03 Apr 2007, 10:45 pm / Eager to ride
A long time ago, I was a kid just about to get my driver's permit (for a car) and a very wise man (my father) told me something that made more sense to me than anything any teacher ever taught me - To paraphrase: "Licenses, lines, lanes and laws aside, the whole point to driving a car is to put the car where there isn't going to be anything else." Not your typical advice, but brilliant in its elegance and simplicity - That simple sentence IS driving - and riding. It's the "prime directive" of sorts - the common denominator of the road (or the off-road). And I've shared that little piece of advice with more people than I can recall. No matter where you are, no matter how fast (or slow) you're going, no matter what color the lines on the street are, no matter what state you're in, you want to put the bike where there isn't going to be anything else. Animals, other vehicles (moving or parked), areas of "non-road" and such. I have a couple friends who are getting the itch to start moving on two wheels - Of course, I suggest to them to take the MSF course, wear the proper gear, etc. But lately, now that Spring is springing up again, I've been talking with my future riding buddies about those things they don't teach you in class... Being a fairly new rider myself, I thought it'd be nice to compile a little list of observations. Things that are probably common sense to seasoned two-wheelers might never have crossed the minds of those who are not... Looking forward to seeing what might get added to this. GENERAL: When pulling up to an intersection where you'll make a right turn at a red light, look RIGHT as well as left before turning. In a car, that pothole will startle you. On a bike, it could send you to the hospital. URBAN: "Trash out for pick-up night" = "Critter night." 'Nuff said. Speaking of critters: RURAL: Especially forest areas, anywhere where you might find deer, foxes, wolves - Loud bikes up front. Even if the guy on the Gold Wing knows the directions. If spooked animals run into or across the street from being startled by the loud bike, you don't want them running out right into the quiet one in the lead. NOTE: I have a good amount of first-hand experience at this - When riding the northwoods of Wisconsin and the U.P. on a Sabre with RH65's (reasonably loud pipes) deer were plentiful and easily spooked. They'd consistently run into the road around 50-60 yards ahead of me. Never gave it much thought, until my riding partner (on a very quiet Wing) took the lead for a while. As he was 30 or 40 yards ahead of me, the deer were running out almost directly in front of him. This happened several times in only several miles on one stretch. After the fourth or fifth time, he dropped back into the rear and we went back to "normal." As I've heard the same story from a number of other riders in several areas, it seemed prudent to bring it up here. GENERAL: High-beams and light bars are for daytime also. Especially in urban areas where they will help you be seen amongst a throng of cars. GENERAL: Mirrors can say "NO" but they never say "YES" - Always check visually before changing lanes (Heard that one somewhere else - Although I understood that already, that was a great alternative way of thinking about it). Okay, it's getting late. And this "Gladiator" movie is making it hard to concentrate. Lots of blood and yuch... But if anyone has anything to add, feel free, eh?
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