Staying safe

742 Views 9 Replies 10 Participants Last post by mdbauer1962, Sep 30, 2009

cldryder

Discussion Starter · Sep 29, 2009

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I read the posts about fallen riders like everyone else with great dismay.

However, I don't think our sport carries unacceptable risk if you as a rider take advantage of all the options you have to reduce risk.

On the extreme you have the near naked drunk rider with no training on a 1000cc. sport bike or modded out V-twin with no front brake out showing his buddies how fearless he is. That guy is doing less than nothing to reduce his risk.

Consider:

approx. 50% of all motorcycle accidents are single vehicle accidents. To me this means I can eliminate almost 1/2 of the total risk associated with my favorite past time simply by making sure I don't get in over my head and paying attention to road conditions.

All the times I've heard something like "I came around the curve and there it was (stalled car, oil, gravel, cow, whatever) and there was nothing I could do." I want to berate the speaker for stupidity. that person was completely culpable, over driving a sight line in a curve.

Or the case where something pops out from under a vehicle or falls off a vehicle and causes a crash. That rider was following too close.

Or the case where the bike hydroplanes because the rider was riding in the rain on worn tires ...

Another typical factor is the cagers claim " I never saw him"

Again the rider has multiple options for reducing this threat; hi-v-z clothing, head and tail lite modulators, and, most importantly, an acute awareness of the other drivers.

rider training and many good books are available to educate a rider on these topics. A rider that wants to survive should be making an on-going study of rider safety.

anyway thats my rant for today. I hate to see people hurt and it bugs me that so many of the crashes and injuries were avoidable if the rider was simply more proficient and more aware.

As a final note I simply choose to live with the fact that someday an automobile driver talking on the phone, reading, doing her nails, eating, texting, or whatever might run me over despite my best efforts.

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Lil Pete

· #2 · Sep 29, 2009

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It should seem prudent to prepare for the inevitable as well. Either have sufficient financial means or adequate insurance to cover the medical expenses and property damages. Wearing suitable gear could reduce some of the expenses and discomfort in general.

Most likely though,these suggestions and the above suggestions will "fall on deaf ears." :gunhead::baffled:

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nobbie

· #3 · Sep 29, 2009

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Cagers have target fixation as well. They are mentally looking at the punch clock at work, their stock portfolio, their kid's soccer game etc. This gives them X-ray vision. They see right through you.

Visibility is important but no matter what you do there is the one that won't see you.

A female Ontario Provincial Police officer was severely injured while on a funeral escort on her Harley. Think about it. Loud pipes, flashing lights, a cute babe wearing a gun and the guy didn't see her.

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aht_six

· #4 · Sep 29, 2009

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nobbie wrote:

....Visibility is important but no matter what you do there is the one that won't see you.

A female Ontario Provincial Police officer was severely injured while on a funeral escort on her Harley. Think about it. Loud pipes, flashing lights, a cute babe wearing a gun and the guy didn't see her.

I try to make myself as visible as possible to others on the road. But I still assume I'm invisible to all.

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CaptainMidnight85

· #5 · Sep 29, 2009

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cldryder wrote:

As a final note I simply choose to live with the fact that someday an automobile driver talking on the phone, reading, doing her nails, eating, texting, or whatever might run me over despite my best efforts.

Right-On...

Everybody gets their ticket punched eventually.
No amount of anything will stop it.

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dannyeod

· #6 · Sep 29, 2009

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I think you made a good point that most accidents can be avoided. There's a reason they are called accidents, no one wanted the collision to happen. They sometimes just happen and there's nothing in the world other than not being there could have prevented them.

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a.k.a. hotrod

· #7 · Sep 29, 2009

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aht_six wrote:

I try to make myself as visible as possible to others on the road. But I still assume I'm invisible to all.

i not only assume i'm invisible, but if they CAN see me, they'll get points for running me down.

i also assume that the dumbest thing another driver CAN do, they WILL do. this little gem has saved my bacon countless times on the bike, and more than a few while in the car, as well.

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BustedKnuckle

· #8 · Sep 29, 2009

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a.k.a. hotrod wrote:

aht_six wrote:

I try to make myself as visible as possible to others on the road. But I still assume I'm invisible to all.

Click to expand...

i not only assume i'm invisible, but if they CAN see me, they'll get points for running me down.

i also assume that the dumbest thing another driver CAN do, they WILL do. this little gem has saved my bacon countless times on the bike, and more than a few while in the car, as well.

Amen to that. If you ride that way you will never be surprised by what you can see coming.

It's the things I *can't* see that bug me.......

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Trucknchuck

· #9 · Sep 29, 2009

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ya know I said on my very first post on this site "people don't cut off others just because you can. I get cut off most every day by bikes while in my 80,000 lb truck. Don't do it, you will lose every time. My truck can not and will never stop as fast as you can on a bike or in a car so just don't do it." I say a lot of the problem is that we as riders tend to just jump in front of others due to the fact we as riders know we are quicker and can just motor away. However this mindset gets riders in trouble when someone else slows down or just slaps there brakes for what ever reason. I see it most every day. I spend 14 to 16 hrs on the road everyday. Now I know that most say they would never do this but someone will do it every time I am out on the road I see it. I have drove a truck over 12 million miles and am telling you, I see it every day. Stop putting your self at risk. That large space in front of that slow truck is there for a reason. I drive a truck and ride a bike so I see both sides of this issue.

Keep your self safe, no one else can!!

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mdbauer1962

· #10 · Sep 30, 2009

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For fear of preaching, riding safe is as much or more the responsibility of the MC rider as it is the vehicles around them. As as mentioned, all riders should assume that drivers cannot see them, and as a result should ride defensively at all times. Some things I remind myself of when I ride: When possible, stay well ahead of or behind vehicles in the next lane in case they make a sudden lane change. Always ride within the capabilities of the rider, the bike, and the combination of the two. Lower speeds and increase following distances when it rains, and at night. If being tailgated (common here in MI), slow down until passed by the offender, or pull over and wave them by. Wear bright, visible clothing and consider reflective gear at night. For Gods sake, wear a helmet. Your life is important to your loved ones, and there are comfortable helmets. Keep your bike maintained, and always check safety equiment (tires, brakes, and lights) before every ride. Add lights to your bike to increase visibility. Pick roads and routes that reduce the "speedway" factor when possible.

I just finished a 1,700 mile 5-day ride, and the only time I felt ill at ease was when we grouped up with some other riders. Group riding is a bit of an art, and all must repect the abilities of the others, and ride down to the level of the least experienced group member. Expecting new or less expreienced riders to ride up the level of the experts only invites disaster. Leaders are normally the best riders, and should slow down and allow the newer riders to keep up without pushing their ability envelope.

There....I'm done.....just my humble $.02

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