Riding rulebook, what's in yours?

[setasai]

Random thought, I made myself a personal riding rulebook that I have to follow to it's absolute max everytime I even think of riding.

Not in any particular order:

1) No riding after a drink for the rest of the day regardless of how much time has passed. If I decide to get a beer for lunch, no riding until the morning. Extreme, maybe but why not.
2) The classic ALL gear no matter how close or how short (moving the bike around in the garage doesnt count)
3) Earplugs with ~30db reduction EVERY time substituted with In-ear headphones with similar db reduction (for me ER4s) on certain trips.
4) The usual tire, fluids, luggage, and mirror checks/adjustments.
5) General full body stretching to loosen up tense muscles accompanied with several deep breaths.
6) Recently, I've included voiding my bowels if possible as well.

I'm sure there will be more I'll add to the list but for now, this is all. After a while, it's not even a hassle anymore and frankly, many accidents could probably be avoided in a car if drivers would consider doing something similar.

So, what's in your personal rulebook?

[slolane]

No drinking.
Geared up for every ride.

[Green Streak]

#1. No drinking.
#2. No Ugly Chicks on Back.
#3. If you don't follow #1 you may end up breaking #2.

Just kidding...

1. No Drinking.
2. Helmet w/ earplugs
3. Leather Jacket
4. Gloves
5. Boots
6. No music, phone or other distractions.

[littledog]

Originally Posted by setasai

Random thought, I made myself a personal riding rulebook that I have to follow to it's absolute max everytime I even think of riding.

Not in any particular order:

1) No riding after a drink for the rest of the day regardless of how much time has passed. If I decide to get a beer for lunch, no riding until the morning. Extreme, maybe but why not.
2) The classic ALL gear no matter how close or how short (moving the bike around in the garage doesnt count)
3) Earplugs with ~30db reduction EVERY time substituted with In-ear headphones with similar db reduction (for me ER4s) on certain trips.
4) The usual tire, fluids, luggage, and mirror checks/adjustments.
5) General full body stretching to loosen up tense muscles accompanied with several deep breaths.
6) Recently, I've included voiding my bowels if possible as well.

I'm sure there will be more I'll add to the list but for now, this is all. After a while, it's not even a hassle anymore and frankly, many accidents could probably be avoided in a car if drivers would consider doing something similar.

So, what's in your personal rulebook?

1. I do drink just a bit, and have never ridden without a nights worth of sleep between drinking and riding. There have been a few mornings where I wondered if my hangover was dangerous.

2. yes.

3. back and forth to work, no. pleasure rides or highway rides yes.

4. yes.

5. and 6. never really thought about these.

I'll add

7. Always ride with a defensive attitude.

Example: You are sure you have the legal right of way, but you do not assert your right until you are reasonable certain other road users have yielded to you. This is sometimes an easy call, like at a 4 way stop sign., and other times impossible, like when you are through traffic with an oncoming left turning driver.

Example: Some one else does something careless that puts you at risk, and you by anticipation or by handling skill avoid the danger. Your response is to increase the time and space between yourself and the possibly dangerous motorist.

Example: You cannot see or judge the condition of the road in front of you to be sure you can stop on safely on the road you can see if necessary. So you slow down.

[jmgrande]

1. No drinking. (If I'm going to meet up with some friends at the bar, I take my car. It's that easy)

2. Gear. (Helmet, eye protection, gloves, jacket, pants, boots)

3. Be in the right state of mind. (If I feel a little tired, have slight headache, or feel stressed out, I don't ride, there is always another day)

4. Know where I am going. (I usually have a relative route planned out and I need to have driven on the roads previous to be aware of bad spots, including potholes and sharp curves)

The next few are partially because I'm a newer rider, but they are safety precautions and my current rules none the less. They also just say Avoid because you can't control them. Sometimes you'll be out and stuck and have to make it home

5. Avoid riding in adverse condtions (Rain, wet roads, etc)

6. Avoid riding at night.

7. Avoid riding at high traffic times. (In the morning and between 4-6pm the roads are usually packed with dangerous, tired, late people rushing to get to work or back home)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sticking with rules, my MSF instructor said he had rules that his passenger must agree on before he could take them for a ride. He didn't really go into detail, he mentioned the obvious like gear including helmet, cannot have been drinking, do not put your feet down, and hold on! But I was wondering what else he meant and what rules are good to go over with your passenger.

[setasai]

Originally Posted by Green Streak

#1. No drinking.
#2. No Ugly Chicks on Back.
#3. If you don't follow #1 you may end up breaking #2.

Just kidding...

You might be kidding, but could very well be true/happen.

I'm also partial to having another dude on back. Nothing against dudes persay but I'm not particularly comfortable with getting that close to someone in general and even then, anybody other than my girlfriend makes me feel uncomfortable. I feel like passengers during a ride is like giving a hug/kiss. Just so personal. Not to mention the inherent risks and trust involved with it.

[Yasko]

All gear all the time...Check air, lights, and gas...I ride a back side street to get the bike warm...Then I pray to God to put a protective bubble around me so everyone can see me, help me to ride within my skill, and if anything happens to me Bless me...I pray this every time I ride my bike...

[gogoKawi]

Rule 0 - Ride as often as possible.

[ride2rideagain]

Those who live in glass homes, must go to the basement to change their clothes

[Xerxi]

I had more rules when I started riding, like no highways or night riding for the first 6 months.

I still don't ride in the rain (i'm a weakling)

I agree with most other people are saying. But I add one: Don't ride if I feel something is wrong.

There was this one day that I seemed to get up on the wrong side of the bed and was glad I did not ride that day.

[Yasko]

No rain...

No ridding after fight with girl...

No ridding if wind is over 20mph...

[wvninja]

I dont go ninjen nobody that dont need ninjen

i ride road rash style and judy chop other bikers when i pass them.

never wear more than speedo's and a helm when its ladys night at the bar.

Be more like my hero in the video below:

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Live2ride]

Originally Posted by wvninja

I dont go ninjen nobody that dont need ninjen

i ride road rash style and judy chop other bikers when i pass them.

never wear more than speedo's and a helm when its ladys night at the bar.

Be more like my hero in the video below:

[Flashmonkey]

Bike Commandments:

1. Thou shalt have only 1 pair of testicles per motorcycle.

/end commandments

[Xoulrath]

Originally Posted by Yasko

All gear all the time... ...Then I pray to God to put a protective bubble around me so everyone can see me, help me to ride within my skill, and if anything happens to me Bless me...I pray this every time I ride my bike...

Wow, I thought I was the only one. I pray not just for me, but for all motorcyclists. I ask for all the ability (and resolve) to ride within one's skill level while at the same time expanding one's skills, keeping a safety margin and taking responsibility for oneself since the cars won't do it for us.

I wear all gear most of the time (ALWAYS a helmet), and I check the bike's lights, tires and fluids a few times a week, since I am always on the bike. Checking before every ride would be a hassle and I don't think it will help me catch anything I haven't already.

[jmgrande]

No fat ugly chicks....OHHHH this is why they make 1400cc bikes.

[gfloyd2002]

Never get involved in a land war in Asia and never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

[Racer x]

Never twist the throttle in anger

[ally99]

Ride like I'm invisible...because I pretty much am.

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by setasai

Random thought, I made myself a personal riding rulebook that I have to follow to it's absolute max everytime I even think of riding.

Not in any particular order:

1) No riding after a drink for the rest of the day regardless of how much time has passed. If I decide to get a beer for lunch, no riding until the morning. Extreme, maybe but why not.
2) The classic ALL gear no matter how close or how short (moving the bike around in the garage doesnt count)
3) Earplugs with ~30db reduction EVERY time substituted with In-ear headphones with similar db reduction (for me ER4s) on certain trips.
4) The usual tire, fluids, luggage, and mirror checks/adjustments.
5) General full body stretching to loosen up tense muscles accompanied with several deep breaths.
6) Recently, I've included voiding my bowels if possible as well.

I'm sure there will be more I'll add to the list but for now, this is all. After a while, it's not even a hassle anymore and frankly, many accidents could probably be avoided in a car if drivers would consider doing something similar.

So, what's in your personal rulebook?

No booze before riding, for sure.

never wear earplugs in city traffic. Ok if I'm gonna be "at speed" for a while. Earphones have no place on a motorcycle unless you like the ER. I won't even ride with you if you have ear phones in.

Squeeze the levers and eyeball the tires before every ride.

Always wave back at the kids that wave (I usually give em a "thumbs up". Use left hand!

Pee before I leave the house

[Sailariel]

Rule 1 Caution
Rule 2 Caution
Rule 3 Caution

[CC Cowboy]

No crashing

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by rockNroll

No booze before riding, for sure.


Always wave back at the kids that wave (I usually give em a "thumbs up". Use left hand!

+1

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

No crashing

I like that one.

After a couple weeks ago, my rule is no riding anywhere without knee pads! Tough to walk away from a crash if you can't even walk.

No riding in torrential downpours isn't a rule, it's just not a very fun thing to do.

[setasai]

Nice to see all our rulebooks have one thing in common. Common Sense! I have a group of students in my lab that dont have any and sometimes I fear for my life more in lab than on a motorcycle. Ridiculous!

[eddiekay]

Remember you're smaller and slower than everything around you.
If i cant stay out of their way, I get out of their way...and never spit at anyone when your shield is closed. Ask me how i know.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by eddiekay

...and never spit at anyone when your shield is closed. Ask me how i know.

or sneeze

[Snake]

Originally Posted by ally99

Ride like I'm invisible...because I pretty much am.

This is probably the best rule of all.

[Don.Copely]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

or sneeze

or blow bubbles with your shield down...that also applies to any family pets named Bubbles (its illeagle and just sick)

[angel_flash]

Originally Posted by Yasko

No rain...

No ridding after fight with girl...

No ridding if wind is over 20mph...

def no rain def no angry riving or itl make me do stunts from the movis lol n da wind thng also that

[Anthony_marr]

1. Never let the front tire lose traction.

2. Never bring the bike to a full stop when it is still executing a turn. It will be dumpred on to the outside of the turn.

3. Never ride 100% of your ability or the road's apparent potential. A little bump or a small patch of sand or a little tightening of the curve will send your sliding or wheel off the road if you are already at full lean.

4. If you feel that you have entered a curve too fast, do not try to slow down, but lean the bike more. Yes, it can take it.

5. Ride defensively

[voidrider]

I am liking a lot of what I am reading here.

My main addition is to check ALL of my lights, brakes and turn signals in a "walk around". Its like my "pre-flight check", but for my bike. I try to be thorough each ride, since even a ride to a nearby market could be problematic if my brake and turn signals aren't working properly.

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by jmgrande

No fat ugly chicks....OHHHH this is why they make 1400cc bikes.

What a pair.... I wonder what their story is.