Riding tips and experiences

[film495]

Was just thinking about this - getting tires put on my bike, so - just mentally going over this year vs. last year which was my first year riding a motorcycle. One real thing I find different this year, is the kind of standard behavior of most cars you run accross. my example

around here anyway, in non peak driving times - rush hour etc. - then all bets are off, but usually most drivers will give you what I just think of as the Motorcycle buffer, they give you extra space than a Tin Box ... generally are more than 100 feet behind you if they are following you, and in rotaries, where people will sort of roll through, on my bike, I see them usually come to a full stop when they seem me on the bike in the rotary.

autos that don't sort of act the same as the others, anything out of the ordinary is a driver who is a danger to me is how I see it, well more than everyone else, tailgaters I just go faster, but generally let them go ... in the rotary, I mentally would have 2 options if an auto went - I can brake and veer hard and kind of ride the inside edge of the rotary, or brake hard - and quickly turn behind them - but, if they jam their brakes on in a full driving eff show, I'd likely broad side them if I didn't turn hard enough.

Just from riding experience - what are some things you've picked up on, that you didn't expect? Mine is that most drivers give you sort of an extra buffer space on a bike, but - really, there are some percent of drivers who appear to really not care a whit if they run you down or right off the road.

[tomeben]

Don’t assume any other driver sees you!
Drive defensively always, anticipate what if they don’t see me?
Leave yourself a buffer zone, and an escape - where do I go if… ?
It’s also easy to get comfortable, try not to. Don’t ride rigid with clenched fists, but be aware.
Be safe!


Tom - 1982 CM450E

[ancientdad]

Moved to Tips and Tricks section.

I learned long ago to look everywhere within a 180° field of vision. I ride constantly looking around, watching for ANYTHING that moves - feet or wheels visible under parked cars in parking lots near the road you're on, intersections where full view is not easily seen, cars approaching stop signs or traffic lights at a speed that might indicate they plan to roll through it or right-on-red without looking closely, looking at least 500 to 600 feet ahead while most car drivers are focused on the vehicle right in front of them. The car driver mentality in the last 5 to 10 years has been constantly in a hurry as if by habit, so they ride closer to whoever they're following than they ever should in an effort to get that so-valuable one car further ahead in their little "race" to get where they're going. I do not get the sense in my area that anyone is giving me a buffer and I do not take anything for granted. As they say, "head on a swivel", constantly on guard for anything that could move into your path.

[Alan F.]

Also remember that NH has a lot of bikes, and even more people with at least some respect for people who ride. Look for out of state plates and add extra caution when interacting with tourists. There are lots of YouTube videos about the nuances of riding a motorcycle, some of them are very useful.

[film495]

the ones that kind of annoy me by being too carefull, are autos that will stop when they have the right of way and wave you to go. I really don't want to pull out in front of them, and if they are going my way, don't want them behind me, but they think they are being nice.

[ancientdad]

I'm wary of all of it, including what you just pointed out. It is a great point that some states are much more tourist involved than others and I'm guessing the tourist involvement in Florida, plus the continuing influx of new residents as they seem to move here in droves, is a big part of the typical car driver demeanor and habits around me. I've always believed (and been roundly criticized for in the past as well) that if bike riders expect a certain level of respect from car drivers, they should afford that same level of respect to car drivers. This is why I'm not really in favor of filtering, or lane-splitting, as I know it annoys (or sometimes, these days, enrages) car drivers and is just another thing about bikes that makes car drivers potentially respect them less and possibly even be angered by them, which can lead to less than friendly behavior from a car driver. It hasn't happened to me in years, but I have had car drivers act indignant and even offensive at times for no reason when I've been in traffic with them.

[tomeben]

I agree with respect all the way around. I’m pleased when it happens, but I don’t assume or expect it’s coming, even from other riders.

Also, if you’re riding rural roads especially, but even on some city roads, there are critters running about… I’ve heard stories of turtles taking down a bike, squirrels can’t make up their minds, and deer are no contest.
We all know, or have heard of, someone killed or seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Please be more careful than you think you should be. I’d rather not read obituaries here.


Tom - 1982 CM450E

[LongDistanceRider]

Animals: Squirrels tend to be suicidal, run in front of you and when clear turn around and run back, just relax and expect that you'll run over one. Don't try to avoid them or brake.
Be mindful of migration periods when moose, elk, deer are changing location in the Spring and Fall when riding in mountain areas.
Dusk and dawn are very common travel times for all animals.
Deer almost always freeze up when they see a bright light if they're on the road. If off to the side then fully expect them to jump out in front of you. Beeping the horn will have 1 of 2 results, they run away or wander out in front.
If passing Elk go by quickly, they seem to like chasing motorcycles and they are very fast for short distances.
If you get stuck by a herd of buffalo turn the bike off and freeze on the seat, unless they try to nuzzle you.
Beware of seagulls flying low over the roadway, they won't see you until impact.

[Richard Pitman]

Assume that all other drivers are blind or otherwise unaware of your presence. Don't sit in the middle of your lane, constantly move about, makes you more visible.

Don't get in their blind spot. I was in my own traffic lane, along side what you would call a panel van. He was slightly ahead of me, changed lanes suddenly, knocked me down.

Lane splitting is legal in the UK. We call it 'filtering', main reason for riding a bike on our congested roads, but as above, keep out of blind spots and don't ride much faster than the traffic flow, always someone about to change lanes or do a U turn without seeing you.

Extra care at side road junctions, cars pulling out or turning across you.

Modern cars don't help. My S-Max has massive A pillars which really block my side views, I have to physically lean forward or back see around them, easy to not see a car, let alone a bike.

SMIDSY - Sorry mate, I didn't see you.

I personally don't believe that 'loud pipes save lives', not convinced about day time headlights or hi viz clothing either.

[film495]

I wear an open face helmet and goggles. There are some roads that are fun around here, but they go past some wetland areas. I avoid them within a few hours of sunset now. Riding through there, there are so many bugs - they get all in my helmet - and it takes a lot of focus to have many large insects cralwling around in your helmet, to slowly pull over, stop correctly and then relase the swarm stuck in a helmet. At lease it hasn't been deer flies or horse flies ...

[tomeben]

Another thing about deer, at least the ones that roam around here; they move in groups, and with their young in the Spring and early Summer. If you see one, be prepared there is another following.
Just last week, not on the motorcycle, I saw a deer cross the road ahead of me and I slowed by habit. Sure enough, as I approached where it had disappeared into the woods, out pops a fawn right into the road without a care in the world but following Mama.


Tom - 1982 CM450E

[crazypj]

You only need to remember that 'everyone and everything' is out to kill you (even if only by accident)

Several years ago (2010~11?) I put a Go-Pro on my helmet.
I was pretty surprised just how much I was constantly 'scanning' for 'things' and checking side roads, driveways, etc.
After that, I mounted it on fork leg so video was 'watchable'

[ALBeix]

Moved to Tips and Tricks section.

I learned long ago to look everywhere within a 180° field of vision. I ride constantly looking around, watching for ANYTHING that moves - feet or wheels visible under parked cars in parking lots near the road you're on, intersections where full view is not easily seen, cars approaching stop signs or traffic lights at a speed that might indicate they plan to roll through it or right-on-red without looking closely, looking at least 500 to 600 feet ahead while most car drivers are focused on the vehicle right in front of them. The car driver mentality in the last 5 to 10 years has been constantly in a hurry as if by habit, so they ride closer to whoever they're following than they ever should in an effort to get that so-valuable one car further ahead in their little "race" to get where they're going. I do not get the sense in my area that anyone is giving me a buffer and I do not take anything for granted. As they say, "head on a swivel", constantly on guard for anything that could move into your path.

I second what Ancient Dad stated above. In addition on my Goldwing I added a set of Bright LED blinking lights that are activated by hitting the brakes as seen HERE. These created all sorts of discussion on the Goldwing forum as to legality but I went ahead and installed them and ran all summer with them figuring that it is easier to get forgiveness than permission. I had zero problems with John Law but also has several instances where it was obvious that a cage driver about to enter my lane suddenly registered the lights and clamped on the binders. In addition it appears that wildlife seem to freeze in place or retreat to these "strange lights" as you approach them.

Before the summer was done I also added the same thing in red on the back of the bike. The lights I used are as seen HERE They come from China and are very inexpensive at about $10.00 Cdn. I suspect with a bit of digging a similar product could be found in North America or built up easily enough by someone with electronics knowledge.