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Junior Member | socaltino Los Angeles, CA 1:23 pm August 26, 2009
posts 11 |
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Chiming in from sunny Southern California, where we just about ride year round.
(1) Do you wear ATGATT ( all the gear all the time )?
Yes. Jacket, Kevlar Jeans, boots, gloves. Considering buying a full overall suit with armour.
(2) Do you consider high visibility equipment worth the money.?
Yes, specially at night.
(3) Do you drive defensively or just hope for the best.?
I ride defensively. I scan to see what’s coming up, scan to the sides to see who’s merging, and I scan the rear to see who is coming up on me. I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve had a cager come up from behind and not notice me till they are practically on my rear tire.
(4) Do you think helmet laws are a restriction of your freedom.?
No I do not. Here in California, helmets were made mandatory just a few years ago. I turned 51 this year and I’ve been riding bikes practically from birth and have always worn a helmet. Also, just one year after the helmet law went into effect, it was reported that 96% of motorcycle accidents were not fatal from the previous year.
(5) Are Motorcycle Safety Courses compulsory where you live?
No they are not, but should be. There are too many youngsters getting hurt on bikes that are way to powerful for them.
(6) What safety advise would you give to a new rider?
Pay attention to your surroundings. Never assume that the other guys sees you (even if you make eye contact with them.) Always ride as if you’re invisible. Give 100% attention to your riding, forget about work, the kids, the mortgage, etc.
(7) Do you regularly do a pre ride safety check? (lights/brakes etc)
Yes. Tire pressure once a week when the bike is cold, remember the right tire pressure will make your tires last longer.
Peter.
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Keep the rubber side down and the bugs out of your teeth.
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Advanced Member | rdinning 10:17 am August 18, 2009
posts 105 |
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I believe that in places where helmets are not mandatory your health insurance should not have to pay for head related injuries when you have one.
The difference between health care costs for a helmeted rider in an accident and one without a helmet can run to mid eight figures and rising. Many head injuries result in a person not being able to care for themselves for the rest of their life, or even a complete vegitative state. Imagine what it costs today to support that person.
OTOH with a good helmet you might only have scratches. That was the case with a couple of my American cousins, brothers. They were both riding one haloween night. One with and one without a helmet. That was 1961. They hit cornstalks that kids had thrown on the highway. The one with a helmet needed minor bandaging. The one with out spent the next 31 years on a ventaltor being cared for 24 hours a day until he passed away with lung failure.
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 Moderator | theSMYRNAcowboy Smyrna, Tennessee 5:35 am August 17, 2009
posts 74 |
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I guess it's my turn.
(1) Do you wear ATGATT ( all the gear all the time )?
Yes. A lot of people have asked me, “Why to you wear all that stuff. Isn't it hot in the summer?” My reply, yes it does get warm but I look at it this way. I can sweat a little bit and take a shower when I get home OR I could go with out it and stay in the hospital under nice and cool AC, getting skin graphs of days on end. I believe I will test my anti perspirant thank you very much.
(2) Do you consider high visibility equipment worth the money.?
YES! I would wear a clown helmet with sparks shooting out of my butt of it would make people notice me. My brother ( The Harley Rider ) jokingly makes fun of me in my neon yellow safety vest. ” Bro I knew you were coming. I saw you a mile away.” I told him, “Thank You. That is the whole point!”
(3) Do you drive defensively or just hope for the best.?
Defensively! I have looked people in the eye and they still try to pull out in front of you.
(4) Do you think helmet laws are a restriction of your freedom.?
In Tennessee, we have a mandatory helmet law here. Law or not, I will ALLWAYS wear a helmet. Personally, I think you should have a freedom of choice. Government puts these “laws” on us to protect us. I guess were all children and can't make intelligent choices on our own.
(5) Are Motorcycle Safety Courses compulsory where you live?
No but the MSF class is outstanding. I wish it was mandatory of every rider to take it. ( Going back to question 4.) lol
(6) What safety advise would you give to a new rider?
Two things.
(A) Go to a parking lot and PRACTCE,PRACTCE,PRACTCE,PRACTCE.
(B) Ride like your invisible because to cagers………..YOU ARE!
(7) Do you regularly do a pre ride safety check? (lights/brakes etc)
Yes. I have printed out a MSF checklist on legal size paper. I do it every other tankful. If you want to print it our yourself, here is the URL
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloa…..cklist.pdf
Just my 2 cents.
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Ride Like your invisible because to cagers……..you ARE!
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Experienced Member | Pinktatoo St. Joseph, MI 7:44 am August 12, 2009
posts 58 |
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Brain buckets are a MUST, my state requires it but I ride in Indiana a lot where there are no helmet laws.
I kinda like my brain and want to keep it working right!
I do wear a half helmet though, it's cooler but still covers all but the back of my neck. Maybe it's a 3/4?
And I do drive differently than I ever have, very defensively on my bike AND in my truck. Funny how your perspective changes when you're out there in the open with crazy drivers all around you!
Be safe out there!!
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I'm not riding too fast….I'm flying too low!!
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Full Member | Bigsqueze Madisonville TN 8:29 am August 11, 2009
posts 35 |
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Helmet Laws:
I crashed my burgman last year (and of course I always wear my helmet). At the crash site the EMT's kept asking if my head hurt. I did not understand why EVERYBODY asked if my head hurt untill I saw the 7 inch long 1/2 inch deep gouge on the side of my helmet from what I supspect was the rocks I landed in. I am sure my skull would not have done as well as a good helmet.
Always Wear Your Helmet!
Grant
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Junior Member | Pagey Australia, Gold Coast 6:41 pm August 10, 2009
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When I learnt to ride and got my license, the instructor asked this question: "Travelling at 40km/h (25mph), how many seconds do you think a pair of jeans would last before they start to shread when slide on the bitumen?"
Most people in the class made a guess anywhere from 2- 6 seconds thinking that the answer might be low. What number are you thinking?
The answer is 0.4 seconds. So after 0.4 seconds, its skin coming off.
The number of bikers I have spoken to who have had an accident, all of them said one of the most painful things were the skin graphs and a very high number said that the only accident they had was just that quick run down to the shop or a mates place not that far so they did not bother to wear their gear.
Please, if you are not in the habit of wearing full gear all the time, do it – you are worth it.
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Pagey, from down under on the Gold Coast.
Ride a 2005 K6 AN250 Burgman
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Full Member | Bigsqueze Madisonville TN 3:11 pm August 10, 2009
posts 35 |
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Good Day; I find the idea of ridding in the "land down under" a wild experience. from what I've seen on the television you've got to many moving obsticals in the outback to avoid. (Kangaroos) Although here in the US we have White tail Deer to try to avoid 100-150 pound of wild deer running across the road in front of a Burgman can ruin your whole day (or week).
(1) Do you wear ATGATT ( all the gear all the time )? 90% of the time I wear my leather vest, gloves, good shoes, and jeans. All the time my helmet and would never leave home with out it. In the colder weather I add a leather jacket too.
(2) Do you consider high visibility equipment worth the money.? I don't have any but would use it if I had it.
(3) Do you drive defensively or just hope for the best.? I ALWAYS look 2-3 cars ahead to anticipate problems. You must ride with your head screwed on real tight. If you loose sight on what your doing you will get hurt.
(4) Do you think helmet laws are a restriction of your freedom.? Any one that does not wear a helmet…I feel that they will eventually leave the gene pool.
(5) Are Motorcycle Safety Courses compulsory where you live? No but I wish they were for everyone, car or motorcycle.
(6) What safety advise would you give to a new rider? Never get in your bike unless you have your ego in check and your head screwed on real tight.
(7) Do you regularly do a pre ride safety check? (lights/brakes etc), No, but I should do more often.
Grant
Tennessee
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Junior Member | Dennis12550 Newburgh NY 2:09 pm August 10, 2009
posts 14 |
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(1) Do you wear ATGATT ( all the gear all the time )?
90% of the time, Helmet, always.
(2) Do you consider high visibility equipment worth the money.?
Absolutely. I installed an extra brake light..
(3) Do you drive defensively or just hope for the best.?
Sightseeing on a motorcycle is a pleasure, keeping an eye on the traffic, a must….
(4) Do you think helmet laws are a restriction of your freedom.?
After 41 years of riding, and always wearing a helmet myself, I still would like those who ride to decide. Although, if your on the back of my bike, you will be wearing a helmet !
(5) Are Motorcycle Safety Courses compulsory where you live?
No, but they should be
(6) What safety advise would you give to a new rider?
Always be aware of your sourroundings, cars, animals, pot holes, sand, its all there at one time or another. Also, your passengers life is in your hands, don't be foolish with it.
(7) Do you regularly do a pre ride safety check? (lights/brakes etc)
No, but thats not a bad idea..
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New Member | treenerd Rusk, TX 12:11 pm August 10, 2009
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Nice to see an interest in safety posted. In answer to Pat's questions:
1) I live in Texas where this time of year is miserably hot and humid. That said, I wear ATGATT. I finally found a jacket that has all the safey padding and ventilation and it helps. I try not to ride in 100+ degrees though!
2) My jacket and helmet both have safety reflectives on them. I think that's about the best 'insurance' you can buy.
3) I am new to motorcycles- I drive much more defensively now both on the bike and in my truck. I am more aware of everything around me, and no longer consider it okay to talk on my cell phone (unless with a headset) while driving.
4)Absolutely a helmet is necessary. I hate that it is hot and heavy, but I wear it anyway. Just a note: my husband lived through a headon with a drunk driver years ago, suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and he has many limitations due to that injury – his truck did not have airbags and he hit the steering wheel. It's not worth the pain and suffering the survivors have to go through -WEAR YOUR HELMET!
5)Safety courses in Texas are not mandatory but you don't have to take the driving part of your motorcycle license test if you pass an approved course. I took it – taught me lots that I feel will be useful throughout my 'driving life'.
6)My best safety advice: Do #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #7 and always pay attention to the other guy. And I will not ride if there are thunderstorms in the forecast – call me sissy but I don't think I could safely control my Burgman in thrashing rain and winds.
7) Yes, I do a precheck that includes brakes, lights, tire pressure, fuel check and I clean the windshield EVERY time I ride.
Call me anal-retentive, but I want to increase the odds that I'll come home from every ride.
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Lower your blood pressure….. donate a pint today!
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New Member | Missy Cowra NSW Australia 8:49 am August 10, 2009
posts 5 |
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 Hi Everyone,
I agree with Pagey, You have have to look at at every trip as bike vs car!! In Australia we have kevlar jeans USA should have them (don't we follow you?) They look cool but offer great protection. Jackets and helmets are just a no brainer…. I love my skin and don't want to be parted from it. Of course there are times that nothing we can do is going to change he outcome but we can can take alot of of the chance from the out come.
Dont be a girl gear up!!
Missy.
Pagey said:
It is hard to understand the of thinking of your Ohio friend. Being a family man myself, it seems outright selfish that he cares nothing for his own safety. He must have friends and families who love him but he is quite prepared to have them conduct his funeral sometime soon and care nothing that they probably worry about him each time he rides. But from what I read, your Ohio friend is not alone in his thinking. SO if you get enough people thinking the same way does that make them right?
It amazes me when people say it's my right, is usually an excuse to be selfishness or show how little they care for the well being of others. It is like US gun laws, it your right to bare arms yet you won't give up your right to make the schools safe for your kids. Sorry to stir a hornets nest.
As a family man, I'm ATGATT everytime, no exceptions. I have only had my license and Burgman 4 months. I don't want my family worrying about me every time I go out on my Burg, which is every day. I ride defensively all the time and have all ready attended an advanced riding course which was great and I hope to do it again in 18 months.
In Australia bikers are 30x more likely to be in an accident, I would assume your statistics would be similar in the US, so why mess with the odds.
A friend of mine about 2 months ago was hit by cager speeding through an intersection only a few blocks from his home. He was a very defensive rider. He suffered 6 broken ribs and brain damage. They are not sure if the damage will be permanent. He is only in his 50s, retired and enjoying riding with his wife. He has a slim chance to recover, your Ohio friend would have had no chance with his choice of riding clothes – but as he says, it is right to choose to badly injured or worse.
Fortunately here in Australia at least they make helmets compulsory like wearing seat belts in cars. But I don't think they go far enough, I think full protective gear should be law.
I sincerely wish that all riders would wear full gear so that they maximise their survival chances against the cagers and be around for a long time enjoying their family, friends and their ride.
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Junior Member | Pagey Australia, Gold Coast 7:09 am August 10, 2009
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It is hard to understand the of thinking of your Ohio friend. Being a family man myself, it seems outright selfish that he cares nothing for his own safety. He must have friends and families who love him but he is quite prepared to have them conduct his funeral sometime soon and care nothing that they probably worry about him each time he rides. But from what I read, your Ohio friend is not alone in his thinking. SO if you get enough people thinking the same way does that make them right?
It amazes me when people say it's my right, is usually an excuse to be selfishness or show how little they care for the well being of others. It is like US gun laws, it your right to bare arms yet you won't give up your right to make the schools safe for your kids. Sorry to stir a hornets nest.
As a family man, I'm ATGATT everytime, no exceptions. I have only had my license and Burgman 4 months. I don't want my family worrying about me every time I go out on my Burg, which is every day. I ride defensively all the time and have all ready attended an advanced riding course which was great and I hope to do it again in 18 months.
In Australia bikers are 30x more likely to be in an accident, I would assume your statistics would be similar in the US, so why mess with the odds.
A friend of mine about 2 months ago was hit by cager speeding through an intersection only a few blocks from his home. He was a very defensive rider. He suffered 6 broken ribs and brain damage. They are not sure if the damage will be permanent. He is only in his 50s, retired and enjoying riding with his wife. He has a slim chance to recover, your Ohio friend would have had no chance with his choice of riding clothes – but as he says, it is right to choose to badly injured or worse.
Fortunately here in Australia at least they make helmets compulsory like wearing seat belts in cars. But I don't think they go far enough, I think full protective gear should be law.
I sincerely wish that all riders would wear full gear so that they maximise their survival chances against the cagers and be around for a long time enjoying their family, friends and their ride.
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Pagey, from down under on the Gold Coast.
Ride a 2005 K6 AN250 Burgman
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New Member | Mick 7:53 pm August 9, 2009
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Pat asked us to answer these questions:
(1) Do you wear ATGATT ( all the gear all the time )? Most of the time, I must confess I sometimes don't put my jacket on if I'm just popping out for the milk, but it's always jeans, boots, helmet and if I'm not wearing my jacket it's because I have lots of winter layers on. never a t-shirt or shorts.
(2) Do you consider high visibility equipment worth the money.? Yes it hardly costs anything, but I don't wear it all the time, My jacket has reflective piping but I do wear the dayglo orange with reflective tape if I'm riding at night, in crappy weather or have to stop on the road side for something.
(3) Do you drive defensively or just hope for the best.? I hope I drive defensively. I did have a major prang 18 months ago but it was a single vehicle accident so I can't blame anyone but me; I guess I wasn't being defensive then. (In that accident I wrote off my V-Strom 650 and it was after that I move to the Burgman).
(4) Do you think helmet laws are a restriction of your freedom.? No
(5) Are Motorcycle Safety Courses compulsory where you live? They are now but not when I got my license and because I live in the country I have never been able to find the time to go and do a post licence course (as I'd have to take a week off to get to sydney, do the course and then home again), but I should do it. Now to get a licence you have to do a pre-learners course, then get a learners permit and then do another course before you get your full license. When I got my license all you had to do was drive around the block and if you came back alive, they gave you the ticket.
(6) What safety advise would you give to a new rider? don't ride unless you're prepared to get wet and fall off. On every ride, someone is going to try to kill you.
(7) Do you regularly do a pre ride safety check? (lights/brakes etc) Reasonably regularly but not every ride.
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Junior Member | Pat McSweeney Ireland 5:42 pm August 9, 2009
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A Canadian friend was knocked from his bike and killed last month. Innocently enjoying a Sunday afternoon cruise, he never made it home. A cage driver who ran a stop sign left a wife and family without a breadwinner:
See the report and pictures here :
http://www.windsorstar.com/new…..story.html
Today I was chatting to a guy from Ohio USA, He told me he chooses to ride in T shirt and shorts all the time. Nor does he wear a helmet because that would be an infringement of his constitutional rights and , anyway, there are no helmet laws in Ohio..!!!!!!
And I'm saying to him:
"You can't be serious – you know all the horror stories , you know cage drivers don't see bike riders, you know a hugh % of riders who die on the roads were shown to have 'no fault' imput at the moment of collision. You're telling me you're making an intelligent life choice by not wearing any protective gear. Don't you remember that the ER surgeon in Amarillo,Texas called people like you 'organ doners' on tv"……………………waste of time…..couldn't change his mind!
As I don't recall a thread about rider safety since I joined the Burgman forum I'm wondering if there are newbies here who should be made aware that there are folks driving the roads who can seriously hurt them.
We have Burgman owners from all around the world on here, and I'd value your opinions on how you protect yourself in your neck of the woods.
(1) Do you wear ATGATT ( all the gear all the time )?
(2) Do you consider high visibility equipment worth the money.?
(3) Do you drive defensively or just hope for the best.?
(4) Do you think helmet laws are a restriction of your freedom.?
(5) Are Motorcycle Safety Courses compulsory where you live?
(6) What safety advise would you give to a new rider?
(7) Do you regularly do a pre ride safety check? (lights/brakes etc)
Take the time to respond and maybe a forum member will read something they can use later to get them out of a tight spot.
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