Post by scrap on May 29, 2016 21:49:29 GMT 10
This is a communal list from another Forum. Some good tips in here:-
1- Assume you're invisible
To a lot of drivers, you are. Never make a move based on the assumption that another driver sees you, even if you've made eye contact. Bikes don't register to the four-wheel mind.
2 - Be considerate
The consequences of strafing the jerk du jour, or cutting him off, start out bad and get worse. Pretend it was your grandma and smile.
3 - Dress for the crash, not the pool or the pub
Sure, McDonald's is a 5-minute trip, but nobody plans to eat pavement. Modern mesh gear means 100-degree heat is no excuse for a T-shirt and board shorts.
4 - Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Assume that car across the intersection will turn across your path when the light goes green, with or without a turn signal.
5- Leave your ego at home
The only people who really care if you were faster on the street will be the officer and the judge.
6 - Pay attention
Yes, there is a half-naked girl on the billboard. That shock does feels squishy. Meanwhile, you could be drifting toward Big Trouble. Focus.
7 - Mirrors only show you part of the picture
Never change direction without turning your head to make sure the coast really is clear.
8 - Be patient
Always take another second or three before you pull out to pass, ride away from a curb or into freeway traffic from an on-ramp. It's what you don't see that gets you. That extra look could save your butt.
9 - Watch your closing speed
Passing cars at twice their speed or changing lanes to shoot past a row of stopped cars is just asking for trouble.
10 - Beware the verge and the merge
A lot of nasty surprises end up on the sides of the road: road crew trash bags, nails, mattresses, tire carcasses, ladders, you name it. Watch for debris on both sides of the road.
11 - Right-turning cars remain a leading killer of motorcyclists
Don't assume someone will wait for you to dart through the intersection. They're trying to beat the light, too.
12 - Beware of cars running traffic lights
The first few seconds after a signal light changes are the most perilous. Look both ways before barging into an intersection.
13 - Check your mirrors
Do it every time you change lanes, slow down or stop. Be ready to move if another vehicle is about to occupy the space you had planned to use.
14 - Mind the gap
Remember the Spacing Rule? Stay at a minimum of 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front. Better still, scan as far ahead for potential trouble.
15 - Beware of wanna-be boy racers
They're quick and aggressive. Don't assume you've beaten one away from a light or outpaced it in traffic, then change lanes without looking. You could end up as a hood ornament.
16 - Excessive entrance speed hurts
It's the leading cause of single-bike accidents on twisty roads and racetracks. "In Slow, Out Fast" is the old adage, and it still works. Dialing up corner speed is safer than scrubbing it off.
17 - Don't trust that Roo whistle
Ungulates and other feral beasts prowl at dawn and dusk, so heed those big yellow signs. If you're riding in a target-rich environment, slow down and watch the shoulders.
18 - Learn to use both brakes
The front does most of your stopping, but a little rear brake on corner entry can calm a nervous chassis.
19 - Keep the front brake covered
If you're past the "panic-squeeze" stage, that is. Saving a single second of reaction time at 100km/h means you can stop about 25 mtrs shorter. Think about that.
20 - Look where you want to go
Use the miracle of target fixation to your advantage. The motorcycle goes where you look, so focus on the solution instead of the problem.
21 - Keep your eyes moving
Conditions change, so keep scanning aggressively for potential trouble. Don't lock your eyes on any one thing for too long.
22 - Raise your gaze
It's too late to do anything about the 7 mtrs immediately ahead of you, so scan the road far enough ahead to see trouble and react early.
23 - Get your mind right in the driveway
Most accidents happen during the first 15 minutes of a ride, below 60 km/h, near an intersection or driveway. Yes, that could be your driveway.
24 - Come to a full stop at each stop sign
Put a foot down. Look again. Anything less forces a snap decision with no time to spot potential trouble.
25 - Never dive into a gap in stalled traffic
Cars may have stopped for a reason, and you may not see why until it's too late to do anything about it.
26 - Don't saddle up more than you can handle
If you weigh 65 kg, avoid that 300kg cruiser. If you're 5-foot-5, forget those towering adventure-tourers.
27 - Watch for car doors opening into traffic
And smacking a car that's swerving around some parked goofball's open door is just as painful.
28 - Don't get in an intersection rut
Watch for two-way stop intersections after a string of four-way stops. If you expect cross-traffic to stop, there could be a painful surprise when it doesn't.
29 - Stay in your comfort zone when you're with a group
"Ride your own ride." Riding over your head is a good way to end up in the ditch. Any bunch worth riding with have rendezvous points where you'll be able to link up again.
30 - Give your eyes some time to adjust
A minute or two of transition is a good thing when heading from a well-lit garage onto dark streets or from a dark tree-covered section to a bright open expanse. Otherwise, you're essentially flying blind for the first Km or so.
31 - Master the slow U-turn
Practice. Park your butt on the outside edge of the seat and lean the bike into the turn, using your body as a counterweight to keep the bike from "falling in".
32 - Who put a stop sign at the top of this hill?
Don't panic. Use the REAR and/or front brake (whichever makes you comfortable) to keep from rolling back. Use Mr. Throttle and Mr. Clutch normally and smoothly to pull away.
33 - If it looks slippery, assume it is
A patch of suspicious pavement could be just about anything. Gravel? Mobil 1? Or nothing? Better to slow down for nothing than lay your bike down.
34 - Bang! A blowout! Now what?
No sudden moves. The motorcycle isn't happy, so be prepared to apply some gentle muscle to maintain course. Ease back the throttle, brake gingerly (with the good wheel) and pull over to the shoulder very smoothly. Big sigh.
35 - Drops on the faceshield?
It's raining. Lightly misted pavement can be more slippery than when it's been rinsed by a downpour, and you never know how much grip there is. Apply maximum-level concentration, caution and smoothness.
36 - Emotions in check?
To paraphrase Mr. Ice Cube, chickity-check yoself before you wreck yoself. Emotions are as powerful as any drug, so take inventory every time you saddle up. If you're mad, sad, exhausted or anxious, stay put until you can change your mood.
37 -Wear good gear
Wear stuff that fits you and the weather. If you're too hot or too cold or fighting with a jacket that binds across the shoulders, you're dangerous. It's that simple.
38 - Learn to swerve
Be able to do two countersteers in quick succession. Flick left around the "mystery box" (what's in it?), then right to get back to your original trajectory. The bike will follow your eyes, so look at the way around, not the mystery box. Now practice till it's a reflex.
39 - Be smooth at low speeds
Remove some slow-speed angst with a touch of rear brake. It adds a welcome bit of stability by minimizing unwelcome weight transfer and potentially bothersome jerkiness.
40 - Flashing is good for you
Turn signals get your attention by flashing, right? So a few easy taps on the brake pedal or lever before stopping makes your brake light more eye-catching to trailing traffic.
41 - Intersections are scary, so hedge your bets
Put another vehicle between your bike and the possibility of someone running the stop sign/red light - this can cut in half your chances of getting nailed by a "runner".
42 - Tune your peripheral vision
Pick a point near the center of that wall over there. Now scan as far as you can by moving your attention, not your gaze. The more you can see without turning your head, the sooner you can react to trouble.
43 - All alone at a light that won't turn green?
Put as much motorcycle as possible directly above the sensor wire in the pavement beneath you -see that round or square pattern cut into the pavement? If the light still won't change, try putting your kickstand down, right on the wire. You should be on your way in seconds.
44 - Everything is harder to see after dark
Carry a clear faceshield (in a visor bag) and have your game all the way on after dark, especially during commute hours.
45 - Don't drone along near Mr. Mack
If one of those 18 re-treads blows up (which they do with some regularity) it de-treads, and that can be ugly. Unless you like dodging huge chunks of flying rubber, keep your distance.
46 - Take the panic out of panic stops
Develop an intimate relationship with your front brake. Seek out some safe, open pavement. Starting slowly, find that fine line between maximum braking and a locked wheel, and then do it again, again, again.
47 - Make your tires right
None of this stuff matters unless your skins are right. Don't take 'em for granted. Make sure pressure is spot-on (check when they're cold) every time you ride. Look for cuts, nails and other junk as well as general wear.
48 - Take a deep breath
Count to 10. Smile at the idiot. Forgetting some clown's 130 km/h flyby beats running the risk of ruining your life, or ending it.
49. Focus on tidy riding
Stop trying to look cool by actively trying to get your knee down on every single street corner. The guys on TV (MotoGP) are fanging through those corners upwards of 240K/h so they've pretty much forced to do it. Instead focus on clean, smooth riding. There is nothing worse then seeing a rider trying to get his knee down at too slow of a speed then having to make correction (mid corner) because he/she was just going too slow.
50. Listen to that little voice in your head when it says "This is stupid - Stop it" or "This is a REALLY bad idea"
That little voice should be listened to.
You might get away with it lots of times, but sooner or later its going to bite.
51. Keep your front wheel straight while waiting to turn right - if you get shunted from behind, you won't get thrown into oncoming traffic (applies to cars as well).
52. Beware hire cars - the drivers are most likely foreign to the area and consequently are likely to suddenly stop, turn or other manoeuvrings that may impede your progress.
1- Assume you're invisible
To a lot of drivers, you are. Never make a move based on the assumption that another driver sees you, even if you've made eye contact. Bikes don't register to the four-wheel mind.
2 - Be considerate
The consequences of strafing the jerk du jour, or cutting him off, start out bad and get worse. Pretend it was your grandma and smile.
3 - Dress for the crash, not the pool or the pub
Sure, McDonald's is a 5-minute trip, but nobody plans to eat pavement. Modern mesh gear means 100-degree heat is no excuse for a T-shirt and board shorts.
4 - Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Assume that car across the intersection will turn across your path when the light goes green, with or without a turn signal.
5- Leave your ego at home
The only people who really care if you were faster on the street will be the officer and the judge.
6 - Pay attention
Yes, there is a half-naked girl on the billboard. That shock does feels squishy. Meanwhile, you could be drifting toward Big Trouble. Focus.
7 - Mirrors only show you part of the picture
Never change direction without turning your head to make sure the coast really is clear.
8 - Be patient
Always take another second or three before you pull out to pass, ride away from a curb or into freeway traffic from an on-ramp. It's what you don't see that gets you. That extra look could save your butt.
9 - Watch your closing speed
Passing cars at twice their speed or changing lanes to shoot past a row of stopped cars is just asking for trouble.
10 - Beware the verge and the merge
A lot of nasty surprises end up on the sides of the road: road crew trash bags, nails, mattresses, tire carcasses, ladders, you name it. Watch for debris on both sides of the road.
11 - Right-turning cars remain a leading killer of motorcyclists
Don't assume someone will wait for you to dart through the intersection. They're trying to beat the light, too.
12 - Beware of cars running traffic lights
The first few seconds after a signal light changes are the most perilous. Look both ways before barging into an intersection.
13 - Check your mirrors
Do it every time you change lanes, slow down or stop. Be ready to move if another vehicle is about to occupy the space you had planned to use.
14 - Mind the gap
Remember the Spacing Rule? Stay at a minimum of 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front. Better still, scan as far ahead for potential trouble.
15 - Beware of wanna-be boy racers
They're quick and aggressive. Don't assume you've beaten one away from a light or outpaced it in traffic, then change lanes without looking. You could end up as a hood ornament.
16 - Excessive entrance speed hurts
It's the leading cause of single-bike accidents on twisty roads and racetracks. "In Slow, Out Fast" is the old adage, and it still works. Dialing up corner speed is safer than scrubbing it off.
17 - Don't trust that Roo whistle
Ungulates and other feral beasts prowl at dawn and dusk, so heed those big yellow signs. If you're riding in a target-rich environment, slow down and watch the shoulders.
18 - Learn to use both brakes
The front does most of your stopping, but a little rear brake on corner entry can calm a nervous chassis.
19 - Keep the front brake covered
If you're past the "panic-squeeze" stage, that is. Saving a single second of reaction time at 100km/h means you can stop about 25 mtrs shorter. Think about that.
20 - Look where you want to go
Use the miracle of target fixation to your advantage. The motorcycle goes where you look, so focus on the solution instead of the problem.
21 - Keep your eyes moving
Conditions change, so keep scanning aggressively for potential trouble. Don't lock your eyes on any one thing for too long.
22 - Raise your gaze
It's too late to do anything about the 7 mtrs immediately ahead of you, so scan the road far enough ahead to see trouble and react early.
23 - Get your mind right in the driveway
Most accidents happen during the first 15 minutes of a ride, below 60 km/h, near an intersection or driveway. Yes, that could be your driveway.
24 - Come to a full stop at each stop sign
Put a foot down. Look again. Anything less forces a snap decision with no time to spot potential trouble.
25 - Never dive into a gap in stalled traffic
Cars may have stopped for a reason, and you may not see why until it's too late to do anything about it.
26 - Don't saddle up more than you can handle
If you weigh 65 kg, avoid that 300kg cruiser. If you're 5-foot-5, forget those towering adventure-tourers.
27 - Watch for car doors opening into traffic
And smacking a car that's swerving around some parked goofball's open door is just as painful.
28 - Don't get in an intersection rut
Watch for two-way stop intersections after a string of four-way stops. If you expect cross-traffic to stop, there could be a painful surprise when it doesn't.
29 - Stay in your comfort zone when you're with a group
"Ride your own ride." Riding over your head is a good way to end up in the ditch. Any bunch worth riding with have rendezvous points where you'll be able to link up again.
30 - Give your eyes some time to adjust
A minute or two of transition is a good thing when heading from a well-lit garage onto dark streets or from a dark tree-covered section to a bright open expanse. Otherwise, you're essentially flying blind for the first Km or so.
31 - Master the slow U-turn
Practice. Park your butt on the outside edge of the seat and lean the bike into the turn, using your body as a counterweight to keep the bike from "falling in".
32 - Who put a stop sign at the top of this hill?
Don't panic. Use the REAR and/or front brake (whichever makes you comfortable) to keep from rolling back. Use Mr. Throttle and Mr. Clutch normally and smoothly to pull away.
33 - If it looks slippery, assume it is
A patch of suspicious pavement could be just about anything. Gravel? Mobil 1? Or nothing? Better to slow down for nothing than lay your bike down.
34 - Bang! A blowout! Now what?
No sudden moves. The motorcycle isn't happy, so be prepared to apply some gentle muscle to maintain course. Ease back the throttle, brake gingerly (with the good wheel) and pull over to the shoulder very smoothly. Big sigh.
35 - Drops on the faceshield?
It's raining. Lightly misted pavement can be more slippery than when it's been rinsed by a downpour, and you never know how much grip there is. Apply maximum-level concentration, caution and smoothness.
36 - Emotions in check?
To paraphrase Mr. Ice Cube, chickity-check yoself before you wreck yoself. Emotions are as powerful as any drug, so take inventory every time you saddle up. If you're mad, sad, exhausted or anxious, stay put until you can change your mood.
37 -Wear good gear
Wear stuff that fits you and the weather. If you're too hot or too cold or fighting with a jacket that binds across the shoulders, you're dangerous. It's that simple.
38 - Learn to swerve
Be able to do two countersteers in quick succession. Flick left around the "mystery box" (what's in it?), then right to get back to your original trajectory. The bike will follow your eyes, so look at the way around, not the mystery box. Now practice till it's a reflex.
39 - Be smooth at low speeds
Remove some slow-speed angst with a touch of rear brake. It adds a welcome bit of stability by minimizing unwelcome weight transfer and potentially bothersome jerkiness.
40 - Flashing is good for you
Turn signals get your attention by flashing, right? So a few easy taps on the brake pedal or lever before stopping makes your brake light more eye-catching to trailing traffic.
41 - Intersections are scary, so hedge your bets
Put another vehicle between your bike and the possibility of someone running the stop sign/red light - this can cut in half your chances of getting nailed by a "runner".
42 - Tune your peripheral vision
Pick a point near the center of that wall over there. Now scan as far as you can by moving your attention, not your gaze. The more you can see without turning your head, the sooner you can react to trouble.
43 - All alone at a light that won't turn green?
Put as much motorcycle as possible directly above the sensor wire in the pavement beneath you -see that round or square pattern cut into the pavement? If the light still won't change, try putting your kickstand down, right on the wire. You should be on your way in seconds.
44 - Everything is harder to see after dark
Carry a clear faceshield (in a visor bag) and have your game all the way on after dark, especially during commute hours.
45 - Don't drone along near Mr. Mack
If one of those 18 re-treads blows up (which they do with some regularity) it de-treads, and that can be ugly. Unless you like dodging huge chunks of flying rubber, keep your distance.
46 - Take the panic out of panic stops
Develop an intimate relationship with your front brake. Seek out some safe, open pavement. Starting slowly, find that fine line between maximum braking and a locked wheel, and then do it again, again, again.
47 - Make your tires right
None of this stuff matters unless your skins are right. Don't take 'em for granted. Make sure pressure is spot-on (check when they're cold) every time you ride. Look for cuts, nails and other junk as well as general wear.
48 - Take a deep breath
Count to 10. Smile at the idiot. Forgetting some clown's 130 km/h flyby beats running the risk of ruining your life, or ending it.
49. Focus on tidy riding
Stop trying to look cool by actively trying to get your knee down on every single street corner. The guys on TV (MotoGP) are fanging through those corners upwards of 240K/h so they've pretty much forced to do it. Instead focus on clean, smooth riding. There is nothing worse then seeing a rider trying to get his knee down at too slow of a speed then having to make correction (mid corner) because he/she was just going too slow.
50. Listen to that little voice in your head when it says "This is stupid - Stop it" or "This is a REALLY bad idea"
That little voice should be listened to.
You might get away with it lots of times, but sooner or later its going to bite.
51. Keep your front wheel straight while waiting to turn right - if you get shunted from behind, you won't get thrown into oncoming traffic (applies to cars as well).
52. Beware hire cars - the drivers are most likely foreign to the area and consequently are likely to suddenly stop, turn or other manoeuvrings that may impede your progress.