A Must Read! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Fishpart · 05-10-2006, 01:02 PM

http://motorcyclecruiser.com/streets..._safety_myths/

ThumperWabbt · 05-10-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishpart

http://motorcyclecruiser.com/streets..._safety_myths/

Thanks...I bookmarked this for my kid to read. I especially want him to get the idea that 1 beer is a definite no-go when it's a bike he's on and not a car he's in...

POE-BOY SAMICH · 05-10-2006, 02:56 PM

GREAT POST!

Thanks for the link Fishpart!

**Louis** · 05-11-2006, 06:11 AM

Good read. I'm a bit surprised at Myth 10 though.

RampageRider · 05-11-2006, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

Good read. I'm a bit surprised at Myth 10 though.

I never thought of that one as being safer, live and learn I guess. I still don't like it, but if a situation happens it can help.

kwc50 · 05-11-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RampageRider

I never thought of that one as being safer, live and learn I guess. I still don't like it, but if a situation happens it can help.

'Course the operative word there is SLIGHTLY. I'll still take my chances with a larger buffer zone and an escape route whenever possible.

POE-BOY SAMICH · 05-11-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwc50

'Course the operative word there is SLIGHTLY. I'll still take my chances with a larger buffer zone and an escape route whenever possible.

+1
Good call.

**Clint** · 05-11-2006, 03:09 PM

Good stuff. I love number 8. "I laid it down to avoid a crash". Huh?? You crashed to keep from crashing?

hammersfan · 05-13-2006, 08:08 PM

Funny thing, I read the same article earlier on and was impressed my it also.

Kodatech · 06-27-2006, 08:22 PM

that was a great read, and im guilty of thinking that in certain situations it would be better to lock the back brake and lay it down, but i guess not :O)

98G · 07-05-2006, 07:47 PM

"Myth 4: Helmets Block Your Ability to See or Hear Danger"

I'll bite on this one. Make a comparison at a dead stop. YOu don't even need a motorcycle to do this. First, listen with no helmet. See how well you hear and can determine directions of noise sources.

Second, put the helmet on. I will be very surprised if you can hear as well as without it. I know I can't. Especially in the area of determining direction of noise source.

That being said, I use a fullface helmet and wouldn't consider riding without it but it is NOT a clear superiority in all areas under every conceivable circumstance. It is a better choice in almost every conceivable scenario though. And since you don't get to choose your crash scenario.....

Here's something slightly off topic to think about: I work in an ICU. I have never had a patient from a motorcycle crash where alcohol was not involved. Admittedly nonscientific sampling here, but hard to believe that is complete coincidence. Further, my patients that have died from their injuries were all cruiser type guys wearing those halfhelmets.

These are my thoughts on order of importance of protective gear:

#1 Eye protection. A bug in the eye at speed will cause you to crash.

#2 Helmet. Clearly your overall chances of surviving intact are better with it than without it.

#3 Gloves. Your hands are going to hit pavement in almost any crash. Keep them intact. You'll have uses for them later. Life without hands would suck. Someone should chime in here and post the link to the account of the guy who got septic from lack of gloves in a MC crash.

#4 Jacket .Again the skin integrity thing .

#5 Boots. Close call between boots and riding pants, but feet are a bit more fragile than legs when it comes to abrasion.

#6 Pants. Skin integrity again.

Not a lot to be done about impact. YOu just can't build armor that will absorb the energies involved in a direct impact. Even those onepiece racing leathers with hard armor won't do much for direct impact.

98G

hammersfan · 07-09-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

Good read. I'm a bit surprised at Myth 10 though.

Less chance of getting rear ended I guess . I am a little leary of lane splitting more because of the legality of it than the safety point of view.

bajaraider · 07-10-2006, 11:16 AM

#10 did surprise me. I have always thought about it as an escape route. I have actually used it during a city wide MC ride. The guy two bikes in front was constantly on his brakes, and the guy directly in front of me was not watching far enough ahead and we all stopped QUICK! So I went into the shoulder a bit for the extra room (as did many others).

98G:
as for gloves, That is my second argument. (after full face brain bucket, therefore elemenating your number 1) Anyway, I did wipe out a few years ago being a stupid kid. Had on tshirt, jeans, tennis shoes, and a full face. Luckily shoes stayed on, shirt hardly tore, and jeans held up remarkably well. My hands however did not fair so well. All intact (by the grace of God), but the pain and suffereing was not fun. Gloves are a must!

Nico · 09-23-2006, 11:46 PM

My MSF instructor put it to me this way: "Only wear armor or protection on anything you want to keep"

**inspiron** · 09-24-2006, 04:11 AM

Since this thread was ressurected ... to the comment about #10 (Myth 10: It's Better to Stay in Your Lane than Split Lanes):

If traffic is moving, I stay in my lane. But when coming up on the end of a traffic jam, it is safer to be in the slot between 2 other cars than to be the tail of a line of stopped cars. Most highway accidents around here are caused by people not being able to stop when traffic suddenly slows (no safety margins, not paying attention, etc.). On a bike, we have almost zero chance of survival in a rear-ender on the highway.

Even here, where lane splitting is illegal, driving instructors and police recommend to put the bike either between the lanes or on the shoulder if you are the last vehicle in a jam. Once cars have stopped behind you, you can then return to your position in the column. (But pulling past other cars - lane splitting - will get you a heavy fine and suspended license for 3 months if you are caught).

Shea · 09-24-2006, 06:16 AM

About the crash comment. I think another place that gets its' origins from is stunt riders/extremely experienced/trained riders will low side to prevent a high side or direct impact. I highly doubt you will see this being purposely done on the road though.

**Clint** · 09-24-2006, 08:01 AM

Oh, man. Hang out with riders who aren't tech savvy enough to be on a forum and you hear it all the time. Those guys actually think that's the best approach to a hazard.

Colorado Cajun · 09-24-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

My MSF instructor put it to me this way: "Only wear armor or protection on anything you want to keep"

Dang! I guess I'm going to have to go buy a cup and Jock strap tomorrow.
One more thing to add. ATGATT!

05-10-2006, 01:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Fishpart Fourth gear and illegal Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2007 Harley Davidson Electa Glide Location: York, Pa Posts: 765	A Must Read! http://motorcyclecruiser.com/streets..._safety_myths/ Last edited by Clint; 05-10-2006 at 02:04 PM. Reason: fixed link

05-10-2006, 02:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
POE-BOY SAMICH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: '07 Harley Road King Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,212	GREAT POST! Thanks for the link Fishpart! __________________ http://www.lonestarmotorcyclealliance.com/

05-11-2006, 06:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,652	Good read. I'm a bit surprised at Myth 10 though. __________________ Louis

05-13-2006, 08:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
hammersfan U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2008 C90 SE Location: Ajax ,Ontario ,Canada Posts: 1,214	Funny thing, I read the same article earlier on and was impressed my it also. __________________ Ride Safe Hammersfan

07-10-2006, 11:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
bajaraider U.B's LoveChild Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2005 M50, 1970 TC120 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,030	#10 did surprise me. I have always thought about it as an escape route. I have actually used it during a city wide MC ride. The guy two bikes in front was constantly on his brakes, and the guy directly in front of me was not watching far enough ahead and we all stopped QUICK! So I went into the shoulder a bit for the extra room (as did many others). 98G: as for gloves, That is my second argument. (after full face brain bucket, therefore elemenating your number 1) Anyway, I did wipe out a few years ago being a stupid kid. Had on tshirt, jeans, tennis shoes, and a full face. Luckily shoes stayed on, shirt hardly tore, and jeans held up remarkably well. My hands however did not fair so well. All intact (by the grace of God), but the pain and suffereing was not fun. Gloves are a must! __________________ RED M50 - 2005 "only a motorcycle rider understands why a dog hangs its head out the window" My Toys

06-27-2006, 08:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kodatech Handlebar Consultant Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 616	that was a great read, and im guilty of thinking that in certain situations it would be better to lock the back brake and lay it down, but i guess not :O)

07-05-2006, 07:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
98G Ditch Magnet Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 170	"Myth 4: Helmets Block Your Ability to See or Hear Danger" I'll bite on this one. Make a comparison at a dead stop. YOu don't even need a motorcycle to do this. First, listen with no helmet. See how well you hear and can determine directions of noise sources. Second, put the helmet on. I will be very surprised if you can hear as well as without it. I know I can't. Especially in the area of determining direction of noise source. That being said, I use a fullface helmet and wouldn't consider riding without it but it is NOT a clear superiority in all areas under every conceivable circumstance. It is a better choice in almost every conceivable scenario though. And since you don't get to choose your crash scenario..... Here's something slightly off topic to think about: I work in an ICU. I have never had a patient from a motorcycle crash where alcohol was not involved. Admittedly nonscientific sampling here, but hard to believe that is complete coincidence. Further, my patients that have died from their injuries were all cruiser type guys wearing those halfhelmets. These are my thoughts on order of importance of protective gear: #1 Eye protection. A bug in the eye at speed will cause you to crash. #2 Helmet. Clearly your overall chances of surviving intact are better with it than without it. #3 Gloves. Your hands are going to hit pavement in almost any crash. Keep them intact. You'll have uses for them later. Life without hands would suck. Someone should chime in here and post the link to the account of the guy who got septic from lack of gloves in a MC crash. #4 Jacket .Again the skin integrity thing . #5 Boots. Close call between boots and riding pants, but feet are a bit more fragile than legs when it comes to abrasion. #6 Pants. Skin integrity again. Not a lot to be done about impact. YOu just can't build armor that will absorb the energies involved in a direct impact. Even those onepiece racing leathers with hard armor won't do much for direct impact. 98G

09-23-2006, 11:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
Nico In Training Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: 2006 M50 Black (devoid of color, not speed) Location: Sterling VA Posts: 133	My MSF instructor put it to me this way: "Only wear armor or protection on anything you want to keep"

09-24-2006, 04:11 AM	#15 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,770	Since this thread was ressurected ... to the comment about #10 (Myth 10: It's Better to Stay in Your Lane than Split Lanes): If traffic is moving, I stay in my lane. But when coming up on the end of a traffic jam, it is safer to be in the slot between 2 other cars than to be the tail of a line of stopped cars. Most highway accidents around here are caused by people not being able to stop when traffic suddenly slows (no safety margins, not paying attention, etc.). On a bike, we have almost zero chance of survival in a rear-ender on the highway. Even here, where lane splitting is illegal, driving instructors and police recommend to put the bike either between the lanes or on the shoulder if you are the last vehicle in a jam. Once cars have stopped behind you, you can then return to your position in the column. (But pulling past other cars - lane splitting - will get you a heavy fine and suspended license for 3 months if you are caught). __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

09-24-2006, 06:16 AM	#16 (permalink)
Shea Third gear and cruising Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Buell XB12Ss Lightning Location: York, Pa Posts: 521	About the crash comment. I think another place that gets its' origins from is stunt riders/extremely experienced/trained riders will low side to prevent a high side or direct impact. I highly doubt you will see this being purposely done on the road though.

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