Motorcycle Safety

[mcmd]

I'm hoping to make this a sticky thread as I feel it's a subject that's so important to all of us. I originally posted it as a response to 1st aid kits, a post by bryanchurch06.

Motorcycle Safety would make a great new category (or sticky thread) for this forum. This category could include things like bryanchurch06's 1st aid kits, safety equipment installed on motorcycles, safe riding techniques, loading/unloading techniques for vans, pick-ups and trailers, safety apparel, and so many other thoughts and observations that would help make us safer on our motorcycles. I'm aware that some of these posts are already scattered throughout the forum. It would be nice to see them all in one category or thread in order to make them easier to find and follow. Please share your thoughts, experiences, etc. on motorcycle safety here.

 

[Tchap]

I took the basic motorcycle safety course here in Vermont, and it was great. I’m looking at the advanced rider course, to see if it’s available near me. These classes can substitute for years of hard knocks, and help the rider understand the capabilities of the motorcycle. Might literally save your life. I would like to get some track coaching too, on my other bike, not because I like to ride fast, but just for the beautiful experience.

 

[mcmd]

I took the basic motorcycle safety course here in Vermont, and it was great. I’m looking at the advanced rider course, to see if it’s available near me. These classes can substitute for years of hard knocks, and help the rider understand the capabilities of the motorcycle. Might literally save your life. I would like to get some track coaching too, on my other bike, not because I like to ride fast, but just for the beautiful experience.

I've never taken a motorcycle safety course. However, I'm all about safety and I think those courses are a very worthwhile thing to do. I'm not sure what's offered in this area. I've had a number of years of riding experience when I was much younger. I had been away from motorcycle riding for 30 or more years when I got the CT 125. It was somewhat like starting all over. I've found a lot of good information on you tube. When I find good information, I go out and put it to practice. I think one of the more valuable practices I've learned of is trail braking while cornering. Anyone interested in a you tube channel with top notch safety information should visit Canyon Chasers. This guy covers some very good safe riding techniques. Would like to hear of any specific techniques that relate to safety from other forum members.

 

[Valker]

I almost hesitate to mention this, but I taught the MSF courses (all of them) for 30 years. I trained the instructors from 2003 until I retired at the end of 2021. I've been a licensed rider since 1968. (I'm just establishing a baseline here) I've not been off a bike for any length of time over a couple of months since 1967. I would prefer to answer questions if anyone has them. I prefer that to just an info dump which would be too long and unread by most. My total motorcycle mileage is approximately 1.3 million. All of those miles were in North America. I've ridden in all 50 States, Mexico, and Canada. Most of my current stable is in the pics. Only one Valkyrie and a TW200 are missing.

 

[mcmd]

I almost hesitate to mention this, but I taught the MSF courses (all of them) for 30 years. I trained the instructors from 2003 until I retired at the end of 2021. I've been a licensed rider since 1968. (I'm just establishing a baseline here) I've not been off a bike for any length of time over a couple of months since 1967. I would prefer to answer questions if anyone has them. I prefer that to just an info dump which would be too long and unread by most. My total motorcycle mileage is approximately 1.3 million. All of those miles were in North America. I've ridden in all 50 States, Mexico, and Canada. Most of my current stable is in the pics. Only one Valkyrie and a TW200 are missing.

View attachment 5047

Nice gathering of wheels you've got there!

 

[Valker]

Thanks. Total ages added up to about 156 years and mileage totals about 504,000 miles.

 

[SneakyDingo]

To be honest, I'd welcome better motorcycle safety overall in the USA. Coming from another country and taking the MSF beginner course for my license left me feeling disappointed. Aussie rider training has some fundamental differences, but even ignoring that the local streetbike communities were great at promoting a culture of the importance of training and safety, which was needed because the license examiners were absolutely brutal when it came to doing the tests.

I've done quite a few courses in Australia. Even with the courses that didn't improve my skills with new learnings, they were fun ways to improve my skills with practice. Definitely 10/10 would do again experiences in my life, even if maybe not the most frugal use of my money. There's a substantial lack of offerings in my area, especially for off road riding opportunities. Mostly if I want to practice skills nearby I have to do so illegally and then leave before Karen calls the cops, and there are a LOT of Karens nearby .

 

[jBIRDt]

I took the basic motorcycle safety course here in Vermont, and it was great. I’m looking at the advanced rider course, to see if it’s available near me. These classes can substitute for years of hard knocks, and help the rider understand the capabilities of the motorcycle. Might literally save your life. I would like to get some track coaching too, on my other bike, not because I like to ride fast, but just for the beautiful experience.

Not just good riding coaching but may get a discount on motorcycle insurance

 

[Tchap]

I almost hesitate to mention this, but I taught the MSF courses (all of them) for 30 years. I trained the instructors from 2003 until I retired at the end of 2021. I've been a licensed rider since 1968. (I'm just establishing a baseline here) I've not been off a bike for any length of time over a couple of months since 1967. I would prefer to answer questions if anyone has them. I prefer that to just an info dump which would be too long and unread by most. My total motorcycle mileage is approximately 1.3 million. All of those miles were in North America. I've ridden in all 50 States, Mexico, and Canada. Most of my current stable is in the pics. Only one Valkyrie and a TW200 are missing.

View attachment 5047

Ok, I have a specific question. It’s about riding technique on a curve. Lately, I’ve found myself having a bit of fun whipping around curves. My technique is to decelerate and then down-shift as I approach a curve, and then I simultaneously lean and accelerate aggressively as I whip through the curve. Posted speed limits are 40mph or less. My question is this: how can I safely increase my speed on the curves. How can I maximize my speed going into the curve, and maximize my angle of lean to carve into that curve so that I can safely enjoy that whip-around feeling and conserve my speed so as to exit the curve accelerating and up-shifting into the straight? I’ve heard of people scraping the foot pegs on the asphalt on a curve, and I’m nowhere near that kind of leaning. But I want to go faster and lean harder on the glorious donk. I know that the answer may be complicated…depends on road conditions and tires…that might be the “traction” part of the equation. But factoring those elements, how would James Bond do it, if he were riding a donkey? Or 27 donkeys. Please know that I ask just because I put a strong emphasis on safety. How can I know the limits of speed and lean on a curve without testing to failure? On a motorcycle, I don’t like failure.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Ok, I have a specific question. It’s about riding technique on a curve.

Have you ever checked out the Youtube channel MotoJitsu?

 

[Tchap]

No, friend. But I will. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Tchap]

Ok, looked at it. Too complex now…I’m a little drunk. I’ll to spend more time with that. I guess that I was hoping that Valker would just tell me to go for it…

 

[Tchap]

It’s tedious for me to look through these YouTube videos. Honestly, I have a bit more trust in an expert like valker, because he is present here on the forum and has offered his real expertise. You, the wild dog dingo, are a person who appreciates the details of things…that is clear to me. Your opinion seems to be always anchored in fact. And you have been through many of these meaningful riding classes. What is your specific advice on whipping around the curves?

 

[Tchap]

Dmonkey, you are obviously an experienced rider. Any insight regarding maximizing the speed of the donk on dirt or asphalt curves?

 

[ssaigol]

I almost hesitate to mention this, but I taught the MSF courses (all of them) for 30 years. I trained the instructors from 2003 until I retired at the end of 2021. I've been a licensed rider since 1968. (I'm just establishing a baseline here) I've not been off a bike for any length of time over a couple of months since 1967. I would prefer to answer questions if anyone has them. I prefer that to just an info dump which would be too long and unread by most. My total motorcycle mileage is approximately 1.3 million. All of those miles were in North America. I've ridden in all 50 States, Mexico, and Canada. Most of my current stable is in the pics. Only one Valkyrie and a TW200 are missing.

View attachment 5047

How about a primer on riding the Trail125 with it's lower top speed in city streets and state highways with 55mph limits.. Specifically, lane positioning and car traffic.

 

[Valker]

Ok, I have a specific question. It’s about riding technique on a curve. Lately, I’ve found myself having a bit of fun whipping around curves. My technique is to decelerate and then down-shift as I approach a curve, and then I simultaneously lean and accelerate aggressively as I whip through the curve. Posted speed limits are 40mph or less. My question is this: how can I safely increase my speed on the curves. How can I maximize my speed going into the curve, and maximize my angle of lean to carve into that curve so that I can safely enjoy that whip-around feeling and conserve my speed so as to exit the curve accelerating and up-shifting into the straight? I’ve heard of people scraping the foot pegs on the asphalt on a curve, and I’m nowhere near that kind of leaning. But I want to go faster and lean harder on the glorious donk. I know that the answer may be complicated…depends on road conditions and tires…that might be the “traction” part of the equation. But factoring those elements, how would James Bond do it, if he were riding a donkey? Or 27 donkeys. Please know that I ask just because I put a strong emphasis on safety. How can I know the limits of speed and lean on a curve without testing to failure? On a motorcycle, I don’t like failure.

Thanks for the well thought out question. Is "Donk" a name for a 125Trail or some other bike? The answers will be similar, but not exact..
Unless It is a really sharp/slow curve, I rarely downshift. Your speed adjustment should be done before you actually get TO the curve. About one second before the curve begins. Press the handgrip in the direction of the curve: press right grip to go right, etc. Concentrate on your smoothe steady grip pressure. Try to not roll off in the curve itself. Stay upright relative to the bike: you should be at the same angle as the bike. If your speed rises more than normal, you might need to lean into the curve a bit. It's like you are trying to kiss the mirror on the inside of that curve. If your speed is slower but you want the bike to lean more, lean outward just a bit to make the bike lean angle greater. If a regular motorcycle with a fuel tank, squeezing the tank between your knees really helps here. Hard to squeeze with your knees on a Trail. On the street, I don't use a lot of acceleration when exiting curves. Most explanations deeper than this are for much higher speeds.
I hope this is clear.

 

[Valker]

How about a primer on riding the Trail125 with it's lower top speed in city streets and state highways with 55mph limits.. Specifically, lane positioning and car traffic.

Not necessarily a primer, but what I've found to help on my Trail in those situations.
I choose roads that have speed limits below the comfy speed on my Trail. I weight about 250lbs, so mine seems most comfortable at 45mph and below. I stick to city roads with limits of 45 or less. When riding my Trail, I keep in mind that we're not a very large vehicle to other road users. I run my high beam in the daylight. I move a bit from side to side in my lane to make myself stand out to other users. I always wave at little kids in cars because they usually announce "That guy on the motorcycle waved at me".

 

[dmonkey]

Before attempting to carry much speed through a curve on the CT you may want to consider upgrading the suspension, if you haven't already. I found the stock suspension to be sketchy at speed due to the lack of rebound damping.

 

[Backwoods]

Ok, I have a specific question. It’s about riding technique on a curve. Lately, I’ve found myself having a bit of fun whipping around curves. My technique is to decelerate and then down-shift as I approach a curve, and then I simultaneously lean and accelerate aggressively as I whip through the curve. Posted speed limits are 40mph or less. My question is this: how can I safely increase my speed on the curves. How can I maximize my speed going into the curve, and maximize my angle of lean to carve into that curve so that I can safely enjoy that whip-around feeling and conserve my speed so as to exit the curve accelerating and up-shifting into the straight? I’ve heard of people scraping the foot pegs on the asphalt on a curve, and I’m nowhere near that kind of leaning. But I want to go faster and lean harder on the glorious donk. I know that the answer may be complicated…depends on road conditions and tires…that might be the “traction” part of the equation. But factoring those elements, how would James Bond do it, if he were riding a donkey? Or 27 donkeys. Please know that I ask just because I put a strong emphasis on safety. How can I know the limits of speed and lean on a curve without testing to failure? On a motorcycle, I don’t like failure.

I think your last question answered your first question.

 

[oldskool]

TCHAP .....Curves are fun but don't get too carried away. Watch those blind curves!!!!! It sucks to be doing your full"James Bond" leaned over hard pushing the limits of the bike and your skill when a nice patch of gravel or debris is in your lane. You need to reinforce basic motorcycle skills. You want to be smooth rather than fast. Work on making good solid turns without trying to push the limits. After a while you will find that you are able to go pretty fast around corners in a relaxed manner. You ride around white knuckeled all the time It's going to stop being fun pretty fast for one reason or another.
You-tube has its limits but try MC rider for solid information without macho bs.