| Safe riding tips | Rate Topic |
| Moderators: redbaron, MDKramer, Flyone, AZgl1500 | Page:   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ...   |
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| Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2007 04:32 am | 61st Post |
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deradler1 wrote: Another tip is whenever I am coming up to a green light that I have been watching and I think might turn I look at the pedestrian signs on the poles on the corner. If they are flashing red, I slow down. Most of our crosswalk light are white to cross, flashing red when they want you to hurry up a bit, then solid red as the light is about to change. I watch them too.
____________________ "To know what is right and not act accordingly is the worst cowardice." - Confucius "Words, unwritten, have no value." - Caius Merlinus Brittanicus '90 Caramel Blue 1500 |
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| Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2007 05:30 pm | 62nd Post |
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I too keep an eye on the pedestrian light at intersections. But that is just one quick piece of information I need to pass safely. This is another case where the fast lane is best. As I approach the intersection, I ASSUME there will be someone trying to run the red light in one of three directions. I am in the center of the path so I have the most room and therefore time to impact. I try to set my position so that I'm not locked in to a single path. If I am, that is the only time I slow down. Otherwise, I want to maintain my speed to allow faster diversions to a new route and around existing traffic. You have to be able to see all this before you enter the intersection so you are down to a couple of alternates when you enter it. The rest is just a matter of scanning quickly left and right and that the oncoming left turner isn't moving, looking for that flying object. Ideally, I like to follow a car through on the fast lane with exit options on at least the right side. The car in front of me pins the oncoming left turner for me. He also adds presence for anyone trying to enter from the right or someone blasting through from the side. All I have to do is watch the car in front while riding in his visibility vortex and be ready to divert left or right beside him, into the holes I try to have, if I get a red light runner or he decides he's stopping right after the intersection. Close enough to ride behind and just far enough behind to divert left or right. The pedestrian light just gives you a clue as to how the scenario might be played by others involved. Remember, you don't exist.
____________________ Rudy RudysProducts Info: Due to recent declining health, I have decided to pass Rudy's Products on to a nearby friend who will be trained to do it right. As a result, product availability will be hit or miss during the transition, both at the web store and at Cyclemax. SmartLights are discontinued with the possibility of occasional small batches being made if there is interest. The transition will be gradual and I will continue to make items as I am able. Please expect extended delivery times. If you have a specific need, please let me know and I will attempt to accommodate you. I thank you all for your friendship, support and loyalty. |
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| Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2007 09:16 pm | 63rd Post |
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Rudy wrote:Ideally, I like to follow a car through on the fast lane with exit options on at least the right side. You and me both, brother..... I use as many of those metal Guardians as my Angels can provide for me. On the 3+ lane intersections, I like to be in #2 lane. When the light goes green, I let #1 and #3 lanes pull out first and stick their nose in it. Then, after I can see behind the rear of each, and know it is clear left and right, I go through with them. A quick twist of the throttle and I am in front of them so I can see both right and left all the way down the street to the next intersection. Hopefully, I timed it right to catch the green and I coast though with foot/hands on brakes and 5-10 seconds after the green. That kind of exercise to diligence has kept me away from the contact sport of greeting the cagers first hand. Hopefully, my Angel will stay with me and not let me "fall asleep" on the job of watching for the one that is "out to get you".
____________________ John |
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 01:16 am | 64th Post |
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At work, the entire company is going through a series of lectures titled "Safe Start Training". The main theme of the training is: Mind on task It seems that those that ride bikes are more attuned to this than any cager only because of the potential danger envolved in riding a bike. However, after going through about 60% of the training and thinking about these two idea, I have come to the following conclusion. We simply need to define what "task" means in reference to what we're doing. It could be one thing at work, another at home and another when we mount up for a ride on our GW's.
____________________ Bob It's not the destination in life that matters. It's the journey and the friends that you make along the way. "We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". ~George Orwell Member: GWRRA Patriot Guard Rider Warrior's Watch Rider Saddle Sore 1000 Certified 2009 Run For The Wall |
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 07:37 pm | 65th Post |
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Hi all, Firstly can I say what an awesome site this is - full of excellent information. I have always adopted the principle that all other drivers cannot see me and even if they can they are still going to try and kill me. 
____________________ Pat ____________________________________________ My previous babies: Yamaha DT50 Honda CB250 Superdream Kawasaki GPZ550 Kawasaki GPX250 Suzuki GS500E Suzuki RF600 BMW R1100RT |
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 08:24 pm | 66th Post |
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I caught this article in our local newspaper this morning: Chandler, AZ evtribune.com a 33 year old Chandler man suffered life-threatening injuries Thursday in a motorcycle crash. Chandler police spokesman Detective Frank Mendoza said Greg Sexton was riding west on Hawken Way when he failed to negotiate a curve at Arrowhead Drive and crashed into landscaping and a wall. After I read that report, I wondered what the circumstances could be. I pulled up a map of the area and from that, I can only deduce that this guy was driving way over the speed limit, and obviously his skill level. As this is a Safety Thread, I thought it appropriate to include some analysis of incidents we hear about. Maybe by dissecting these, we can learn from them. Attachment: Hawken Way - Arrowhead Dr.jpg (Downloaded 307 times)
____________________ John |
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 08:27 pm | 67th Post |
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Hi Pat and welcome to the site.  Can't beat a member who keeps his site name simple... even this old fox should be able to remember that one!!! I see you aren't too far afield from us, so maybe we will catch up on the road sometime. Perhaps you woud like to join us for the Meet and Greet scheduled for next August in North Wales. Details on the events forum.  Keep assuming you are invisible and that will keep you safest. Enjoy the forums and visit often.
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 08:49 pm | 68th Post |
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Got to have been either going too fast or lost concentration completely.  Only other explanation might be an oncoming vehicle, turning too wide , forcing him to divert and crash, which incidentally has happened to me, with fairly disasterous results.
____________________ Pete http://www.rblr.co.uk '06 GL1800 '77 GL1000 Executive |
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 04:47 am | 69th Post |
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You know my friends, it is the one thing every country, no matter how big or small, has in common, and thats those on the road that only think of them selves. I ride with every part of me on high alert. It is so easy to get "in with the ride" but as soon as traffic appears trust no one. Keep safe all.
____________________ I TRAVEL,NOT TO GET ANYWHERE, BUT TO GO."I TRAVEL FOR TRAVELS SAKE" |
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 05:29 pm | 70th Post |
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A good tactic when riding open road and you see cross traffic, or on coming traffic....move the bike left/right a foot or so...maintain your track or shift lane tracks...the human eye will pick up this movement quicker than any thing else...better than switching from low beam to high beam or visa versa. Makes you less invisible.
____________________ ___________________________________ Eric 1990 Goldwing SE (Pearl White) 2009 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic Dark Blue Pearl |
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 05:32 pm | 71st Post |
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AZgll1500...that crash is so familiar....investigated several similar..the common denominator....speed, alcohol...probably at night?
____________________ ___________________________________ Eric 1990 Goldwing SE (Pearl White) 2009 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic Dark Blue Pearl |
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 09:26 pm | 72nd Post |
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Pat wrote: Firstly can I say what an awesome site this is - full of excellent information. Hey Pat  You have just stated the most true words  that you will ever speak highlighted in Red and just to add to your statement, the first words that will come out of their filthy mouth    after they have knocked you down is "sorry I didn't see you"  
____________________ "Redwing" "The Rider Of The Fastest Colour" "Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion" |
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| Posted: Sun Sep 30th, 2007 11:19 pm | 73rd Post |
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Eric in Lincoln wrote: AZgll1500...that crash is so familiar....investigated several similar..the common denominator....speed, alcohol...probably at night? I'm guessing it was in the night time hours, however, the newspaper article didn't say. I quoted it verbatim as printed. It was one of the "news in briefs this week" kind of summaries our local paper does. If you look at the satellite photo closely, there is evidence of something having gouged out a nice little groove in the pavement near that intersection. Can we call it an "intersection" ? It's a right angle turn in the road.
____________________ John |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 2nd, 2007 04:08 am | 74th Post |
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cldryder wrote: (many times I've wished for a sign "THE CLEAR SPACE IN FRONT OF ME IS FOR SAFETY, NOT SO YOU CAN PASS!!!!) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This one really hits home for me!!! I'd love to have that put on the front of my dump truck in reverse so the idiots filling the spot can read it in their mirror and maybe get the hell out of my space!!!  Last edited on Tue Oct 2nd, 2007 04:09 am by longhaireddwb ____________________ Beige 98 S.E. http://usera.imagecave.com/longhaireddwb/New-1500SE/ |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 2nd, 2007 04:48 am | 75th Post |
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longhaireddwb wrote: cldryder wrote: Ah, but the problem there is they don't look in the mirror. They're too busy eating, drinking, talking on the phone, listening to crazy music as loud as it'll go, putting on makeup, reading movie magazines, changing their clothes, etc., etc.
____________________ Larry G. 1985 GL1200 Interstate Previous bikes: 1971 Suzuki Hustler 250 1973 Yamaha RD 350 1982 Yamaha Seca 650 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 |
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| Posted: Tue Oct 2nd, 2007 07:49 pm | 76th Post |
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Larry G. wrote:
That reminds me of when I was on active duty at FT Campbell, I was at the Waffle House one morning and a cop I knew was telling me that the day before, they caught a cage driver at 95 mph changing out of his PT clothes and into his uniform. Talk about multitasking! Gene
____________________ Gene Lester Present Bikes: 2005 GL1800 Pearl Yellow "Banana Bike" 1981 GL1100 "Loud pipes don't save lives, they just annoy everyone" "A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of up to and including their life." (Author unknown) Proud member of the "World Famous" Wild Rhinos Arkansas Chapter Darksider #265 |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 7th, 2007 03:25 pm | 77th Post |
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One thing I always do is remember I am merely a bug compared to automobiles. No matter what I do in coming into contact with a car or truck I will always come out the loser. Period. Second, I always assume nobody can see me, as stated on multiple threads above. Therefore I do all I can to increase their awareness of me: flashing lights, honking the horn, running with my foglights on - all to make them aware but still assuming they can't see me. Yesterday I was in the passing lane passing Annapolis, MD and two sport bikes were racing and a little low-rider was following, racing as well. I wasn't aware of the car until I moved into the right lane to make room for any other sport bikes, then the low-rider moved into the same space from the right. I immediately pushed my left handlebar and vacated the space, even though I was there first, remembering rule #1. Third, I always remember that the world can be a kinder, gentler place as I always am kind to others, motioning them in if they're trying to get into my lane, waiting for slower drivers to pass in parking lots, generally being helpful whenever and wherever I am. I am constantly amazed at how scared many drivers are, they have a panicked look on their face - I help these folks the most. The aggressive drivers here in the Washington DC area cow the 'scared' drivers, not letting them out of the merge lane, for instance, so I make it a point to let them in (when it is safe). My last point is that the Goldwing is a 900 pound behemoth that handles as nimbly as a sport bike when moving, but when I slow down or stop I make it a point to remember that it is 900 pounds and can easily tip over. Last edited on Sun Oct 7th, 2007 03:26 pm by joelhar ____________________ v/r Joel 2007 Silver GL 1800 |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 7th, 2007 03:30 pm | 78th Post |
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Broke Winger wrote:Something else I do. When passing an eighteen wheeler ont eh interstate I pull up fairly close behind it in the same lane, this lets me slip through the slistream of displaced air behind him, this make acceleration easier when I pop out from behind him in the other lane it takes a very little twist of the trottle to speed up by five or ten miles perhour just coming out of that slipstream. I strongly recommend not following an eighteen wheeler in the same lane, as their tires tend to disintegrate and explode at the most unpredictable times. I can't count the number of times I have been near a truck, either in my SUV or my bike, when I have heard a loud pop and seen chunks of tire flying out to the side or the rear. These chunks are large enough to take your head off...
____________________ v/r Joel 2007 Silver GL 1800 |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 7th, 2007 05:05 pm | 79th Post |
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joelhar wrote: I strongly recommend not following an eighteen wheeler in the same lane, as their tires tend to disintegrate and explode at the most unpredictable times. I can't count the number of times I have been near a truck, either in my SUV or my bike, when I have heard a loud pop and seen chunks of tire flying out to the side or the rear. These chunks are large enough to take your head off... Ditto. A lot of states allow retread tires on tractor-trailer rigs. IMO, this is a very dangerous situation. They come apart like a bomb when they fail. If you're in the way, the pieces could kill you. Also, a lot of trailers aren't maintained well and can cause more havoc. I know a guy who's car got hit when a whole axle assembly came off of a trailer. He was hurt pretty badly, but survived. If he'd been on a motorcycle, he'd have probably been killed.
____________________ Larry G. 1985 GL1200 Interstate Previous bikes: 1971 Suzuki Hustler 250 1973 Yamaha RD 350 1982 Yamaha Seca 650 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 7th, 2007 08:19 pm | 80th Post |
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Silverfox wrote: Lane changers are another one to watch out for, especially the many foreign lorry drivers that frequent our roads, with left hand drive vehicles, they often cannot see us as we are passing them and pull out suddenly. I have had this happen on more than one occasion and even when driving a big van. Hey Silverfox thats cause those baskets dont use their mirrors properly or not used at all
____________________ "Redwing" "The Rider Of The Fastest Colour" "Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion" |
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