Deadly Dozen, the motorcycle safety myths and urban legends.

[bigm3657]

i have to agree with the post about deer and loud bikes. when riding alone deer will always panic and dance and most of the time cut accross me making me panic stop. but riding with my buddy with a loud pipe, ive notice when we pass deer, they run back into the woods without thinking twice. i run stock pipes, friends say they cant even hear me coming down the street till i am basicly in front of them on my gsxr. i dont have an issue with loud pipes though. my feeling is if u want to run them, run em. i love waiting and hearing a nice set of pipes ride by.

[TFee3]

I have a C90T with stock pipes and live in a deer infested area. I, too, find that the deer aren't afraid of my bike and just stand and look at me, or even worse, run out in front of me. But, rather than spend almost $800 for a new set of pipes that may or may not deter deer and hairbrained drivers, I'm going to spend $80 to $100 for air horns and know everyone knows I'm coming when I don't think they know. I do disagree, however, with those who say all the noise goes out back from loud pipes. I can hear my friend with his new Softtail and loud pipes coming for over a mile when he comes to visit.

I also agree with the rider who said he bought a heavier bike because it's much more stable on the highway. My C90T weighs 695 dry, and I've added some goodies that bring it over 700 pounds. I run down the interstate at 75 mph very comfortably, because the wind doesn't push me all over my lane. I wouldn't want a lighter bike. Admittedly, smaller bikes may be easier to handle at first, but I still contend that it's what you get used to riding, NOT the size of the bike.

Someone mentioned that he dumped his bike twice, and someone else replied that it was evident from his dumping his bike that he bought one too large for his experience. I dumped mine twice, too, but it had nothing to do with size. It was the first twin I've had, and I didn't realize they're touchy at low speeds. I let the clutch out both times below idle speed in a turn, the engine bucked, and I went down.

Not wanting to be rude, but I don't know anything about the man who posted these myths, and until I check his credentials, I'll stick to my opinion that there's no substitute for common sense, and if a rider has none, he's likely to get killed no matter what he rides. Size and horsepower has nothing to do with anything if a fool gets on a bike.

[JmalB]

And you would hear it better if he was leaving from a mile away. Its just physics. But your position also doesn't factor in inclosed, sound proofed, radio blaring/cell phone talking cages.

[TFee3]

Your point is well taken, and I agree with you. It's sad that people don't pay attention while they're in their deadly missiles going down the road.

[jgreth]

Originally Posted by TFee3

I dumped mine twice, too, but it had nothing to do with size. It was the first twin I've had, and I didn't realize they're touchy at low speeds. I let the clutch out both times below idle speed in a turn, the engine bucked, and I went down.

I'm sure you've also learned since then that you don't ever engage the clutch during a turn. I am ALWAYS in gear on turns, I do all of my downshifting/braking prior to entering a turn and then re-engage the clutch before starting the lean. It also gives the tires a bit more grip when you are accelerating ( even the slightest acceleration ) through a turn versus slowing down by holding the clutch in or even letting the bike slow down in gear.

( if you HAVE learned these things, then I'm merely posting this for the general good, not for yours No offense intended!! )

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by TFee3

Not wanting to be rude, but I don't know anything about the man who posted these myths, and until I check his credentials, I'll stick to my opinion that there's no substitute for common sense, and if a rider has none, he's likely to get killed no matter what he rides. Size and horsepower has nothing to do with anything if a fool gets on a bike.

A Dozen Deadly Motorcycle Safety Myths - Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine

[buster]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Yes, it's illegal. In most of Europe, I believe. In Germany and Switzerland it is certainly illegal.

Lane Splitting, known as Filtering within the UK is legal, in fact The Police Rider's Handbook, gives a list of observations for conduct.

Unfortunately most cagers over here are not that conversant with the highway code..

[JmalB]

Their ignorance of the lane splitting laws in California got a couple radio DJs in trouble.

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by JmalB

Their ignorance of the lane splitting laws in California got a couple radio DJs in trouble.

CHP -- Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions



Here is the part some riders miss!!!

Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles?

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

[Clint]

Of course, that could be applied to riding in general.

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by Uncle B

CHP -- Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions



Here is the part some riders miss!!!

Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles?

Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

The DJs got in trouble because they didn't know lane splitting was legal and were advocating door opening type violence from other motorists. Speed of rider wasn't the issue.

[RideTrainer]

How much is your head worth?

[Clint]

Are you suggesting that mine's only worth $350?

[JmalB]

Means mines only worth $100 on some days, and $289 on others.

[SuzukiBD]

A comment regarding accidentally laying the bike down, I grew up with mini bikes and trail bikes. I rode for about 10 years before getting more into cars and choosing them over motorcycles mostly because I couldn't afford both. (Mind you, that was about 25 years ago....sigh.) There was only one time that I accidentally laid the trail bike down and it was due to carelessness. I was doing circles in a cul-de-sac over and over, intentionally scraping the pegs on the pavement to both challenge myself and out of boredom. I either got too dizzy or hit some small gravel and that did the trick for me. Down I went.

My point is, although I know accidents do happen, I'm going to try and be as careful as can be with my new C50T. I'm going to try and learn it's limits and it's weight and characteristics as gently as possible because I don't want to drop it and/or scratch it anywhere. So maybe getting your dream bike or something close to it will help you to be a more cautious rider and keep you from getting too careless(?) Just a thought to ponder.

[newrider57]

I am new here and a new rider. Despite some of the disagreement and questions regarding validity of some of the comments, I did learn a few things and am grateful for a thread such as this. I now feel better about riding on a 4 lane highway as opposed to a 2 lane road with a lot of entrances and exits. That said, I do not plan to ride until I take the MSF course and practice for at least 6 months. I do want to eventually ride to/from work, but will wait until I feel more comfortable.