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Tips on How To be a more safe and cautious rider

I've done a ton of freeway driving /commuting, a couple that I've learned that I've never (or rarely) heard from any other place:

1) Wind riding: let the bike do it's thing, hold on with your thighs, keep your arms loose and keep your back straight.

2) A cage changing one lane will probably see you, in my experience a cage changeing two lanes will never see you.

3) In heavy traffic and while splitting lanes, don't watch for cages, watch for holes that a cage can fit into because one will soon fill it.
 
For those bikes WITHOUT antilock brakes, be cautious with the front brake on wet roads. I had to learn the hard way that squeezing the front brake can easily cause the front tire to "lock up" when the road is wet and does not provide the necessary traction. If this happens, expect to kiss the pavemant. Use the rear brake more often in the rain and you'll do better.

Also, don't ride behind vans and SUVs. It's hard to see what's going on ahead of them.
 
Start riding a dirt bike. Much better to get a few bruises in the dirt vs road rash or worse.
 
Respect the bike, it's the beast, you're just the rider. Respect the road; the next dirt/wet patch or turn may catch you offguard.

Expect others on the road would make a mistake... and give them room for it.

Be stubborn about staying alive. Your fault or not, us riders usually pay for it the most.

Ps. Cool thread. Took me a while to read, but it's all good. :)
 
God said:
One thing my dad metioned for riding dirt is always keep two fingers on the brakes and the clutch. I've gotten into the habbit of riding anything with two finger grip, being a bicycle, goped or even a 50.
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it's interesting to see so many folks make this suggestion. when i took the MSF course, i was repeatedly told to NOT do this (i got into the habit from bicycling).

so, i tried really hard to break myself of this habit. but now that i know better, i keep reminding myself to ride with 2 fingers on the brakes.

i'm still happy i took the course but it makes me question some of things i learned in it.
 
Great thread Mortifer, I'm a newbie and i really pay attentiuon to everything u guys saying here but i just have to get more riding experiences so it becomes second nature, i've noticed when im thinking it to many thing while riding bad things happen to me so i need to learn to feel the bike, road and ride as well as scanning everytihing all the time, thanks Seabass
 
Thank you guys for all thre great tips.

I learned through lots of riding in Oakland and SF I never ride in the right lane of two lane roads unless i am going to turn right.

I always assume the moron on the phone doesn't see me.

I keep RPm high in the city someone always slams on the brakes and tries to tuen left with no signal.

I am learning that slamming on the brakes is rarely the best choice, the guy behing yo won't make ther stop.

Oh yeah.

I hate dirt, and concrete trucks, NEVER follow them, EVER!!

A rookies observations.
 
aliengirl said:
it's interesting to see so many folks make this suggestion. when i took the MSF course, i was repeatedly told to NOT do this (i got into the habit from bicycling).

so, i tried really hard to break myself of this habit. but now that i know better, i keep reminding myself to ride with 2 fingers on the brakes.

i'm still happy i took the course but it makes me question some of things i learned in it.
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in traffic, or when expecting deer, etc. i ALWAYS cover my brakes (and clutch!) i think msf agrees with that, no?

perhaps i missed your point, though, is the the two fingers? i use all 4 on each hand - msf recommends that - there is a sketch in one of hough's 'proficient motorcycling' books showing a guy covering the brake with only two fingers - i don't know if that's 'old school' or just artistic freedom/oversight.

ride safe,
ferenc
 
well, that seems like a wise way to ride to me. when i took the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation - sorry i took a while to reply Sebastian) course, i was repeatedly scolded for riding with 2 fingers on the brakes.

when learning to ride, i can see how this might interfere with good throttle control so maybe that is their reasoning
 
I'm a fairly new rider, but a practice that was passed on to my by my dad who has been riding all his life was, in heavy traffic situations stay in a lower gear than normal.

1. Because your bike will be louder.
2. If you need to accelerate out of a situation you have the throttle available
 
The front brakes on sport bikes are incredibly powerful; practice using them to the point that it becomes second nature.

If you're using the front brake properly the rear brake has very little stopping power. If you lock-up the rear without using the clutch (emergency situation) the engine will stall, which could upset the bike or even pitch you off. It's better to get comfortable with not using it at all.

When recently breaking in a new ride, I found that riding at a spirited pace at low rpm forces you to ride smoother, concentrate, and use the front brake more often. Try it, you will find it a challenge and it will improve your riding. It's also easier on the nieghbors ears.

Invariably the guy who spouts off about being a great rider is the one who gets scraped up off the pavement. Steer clear of him. If this is you, spare us the self indulgent posturing; impress us with your smooth lines and exhibition of sane and intelligent control. That way we won't have to tell our fellow riders what a bonehead you are or cleanup the mess.
 
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Sizz-Lorr said:
Start riding a dirt bike. Much better to get a few bruises in the dirt vs road rash or worse.
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Yeah, what he said.

Learn to ride a dirt bike first.

You will learn balance and throttle/clutch/brake control. After some time in the dirt, you should be able to slide both front and rear tires while standing with both feet on the pegs. (Yes, I can.) That way, when you get out of shape on your street bike, you'll be able to deal with it. Dirt hurts a lot less than pavement - on your body as well as your bike. Plus, you're a lot less likely to be hit by some moron in a car.
 
And another thing...

Riding in the dirt will exercise the butterflies from your belly.
 
I came up with this when I used to take my YZ 490 to Idria a lot and it has always worked for me...."Go as fast as you can see" :twofinger
 
Here are my top five:

1. While on the freeway, never stay next to cars, always fully pass within 2 seconds.

2. Avoid the "fatal funnel" which is a freeway exit that puts a vehicle on one side of you and a off ramp on the other, vehicles may suddenly realize they are missing their off ramp and quickly move over to try to make it, taking everything in their path, even you.

3. While traveling behind a cars on the road, ride where their tires are, so if an object such as a 2 x 4 passes under their vehicle, you will not need to swerve to avoid the object, additionally oils and other debris are concentrated in the center as well

4. While traveling "through" a controlled intersection (lighted), you can pull along side a car for a brief period to block any traffic that may run a red light in the cross direction.

5. While stopped at a controlled intersection, leave your brake light on until a vehicle stops safely behind you.

Michael


Michael
 
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I avoid heavy squid infested areas.
I monitor group ride forums to find out when suspect groups are riding and where.
I monitor forums for road reports to verify conditions.
 
I've found in the past I can let my vision go out of focus, and I can see the entire road at once without focusing on a single object. I am still experimenting with this, because I'm not sure if I can identify a small problem as quickly if I'm not focusing, but I can certainly see the whole picture, and visualize the traffic as a sort of moving creature.

(It takes a lot of effort- willpower to keep paying attention in the out-of-focus mode, brainpower to process everything at once...)
 
Here's my tip:

You cant be a safe rider by following a quick bullet list of suggestions. It takes a lot of practice and training to understand all the possible risks. It's important to critique your own riding, reviewing potentially dangerous situations and looking for ways to avoid them in the future.

I'd also suggest that a rider should listen to their intuition. I've found mine offering warnings about situations that were not obviously dangerous.
 
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