All about the ride

[xcel]

Increase your comfort and safety with tips for two-wheeled touring.

Art Voss – San Francisco Chronicle – Oct. 9, 2008

Kawasaki Ninja 250R and rider deep into a turn.

Great start for a bikers apparel and protection. -- Ed.

Motorcycle travel tends not to be about the destination, but rather the ride, which is ultimately the fun in getting there. There are short toolin'-around-town cruises to show off one's ride. There are day trips with perhaps a specific destination in mind, but certainly no rush in getting there, and finally there are extended tours over greater distances that fall into the riding adventure category.

Regardless of the nature of your ride, and whether it's a solo run, or made in the company of others, the same conventional wisdom applies - proper and thorough preparation always results in an experience that is more fun. After all, why ride if it isn't enjoyable?

Riding safely, with the correct gear adds considerably to comfort on the road. Gear to be considered includes: helmets (most states require DOT-approved helmets when riding); helmet faceshields; a cloth skullcap; glasses - prescription and sunglasses; ear plugs; a riding jacket; riding pants; riding boots; gloves; and rain or foul weather wear. A full-face helmet provides the best protection in the event of an actual grounding or crash. Yes, I know that half or "beanie" helmets may look cool, projecting a nostalgic "biker" image, but trust me on this one, bugs and rocks inflict pain when they strike you in the face. Your helmet should fit snugly, but not too tight or too loose (which can actually be worse)… [Read More]

[Earthling]

A decent article, but with some glaring omissions.

Notice the guy on the bike, dressed mostly in black. The helmet isn't solid black, but it's graphics serve as camouflage.

As I've pointed out before, a reputable study from New Zealand determined that a white helmet will lower the accident rate for bikers by a whopping 24 percent. The biggest problem motorcyclists have is being spotted and noticed by other motorists. Wearing black from head-to-toe is the worst thing you can possibly do, but seems to be considered by most bikers as some mandatory verbal rule. I notice the article mentions nothing about the importance of conspicuity while on a bike, a serious shortcoming. A common fatal accident for motorcyclists is when a car driver turns left across the path of the biker, because "he didn't see him." What actually happened is that he didn't perceive him. If you want to ride a bike, you better make an impression on other motorists by being easily visible, otherwise you're likely to make a physical impression in the side of their car.

Another thing missing is the importance of getting thorough rider training. I've talked bike safety with rooms full of bikers, and gotten mostly blank looks when discussing counter-steering. If you don't know what counter-steering is, park your bike and learn, because you aren't the least bit safe until you do.

Ride safe,

Harry

[gershon]

Earthiling:
Another thing missing is the importance of getting thorough rider training. I've talked bike safety with rooms full of bikers, and gotten mostly blank looks when discussing counter-steering. If you don't know what counter-steering is, park your bike and learn, because you aren't the least bit safe until you do.

I think lack of knowledge about counter-steering is the primary cause of crashes.

At speeds above 6 mph, you have to push on the right hand grip to go right and push on the left hand grip to go left. Leaning the body has absolutely nothing to do with turning a bike.

[Earthling]

Originally Posted by gershon

I think lack of knowledge about counter-steering is the primary cause of crashes.

At speeds above 6 mph, you have to push on the right hand grip to go right and push on the left hand grip to go left. Leaning the body has absolutely nothing to do with turning a bike.

Absolutely.

I have regained control of my bike several times when I was about to have a run-off-the-road accident. Push left, go left, push right, go right. One time I was checking over my left shoulder on an Interstate, and when I looked forwards again, I was about to leave the travel lane, headed for guide rail on my right. An instant push-left go left got me back under control. Almost half of all bike wrecks in rural areas are single vehicle run-off-the-road accidents.

Another thing: the only way to swerve a motorcycle is with counter-steering. If you don't know about counter-steering, then you can't possibly swerve a motorcycle. A teenage kid instinctively knows how to swerve a car. If you can't swerve a motorcycle, you're looking for trouble.

Harry