What's the one piece of advice...?

[superjohn]

A key thing for me is to not only be aware of what's going on around me, but also be cognizant of how others may or may not be aware.

Case in point, a motorcycle is small and often fast moving, which means it's harder to see. Understanding that even adequate drivers are going to have a greater difficulty immediately seeing me and recognizing my course and velocity keeps me from making moves that may surprise them, or entering into situations where they won't see me until it's too late.

It's a take on the "ride like you're invisible and everyone is trying to kill you" philosophy without so much judgement against drivers of cages.




even though they suck 

[superjohn]

Read this entire article:

50 Ways to Save Your Life

By Motorcyclist Magazine

Adam

And now that I read this, it should definitely be included. Some exceptional advise in that article.

[AfroStar]

My experience today just to vent, and my piece of advice. 

I was riding to work, coming up to a red light, lady driver with few passengers at the light signaling to take a right.  so I pulled up to the light next to her.  it is just me and her at the light.  i look back while waiting, she is still there, and it seems like she was asking a bicyclist some directions.  I was skeptical when the lady clearly signal, and had not turn.  green light, she took off, cutting me off.  I held back and took it easy, but i bit angered.  thought about many things i could have done to give her a piece of my mind, but kept on going.

so the key is always keep your cool, and angry rider is not a safe one. save your venting for the your DMF brethren.

two, be aware of the other drivers, especially (I want to say ladies, but don't want to upset other great lady drivers out there), and worst ladies on a cell phone, that's another story.

[yamifixer]

Assume nobody can see you.

[trenner]

Off-the-shelf blue jeans are not armor.

[Grampa]

Assume nobody can see you.

make everybody see you 

[Loyalizer]

Read this entire article:

50 Ways to Save Your Life

By Motorcyclist Magazine

Adam

I read that and found it helpful. However, when I ride I doubt all fifty are going around in my head. Most people have A.D.D.  I could pick ten of the most important, but the more one can retain the better.

As for the question at hand, ONE piece of advice that I think is the most helpful, seems to apply all the time. I see this mistake every week end. More riders eat pavement and gravel because of it, and believe me "gravity is a harsh mistress." Its number thirty on that fifty list safety reminder.

Stay in your comfort zone when you're riding with others
Riding over your head is a good way to end up in the ditch. Any bunch worth riding with will have a rendezvous point where you'll be able to link up again.

Assuming you are invisible is paramount. All the other tips, people will pick and choose what suits them best. But testosterone and machismo always seems to get the better of every man. I would go so far as to say women go down for various other reasons (please -no- innuendo)  But guys, week in and week out its because they are out to prove something to whomever for whatever...

RIDE TO YOUR OWN ABILITY NOT SOMEONE ELSES !

[somegirl]

Lots of great advice already mentioned.

I was already familiar with being invisible and dealing with traffic from my bicycle commuting experience, but one thing that was not covered in MSF that I wish had been was dealing with slopes & cambers.  Starting, stopping, turning when the road is sloped and/or cambered.  You can't practice that in a flat parking lot.

[TiNi]

look way ahead, you'll be ready for the unexpected

+11ty billion to riding your own ride

[Duki09]

Advice -  Ride in the safe manner you were taught and not ride like everyone else.  Don't pick up bad habits just to fit in with the group.

Advice - This is meant for regular riders and not for racers, stunters and other extreme riders,  but if you believe in the saying, "There are two types of riders...those who have dropped their bike and those who will.".....You will probably drop your bike because you taught your mind that you will.  There is no reason why anyone who rides safely and responsibly  must experience laying down their motorcycle.  Of course, if you are a racer or a stunter, you increase the risk and make it more possible.

Advice - cars and trucks are bigger and heavier than you and your bike and can cause damage resulting in the rider's death.  Give cars and trucks the right-of-way even if you are in the right, because you'll lose the argument.

Advice -  even if it is legal to split lanes where you are....DON'T...it's unsafe.  Ride in traffic like you would if you had a bigger vehicle and don't try to weave in and out between cars because you can on a smaller bike.

Advice - beware of a$$holes on cell phones

Advice - YOU ARE INVISABLE ON A MOTORCYCLE, BUT YOU ARE NOT INVINCIBLE.

[silentbob]

Advice -  even if it is legal to split lanes where you are....DON'T...it's unsafe.

The CHP would disagree with you.

There are at least two occasions where traffic on the freeway stopped, I split lanes, and the SUV behind me ended up embedded in the vehicle in front of me.  Without lane splitting, I wouldn't be here today.

[somegirl]

Advice -  even if it is legal to split lanes where you are....DON'T...it's unsafe.  Ride in traffic like you would if you had a bigger vehicle and don't try to weave in and out between cars because you can on a smaller bike.

Lane splitting (lane sharing) is not the same as weaving in and out between cars.  I agree that weaving in and out between cars is unsafe.

[Statler]

The CHP would disagree with you.

There are at least two occasions where traffic on the freeway stopped, I split lanes, and the SUV behind me ended up embedded in the vehicle in front of me.  Without lane splitting, I wouldn't be here today.

Plus it can cut your exposure time on a busy road in half or more.   Safer to be splitting for 20 minutes than sitting next to angry commuters stuck in traffic for an hour.   In places where it's legal some motorists might expect it too which could cause some issues for motorcycles who choose not to.  I have to agree with Siltenbob on this one.

[corndog67]

Lane splitting.  I do it every day.  Don't do it unless the cars are side by side.  They won't change lanes into each other, but they will into a bike by itself.   If you are splitting lanes, ride with your high beam on.  They can't tell if you are the police or not.   They will give you room.   I also ride a gear higher, keeping the revs up, just in case I need to jump on it to get around something, and also keep a couple fingers on the front brake.  And once again, focus.  Don't look into the cars you're going past.   Scan in front of you. 

And one other thing.  I heard some old guys, at least older than I, saying how they "laid the bike down" to avoid a crash and slid it underneath a big truck trailer, would have been killed if he hadn't "laid 'er down".  This is all bullshit.   That is what a front brake is for.  If someone gets into a panic situation, and locks up the back brake and the bike starts sliding sideways, that guy isn't a very good rider, or is afraid of the front brake.   The front brake is your friend.  Practice with it.  About the only time I use the rear is turning the bike around in the dirt. 

[Cuky_Monster]

Stay alert, stay alive.