HD Forums Australia
Home
Online: obisteve, brucefxdl
Topics

Safe riding tips

1/2
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    3 years ago
    Quote source removed.
    Okay lets open up the floodgates, partially at least...LOL
    1 Its illegal to travel in the right hand lane on the motorway or any road that the speed limit is 80kph or above unless in the process of overtaking. Lately refer to your point 8...you refer to that person as "arrogant inconsiderate turds." yet you suggest that that's where we should sit in point 1.
    My experience tells me that there is no "safe" zone at all when riding anywhere. Ride defensively, ride with anticipation, ride drug/alcohol free, never think you've been noticed, don't sit in drivers blind spots ( if you cant see them in their mirrors they cant see you). Its YOUR responsibility to make yourself visible to dumb arse motorists. No use being in the right but dead!
  • B0nes
    B0nes
    3 years ago
    I also subscribe to number 8. But I always keep an eye on my mirrors and if I see a car coming I move back across long before he comes up behind me. Has saved my arse on a few occasions doing this.
    But will add, if your in the left lane and their is merging traffic coming on your left ALWAYS move to the right lane because sure as hell some clown will merge on top of you.
    Also if passing a truck, get passed as fast as you can. never sit behind a car while passing said truck, let him get past first then gun it passed him. I have on a couple of occasions blown a steer tyre and before you can react your heading into the next lane or off the side of the road. That shit happens so quick it's scary.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    3 years ago
    Quote source removed.
    Ha Ha they say your full of shit...well not anymore! Did you think the bottom was about to fall out of your world or the world fall out of your bottom...!
  • T4
    T4
    3 years ago
    Vary your position in your lane, especially on the two lane highways (one lane each way). Nothing coming, stay to the right. Traffic coming, move to the left. As Bones says, especially if it is a semi/B double etc. Ever noticed those big chunks of rubber on the side of the road with sharp steel wire sticking out of them? When a truck tyre lets go it does so in a big way, and you don't want to be near when it happens.
    Varying your lane position allows those moronic tin top steerers to notice you. If a motorcycle is coming towards you it looks very small until it is suddenly 'there'. That is why so many people pull out in front of motorcycles. This phenomenon is called looming (I used to teach this shit).
    By moving all over your lane you get a better chance of being seen. They may think that you are retarded or whatever, but at least they have noticed you. Of course, it is not 'cool', but I'd rather be uncool than dead.
    In everyone's eyes there is a blind spot; yes, even in yours. This is where the optic nerves leave the eye to go to your brain where the images are interpreted. The reason you do not notice this is because your clever old brain MAKES UP THE MISSING AREA due to the information it gets from around the missing area. A MOTORCYCLE CAN DISAPPEAR IN THIS BLIND SPOT. That's when someone will pull out in front of you, mow you down and then claim they did not see you (ask me how I know).
    There are many tests on the internet to show you how your blind spot works. Then realise it is the same for everyone. And you are sharing the road with them all.

    Cheers, Will
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    3 years ago
    Thanks Will, terrifying!
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    3 years ago
    not just tossers that are coming the other way, I was leading the group on the black dog ride Sunday, as I was pulling out to pass a otorhome, a tool zoomed on my outside darn near clipping me, then braking in front, to pull off the road to help a Sheela who pulled over to take a piss, dropped her bike, crazy times for me, 110KPH + to pull right to miss him, idiots

    the politician that's makes mandatory headlights for all at 80k's + will get my vote
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    3 years ago
    1, Ride defensively, everyone’s out to get you, everyone
    2, Ride hard, brake hard, corner like a mad man, but always be in total control of your motorcycle, don’t mix ambition with ability
    3, Anticipate that every inside corner will be laced with gravel or have a pot hole right in your line
    4, Getting on the throttle’s easy, practice braking hard, really fucking hard and mid corner and in the wet
    5, Own a bike that’s better than you. ie Sold my Wideglide because it was always out to kill me, very skittish through the Adelaide Hills because I was pushing it beyond it’s limits. Changed to a Fatbob, much better. It never feels pushed and I feel safer
    6, Remember rule number 1
    7, Avoid trees, from experience, they fucking hurt

  • Timmy
    Timmy
    3 years ago
    Being patient helps me.  Keeping a big space cushion, and not getting shirty at other road users.  I take 3 deep breaths and relax when someone does something silly, rather than getting angry and doing something stupid.
    I watch Dan the Fireman on Youtube.  He has helped me refine some techniques. He can be a but annoying sometimes, but I watch some videos of his every so often to keep me thinking. 
    I bought a Helite Turtle air vest recently, and now I feel naked without it.  Since moving from Australia to Germany and now travelling on the Autobahn I feel like I need some extra safety gear on my Softail. The Softy doesnt feel anywhere near as stable as a sportsbike at 150kmh, especially for extended periods.  Feels a bit hairy sometimes!!!
      
  • roadrunner14
    roadrunner14
    3 years ago
    Quoting Timmy on 22 Mar 2021 07:52 PM

    Being patient helps me.  Keeping a big space cushion, and not getting shirty at other road users.  I take 3 deep breaths and relax when someone does something silly, rather than getting angry and doing something stupid.

    I watch Dan the Fireman on Youtube.  He has helped me refine some techniques. He can be a but annoying sometimes, but I watch some videos of his every so often to keep me thinking. 
    I bought a Helite Turtle air vest recently, and now I feel naked without it.  Since moving from Australia to Germany and now travelling on the Autobahn I feel like I need some extra safety gear on my Softail. The Softy doesnt feel anywhere near as stable as a sportsbike at 150kmh, especially for extended periods.  Feels a bit hairy sometimes!!!
      

    I don’t even think my Fattie would sit on a 150 for extended periods haha. I really do ride like a grandpa most of the time. 130 is about my limit these days for overtaking and short bursts of youthful exuberance. So I guess keeping the speed down and enjoying the ride is a safe riding tip. 
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    3 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 22 Mar 2021 09:26 AM

    Okay lets open up the floodgates, partially at least...LOL
    1 Its illegal to travel in the right hand lane on the motorway or any road that the speed limit is 80kph or above unless in the process of overtaking. Lately refer to your point 8...you refer to that person as "arrogant inconsiderate turds." yet you suggest that that's where we should sit in point 1.
    My experience tells me that there is no "safe" zone at all when riding anywhere. Ride defensively, ride with anticipation, ride drug/alcohol free, never think you've been noticed, don't sit in drivers blind spots ( if you cant see them in their mirrors they cant see you). Its YOUR responsibility to make yourself visible to dumb arse motorists. No use being in the right but dead!

    The keep left unless overtaking Road rule applies on roads where the speed limit is above 80kmh. It doesn’t apply at 80kmh. 
  • Timmy
    Timmy
    3 years ago
    Quoting Timmy on 22 Mar 2021 07:52 PM

    Being patient helps me.  Keeping a big space cushion, and not getting shirty at other road users.  I take 3 deep breaths and relax when someone does something silly, rather than getting angry and doing something stupid.

    I watch Dan the Fireman on Youtube.  He has helped me refine some techniques. He can be a but annoying sometimes, but I watch some videos of his every so often to keep me thinking. 
    I bought a Helite Turtle air vest recently, and now I feel naked without it.  Since moving from Australia to Germany and now travelling on the Autobahn I feel like I need some extra safety gear on my Softail. The Softy doesnt feel anywhere near as stable as a sportsbike at 150kmh, especially for extended periods.  Feels a bit hairy sometimes!!!
      

    Quoting roadrunner14 on 22 Mar 2021 08:01 PM

    I don’t even think my Fattie would sit on a 150 for extended periods haha. I really do ride like a grandpa most of the time. 130 is about my limit these days for overtaking and short bursts of youthful exuberance. So I guess keeping the speed down and enjoying the ride is a safe riding tip. 

    I had to add a sportshield.  As you know, once you get to say 120 the wind resistance really starts to rear its head.  I try to stick to the back roads.  Its more enjoyable anyway.

  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    3 years ago
    Quote source removed.
    Ha Ha love the retort...i was referring to your original post, not your expanded post post. Its my observation that point 1 indeed leads quickly to point 4.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    3 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 22 Mar 2021 09:26 AM

    Okay lets open up the floodgates, partially at least...LOL
    1 Its illegal to travel in the right hand lane on the motorway or any road that the speed limit is 80kph or above unless in the process of overtaking. Lately refer to your point 8...you refer to that person as "arrogant inconsiderate turds." yet you suggest that that's where we should sit in point 1.
    My experience tells me that there is no "safe" zone at all when riding anywhere. Ride defensively, ride with anticipation, ride drug/alcohol free, never think you've been noticed, don't sit in drivers blind spots ( if you cant see them in their mirrors they cant see you). Its YOUR responsibility to make yourself visible to dumb arse motorists. No use being in the right but dead!

    Quoting fatbat on 22 Mar 2021 08:07 PM

    The keep left unless overtaking Road rule applies on roads where the speed limit is above 80kmh. It doesn’t apply at 80kmh. 

    Fatbat you are partially correct....like Phoenix i should have expanded the statement to include the following "
    On a road marked with two or more lanes for traffic traveling in the same direction, if the speed limit is greater than 80 km/h or on any road that has a 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' sign, you must not drive in the right lane except: when overtaking another vehicle" Now every road in Qld that has dual lanes displays the 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' sign. Hopefully that clarify s the rule
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    3 years ago
    Quoting paulybronco on 22 Mar 2021 09:26 AM

    Okay lets open up the floodgates, partially at least...LOL
    1 Its illegal to travel in the right hand lane on the motorway or any road that the speed limit is 80kph or above unless in the process of overtaking. Lately refer to your point 8...you refer to that person as "arrogant inconsiderate turds." yet you suggest that that's where we should sit in point 1.
    My experience tells me that there is no "safe" zone at all when riding anywhere. Ride defensively, ride with anticipation, ride drug/alcohol free, never think you've been noticed, don't sit in drivers blind spots ( if you cant see them in their mirrors they cant see you). Its YOUR responsibility to make yourself visible to dumb arse motorists. No use being in the right but dead!

    Quoting fatbat on 22 Mar 2021 08:07 PM

    The keep left unless overtaking Road rule applies on roads where the speed limit is above 80kmh. It doesn’t apply at 80kmh. 

    Quoting paulybronco on 22 Mar 2021 09:05 PM

    Fatbat you are partially correct....like Phoenix i should have expanded the statement to include the following "
    On a road marked with two or more lanes for traffic traveling in the same direction, if the speed limit is greater than 80 km/h or on any road that has a 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' sign, you must not drive in the right lane except: when overtaking another vehicle" Now every road in Qld that has dual lanes displays the 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' sign. Hopefully that clarify s the rule

    I’m not partially correct. It’s in the Australian road rules. Governments can sign post whatever they want about keeping left but in the absence of a sign the road rule is as I said it was (over 80) is correct. Where you said it was 80 and over was incorrect. Lots of roads are 80 zones and unless sign posted the keep left rule does not apply where the speed limit is 80 (or less)

    Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road
    130 Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road

    (1) This rule applies to a driver driving on a multi-lane road if:
    (a) the speed-limit applying to the driver for the length of road where the driver is driving is over 80 kilometres per hour, or
    (b) a keep left unless overtaking sign applies to the length of road where the driver is driving.
  • roadrunner14
    roadrunner14
    3 years ago
    Ill just post this here for NSW 
    In NSW, key word is OR.  ....a keep left unless overtaking sign OR speed limit over 80. 

    Keep left unless overtaking
    On a road where there's a 'Keep left unless overtaking' sign or a speed limit of more than 80km/h, you must not drive in the right lane, unless you're:
    overtaking
    turning right
    making a U-turn
    not turning left and there's a 'Left lane must turn left' sign or traffic lights with a left arrow signal
    avoiding an obstruction
    driving in traffic that’s stopped or travelling slowly in the left lane
    driving a bus or a truck and the right lane is for buses or trucks only
    overtaking a slow vehicle making a left turn.
    8B2C6F58-1748-4C53-9D38-78FE3C79FE4A.jpeg
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    3 years ago
    Quoting roadrunner14 on 23 Mar 2021 06:32 AMedited: 23 Mar 2021 06:36 AM

    Ill just post this here for NSW 

    In NSW, key word is OR.  ....a keep left unless overtaking sign OR speed limit over 80. 

    Keep left unless overtaking
    On a road where there's a 'Keep left unless overtaking' sign or a speed limit of more than 80km/h, you must not drive in the right lane, unless you're:
    overtaking
    turning right
    making a U-turn
    not turning left and there's a 'Left lane must turn left' sign or traffic lights with a left arrow signal
    avoiding an obstruction
    driving in traffic that’s stopped or travelling slowly in the left lane
    driving a bus or a truck and the right lane is for buses or trucks only
    overtaking a slow vehicle making a left turn.

    8B2C6F58-1748-4C53-9D38-78FE3C79FE4A.jpeg
    Yes, like always, we need laws, rules/signage to cater for the lowest common denominator (boneheads). Whilst most people would be aware & courteous of others, the ignorant and arrogant unfortunately need guidance every step of the way for society as a whole to function the way we expect it to!
    FFS, keep left - simple
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    3 years ago
    Well thanks for the headfuck  roadrunner. 
    Maybe fatbat didnt headfuck  us enough  for your liking?
    And what the fuck happened to steelos post from last night?   Come on steelo !  Get it back up man !
    I got a good old chuckle !!!  
  • roadrunner14
    roadrunner14
    3 years ago
    Quoting beaglebasher on 23 Mar 2021 08:26 AMedited: 23 Mar 2021 08:59 AM

    Well thanks for the headfuck  roadrunner. 

    Maybe fatbat didnt headfuck  us enough  for your liking?
    And what the fuck happened to steelos post from last night?   Come on steelo !  Get it back up man !
    I got a good old chuckle !!!  

    Haha I guess it depends if you like being the headfucker or the headfuckee 😱
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    3 years ago
    At the present moment in time I am confused.
    But lets get back to the safety tips .
    Dont hit a pigeon at 250 kph.  They explode and you get bits of the bird up your sleeve.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    3 years ago
    Ha Ha very fitting....just stay safe!
Topics
1/2