To Ride is Not Enough
Oct 10 '01 (Updated Jun 02 '02)
The Bottom Line Try to Get Better All the Time.
1. Look briefly to both sides at least once every 3 seconds
It is amazing how fast traffic conditions are changing. Looking at the mirrors only is not enough when a vehicle already start to overtake you. The look should be brief, i.e. just moving the head and eyes to the side and turning back immediately to front. The information is processed in your head Afterwards. And if an action is required you are already looking at the right direction: Ahead.
2. Look at the mirrors at least every other look to the sides
It is not enough to look at the mirrors because when vehicles are very close from the sides, you can't see them in the mirrors.
3. Keep Distance
From all directions, fences and obstacles.
4. Minimize the need for brakes
One of the good riding skill indications is minimal use of braking. Actually, you can drive a motorcycle regularly without using the brakes at all apart from when you have to come to a complete stop. This way of driving ensures keeping distance, correct speed in relation to turns and anticipation of traffic.
5. Look far
You have to get used to look after the next vehicles and actually, as far as possible.
6. Don't overtake between vehicles
I do it only when the traffic is standing or going very slow.
7. If you can't win them, loose them
If I can't overtake, and there is space from behind, I let them go.
8. Always be prepared to stop or not to stop when getting near a lighted intersection
I tell myself "go, go .. Stop" just in order to be able to react immediately when the light is changed to red.
9. Always look at all available directions when crossing an intersection
That means to look more then right and left at many intersections. Usually at the simplest situation, you have to look to the left and afterwards to the right. But when turning left on a lighted intersection you usually have to look at 3-4 directions before and inside the intersection. Get used to look by precedence. And learn the specific traffic arrangements in intersections that you usually drive in.
10. Don't go Together
Don't ride side to side with another vehicle.
I try to minimize overtaking time and reduce speed when being overtaken.
If being overtaken too closely, I use the horn, just to let them pay good attention.
11. Stop on the sides of the road or between lanes
I think that its more dangerous to stop at the middle of an Empty lane because vehicles may not see you, especially big trucks. And it can happen also due to specific type of road like a stop light after the pick of a hill. Therefore, the best is to stop before an already standing vehicle or between standing cars. If not possible stop at the very left side of the road, else at the very right side of the road, else on the splitting line between the lanes. Keep looking at the mirrors to see if any vehicle is coming on you.
12. Avoid stopping and turning on painted areas
Since its more slippery especially when wet. Your leg should not rest on a painted area.
13. Take the side leg up immediately after sitting
Its a good habit.
14. Use the 6 sense
By paying attention to other vehicle, you can almost always realize what they are going to do even before they do.
15. Use higher gear to Reduce Speed
I do it usually before turning, it ensure that the wheels will have better traction. Nevertheless you should be aware not to stall the engine at low speeds.
16. Be aware of blind spots when driving on the sides of other vehicles
Especially when driving close to big vehicles or overtaking from the right side.
17. Always put the lights on
Sometimes, other drivers may notice you.
18. Check the locks where removed before turning the lights on
If you get used to it, you will avoid humiliations.
19. Turn right tightly
To avoid oncoming traffic and because your view is sometimes limited when turning right, its better to get used to tight right turns.
20. Know how to cross a round about
When turning Right, signal before entering, enter from the right side, keep right and get out from the right side.
When going Straight, if there is another vehicle that may cross your way, enter from right, keep right, be careful when crossing the next entry and go out at the right side.
If no vehicle is after you its better to take the shortest root. Be aware of incoming and out coming traffic when crossing the next entrance inside the round about.
When turning Left or making a U turn, signal left before entering, enter from the left, keep to the left, go out at the left side of the road. Afterwards, look right, signal right and change lane to the right side, if appropriate.
21. Know how to turn left
When turning left Into Two way street, i.e. not divided by separating area, turn to the right side of the road to avoid traffic from the left front side.
When turning left Into One way street, turn to the left side to avoid traffic that may come from behind into the rear right side.
When turning left From Two way street, turn from the Leftmost lane of your direction.
When turning left From One way street, turn from the very Left side.
When turning left From One way to One way, note that this is the tightest turn.
When turning left From One way to Two way street, you have to start turn Late.
When turning left From Two way to One way you have to start turn Early.
22. Go on the right or left side on one way street
I try to go on the less crowded side.
23. Signal when changing side on one way street with one lane
It's the same as a street with 2 lanes.
24. Look and signal to the side you are stopping on
Because you get closer to the side, its like changing lanes.
25. Give way
Always Remember to give way. Especially when there is a stop sign, give way sign or no sign.
26. Use both brakes when reducing speed
Otherwise, you will not get used to stop correctly.
27. Always Look before signaling
This may prevent you from turning without looking.
28. Always signal before changing lanes, turning, side stopping and starting
This is a good manner.
29. Look to the side you are turning to
You have to look almost backwards to the side that you are turning to, just before turning.
30. Identify dangerous vehicles
If you see a damaged car or vehicle that behave strangely in any way, mark it and avoid it.
31. Stay far from vehicles
Especially from the big ones. And the dangerous ones.
32. Don't count on other drivers
Assume that all other drivers do not deserve a driving license.
33. Look back when starting on green light
When starting on a green light, be aware of near cars at the back and sides.
34. Stay far from exits, entrances and taxies
Other drivers may behave unexpectedly near exits and entrances which may also be crowded. Taxies may always do it.
35. Take the outer side of turns
You can see farther and be seen sooner from the outer side of turns. And you are farther from possible obstacles and have more room to avoid problems.
36. Don't go when no see
Especially on turns.
37. Take note of the vehicles in front of you
If you see a vehicle or vehicle's lights that jump, slow or change lane, it may indicate a problem ahead.
38. Use other vehicles for your protection
Another turning vehicle, can protect you and cause other vehicles to stop when turning into or crossing a crowded road,
Also, driving behind a bigger vehicle can protect you from others like left turning vehicles in front or you.
39. Put 2 fingers on brake and clutch handles
It'll Make you react faster when needed. Nevertheless, its better to switch gears usually with 4 fingers.
40. Sit correctly
Sitting correctly, means sitting loosely with the back curved a little. Front sitting is preferred to improve steering. Hands not straight but coming from the sides on the handlebar, legs on the rest pegs only.
41. Keep the handlebar lightweight
Don't lean on or stick to the handlebar in any case because it reduce stability. You have to lean backwards and forwards in order to avoid any unnecessary pressure on the handlebar.
42. Know how to stop
When stopping, first turn slightly backwards and move slightly back in the sit. The legs should embrace the gas tank stronger and apply pressure to the pegs with the legs.
Always start easy on Both breaks. Then apply more pressure on the front brake. Asses stopping distance and reduce stopping pressure gradually from the front brake while keeping pressure on the rear, at the end apply more pressure on the rear brake and less pressure on the front brake.
43. Remember that back skidding is not dangerous
In fact, when going straight you can lock the rear wheel completely for long distance. Just sit still and look straight ahead, you should be Ok.
44. Remember that front skidding is hard to get
In fact, its very hard to lock the front wheel while going straight. Therefore, on emergency you can stop much more quickly then usual. We have to train emergency stops daily...
45. Know how to accelerate
When accelerating, turn slightly forward so that your head is over the gas tank. This improve steering.
46. Apply gas when road is bumpy
This reduce pressure from the suspensions and reduce steering to avoid unnecessary change of direction.
47. Gas should be open
Its always good to drive with open gas instead of going fast and leave the gas completely in order to reduce speed. You have to get used to applying little gas on low speeds.
48. Know how to turn
When inside the turn, better to sit easy on the bike by putting pressure on the pegs with the legs, in order to ease the pressure on the suspensions. The opposite when going out of the turn.
Complete reducing speed before the turn. You have to decide on the correct speed for the turn Before going in by studying the turn early. When starting the turn, look to the heart of the turn and when in the heart of the turn, look to the exit.
49. Know how to counter steer
Try to get used to counter steering first at high speed curves. You will find that its easier to keep the line by using a very light but constant counter steering, then by leaning the bike with the body.
For tighter turns, you have to apply counter steering shortly in order to lean the bike into the turn at the correct angle. For the fastest reaction you have to get used to counter steer to one direction and afterwards to the other direction in order to straighten the bike. This is the most counter instinctive skill that is required because when you are surprised you usually turn the handlebar away from the danger while actually, you have to turn the handlebar To the direction of the danger.
50. Look to the front wheels of oncoming vehicle
You will notice that a vehicle is about to turn sooner.
51. Learn to avoid obstacles
Try to avoid obstacles like painted road signs when the road is clear. You can use various techniques but pay attention mainly to your counter steering skills.
52. Look far
Especially when going slow. If you must, try to point your head straight and move your eyes rapidly to view the closer area for short time.
53. Learn to drive slowly
Get used to drive slowly straight and in tight turns.
54. Be aware of cars about to turn
This is the main reason for motorcycles accidents.
55. Be aware of directions where vehicles can come
Vehicles are more likely to come from no entry streets then from one way streets.
55. Be aware of who is in a standing car and what are they doing
Be interested in the deeds of people inside standing cars. And try to be far enough if a door will be opened.
56. Anticipate
E.g. Obstacles that you can't see may always reside on the side of the road.
57. Reduce speed when required
This is the absolute solution for problems when riding.
58. Learn to climb on a sidewalk
As the side walk is higher you attack it straighter.
Open gas just before touching the sidewalk in order to open the suspension.
59. Stop on left leg
Better to stop on the left leg because then you can use both brakes when stopped.
60. Don't stop where pedestrian are crossing
If you wait for intersection to be cleared, no need to block the crossing.
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Epinions.com ID:
susi250
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Location: Tel-Aviv, Israel
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Riding KLR 250 from 1999.
Working as computer programmer and Oracle DBA.
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