50 Ways to Save Your Life

[MSFInstructor]

Hi -

This is an excellent list. I'm sure it took the author a lot of time to compile. However, I feel that number 19 is incorrect.

Firstly, this list was forwarded to me by my 65 year old dad who absolutely LOVES riding his Burgman. He's raced dirtbikes, done the dual-sport thing, owned big cruiser bikes and a couple of Harley tourers but I've never known him to like any of these more than his Burgman. About me: I'm 39 years old, been riding on the road 20 years and have been a motorcycle safety instructor for eight years. I've taught hundreds how to ride or helped them to improve their skills.

Here are the reasons I disagree with number 19 (always cover your front brake):
- Learning students sometimes forget which is the clutch and which is the brake.
- We still don't recommend covering the front brake even after learning the controls because the extra bit of time (that this list says you're saving by covering the front brake) gives you a split second to assess the situation and overcome the natural tendency to panic. If something happens and you panic, then it's just too easy to grab the front brake first and think second.
- operating the front brake in a panic tends to lock up the front tire (for those without ABS). That's one of the quickest ways to get a close up look at the asphalt.
- It's not possible to properly operate the throttle when four of your fingers are resting on the front brake lever.

At our location, we teach: If you're not using the front brake, your fingers should wrapped around the throttle.

Again, it's an awesome list! Thanks for taking the time to put it together!

[blueberry]

Thank you for taking the time to pull this post together. I found this in Oct shortly after joining BUSA and have made it a personal goal to re-read it once a month. It's the best.

[papaburger]

Hadn't thought of rereading the 50 tips once a month. Good idea in-fact that is what I will do right now

[TheBlackMoon]

Just seeing this.

I wholeheartedly agree with most of the items listed throughout this thread (though I can relate to what MSFInstructor states about covering your front brake, I've just trained myself NOT to pull the right brake in a panic). Having limits in my mobility, driving /riding becomes a whole new level of privilege for me, so I've lived by these rules and others all of my mobile life. I started racing cars on a closed track at 14yrs old, only to have to fight like a dog to get my license at 18, because I was "handicapped" and use both feet to drive. I had to be better, faster, more instinctive and aware than anyone in my class (or that I knew) just to "prove" that I was "capable" of handling a car. As a Law Enforcement Officer, again I had to prove myself better at defensive driving, and vehicle handling.

Now, after over 24yrs of driving, I can honestly say that motorcycle, car, SUV, or 10Ton Moving Van, #1 is true; You are invisible!!

People today don't even try to drive; they get behind the wheel and expect the car to drive itself. They can't park, drive at their own pace without regard to flow of traffic, have no concept of lane control, driving beyond their front bumper, or what a passing lane is used for, have no courtesy or regard for other motorists, and don't even yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles anymore (police excepted, and that's only because they think they may get a ticket if they don't). They drive too fast in the slow lane and too slow in the fast lane, use their horn more for offense than notification, and regardless of what you drive, they will hit you before letting you get in front of them or "cut across" them, even at a traffic light. To make matters worse, the very concept of "Lead by example" is no longer even practiced by our Law Enforcement personnel.

If you always keep this in mind, and always drive as if you expect others to intentionally attempt to cause you to get in an accident, you'll be as safe as you can be with today's motorists.

I'm all for eating, drinking, talking on the phone, smoking, and playing loud music while driving; but first, people need to LEARN HOW TO DRIVE, without the distractions. Most people today, including MOST police officers, can't! Remember that.

[Chet_Benson]

AMEN!
"because I was "handicapped" and use both feet to drive" That puzzles me Blackmoon. I use two feet myself.

[chuckp73]

Absolutely! 100% agreement.

I'm not sure what can be done about it, as all the examples are just symptoms of a much greater ill in our society. I just don't feel up to climbing onto that soapbox today.

I have frequently stated that somewhere between 75% and 90% of drivers on the road today, in this country, should have their licenses revoked. And some of the time, I'll include myself in that. I have my bad days, too.

[c dub]

Thank you for the post! My husband and I just got our (two) B400s and we're very excited. He has had motorcycles in the past, and I had a small scooter, but, this is a big step up for me. I'm all over the forum picking up as much knowledge and vicarious experience as I can get, since it's raining outside, today. Thanks for taking the time to list the 50 tips; very much appreciated!

[delburg]

I have to agree with 49 of the 50 tips, the one I do not agree with is #19

19. Keep the front brake covered—always
Save a single second of reaction time at 60 mph and you can stop 88 feet shorter. Think about that.

I would have to say that the only time to "cover" the front brake lever, is if you see a situation developing and anticipate a problem.

If one is in the habit of "covering the front brake" all the time it becomes all too easy to grab it in a panic situation and cause a "low side" fall.....

Under normal riding I would recommend keeping all your fingers around the throttle........

Just my 2 cents worth....

[taly]

I control the throttle (rolling off and on) with my thumb and palm, using friction from the glove (and gravity) to maintain contact, while my fingers cover the brake. This technique has eliminated the hand cramping, though the farthest I've gone in one stretch is 90 miles.

I've only had two semi-panic situations but didn't brake incorrectly. I'll keep the caveat in mind.

There's something I do with the left hand which may be considered unwise. I cover and brake with the last three fingers while the index covers the bright flash button, which I seem to use often when there is a vehicle in the left turn lane or entering from the right.

Let me know if you think I'm wrong.

[Ragman]

taly: Not to say you're wrong but aren't you worried the driver you're flashing may think you're letting him turn left in front of you? I usually ride with the "brights" ON during daytime, the flash button in that situation doesn't do nothing.

PJ

[delburg]

In the BRC, flashing the headlight is discouraged because an oncomming driver may assume you are telling them it is ok to go, I feel riding with the highbeams on during the day is more effective at making you be seen. especially with the lights on a Burgman. also its not a bad idea to add additional lights to the forks as this will create a "light triangle" and that will help oncomming traffic in judging how far away you are.

Ride safe

[TheBlackMoon]

Delburg, interesting idea (light triangle). I may just see how I like it this winter. As for flashing oncoming motorists at turns,I do it too, BUT I do it to tell them to go ahead and turn... I'll wait! That way, I don't have to worry about them doing something STUPID in front of me. If it's bigger than you are, don't challenge it, I say (excepting speeding away from it!).

[Mordechai]

I am surprised I never saw this post! +1 many times over for putting it on the Forum and to recent members for bringing it back to our viewscreen! I wonder if this ever was posted to the Knowlede Base?

Only one IMHO comment, besides the already noted comments about 19 [ALWAYS covering the front brake]

RE: #14: Following distance...

I though the standard driver's ed jargon for following distance was "one car length for every 10 miles of speed." I don't think I ever got the hang of measuring car lengths while I drove So I never thought that was very useful, even though I dutifully parotted it back to my examiner!

On the other hand, the MSF course I took has a very easy to follow and very practical guideline of minimum 2 seconds of following distance, which is based on an average person's reaction time plus some time to actually begin a response to a perceived situation.

[Just let the guy in front pass a defined road feature and count out loud: One one thousand, Two one thousand, Three.... until you get to that feature.] I find it's a good idea to actually do the counting regularly - especially if I am feeling impatient, 'cause I tend to creep closer than I ought!

Needless to say, that is a decent minimum, and in situations which look risky, a longer following time is better! I also know that in many if not all areas, a gap that large is too tempting for a driver in another lane not to occupy, so I just let him go and drop back to my following interval.

Also, as we [including myself ] age, we no longer have the reaction times of 18 year-olds. And although we have decades of training and experience that helps us to compensate, we can never have too much of that life-saving time between us and a situation. A good 3 to 4 seconds is not wasted; in fact it could save our lives. And, like others have already postied, I for one plan to print this and post it for regular review in my garage area, possibly altering 14 and 19.

m

[delburg]

"On the other hand, the MSF course I took has a very easy to follow and very practical guideline of minimum 2 seconds of following distance, which is based on an average person's reaction time plus some time to actually begin a response to a perceived situation."

As I like to tell everyone in my classes, " Is the ride anyless enjoyable if you follow at 2 sec or at an 8 sec interval"?

If the extra space makes you feel comfortable then use it.....

[aka Boomer]

47. Don’t troll next to—or right behind—Mr. Peterbilt
If one of those 18 retreads blows up—which they do with some regularity—it de-treads, and that can be ugly. Unless you like dodging huge chunks of flying rubber, keep your distance.

While driving my pickup on an interstate, I was following someone who was obviously affraid of passing a "big truck". No sooner had I cleared the rear axles on the trailer when I heard an explosion that froze my blood. There was a hail storm of tire shrapnel right behind me. I can only imagine what would have hapened if I was on my bike and right next to the tire that exploded.

[Mikie M]

Great post! How about adding animals at night, especially deer.

P.S. My ex-brother-in-law's second cousin's uncle by a previous marriage was accidentally killed by a semi-truck while trying to teach his pet 'possum how to cross the highway. There's a lesson to be learned there, somewhere.

[bumpo]

What a wonderful post to have had the pleasure of reading!! I can think of one more to add to it.....I've used this technique for many years of riding and it really works. When you have the right of way, and traffic is stopped and waiting, pay close attention to the front WHEELS on the cars, don't focus on the entire vehicle....if they start to move out on you----you'll notice it instantly, and be ready to react faster. I picked this tip up in a biker magazine a long time ago....started to use it, and It is a force of habit for me all the time now....even when I'm in the cage!

[Chet_Benson]

When in Doubt, Procrastinate!


Good list to read over and over.

[alinver]

Excellent list, I've added to my favourites and I'll read it till I remember it.

One tip I tell every new rider, something I learned through a painful experience, wear something hi-viz, even if it's only armbands or a throw over vest. I ride through a city everyday and I know my high visibility jacket, dayglo yellow, has saved me many times, cars pulling out of junctions to go then stop, I can been seen from hundreds of yards away.

If you want to practice riding in the rain.. move to Scotland!

Al

[Houndguy]

First time I saw this. Some great tips without a doubt.

I always remind myself of one thing before I go out. "Cocky will get me killed" So I remind myself not to take that corner to fast, to double check how far away that car approaching me is.

I am placing this thread in my faves just to go back and reread it now and again.

[Chet_Benson]

This one is simple but easy to forget and will cost you.
Look where you want to go
Use the miracle of target fixation to your advantage. The motorcycle goes where you look, so focus on the solution instead of the problem.

[Wes_Ingram]

+1 on looking where you want to go! Learned that lesson the hard way!!!!!

[Edvs]

Thank you very informative

[TheBlackMoon]

Just posting to keep this post alive. Lot of good tips on here, ESPECIALLY for newbies and those out of the saddle for a while.

[dkhayden]

Printed this and put in glove box since I am new to burgie. It only takes a few moments to go over the list before I even start the bike. The big one for me in the class was looking to where you want to go. I kept looking down at the small orange any green cones. After remedial training I finally passed my test and grateful for any tips. Awesome post. Thanks a million. These can save lives. Hopefully people will read and learn Including me...