JimLor
Well-known member
I would like to generate a discussion on safety. Last week someone posted a question about where in their lane folks tended to ride. For whatever reason, that struck a cord with me and I’ve been thinking about that off and on since then and wanted to continue a general safety thread.
I’ll begin by providing my philosophy on riding safety and I hope I’ll generate discussion about yours. I know I don’t control what folks post, but I’m not looking for quotes from the MSF, AMA, David Hough, Lee Parks, or a link to xxxxxx and a comment that this link makes further discussion pointless. I’d much prefer you share “your” thoughts based on “your” experience (I fully understand that your experience includes, as does mine, reading and studying writings of the above folks as well as taking classes, etc). I took the MSF basic course and have read the books from David, Lee and several others. I’ve also taken Lee Park’s Total Control class. Bottom line is that I’d like a discussion on what philosophy you have developed from your study and from your experiences.
Here’s the background for my thoughts (experience) so you can judge whether you will consider what I say as having some value or not. I picked up my beautiful 05 Galaxy Blue FJR named Maxine on 28 May 2005 – my 53rd birthday. I took the MSF Basic class (with Lorie – a beautiful sandy haired blonde I married in 1980) in Aug 04; I’ve read David Hough’s books, Lee Parks (took his class too), Keith Code, and Nick Isentach. My previous riding experience was limited to 1 ride on a buddy’s bike (in which I ran off the road in a turn) and a 1 day rental, both in 1977. Yes, the FJR is my first bike – I’ve had her for 29.5 months and have traveled 27k miles. I’d estimate 80 – 85% on VA 2 lane back roads (or the like) and the rest commuting on Rt95 (3 lane divided highway, traffic headed the same direction). I have made 1 “emergency stop” – my own doing. I’ve used my ABS twice, the aforementioned emergency stop, and once as I rode across someone’s lawn after entering a corner too fast – again, my fault! I’ve had several folks turn left in front of me closer than I’d have liked, but did not require any heroics to miss them. On 95 I’ve never had any problems whatsoever (other than the usual 95 rush hour thrill of going 75 – 80mph one minute and the next going to 0mph – a real thrill (usually for no apparent reason)). I think my uneventful riding is the result of “luck” and my riding style – and I hope my luck continues.
I spent my adult life as a Marine so you will find that I write using military jargon. That jargon has an aggressive tone, but let me clearly state that I am not an “aggressive” rider as we think of “aggressive” drivers. I do not weave in and out of traffic, I do not tailgate, I do not ride noticeably faster than surrounding traffic, etc. In fact, I try never to be “the guy out front.” So don’t let some of my language turn you off. However, I am not perfect, I do – when I find myself pretty much alone on the road – accelerate briskly and take corners at a higher speed than absolutely necessary – so I do not mean to imply that I am a “goody two-shoes” or the like.
Here goes – I think that we as riders have the same “rights” and “responsibilities” on the road as our 4 – wheeled counterparts. I believe that when we enter the driving “realm,” we have to assert those rights and in doing so we must “gain and maintain contact” with those other drivers/riders on the road. When you trust your safety to someone else, you lose – no question, no ifs, no ands, and no buts. I would liken my philosophy to the Operational Concept/tactic developed by the Germans after a few years of trench warfare in WWI – an “Active Defense.” Maintain an overall defensive posture, but when able (here when necessary), act “offensively” at the local level (remember the “aggression” disclaimer above). I would liken my “offensive” action as that action taken to make sure others see me, and BTW, my Olympia Neon Yellow AST jacket is one thing that helps (I don’t own nor will I wear black clothes (jacket/helmet) on the bike)– one lady called the AST a “retina burning color – good news by me!
Here’s what I mean (RT 95 type roads) - when I’m in a lane, I want other drivers to know that I’m there, it’s my lane, and they need to stay the heck out. I think it is more important in this instance to make myself visible to other drivers than it is to get as far from other drivers as I can to increase reaction time. I think that by riding far from other drivers (left side of left lane) you are in fact inviting them to “lane share” with you. You know what I mean, the thought that “well he/she isn’t using the whole lane, I’ll just impinge a little bit to pass this clown in front of me.” I’ve seen it done, and I think riding in this manner invites it. I usually ride in the right center of the far left lane. I think that makes me visible to riders on my right, and frees me from concern about riders on my left. I leave the “usual” space between me and the car in front of me. Odd thing is that I am virtually never tailgated when on the bike – in the car, all the time! I also do my very best to make sure I keep an open space to my right and am not in anyone’s blind spot. I will speed up or slow down as necessary to keep that open space (hence the “offensive” part of the “defensive” posture.
Still on 95 type road, I will ride in the center lane, but not routinely. If I do, I’ll work to keep an open space on both sides and will “guard” one side – I’ll ride in either the left center or right center of the lane. In fact I’ll switch according to the “threat.” When I ride in the right lane (of a 3 lane road) I’m in the left center unless an on-ramp is coming up. In that case, if I see a car coming on, I’ll get in the right side of the lane and again either speed up or slow down to keep my left side open.
On our 2-lane country roads around here I use the left center as my default. I want the oncoming cars to see me, and (using the “stay away” philosophy) I want to be farthest away from the jungle critters that run into the road at will. When I come to a blind hill, I think the danger from an oncoming car in my lane is greater than the critter danger, so I’ll move to the right side of the lane until I crest the hill, then I’ll return to the left center.
Another example – around town in a separate left hand turn lane – I will sit in the right center of the turn lane – again, I want drivers to see me and not try and share my lane. I don’t normally “cover” my front brake when I ride. However, I will when going thru an intersection, a neighborhood, or in any other situation I think warrants it – in fact I do it quite a bit on 95 when traffic is slow but moving, and the appeal to other drives of quickly switching lanes to get somewhere 5 seconds faster is strong.
I guess to sum it up, I think that it’s a better tactic to be visible than it is to be farther from other cars. I’d want to be proactive in being seen rather than reactive in dodging people who don’t see me, or worse yet, who see me but think that they can share my lane since I’m not using it all! And BTW, I’d much rather have a car behind me than a bike! I’ve had many more dumbass bikers behind me than cagers – hard to believe maybe, but true! To include the fellow FJR rider (either an 05 or 06) who tailgated me and then when I moved to the right lane, he passed me on the right and speed away at probably 90 or 100mph – yes, during rush hour on RT95. But then again I know I didn’t need to worry because he was a profession – exhibited by his riding style and the fact that one headlight was burned out, and one taillight was burned out! And call me what you want, but I do stay as far away from “cruisers” as I can.
So, that’s what I “think.” I hope this generates some worthwhile discussion.
I’ll begin by providing my philosophy on riding safety and I hope I’ll generate discussion about yours. I know I don’t control what folks post, but I’m not looking for quotes from the MSF, AMA, David Hough, Lee Parks, or a link to xxxxxx and a comment that this link makes further discussion pointless. I’d much prefer you share “your” thoughts based on “your” experience (I fully understand that your experience includes, as does mine, reading and studying writings of the above folks as well as taking classes, etc). I took the MSF basic course and have read the books from David, Lee and several others. I’ve also taken Lee Park’s Total Control class. Bottom line is that I’d like a discussion on what philosophy you have developed from your study and from your experiences.
Here’s the background for my thoughts (experience) so you can judge whether you will consider what I say as having some value or not. I picked up my beautiful 05 Galaxy Blue FJR named Maxine on 28 May 2005 – my 53rd birthday. I took the MSF Basic class (with Lorie – a beautiful sandy haired blonde I married in 1980) in Aug 04; I’ve read David Hough’s books, Lee Parks (took his class too), Keith Code, and Nick Isentach. My previous riding experience was limited to 1 ride on a buddy’s bike (in which I ran off the road in a turn) and a 1 day rental, both in 1977. Yes, the FJR is my first bike – I’ve had her for 29.5 months and have traveled 27k miles. I’d estimate 80 – 85% on VA 2 lane back roads (or the like) and the rest commuting on Rt95 (3 lane divided highway, traffic headed the same direction). I have made 1 “emergency stop” – my own doing. I’ve used my ABS twice, the aforementioned emergency stop, and once as I rode across someone’s lawn after entering a corner too fast – again, my fault! I’ve had several folks turn left in front of me closer than I’d have liked, but did not require any heroics to miss them. On 95 I’ve never had any problems whatsoever (other than the usual 95 rush hour thrill of going 75 – 80mph one minute and the next going to 0mph – a real thrill (usually for no apparent reason)). I think my uneventful riding is the result of “luck” and my riding style – and I hope my luck continues.
I spent my adult life as a Marine so you will find that I write using military jargon. That jargon has an aggressive tone, but let me clearly state that I am not an “aggressive” rider as we think of “aggressive” drivers. I do not weave in and out of traffic, I do not tailgate, I do not ride noticeably faster than surrounding traffic, etc. In fact, I try never to be “the guy out front.” So don’t let some of my language turn you off. However, I am not perfect, I do – when I find myself pretty much alone on the road – accelerate briskly and take corners at a higher speed than absolutely necessary – so I do not mean to imply that I am a “goody two-shoes” or the like.
Here goes – I think that we as riders have the same “rights” and “responsibilities” on the road as our 4 – wheeled counterparts. I believe that when we enter the driving “realm,” we have to assert those rights and in doing so we must “gain and maintain contact” with those other drivers/riders on the road. When you trust your safety to someone else, you lose – no question, no ifs, no ands, and no buts. I would liken my philosophy to the Operational Concept/tactic developed by the Germans after a few years of trench warfare in WWI – an “Active Defense.” Maintain an overall defensive posture, but when able (here when necessary), act “offensively” at the local level (remember the “aggression” disclaimer above). I would liken my “offensive” action as that action taken to make sure others see me, and BTW, my Olympia Neon Yellow AST jacket is one thing that helps (I don’t own nor will I wear black clothes (jacket/helmet) on the bike)– one lady called the AST a “retina burning color – good news by me!
Here’s what I mean (RT 95 type roads) - when I’m in a lane, I want other drivers to know that I’m there, it’s my lane, and they need to stay the heck out. I think it is more important in this instance to make myself visible to other drivers than it is to get as far from other drivers as I can to increase reaction time. I think that by riding far from other drivers (left side of left lane) you are in fact inviting them to “lane share” with you. You know what I mean, the thought that “well he/she isn’t using the whole lane, I’ll just impinge a little bit to pass this clown in front of me.” I’ve seen it done, and I think riding in this manner invites it. I usually ride in the right center of the far left lane. I think that makes me visible to riders on my right, and frees me from concern about riders on my left. I leave the “usual” space between me and the car in front of me. Odd thing is that I am virtually never tailgated when on the bike – in the car, all the time! I also do my very best to make sure I keep an open space to my right and am not in anyone’s blind spot. I will speed up or slow down as necessary to keep that open space (hence the “offensive” part of the “defensive” posture.
Still on 95 type road, I will ride in the center lane, but not routinely. If I do, I’ll work to keep an open space on both sides and will “guard” one side – I’ll ride in either the left center or right center of the lane. In fact I’ll switch according to the “threat.” When I ride in the right lane (of a 3 lane road) I’m in the left center unless an on-ramp is coming up. In that case, if I see a car coming on, I’ll get in the right side of the lane and again either speed up or slow down to keep my left side open.
On our 2-lane country roads around here I use the left center as my default. I want the oncoming cars to see me, and (using the “stay away” philosophy) I want to be farthest away from the jungle critters that run into the road at will. When I come to a blind hill, I think the danger from an oncoming car in my lane is greater than the critter danger, so I’ll move to the right side of the lane until I crest the hill, then I’ll return to the left center.
Another example – around town in a separate left hand turn lane – I will sit in the right center of the turn lane – again, I want drivers to see me and not try and share my lane. I don’t normally “cover” my front brake when I ride. However, I will when going thru an intersection, a neighborhood, or in any other situation I think warrants it – in fact I do it quite a bit on 95 when traffic is slow but moving, and the appeal to other drives of quickly switching lanes to get somewhere 5 seconds faster is strong.
I guess to sum it up, I think that it’s a better tactic to be visible than it is to be farther from other cars. I’d want to be proactive in being seen rather than reactive in dodging people who don’t see me, or worse yet, who see me but think that they can share my lane since I’m not using it all! And BTW, I’d much rather have a car behind me than a bike! I’ve had many more dumbass bikers behind me than cagers – hard to believe maybe, but true! To include the fellow FJR rider (either an 05 or 06) who tailgated me and then when I moved to the right lane, he passed me on the right and speed away at probably 90 or 100mph – yes, during rush hour on RT95. But then again I know I didn’t need to worry because he was a profession – exhibited by his riding style and the fact that one headlight was burned out, and one taillight was burned out! And call me what you want, but I do stay as far away from “cruisers” as I can.
So, that’s what I “think.” I hope this generates some worthwhile discussion.
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, or whatever ...I want to know what is coming up first and foremost.
