How To Ride Fast and Safe

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

I found this site while doing a search and has some good stuff in it, could help some of us out so I’ve posted it here as it does answer some common questions.

How To Ride Fast and Safe
Rob Davis, Telford, Shropshire UK
"It's not how fast you ride safely - it's how safely you ride fast."

How To Ride Fast and Safe
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02 Firestorm.

irdawood · Banned Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Karma :

wow zak that was very good

good find Smile

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tanner18 · Traffic Copper Joined: 13 May 2002 Karma :

some interesting stuff. and i thaught by havin my headlights on in the day was safer
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inline 4's rule

NSR125-Kid-UK · Attention Whore Joined: 03 May 2003 Karma :

Good stuff there Smile

, very informative.
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Crash it for fun · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Karma :

I think it is safer to have your lamps on in the day. Many a time has a bike caught my attention in my rear view mirror due to its light being on. Especially while filtering!

T.C · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

There are many cases where an accident has occured because of lights being displayed during the daytime.

Many riders display lights for no other reason than because a mate has told them to put lights on or because they were told on their CBT to display lights, and it doesn't help that many of the manufacturers are now hard wiring their lights so that they are on all the time.

I am not saying that you musn't display lights, what I would say is consider whether it is beneficial.

In many cases, drivers will think you are flashing them out of a junction, especially if you hit a bump as you approach, many drivers cannot gauge speed and distance of bikes approaching with their lights turned on, but most commonly drivers find that the outline of the bike is obscured by the aura of the headlight and so the bike simply disappears from view, hence the reason a lot of the Sorry mate didn't see you type accidents occur, they did see you (or at least they saw the headlight) but they couldn't see the bike.

Bright colours are far more effective than a headlight in good weather conditions, headlights really are only beneficial when visibility is reduced or it is dark.

All I would say is do not take displaying headlights for granted, you are often better off just displaying a sidelight which is enough to draw your presence to the attention of other road users, but it won't blind or cause confusion, and if the accident occurs you cannot then be held as having made a contribution to the cause.

It will not be long before one of the manufacturers will be subject to litigation as a result of an accident occuring due to their hard wired headlights, and in fact I am looking at such a possible case now.

As far as the instructor you mention is concerned, there are a lot of flaws in some of his ideas which have now been superceded by modern teaching practices and ideas at advanced level, and from the end of next year all advanced instructors will have to be formally qualified similar to what they are now for DAS and CBT. Guess who has to examine them? Wink

I am currently failing about 70% of potential or existing advanced instructors going through the exam/course and Star Rider went out of business because some of the stuff they were teaching such as "its not how fast you ride but how you ride fast" that got them into so much bother and their credibility ended up being shot to shreds.

If you want to learn how to rider properly however, them www.rospa.org will put you in touch with the right people, and if you attain a RoSPA gold grade then you will have the equal of a Police class 1 and the highest civillian qualification you can get.
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McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

May I suggest passing that DSA test first. Wink

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

I know, I just felt like nagging you Razz

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Anyway, I think I'll be coming to your stoppie school before I do any advanced lessons! Razz

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Danny · Ask Me About Stoppie School Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Karma :

We are looking into buying the BMW scooter things that have a roof. Our chief instructor found out that going over the front does in fact hurt a lot. Embarassed

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

I read that article on riding fast and safe some weeks ago.

I think it's got a few valid points to be honest. The main one that I've picked up on and actually use all the time now, is about dropping back slightly from cars when over taking. Gives you much more space and is a lot smoother (and safer!)

I find the articles in Ride and Bike magazines on riding techniques can be really usefull as well.
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