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After 4 years and 40000 miles, I still talk to myself about the basics while riding. If I had a mike in my helmet, this would make an interesting (or silly) recording.

"Look. Looooook!!!!" (translated: look where I want to go, my eyes aren't really where they need to be)
"Loose!!" (stop locking my elbows and shoulders)
"Move, dammit" (move my weight on the bike, drop down and towards the inside of the turn)

And there's probably more. Any other riders do this?

I always had to remind myself to look ahead and scan. That was my biggest problem. My eyes tend to wander around after riding for a long period. Unless the road was a "fun" road, then I was always focused.
But of course I didn't speak out loud in my helmet. That's what crazy people do. Well, at least until I start singing then it is full volume.

Not usually....however, I am a "vocal" rider......usually along the lines of "What the f***?", "Hey A**h***, how about using your turn signals and checking over your shoulder before turning into my lane?", "You stupid b****, where the h** did you learn to drive?"............

I suspect I will always give myself verbal reminders while riding...which is a reason I will probably never get a comm system to speak with the Spouse Thingy while we're out. He'd get mighty irritated thinking I was telling him to keep an eye on that car wanting to get across the road ahead, pick a better line, slow down, there's usually a speed trap ahead...

Thumper wrote:I suspect I will always give myself verbal reminders while riding...which is a reason I will probably never get a comm system to speak with the Spouse Thingy while we're out. He'd get mighty irritated thinking I was telling him to keep an eye on that car wanting to get across the road ahead, pick a better line, slow down, there's usually a speed trap ahead...

On our trip to Canada in August we used Autcom systems for bike to bike comms for the first time. There's options for voice-activated (VOX) or push-to-talk (PTT) transmission. Very quickly we learned PTT is the way to go! The PTT button mounts in position for your left thumb, and the downside of course is hitting the horn button when you want to transmit, or vice versa....

Yes, I still give myself verbal reminders.....such as look through the turn....I've already seen the road in front of me...I don't need to look at it again.....
This is close enough...keep your following distance....

Check your mirror when you stop.....

I hope I always do.....it will help me from getting complacent.

I usually mutter to myself "stay alert, bogies comin' in from all sides" or "ease up on the throttle."

Heck yeah, along the lines of, "scan . . . get out of this guy's blind spot . . . check your mirrors . . . shoulder check . . . late apex . . . squeeze, don't grab . . . etc." Especially when I'm slightly distracted (work, girlfried, whatever), talking myself through makes me immediately focus on the ride.

Grey Thumper wrote:Heck yeah, along the lines of, "scan . . . get out of this guy's blind spot . . . check your mirrors . . . shoulder check . . . late apex . . . squeeze, don't grab . . . etc." Especially when I'm slightly distracted (work, girlfried, whatever), talking myself through makes me immediately focus on the ride.

Having seen and experienced the traffic in Manila, I am amazed that you have time to do any of the above......

ceemes wrote:

Grey Thumper wrote:Heck yeah, along the lines of, "scan . . . get out of this guy's blind spot . . . check your mirrors . . . shoulder check . . . late apex . . . squeeze, don't grab . . . etc." Especially when I'm slightly distracted (work, girlfriend, whatever), talking myself through makes me immediately focus on the ride.

Having seen and experienced the traffic in Manila, I am amazed that you have time to do any of the above......

Oh, I just deleted the "holy cr@()*&*#P, you m&^*$@4ing a$$(*&^ get out of the (*(*&^@%$# road!" bits.