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Motorcycle Safety/Dynamics

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Safety Articles

Over the years I have written hundreds of motorcycle safety related articles for publication on my website and for various newsletters all over the world. Here are 240 of those articles for you to spend a long evening considering. Let me be clear about something before you begin ... you already know 90% of what you are about to read. It's the other 10% that can save your life.

Filters:       Experience level           Technical content 
No.Tip NameTeaser
001Highside DynamicsWhat happens and how to prevent it
002Maiden VoyageGetting it home from the dealership
003What They Didn't Teach During The MSF ClassAnd a couple of things they shouldn't have
004Pre-ride Briefing For Your New PassengerS/he is the BOSS, but you set the rules
005Shock Absorbers Aren'tA detailed Discussion of what they really do
006Teaching A Newbie To LeanActually, helpful hints for all
007Dumping A Bike Is No SinBut ending up under it is
008Excessive Tire WearA list of causes
009Tire PressureMore temperature sensitive than you might think
010Tire PlugsApparently little known facts that are important
011One Rule That Will Keep You AliveOn City Streets
012Motorcycle Officers Are Not The Best ExamplesThey have different realities
013The Buddy SystemWhen your stator fails you can still ride it home
014CB Help ChannelCertainly not 9, probably not 1
015Planning That Poker RunSuggestions from one who's been there
016Riding Drag Is Anything ButFor your most skilled/most experienced/best equipped
017Closing The DoorExample of good lead/drag bike coordination
018Sunblock Can Kill YouHonest! Trust me!
019Cooling Down In Very Hot WeatherEvaporation is everything
020Cold Weather StartingBecause you have a wet clutch you need to know this
021Protecting Those Numb FingersA surprising find in your first-aid kit
022Leathers Really Are Worth The Price20+ times more effective than your jeans
023Crash BarsBelieve it or not, they may be MORE dangerous than helpful
024Peer Pressure Is Easy - You Aren'tWe don't argue with ourselves enough
025Controlling Your LaneTwo wheels are enough to own a lane
026Coffee - If You Need It, STOPDrugs are no substitute for rest when you need it
027Maintenance - Long Before Your TourEven the best 'wrench' makes mistakes
028HelmetsLethal or life saving? - A 'cause' or 'extremism'?
029Braking MethodDetermined by your speed
030Taper BrakingWhy 75%/25% is incorrect
031You Only Hit That Car ...If You Don't QUITE Stop In Time
032Stopping Distance And TimeThe math is simple
033Riding With 'Colors' On The StreetNonsense!
034Precautions While Traveling ...In An Armed Land
035Hydroplaning IssuesWhat is it? What to do about it? Are they making new tires less safe?
036Tips For Little Riders Of Big BikesThe balls of your feet will tell
037Higher-Octane Gasoline ...Is Cheaper Than A Top-End Job
038Doing 1,000 Miles In 24 HoursA self-correcting problem?
039Handling CurvesA better line
040ParkingSkills and considerations
041Do You Really Know ...What's Dangerous About Riding In Fog? (Who'da thunk?)
042Synthetic OilsAlmost always better than petroleum based
043Using Teflon ® AdditivesNot very smart
044Trailer Hitch FundamentalsConnect those chains properly
045What If You Drag A Peg?If you react instinctively you probably won't recover
046Overnight ParkingSide-stand or center-stand? Cover it or not?
047Electrical SystemsCommon sense advice
048Counter-steeringNot the least bit as simple as it feels
049First Things FirstA life DOES depend on it
050To Ride Or Not To Ride?That crisis of confidence moment
051Three-Wheeled VehiclesA few sobering realities
052Side-standsWhat could possibly be said about these?
053Some People Should Not Be Riding MotorcyclesA curmudgeon's point of view
054Providing Motorcycle Support ServicesLiabilities, liabilities, liabilities
055How To Handle A FallAssuming it's inevitable
056Most Fatal Accidents Are NOT ..."I Didn't See Him" problems despite what you have heard
057Group Riding - 1Our way
058How To Ride Over That Thing In The RoadAnd survive the encounter
05918-WheelersOften make 'good riding buddies'
060'Under-steering'Not the same as 'slow-steering'
061Gassing Up?Get OFF!
062Group Riding - 2Rubber Band Effect
063Accident ManagementHelp your fellow riders by thinking ahead, being prepared
064BrakesTheir Real Job is NOT to Stop - it is to SLOW the bike
065Decreasing Radius TurnsMay not have a decreasing radius
066SteeringYour REAR wheel does it more often than not
067Delta-VAffects all motorcycles, not just 'crotch rockets'
068Doggone ItHow to handle charging animals
069Target FixationRather than let it lead you into trouble, use it
070ElbowsYour biological shock absorbers
071Lower BackA couple of ways to protect it
072Joining A GroupNever while it is moving
073BatteriesMore than you ever wanted to know
074Weight Transfer - 1What it is, why does it happen, and why should you care?
075Picking Up A Big BikeBy yourself
076Slip AngleBeyond Counter-steering
077128 Ways To Dump Your BikeConfessions from those who have done it
078The Prime DirectiveNever hit the bike in front of you
079Key RingsKeep them short!
080Swing ArmsYour anti-squat linkage
081Brake LeverCheck it before you need it
082Integrated Braking SystemsA marginal benefit that can save your life
083Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)Are NOT designed to help you stop faster!
084There Is More To Traction Than FrictionStick and Grip
08560,000 Mile Motorcycle TiresWould you buy them?
086First Aid KitsDoes yours need a check-up?
087Dry RotHow to avoid it
088'2-Second Rule'Determined by road conditions
089Hydroplaning AvoidanceTire air pressure
090Attention LimitsYour radio may be one distration too many
091Locked BrakesSometimes (rarely) this is the fastest way to stop
092The Greatest Oxymoron Of All"I laid it down to avoid a crash"
093In Case It Isn't ObviousDumping a bike to 'avoid an accident' MAXIMIZES PAIN
094Reading Gear RatiosDetermining speed potential
095All Roads Are Not AlikeTourers take note
096WindscreensBigger may not be better at all
097After The AccidentJust because they're standing doesn't mean they aren't hurt
098Electrical StormsRiding out from under them could be a big mistake
099Group Riding - 3Is not playing 'follow the leader'
100Sliding Rear Tire - Brake LockedHighside likely
101Sliding Rear Tire - Brake Not LockedHighside NOT likely
102Loading That TrailerHeight of your CG is just as important as load distribution
103The Shadow KnowsWhat evil lurls in the ...
104Jump Starting Your MotorcycleYou can't kill a dead battery
105A Bomb In Your LuggageThe odds are higher than you think
106Center Of Gravity - 1How to calculate where it is
107A Motorcycleing CrisisHow to handle it
108Wheel TrapsWell, what would you call them?
109Road ConstructionThe pavement ends
110Practice, Practice, Practice'Skill' is often no more than CONFIDENCE
111Drowsy DriversAre less risky on city streets than on country roads
112New TiresNEED to GROW befroe you stress them
113Learning To RideSqueezing both levers gets you out of trouble
114Right And Left TurnsDifferent risks, different realities
115Covering Those Control LeversA function of speed, not style
116Motorcycle Goes Where You're LookingMagic? Undiscovered law of physics? Does it really work?
117Before You DismountSix things to do
118Panic SituationsTalking to yourself can keep you alive
119Road (Street) RacingTesting too many limits
120Headaches And Other PainGetting rid of them can prove fatal!
121Tire AdditivesMiracle products or trouble waiting to happen?
122Spokes May Look Good But ...(Tubeless vs. Tube-type tires)
123The Odd Duck In The Group ...Is Still Part Of The Family
124Fewer Daylight HoursDon't go down with the sun
125Heavier Bike vs. Stopping DistanceYou should know this before driving down the mountain
126Highway Boards (Pegs)Should be standard equipment
127Gas Tank LocksSubtle safety feature
128Braking In A Curve(Of course you can)
129Dress For The Fall, Not The Ride(Comfort is just as important)
130Demo RidesCan you admit your limits?
131Your Bike Is DownStay with it!
132Support Your WristTo protect your thumb (and clutch)
133Becoming An MSF Instructor/RiderCoachIs NOT a status thing
134Yellow Is Red Or Green(I'd rather be red than dead)
135Passing Without Lane Change10 MPH can kill you
136Failing The MSF ClassCould save your life
137Cigarette LighterAs accessory that makes sense for all
138Add $2 When You Change A TireAnd do it right
139An Ugly Fact You May Have To Deal WithEyes pop out
140CrosswindsHow to deal with them
141Parents And Significant OthersThe great intimidators
142Standing On The PegsDoes NOT lower the Center of Gravity of the bike
143Truck Related Tips For Highway RidingOvertaking and Trucker-Tailgating
144Selecting That HelmetFullface fit and usage
145Collaborative Group RidingRide your own ride AND respect the others
146Where Do Those Toes Belong?<u>Above</u> the levers
147Surface Street StrategyTicket avpidance
148Stuck Signal LightsSensible approaches
149Gasoline Can Be TroubleDepending on <u>when</u> you buy it
150Hearing LossYour helmet is inadequate defense
151SpeedDoes NOT provide stability
152Reality CheckLet your helmet save your 'face'
153Running LateTake the car
154Taking That Jacket OffUnless the odds are worse
155Off-road ExperienceGood or bad?
156Animal HazardsSwerve or panic stop?
157Groin InjuriesBy design?
158Form vs FunctionGoing through the motions
159'Caution-Warning-Danger' SignalLead bike alert - follower reaction
160Your First PassengerNeither your lady nor your child!
161Groups Of TwoLead in the left or right track?
162Intersection Escape RoutesAccelerate or Decelerate - NOT Swerve
163Rake Angle And SteeringTrail Causes Self-corection
164Speed Bumps And RR CrossingsWhy they can dump a bike
165Passengers Are NOT HelplessShould something happen to the rider
166Dragging PegsAre a safety feature
167The Faster You Go ...The Less You Weigh!
168Must Practice Be Stressful?Only if you are trying to get better
169Lateral AccelerationAmplifies a 'flick' into a 'jolt' or highside
170Beating The OddsRequires that you behave ABNORMALLY
171Helmet LawsEvaluation of their repeal in LA and KY
172Control In A TurnIs it balance or trust when leaned over?
173Slow Speed Or Shortest Radius TurnsA bit of geometry shows you how and why
174Braking Is NOT A Zero-sum GameWeight transfer always occurs
175Master Chain LinkRetaining clip
176LeadershipA function of behavior
177Squeezing Both LeversIs often enough to save it
178Finding Neutral Is A Startup ActivityLeave it in gear when the ride is over
179Accelerating In A Curve?Well ...
180Weight And TractionManagement
181Preemptive LearningLearning before you need to is the key to behaving properly in a crisis
182Fear Can Kill YouTurn it into RESPECT
183Why Counter-steering Begins At ...About 6 MPH
184Group Ride Lane ChangesOrchestrate for greater safety
185Bungee Cords And Stretch NetsAre DANGEROUS!
186The Third GyroscopeAdds stability
187TrailThe righting effect
188Weight Transfer -2What, how, why, and more
189Counter-steering Is Only Half ...Of The Story
190Tank-slappersHarmonics at work
191REACTING!Will save your life
192Rear Tire 'Chirp'When hard braking or downshifting
193CPRMust you do it?
194Parking Lot PracticeUsing target fixation
195Centrifugal ForceCauses counter-steering, not gyroscopics
196Counter-steeringAn exercise in feedback management
197Adding A PassengerAfter 6 months of experience you are still NOT ready
198Listen To That Inner VoiceSome call it 'intuition'
199Cornering In The RainTraction and hydroplaning
200Panic SwervesA very poort 'Choice'
201Filing A 'Flight Plan'Very savvy self-defense
202Intersection TurnsONE LANE AT A TIME!
203Leaning And Turning Are NOT EquivalentPush right - GO Right
204Riding In Wet WeatherSome lessons learned
205Paying Attention Is NOT Being Alert/AwareIt is deadly, at the wrong time
206Riding Your Own Ride(Playing the odds)
207Center Of Gravity - 2Weight and Mass are NOT the same thing!
208Skill DevelopmentMake it fun
209If YouCan Do A Stoppie ...You CANNOT stop as quickly as others
210Highway Group Riding 'Rules'Never trump safety
211Keeping Your Rear Wheel On The GroundIs hard to do
212Rider Education DEATHS On The RiseTwo easy 'fixes'
213Emergency Braking Practice Speed30 MPH is as realistic as is 60 MPH
214How To Save It If You Do A StoppieEASE OFF YOUR BRAKE!
215CB Or Helmet-To-Helmet Intercom?Safety perspective
216Downshifting During Emergency BrakingMSF teaches an unsafe practice
217Your Motorcycle CANNOT Fall Down(At any speed greater than 10 MPH, given traction)
218All Riders Are RetreadsIf they have ridden a motorcycle at least twice
219Traction Pie'Dumbness personified
220Cruise ControlNever if the road is wet
221Performance Is All About TORQUE ...Not HP
222Moving From Scooters To MotorcyclesGaining a new safety feature
223Chains Are Not Trouble FreeEfficient but NOT trouble free
224Rider Education ala MSFIs NOT about safety!
225Newbie Attending Rider TrainingPreparation and other considerations
226"I Laid It Down" Is A CrockMore charitably, it is an excuse
227Guns Aren't DangerousYou are
228Visual Conflict Of InterestEspecially when accelerating
229ConspicuityDon't give them the excuse
230Learning To 'Threshold Brake'Requires great care
231Advisory 'Speed Limit' SignsWhat they are, what they mean
232Starting from a dead stop on a hillIt's not which brake to use, it's managing your friction zone
233Slow-speed Counter-steering?Absolutely NOT!
234Wide Open Throttle PreventionReduce training deaths!
235Fastest Possible Right TurnOn Public Streets
236Gods or Demons?Which voices should you pay attention to?
237Witnesses are GoldenEspecially if they're reliable
238Mental ModelsThe "Close To Home" one needs to be built
239Just Do It!ALL riders have those moments of doubt
240Control is an Optical Illusion ...Without Experience
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