Sorry about that, for some reason I got the study you linked to mixed up with another one. When I click on the one in your link the window opens up blank. I can't see anything.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Any Motorcycle Riders? Advice for a Newbie?
- Thread starter greekorican
- Start date
Sorry about that, for some reason I got the study you linked to mixed up with another one. When I click on the one in your link the window opens up blank. I can't see anything.
No prob, it's actually very weirdly linked within a picture, my browser opens an email client when I open the link. Here's the link to BMJ if you want to take a look: Invalid Link Removed - Oh yeah, and I also ment helmet color when I mentioned dressing bright, sorry 'bout that confusion. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm usually wearing a white jacket but black helmet myself, so suddenly it seems I'm not in accordance with the safety research either
Any advice for target fixation? I've gotten into a few spots where the person in front of me slams on their brakes. A simple swerve would get me around them no problem, but when I have my eyes glued to that car, the bike won't go anywhere but straight. Instead of an easy swerve, I had to execute an emergency stop and wait for the traffic behind me to go past before I can go around.
I've practiced swerves and I'm well aware of steering with your head/eyes, but for some reason when I need to use it, I lock up and stare straight at danger.
I've practiced swerves and I'm well aware of steering with your head/eyes, but for some reason when I need to use it, I lock up and stare straight at danger.
Hey everybody, this may be a little off topic but still relating to motorcycles.
I'm looking at buying a new or pre-owned bike and financing it beyond a down payment. Most (or all) insurance companies require comprehensive insurance and all that since you don't technically own the vehicle til it's paid off. Problem is, I'm running into quotes like $3000 - $5000 a year on insurance for a 600cc new bike. It's ridiculous.
Is there an easier or cheaper way to insure a bike? How do y'all go about it?
I'm looking at buying a new or pre-owned bike and financing it beyond a down payment. Most (or all) insurance companies require comprehensive insurance and all that since you don't technically own the vehicle til it's paid off. Problem is, I'm running into quotes like $3000 - $5000 a year on insurance for a 600cc new bike. It's ridiculous.
Is there an easier or cheaper way to insure a bike? How do y'all go about it?
Target fixation is no good. Its an extremely bad habit, and I have to ask: Why are yous staring at that car, and/or riding so close to it that you have to utilize emergency maneuvers? You should look through the car, way ahead of you, not right in front of you at its bumper. Stay back from the cars, look through them, and watch where you want to go.
I always try to keep a cushion of space between me and the car ahead of me. In the situations I'm describing I had quite a bit of space in front of me, but traffic was moving pretty fast. I saw the car slam on his brakes checked my mirrors quickly before I tried to swerve. I was trying to turn the handlebars so I could swerve around, but it felt like the bike refused to go anywhere except straight. I tried for a quite a while to get it to turn until I hit the brakes before it was too late. I must have just lost my nerves because I was caught off guard. I just can't believe I locked up in a situation that could have been handled easily. It's one thing to practice swerves in the parking lot, and another to have to swerve in a dangerous situation on the street. Lack of experience I suppose. I should keep an extra pair of underwear in the saddlebags, that was NOT a fun experience.
I went riding for an hour today and felt really confident on the bike. I was well prepared for every potentially dangerous situation, and it's a good feeling to not have to react at the last minute. I had a few cars pull out in front of me, but it was no big deal because I was watching them way before they became a threat. Today it felt like I had eyes on the back of my head, nothing caught me off guard. I wish I felt this confident every time I go riding.
I know what you mean. There are definitely days when you're in the zone, and days where you ride like crap. I've had days where i end up doing stuff so stupid, I'm surprised I ever made it home.
Your scenario sounds like classic target fixation. Everything slows down in that panicked moment. You think you're looking away, trying to move the bike, but you're really still fixated on what you don't want to hit...but you're going to, if you keep staring. Never panic. Panicking leads to mistakes, which leads to injury. I know it is easier said than done, but thats why you must always ride at your comfort level, so you can be prepared for any incident. Never ride beyond your ability.
Here's my panic story for the day. I've been out riding county roads here in the country. Really nice, typically paved, shaded, good views, etc. Fun to ride. Nothing fast, just enjoyable exploration. I hit a pocket of sand at the base of a hill. I panicked. I lost my rear traction and got pitched off the bike, all because I panicked and did everything wrong when I hit the sand. Luckily the sand was really deep and soft, so no damage. I did decide to head home after that though...
You need to learn to countersteer. It sounds scary, but the way to get the bike to lean over quickly is to apply a slight pressure on the handlebars in the opposite direction you want to turn. It takes some getting-used-to, but once you've mastered it you won't steer any other way. I quit riding in about 1970 after a five-month hospital stay, courtesy of a drunk driver.
However, while visiting a friend in Reno a couple years ago, he conviced me to go on a short ride around the area with him. He let me ride his 750 BMW while he rode the 120 hp Honda. At first, I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting around the sharper corners smoothly, then I remembered to countersteer. I had to overcome the creepy feeling of turning the other way, but then it all fell back into place and I was comfortable with it. Don't practice it on public streets or at high speed, although it works better the faster you're going.
A cushion or buffer between you and the car in front is VITAL. You need to allow yourself about 3 seconds space (this means the distance between you and the car in front will vary depending on the speed you are travelling). That's usually enough time to quickly assess the situation and make a judgement about how to react. It sounds like you're doing that part, which is good.
Evasive counter-steering is vital to being able to ride a bike. It means really shoving the handlebar and getting the bike to shift it's weight quickly. If you need to swerve left, you shove the left handlebar with your left hand. Really give it a push. It takes practice to get comfortable with it. And you will need to practice at varying speeds, too. It will become instinctive eventually. I'm still working on this aspect of riding too.
I'm in Illinois - so the MSF course IS the IDOT course. Best $25 you never have to spend (they give it back when you graduate - or you get a cool shirt).
TAKE THE COURSE.
I took the course in Mar. That was around 8k miles ago - best 3 days I could've spent. Friday night, Sat & Sun (all day). The instructors were knowledgeable, and the course built upon itself. I highly recommend it.
On the ATTGATT - use the gear. There are tons of sites to get discount stuff - I have a scorpion mesh/taxtile jacket with 2 liners (water-proof and warmth) - Icon gloves with armor built in - and a full face HJC helmet. Paid less than half off retail for all new stuff. I recommend boots and pants as well. I have done a couple low sides - and without gear, I'd either had a bad concussion or be dead, and lost at least part of an arm, due to gravel.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/
Invalid Link Removed
http://revzilla.com
http://newenough.com
There are lots more. . . get some gear. Sweat dries - but skin don't grow back.
Also - read the Hurt Report (google it) and the Hough book. They may save your life.
Oh - and wave. We're a brotherhood.
TAKE THE COURSE.
I took the course in Mar. That was around 8k miles ago - best 3 days I could've spent. Friday night, Sat & Sun (all day). The instructors were knowledgeable, and the course built upon itself. I highly recommend it.
On the ATTGATT - use the gear. There are tons of sites to get discount stuff - I have a scorpion mesh/taxtile jacket with 2 liners (water-proof and warmth) - Icon gloves with armor built in - and a full face HJC helmet. Paid less than half off retail for all new stuff. I recommend boots and pants as well. I have done a couple low sides - and without gear, I'd either had a bad concussion or be dead, and lost at least part of an arm, due to gravel.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/
Invalid Link Removed
http://revzilla.com
http://newenough.com
There are lots more. . . get some gear. Sweat dries - but skin don't grow back.
Also - read the Hurt Report (google it) and the Hough book. They may save your life.
Oh - and wave. We're a brotherhood.
When people ask "isn't that hot?" when I'm wearing my full mesh gear in the summer I always respond "It's not as hot as road rash".
I don't know how they do it, but my mesh jacket is cooler than wearing nothing at all. It is amazing the kind of airflow you get.
I've got a question about taking off from a stop. I've gotten pretty good at shifting to the point that I can accelerate a bit faster than alot of cars on the road, but only after I've let the clutch out completely in first gear. Once the clutch is out, it's easy to run through a few gears to match the speed of traffic. But while I'm letting the clutch out to take off, I feel like I'm going SO slow. I've been trying to take off more quickly, but I'll either come close to stalling, or the bike will lurch forward. I see alot of guys on bikes that jump every green light, and somehow they take off quickly while still being very smooth. Is there anything I can do to get off the line a little quicker? Or is this due to the fact that I'm riding a Honda Rebel?
BTW, don't get the idea I'm driving recklessly on the road and speeding. Speed limits are around 30, but it's not uncommon for traffic to move at 45 mph or more on certain stretches of road. My strategy is to wait a while after the car in front of me takes off, and then I try to get off the line as quick as I can. It lets me leave the car in back of me WAY behind while still keeping plenty of space in front of me. My goal is trying to reach the speed of traffic in less time.
The other strategy I found that works for keeping people from tailgating you is to make some eye contact. Now I'm by no means an intimidating person, but if someone has been tailgating me, at the next red light I will turn around and give them a dirty look. Most times, they back off and give you some more space. I'm really surprised how effective it is.
BTW, don't get the idea I'm driving recklessly on the road and speeding. Speed limits are around 30, but it's not uncommon for traffic to move at 45 mph or more on certain stretches of road. My strategy is to wait a while after the car in front of me takes off, and then I try to get off the line as quick as I can. It lets me leave the car in back of me WAY behind while still keeping plenty of space in front of me. My goal is trying to reach the speed of traffic in less time.
The other strategy I found that works for keeping people from tailgating you is to make some eye contact. Now I'm by no means an intimidating person, but if someone has been tailgating me, at the next red light I will turn around and give them a dirty look. Most times, they back off and give you some more space. I'm really surprised how effective it is.
Just a matter of practice. If you can't find the spot where the clutch starts to engage, you might have to adjust the clutch lever a bit. You can practice using the clutch by finding a gentle uphill where there's no traffic, stopping your bike with the brakes in the middle of slope and then trying to get a smooth start without the bike lurching backwards. Eventually, you'll know how to keep the bike stationary on a slope just by releasing the clutch a tad, also known as slipping the clutch.
+1
Always watch for cagers turning left right in front of you. They always say they never seen you, and they don't because they are not paying attention. Look at the cars tires as approaching the intersection. Just because the person seems to be looking at you, that is not always the case. Over fifty % of city motorcycle/car accidents are the car turning left, right into the motorcycles path.
Ride safe Guys!
I have had many bikes since 1978 and two life savers are;
Anticipation and headlights on at all times, be seen .
I still love bikes but ride a quad now, a Yamaha Raptor 700, different to a bike but similar in many ways and just as much fun as we are allowed to ride on road in the UK, we also have lots of green lanes to ride
Anticipation and headlights on at all times, be seen .
I still love bikes but ride a quad now, a Yamaha Raptor 700, different to a bike but similar in many ways and just as much fun as we are allowed to ride on road in the UK, we also have lots of green lanes to ride
LOL, yes, they are taxed as a car though, which is crazy seeing as they have motorcycle engine and our tax bands are based on emissions, its the price we pay to have fun !!
We also have legal use of byways and other rights of way that take us off road, these are often ancient paths across the countryside, I live near Salisbury Plain which is where the British Army train, this is a large area with many byways all over it, we spent a whole weekend riding the byways around the plain, mostly gravel tracks which is like rally driving !
We also have legal use of byways and other rights of way that take us off road, these are often ancient paths across the countryside, I live near Salisbury Plain which is where the British Army train, this is a large area with many byways all over it, we spent a whole weekend riding the byways around the plain, mostly gravel tracks which is like rally driving !
I go four wheeling in my truck on some land owned by the US military. Every so often some MP's come and chase us off, but they are no match for the speed of my Dodge Ram.
-Mike
-Mike
