Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b.

[Hawk62cj5]

Yep time for some mods to shut that crap down .

[DAKEZ]

Agree.

[Ahboon]

Originally Posted by MotoMusicMark

I'm doing some research on what would be more helpful to know at a person’s start in motorcycling versus learning it over years in the "school of hard knocks".

Things like..."Don't transport a bike on the centerstand. It might break the frame". or "Standing up on the pegs or at least putting more pressure on them makes the bike less top heavy and better to control at low speed".

Could you help my research by answering the following question...”What did you wish someone told you about motorcycling when you first started out?”

Thanks. Mark Tillack
Brinkhaven, OH(USA)

Hello Fellow Riders:
I am new to this Forum but not to motorcycling. (71 Years of age and 53 years of motorcycling).
One vital lesson (inter alia) I have learnt and yet to see mentioned is the relative angle between vehicles at intersections/cross-roads, particularly rural roads crossing a highway. On a Highway, as you approach a crossing rural/secondary/county road: -
CHECK THE ANGLE BETWEEN YOU AND ANY APPROACHING VEHICLE ON THE RURAL ROAD.
IF THE ANGLE DOES NOT CHANGE YOU WILL ARRIVE AT THE INTERSECTION AT THE SAME TIME.
"Hayseed Hank" in his '78 F100 may not see you because you are "shadowed" by a door pillar, mirror or some such and will remain so until the last second. Hank is in the habit of not stopping at the "Stop" sign if he thinks the road is clear so will just cruise right on through crossing the highway at his normal speed....!
(Apologies to anyone named Hank or Hayseed, etc.)

Cheers,
Ahboon
[There is no joy in arrival, but there is in JOurneY]

[JRWooden]

Originally Posted by Ahboon

IF THE ANGLE DOES NOT CHANGE YOU WILL ARRIVE AT THE INTERSECTION AT THE SAME TIME.

That's Great....
I'd never thought about it that way ......... THANKS!

[Apertureguy]

Only thing I have to offer is what I was told...

Enjoy the ride, but always dress for the crash.

[LuciferMutt]

Originally Posted by Ahboon

IF THE ANGLE DOES NOT CHANGE YOU WILL ARRIVE AT THE INTERSECTION AT THE SAME TIME.

This is a very old sea/boating navigation technique that is still used today in many different ways.

To put it another way, the visual technique for small boats is to observe the motion of the background/horizon in relation to the boat in question. If that boat is moving faster than the horizon appears to moving (from your viewpoint in another moving boat), then that boat will cross your path before you get there. If it appears to be moving slower than the horizon appears to be moving, you will pass in front of him. If it appears to be locked with the horizon, ie no differential movement between the two, you are on a collision course.

[geolpilot]

We use the same thing with airplanes, but in three dimensions.

[LuciferMutt]

Originally Posted by geolpilot

We use the same thing with airplanes, but in three dimensions.

Makes sense.

To be honest, I've never given it much thought while riding. There are very few instances where I can see another vehicle for long enough on a straight enough intersecting road to make any useful predictions. Plus most drivers speed and slow down randomly and or rapidly, you really never know WHAT the hell they are up to.

[hscrugby]

Originally Posted by LuciferMutt

Makes sense.

To be honest, I've never given it much thought while riding. There are very few instances where I can see another vehicle for long enough on a straight enough intersecting road to make any useful predictions. Plus most drivers speed and slow down randomly and or rapidly, you really never know WHAT the hell they are up to.

You can pull my driving record to see at any given time my speed will fluctuate 20+mph. My theory on predictions of other people is assume they will never notice me and are liable to drive into me at any point. Sadly I follow that same belief in my lifted Jeep Wrangler, and even more depressing, I get hit MORE in the jeep than I do on the bike. :( Amazing how a giant black jeep is invisible when it's in a parking lot or at a red light. (been hit at least 10-15 times in parking lots)

[slide]

Originally Posted by Ahboon

Hello Fellow Riders:
I am new to this Forum but not to motorcycling. (71 Years of age and 53 years of motorcycling).
One vital lesson (inter alia) I have learnt and yet to see mentioned is the relative angle between vehicles at intersections/cross-roads, particularly rural roads crossing a highway. On a Highway, as you approach a crossing rural/secondary/county road: -
CHECK THE ANGLE BETWEEN YOU AND ANY APPROACHING VEHICLE ON THE RURAL ROAD.
IF THE ANGLE DOES NOT CHANGE YOU WILL ARRIVE AT THE INTERSECTION AT THE SAME TIME.

You are dead bang wrong, here fellow. You are on a fixed roadway so the angles NEVER change. What varies is apparent SPEED.

If the apparent speed of the other is faster than you, then you will pass behind him. Slower and you will pass in front of him. If there is NO or little difference in apparent speed, you will CRASH.

I'm amazed you are still alive old timer but also wonder if others who you've advised are doing as well.

[Moving Pictures]

Originally Posted by slide

You are dead bang wrong, here fellow. You are on a fixed roadway so the angles NEVER change. What varies is apparent SPEED.

If the apparent speed of the other is faster than you, then you will pass behind him. Slower and you will pass in front of him. If there is NO or little difference in apparent speed, you will CRASH.

I'm amazed you are still alive old timer but also wonder if others who you've advised are doing as well.

Dear doG, don't teach children geometry.

[dukedinner]

maybe this has been said before in the thread, but

Stay away from groups of cars..pull over and let those stacked up behind you pass...don't follow too closely any groups of cars stacked up in front..All the hotheads are travelling in those packs..this method has saved my ass many times...I think instructors say to ride in the bubble between traffic?

[Ahboon]

Originally Posted by slide

You are dead bang wrong, here fellow. You are on a fixed roadway so the angles NEVER change. What varies is apparent SPEED.

If the apparent speed of the other is faster than you, then you will pass behind him. (The relative angle will become more acute) Slower and you will pass in front of him. (The relative angle will become less acute) If there is NO or little difference in apparent speed, you will CRASH. (The relative angle remains the same)

I'm amazed you are still alive old timer but also wonder if others who you've advised are doing as well.

To exercise this technique you need at least one eye. Maybe that is your problem?

If I am "dead bang wrong" how come I am alive, saved by this oberservation on more than one occasion, and contributing to this thread? (Contributing from the grave perhaps?)

[Ahboon]

Originally Posted by geolpilot

We use the same thing with airplanes, but in three dimensions.

Quite: and I held a Pilot Licence for 25 years as well.

[ER70S-2]

Originally Posted by Ahboon

To exercise this technique you need at least one eye. Maybe that is your problem?

If I am "dead bang wrong" how come I am alive, saved by this oberservation on more than one occasion, and contributing to this thread? (Contributing from the grave perhaps?)

Doesn't look like you need any help, but: the only reason I don't put slide on the ignore list; some of the shit he says is............well..........entertaining.
Welcome to the site, I'm 65 in two weeks.