Highway Biker
I did not know either rider, but i know several people affected who are long term members and the knowledge of that week has affected me so here is my tribute
DO NOT be afraid to say something constructive to someone whose riding is dangerous to himself or someone else in any way, and in turn do not be afraid to listen to the advice and think about it and if valid in some way alter your riding.
It may just save your life or mine.
Forum whore
Originally Posted by dale smith
Thoughts Dale!
I believe a Defensive Driving/Riding course should be mandatory to obtaining a licence! I did one at 16 and it has stood me in good stead ever since, (even though it was when they were first introduced into NZ and all the film footage was American!)
I never knew any of the 3, Bruce, Daryl, or UncleB, except through KB but like all, can relate to the tragedy and can concur with the sentiments expressed.
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
Weekend cruiser
Always wear as much protective gear as possable, but above all. STAY ALERT. The biggest danger to motorcyclists is cars. In particular the ones who u turn without indicating, who pull out without looking properly and who slam on the brakes for any reason. Day dreaming is what car drivers do, so bikers must take up their slack and be ready to avoid them. Personally i consider every car sitting at a side street a threat, untill i have passed it. Many times in my 14 odd years of riding have i had cars pull out on me, and every time so far i have managed to avoid them. In fact in my highly alert state i have witnessed several accidents between cars who simply didnt see the other car. Once i nearly had to step backwards while waiting at the lights, as the car that got hit in the intersection, spun around in slow motion and came towards me.
So yeah, stay alert, treat every cage as though they have not seen you, and save the racing for the track which has run-off areas and an ambulance waiting a stones throw away. Personally i will only wear leather armor, that dririder/cordura stuff may have armored bits, but leather still offers more protection. You dont see the racer guys wearing anything but leather do ya?
Lastly, keep on riding bikes, maybe we will suceed at getting cars banned one day.
Forum whore
The biggest danger to motorcyclists is riding in groups, themselves, and intersections in that order.
If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?
The one and only ...
A lot of the main ones have been mentioned but thought would offer a few more that don't think have been mentioned.
Don't hold off a pee, if you have to pee, stop and pee, a full bladder will distract your riding (and the bumps make it worse)
Learn to read the road, new seal, loose seal, black ice, diesel ... can all be dangers just waiting.
Don't follow closely behind trailers or trucks, things DO fall off them.
If you perve at a girl/guy in the car your passing keep an eye on the car in front of you as they might be doing the same thing.
If your bike faults (light blows, tyre bludges etc) get it fixed ASAP, tomorrow could be to late
Give up on the "She'll be right, it'll never happen to me" idea, it will, and without warning.
Live to ride another day.
We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.
Nana
Winters coming, do some braking drills in the wet, tune yourself in for the wet months, even if you don't plan to ride in the rain.
Forum whore
I seem to remember on one of my many first aid courses, that I was told the urethra is fragile and can be severed in an accident. If you then take a leak, it's into your abdominal cavity and the consequences involve surgery. So this one is more important than you think.
The one and only ...
I heard a story a while back about a guy out fishing on a boat with his mates, he was to embrassed to pee over the side so he held it until they got back, steping on to the dock something inside burst and I think he died from it.
Not sure if it's true or even happened but I do know holding it is bad for you.
We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.
Hardcore Biker
got a mate that cant pee on a boat,,everytime he wants to go.we have to go back to shore,reckons he has to be earthed
Mainlander in Exile
Years ago when I was doing search and rescue there was a young woman broke her ankle and was being stretchered out by a group of guys. She was too embarrased to ask them to stop for her to get rid of that cuppa they gave her to make her feel comfortable. She had an internal burstage, she didn't die but was in a farily bad way by the time they got her to the hospital.
Soccer - A Gentlemans game played by Hooligans.Rugby - A Hooligans Game played by Gentlemen.
Scooter boy
Great tips in here. I know it's been said but for me gear is really important. Yes protective stuff but I also mean warm stuff. If your knee joints are aching or your toes are freezing or anything else is making you uncomfortable then you are not paying full attention to your number one priority - riding safely.
Also, yes you can sleep on a bike. While solo riding long boring straights between Blenheim and Murchison on a sunny afternoon when I had had plenty of sleep and thought I would be fine I dozed off. The bike woke me as it veered into the verge and luckily I rode it out and back onto the road unscathed. Taught me a huge lesson. Now, If I feel my eyes getting heavy I stop and jump around off the bike for a bit.
Thanks to all contributors for their valuable advice.
A man gazing on the stars is proverbially at the mercy of the puddles in the road.
Alexander Smith (1830 - 1867) Scottish poet
Nana
IN the event you tyres deflate while riding......
(a very common occurence when you have metal valve caps on a bike capable of over 140kmh)
Reduce your speed as quickly as safely as you can, you will have lost up to 80% of your ability to steer.
When you get home:
If you cant afford to get the carcass checked take the wheel that deflated off, deflate it to half the recommended pressure and try to roll it in a straight line.
If you can't the carcass is fucked and is dangerous to ride on. If you can it may still feel a little vague at times because the sidewall has extended too far and will now be softer in some spots and firmer in others.
Not really dangerous to be vague unless it cannot track straight at half inflation.
Also worth cleaning it (so dirt and marks are not distracting) and spinning it on its axle to see if the sidewall varies. If they vary noticably, they're fucked.
Deformed sidewalls reduce your ability to steer, brake and even travel in a straight line.
Deflated tyres that have been reinflated (if you forgive the pun) can be very tiring.
If you notice ANY deformity or loss of feel / consistency you need to use that tyre for one reason and one reason only, to get to a tyre shop to replace them.
Nana
Consider this, how many times have you seen skidmarks on the road leading inevitably to the bank?
These are very common in corners.
Were these in fact inevitable?
In many cases the driver was back on the straight by the time they left the lane, let alone the road. This is a form of target fixation the driver is so blinkered by his percieved need to stop / slow down he cannot see the long stretch of road in front of him. In many cases the differences between changing undies and being seriously injured is seeing that you could let up on the brake, whether it is for a moment to arrest the skid or because you now have some straight in front of you to run on in to.
As bikers we also have a third alternative to run on and swerve around an obstacle.
As a general rule, should you go on to crash anyway the longer you had of the tyres actually gripping the ground is the less it is going to hurt. Leave the deliberate lie downs to the movie stars and their stunt doubles.
Keep your options open, have as many "tools in the toolbox" as you can acquire through the learning oportunities around you and keep the black bits down, shiny side up.
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