Contentious perhaps, and not cheerful, but I read about others accident experiences: why/where/when/how, what the rider thinks they should have done differently. As many accident victims say, they when they set off to ride that day they didn't think they would have an accident... Beerman
Exactly my theory with using a horn, if you have time to hit your horn you have time to avoid whatever it is that necatates(??) the use of your horn.
A lot of great advice I agree with... there isn’t much I can add... however, learning to read the road is valuable when on road unfamiliar to you. Things like looking at the background over a crest in the road can give you an idea of if there’s an unseen corner... ie you see the crest and behind it there are trees, so the road doesn’t go straight on. In a corner, watching the point where the near edge and far edge of the road in front of you meet can tell you if it’s sharpening up or relaxing off... if the point is coming towards you, it’s sharpening so back off or more counter steer... if it’s going away, the corners relaxing etc. I find stuff like that difficult to describe, but I’m constantly trying to assess the “unseen” road ahead.
Err ..... necessitates? Smartarse?? Moi?? Aye, alright then. Just trying to be helpful really, although some would say (and with good reason) just trying! BASTIDS!
Freckin hell guys this thread would put people of motorcycling, have fun in places you know the road has no side junctions, the rest of the time all above applies!
One thing I didn't notice in this thread is about slowing down when riding at night. Sometimes even the posted speed limit is too fast. You get a false sense of security because there are less vehicles on the road and you can only see about 10% of the landscape that you would see in daylight. You may not see some of the things that are actually there and waiting to cause your next accident. I live in an agricultural area and there are often deer on the side of the road that are about to cross. If they aren't looking at you (eyes reflecting green) you may not see them. Even if they are, they may decide to jump in front of you. I also came across a large Barn Owl that was eating its prey in my lane on a very tight turn. Luckily, it jumped high enough to only hit my helmet with its talons. The lesson was that it reacted much faster than I did. Debris, black ice, sand/gravel in a corner, and a chill as the temperature drops can all result in your worst ride ever.
While riding in the left lane of two lane hwy, your approaching a slower vehicle. If a vehicle is on the hwy entrance lane to your right, (or from the left) watch for them to enter behind the slower vehicle your about to pass, and kick in passing gear and start to enter your lane to pass the slower vehicle. Two times I have assumed they knew I was there! I was forced off the hwy. Now as I approach, I look in my mirrors and change lanes, if able, and just slow enough to stay out of trouble. If your not able to change lanes or slow because of traffic, stay on your horn and flash you high beam and be looking where you can ride to avoid be sideswiped if they start to pass.
Don't ever trust wildlife! We all like to ride thru open countryside, it's much prettier than town and we tend to relax our guard. Sheep are stupid creatures and have no road sense. If you have just ridden over a cattle grid, it means open ground so expect there to be dumb animals wandering on the road (and I don't mean car drivers) and they can make a mess of both bike and rider. Unlike Hack Driver, I hit a seagull as it took flight from it's roadkill lunch. Only doing 30 mph, hit it with my off-side handlebar. them birds is heavy! Also....... Old cornering adage: In slow out fast, in fast out feet first. Unless, as previously mentioned your name is Marc Marquez.
All the previous advice is spot on and all of the events mentioned will happen at some time during your riding. The trick is to learn from them and always ride within your comfort/ability zone. Just my humble opinion. Wessa
As a national observer with the IAM I've seen more than my fair share of riders who think they know it all and are a complete disaster as well as those that have just passed their test and just have natural talent. By far the biggest issue I see with riders is lack of planning so for me these are the 5 golden rules: 1. Keep your vision up and use ALL the clues there are, not just road signs, and all your senses, not just your eyes. It'll give you more time to plan for whatever hazards there are. 2. Ride proactively. Don't allow others to force your decision making and keep focused, move around in the road to maintain a safety bubble around yourself and keep reaccessing the situation. 3. Ensure you can stop in the space you can see to be clear on your side of the road. Every time you barrel into a bend and you're ignoring this rule, you're gambling with yours and others lives. 4. Relax and enjoy it. You have nothing to prove, don't feel pressured. If you feel tired, take a break. 5. Ride your own ride. Don't get sucked in to somebody elses ride, they may have a deathwish or they may have more ability than you and they will be in a different information window to you. Where overtakes are concerned one doesn't always bring two! 6. I'll add a sixth. Get some extra training, as worst you'll meet new people to ride with and at best it'll make you safer, faster and one day might just save your life! And while pretty much everything in this thread looks to be good advice always remember, sometimes, shit just happens and no matter what you do, or how good a rider you are, you can still cop it!
Agree with you Ade, well worth doing. Unfortunately some peeps think that it’s run by the pipe and slipper brigade and don’t want to be seen to be associated with the institute for that reason. If anyone is thinking of doing the course, do it.