Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b.

[shaddix]

Ok. Something I Don't get.

This idea that you should ride faster than traffic on the interstate so people see you. I completely disagree with this and would like to understand where this thought comes from.

I will postulate, that maintaining around you cages that have demonstrated safe habits is far safer than passing everyone on the road. This is assuming traffic is so thick there's not miles of free space, but thin enough that you're not simply boxed in. I would much rather ride in front of a vehicle that I have observed pays attention to the road and leaves excellent following distance than passing every random person.

[JRWooden]

My theory is that you need to NOT maintain a constant relative position to other vehicles....
If you do ... they forget you are there after a while..............

It doesn't need to be a dramatic over-the-top effort, but to the extent possible, when running in traffic:
Speed up a bit, slow down a bit, switch lanes etc.... this keeps you fresh in the other driver's minds.

[tallpaul63]

Perhaps previously mentioned, but...

We get into our cars because we must, because it's time to be somewhere else, almost regardless of our mental state. Tired, frustrated, distracted, stressed... doesn't matter, we drive anyways.

I think we need to approach motorcycling somewhat differently. They require us to be on top of our game, and are relatively unforgiving of mistakes. So we need to consider whether we're ready to ride: rested, composed, healthy, alert, well fed and hydrated. This becomes apparent when you've been in the saddle for too long, and perhaps haven't taken enough breaks. Fatigue leads to mistakes, and you have to have the awareness to take care of yourself in time, before you get hurt.

So far my mistakes have only hurt my ego. A bit of humility can be a good thing.

If you're a n00b and really don't know bikes yet, forget about what you think you know about performance figures in bike specifications.

When I first looked at bikes, I was concerned that the BMW G650GS might not have enough power. It's about 400 pounds and has 50 horsepower. I ended up getting a V-Star 650 which I really enjoy. I knew it weighs 500+ pounds, but until about a week ago I didn't have any idea just how much power it had other than what the seat of my pants told me. I only knew that it has plenty until I found out via a Dynojet mobile dyno that it's only got 33 horsepower and 34 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel That G650GS sounds like a pretty quick bike in comparison

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by shaddix

Motorcycles owned currently none
Ok. Something I Don't get.

This idea that you should ride faster than traffic on the interstate so people see you. I completely disagree with this and would like to understand where this thought comes from.

I will postulate, that maintaining around you cages that have demonstrated safe habits is far safer than passing everyone on the road. This is assuming traffic is so thick there's not miles of free space, but thin enough that you're not simply boxed in. I would much rather ride in front of a vehicle that I have observed pays attention to the road and leaves excellent following distance than passing every random person.

If that is what works for you in your CAR then keep doing it. In my mind it is folly to go with the flow while riding a motorcycle.

I ride slightly faster than the flow, move around in my lane and change lanes to allow me to maintain this slightly faster speed.

It is not because I want to get there first. It is simply that I want to get there period... A vehicle flowing through (not with) traffic is FAR more visible and noticeable than one simply in it.

Also it is MORE FUN and MORE ENGAGING. When you are going faster than the flow you are forced to pay attention and not be lulled into a sense of complacency. When a rider is focused it is extremely rare for them to get into trouble. (unless they are going far too fast which in not what we are talking about here)

So you just keep driving your cage and telling people who actually ride how you think it should be done.

Jeff

[lemieuxmc]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

If that is what works for you in your CAR then keep doing it. In my mind it is folly to go with the flow while riding a motorcycle.

I ride slightly faster than the flow, move around in my lane and change lanes to allow me to maintain this slightly faster speed.

It is not because I want to get there first. It is simply that I want to get there period... A vehicle flowing through (not with) traffic is FAR more visible and noticeable than one simply in it.

Also it is MORE FUN and MORE ENGAGING. When you are going faster than the flow you are forced to pay attention and not be lulled into a sense of complacency. When a rider is focused it is extremely rare for them to get into trouble. (unless they are going far too fast which in not what we are talking about here)

So you just keep driving your cage and telling people who actually ride how you think it should be done.

Jeff

And there are less cars coming up behind you, and those are gaining on you more slowly.

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

Jeff

DAKEZ

[shaddix]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

If that is what works for you in your CAR then keep doing it. In my mind it is folly to go with the flow while riding a motorcycle.

I ride slightly faster than the flow, move around in my lane and change lanes to allow me to maintain this slightly faster speed.

It is not because I want to get there first. It is simply that I want to get there period... A vehicle flowing through (not with) traffic is FAR more visible and noticeable than one simply in it.

Also it is MORE FUN and MORE ENGAGING. When you are going faster than the flow you are forced to pay attention and not be lulled into a sense of complacency. When a rider is focused it is extremely rare for them to get into trouble. (unless they are going far too fast which in not what we are talking about here)

So you just keep driving your cage and telling people who actually ride how you think it should be done.

Jeff

I do ride, daily... That's a good point about going faster causes you to be more alert. Counterpoint going faster increases damage if you do get into an accident.

Increased visibility vs knowing the cagers around you.. something to think about, thanks.

In a car I don't think it's nearly important what you do, also you're rude :)

[DAKEZ]

Me? Rude?


Nah!

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by shaddix

I do ride, daily... That's a good point about going faster causes you to be more alert. Counterpoint going faster increases damage if you do get into an accident.

Increased visibility vs knowing the cagers around you.. something to think about, thanks.

In a car I don't think it's nearly important what you do, also you're rude :)

Bugger all that visibility stuff.

If you're moving faster than 90% of traffic... 90% of your problems are in front of you.

If you're moving at the same speed as traffic... they're all around you.

[duck]

I just ride faster because it's more fun.

It always bothers me when people say "ride safe." Not only because it is grammatically incorrect (should be ride safely) but also because if I wanted to be safe the last thing I'd do is ride a motorcycle in traffic.

[goatmeal]

Originally Posted by duck

It always bothers me when people say "ride safe." Not only because it is grammatically incorrect (should be ride safely) but also because if I wanted to be safe the last thing I'd do is ride a motorcycle in traffic.

Haha!!! So true!!!

[shaddix]

Its really not that dangerous compared to a car though I thought. There's 2% of accidents can't avoid. But there's another 2% you will avoid simply because you're on a bike that would have nailed you on a car. I don't think the difference is even as big as is commonly thought here

[lemieuxmc]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

Me? Rude?


Nah!

Quite possibly you are also an insensitive prick who thinks that he is some kind of riding God! Been on FacePlant lately?

Oh the humanity...

[duck]

Originally Posted by shaddix

Its really not that dangerous compared to a car though I thought. There's 2% of accidents can't avoid. But there's another 2% you will avoid simply because you're on a bike that would have nailed you on a car. I don't think the difference is even as big as is commonly thought here

The stats are that fatalities per passenger mile (a common transportation safety metric) are roughly 35+ times as high on a motorcycle than in a car. You're much more exposed on a bike than in a car with a steel cage around you, seat belts and air bags.