Of course I dont do this anymore...... <_< but double the yellow +10 is a normal speed on known roads, do (I mean did) that on my 79XS11, a terrible handling motorcycle. Had to work at it in some turns, but on every bike I've owned since my 96 Concours that is a piece of cake. THe FZ1 was good for triple the yello, but of course I'm too responsible to ride that way anymore. :dribble:
A good deal of this is
assumption of the methods used to determine safe cornering speeds. This will vary greatly from state-to-state, and in California it will change from county-to-county.
I remember warning everyone who was riding the Sierras from WFO in Reno that some particular highway passes were more dangerous than others. Hwy 4 (Ebbett's Pass) in particular! Many came back and admitted that, unlike the roads and corners they were used to at home, they began to "push" in the corners I warned them about and some even admitted to "very close calls". Doh!!!
Great thread. Brings to mind a comment I hear fairly regularly that goes something like ".... I came around the curve and there was gravel/deer/ bison/sand/oil/etc. and I was screwed ..." followed by a description of his or her injuries.
whenever I hear this I believe the rider is admitting he was riding too fast and overdriving his sight lines. I don't like to hear about anyone going down but I can't help thinking accidents like this are avoidable if riders were more aware of their limitations.
I've gotta agree with oldrider. It's like Eastwood said "a man's got to know his limitations.... :glare: There've been a bunch of folks who crashed simply because they overshot their curve and/or found an unpleasant surprise midway through one.
Do NOT ride beyond your sightline, else you will, eventually, regret it! :angry2:
Amen! Yes! +1! Gunny! Gunny10!
Each of us should also be "self aware", that is, know what your personal condition is that particular day or moment. Seriously, I try to assess my emotions, physical condition, mental acuity, eye-hand coordination, response time, etc., before I begin any ride and particularly before attempting any technical roadways.
Even so, on the way to TWNs memorial I allowed my mind to wander (being a bit overwhelmed by the reason for the trip, the beauty of one of Tim's favorite roads and 1, 453 other memories of Tim) and visited the dirt shoulder of Hwy 33. And I know better!!!
If one habitually ignores the rules about sight lines or continually finds themselves drifting over (or even TO) the center line.....that rider is writing an open invitation to tragedy.
Besides the unseen dangers mentioned above, what does one do with a sudden "closing radius" turn? OR...what does one do with a vehicle who is crossing the center line for a better apex for themselves rather than staying in their own lane and yielding another motorist's right of way?
Both of the above scenarios have been survived by this rider because I've taken to heart the message about "seeing" through a corner before committing to a line and accelerating through that corner. Of course, taking riding courses where practice is a huge part of the curriculum has helped.
The usual disclaimers apply. YMMV, etc.
Prayers.
