Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b.

[duck]

Originally Posted by daq7

Another important noob thing to know is that a lot of the stuff people tell you is not true.

Liar!

[zrxmoto]

Originally Posted by Mellow802

Great thread. Lots of solid advice. I always rode dirtbikes and I'm comfortable on the trail but road riding sketches me out sometimes people are just way too unpredictable.

It just takes time to get used to it. I love riding around the city and exploring neighborhoods.

It can often seem like people are unpredictable. I would say however that it is very predictable that some people will do something unpredictable. Expect the unexpected. Learn to find those people while you're riding and keep them in your personal radar.

When I'm riding down the street my #1 thing is that I'm enjoying the ride. Riding a motorcycle is fun first and foremost. But I always have my little personal radar going: The guy is front of me is talking on the cell phone, the teenager is looking at her latest text message, the person behind me seems to be in a rush and is tail gating.

Try hard to not let yourself be surprised. Recognize the warning signs and make an intervention. Make sure that things you do to ride the bike: starting, braking, accelerating, etc. are completely automatic. That way you have your full attention to devote to what's going on around you and enjoying that ride down the boulevard.

I'm not one to post and complain about crazy cagers and stupid drivers. As soon as I start doing that I'll back out of the driveway one morning into the path of my neighbor on his Goldwing. I've certainly pulled a bone-headed move or two.

[60pan]

if you see some motorcops running drills, go ask to join, they might say yes...anyway

wow, thats alot of tips there guys, I cant read them all but some nice helpful stuff. here is my contribution, hope its not a repeat & some folks can put this to practice.
I spend 99% of my time in the city in traffic & shit goes bad fast.
Here is the drill, its called the brake & escape you can find it on youtube etc. ...
get your speed up to 40mph & then SLAM on the brakes, come to a complete stop turn bars full lock left or right & get the heck outta there.

This drill trains you for the very common MC sandwich where traffic has stopped & you must make a emergency stop & keeping your feet up make your escape so the next car wont rear end you. itsa basic drill but also easy to practice & gets you in tune with your 90degree turnouts....an emergency swerve can be added in the beginning followed by the brake & escape....the keyhole & other drills cops hit will help you master low speed full lock turns

and I know it was said before .... laying it down is a crash .. read the conditions , adjust speed & you'll be more ready to ride right through danger

in conclusion new or old bikers ..party on

edit.. here are a couple quotes from the MSF http://www.msf-usa.org/CurriculumMat...71_noprint.pdf

"Good riders consciously reduce crash-producing factors they contribute into the traffic mix"

"Swerving to avoid a crash may be appropriate if stopping isn't a solution. Research has shown that at speeds above about 18mph, a motorcycle can swerve to avoid a car-sized obstacle in less distance than it takes to stop."

"Dogs sometimes chase motorcycles."

and since alot of us will be riding at night this summer I liked this also..
"Overriding the headlight -- riding at a speed for which total stopping distance exceeds sight distance available"
__________________

[IheartmyNx]

Originally Posted by 60pan

This drill trains you for the very common MC sandwich where traffic has stopped & you must make a emergency stop & keeping your feet up make your escape so the next car wont rear end you.

[60pan]

Originally Posted by IheartmyNx

that poor sob had no chance from this camera angle....all the training, gear, etc wont protect you when its time....
the only thing I can really see or say is maybe the double yellow was his esacpe, but it looked like he never saw it coming & the truck was focused on avoiding the car..never saw the bike until the second before the collision

[IheartmyNx]

I don't know where I picked it up, but I don't have to be trained on what's behind me.

I guess it was all those years of working on a road and having rule #1 drilled into me. NEVER, Never ever ever turn your back to traffic...


But then I moved here and it's like all the rules one should know, are thrown right out the window with the "I'll just hire a lawyer" mentality.


I've never seen or thought ppl could do and get away with the things they do here till I saw it with my own two eyes... Man, the stories I could tell.

Bottom line, keep your head moving "Head on a gimbal" and never ever ever assume someone will be looking out for you.

After all, to them that's what lawyers are for.



EDIT: And oh, if I was Mr. Limp Dick Ford Ranger man, I'da assumed a protective position with my truck as a buffer, before the biker...

Thata way, if an errant car was to come it'd hit my truck instead. Fkn people

[Lesswheelsmorefun]

bikes don't stop quickly in the rain

[60pan]

Originally Posted by IheartmyNx

EDIT: And oh, if I was Mr. Limp Dick Ford Ranger man, I'da assumed a protective position with my truck as a buffer, before the biker...

Thata way, if an errant car was to come it'd hit my truck instead. Fkn people

I actually thought he was doing that.... maybe only emergency responders and construction crews know about protecting an area with a vehicle ... I know guys that park the firetruck almost sideways to protect the scence....whos cares about traffic jams, somebody needs help....and why didnt the other bikes stop, its a fresh accident with a down bike....even if the rider is being helped, many folks dont know anything about motorcycles & us as bikers passing by could help with at least the bike....
anyways, new guys, or old, if I'm down & the big trucks with flashing lights arent there yet, please stop...its nice to see other riders when you're hurt, & its really nice to see a biker helping your bike when you cant.

[ocived]

I would say riding dirt bikes helped me to learn how to control the bike in squiffy situations. Dirt bike classes are available. As far as street riding goes wear your gear, and assume the car and truck drivers don't see you. Watch for tire rotation at cross street stopped autos. Nothing beats a full face helmet. hope this helps.

[inthemountains]

Turn off your blinker already...

If I had a nickel for every time I've seen it or done it, well, I'd have me a second bike.

Seriously, it's just asking for a cage to pull out of that McDonald's right in front of you.

[EastKY_DO]

After a long (25 year) hiatus from riding I felt almost like a noob when I got back in the saddle. I come here on most days and read much more than I post. After reading I try to remember and apply something that I read here that made sense. It has helped me in getting back in the groove with riding. It's amazing how good it feels, like being resurrected!

Thanks to all of you!

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by 60pan

that poor sob had no chance from this camera angle....all the training, gear, etc wont protect you when its time....
the only thing I can really see or say is maybe the double yellow was his esacpe, but it looked like he never saw it coming & the truck was focused on avoiding the car..never saw the bike until the second before the collision

He should have seen it coming and escaped. Mirrors are there for more than lane changes.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by Lesswheelsmorefun

bikes don't stop quickly in the rain

That is why a proficient rider slows down on wet roads.

[IheartmyNx]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

He should have seen it coming and escaped. Mirrors are there for more than lane changes.

amazing how "doh de-doh, I'm cruising along at 45 and now have to make a quick-stop... And I don't care about what's behind me" has escaped the mental grasp of common sense in most ppl these days...


But alas. It's prolly just a product of our over litigious "I'll just get a lawyer and sue yer ass" mentality we all can be so thankful for today.

The 1st day I ever worked on a road my foremen only had to tell me once, never turn your back to traffic.

and that, IMO applies to both working it and using it for transpo.


Bottom, common sense, line... You can't sue shit if yer dead.

[60pan]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

He should have seen it coming and escaped. Mirrors are there for more than lane changes.

Maybe, at least he was walking away. If mirrors were a wearable part, I would have to replace mine allthe time, I use them like my life depends on it.