Riding tips, what have you learned?

[andyb]

Pay attention.  After that, the rest is easy.

[holysmoke]

Sounds like I hit a personal note, sorry.  I wasn't poking at anybody's country.  I knew a friend who came over to ride the Gap and switched lanes in the middle of a turn onto other bikers.  Just saying, it seems like it could be something to watch out for.

Amongst some other clangers, this nugget really stood out.

"- Never drive a bike in a country that drives on your wrong side of the road.  Your instinct which used to save you is now your enemy."

What a load of shit.

Dont listen to Holysmoke, he's a fucken idiot.he drives bikes, he doesn't ride them.

These blokes know how to deal with the beige.
Ride like these blokes, they rock.

[Klavdy]

I knew someone who went to a hospital and they cut the end of his cock right off!

I've been very wary of hospitals ever since.

[McKilla Guerilla]

Ride fast
Take chances
Lane split whenever there's a gap
Always go faster than the traffic
Never do the speed limit
Don't get caught.

X2 on all that. I'm terrified of motorcyclists that ride @ or under the limit in the middle lane. That's where people get merged into.

-Ride a dirtbike, learn how to control a motorbike when it gets squirrelly, preferably before your life depends on it.

-Never try to outride your confidence. If your mate is going too fast for you, ride @ your own comfort level. Don't do something stupid to keep up. If he can't wait up for you, find a new friend.

[jamesearthdrum]

Pay attention.  After that, the rest is easy.

+a million, on all that has been posted so far
My morning commute is always in traffic on slow city streets, for me it's not what if, its when!
Head on a swivel.
Watch your six.

james

[yamaha fj rider]

I'm terrified of motorcyclists that ride @ or under the limit in the middle lane. That's where people get merged into.

-Ride a dirtbike, learn how to control a motorbike when it gets squirrelly, preferably before your life depends on it.

-Never try to outride your confidence. If your mate is going too fast for you, ride @ your own comfort level. Don't do something stupid to keep up. If he can't wait up for you, find a new friend.

Right on the money. You don't become a more skilled rider from a hospital bed. Ride at your skill level if you push your self short bursts only then back in your comfort zone. Want to be a better rider take some classes!!!!! Learn from a pro not Joe blow or you will suck just like he does. Trying to ride above you ability for any amount of time will get you killed. Be aware of other riders around you if they are trying to ride above there skill level get away from them!!!!! It is always better to be the last one there than the guy laying on the side of road waiting EMS.

Kurt

[Lotsokids]

I forgot one:

Road surfaces - If it's shiny, its slippery.

[Firehawk068]

I forgot one:

Road surfaces - If it's shiny, its slippery.

I was just going to post something about this.........
If you are riding in the wet......stay off the painted lines!

[Threkin]

 Don't ride behind towed boats.
I watched an outboard engine fly off the back of a boat being towed on the highway. Luckily there was no traffic and I easily avoided it (in my truck).
Like the guy in the Volvo I instantly thought of getting hit by a boat engine on my bike and the thought is still fresh in my mind when I see a boat.

Also, Pig Shit. http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52187 I wrote this up a few years ago and I still cringe when I think about it.

[McKilla Guerilla]

I was just going to post something about this.........
If you are riding in the wet......stay off the painted lines!

Speaking of, I slipped on a wet sewer cover on my way to work a coupla weeks ago. caught it @ an intersection. Didn't go down as I was only going 10mph but it woke me up for sure!!

[1tinindian]

I tell my kids while riding, treat the situation like a WWII fighter pilot would.
Always be on the lookout for trouble, (the enemy), cagers, you name it.
Keep your head on a swivel, always assess your conditions and  everything around you.
And like a fighter plane, use the agility of your bike to keep yourself out of a bad situation, either through braking, turning or accelerating.
Use your mirrors, always be aware of vehicles behind you as much as in front of you.
(I had a good friend killed from being hit from behind while he was on his motorcycle.)
Avoid riding after dark, if possible. There is just to many things that can come out of the darkness and get you.

I could keep going on, but I think you guys know where I'm coming from.

Leon

[bugboy]

For newer riders - at first you are a little afraid/tentative and you'll probably be OK,,,, then you start thinking you're getting pretty good,,,,,,that's when you crash.

[ribbert]

For newer riders - at first you are a little afraid/tentative and you'll probably be OK,,,, then you start thinking you're getting pretty good,,,,,,that's when you crash.

They compile aircraft accident stats against pilot hours and there's a spike at the point inexperience gives way to over confidence and rises again when experience gives way to complacency.

[Dan Filetti]

I avoid man hole cover whenever and wherever possible.  ESPECIALLY when they are wet.

I have seen video of accidents from man hole cover dropping in on one side as they are ridden over, flipping the bike end over end.  Also, as recently stated, they get slippery when wet. I was just trying to find examples over on youtube, but could not. 

Maybe later.

Dan

[Klavdy]

Don't bother wearing Hi-Vis, it does nothing to help.