Too slow to read a situation?

Motofool · March 29th, 2016, 08:31 PM

Insan3guy · March 29th, 2016, 10:47 PM

Yeah, saw that one coming from a mile away. Best thing to do is either slow down or speed up to get the *#@! out of that blind spot

akima · March 30th, 2016, 03:56 AM

Great video.

My advice for new riders who find themselves in this situation: If there is a gap a car/vehicle can move into, the safest assumption to make is that the car will move into that gap. As such leave enough space that if the car moves suddenly into the space you don't have to brake hard. As soon as you sense the car is moving into that gap you should:
* smoothly decelerate to distance yourself from the back of the vehicle moving into the gap.
* check your mirrors for anyone getting too close behind you.
* position your bike so you have an escape if the car in front brakes hard or the car behind looks like it's going to rear end you.

Before the car moves into the gap you should already have:
* awareness of the position of all the vehicles around you.
* awareness of what the traffic up ahead is doing (if brake lights are coming on up ahead, then you can predict how the traffic around you is going to respond and what possible things could go wrong).
* an escape route planned for if any of the cars around you do something that could put you in danger.

Your #1 priority should be your safety, not:
* who is right and wrong
* who deserves to be punished for doing wrong
* who has right of way
* who owns a spot on the road

Maybe in a car you can get away with thinking like that. Not on a bike though. Anyone who has ridden any amount of time likely knows other riders who roll around with that "right and wrong" mentality. Many of those riders will have already suffered because of it and the rest of them are likely to experience their suffering ahead. Physics doesn't know right and wrong.

Personally I don't ride side by side with other vehicles. There's too much uncontrollable risk of them turning into me. In lots of situations the ninjette doesn't have the power to quickly move you forward away from the danger unless you're riding right-up high in the powerband (burning lots of petrol!).

You will always have to put yourselves side-by-side with other vehicles sometimes. For this I echo the words of RoyalJordian: "I'm a big believer in the principle of reducing the amount of time spent in a dangerous position." So when you're going to pass that truck, do it fast (but not reckless) and decisively, with a plan of where you're going to put yourself and what the dangers ahead are.

HoneyBadgerRy · March 30th, 2016, 05:45 AM

When in a car right of way is a great way of thinking, and its way better for your insurance. On a motorcycle your priority is not getting in a wreck, it doesn't matter where you have to put the bike.

Panda · March 30th, 2016, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Great video.

My advice for new riders who find themselves in this situation...

This post is quality level "Hernan" which we all know is the highest possible post level for helpful riding advice.

akima · March 30th, 2016, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panda

This post is quality level "Hernan" which we all know is the highest possible post level for helpful riding advice.

It is a great honour to receive a Hernan-level,quality stamp

This forum and Motofool in particular (among others like csmith12) have had a very positive effect on my riding.

CaliGrrl · March 30th, 2016, 08:50 AM

I agree, Akima! Got to know what's going on around you and expect cars to do problematic things. I think safety, rather than right/wrong or asserting myself, even in a car. I'm a boring driver, but it keeps me from filling out crash paperwork.

And yeah, I would have expected that car to change lanes like that. He was coming up behind the scooter, and the logical thing is for them to pass it.

cbinker · March 30th, 2016, 12:46 PM

gotta close that door sooner, you saw the slow scooter, so you know that if you leave space the van is coming over.

toEleven · March 30th, 2016, 01:57 PM

That rider didn't appear to read the situation at all. Good advice above.

10 points to Hufflepuff...err, I mean akima.

Snake · March 30th, 2016, 01:59 PM

Thankfully the biker didn't go down.

akima · March 30th, 2016, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toEleven

10 points

but... ur toEleven

Quote:

Originally Posted by toEleven

Hufflepuff...err, I mean akima.

This?

I like it.

cadd · March 30th, 2016, 05:36 PM

Akima, great post!!! I agree with everything you wrote.

What surprised me most about the video: the rider froze. He did not slow down. He did not swerve to the left. It seemed like he did not react at all.

Motofool · March 30th, 2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

.......This forum and Motofool in particular (among others like csmith12) have had a very positive effect on my riding.

"I like the idea that people hear my stuff, and if it's commercially successful, that's a good sign that it's being heard." - Paul McCartney

Passing on experiences that can help young motorcyclists to ride well and long by being safer and educated, has been the original idea.

March 29th, 2016, 08:31 PM	#1
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Too slow to read a situation? Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

March 29th, 2016, 10:47 PM	#2
Insan3guy ninjette.org member Name: Patrick Location: Coronado, CA Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2015 zx6r Posts: 176	Yeah, saw that one coming from a mile away. Best thing to do is either slow down or speed up to get the *#@! out of that blind spot __________________________________________________ You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be misquoted and used against you in an internet fight
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 30th, 2016, 03:56 AM	#3
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	Great video. My advice for new riders who find themselves in this situation: If there is a gap a car/vehicle can move into, the safest assumption to make is that the car will move into that gap. As such leave enough space that if the car moves suddenly into the space you don't have to brake hard. As soon as you sense the car is moving into that gap you should: * smoothly decelerate to distance yourself from the back of the vehicle moving into the gap. * check your mirrors for anyone getting too close behind you. * position your bike so you have an escape if the car in front brakes hard or the car behind looks like it's going to rear end you. Before the car moves into the gap you should already have: * awareness of the position of all the vehicles around you. * awareness of what the traffic up ahead is doing (if brake lights are coming on up ahead, then you can predict how the traffic around you is going to respond and what possible things could go wrong). * an escape route planned for if any of the cars around you do something that could put you in danger. Your #1 priority should be your safety, not: * who is right and wrong * who deserves to be punished for doing wrong * who has right of way * who owns a spot on the road Maybe in a car you can get away with thinking like that. Not on a bike though. Anyone who has ridden any amount of time likely knows other riders who roll around with that "right and wrong" mentality. Many of those riders will have already suffered because of it and the rest of them are likely to experience their suffering ahead. Physics doesn't know right and wrong. Personally I don't ride side by side with other vehicles. There's too much uncontrollable risk of them turning into me. In lots of situations the ninjette doesn't have the power to quickly move you forward away from the danger unless you're riding right-up high in the powerband (burning lots of petrol!). You will always have to put yourselves side-by-side with other vehicles sometimes. For this I echo the words of RoyalJordian: "I'm a big believer in the principle of reducing the amount of time spent in a dangerous position." So when you're going to pass that truck, do it fast (but not reckless) and decisively, with a plan of where you're going to put yourself and what the dangers ahead are. __________________________________________________
	4 out of 4 members found this post helpful.

March 30th, 2016, 05:45 AM	#4
HoneyBadgerRy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ryan Location: Beaufort SC Join Date: Aug 2015 Motorcycle(s): 05 Ninja 250, 04 KTM 625 SMC, 01 Xc250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	When in a car right of way is a great way of thinking, and its way better for your insurance. On a motorcycle your priority is not getting in a wreck, it doesn't matter where you have to put the bike. __________________________________________________ Because Unregistered sucks at riding.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

March 30th, 2016, 12:46 PM	#8
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	gotta close that door sooner, you saw the slow scooter, so you know that if you leave space the van is coming over. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

March 30th, 2016, 08:50 AM	#7
CaliGrrl ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kerry Location: Ventura, CA Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja650 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '18, Apr '17, Apr '16	I agree, Akima! Got to know what's going on around you and expect cars to do problematic things. I think safety, rather than right/wrong or asserting myself, even in a car. I'm a boring driver, but it keeps me from filling out crash paperwork. And yeah, I would have expected that car to change lanes like that. He was coming up behind the scooter, and the logical thing is for them to pass it.

March 30th, 2016, 01:57 PM	#9
toEleven Slower than you. Name: toEleven Location: NoVA Join Date: Oct 2015 Motorcycle(s): CBR600RR, CB750, EX300 (半蔵) Posts: 667 MOTM - May '16	That rider didn't appear to read the situation at all. Good advice above. 10 points to Hufflepuff...err, I mean akima. __________________________________________________ DISCLAIMERv1.0: There may be more info on the topic than this forum post. Conduct your own research. If another thread is linked or quoted, go read it yourself.

March 30th, 2016, 01:59 PM	#10
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Thankfully the biker didn't go down.

March 30th, 2016, 05:36 PM	#12
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	Akima, great post!!! I agree with everything you wrote. What surprised me most about the video: the rider froze. He did not slow down. He did not swerve to the left. It seemed like he did not react at all. __________________________________________________ Riding it like I financed it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The changing images situation	Ninjinsky	Off-Topic	3	July 11th, 2014 09:58 AM
Giving up the slow bike for a slow car	CycleCam303	Off-Topic	17	February 18th, 2014 02:13 AM
Slow throttle response and slow return to idle help	Crriiissss	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	22	August 7th, 2013 12:26 AM
Making the best of a crappy situation	Gorilla25	Off-Topic	9	March 7th, 2012 04:25 PM
Need some suggestions with this situation	bikermunda	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	13	September 14th, 2010 06:53 AM