The Essence of Motorcycling
February 18, 2015
There are a few keys to understanding the essence of motorcycling. So before you hit the road, keep these thoughts in mind:
Ride as if you’re already where you need to be.
If you’re on the bike, you’re never in a hurry to get anywhere. It’s a great cliché but very important in this case: better late than never. Haste makes us do stupid things, so when you’re riding, you’re riding. Imagine that the destination doesn’t exist, that you’re just there to be on the road!
Take the point of view that any accident or mishap is your fault.
Yes you may legally be in the right in a collision, but there are cemeteries full of blokes who were in the right. Car pulled out on you and caused you to hit the brakes hard? Your fault for not anticipating and being ready for it. Car changed lanes and nearly took you out? Why were you in a position whereby it mattered what the car did?
Ride like you’re invisible and everybody else is drunk.
Car drivers, at least the ones who aren’t texting, fighting with their spouse on the phone, applying make-up or messing with their iPods, are looking for moving objects the size of cars and trucks. A motorcycle is a much smaller thing and might not even register with a driver. And since so many cars are wired to have their lights on all the time, even the bike’s headlight doesn’t make it stand out in traffic. Never assume that the car driver sees you. Always assume that the car driver will do something dumb. Be ready for it. Plan accordingly.
Riding in the Rain
April 21, 2014
Spring weather is a fickle beast. One minute it’s beautiful and sunny, the next minute cold wind is whipping rain across the road. And, you’re stuck out in the middle of it. Well, knowledge and preparation is the cure for most things – including the rainy riding blues. So, have a look at these tips for a smooth ride no matter what the weather.
1. Get the right gear. Riding in a waterproof/water resistant jacket, pants, goggles (or a full face helmet), motorcycle boots and motorcycle gloves will make your life easier in any weather. This gear is not only designed to protect you in the event of a crash, but also to prevent the crash in the first place. Goggles and helmets improve visibility in the rain, especially those designed with anti-fog features. The water resistant jacket and pants will keep you dry, and the gloves and boots are made to prevent slipping when things get a little wet. By remembering ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time), you’ll always be prepared for a little rain.
2. Clear the fog. Helmets and goggles have a tendency to fog up in rainy weather. While some people have newer helmets built with better ventilation to prevent fogging, most of us will have to deal with the fog issue. There are anti-fog sprays available, as well as plenty of home remedies that can be useful, though neither are 100% effective. The best trick for those with full-face helmets is to leave the visor slightly open – by just a hair – to allow fresh air to circulate and keep the fog from forming. Or, there are also breath guard inserts that fit on the inside of your helmet to prevent your breath from fogging up the visor.
3. Watch the road. All smart riders keep a keen eye on the road no matter what the weather, however, rainy conditions call for even more vigilance. Look out for slick spots such as train tracks, man hole covers, metal grates on bridges, and painted road surfaces (lane markers, turn arrows, etc). If these road hazards can’t be avoided, then be sure to cross them slowly with straight wheels. Also, avoid rainbow-colored water like the plague. There is no pot of gold at the bottom of that puddle, just some some very slick oil.
4. Avoid puddles. All puddles should be avoided. There is no telling how deep they are, what is at the bottom, and how much oil they have collected from the road. If you have an uncontrollable urge to ride through a rain puddle, just save it for your bicycle.
5. Slow down! Obviously, everything should be slower in the rain. Brake slower, turn slower, ride slower.
As always, it’s important to remain relaxed and enjoy the ride. Getting all cramped up with fear won’t improve the situation any, and may even be detrimental to your safety. So, just keep these tips in mind, ride easy, and remember to have fun. After all, you’re still alive and riding!