Commuting Tips

[moto_live]

Good tips. Commuting people won't get lost if they use these tips.



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harry

[chilinski]

Why don't people like to follow buses, you asked. While some would say it's the smell, I think it's because you have a reduced field of view behind a bus. Not only do you not see traffic lights until you are almost directly under them, but you can't see as far ahead to see what traffic is doing "up there."

[jgreth]

... and buses stop often ( at least here they do )

[kay]

....and here too.

I posted this already, but the other day, I got a ticket running into a junction on a red light, but I couldn't see the traffic light because I was right behind a huge truck! I was driving a car but I HATE BEING RIGHT BEHIND BIG TALL VEHICLES!!!!

And as for buses, they block both lanes in tight twisties when they go around those corners!

It scares the sh*t out of you when you see those buses the moment you've cleared the bend.

BTW, I've book marked this write up too! Great tips!
Thanks for sharing.

[MikeHump]

Great article. I'm still new to riding, but I live in California, so I'll use these tips daily.

[jprisme]

very well written. i had to learn all this the hard way on the 405 freeway in los angeles.

[domindart]

great read, thanks Im a new soon to be commuter and a little bit smarter now.

[36Bones]

Being new to the forum, I read this with great interest. Apologies to the author, I made several copies for co-worker's and friend's. Excellent Work!!!

[Jackrockson]

yes
i concer
great article thanks for the insight
jack fontana

[mR vMan]

Greetings, all.

I'm trying to access the link to the article and keep getting a "server timeout"

I don't suppose the article is available at a different link?

[sra4031]

I also had the same problem.

[nikopen]

For tailgaiting drivers here are some things I do: I have a modulating brake lamp and I use hand signals. If someone is too close I extend my left arm down at the elbow, hand flat and motion it backwards - as in back off a bit. Most drivers see the signal and drop back; the knuckleheads who don't I try to move out of there way and fight the urger to flip them off. Have a great day.

-Whiskers

Originally Posted by Rickster

That is a very well written, and all good advice.
Other motorist fallowing me to close is something I find that I can usualy do something about. If it is convenient, I just change lanes, or pull over and let them go by. If it's not convenient, I watch them in my rear view mirror, than I let off the gas just enough for them to have to let off there gas. As soon as I see them slowing down, I speed up. The bike, any bike can pick up speed much faster than most cars. This creates a large gap, at least for a short time. Most pepole wake up if I do this two, or three times, and they drop back a bit. Sometimes the gap is wide enough that some other car, hopefully with a more couretous driver get's between us. There have also been a time or two when the driver behind me has gotten upset, when this happens, I get out of there way, even if it's not convenient. I think that the number of drivers out there that would run into someone on purpose is very few, but I'm not going to take the chance that that's not one of them behind me.

[Amoryl]

great article, particularly about the HOV lane. having lived in seattle for several years I've seen quite a few things in the HOV lane, and just to the right of it. mostly cagers in SUV's by themselves riding in the HOV lane because where they need to get to is SOOO much more important than us lesser mortals and clearly they deserve the right to use the HOV lane even though they're by themselves, in a huge monstrosity that gets 10mpg highway. I always thought it was awesome that they included motorcyclists in the HOV requirements, even though I wasn't a rider then. but when I drove in busy traffic in the HOV lane (always with the proper number of passengers) I spend about 70% of my focus on the fast non HOV lane, and about 30% give or take on the lane I was in, because I've seen pissed off impatient jackholes (usually without a single passenger) just haul off and turn into the HOV lane at 15mph right into oncoming cars often going 55-70. I was going about 45 down one when some idiot pulled out in front of me from the fast lane into the HOV lane, he was of course by himself in the car, and he gave ME the finger when I had to slam my breaks to avoid ramming him and honked at him. on the other hand I've had a pack of sportsbikes swarm around me in the HOV lane. yes litterally SWARMED AROUND ME from all sides, then cut me off as they closed up right in front of me. several of them doing wheelies as well....when you're in a cage, and you see people on either side of you in your own lane ride past you at exessive speed on one wheel...I gotta tell you, it's hard to feel safe even in that cage. I gues saying that cages will kill you is like saying guns kill people, well, no, they just make it a LOT easier.

[shively]

That is a great list