Good Day sir, I was recently on my 2010 Ultra when I was going around a box truck right after an intersection when I heard your voice in my head say "You don't know what is around that truck, it could be a driver pulling out of a store, be prepared" and of course a little old lady was pulling out of a store. My hands were already on the brake and my foot was heading for the brake when I saw the car. Great training. Thanks! Keep up the great work. You are making a difference.
A friend brought up the idea of how much he is conscious of counter steering when riding. I thought to myself, "I've never countersteered pushing right or left on the bars, I just lean the bike when I want to turn, except at very slow speed". I've got about 120,000 miles in 11 years of my mc license. Prior to that, I urban commuted on a bicycle for about 6 years and wrote a thesis on vehicle interaction in urban areas. I have gone out and tried to but it feels dangerous. Just leaning works. Am I dangerous? What am I missing? I am very visually aware of my surroundings and potential interactions while riding. Comments?
You don't think you "lean" without putting any pressure on the handgrips do you? As MD said, you already countersteer, you just don't realize the light pressure it takes to turn the bike.
Yes, if you've riden safely for that long, you've been counter steering all along..counter steering, and leaning the bike : same thing. Its just being conscience about it. It's not confusing, its really easy. Push, and or pull..try it. But think about it. Really, the only time you're NOT counter steering, and using your handlebars, is at a dead stop, or 7-8 mph..or less.
Your question....Are your riding habits leading you to a crash? - After watching & listening to you, my answer...... yes, definately in some circumstances.Thanks very much for opening my eyes to what I have been doing.Excellent work.
U bring up some very good points. It reminds me of one instance of a close call. I was riding through an intersection with four way stop lights. I had the green light, so I went, noting several vehicles coming in the opposite direction making a left hand turn, in front of me, I slowed down as a precaution, and sure enough the first on turned right in front of me, than as I'm stopped the other three just went right ahead also. Luckily a city cop seen the whole thing and chased down the first first offender. That is a bad intersection for collisions. Between the hours of 230 to four o,clock, I avoid this intersection entirely. It's a main road that goes right by the high school. And when school is out its a mad dash to the finish line. I really find a lot of value in your videos, and appreciate them. Keep up the good work
+Greg Kollasch Thanks for sharing Greg. Great point you make intersections. Most MC accidents are in corners and intersections got to really watch for cars there.
Greg Kollasch When I was doing my motorcycle course, we were told that the green light doesn't mean Go, but proceed with caution. I thought that was a good way to look at it. I tend to watch for moving traffic on the far side of the intersection. Be suspicious of an empty lane.
Hello Kevin , Started watching this week took some advice on full face helmet and went to revzilla pick up the HJC is 17 Tario Hi Viz helmet and a Klim Latitude Hi Viz jacket. Want to make sure other vehicles can see me coming down the road. I let revzilla know you sent me there way. Great information in your videos ! Thank you, Alex
hi kev, greetings from Wales, in the UK. just like to say this is a great series your doing, thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge, there'll be people on here that will owe their lives to you in the future. well done.
12m40s now you gotta ask your self just one question - do you feel lucky (/mode Eastwood) but seriously - would you trust any stranger to hold an loaded weapon pointing to your head? No??? Really not?? Then why you are doing so on the hi-way?? COMON SENCE. There's no prosthesis for that!
Thanks for the great videos Kevin. As a rider still recovering from a near death crash, I have a few surgeries left to go but I have been back on a bike. As my accident was unavoidable on my behalf, I now find myself being over cautious. I guess that's normal but I hope I can get back into the relaxed rider I used to be. Your videos have helped reinforce a few skills that have helped. So thanks. Paul.
I make a habit of NOT riding behind a truck, semis, vans or ANY high "profile" vehicle exactly for the visibility reason. If no choice, I still have the choice to pass as soon as I am able to do so safely. Lane position, I still ride on left half of road, UNLESS there are driver coming up on my left or opposite direction. Why? Because I WANT TO BE in front of a driver behind me and be right behind the driver in front of me. I NEVER trust or "ASS-U-ME" a driver will and can see me.
Thanks Kev im definitely taking on board what you have shared and will now most definitely apply it to my way of riding not just for myself but other traffic users. Its so easy to get a little off track. But i appreciate your time..
I also use a 3 second following distance. For the reasons you point out, but also to give me more space for the vehicles behind me. Bikes can stop in less distance. Been rear ended once. Not fun!
i put them in order starting with oldest first and I'm going through every single one. What an amazing valuable resource this channel and the mcrider forum is!!
These are great tips for car drivers as well. Have you talked specifically about pros and cons of using the LH wheel track and RH wheel track (and potential dangers of riding between them)?
When I started riding I almost got drilled making a right on red. Traffic clear to left, looked right for pedestrians, looked left as I started to go and hit the brakes missing the passing car by about a foot! WTH? Where did he come from? Well, he was stuck behind a left turning car, and when traffic cleared in the lane to his right he cut over and gunned it. There “were” no cars in my turning lane. Then there he was. My bad, and his bad too. Had I been hit it would have been my fault. His bad? Gunning it through the intersection like a bat out of hell. But still my fault.
Yes, I don't ride these days, but ... on the happy occasion that a car driver showed me some courtesy I had a habit of looking at the driver and giving a wave. The last time I did it, I was cleaned up by a second car that put me in hospital. Probably should have kept my eyes on ALL of the traffic, or taken an extra minute to go around the longer/safer way. Likin' your vids. :)
I have a simple rule: Never EVER follow a truck. Period. About 2 weeks ago I had to more left between two trucks for merging traffic. Mover right again a few minutes later. A few minutes after that the truck in front of me blew a retread all over the freeway. By that time I was over two lanes to the right and exiting. Had I been behind him there was nothing I could do to avoid the tire debris.
How well can you see: My bike has me sit low, same height as someone in a car. It made me think more than higher bike, because I don't see anythings over another car, have to leave more space between me and car in front. But some people will tailgate me, because I leave too much space, and I have to accelerate back to closer position, any tips on how to deal with tailgaters? In Thailand, motorcycle is not very welcome to ride full lane, they expect us to lane split, because most riders do insane lane split at high speed, I don't dare do it, it is just stupid.
Excellent lesson! I and many others appreciate you utilizing the visual aid of your camera while riding. Being able to see the situation from your point of view really shows how using the lessons you teach can prevent a bad situation.
As a long time rider I do exactly the same. I always want to see as far ahead as possible not just for traffic but to be able to read the road surface. But at the same time no matter how well and how intelligent you ride bad things can still happen. In this case the big truck didn't flip up that big piece of metal and send it right into your face of chest. Even the best riders still ride with an element of luck on their side.
Great advice that even experienced riders need refreshing on! I know I'm not as good as I should be about following distance, and recently was in my truck and had to go straight over a milk crate full chains! Car behind me couldn't stop in time and they lost a radiator due to that crate.
Ive been riding for a few years, but your vids have opened my eyes to a lot of things I well be a much safer and better rider thanks to you, I descovered your sight a few days ago and watched every one that I could. So thank you for careing! I'l be watching!
Hi Kev, I can see you didn't have your blind sport mirrow fitted in your r-w mirrows yet at this time. Could you share what exact situation made you to fit them in?
I just like to thank you not long ago I was watching a video where you were showing how to stop get the scape route I stopped behind a car on my bike to the left I was just telling year looking in my mirror car behind me stop car behind that dead rear-ended the car and I will shovel tomorrow they were rendered the cart in front of me I was safe in the left lane thank you
Did you actually see the big piece of metal on the road before the truck hit it? The video (even full screen) makes it hard; even after the truck ran over it and you were coming close. Almost looks as if the metal fell off the truck. But as we always teach our students 2-second following rule (or greater). Things like that happen and if we're a safe following distance back, our risk is greatly reduced. Thank you for your hard work putting this stuff together.
+DFWKen Hey Ken, I can't say for sure if I saw it first, it happened pretty quick. I do know I was looking through that gap and I do know I saw it as soon sat it was kicked up by the front tire. I had to look back at the tape when I got home after the ride and it appears that I begin to drift to the left at the same time the truck makes contact. If that is the case then I had to see it first to have some reaction time.
As a commercial Hazmat driver I was amazed the tanker driver even ran over that quarter fender. But it may have fallen off the truck which doesn't say much for the drivers pre-trip inspection. I'm always watching for junk in the road. Kevin I've been riding for 44 years, had 5 different Goldwings but I still have to fight complacency while riding. Your vids have opened my eyes to some things I need to work on. As President of a CMA chapter up here in Idaho I will share your vids at our meetings. ...oh and is it possible to order an MCRider hat?...Thanks
Thanks for sharing Jim and spreading the word. I have had a few requests for hats so I probably need to make that happen. Right now I have to order them 1 off so the cost is really high. I do offer hats at the $50 level on Patreon (www.MCrider.com/support) but I need to find a better way for people who want a hat.
Great vid! At UPS we teach a following distance at speeds 30mph and less, 4-6 seconds.....at speeds 30mph and greater, 6-8 seconds. The majority of riders I see simply do not adhere to these Road Strategies.
Thank you so much!!!!!! Appreciate it. Arkansas has some great riding just across the river from Memphis!!!! We can be in the twisties in less than an hour!!!! Im due for another run to Jasper/Harrison Area!!!!
What do you do if you see someone speeding at least 100 mph on the freeway behind you weaving in an out of traffic and is getting ready to pass you unsafely between a slow moving truck on the right? Slow down (off the throttle) to allow them more room to pass or maintain speed?
I agree with you on making sure that I am visible and I can't tell you how many times I have had someone look me direct in the eyes and not see me. I never ever trust that. My experience shows they will still turn in front of me 9 out of 10 When you crowd up behind a vehicle the left turn lane and right on red can't see you Those car's just flat don't see you before making a right on red or left turn and pullout into the supposed clear space behind that vehicle. I have seen that while riding my own bike not seeing a hidden bike in traffic If I cannot clearly see or be seen. I am that accident waiting to happen. I read a report years ago after the facts interviewed people that almost all car at fault /motorcycle accident people said they never saw them and and they don't ride no one in their family or friends ride bikes. So looking out for biker safety doesn't register as a normal thing to watch for or do. So assuming that I'm seen is a accident waiting to happen be safe out there and smart
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Good Day sir, I was recently on my 2010 Ultra when I was going around a box truck right after an intersection when I heard your voice in my head say "You don't know what is around that truck, it could be a driver pulling out of a store, be prepared" and of course a little old lady was pulling out of a store. My hands were already on the brake and my foot was heading for the brake when I saw the car. Great training. Thanks! Keep up the great work. You are making a difference.
Good advice
A friend brought up the idea of how much he is conscious of counter steering when riding. I thought to myself, "I've never countersteered pushing right or left on the bars, I just lean the bike when I want to turn, except at very slow speed". I've got about 120,000 miles in 11 years of my mc license. Prior to that, I urban commuted on a bicycle for about 6 years and wrote a thesis on vehicle interaction in urban areas. I have gone out and tried to but it feels dangerous. Just leaning works. Am I dangerous? What am I missing? I am very visually aware of my surroundings and potential interactions while riding. Comments?
You already counter steer, you just don't realize you're doing it :)!!
You don't think you "lean" without putting any pressure on the handgrips do you? As MD said, you already countersteer, you just don't realize the light pressure it takes to turn the bike.
Yes, if you've riden safely for that long, you've been counter steering all along..counter steering, and leaning the bike : same thing. Its just being conscience about it. It's not confusing, its really easy. Push, and or pull..try it. But think about it. Really, the only time you're NOT counter steering, and using your handlebars, is at a dead stop, or 7-8 mph..or less.
Your question....Are your riding habits leading you to a crash? - After watching & listening to you, my answer...... yes, definately in some circumstances.Thanks very much for opening my eyes to what I have been doing.Excellent work.
"I'm going to take responsibility for my own safety." Well said, Sir.
U bring up some very good points. It reminds me of one instance of a close call. I was riding through an intersection with four way stop lights. I had the green light, so I went, noting several vehicles coming in the opposite direction making a left hand turn, in front of me, I slowed down as a precaution, and sure enough the first on turned right in front of me, than as I'm stopped the other three just went right ahead also. Luckily a city cop seen the whole thing and chased down the first first offender. That is a bad intersection for collisions.
Between the hours of 230 to four o,clock, I avoid this intersection entirely. It's a main road that goes right by the high school. And when school is out its a mad dash to the finish line.
I really find a lot of value in your videos, and appreciate them. Keep up the good work
+Greg Kollasch Thanks for sharing Greg. Great point you make intersections. Most MC accidents are in corners and intersections got to really watch for cars there.
Greg Kollasch When I was doing my motorcycle course, we were told that the green light doesn't mean Go, but proceed with caution. I thought that was a good way to look at it. I tend to watch for moving traffic on the far side of the intersection. Be suspicious of an empty lane.
Hello Kevin ,
Started watching this week took some advice on full face helmet and went to revzilla pick up the HJC is 17 Tario Hi Viz helmet and a Klim Latitude Hi Viz jacket. Want to make sure other vehicles can see me coming down the road. I let revzilla know you sent me there way.
Great information in your videos !
Thank you,
Alex
hi kev, greetings from Wales, in the UK. just like to say this is a great series your doing, thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge, there'll be people on here that will owe their lives to you in the future. well done.
12m40s now you gotta ask your self just one question - do you feel lucky (/mode Eastwood)
but seriously - would you trust any stranger to hold an loaded weapon pointing to your head? No??? Really not?? Then why you are doing so on the hi-way??
COMON SENCE. There's no prosthesis for that!
Thanks for the great videos Kevin. As a rider still recovering from a near death crash, I have a few surgeries left to go but I have been back on a bike. As my accident was unavoidable on my behalf, I now find myself being over cautious. I guess that's normal but I hope I can get back into the relaxed rider I used to be. Your videos have helped reinforce a few skills that have helped. So thanks. Paul.
I make a habit of NOT riding behind a truck, semis, vans or ANY high "profile" vehicle exactly for the visibility reason. If no choice, I still have the choice to pass as soon as I am able to do so safely.
Lane position, I still ride on left half of road, UNLESS there are driver coming up on my left or opposite direction.
Why? Because I WANT TO BE in front of a driver behind me and be right behind the driver in front of me.
I NEVER trust or "ASS-U-ME" a driver will and can see me.
Thanks Kev im definitely taking on board what you have shared and will now most definitely apply it to my way of riding not just for myself but other traffic users. Its so easy to get a little off track. But i appreciate your time..
That is a pretty old iPhone there man, but if it works for you, I guess that’s good. What is that a 6 6S
I also use a 3 second following distance. For the reasons you point out, but also to give me more space for the vehicles behind me. Bikes can stop in less distance. Been rear ended once. Not fun!
I watch at least 1 of your videos daily...gotta do it, they're
great
i put them in order starting with oldest first and I'm going through every single one. What an amazing valuable resource this channel and the mcrider forum is!!
Quick s/o to all the patrons keeping this good channel going. Thanks guys
Worth Every Penny!
Great vid
These are great tips for car drivers as well. Have you talked specifically about pros and cons of using the LH wheel track and RH wheel track (and potential dangers of riding between them)?
You are from Texas yet I never hear you say fixen ! Your videos are the best, thanks for taking the time to do these.
Afterburner 'cause he was born in the State of Mazurrah.
I am a new rider, and your vid series is a very useful resource to improve my skills. Well done and thanks.
+brian glendenning Awesome Brian, glad they help!
Brian, I started riding around 1973, and I find this vid series a very useful resource to improve my skills too! Never stop learning, eh?
When I started riding I almost got drilled making a right on red. Traffic clear to left, looked right for pedestrians, looked left as I started to go and hit the brakes missing the passing car by about a foot! WTH? Where did he come from? Well, he was stuck behind a left turning car, and when traffic cleared in the lane to his right he cut over and gunned it. There “were” no cars in my turning lane. Then there he was. My bad, and his bad too. Had I been hit it would have been my fault. His bad? Gunning it through the intersection like a bat out of hell. But still my fault.
Yes, I don't ride these days, but ... on the happy occasion that a car driver showed me some courtesy I had a habit of looking at the driver and giving a wave. The last time I did it, I was cleaned up by a second car that put me in hospital. Probably should have kept my eyes on ALL of the traffic, or taken an extra minute to go around the longer/safer way. Likin' your vids. :)
I have a simple rule: Never EVER follow a truck. Period. About 2 weeks ago I had to more left between two trucks for merging traffic. Mover right again a few minutes later. A few minutes after that the truck in front of me blew a retread all over the freeway. By that time I was over two lanes to the right and exiting. Had I been behind him there was nothing I could do to avoid the tire debris.
I can’t stop thinking about my crash last month. Really effecting my riding now
Regarding "seeing up the road", I suggest looking into a LED headlight bulb for your bike.
Just got my learners permit, can’t wait to start in March 2018, thank you so much for all your vids!
How well can you see:
My bike has me sit low, same height as someone in a car. It made me think more than higher bike, because I don't see anythings over another car, have to leave more space between me and car in front.
But some people will tailgate me, because I leave too much space, and I have to accelerate back to closer position, any tips on how to deal with tailgaters? In Thailand, motorcycle is not very welcome to ride full lane, they expect us to lane split, because most riders do insane lane split at high speed, I don't dare do it, it is just stupid.
Excellent lesson! I and many others appreciate you utilizing the visual aid of your camera while riding. Being able to see the situation from your point of view really shows how using the lessons you teach can prevent a bad situation.
As a long time rider I do exactly the same. I always want to see as far ahead as possible not just for traffic but to be able to read the road surface. But at the same time no matter how well and how intelligent you ride bad things can still happen. In this case the big truck didn't flip up that big piece of metal and send it right into your face of chest. Even the best riders still ride with an element of luck on their side.
This video deserves every like! Such an important strategy!
Great advice that even experienced riders need refreshing on! I know I'm not as good as I should be about following distance, and recently was in my truck and had to go straight over a milk crate full chains! Car behind me couldn't stop in time and they lost a radiator due to that crate.
Ive been riding for a few years, but your vids have opened my eyes to a lot of things I well be a much safer and better rider thanks to you, I descovered your sight a few days ago and watched every one that I could. So thank you for careing! I'l be watching!
Hi Kev, I can see you didn't have your blind sport mirrow fitted in your r-w mirrows yet at this time. Could you share what exact situation made you to fit them in?
I just like to thank you not long ago I was watching a video where you were showing how to stop get the scape route I stopped behind a car on my bike to the left I was just telling year looking in my mirror car behind me stop car behind that dead rear-ended the car and I will shovel tomorrow they were rendered the cart in front of me I was safe in the left lane thank you
I wish I would have found MC rider before I laid my street glide down instead of while dealing up from doing so.
Great Video! Keep up the good and much needed work! Thank you!
Unfortunately u cannot predict the future. What if the piece of debris would been on the left lane ?😉
i really appreciate your videos very informative and practical, helps me a lot here in the phils, your road strategies are very much applicable here
What a great video and riding advise. Thanks.
Great service.. thank u so much
That was a mud flap that fell off a tractor trailer. It has a metal frame.
Excellent video and tips
Some great advice.. Plenty to think about.. Thanks
+Robert Cross Thanks Robert.
Did you actually see the big piece of metal on the road before the truck hit it? The video (even full screen) makes it hard; even after the truck ran over it and you were coming close. Almost looks as if the metal fell off the truck. But as we always teach our students 2-second following rule (or greater). Things like that happen and if we're a safe following distance back, our risk is greatly reduced.
Thank you for your hard work putting this stuff together.
+DFWKen Hey Ken, I can't say for sure if I saw it first, it happened pretty quick. I do know I was looking through that gap and I do know I saw it as soon sat it was kicked up by the front tire. I had to look back at the tape when I got home after the ride and it appears that I begin to drift to the left at the same time the truck makes contact. If that is the case then I had to see it first to have some reaction time.
As a commercial Hazmat driver I was amazed the tanker driver even ran over that quarter fender. But it may have fallen off the truck which doesn't say much for the drivers pre-trip inspection. I'm always watching for junk in the road. Kevin I've been riding for 44 years, had 5 different Goldwings but I still have to fight complacency while riding. Your vids have opened my eyes to some things I need to work on. As President of a CMA chapter up here in Idaho I will share your vids at our meetings. ...oh and is it possible to order an MCRider hat?...Thanks
Thanks for sharing Jim and spreading the word. I have had a few requests for hats so I probably need to make that happen. Right now I have to order them 1 off so the cost is really high. I do offer hats at the $50 level on Patreon (www.MCrider.com/support) but I need to find a better way for people who want a hat.
Great vid! At UPS we teach a following distance at speeds 30mph and less, 4-6 seconds.....at speeds 30mph and greater, 6-8 seconds. The majority of riders I see simply do not adhere to these Road Strategies.
I agree, following distance is one of the biggest mistakes I see riders making here in DFW. Thanks for watching, new videos like this every Tuesday.
Thanks MCrider. will check out some more vids. Check my channel out sometime as well if you Like!
+MemphisMike I already did, you got a new subscriber. I grew up right down the road from you in Blytheville, AR, been to Memphis several times.
Thank you so much!!!!!! Appreciate it. Arkansas has some great riding just across the river from Memphis!!!! We can be in the twisties in less than an hour!!!! Im due for another run to Jasper/Harrison Area!!!!
What do you do if you see someone speeding at least 100 mph on the freeway behind you weaving in an out of traffic and is getting ready to pass you unsafely between a slow moving truck on the right? Slow down (off the throttle) to allow them more room to pass or maintain speed?
I thought I did the right thing by slowing down. My husband who also rides says I should just maintain. By the way, thanks for the video!
Kristine Slead Go as fast as you can, show them who the boss is!😎
I agree with you on making sure that I am visible and I can't tell you how many times I have had someone look me direct in the eyes and not see me. I never ever trust that. My experience shows they will still turn in front of me 9 out of 10 When you crowd up behind a vehicle the left turn lane and right on red can't see you Those car's just flat don't see you before making a right on red or left turn and pullout into the supposed clear space behind that vehicle. I have seen that while riding my own bike not seeing a hidden bike in traffic If I cannot clearly see or be seen. I am that accident waiting to happen. I read a report years ago after the facts interviewed people that almost all car at fault /motorcycle accident people said they never saw them and and they don't ride no one in their family or friends ride bikes. So looking out for biker safety doesn't register as a normal thing to watch for or do. So assuming that I'm seen is a accident waiting to happen be safe out there and smart
Great job!
Thanks Michael