I found out earlier today that one of the guys I rode with down to the Alps last year, unfortunately did not survive an RTA over the Easter weekend.
The very experienced ride leader who led us down to the Alps last year and who has ridden thousands of miles subsequently posted up separately what I have unashamedly copied and posted below - whilst it may appear obvious, it never hurts IMO to be reminded once in a while and, if it helps bring us all home safely from our rides out this year and next then it's worth a read. You can absorb it, discard it, discuss it or ignore it, but if it helps one person then that's a positive.
1. Before you take-off, pick your landing.
Before you decide to overtake, decide where you're going to pull back in. If your landing zone relies on other road-users making room, I'd suggest it's suboptimal. You can extend your landing zone if the conditions allow - for example a moving line of cars. You may decide for one or two cars but then the road is still clear; then move your landing and continue the process. Don't start the manoeuvre aiming to overtake all 6 cars and hoping nothing comes.
2. Imagine you coming the opposite way. Same line. Same speed.
This is straightforward. If you're overtaking at 80mph+ on the opposite side of the road and you encounter another motorcycle doing 80mph+ then I guarantee one of you, or both of you is going to panic. Never go into the overtake (or any manoeuvre) hoping for the best. Always plan for the worst outcome and you won't be surprised.
3. If it's "probably on" then it's "definitely off".
It surprises me how many riders overtake in precarious situations and reply, when asked why, "oh, I thought I had enough time!" If it's not 100% guaranteed that you will make it before the car / gate / cyclist / hazard then abandon it and wait. There is ALWAYS another time to overtake. The advantage of the 'corner marker' system is you don't have to see the rider in front and be on his tail.
4. Imagine taking someone with you, on a short tether.
Whenever you can, try to find gaps large enough for 2 of your bikes. Imagine you have to take another biker with you on this overtake, could you both make it? If you're only just squeezing into gaps between vehicles then you're putting yourself at increased risk. Also, and more dangerous, if you're only just avoiding oncoming traffic before getting back into your lane then your imaginary friend is fuc*ed...and the car driver will rightly be pissed, and your underwear will be filthy.
5. Don't follow into an overtake.
If you follow the bike in front into an overtake then your are riding their plan, not yours. If they have to abandon it then you're in deep trouble. If they pull into a gap for one bike, you're in trouble. If they go down on oil / gravel, you're in trouble. If you regularly ride with people and you know them well, you can adapt this rule but if you don't know them, or think they're shit, then stay back.
6. Leave your ego at home.
You may be surprised to know that you're not a riding god! Neither am I. There is always someone more proficient (and less) on a motorcycle than you. It's very frustrating if you're "Like Rossi in the straights. And Pavarotti in the corners." If you see them in your mirrors then be aware and maintain your speed and let them do what they plan. Don't let anyone force you to overtake.
7. The best riders know when to go slow, not when to go fast.
Better to arrive safely than not all all. Drive defensively and smoothly and you'll get to wherever you are going safely. Does "saving" a few seconds make that much difference?
Wise words Dave........ :onya:
This week a mate decided he liked the sound of an advert for a VFR1000. We talked about it over the phone and he was keen.
I said to him l reckon it took me 9 months to a year before i was comfortable riding my 14, so be careful.
He turns up at my place with his son after his test ride. How'd it go I ask. OK but f....n near killed myself he says. How did that happen ?
"Went into a corner too fast" How long did it take you to do that I ask, 5mins......10 ? Oh no much quicker than that.
So did you buy it?.......hell yeah !!
You and your lad should do one of those riding skills courses, "I'll come and do a refresher with you guys." Great idea he says.
He's a first class bloke. He was lucky and I'm so pleased he survived his wake up call.
:cheers:
We have all had that close call at some point wether it be our fault (lack of concentration, not knowing the road or just plain bad riding)
Or it be others fault (bad driving from other road users ,bad/dirty road surfaces or weather conditions)
So very wise words
@gsxbarmy (dave) :onya:
And our thought are with you and your friends family . :cry2:
It's always sad to loose a riding mate but riding bikes is a very dangerous hobby, we should always take care out on the road as we are not the only nutters out there. Sorry for your loss Barmy.
Great thoughts Barmy. Sad for your loss. Riding is dangerous, we should all realise that. Ive always prefered solo rides, so many less things to go wrong. Not saying i dont like riding with mates but they can be unpredictable.
Sad for your loss Dave - very wise words
Sad news Dave..
I feel for you Dave, sad news indeed. Reminds us of our own fragility and mortality. Your riding mate had sage advice there, thanks for sharing.
A very wise motorcycle instructor once said to the class "A thinking rider is a survivor, a non-thinking rider is a statistic waiting to happen".
Even so we know riding can be dangerous and most of us develop sixth sense and eyes in the back of our helmets.
Sorry to hear of your loss Dave, :cry2:
Very Wise words Dave - Sorry for your loss fella
Sorry to hear that news Dave.
I have basically stopped going for any long group rides as too many members starting riding like bloody maniacs.
They could do with reading your OP.
Particularly #5, Don't follow into an overtake. Every time you go for an overtake into a gap for 1 bike, you had someone right up your arse, so you had to pull into the gap and go across so they had room as well :angry:
Sad circumstances mate, but very wise words.
I had the opportunity to go on a ride yesterday.
Option 1. Join a ride with about 55 other bikes (of all riding capabilities from beginner to arrogant to advanced).
Option 2. Me and a couple of mates, doing our own thing.
No contest, option 2 it was.
Sad news but some very good advice..... Probably why i stopped riding in groups a long time ago
I had a very very close call when riding with a friend at high speed coming out of Oulton park after a track day - ego was in full effect and I nearly paid the price - ride solo mainly now
I'm not a fan of group rides. If l do l like to be at the back.
Often ride with the bride on the back and usually on our own.
allways very sad to loose a friend this way .... condolences to you and his family .
Sad news Dave, sorry for your loss.
All fun comes with risk, riding a motorcycle is not an exception. Rarely we understand the risks early enough. Probably most of us have encountered a near miss situation and that's the moment when you should latest acknowledge the risks you are facing when riding. I did, and I'm lucky that I did.
After my near miss I changed my bike from a sports bike to my 14 (not that my 14 is any slower than my previous bike, but the nature of 14 does not make you go nuts every time you drive it). I changed my riding gear to more protective. I studied and read articles about riding a motorcycle safely. I went to training courses for riding at slow speeds, braking etc. and courses for enhancing your cornering skills. Actually yesterday I was on track with my 14. Gives you confidence to know that you can trust the bike and your ability to steer the bike.
What they don't normally teach you is how to take over. Those are wise words what you wrote Dave.
The biggest take away from my near miss (which was not a take over related, but cornering) is that I started to analyse everything when riding. I guess you could call it that sixth sense or third eye someone mentioned here.
Just take it easy and acknowledge the fact that anything, any time, any place, on the road can cause you serious damage, if it happens to happen. You can still enjoy the ride, but be much safer driver.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e0gSHUWTD8
Oh, and read post #1 by Dave again ;)
That's an interesting vid Andre, I'll admit to being one of them in the early 80's when riding in groups was what I did. Over the last 25 years I've taken on quite a few advanced training courses and generally ride alone but I do see these people on the road and wonder when not if they are going to cause an accident so tend to avoid them.
@mjgt I would never admit to ever have had a Beta Male Complex. I was born an Alpha Male with the wisdom and behaviour of Buddha :jack:
I don't ride in groups either. Too much added complexity for me and I like to take my piss whenever I feel like it.
A while back WE lost an experienced rider in a Busa accident - speed was the culprit and a slight misjudgment on a decreasing bend - His girl friend who owned a pink Busa succumbed to an RTA almost on the same date a year later - speed was again responsible. They were both in their late 30s. That had a profound effect on me as I was always going somewhere at a 1000 miles an hour!! As WE get older our reactions slowdown hence the reason I gave up dirt riding - having an off now really hurts! So! .....all those prolific words should be heeded. I now am pretty sedate and smell the roses on outings. Sad for your loss Dave.
Stan
Barmy,
Thanks, it never hurts to post this stuff, sorry it is the loss of a friend that has prompted it.
I'm normally out on the road on my own but on the couple of times I've led 2-4 bikes out for a day I always warn following riders that my habit is to "leapfrog" lines of traffic travellimg at moderate speed, I'll rarely attack the whole row. I'll also tell them if they want to pick the pace up, feel free and have a burst ahead of me (but don't forget to let me catch up before a major junction as I'm the only one who knows where the night's hotel is!)
We should all ride in a manner that we are comfortable with and in control of - or at least as best as you can be given other road users.
Pete.
Riding in groups of more than one or two other likeminded riders is a `no-no` for me nowadays. Too much peer pressure and too many distractions for my liking.
That said, riding with a respected mate or two of equal riding ability and experience is a great day out, especially with our respective `priceless cargo` on the pillion! A run down to the coast certainly hits the spot.
It does however, mean that we stick to our basic riding `rules`. By adopting the following we get to ride quickly and as safely as we can.
- We remain in the same riding order
We decide and stick to a planned route
We always overtake as individual bikes each separated by at least one other vehicle
On straight stretches of road we don`t ride directly behind each other, but stagger our riding line to provide us with the best view ahead
We are aware of each others progress through junctions/traffic lights etc. and adjust our speed accordingly
This common sense approach has always seen us ok and relatively safe, and it allows us all to enjoy the ride without the worry of having a loony or two in the group whose sole aim is to impress everyone within a 5 mile radius, except of course, the ambulance crew...... [/list]