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Tips for a safe ride


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Well the weather is getting really nice out and so comes the bikes. It's been a few months since cagers saw bikes so things could be bad. Riders will also be out of their groove they had before. Lets try to be safe out there and everyone make it through another riding season. If anyone has any tips please post them here to share with everyone.

One big thing I do is when stopped behind a car I will sit towards the yellow line so if I am rear ended I don't get pancaked between the two cages.

Things Car and Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

-Because motorcycles can be hard to spot, always look for them, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

-Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. ----

-Predict that a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

-Motorcycles often look like they are moving faster than they really are.

-Motorcyclists often slow down by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, therefore not activating a brake light. Allow 3 or 4 seconds of following distance and predict a motorcyclist may slow down at intersections without visual warning.

-Be aware that motorcycle turn signals are usually not self-canceling and some bikers may forget to turn them off.

-Bikers often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to stray clear of road debris, passing cars, and wind. Understand that these position shifts aren't to be reckless, show off, or allow you to share a lane with them.

-When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as a motorcycle; think of it as a person.

Motorcycle Riding Gear

-Helmet

If wearing a helmet, buy one that has a sticker indicating DOT (Department of Transportation) compliance. This means that the helmet meets certain basic impact standards.

Make sure you buy a new helmet if you drop your old one on a hard surface or if it sustains a heavy blow, as it may no longer be safe to use.

Buy a helmet that fits comfortably and does not impair your hearing or vision.

-Wear eye protection

Wear a helmet with a shield, a pair of goggles, or shatterproof glasses.

Make sure your eye protection is clean and unscratched.

If your lenses are tinted for riding in the sun, be sure to take some that are clear in case you find yourself riding when dark.

-Jackets should be made of sturdy material such as denim, nylon, corduroy, or leather. Also, zippered vents allow for breeze to flow through, making jackets comfortable to wear year-round, even in warm weather.

-Pants should be made of thick material, such as leather, to resist abrasion.

-Gloves should be worn at all times to prevent any injury to hands or fingers.

-Wearing raingear makes riding in the rain easier.

-Wear over-the-ankle boots made of strong leather to protect your ankles. Also, make sure you buy boots with rubber soles and a good tread design for easy gripping.

-Protect your hearing and your ears by wearing disposable foam plugs or reusable custom-molded devices.

-Wear high visibility gear

Wear brightly colored clothing.

For nighttime riding, wear clothing that reflects light. Or, put reflective strips on your helmet and the backs of your boots.

On the Road

-Search around you for potential hazards.

-Evaluate any possible hazards, such as railroad tracks, turning cars, etc.

-Execute the proper action to avoid the hazard.

-Make sure other drivers see you

-Make sure your headlamps are on (even during the day), wear bright clothes, and always signal your intentions.

-Don't be shy about using your horn to make someone aware of your presence or to make them aware of what they are doing (dozing, getting too close, etc.).

-Position your bike where it can be seen. Don't put yourself behind a large truck or in a vehicle's blind spot.

-Make sure you can see others

-Keep your eyes moving. If they are locked on one thing, you may not notice a potential hazard. Never let your eyes focus on an object for more than two seconds.

-When you're riding in traffic, at speeds under 40 mph, keep a two-second gap between you and the car in front of you.

-When you're out on the open road, at higher speeds, the gap should be three or four seconds or more, depending on your speed.

-Intersections are particularly dangerous. Always check for traffic coming from the side and from behind. Make sure no one is about to run up your tailpipe.

-Passing

You should be two (or more) seconds behind the vehicle you want to pass.

Always make sure you turn and check your blind spot with your head.

-Don't try to overtake another vehicle if a corner is coming up.

-Night riding

Dusk is actually the most dangerous time to ride, when people's eyes are adjusting from daylight to headlights.

The distance between you and the vehicle in front of you becomes even more important as it gets darker.

-Wear a clear faceshield without scratches. A scratch can create light refraction that might confuse you – two headlights can look like four, for example.

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Something I have noticed... If you power away from a light, to get away from traffic and have some space on the road. This disrupts the ordinary every day flow of traffic. If there are intersections ahead, drivers entering the roadway will not expect a bike or vehicle to be out front like that. They are accustomed to an ordinary flow of traffic, and will often turn onto the road in your path, causing evasive action.

Hence the rule... smooth, ride smooth. At least in traffic and the city around other vehicles. Yes, it's happened to me many times. And it took a long time to figure out why it happens.

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