Gonna Buy a Motorcycle - Page 4

dar512 · 04-06-2009, 11:01 AM

Some ideas for helmets.

Jill · 04-06-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

1) I won't ride fast.
2) I am the most paranoid driver you've ever met.

I rode for years back in the 80's and never came close to an accident. I leave many vehicle lengths between me and the vehicle ahead. I scan intersections from blocks away. I practice panic stops. I am a very confident and non-risktaking rider.

So is my husband. None of that helped him when he was struck from behind while stopped at a red light! Thankfully he wears full protective gear head to toe, and remembered to let go of the bike when it went screeching out from under him. Walked away without so much as a bruise. It could've been so much worse -- a motorcycle cop was killed in exactly the same way, when he was thrown into the intersection and hit by oncoming traffic. KEEP THE SHINY SIDE UP!

I love your idea about the brake light on the back of the helmet. I had no idea there was any such thing. I'll have to look those up and see about getting the hubster to use one. He also got a strobe adapter for his headlamps, which I also recommend.

If you do plan on riding with a passenger, especially on a longer road trip, I cannot recommend an in-helmet intercom system more. We took the bike up Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Francisco a few years ago, and it was a godsend to be able to talk to each other along the way.

Enjoy!

Elspode · 04-06-2009, 07:28 PM

A guy here in the KC metro area was just killed by being rearended. It does happen. I check my mirrors when stopping to see if it looks like the person behind me isn't aware.

TheMercenary · 04-06-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

A guy here in the KC metro area was just killed by being rearended. It does happen. I check my mirrors when stopping to see if it looks like the person behind me isn't aware.

Most importantly in that situation is never to take your bike out of first gear, don't ever get to close to the car in front of you, and every time I stop I am looking for a quick escape spot next to or between the cars in front of me. That way if someone comes in to quick I can move to that spot quickly. You will see a lot of guys come to stops in those situations and put the bike into neutral. Don't do that. I also always stop to the far right of any vehicle so that I am looking right into their side view mirror and they know I am there.

Clodfobble · 04-06-2009, 10:11 PM

Don't forget that pedestrians may be blind to you too. I was almost hit by a motorcycle when I was a kid (it was completely and totally my fault, but still.)

lumberjim · 04-06-2009, 11:01 PM

the only time i ever dropped mine was in a parking lot.....i was a winter rider, and there was frost on top of my back tire. i gunned it out of the parking spot, and it high sided me. came down on my shin and gave me a 'massive hematoma'

one time, a bee flew up my shorts, and I NEARLY fell off when it stung me.

my advice, since that seems to be the theme here......watch the eyes of the cage drivers in the side mirrors, and expect that they will do the most fucked up thing at the exactly wrong time, and plan your escape route.....constantly.

otherwise....enjoy that ride, baby!

lumberjim · 04-06-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

I promise that a new keyfob will be the first item of customization.

ahem

Jill · 04-07-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Most importantly in that situation is never to take your bike out of first gear, don't ever get to close to the car in front of you, and every time I stop I am looking for a quick escape spot next to or between the cars in front of me. That way if someone comes in to quick I can move to that spot quickly. You will see a lot of guys come to stops in those situations and put the bike into neutral. Don't do that. I also always stop to the far right of any vehicle so that I am looking right into their side view mirror and they know I am there.

Most of that is irrelevant when you're the first vehicle in line at the light, which my husband was. Being in first or neutral would also have been irrelevant.

TheMercenary · 04-07-2009, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill

Most of that is irrelevant when you're the first vehicle in line at the light, which my husband was. Being in first or neutral would also have been irrelevant.

None of that changes the importance of the tip. It is important to have a place to go when at a full stop so hopefully you can glance in your rear view mirror and bale if you get the chance.

TheMercenary · 04-07-2009, 06:11 AM

Here is another tip from a pretty cool blog.

http://demenshea.com/blog/?p=1138

Elspode · 04-07-2009, 11:49 PM

Good stuff, all of that. Keep it comin'.

Gonna buy me one of those keychains!

Trilby · 04-07-2009, 11:52 PM

Els, has anyone mentioned that you'll shoot your eye out yet?

ZenGum · 04-08-2009, 06:23 AM

Tip from a biker: keep an eye on the head of the person in the car in front of you. You may notice them leaning down to tune the radio, texting, something stupid like that, and you know to steer well clear.

TheMercenary · 04-08-2009, 07:07 AM

Keep 3 to 4 seconds from the rear of any vehicle in front of you. More if you are traveling at higher speeds. I will watch a car pass a stationary object on the side of the road and count, One Thousand, Two Thousand, Three Thousand, Four Thousand and see how long it takes for me to pass it. If I am faster on it I try to slow.

I also shift from the right to the left depending on how traffic is in front of me. If there are few cars or cars moving slowly I tend to the right so that on coming cars can see me before they try to pass the cars in front of them, which would put them in your lane coming at you. If the on coming traffic is light, I tend to the left so the cars you are following can see you.

Every time you approach an intersection with cars waiting to enter, or an area with cars waiting to turn into the traffic, cover your front break and rear break with your hand and foot respectively in anticipation of the need for emergency breaking. Continually scan and always expect them to do the unnatural and unexpected. Assume they can't see you, always.

Undertoad · 04-08-2009, 11:10 AM

What a pain in the ass. I'm not getting one of these things.

04-06-2009, 11:01 AM	#46
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	Some ideas for helmets. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

04-06-2009, 07:28 PM	#48
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	A guy here in the KC metro area was just killed by being rearended. It does happen. I check my mirrors when stopping to see if it looks like the person behind me isn't aware. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

04-06-2009, 10:11 PM	#50
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	Don't forget that pedestrians may be blind to you too. I was almost hit by a motorcycle when I was a kid (it was completely and totally my fault, but still.) __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

04-06-2009, 11:01 PM	#51
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	the only time i ever dropped mine was in a parking lot.....i was a winter rider, and there was frost on top of my back tire. i gunned it out of the parking spot, and it high sided me. came down on my shin and gave me a 'massive hematoma' one time, a bee flew up my shorts, and I NEARLY fell off when it stung me. my advice, since that seems to be the theme here......watch the eyes of the cage drivers in the side mirrors, and expect that they will do the most fucked up thing at the exactly wrong time, and plan your escape route.....constantly. otherwise....enjoy that ride, baby! __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

04-07-2009, 06:11 AM	#55
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Here is another tip from a pretty cool blog. http://demenshea.com/blog/?p=1138 __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

04-07-2009, 11:49 PM	#56
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Good stuff, all of that. Keep it comin'. Gonna buy me one of those keychains! __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

04-07-2009, 11:52 PM	#57
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Els, has anyone mentioned that you'll shoot your eye out yet? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

04-08-2009, 06:23 AM	#58
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Tip from a biker: keep an eye on the head of the person in the car in front of you. You may notice them leaning down to tune the radio, texting, something stupid like that, and you know to steer well clear. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

04-08-2009, 07:07 AM	#59
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Keep 3 to 4 seconds from the rear of any vehicle in front of you. More if you are traveling at higher speeds. I will watch a car pass a stationary object on the side of the road and count, One Thousand, Two Thousand, Three Thousand, Four Thousand and see how long it takes for me to pass it. If I am faster on it I try to slow. I also shift from the right to the left depending on how traffic is in front of me. If there are few cars or cars moving slowly I tend to the right so that on coming cars can see me before they try to pass the cars in front of them, which would put them in your lane coming at you. If the on coming traffic is light, I tend to the left so the cars you are following can see you. Every time you approach an intersection with cars waiting to enter, or an area with cars waiting to turn into the traffic, cover your front break and rear break with your hand and foot respectively in anticipation of the need for emergency breaking. Continually scan and always expect them to do the unnatural and unexpected. Assume they can't see you, always. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

04-08-2009, 11:10 AM	#60
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	What a pain in the ass. I'm not getting one of these things.

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