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BadaBing
 Advanced Member
1196 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Harley-Davidson
Heritage Classic 04
Peer Review:
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 Posted - 03/04/2005 : 9:53 PM
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We were riding today the three of us. I was in the middle position. We were coming around the bend and the lead rider stuck his right leg out to point a can in the road. Unfortunately he struck it with his foot and it gave the can tremendous spin and it came heading my way.
All I ccould think of was it getting wrapped up in my spokes and causing a great accident. So I keep my eyes on this flying can.
The lesson learned was that I was so fixated on the trajectory of the can that I found myself being drawn to it and consequently riding the turn a little too wide. Had I looked passed the can on where I was supposed to go, I would have averted the can and made the turn without deviating at all.
Ciao,
BadaBing
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Cash Anthony
 Administrator
1470 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, Texas
USA
Honda
Magna 750
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Posted - 03/05/2005 : 10:31 AM
 
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Normally, I wouldn't think it's a great idea to take a foot off the peg and point to an object in the road with it....especially in a turn. 
I know some clubs expect riders to use their feet to point to hazards, but is there some reason a quick movement of the hand isn't just as good -- taking no chances with a foot hitting the object? (I've heard a few stories about broken toes from this move, too...)
Opinions about communication methods may vary, I'm sure -- but in any case, a good lesson in target fixation!
Glad you didn't lose it in that turn.
Cash |
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SteveS
Advanced Member
1208 Posts
[Mentor]
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Harley-Davidson
2018 Tri-Gliide
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Posted - 03/05/2005 : 10:54 AM
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Also glad you didn't loose it!
Makes me think. Our club/riding groups do use legs to indicate objects on the road like road kill, sand, oil, pot holes. I'll bring up the discussion about a switch to hands. Likely it's habbit. I'm usually not comfortable using my right hand for signals though.
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BadaBing
Advanced Member
1196 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, TX
USA
Harley-Davidson
Heritage Classic 04
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Posted - 03/05/2005 : 8:23 PM
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I can see where there would be a benefit from using a hand to point out a object on the road. The only problem that I can see is if the object in on your right side. I would not feel comfortable taking my hand off the throttle even for a short period of time.Is there an alternative sign to point out an object in the road?
Ciao,
BadaBing |
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SteveS
Advanced Member
1208 Posts
[Mentor]
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
Harley-Davidson
2018 Tri-Gliide
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marsam
Advanced Member
510 Posts
[Mentor]
Birkirkara
Malta
Yamaha
Dragstar & Vmax
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Posted - 03/06/2005 : 3:37 AM
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Hi FxstSteve,
I think the link you provided has changed. It appears to be pointing to a page that is not available.
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DoubleDip
Senior Member
262 Posts
Erlanger, Kentucky
USA
Yamaha
650 V-Star Silverado
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Posted - 03/06/2005 : 5:39 AM
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Actually the link works just fine you have to avoid the programming code on each end
http://www.gthog.com/Safety.HandSignals.html
use this url and it will get you there just fine. Like the others I'm not comfortable with taking my hand off the gas either.
DD |
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Indiana Randy
Moderator
2118 Posts
[Mentor]
Fort Wayne, Indiana
USA
Honda
2000 Magna V4 750
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Posted - 03/06/2005 : 10:32 AM
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| I can't understand how a lead biker would point to a can on a road and hit it with his foot??? Former soccer player maybe? |
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Cash Anthony
Administrator
1470 Posts
[Mentor]
Houston, Texas
USA
Honda
Magna 750
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Posted - 03/06/2005 : 3:00 PM
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I've been using hand signals, turn signals and my C.B. to give warning to the groups I lead depending on the situation, and I've been doing it for about 14 years or so. But I've hardly ever had any problem with taking a hand off the throttle for long enough to point to something in the road. (The hazard, after all, does go by really fast!)
There have been a very few times when I was engaged in making a turn, or stopped on a slope, where I couldn't get a hand free at the right time to pass on a warning and couldn't hit the PTT button on the CB before it was irrelevant; but the times I've tried to gesture with a foot instead are about nil.
For one thing, my riders probably wouldn't know what I was doing if they saw it; and for another, to me that destabilizes a rider a lot more than moving a hand and arm. At a decent speed, my bike is really very stable, and removing one hand from the grip for a few seconds to point to the ground doesn't change my path of travel much at all.
Not to forget, everyone riding in our groups does get a reminder to "Ride your own ride!" before we leave. Getting a warning about a hazard in the road ahead of time is, to my way of thinking, almost a 'luxury', since we're all supposed to be looking out for ourselves anyway. Having your leader give a heads-up allows for an extra measure of time to decide how to handle a problem; and if you see others ahead of you responding and signaling, it tends to alert you to watch out; but it shouldn't be an obligation of the group leader to do it every time. And I don't think I've ever had anyone complain that they didn't get a warning from me in time.
I always figured I had a responsibility to take care of my own safety first, then give a warning to the group I'm leading about a road hazard IF there's time and IF I'm in a position to do so safely. After all, if I screw up, as the first bike in the column I'm going to be creating a lot of trouble for everyone coming behind. 
No doubt a number of hazards don't get pointed out during a group ride, especially if your group leader is maneuvering through a strange city at the same time there's something in the road, watching the signs and trying to orchestrate the lane changes. There's a lot going on at certain points in a ride, and a group leader has to figure that the people behind are competent riders who are paying attention and looking out for themselves.
At least, that's how I've looked at it.
Cash |
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timbo
Advanced Member
594 Posts
Uxbridge
United Kingdom
BMW
R1100S
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Posted - 03/13/2005 : 4:42 PM
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It's only a can - I would not bother. You are more likely to cause confusion etc. - only point out serious things. A coke can in the road is not worth fussing over.
Tim |
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Indiana Randy
Moderator
2118 Posts
[Mentor]
Fort Wayne, Indiana
USA
Honda
2000 Magna V4 750
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Posted - 03/13/2005 : 9:39 PM
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Good point Timbo!
I think the rider was intentionally trying to kick the can instead of pointing it out to others.
Can? No biggie. Can falls into the 'small varmit' category in my mind. Run em over and don't look back. |
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