Riding Tips to Stay Alive

[Justin]

chatting with a newer rider I decided to create a new post like the one I did on the old board.  
Any safety tips you can share are welcome here. . .  We'll make it a Sticky, too.

I ride as though EVERY motorist is actually trying to kill me.  They will do the worst thing they can do.

Every traffic light be alert for people rear-ending you.
I usually flash my brake light (repeated grasping and releasing of the front brake) and am ALWAYS ready to take evasive action for the idiot screaming toward the intersection getting larger in my rearview.

[edmunsan]

Always look for escape route if someone does whatever.

[Justin]

Always look for escape route if someone does whatever.

Always have an escape route.
"If they do this, I'm going there" etc.
Nice one, edmunsan

[99 900ss duc]

atgatt  
all the gear all the time

[karneybo]

agatt  
all gear all the time

i second this one BIG TIME, a co-work of mine is still in the hospital cause he was in front of his house not wearing a helmet, he was in a coma.

[youngster775]

If you think they MIGHT.... they probally will!

[mikey]

Sometimes (while passing a car)I feel like I can see into a driver and what they are gunna do or not do by looking at their head and body movements as I approach the car not necessarily fixed on the drivers window but, having it in view.

Tire lane

Most important do not ever pin your liter bike on a turn 

leather coat all summer long
icon pants
boots

[Justin]

when coming through an intersection, observing the wheels of the other cars let's you know they are moving into the intersection.  


also


Ride like no one can see you (you're invisible)

[bkrblood]

atgatt  
all the gear all the time

i definetly get that one! dress for the crash not the ride!

and justino im guessin this was all started cause of me?lol

[Wilde Racing]

I like to enter an intersection with a car, I prefer to have the "other car" know I'm to the side of them. Or stay a safe distance behind. Anything to help protect me from a car doing a left hander....

[n10sive]

the only thing that pisses me off about 'defensive' riding is that it sometimes involves using your throttle to vary your position in traffic to keep from getting 'pinched'...and the NHP doesn't really care. They would prefer you use your brake, and get run over in the process.

[whiskytango]

Leave Ego at home...
Bring Humility...            Ask yourself what habbits are you creating...
Find somewhere to practice ( get comfortable while ) hard braking and quick zigs...  these things will reduce severity of incident...
80 MPH and you are covering 117 FT. per second...  Now think about that. (luge guy come to mind?)
Be happy and enjoy the ride as if its your last...  
    Tell your people you Love them before you go out on your bike...

[CptnHornblower]

I like to enter an intersection with a car, I prefer to have the "other car" know I'm to the side of them. Or stay a safe distance behind. Anything to help protect me from a car doing a left hander....

Especially if I see a car coming from the other direction in left turn lane. I figure they might not see me, but they ought to see the car beside me.