Safety

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Bachstrad37 · #11 Post by **Bachstrad37** » Tue May 02, 2006 7:20 am

My advice - take the MSF course. It's worth its weight in gold and the techniques they have you exercise will save your hairy "O Ring" someday. Overconfidence will kick you in the sac when you least expect it, so don't be cocky. Also, from a lot of people's experience at MSF, a whole slew of licensed drivers FAIL the MSF exam due to bad habits while brand new riders have great success in passing it. Get your habits set right from the beginning by taking a course. Those MSF guys really know what they're doing. Benefit from it.

fiveoboy01 · #12 Post by **fiveoboy01** » Tue May 02, 2006 5:07 pm

Keep your eyes, and ears open.

Grow eyes in the back of your head. Use your mirrors constantly.

Keep your head on a swivel.

Cover your brakes at an intersection especially if there is cross-traffic stopped at that intersection.

Do whatever you can to get other cars' attention if necessary. Including flashing your headlight or using your horn. Some even suggest swerving left/right to get a cager's attention.

PAY ATTENTION. When I ride, I'm WAY more alert than I am if I'm driving my pickup. I SHOULD be just as alert driving my truck. The knowledge that even a small accident on a bike could put me in the hospital for a while makes for some good motivation to be as possible

MikeyDude · #13 Post by **MikeyDude** » Wed May 03, 2006 2:40 pm

What fiveboy said escept.. DON'T FLASH YOUR LIGHTS! This is a huge debate but, a lot of drivers see you flashing your lights as giving them the okay to proceed. Think about what happens when driving your car. Generally people flash thier lights to show that it is clear to move into thier lane. Cagers don't know any special bike rules so ride with your brights on and weave in the lane...anything... But don't flash your lights.

DirtyD86 · #14 Post by **DirtyD86** » Sat May 20, 2006 4:26 am

wear full gear, check your machine often, always pay 100% attention to whats going on around you, take msf, take advice from others, always be willing to learn more about riding no matter how much you may think you already know. be careful have fun

BubbaGump · #15 Post by **BubbaGump** » Sat May 20, 2006 1:09 pm

To repeat what has already been stated - take a course. There you will learn the basics that will keep you safe if you practice them. Wear the proper gear, full leathers/textiles, full face helmet, gloves and boots. Leave yourself an out regardless of where you are - whether you're stopped or on the freeway. Keep your head in the game, read the road and traffic ahead of you and you'll do fine.