Riders advice on staying safe on the pavement

[J-Ball]

Hey guys, I'm a newbie here and a newbie to MZ and street bikes all together. I just acuired a 2000 Skorpion Tour that I plan to spend some time on. I was wondering what advice seasoned street bikers like yourself could offer to help keep me safe on the road? I've been told to ride like your are completely invisible and that no one can see you. This seems to be good advice, any more?

Thanks so much
J-Ball

[DAVID THOMPSON]

they always say they did not see you
i lasted 52 years and 800,000 plus miles
a kid tail gating an other truck left turned me
because he could not see around the front truck

1 do not tail gate any time riding or driving anything .......hitting a car in the ass on your bicycle hurts
2 dry pavement is just like any other pavement....
its always slick
oil, water. sand ,deer meat
yes deer meat ....road kill is very slick
and do not forget a ruff surface in a corner
is a man killer
it makes the front end bounce reducing traction by large amounts
3 speed a man in a hurry need to take a jet and let a pilot do the flying
4 always let road crews make the road straight its not your job and the bike or car is not what you do it with....anyway...
dave
the short RULE SLOW DOWN AND THINK BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING
but there is only one thing that is a real danger dating a redheaded woman with out the wifes OK!

[Nozz]

Welcome J-Ball,

I have to say that I would give the opposite advice than what you were told. Maybe there was a misunderstanding, because you DO NOT want to be invisible, I like to be seen and heard, and prefer to stay away from traffic. Being invisible to me means riding in blind spots and along side, etc., which should definitely be avoided to stay in one piece! Anyway, congratulations on the bike, you are in a great area for riding, and I am fairly close, near Jonestown. Maybe we can get together on a ride sometime. I am problably going out your way on Saturday with my neighbors for an extended ride, hopefully toward Luckenbach and Willow City. Let me know if you want to get together, and I will send you a PM.

Cheers,

Jim

[Doc Strange]

Read this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Road ... 377&sr=8-1

DS

[DAVID THOMPSON]

"ride like your are completely invisible"
should be
"ride like they do not SEE YOU" at any time
to the car driver with his head where the sun does not shine you are invisible
never assume he has seen you even with direct eye contact...

above reference to book

for usa riders
http://www.amazon.com

search for #
ISBN-10: 011341143X
looks like a good one even for an old time fart like me
dave

[J-Ball]

Yes, what Dave said... "ride like they do not SEE YOU" at any time. I guess that makes a little more sense eh? Nozz, I agree, I DO want to be seen and heard as much as possible. Actually I've gone out and bought the brightest yellow shirt (soon to be replaced by a bright yellow mesh riding jacket) and I plan on adding air horns and auxillary lights. I'm not sure what else I can do to be seen and heard. I have heard the saying amongst HD riders that loud pipes save lives. I'm sure that's true but I don't want to be putting anyting like that on a Skorpion Tour.

Doc....I'll get the book too! I've often marveled at how moto cops put so many miles on their bikes and it seems like they seldom have accidients. Ponch and John would be proud! Thanks.

I'm sure slowing down, keeping your eyes open ALL the time, not being impared by alcohol/drugs/sleep deprivation etc is all major factors in keeping it safe. My biggest fear is not being seen by the old timers and day dreamers we have in my parts.

Anyone else?? C'mon... I know there's much more. How about say a little prayer everytime you get on your moto too? I know I do!

[manumensa]

Hello!

The euphoria is very bad to ride motorcycle, also the euphoria in the car drivers mainly the week ends.
Boxing or martial arts help you for 3 dimensions control and body coordination.
You must be read the car drivers body lenguage, this give you a lot of information: telephon , lost, discussing ... if you ride in the city watch the cars front wheels turns, quick information to you. You must be do "little travel in the future", you never be surprised!.

Mount in the mortorcycle a B-17 gun ball and if you can send me to Spain a gun like Steve McQueen in "The getaway"
For divine help a "San Cristobal" sticker

Best regards, Manuel.

[J-Ball]

I found this.....
http://www.lifebrite.com/

This site has lots of cool stuff.. I like the headlight modulator, also tail light improvements. They even a helmet mounted brake light!
http://www.signaldynamics.com/products.htm

[Sue]

Some good advice there, here in the UK some areas hold "Bikesafe" days run by the police. It's actually very good and have done two so far, lots of tips to stay safe, and be more aware of what drivers see when they look in your direction. It opened my eyes to the fact that even some good drivers still cant see you because of your size, and obstructions at junctions like fences that you can still see cars through, but not bikes. It's great being able to ride out with the guys too, they are brilliant riders and happy to pass on thier skills... shame some areas charge for these courses, lucky its free in my area and get lots of mates from around the country to come and stay so they can participate.

I always ride like they cant see me, just wish I was telepathic too

[manumensa]

Hello!

Airbag for riders:

http://www.helite.com

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=uoGDwBiTYdU

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps2fzVsSoRI

[Doc Strange]

Something I got off some advanced training I had was don't be afraid to use the horn (fnarr, fnarr!). Not a great long honk, but a quick beep if you think someone hasn't spotted you. Particularly useful approaching side roads where you can see someone sitting about to pull out.

DS

[DAVID THOMPSON]

NEVER BLEAVE A TURN SIGNAL I HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF CARS WITH SIGNAL ON TO TURN RIGHT AND THE GO STRAIGHT ON AND WOULD GET YOU IF YOU HAD PULLED OUT ...
DAVE

[cfrohberg]

Hey J,
I,m a newb to Mz as well but I have logged thousands of miles on my different Harleys over the last 30 years. You did not say if you were new to motorcycling or just the streets but I can tell you the same thing I've told my son before I sent him out on the streets, and he's 18.
You absolutely have to ride as if you were invisible as they have already said. And you can take Dave's advice of not trusting anything or anyone(such as a trn signal or believing that the person running up to a stop sign sees you and will actullay stop at the sign). Now I know that sounds paranoid but it's not, its preparation. You will encounter things out on the streets that unless you are prepared for, you will not enjoy the result.
Some quick advice is take a riders training course unless you have logged over 30,000 miles on a motorcycle, and if you have take one anyway. People have a way of learning something new every now and again.
Don't drink and ride, you just don't have that many lives.
Don't follow anyone and don't let anyone follow you. (read it figuratively not literally)
Do not be the slowest on the road or the fastest either for that matter.
Do not continually change lanes for the best view, just get a view you can livewith. ( take that literally)
Do not get too carried away on lean angles in turns especially ones you are not familiar with. Theres just too much crap on the roads.
Don't ride after dark if you can avoid it. Plan accordingly
Practice evasive manuvers on a lonely strech of highway. Meaning; understand your bikes idiosyncracies. Practice hard stops. Only ride to your individual level of skill and don't inflate that either.
Keep asking for info and learning.
Hope you enjoy your rides and have a safe summer riding season.
Chaz

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

Hi J-Ball,

I would subscribe to DocStrange's advice and suggest you get a copy of the Motorcycle roadcraft book.
Taking some road-based advanced riding lessons would also help, although I don't know whether this is something available in your country. I've seen for example that while road-based training is widely available here inthe UK, it's almost unheard of in Italy, where they also don't seem to have any established riding system like the one promoted by the UK Police.
I would also like to stress the importance of getting road-based training. Track-based training immproves your control of the bike, which is important, but in order to aviod accidents anticipation and planning are even more important, and those traits are best practised on a road. Hope this helps, Ride safe.