Motorcycle safety tips.

[challman]

I was just reading about the lady who just died in a Spyder accident and had some thoughts

I was telling someone the other day. You can be an Expert rider without being highly skilled. I would never attempt to race on a motorcycle and some people I ride with scare me because they corner so fast. I am mortified when I approach intersections where I cannot see who might be running the light or sign. I usually find someone who is going about my speed in a car and use them as a blocker in the event someone does something stupid.

I have been well over 250,000 miles on motorcycles over the years, and have not had an accident yet.

Thus even though I see many kids who can ride circles around me, I consider myself an Expert.

Anyone else out there use the Blocker Car method? I do the same thing at night to avoid deer and such

I remember (a decade and a half ago) When my Harley friends only wanted to ride to the next watering hole. I am going to really like riding with Spyder people because the seem to be mature and interested in staying alive. Isn't it funny when people get closer to death from old age they are more concerned about preserving whatever time they have lef?



How about using this thread to express things that you do to keep from getting killed?

any hints?

Maybe we should start a How do you keep from being killed thread.

 

[Bob Denman]

An interesting idea... :thumbup: The only problem that I see would be if it degenerated into a "War Story" forum... If a situatuion is put forth and the various manners in which it can be dealt with are discussed... :2thumbs:

 

[mooneych]

I am probably more aware of driving in someone's "blind spot" and avoid being there.

I also seek empty "pockets" of cars and cruise in them. It's also nice to get some clean, smooth air.

 

[IWN2RYD]

This is a good idea...


With the proper set of expectations I think it could work (Like the off topic category has rules/expectations).

No matter how much of an expert we think we are, it only takes one.

I guarantee every single one of us can very quickly think of a time or two where if we had not been trained to be defensive drivers, we would have been badly hurt or worse.

As a group of ryders, the maturity level (I think) would imbrase an idea like this. Not having the 16-25 year old "I am invincible" bug as it is pretty much all used up and the antibiotics have destroyed the last of it. :2thumbs::doorag::shemademe_smilie: hyea: :roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

Do we have anybody here with experience teaching the MSF courses?
How about any other Accident prevention Course instructors?

 

[IWN2RYD]

Bugs me...

To go along with this. I have a few things I am having a hard time overcoming...

1. Four second rule (Or what ever you want to call it). I am always having folks take the space n front of me away. I consistently go backwards when trying to be safe. 99% of every single driver I have ever been around does not travel a safe distance and they take the space as long as their car will fit. :cus::cus::cus:
2. Focusing to far ahead. I was trained to look no less than 1/4 mile up the road to analyze what to do next. Only to have a cager cut me off as they need the space or missed an exit.
3. Hard braking. On our Latest RT-S we do not have the funds to add the ISCI Hand Brake like we had on all our other bikes. This is causing me issues. There is a delay in the foot brake vs. a hand brake. I truly believe that BRP is wrong with this choice. They should have had a hand brake on these bikes considering how many folks and the age group of these folks are buyers of these Spyders.
4. Hateful Cagers. When a passing opportunity comes up, there are times the cager will speed up so that I cannot pass, then slow down to ridiculous speeds just to piss us off when we can no longer pass. Regardless of how far back we stay to not make them act this way. Other times they swerve into our lane as we pass.
5. Crotch Rocket Racers. Am I the only one that cringes every time we see a "Go Speed Racer" in the city streets doing no less than twice the speed limit, cutting around cars like they are cones? Giving every biker a bad name. Worse is the groups that do it. This is not something I ever did on two wheels. I always was worried I would give a bad impression of all bikers and or get myself killed as the cager has no chance to respond to that kind of speed.
6. No mirror no blinker Lane Changer. I installed an air horn to help these folks out. They scare the crap out of me and most of the time they wave their arms at me and tell me I am in the wrong (I think as they flip me off and or yelling something I cannot hear with their windows up).

 

[Bob Denman]

You've brought some pretty good fare to the table for discussion...:thumbup:
Following too closely... It's always in our best interests to do everything that we can to keep an area around us free of "clutter".. Cagers who jump into that space aren't using their heads for enything besides a place to plug in their MP3 players... how do we safely discourage this?

Unthinking lane changers... I like your airhorn idea and have used it myelf... The key is to recognize what they're going to do before they start... that gives you an opportunity to take proactive measures such as blasting their ears to mush! (The Nautilus horn is looking better every day!)

Focusing down the road. Great advice and keep your eyes sweeping at all times! Focusing on the next apex leaves you wide open for disasters...

 

[SDM]

Motorcycle safety tips

The problem I see with using a blocking car is if someone hits your blocking car from the side both cars would smack into you like a fly

 

[challman]

To go along with this. I have a few things I am having a hard time overcoming...

1. Four second rule (Or what ever you want to call it). I am always having folks take the space n front of me away. I consistently go backwards when trying to be safe. 99% of every single driver I have ever been around does not travel a safe distance and they take the space as long as their car will fit. :cus::cus::cus:
2. Focusing to far ahead. I was trained to look no less than 1/4 mile up the road to analyze what to do next. Only to have a cager cut me off as they need the space or missed an exit.
3. Hard braking. On our Latest RT-S we do not have the funds to add the ISCI Hand Brake like we had on all our other bikes. This is causing me issues. There is a delay in the foot brake vs. a hand brake. I truly believe that BRP is wrong with this choice. They should have had a hand brake on these bikes considering how many folks and the age group of these folks are buyers of these Spyders.
4. Hateful Cagers. When a passing opportunity comes up, there are times the cager will speed up so that I cannot pass, then slow down to ridiculous speeds just to piss us off when we can no longer pass. Regardless of how far back we stay to not make them act this way. Other times they swerve into our lane as we pass.
5. Crotch Rocket Racers. Am I the only one that cringes every time we see a "Go Speed Racer" in the city streets doing no less than twice the speed limit, cutting around cars like they are cones? Giving every biker a bad name. Worse is the groups that do it. This is not something I ever did on two wheels. I always was worried I would give a bad impression of all bikers and or get myself killed as the cager has no chance to respond to that kind of speed.
6. No mirror no blinker Lane Changer. I installed an air horn to help these folks out. They scare the crap out of me and most of the time they wave their arms at me and tell me I am in the wrong (I think as they flip me off and or yelling something I cannot hear with their windows up).

I totally agree with you especially about the Hand brake. You just cannot react as fast with the foot brake. (partially because of the Bikes design) I just don't understand Can-Am's choice here. They could have easily used a hand brake instead. It was clearly going to be purchased by a lot of disabled people. Also there is a fatique factor while driving around town.

PS. The people at ISCI should be ashamed charging so much for the conversion. This can't be even 100 dollars in parts. I don't know if I will ever be able to swing the hand brake.

PPS I love your saying about suffering from insanity One of my favorite Quotes is from the movie Harvey..

Dr. I have been wrestling with reality most of my life, and I am happy to say.... I have finally won out over it

 

[challman]

The problem I see with using a blocking car is if someone hits your blocking car from the side both cars would smack into you like a fly

I lag behind it .. It is more of a Guinia Pig Car

 

[challman]

To go along with this. I have a few things I am having a hard time overcoming...

1. Four second rule (Or what ever you want to call it). I am always having folks take the space n front of me away. I consistently go backwards when trying to be safe. 99% of every single driver I have ever been around does not travel a safe distance and they take the space as long as their car will fit. :cus::cus::cus:
2. Focusing to far ahead. I was trained to look no less than 1/4 mile up the road to analyze what to do next. Only to have a cager cut me off as they need the space or missed an exit.
3. Hard braking. On our Latest RT-S we do not have the funds to add the ISCI Hand Brake like we had on all our other bikes. This is causing me issues. There is a delay in the foot brake vs. a hand brake. I truly believe that BRP is wrong with this choice. They should have had a hand brake on these bikes considering how many folks and the age group of these folks are buyers of these Spyders.
4. Hateful Cagers. When a passing opportunity comes up, there are times the cager will speed up so that I cannot pass, then slow down to ridiculous speeds just to piss us off when we can no longer pass. Regardless of how far back we stay to not make them act this way. Other times they swerve into our lane as we pass.
5. Crotch Rocket Racers. Am I the only one that cringes every time we see a "Go Speed Racer" in the city streets doing no less than twice the speed limit, cutting around cars like they are cones? Giving every biker a bad name. Worse is the groups that do it. This is not something I ever did on two wheels. I always was worried I would give a bad impression of all bikers and or get myself killed as the cager has no chance to respond to that kind of speed.
6. No mirror no blinker Lane Changer. I installed an air horn to help these folks out. They scare the crap out of me and most of the time they wave their arms at me and tell me I am in the wrong (I think as they flip me off and or yelling something I cannot hear with their windows up).

I love Air horns. I have been looking for a place to mount one (NOT the hood)

do you have any pics?

 

[sandrunr1]

Here is my idea. The foot brake is hydrolic and does work very well. There is room on the handle bar to install a hand brake. Even with the 4" easy risers. I am going to try to install a hand brake from an early model motorcycle with out or with assist. It shouldn't matter as when attached to the foot brake and when pulled, it will apply as if you were pushing the pedal. I cant see any reason it wont work. Probably been tried but am going to do it.

 

[IWN2RYD]

I love Air horns. I have been looking for a place to mount one (NOT the hood)

do you have any pics?

I did not take any pics as I was following another members lead (Here). Keep in mind this is not a truckers air horn, but it is dual and electric air. It is louder using the relay and power from the battery directly. To give you an idea... Without the batery power and using the factory wires, it is as loud as a regular pickup truck is. Now with the power from the battery, it is similar in increased DB's as opening your hood of this same pickup and hearing the horn. It is a rather noticeable difference.

It mounts rather easily in the space, just need a bracket to accommodate the change in body design. :2thumbs::doorag::spyder2:

 

[challman]

Here is my idea. The foot brake is hydrolic and does work very well. There is room on the handle bar to install a hand brake. Even with the 4" easy risers. I am going to try to install a hand brake from an early model motorcycle with out or with assist. It shouldn't matter as when attached to the foot brake and when pulled, it will apply as if you were pushing the pedal. I cant see any reason it wont work. Probably been tried but am going to do it.

OK See we are already off topic..

Safety tips please

But the hand brake is one of my pet peeves

 

[granpa in Cincy]

The people at ISCI should be ashamed charging so much for the conversion. This can't be even 100 dollars in parts. I don't know if I will ever be able to swing the hand brake.

Make your own like Lamont did. He has a video of it somewhere here. :clap:

 

[granpa in Cincy]

Avoid whenever possible riding alongside 18 wheelers.

Too often their tires shred and that's a killer.

 

[boborgera]

OK See we are already off topic..

Safety tips please

Yea, Drive a Volvo.
:roflblack:

 

[cyclekat]

I have been riding motorcycles for 21 years, and I've been an RN for 23 years. That means I know all too well what people look like after a cycle crash, and there is a BIG difference between people wearing protective gear (helmet, gloves, pants, boots, jacket) vs people wearing shorts and flip-flops. I always wear my gear, I always do a pre-ride inspection of my bike, and I check the tire pressure every 2 weeks. I took the MSF Safety courses--both Beginner and Advanced, and I ride with the assumption that the people in cages don't see me, so I am extra alert and ready for defensive riding skills at all times. Clearly, the Spyders have a size advantage over 2-wheeled motorcycles and other people have told me the lights on the Spyders make them easier to see as well, so that is good for us! :2thumbs:

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree:totally with Bob D's three suggestions.

Drive like the other driver is going to do something stupid--they sometimes do.

I would also add ATGATT--since you never know when something bad might happen.

No war stories--even though I have one from last night's group ride.

 

[Neez]

Use a brake pedal extender. Get the pad under the ball of your foot, just be sure you don't "ride the brakes". If you don't have to twist your foot inwards to brake, your reaction time will be about the same as a hand brake, in my experience.