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Top Ideas for Safe Travel

Roadster Renovations

Roadster Renovations

New member
This has probably been done before, but thought it might be fun. I was traveling back from Fontana Village, the wife and I running by ourselves on a 2 lane at night and I remembered a few rules that I had thought of, especially riding without any other bikes. Anyone that wishes can add to the list and we'll see just how many we can come up with. Please continue with the numbering if you don't mind.

1. When traveling at night I will use the vehicle ahead of me as a blocker. I will follow a car at the correct distance so that I can use his lights to see ahead and his lights make us both more visible and have less chance of someone pulling out on us. I think of the car in front of me as a linebacker. I always pick a good driver (no weaving, daredevils, etc)

2. When traffic suddenly slows of stops in front of me, especially on the interstate or at a high rate of speed as I am braking I will briefly (3 or 4 second) hit my 4 way flashers to let motorists behind me know of the problem ahead.

con't.
 
Using the 4-ways to indicate a problem is always a good idea - day or night. Flashing headlights or tapping the brakes for a warning, usually isn't.

Where ever you ride, look as far ahead as possible. In town, you should be aware of the color of the NEXT traffic light down the road, as well as the one coming up.

If you can't see the driver in the bus or 18 wheeler in their mirror, they can't see you...
 
Some of mine:

1. When you see stopped cars to your front waiting to turn or enter traffic, always glance at their front wheels. If the wheels aren't turning, the car isn't moving. NEVER rely on making eye contact with a driver: you can't trust any driver (if you can even *see* them in the car!), but the wheels won't lie.

2. While on a highway, if you're in the far right lane and approaching an exit, be mindful of the traffic to your left-- forgetful drivers often try to cut across the right lane in order to make their exit, you don't want to be in their way.

3. If the sun is at your back, drivers coming the other way might not see you-- be cautious.

4. In heavy traffic, ride a gear lower than usual, you never know when you might need to throttle out of a jam.

5. Don't ride in people's blind spots. If you're stuck in a blind spot, be ready with the horn to give a little beep if necessary.

6. Hi-viz gear is great. A little lateral movement within your lane is even better-- the human eye is drawn to movement, even moreso than color.

7. Buy a brake light modulator. Every bike I own, it's the first thing I install, even before I ever ride the bike. :thumbup:

Safe riding!
 
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I agree with Dave, if you have the brake light modulator you don't need to hit the flashers. The only time I turn my bright lights off is in the dark with approaching traffic.
 
Which BL modulator do you like? I'm a newbie rider, this seems to make sense

Which BL modulator did you put on your Spyder?

daveinva said:
Some of mine:

1. When you see stopped cars to your front waiting to turn or enter traffic, always glance at their front wheels. If the wheels aren't turning, the car isn't moving. NEVER rely on making eye contact with a driver: you can't trust any driver (if you can even *see* them in the car!), but the wheels won't lie.

2. While on a highway, if you're in the far right lane and approaching an exit, be mindful of the traffic to your left-- forgetful drivers often try to cut across the right lane in order to make their exit, you don't want to be in their way.

3. If the sun is at your back, drivers coming the other way might not see you-- be cautious.

4. In heavy traffic, ride a gear lower than usual, you never know when you might need to throttle out of a jam.

5. Don't ride in people's blind spots. If you're stuck in a blind spot, be ready with the horn to give a little beep if necessary.

6. Hi-viz gear is great. A little lateral movement within your lane is even better-- the human eye is drawn to movement, even moreso than color.

7. Buy a brake light modulator. Every bike I own, it's the first thing I install, even before I ever ride the bike. :thumbup:

Safe riding!
Click to expand...
 
When traveling at night

and using a car to run interference for you, try to pick one who's running the speed limit or at last five under and stick with them until you get until you get where you're going.:thumbup: I've also found that wearing heated clothing is as much of a safety issue as it is a comfy issue. At night when you are comfortable you will be more aware and alert than if you are uncomfortable. Your peripheral vision will decrease immensely if you are cold. :lecturef_smilie:
 
I'm not sure about wearing heated gear for the sake of comfort... :shocked:
I would rather be just a little bit chilly; it helps to keep me alert. :thumbup:
"Comfortable", relaxes me too much for optimal sharpness.

I don't ride in a lot of traffic; we simply don't have that issue up here...
When I DO have to head into a mess of it; I try to avoid as much of it as I can...
I'll leave extra-early to avoid peak travel hours...
I'll try to pick a lane that lets me poke along at a slightly slower pace than the cages that are aroind me... I WILL use a vehicle in front of me as a way to keep me running in the clear,
I also make sure that I know my route down to the last inch; no surprises!
 
Newbie Perspective

At the risk of sounding like a newbie smart aleck, with the exception of using the four ways, unless I missed it, the safety measures offered thus far are found in the MSF Basic Rider handbook, http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/BRCHandbook.pdf. I took the course recently because it had been sooo many years since I rode a powered two-wheeler as well as to get a discount on my Spyder insurance. An added benefit of the course is that in NC completion of the course counts for the driving portion of the DMV test to get a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. JMHO.
 
At any stop light or stop sign I always leave room between me and the vehicle in front of me in order to have a escape route in case vehicle behind me does not stop in time. I always watch in my rear view mirror until the vehicle behind me comes to a full stop.

A friend's sister just killed a motorcyclist in San Antonio, this weekend, by not paying attention and rear ended him.
 
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Hypervigilance!

#1 cause of motorcycle crashes is left-turning cages, #2 is getting rear-ended at a stop.
As previously mentioned, eye contact means nothing. I've seen several crashes (I don't call them "accidents") where a motorcyclist made direct eye contact with an automobile driver and the auto driver pulled out and struck the cyclist. Every one of the auto drivers stated they didn't see the cyclist.

My top 10 cycling rules:
#1 - You are invisible
#2 - Everyone is out to kill you
#3 - ALWAYS have a plan. Whatever you think another vehicle might do, anticipate other possibilities.
#4 - Keep your eyes moving (left, right, and mirrors)
#5 - NEVER trust another vehicles turn signal
#6 - Complacency kills
#7 - Animals are totally unpredictable
#8 - Plans are subject to change. If you are too hot/cold/wet/tired/whatever, STOP. It's better to be late than not arrive!
#9 - Know your limits. This is especially important when riding in a group. If you're not comfortable with the pace, ride your own pace!
#10 - Have fun! Remember, this is supposed to be an enjoyable thing. Yes, you need to be really careful and always thinking, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun! With experience, #1-9 become automatic, and you will do them without even realizing you're doing them. You WILL, however, remember the FUN you have riding!

My .02
Gene
 
Learning more about being safe from this thread. Thanks Doc!

When riding in the rain or poor visibility, turn on you flashers. Flashing lights will be noticed easier than steady lights.

When riding through multiple lane intersections, try to cross through with a vehicle beside you. Cars are easier to spot than a Spyder. There are too many motorcycle accidents at intersections where the driver "didn't see" the rider.
 
2dogs said:
and using a car to run interference for you, try to pick one who's running the speed limit or at last five under and stick with them until you get until you get where you're going.:thumbup: I've also found that wearing heated clothing is as much of a safety issue as it is a comfy issue. At night when you are comfortable you will be more aware and alert than if you are uncomfortable. Your peripheral vision will decrease immensely if you are cold. :lecturef_smilie:
Click to expand...

Good ideas except the speed limit or lower idea. ALL speed limits are set too low. On the interstate I run 8 mph over and that is usually the case on 4 lanes. On 2 lanes and back roads where the limit is usually 30 or 40 mph I run about 20 mph over. If speed limits were set the way they were supposed to be set (85 percentile) I would stay close to them.
 
dndfindley said:
Good ideas except the speed limit or lower idea. ALL speed limits are set too low. On the interstate I run 8 mph over and that is usually the case on 4 lanes. On 2 lanes and back roads where the limit is usually 30 or 40 mph I run about 20 mph over. If speed limits were set the way they were supposed to be set (85 percentile) I would stay close to them.
Click to expand...

Sorry... I've got to call you out on this one. :shocked:
What makes you think of that, as "Safe"? :dontknow:
 
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