A rider sometimes forgets certain things.....

[Thunder7]

This article reminded me, and I think it will help out others:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/28january07_streetsafety.htm

[BlueRidgeKat]

Good reminders, thanks. I also believe it is best to start on a dirt bike if at all possible.

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Good report just sent to the wife to read she is going this year for her license this summer.

[Thunder7]

We owe it to the community to pass along/impart as much help as we can. Where and whenever we can.

[Tomx]

Good advice...

My only slight 'difference of opinion':

He mentions several times about making eye contact with the cage driver. I was trained, and believe myself from experience, that this isn't a good policy. A driver can be looking right at you and still pull out in front of you, or turn in front of you. If you assume you're safe because you've 'made eye contact', you could be in for a big surprise. Remember, as he says, we're invisible.

Look at the car, especially the wheels, not the driver's eyes, to anticipate what the car will do.

Just my opinion.

- Tom

[Thunder7]

Good advice...

My only slight 'difference of opinion':

He mentions several times about making eye contact with the cage driver. I was trained, and believe myself from experience, that this isn't a good policy. A driver can be looking right at you and still pull out in front of you, or turn in front of you. If you assume you're safe because you've 'made eye contact', you could be in for a big surprise. Remember, as he says, we're invisible.

Look at the car, especially the wheels, not the driver's eyes, to anticipate what the car will do.

Just my opinion.

- Tom

Agreed

[cbsnbiker]

Good advice...

My only slight 'difference of opinion':

He mentions several times about making eye contact with the cage driver. I was trained, and believe myself from experience, that this isn't a good policy. A driver can be looking right at you and still pull out in front of you, or turn in front of you. If you assume you're safe because you've 'made eye contact', you could be in for a big surprise. Remember, as he says, we're invisible.

Look at the car, especially the wheels, not the driver's eyes, to anticipate what the car will do.

Just my opinion.

- Tom

Ditto.

[Rigger]

Good reminder but I also agree with the above.

[Mr Sunshine]

I'm curious.  How can a rider ever forget they are invisible to those around them?  Hell I drive like I'm invisible in my car.  Helps me stay out of problems.

[Black Ice]

I'm curious.  How can a rider ever forget they are invisible to those around them?  Hell I drive like I'm invisible in my car.  Helps me stay out of problems.

No doubt...sometimes it seems my 18-wheeler is invisible.

[DataDan]

Eye contact is information and shouldn't be ignored. But use it as a negative indicator rather than a positive one.

While eye contact with a driver who could cross your path doesn't ensure that he sees you and will yield right-of-way, failure to make eye contact usually means a driver has not seen you. If you can't see the eyes of the driver in a vehicle that poses a threat, assume he doesn't know you're there and deal with it accordingly.

My most recent experience with this was just a couple of weeks ago when a woman making a right turn on red from a cross street on my right simply did not look in my direction as she approached the intersection. She was in full view the entire time, so I knew she didn't see me. I slowed down and watched her turn into my lane directly in my path. Horned her from about 6 feet off her rear bumper, hopefully scaring the crap out of her so she'll be more careful next time.

[RBEmerson]

Eye contact is crucual for controlling cagers.  Coming into a situation where I see someone looking like they're about to do a "well, I'll just slide out here and nobody will notice", I've looked straight at that driver and seen that car stop moving.  No, it doesn't work all the time.  I watched a jerk in an F-350 pull out (illegal left across traffic from a stop sign, to add to the fun) looking right at me with a "whaddaya gonna do about that" look.  But in cases where I can either make eye contact or at least look like it (amazing what you can do while wearing a helmet with a tinted visor down...   ), it often serves to stop someone.  And, yes, I do go for the "big view", looking to see what the front wheels are doing as I try to stare someone down.  

[Sock Puppet]

Good stuff.  I forwarded that to a few friends who could benefit from the reminder.

[RBEmerson]

DataDan's got a point: if you can't make eye contact with a driver, assume the worst.  More than once I've been on the receiving end of someone pulling out without looking around.  I was able to anticipate it was coming because I never saw their eyes or face even vaguely in my direction.  Makes ya want to scream, "If I'd been an 18-wheeler, you'd be [bleep]in' dead!"

[Black Ice]

Makes ya want to scream, "If I'd been an 18-wheeler, you'd be [bleep]in' dead!"

Unfortunately, they do stupid crap in front of trucks as well.  They don't seem to understand that the laws of physics trump the laws of man, and that all their self-importance ain't going to mean shit on the day that they do something too stupid for me to compensate for.  

[GilaMonster]

I have to agree with Black Ice.  It never ceases to amaze me that a import cage will pull in right in front of me when I am yanking a trailer, just to see if I can stop in time.

Back to riding....remember you are not only invisible, but you will bear the consequences of an unaware cage.  I had one ram me from behind at 45mph while I was stopped for a left turn.  The cage driver was upset....I was lucky to still be around.

My suggestion...always suspect and prepare for the worst.  Always leave yourself an out.  I have been across several lawns to avoid those who are not paying attention.

Eye contact?  Watch for cell phones, eyeliner, and burgers!

[ZED]

Unfortunately, they do stupid crap in front of trucks as well.  They don't seem to understand that the laws of physics trump the laws of man, and that all their self-importance ain't going to mean shit on the day that they do something too stupid for me to compensate for.  

Like I say when I'm driving my truck with a load, it's not who's right and who's wrong, it's who wins and who loses.  In my truck, I win.  On my bike, I lose!

I used to be too afraid to ride much in the city because of this.  Then I realized that almost every day I observe a near-miss and avoid a potential accident.  If I can avoid it in a car, I should be able to avoid it on two wheels.  Working so far.

There's some really good advice on this thread.  I make a point of rereading all the boring MSF literature occasionally just to keep some of the basics fresh in my mind.  I tend to leave the book laying around during riding season.  That way I'm likely to pick it up and peruse it over breakfast.  It's easy to start getting lax on the basics.

Another place I go for reminders is the flaming tank people:
http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/navigation.htm

[Husky23]

Look at the car, especially the wheels, not the driver's eyes, to anticipate what the car will do.

Just my opinion.

- Tom

Good opinion Tom...I do the same.  I'll also check the driver too...to determine their state of attention (E.G. monitoring a kid, on cell phone, obsorbed in their own world of music...it just adds another layer of unpredictability for me to try and guard against.

But the latest craze of those spinning wheels can play tricks...so if the cager has spinning wheels, I keep a gander on the front tire and body of the cagers rig.

[JetJaguar]

But the latest craze of those spinning wheels can play tricks...so if the cager has spinning wheels, I keep a gander on the front tire and body of the cagers rig.

If they've got spinners, then it goes without saying they'll pull in front of you.  Even when they wave you through the intersection where you're turning left, they'll gun it across just when you start rolling. (I should've chased that a-hole down and beat the... )

[info]

Cover your brake ALL the time.
I'm also a fan of loud jackets save lives.
Lime yellow may not be appealing but it makes a difference.  
Not me but I have the jacket.

[JetJaguar]

I was reminded of another one this weekend:  Never pass up the opportunity for a restroom break.

[RBEmerson]

And how did this come to your attention... oh, nevermind.  I don't think we want to know...  

[Shhted]

Unfortunately, they do stupid crap in front of trucks as well.  They don't seem to understand that the laws of physics trump the laws of man, and that all their self-importance ain't going to mean shit on the day that they do something too stupid for me to compensate for.  

This is where I do not envy you.  I can't believe what drivers will do, especially in the city, in front of a semi.  They'll merge in front of them with inches to spare just to stomp on the binders.  Idiots.