner and hit one. If you are leaning into a turn and see one, get your bike back vertical as quickly as you can or your bike can squirt out from under you. Unfortunately, I witnessed this one two days ago, the rider wasn't hurt bad but the bike slid up against a car waiting for the light.

Ride safe and enjoy!

[ninjaqueen]

Originally Posted by MedicJess

They told me in my MSF class that they didn't want me to cover the brake INITIALLY... definitely made it sound like it would be a wise thing to do down the road though. I'm thinking this is taught perhaps in the advanced rider course? (Has anybody taken this course? What did you think of it?)

When I was in the MSF course they also told me to never cover the front brake. When I took the ERC, they never said anything about covering the front brake either.

Awesome post! Something any newbie would benefit from reading every day.

Darlene

[Dajur]

I use noise canceling headphones when I go on long trips sometimes. I can't hear anything anyway with all the wind noise. You just have to pay more attention to everything. Same goes for the people with helmet communicators and ear plugs.

[jams002]

wow what great post is that,thanks for that kind of info you share to this forum,hope you will not stop continue contributing information like this,here's one info about buell accessories

[Marx]

My first post!

Just a thanks for the tips... I've been riding just under a year (February 2007 on a Honda 125CG with only a CBT, then passed my test in March 07' and bought a '97 Kawasaki GPZ 500S) but loving it big time.

Having a bike has opened my world.

[WhiteFox]

Those tips are a good wake up call for ANY rider, I don't care How many miles you have under your tires.

Thanks for posting.

[Marx]

Originally Posted by WhiteFox

Those tips are a good wake up call for ANY rider, I don't care How many male you have under your tires.

Thanks for posting.

Eh? You go running over men on purpose?

[HoopleHead]

Originally Posted by green vulcan

i liked everything, except.... #19. I was told in the MSF course to keep my fingers off the front brake unless i was stopping or getting on/off the bike otherwise i might press it by accident and i might cause one. What are your thoughts?

I've got a story for every occasion. Last summer I was riding the three twisted sisters here in the Texas Hill Country with a new friend. She was on her husband's Road Star and seemed to handle it well except for manipulating it in gravel parking lots. She lead sometimes and I did others, so it was a shock to me later when we were talking to a potential motorcyclist and talking about him getting the MSF course... she told him pay close attention when they tell you never to use the front brake! My jaw dropped and I said "What?" She said the front brake would pull you right down or make you flip over the front of the bike. I said "That's just incorrect!" She looked at me patiently and said "I've been told that by a lot of people"

Of course I went on to explain to her how the front brake worked and how to use it, but she had taken her instructions on low speed maneuvering and early warnings like mentioned above to mean NEVER use the front brake. I know this used to be a by-law in the olden days, but my gawd, this gal was behind me a lot of the time on the ride and I had assumed she knew how to make a quick stop.

Your front brake (and knowing how and when to use it... and I guess when NOT to use it) is one of the most valuable tools on your bike. Read up on it, practice it's use and get to where it's automatic to "feel" your way through any kind of stop. Once you've perfected its use, you won't have to think about it much, you'll use both brakes in varying amounts to fit the occasion.

I do cover my front brake almost all the time unless I'm out on a clear road at highway speeds.

[Dajur]

The front brake is supposed to be used about 70% and the rear brake is to be used at about 30% for optimal braking.

[Ninja03]

Thanks I really learned some things reading that

[48Rob]

It makes beginners, like myself, realize how serious the responsibility of riding really is.

It is great that so many riders, new and old understand this!

What is scary, and sad, is that so many don't yet, or never will grasp the concept of self preservation...

Laws and rules and rights and wrongs won't protect you on a motorcycle.
The little old lady that didn't see you was in the wrong, but you're still dead.

The gravel the highway crew left in the road shouldn't have been left there, but you still need to be prepared for what may.

The road designers made that curve too sharp for you to take at full speed on a motorcycle are at fault, but not being at fault doesn't keep you from smashing into the guard rail...

It is up to the rider to understand what they are doing, and learn/know how to do it correctly in order to live for another day.

[Spanish905]

Worddd,,,Respect n thanks

[OSWHollowpoint]

Great post. As a a newbie, this kind of post is fantastic. I pick up my new Vulcan 900 Custom tomorrow. Looking forward to getting on the road. And using all of these tips. Oops, I should add that I am enrolled in the rider course for June 12th. This is going to be great.

[babisbabou]

Thank you for the advice!

[tristar24]

Thanks for the advice!

[ninjaA1]

Originally Posted by kobudo

I train people on driver safety as they regard to patrol techniques (not motorcycle patrol), and I learned some things reading that! When we teach patrol, most drivers who are experienced learn the "two second rule." Two seconds between you and the car ahead.

For patrol, since we have a lot more we should be paying attention to, we expand that to a recommended minimum "four second rule." As someone looking to get on a bike, would the more experienced here recommend that, or is it over-cautious/asking to be rear ended in traffic?

Thanks!

I know one thing about riding or driving on I5 in Seattle Tacoma area if you leave space between you and the car ahead there is sure to be a car to take it up.
Maybe it's just me but when I am in my car and I watch bikes around me it is amazing to me that not more die not that that's a bad thing.
I just started riding street bikes my son is out there everyday and it scares the hell out off me when I watch what people do in there cars and it isn't paying attention to traffic.
I have only been on I5 on my bike a couple of times and try to give myself space but it never seems to work I just keep my eye on developing problems ahead of the car in front of me and I try to stay in the lane by the shoulder so that maybe i have a way out before becoming someone's hood ornament

[WilsonWilsonJr]

If I might humbly add a couple items...

51) Recognize and understand the environment you're in.
If you're in the woods, be aware of the time, nearby water and etc. Animals have a habit of crossing to water & feed in the am/pm. Close encounters at speed can be a little stressful.... Elk + Bike = pooped pants (best case)

52) Know your bike.
New noises, sounds, and the way it "feels" are usually the first indicator of a potential problem. Ya gotta have faith in your bike....

I'm sure there's 500 more, I think common sense is probably the most important safety tip.

Ride in Peace -Wilson

[zx6rider08]

Great advice, thanks!

[Azpinator]

Thankz for sharing!