SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1115384201

Message started by Savage_Rob on 05/06/05 at 05:56:41

Title: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/06/05 at 05:56:41

Carried over from another thread, I thought it might be a good idea to get some input from others on the topic of safety. This should include everything from techniques and practices to wearable gear to bike mods, etc. It can be generic to motorcycling or Savage-specific.

Below is an excerpt from the other post:

Quote:

I think the MSF is a great idea.

I think wearing safety gear is essential. Along with that, I think there are some good ideas out there for making yourself more noticeable to cagers - like taillight modulators, headlight modulators (or simply using your high-beam in daylight), etc. I am beginning to agree with the "loud pipes save lives" folks myself too. In general, anything that increases your awareness and most especially anything that increases others' awareness of your presence.

I think practicing regularly and as often as possible is crucial to developing and maintaining good habits and skills. This includes everything from your visual scanning techniques to dodging obstacles, quick stops, etc.

I think understanding your limits and proficiencies is very helpful too. To me, this includes such things as experience level (in various types of weather, traffic, and road surfaces), bike's weight/power vs wind, level of rest/exhaustion, etc.

Everyone's experience and advice is valuable to the rest of us. After several weeks, I'll take the info from this thread and compile it into a topic for the Technical Corner.

Thanks for your help.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by mornhm on 05/06/05 at 06:05:01

Check your tire pressure regularly.

Be aware riding into any new situation that you've never encountered before. This obviously happens more often to newer riders, but it might be really exciting for someone who thinks they've seen it all. For people who haven't ridden a motorcycle over a stretch of road, it can be very different on a bike than in a large truck :)

Make sure your gear is adjusted properly before you start moving.

Trying to avoid giving examples to go along with each, but it's really hard.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by marke2571 on 05/06/05 at 07:39:59

I agree with mornhm. Where I live, on just about every road with a good curve in it, there is a cross at the curve. Why? Becuase some of the roads here just have that "darn that road would be fun to ride with a bike" look to them. Know your road, know your bike. Don't take a curve too fast if you've never done it before. I can think of this one curve, rated at 30 mph for cars, this curve causes so many bike crashes. Be careful, be safe, wear some leather if you can and its my choice to always wear a helmet, no matter what.

--Mark

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by WD on 05/06/05 at 08:34:35

Don't wear tennis shoes or other low top shoes when riding.

Keep your tires FULL by the sidewall pressure rating, the bike will respond better to YOUR input, and follow road grooves and such much less.

Keep long hair tied back and wear a do-rag under your helmet (regardless of hair length). Hair blowing around your face is as distracting as a bee in your face shield.

If your windshield or faceplate gets scratched up, replace it. It's very hard to see through the light "halos" in a damaged faceplate. And, if the windshield is seen through instead of over, trim it down. You look over bike windshields, NOT through them.

Ride as often as you can. I've been down for three years, and it shows. I wobble as much now as when I was first learning how to ride. Unlike walking, riding a motorcycle takes constant/consistent practice to maintain your abilities. Get out and RIDE.

Last thing, make YOUR bike fit YOU! Unlike a car, you usually have to change various bike parts to get an optimal fit. Need a different handlebar bend? Buy it. Need a higher/lower, harder/softer, wider/narrower seat? Have one made if you can't find an off the shelf that works right. If you have small hands, heat your levers and bend them to a more comfortable reach. If you are tall and need forward controls, make or buy them. Need a backrest? They are out there for the Savage/S40. Any mod that makes the bike a better fit is money well spent. You will be comfortable and have better control of your machine.
-WD

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Reelthing on 05/06/05 at 09:47:17

At traffic lights, with rare exception, leave the bike in gear (in case you need to move out of the way) one hand on the clutch, one on the brake (in case the clutch cable selects this moment to break), watch the car behind you like a hawk - when the turn lane goes green and the straight lane is still red look for the straight lane cars to jump about 10ft - treat every car behind you as a teenager talking on a cell phone about just breaking up with their first love and crying - treat every car coming towards you as a 95 year old about to be selected for the pearly gates.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by PerrydaSavage on 05/06/05 at 10:30:57

8)Visible Gear ... I have a black leather jacket and black cruiser helmet as well as a yellow/black (mostly yellow) Joe Rocket textile jacket and white open-face helmet ... there is no doubt that I am more visible to cagers when I wear the Joe Rocket + white helmet ... I've noticed that cars stop further back at intersections (generally) and I tend to get cut off less than when wearing the black. Reflectorized gear is good for dusk to dark Riding as well.
We all know that the traditional black cycle gear is the coolest looking, but a more visible get up is arguably safer.
Ride Safe everyone!

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by gitarzan on 05/06/05 at 10:40:22

I check my lights, turn signals brake light, and trigger them by all sources before just about every ride.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by sluggo on 05/06/05 at 11:47:02

i have ridden for the past 30 years in both big city traffic and rural areas, these are my observations.

the obvious, you are invisible.
the fact. either you've been down, or going down.
the truth, personal safety trumps traffic regulations, i don't mean to say the you should ride like the laws don't apply to you, although that is fun once in a while, but that if comes to the choice of blowing though a light or an unlawful turn ect or getting hit by cage, go with personal safety. if caught go pay the fine, a small price to pay for your safety.

i know this may sound like a defeatist attitude, but visualize yourself laying the machine down in traffic situations. practice your rear wheel skids, the only thing to be frightened about a rear wheel skid is not knowing how to do one. you should know how they feel, and how to keep the machine either upright, or layed over. if you know someone with a dirt bike, borrow it and lay it down a few times.

just ride ride ride thats the best way to stay fresh.

all this and quit counting the "near misses".
now sunny's was different that was an intentional act of aggression. not a near miss.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by bentwheel on 05/06/05 at 14:53:19

If you get yourself in a panic when entering a curve, resist the temptation of averting your eyes off the road. If you fixate your stare at a tree or ditch you will ride where your eyes are looking. If you carry too much speed into a turn, look deep into the turn (look where you want to go) and lean like you have never leaned before. Chances are you will surprise yourself and stay upright.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Ed_L. on 05/06/05 at 16:15:19

Cheap safety gear is better than no safety gear. My leather is one of the bufflao cheepies from e-bay and has protected my skin twice with low speed dumps. I would of scrubbed my left arm down into the flesh without it on one spill I took. There is no gear that will protect you from a hit from a cage, all it is there for is protection from road rash except for you helmet.
If the bike doesn't fit, change it. Adjusting the seat, replacing the handle bars, anything that makes the bike more comfortable for the rider is a safety issue. If you are worried about monkey butt you will not see the cage turning in front of you.
Be aware of you surroundings, the road, weather, and traffic is your life when riding. You are invisable out there, always drive that way.
When you get a chance ride as if it was stolen ;D!! Ed L.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by babbalou on 05/06/05 at 17:03:53

After getting hit at night by a cager who didn't see me, I upgraded my headlight to a Xenon bulb (brighter & same wattage) & put reflective tape decals on my helmet from Streetglo.com. I'm thinking of adding an L.E.D. tailight that takes rechargeable AA batteries. Walmart has them cheap in the bicycle section. I ride with a Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket, Cortech leather boots ($119.95 & comfortable) & leather gloves. Out on country roads I've practiced countersteering & panic stops. I plan on taking the MSF riding course this summer. It's worth an insurance discount some places. I ride as if I'm invisable, 'cause to cagers I am. I'm thinking of getting a louder horn soon too, pointed forward instead of to the left. :D

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by sluggo on 05/06/05 at 17:08:21

i put a cage horn on mine first thing, what a difference it makes. ;D

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Diane on 05/06/05 at 19:04:05

The MSF teacher told us one of his tricks and I had the opportunity to test it out a few weeks ago and it worked. If you think you are being "looked at" but not "seen" he recomended doing a little zig zag. The side to side motion helps draw attention and so what if somebody thinks you are a crazy biker. An SUV was about to exit a parking lot, I could tell that the driver was looking over/past me but not at me. As I zigged I saw the driver's head drop and I knew I had her attention.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 05/06/05 at 20:31:14

if you are approaching a intersection day or night and you get that Erie feeling that you are not seen in addition to the zigzag move flash your high and low beam a few times it draws attention because it mimics a cops headlights and we all know everyone rubbernecks flashing lights 8)

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Kropatchek on 05/07/05 at 03:37:16

Read to all the above post but nobody mentioned the pulsating headlicht.

http://www.comagination.com/images/Valk00_ani.gif
http://www.comagination.com/modulator.htm
I'm riding around with is, although i'm illegal here . Makes me seen better in daylight.

Greetz
Kropatchek ;D

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by rkutzner on 05/07/05 at 04:58:20

Brake flashers and/or a turn signal conversion kit. At night, the conversion kit really help you be seen and gives the driver behind you 3 lights instead of one....helps with depth perception of the driver behind you, you won't be mistaken for the taillight of the car in front of you !

I don't use a brake flasher, just kind of 'flash' them myself when stopping with a driver behind me
.

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_ID=0&Category_ID=5&manufacturer_ID=223&product_ID=6421&sblid_name=Electrical_Connection_Turn_Signal_Conversion_Kit_

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/07/05 at 13:42:04

Kropatchek wrote:

I did. First post. It's a headlight modulator. I haven't installed mine yet though. I need to figure out where I'll put everything for it. It has the controller and a sensor to ensure the flashing doesn't happen in the dark. However, I have installed the taillight modulator - which is more of a brake light modulator. When you apply the brakes, it flashes three times and then goes steady for a while, then repeats the pattern for as long as you keep the brakes on. The flashing seems to get cagers' attention more than simply a brighter light.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by gitarzan on 05/07/05 at 18:10:31

Quote:

When you apply the brakes, it flashes three times and then stays goes steady for a while, then repeats the pattern for as long as you keep the brakes on. The flashing seems to get cagers' attention more than simply a brighter light.

Got one too. Best mod I ever made, IMO.

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=TB

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/images/TB.gif

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by gitarzan on 05/22/05 at 16:50:18

Good info to have on hand:

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/mark/Regulations/ModulatorLightReg.htm

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by WD on 05/22/05 at 23:30:28

Can someone translate that into "redneck/scooter-trash" please? ;D Just kidding. Thanks for the link Git.
-WD

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Ed_L. on 05/23/05 at 12:21:28

I just installed a licence plate frame that has a row of LED's that are wired to both the plate light and brake light. They stay on all the time at a low level and get a lot brighter when the brakes are applied. Makes the bike more visable from the back. Ed L.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Ed_L. on 05/24/05 at 13:39:12

Lost the paperwork from when I bought it from the local mom and pop cycle store near by. Not sure who made it, sorry. Ed L.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by mykeed on 05/24/05 at 20:07:51

Scan the road 15-20 seconds ahead of you.
At the intersections of side roads try to look up the road before you get there.
Practice for and take the road test on the bike you plan to ride, preferably a Savage!
There are few things more dangerous than a joker who practiced riding and took the test on a Vespa then goes and buys an 1100cc monster.
Dont be afraid but be paranoid, that might not make sence but think about it.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by PerrydaSavage on 05/25/05 at 00:21:40

Well, this is a "no-brainer", but as far as safety goes ... Don't Drink and Ride ...
A young motorcyclist was killed near here on Monday when his Bike hit a guardrail ... police are saying alcohol may have been a factor ...
Stay Safe out there folks ...

Title: Safety Advice: Your Front Brake is your Friend
Post by Paladin on 05/25/05 at 05:46:35

Walking upright on two legs is darn near impossible. It is inherently unstable and the natural tendency is for you to fall over. Yet you do not. As a toddler you had to consciously balance but soon that set of skills became subconscious and automatic.

This is training the body. When you train the body it will react as trained with no conscious thought needed.

Do not be afraid of your front brake -- it provides something like 70-85% of your stopping power. Practice on a side street or a parking lot. Get up to speed and stop firmly with the front brake only. Repeat on wet pavement. Allow your body to learn that it can rely on the front brake and in a panic you will automatically use the front brake for a quick stop.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/25/05 at 06:06:59

Now that you mention that Paladin, I'll heartily agree. The only times I've lain a bike down have been from excessive application of back brake in a moment of gut reaction. I've since trained most of that gut out of my reaction but I take the occasional opportunity to practice it again whenever I can. If nothing else, I have learned to ride out a skid from a locked rear wheel far better than I used to.

Title: Re: Safety Advice: Your Input Is Wanted
Post by freerider23 on 05/25/05 at 06:20:59

when someone told me that the first time, i thought they were nutz--grabbed the front brake on my dirt bike once and met the mud hard. but after the first 4 deer came out to play in the middle of the road and i went sideways past em, i figured the front brake was a little safer!! it has saved my hyde 3 times now---stupid cagers!!