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longtime moto commuters... what's your secret?

I'll limit my response to a few points to consider, since so far this has all been very good advice.

I don't like to think that all of the cagers are out to get me, only that they all have the potential to get me. Keeps me from becoming paranoid.

Regardless of traffic or weather, my commute always takes the same amount of time +/- 5-10 minutes. So what does hauling ass, riding recklessly save me, a minute or two? You really have to travel at a high rate of speed over very long distances to save an appreciable amount of time, so what's the point?

My biggest fear, even before I started riding, has always been dying in an accident on my way to work. That would really piss me off.
 
Riding very aggessively,being able to have high level of concentration(focus) with little effort,looking far enough ahead for the speed you are traveling,and luck....Robbie
 
Pay attention or die...

It's that simple...
 
No hurry to get to work and no hurry to get home.

Go with the flow or just above traffic.

Don't stay next to vehicles.

I own my lane. I'll ride left, center or right depending on where traffic around me is.

Keep lane sharing at a minimum and below 40 mph.
 
My rules for survival:
- Maintain Situational Awareness (always scanning, peripheral vision, etc)
- Maintain a buffer always (give yourself space/time to react and have a bailout option)
- No Distractions (ipod, etc)
- Stay Comfortable (Gerbings, earplugs, etc)
- Relax (stay calm, don't get angry, etc)
- Don't ride like a tool (I'm not dying to get to work)
- Learn to spot and avoid dangerous situations before they happen (Situational Awareness ++, spidey senses)
- Trust your gut (if something feels wrong, then dial back til you figure it out)
 
There's some good advice here. Most is applicable to all riding. But specifically for your commute, get to know your route. The idea is to have less things to think about so you can focus on the unexpected. Know which lane through the toll plaza merges the least. Know the farthest point from the toll plaza where you can see if the carpool light is green or red if your commute crosses a bridge close to 10am. If you split, know where the cracks near the Botts dots are. I use reference points like the "Fremont St 1 1/4 miles" sign means I've got another minute in the #1 lane. There are some intersections that aren't marked that well so you should expect pedestrians to be stupid. Know where CHP likes to hang out.

The reward for identifying all the danger zones is you eventually figure out where you can be an asshole.
 
best advice I ever read was from Nick Ienatsch's book "Sport Riding Techniques"
which was 'Be a Truck, Be a Bicycle'

Essentially, there are times where you will have to defend your space, and own it as best you can, and there are times that you will have to concede and use your nimbleness to get the eff out of getting run over.
 
Also: watch differentials...

One of the most dangerous times is when you are in the carpool lane which is going 50 MPH, and the #2 lane just had all the brake lights turn red.

Don't be afraid to get up earlier. I leave at 5:30am usually, as it means far less traffic.
 
A tip from Keith Code:
On the road you are at a size disadvantage of 4 times that of most vehicles (assuming visually). To make up for this, you should be 4 times more manuverable.

This is why it is recommended you take it very easy for the first year or so that you are new to riding or even on a new bike. Until you can get that thang to really manuver, you will always be at a disadvantage to a car. Going to the track will accelerate the learning process.
 
stay cool, even if you ride agressively, ride within your limits and don't take anything personally. Don't red mist....
 
Two words: Get visible!

When I started riding with a safety vest and a white helmet, the number of times I had a "near-miss" dropped to nearly zero. I mean, it was a dramatic change. I am motorcycle-only, and commute 300 miles a week, and since getting the vest and helmet two years ago, I haven't had a single person merge into my lane, cut me off, or turn left in front of me. That used to happen daily, and often more than once. Now, they *start* to, then they actually SEE me, and don't do it. I would never go back to riding without the safety vest and a visible helmet.
 

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+1 for riding the same route every day.

You learn where the problem areas are in the road surface, where to split and where not to split because of uneven cracks and ditches between lanes to direct your tires. I know where every pot hole is between Foster City and Pleasanton.

Been doing it for 8 years 80K miles, and so far so good. :)
 
commuting since 1968, over 500K and still commuting

It's best to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, then you are not pressured to take unnecessary risks.
Do not challenge anyone in a car or truck, they can kill you quicker than snot sliding off a doorknob in a tornado.
If you lane share, do it with a great deal of common sense and within the normal range of speed.
Avoid any road raging weirdos, period.

Be courteous when cagers are respectful to your space.Thank them when passing , even if they didn't actually "let" you, if you give them a nod or wave , they will THINK they were being cool to you. Next time they encounter a rider , they WILL be cool. Cagers are not smart enough to catch on to this, so use it often.

Avoid any bunched up cars, especially a clot of tailgating fucktards. They are the worst of all, along with the usual shitbags, phone yakkers, texting morons, coffee guzzlers, laptop surfers, magazine readers, and of course ANYONE in a pickup truck with a lumber rack!

Stay way from cars, give yourself plenty of space.

Check your surroundings all the time, especially your "6" (behind you). Assholes who are going 100+ will suddenly up drive up your butt if you do not make room for them.

Never assume that anyone sees you! Be visible, wear loud colors, and the best riding gear you can afford, all the time, period.
Blink your lights or use your signals just to remind blind people that you're there.

Always look before you enter an intersection, never assume that cars will observe controls. Left turning cars kill more riders than anyone. (excluding their girlfriends).

On rainy days, be extra aware of visibility and space issues. Be vigilant about the condition of your bike and tires. Check it over before you leave home.

Watch out for deer, dogs, kids, bicycles, birds, oily spots, potholes, road markings, bots dots, lit cigarettes from car windows, anyone in a pickup truck especially pickup truck drivers from Pacifica. Try to avoid foggy roads, icy bridges, and pickup trucks.

Dress warmly, invest in some good gloves, grip heaters, waterproof touring boots, an Aerostich suit. Practice braking, swerving and slow speed maneuvers whenever you have time. Stay in a visible place at all times!

Don't expect that luck will save your ass, but be lucky anyway, if you can.

Anything else? Probably. Did I mention anything about pickup trucks?
;)
 
I think this may be the greatest thread I've ever read anywhere.

The only thing I can add, is don't feel like you have to stay on the freeway. Sometimes I find I"m not feeling the way traffic is moving on the 24, so I'll get off and take back roads and get back on the freeway when I'm feeling better. Sometimes you get in a group of cagers that's pissing you off and you just need to get away form them.

Keep in mind I don't have years of commuting under my belt. Just a casual thing I've noticed.
 
Our own smarts in the many miles we've ridden, and by God's grace.
 
I've have a white helmet but my black leather jacket needs some brightening up. I have a regular safety vest but it's loose and flaps in the wind. Is there a type of safety vest that will stay put at freeway speeds? Where can I get one?

I know it's not going to look "cool" to wear one, but I agree, being visible makes sense. :thumbup

I haven't installed a fender eliminator for this reason and have actually added some reflectors back there. :nerd

Janna said:
Two words: Get visible!

When I started riding with a safety vest and a white helmet, the number of times I had a "near-miss" dropped to nearly zero. I mean, it was a dramatic change. I am motorcycle-only, and commute 300 miles a week, and since getting the vest and helmet two years ago, I haven't had a single person merge into my lane, cut me off, or turn left in front of me. That used to happen daily, and often more than once. Now, they *start* to, then they actually SEE me, and don't do it. I would never go back to riding without the safety vest and a visible helmet.
Click to expand...
 
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Lots of good advice here. It's been mentioned, but bears repeating: be physically comfortable as best you can. If you're cold, wet, tired and cramped, you're losing your mental edge. Stay dry, control your temperature (hot or cold), don't ride fatigued or cramped, it just drains your concentration. Noise is mentally draining, too. Do whatever you need to to maintain good visibility through your visor. These are all enablers that allow you to maintain your focus.
 
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