QNA « Better Motorcycling

QNA

In an effort to br more interactive and better meet needs, we are including this questions and answer page.

Direct questions to: stroudmotor1@gmail.com or simply ask questions in the comments area .

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What advice do you have about lane splitting?

What do you think of modulators for the front headlight and brake light?

What do you think are the top 3 habits of successful motorcyclists?

How do you estimate distance?

What is IPSGA?

Is there an appropriate way to handle getting pulled over by an officer?

3 Comments

3 responses so far ↓

Road Captain // 04/03/2009 at 12:06 am

In your oppinion what do you think are the top three habits of succesful motorcyclists?
NewBeRider // 04/28/2009 at 8:57 am

Hello and thank you for all you do for riders. My question is perhaps newbish, but I need to know the appropriate way to handle getting pulled over by an officer. Is there a procedure, turn the bike off? take off the helmet? stay on the bike?
rubenandjoann // 04/28/2009 at 3:02 pm

NewBeRider, thanks for commenting. There is no real procedure for pulling over. A courtesy which goes a long way is shutting off the bike and keeping your hands in plain view. Avoid making furtive movements as this will make some Officers nervous. Some riders want to get a head start and get off the bike digging for their paperwork. It is probably better to wait until the Officer asks you for the information. Be polite even if you disagree. A good riding plan will keep you contact with law enforcement to a minimum. Strive for safety and everything else will fall into place.

Check out the long version answer on the QNA page.

Myth Exposed: “Avoid Using the Front Brakes Because it Will Throw You Over the Handlebars”

Myth: Avoid using the front brakes because it will throw the rider over the handlebars. ***** Comment: In reality, the front brake is responsible for 60 to 70 percent of the bike's stopping power and should be used. In emergency braking situations, the effective center of mass of the bike shifts forward toward the front wheel and tire, which creates a higher adhesion value to the front tire that tends to prevent the front wheel from locking unless the brake torque is extremely high. Another consequence is that the traction force in the rear wheel and tire is reduced, allowing the rear wheel to lock up and slide. With braking action on the front wheel, the rear wheel, even if locked, will not move from side to side and the bike will continue straight. *****

Myths Exposed: “Accelerate Around a Turn to Regain Control”

Myths: Accelerate around a turn to regain control. ***** Comment: The safest way to approach a turn on a curve is to slow down before entering it. Acceleration should be undertaken only near the end of the curve. Rapidly applying the throttle in the turn, when the bike is in a lean could result in the rear tire breaking traction and the bike going into a slide. The same effect may occur with substantial rear-brake application. *****

Myths Exposed: “Speed up when bike Weaves or Wobbles”

Myth: Accelerate to recover from high speed instability (wobble or weave). ***** Comment: In actuality the rider should gently ease off the throttle, place his upper body on the gas tank to effectively change the center of gravity and graduall slow down. Initially accelerating may slow the wobble or weave until the next oscillation occurs, but then the result will be a much more pronounced instability. Hard braking will alter the suspension characteristics and may likewise cause a crash. *****