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Post by SylvreKat on Dec 20, 2015 13:28:01 GMT -5
My old driver's ed teacher would tell his story about target fixation. The student was driving along a residential neighbor, and teacher noticed him watching the parked cars. Told him to ignore the cars unless lights came on. Quit staring at them.
Said it was really embarrassing to ring a homeowner's doorbell at 7 am holding the guy's back bumper in his hands, 'cause the student kept staring at that car 'til he hit it.
>'Kat
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 21, 2015 13:46:18 GMT -5
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 21, 2015 15:55:15 GMT -5
one finer point in regards to safety is working on your ride.
this almost invariably requires you to use the centerstand, although the sidestand can be used in certain circumstances.
i'm sure that most of us likes, or needs, to rev the engine, but this presents problems with a scooter because the engine cannot be disengaged from the drive wheel except at, or just above, idle.
so, with that in mind, i offer the following tip:
when revving your engine, keep one foot on the centerstand ground peg, this will prevent the scoot from "hoppihg off" the stand and getting away from you.
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Post by rockynv on Dec 21, 2015 23:23:49 GMT -5
This one that happened in April 2015 is a prime example of what can happen running wide. Rider was chasing a friend and panicked running wide into what appears to be a fire rescue vehicle which may be what saved him. Hitting a truck with life saving equipment and medics on board was a bit ironic.
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Post by ricardoguitars on Dec 22, 2015 0:45:28 GMT -5
This one that happened in April 2015 is a prime example of what can happen running wide. Rider was chasing a friend and panicked running wide into what appears to be a fire rescue vehicle which may be what saved him. Hitting a truck with life saving equipment and medics on board was a bit ironic. OUCH!!!  Target fixation at it's best. |
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Post by scooter on Dec 22, 2015 3:40:48 GMT -5
OUCH!!! Target fixation at it's best. Whew! That hurt from way over here! Dang!  |
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Post by rockynv on Dec 22, 2015 4:53:31 GMT -5
Probably a blessing that he can't remember anything from a few minutes before until he came too and has to go by the video to show him what happened. I don't think he would have made it if the Fire Rescue folks weren't in the truck he hit and there to provide life support and call a life flight immediately.
I wish I had a nickle for everyone who's told me that they were immune to this due to their cat like reflexes and superior riding skills which allowed them to ride like Hooligans and play Speed Racer riding the streets.
Be safe.
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Post by SylvreKat on Dec 22, 2015 9:22:22 GMT -5
My take-aways from that vid, besides the very obvious of don't cross the center line.
1) Friend was a serious jerk for taking off and driving over the guy's skills. I doubt this would've happened if friend hadn't taken off and left him, making him try to keep/catch up. If you're riding with someone like friend, let him leave you. Never drive outside your comfort zone.
2) Friend was a bigger jerk "I sure hope it (the bike) doesn't get totaled" then comments on broken parts. Uh, how about hoping your BUDDY isn't totaled?
Ride your own ride, folks. Do not allow someone else to dictate a faster/rougher/harder ride than you want to do.
>'Kat
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Post by ricardoguitars on Dec 22, 2015 10:01:48 GMT -5
My take-aways from that vid, besides the very obvious of don't cross the center line. 1) Friend was a serious jerk for taking off and driving over the guy's skills. I doubt this would've happened if friend hadn't taken off and left him, making him try to keep/catch up. If you're riding with someone like friend, let him leave you. Never drive outside your comfort zone. 2) Friend was a bigger jerk "I sure hope it (the bike) doesn't get totaled" then comments on broken parts. Uh, how about hoping your BUDDY isn't totaled? Ride your own ride, folks. Do not allow someone else to dictate a faster/rougher/harder ride than you want to do. >'Kat That reminds me yet another safety tip: Ride at 70% of your capabilities, leave the 30% left in case of an emergency. |
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Post by shalomdawg on Dec 22, 2015 16:14:59 GMT -5
howdy, i'll re-hijack the thread back to braking on scooters with both brake controls on the handlebars. when braking with both hand controls which I think is necessary, the fact is you've released some of the grip on the bars themselves. this sets you up for the potential of the wrist going above or below the bars and you losing directional control. I mention that only to draw your attention to it so you will be aware. if the front wheel slides or hits something which puts torque on the bars themselves, you have a chance of losing that control of which way the front tire is actually pointed.
ken
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Post by scooter on Dec 22, 2015 17:53:17 GMT -5
I wish I had a nickle for everyone who's told me that they were immune to this due to their cat like reflexes and superior riding skills.... Ah the joys of being young, dumb and full of confidence! I miss that.  |
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Post by SylvreKat on Dec 23, 2015 0:51:51 GMT -5
Hey rocky, how about having 'Kat-like reflexes? Hm?  >'Kat |
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Post by rockynv on Dec 23, 2015 1:07:09 GMT -5
I wish I had a nickle for everyone who's told me that they were immune to this due to their cat like reflexes and superior riding skills.... Ah the joys of being young, dumb and full of confidence! I miss that. I remember back when I knew everything and it was grand. Now that I am older while it bothers me that I know that there are things I don't know it really scares me that there are others things that I don't know I don't know. It is the unknown unknowns that can present the greatest threat to our safety as Mr. Rumsfeld pointed out. When riding one has to be aware that there will be unknown unknowns on the road ahead and while some may be very pleasant we do have to be prepared to deal with the extremely unpleasant ones too by riding in a safe and reasonable manner. |
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Post by urbanmadness on Dec 23, 2015 10:34:59 GMT -5
My take-aways from that vid, besides the very obvious of don't cross the center line. 1) Friend was a serious jerk for taking off and driving over the guy's skills. I doubt this would've happened if friend hadn't taken off and left him, making him try to keep/catch up. If you're riding with someone like friend, let him leave you. Never drive outside your comfort zone. 2) Friend was a bigger jerk "I sure hope it (the bike) doesn't get totaled" then comments on broken parts. Uh, how about hoping your BUDDY isn't totaled? Ride your own ride, folks. Do not allow someone else to dictate a faster/rougher/harder ride than you want to do. >'Kat I like to hang back a bit in a group anyway. I have a buddy that always leads and then I'm usually second, and if he had his way, I'd be like a bike length behind his bike or riding next to him.... I won't do it.. sorry. Could I? Most certainly, I'm probably a better rider then he is and I'm on a bike that is in better shape then his (we both ride 1500cc goldwings, but my suspension is in better shape), will I? No, that's part of what makes me a better rider then he is... It's not that I don't have the skill to do it, it that I have the smarts not to do it. I want the extra room to react if he has a problem. I use the two second rule. One second rule when staggered, sometimes more, if I want a more relaxed ride. Just like I know the big ol girl is good for 100mph plus (more like 130). Could I ride it that fast? Sure, I have the skill, but I also have the smarts not to do it. One pot hole, and it's over, at that kind of speed. As for hoping the bike isn't totaled? Really? The bike is the least of it, it can be replaced. Oh well, some people just suck |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 23, 2015 11:45:26 GMT -5
in indiana, the skill videos i've seen do not recommend riding 2 abreast, but instead riding in a staggered formation.
this is essentially single file except every other bike rides on the left and right sides of the lane.
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