Predator or Prey? How you answer is how you ride.
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- When you get on your motorcycle are you the predator or the prey?
Our answer to this question will determine how we ride and our chances of avoiding a crash...but there is a time to act like the predator.
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I will see you on the road,
Kevin at MCrider
That's an interesting take.
The predators are the 3000 lb steel chariots. Who BTW don't always see too well.
Mental state, situational awareness, and the habit of finding a clear space to ride in. Those kept me alive for a lot of years. Sometimes called "defensive riding."
I ride like I am invisible. I always assume a worst case scerario in traffic and am always looking for escape routes. The best way to survive an accident is to avoid having one. One bad decision can ruin your whole day.
Ride like the wind
Excellent analogy on the proper mental state for long-term riding careers.
I grew up in the Houston area, and we would head to the Gulf to fish every summer. Once, when I wanted to go swim in the Gulf, my dad told me, "once you enter the water, you're no longer at the top of the food chain, and you have to accept that." I take this same mentality to motorcycle riding.
When I ride, I act like I am prey. I am a predator at heart. But the reality, while riding I act like like every thing is trying to kill me! I must keep my head on a swivel and keep my situational awareness highly tuned. Your statement on being wise is dead on. In reality wisdom, a solid riding/road strategy and keeping you mind in the game. Stay smart ride safe!
So true!
Spot on 🦾💯
"I am a predator at heart. " No your not, you're a wannabe. Posting here proves that fact.
I consider myself fortunate in that I have two lifelong friends, one was a motorcycle instruction officer and the other bought an old grocery store for his business that has a huge parking lot where we set up cones to practice boxes and proficiency courses. at the start of every riding season. This does not mean we're bulletproof, but I do think that the practiced skills do help with road strategy as outlined in the videos presented by McRider. Thank you for keeping us informed and always adding to the knowledge base
The people saying "this is nonsense" are the sort that think that their beliefs shape reality. They're also the ones that whine about it when it turns out they were wrong. "But I had right of way!" "well that's all right then, surely your broken bones will magically heal when they hear you had right of way."
Beliefs do shape reality if you are a leader. Not so much if you are a follower. I prefer to be a leader. I don’t disagree with MCrider’s video, but I do disagree with your sweeping generalization.
@@LTVoyagerright on bro. Also "I got you on camera!" is a good chant to assert dominance (combined with rev bomb). Be a leader and show the cagers who is boss.
@@snorman1911 I see Tweedledee has joined the conversation…
@@LTVoyager lead on bro!
@@snorman1911 Not your bro.
I’ve been street riding for almost 25 years. I used to get so angry at the poor habits and inconsiderate actions of drivers, to the point I’ve considered giving up riding in the last couple years. I realized I can’t control what others do, but I can control what I do to keep myself safe. As long as I can physically do it, I’m going to keep riding.
I love the analogy used here. Solid advice and wisdom, as always!
My mother would have made a great biker because I swear that she had eyes in the back of her head 😂
Kind of an imperfect comparison with animals. Humans have superior ability to reason and adapt. Riding is dynamic, making us variably both predator and prey.
New take on a basic key to survival. Well done.
Great advice, as always! Keep your head on a swivel while riding, always aware of your surroundings. It will help you stay alive!
lol
"Predator? Prey? No, they both fear ME."
// puts on sunglasses and drives away oblivious to my surroundings in a Prius
"It's only a bunny rabbit!""I soiled my armor, you git!""But it's a rabbit with a mean streak a mile wide!""Death awaits ye with big pointy teeth!" I wonder how many of us are old enough to have a clue what I am (probably mis-)quoting (and not in order). I just couldn't resist. Anyway, cars may look harmless to us - "they won't change lanes into me" "The won't turn in front of me" "They won't pull out of the parking lot in front of me". Well, wrong. Like you say, Kevin, we have to look, pay attention, decide, and respond. My experience has shown without a doubt that looking ahead and planning makes it so much easier and less traumatic to deal with the lunacy that is Philadelphia drivers. Great video, Kevin, thanks!
Monty Python and The Holy Grail, best movie they ever made.
How much does a sparrow weigh?
It’s only a flesh wound😎
"What's 'e gonna do? Nibble your bum?"
@@philiphairgrove7812An African or a European swallow?
There's a 3rd option, which is "neither". One thing that many overlook is how to ride or drive WITH RESPECT TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT. Personally, I take a "zen" approach, being able to intuit and "flow" with everything around me. On my job (medical transportation) I'm driving 10 hours and hundreds of miles 5 days a week, and I drive the same way. Head always on a swivel, positioning out of blind spots, keeping a safe distance on all sides, maintaining an appropriate speed and most of all, not riding or driving like an idiot and not with my ego but with my brain.
Great analogy! I know alot of riders that have that "cars should what out for motorcycles" mentality. When they get on their soapbox all i can do is shake my head because they won't listen to anything else.
Always a good thing to be aware of your surroundings. Too many erratic drivers, making lane changes without even a cursory glance at their mirrors, or bothering to use their indicators. Not recognizing that we can become potential preys while on our motorcycles, gets us closer to a one way ticket to the nearest hospital, or worse, to the nearest cemetery...
Where I ride, it seems like motorcycles NEVER have the Right Of Way, even when they do!…So that’s how I ride, like I never have the ROW! I have learned there are areas on the Interstate as well as some intersections that are notorious for accidents and near hits/misses and approach them with extreme caution. If you ride like a predator in these areas, it’s likely to be your last ride. I’m sure everywhere has these areas. Great analogy and love the comment that you tell yourself that’s where you want the motorcycle to go. Will share this video and pass that comment on to a friend that is just learning to ride.
Great analogy Sir! I don't know if it's happening more frequently or I'm just noticing it, but it seems like there are more and more "predators" out there. Or put another way, there are more idiots on 2 wheels.
Just idiots out there. Predators are not necessarily idiots.
Look at where you want the bike , and you to go! Real simple test... Change lanes and look at the little reflective lane markers that you don't really want to ride over, just like looking at the guard rial in the example in the video. What do you end up doing? I'm pretty sure you run over that marker. Next change lanes and look at the painted white dashed stipes in the road as you are changing lanes. Pretty sue you miss the raised reflective markers.
Being more focused on utilizing my peripheral vision has saved me more than a few times, almost like a spidey sense of someone drifting/changing lanes into me.
I am neither nor one of these. I ride conservatively working on my road strategy & low speed maneuvers everyday. Thank you Kevin, Marc Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦😉🏍
There's an exception to that rule about predator/prey eye placement: the hammerhead shark.
Whenever I head out on my bike, I tell myself "Ride like a turtle with the sensory awareness of a hammerhead."
Kevin, excellent analogy.
There's an interesting relationship between speed and vision. As speed increases your peripheral cone of vision decreases but your accuity of forward vision increases. So as you ride your TT at warp 10 your forward vision is totally tuned forward. You see this on the interstates where riders will ride like scythe through the traffic at double the traffic speed or more. The problem is however they are riding through rabbits and they are unpredictable. In Indonesia Vietnam etc the rabbits are 360 degrees around you. But speed is slow and peripheral vision is literally 360 degrees. But interestingly the rabbits are very much aware of the other rabbits so when you filter across traffic you look turn and they know and flow around you! Don't try this with concrete trucks however! My home base is rural Australia... My rabbits are 6 foot tall full of sinew. I have acute peripheral vision and adjust speed dramatically especially at dusk or dawn...
A LOT to be said for just moving WITH the flow of traffic instead of attacking the road like a maniac. Keeping the relative speeds of other vehicles within a few mph/kph of your own reduces "absolute" speed to a non-issue.
How can speed be a non-issue?
Well, in your example... At double the speed of other traffic, the rider HAS to consider every other vehicle (near and far) as an obstacle to be navigated. He's going to pass them sooner or later, whether by a little or by a lot of space to spare. This compounds the numbers of things he absolutely MUST be paying attention (or at least cognizant) to...
On the other hand, the rider who still outruns 99% of traffic by a few mph/kph, only really has to consider that difference in speed. HE can then focus most of his attention on the nearby vehicles (obstacles) and while still considering them all worthy negotiation, everything is at a more reasonable pace and he has TIME to think his way through.
The rider who patiently trundles along with traffic, not especially passing even a significant number, has further REDUCED the numbers of vehicles that MUST be considered obstacles. Most of the remainder, since they're neither passing him nor being passed simply need not be bothered so much. He only really NEEDS to focus on whatever fraction of the total number of vehicles that he IS passing or about to pass... and he can focus more on the nearest among those, further increasing the "spare focus" that he can keep in reserve for when "sh*t hits the fan" as it were.
I'm not the most conservative rider in the world. I JUST pick and choose my moments to "open her up and let Baby RUN"... 90% or more of my time on the road is spent determining what the PATTERN of traffic flow is and where I best fit WITH it. To the best of my ability, I negotiate traffic with the intent that nobody is even SUPPOSED to notice me... seeking to be forgotten as quickly as I might be spotted... Invisibility is the game, and I ride with that intent, instead of sweat about people "not seeing me there". ;o)
I love they way you think, man. What a teacher!
Thank you Bruce! 😊
The skills necessary to ride safely can be applied equally to driving your car. For example, one of the first things you are taught in a track driving school, is to look where you want to go. Not surprisingly an insurance study in the UK found that car drivers who were also active motorcycle riders were much less likely to be involved in an at fault car accident. But as for predator or prey, yes we are like the prey except that we do not hide, we want to be seen. It probably also helps to look like either a cop or an outlaw bikie member ;)
I think the UK study in question showed that bicycle riders who also drove were about 50% less likely to be involved in a vehicular crash of any sort but that motorcycle riders who also drove were more than three as likely to be involved in a vehicular crash of any sort. While it might be true motorcycle riders are less likely to crash their cars, it seems they crash at astonishingly high rates compared to their driver-only counterparts.
Great content! And as always, great teaching. Thanks Kevin…have a great day 😊
I watched the distance video and thought about, and, increased my travel distance between vehicles. Thank you for the reminder
Good info here, im going to try that " look over there" next time I perform a U turn, i could use all the help i can get with U turns.
As big as I am, I ride like I'm LITERALLY INVISIBLE. Even lions have vulnerabilities.
I'm sorry but the thumbnail had me rolling hahah
This was a particularly well produced video.
Interesting analogy. Thanks MC
Thanks Kevin, great subject this week!
Very true not shared but being wise is the key on the motorcycle 👌 said a mouth full
Thanks. I will now consider myself as a rabbit surrounded by lions when I ride.
Most riders won’t learn to ride safely and defensively. Those people will never learn and will always blame cars when they crash. Knowing your vulnerabilities like Kevin says AND knowing your limits will prevent a crash, all while enjoying this beautiful hobby of riding 2-wheeled rockets.
I’ve been seeing the results of good and bad riding habits here at (rainy) Sturgis...
That was great, Kevin. When I ride, I always PRAY that I don't act stupidly. Pun intended. Hahaha.
Had a pickup, towing a boat, blow through his stop-sign at 50mph, crossing my path (at a 45 degree angle, intersection is not perpendicular) just a few hours ago.
Of course, I'm well prepared and constantly running through "what-if" scenarios, so I fully expected the guy to run that stop sign. It was a non-issue for me to avoid him.
The Zebras were in a pack too - riding together can be helpful for being noticed. I’m always the prey both on n off the bike - so this is easy for me.
"Defensive driving does not work with motorcycles" should read "Defensive driving does not work for me" it's not the motorcycle it's the monkey on the handlebars
Very good video. Always learn something from your videos.
Another great training video.
You broke that down, sir. very good analogy
GREETINGS FROM THE PPRC GREAT ADVICE,THANKS
Prey here.......my head is always on a swivel. You MUST drive DEFENSIVELY,, and be always ready, and go on the OFFENSE, when necessary!
TY for Sharing
Great video. Blessings.
As riders we must have constant situational awareness as prey and predator, build a cushion of space between me and them. Another well crafted video. Thanks
That is why I am watching you. When I am going down the road sometime I see things. So I watch you for ideas of what could be coming up. It will one day.
In traffic, I try to maintain 360 awareness and a space cushion like a prey. But if safe conditions are met, I try to ride the racing line and hunt apexes like a predator.
Hi Kevin, I've been riding over 50 years, 27 on my Valkyrie. I'd like to take a MSF course, but I don't know which one to take. I am relaxed and confident on city streets, roads, freeways and the mountains/twisties of Colorado. I have no problem on the 1.5miles of dirt leaving my house. Since the Valkyrie is so long, 100.2", U turns are tough so maybe some coaching would be beneficial.
love this video. Thanks
Great analogy! Staying aware and alert 👍
Great way to frame it. Nicely done!
Sometimes I ride aggressively. I have lightning fast reflexes and can launch my bike very effectively to get ahead of the traffic because I do not like people close behind me. However, as far as situational awareness, I am prey always in traffic. I am always checking around me with mirror and shoulder checks. I am always thinking that people driving cars are deaf, dumb and blind or predators out to get me. I keep my distance and always try to stay out of peoples' blind spots. As for staring: one of the worst target fixation issues is riding at night on the highway and some moron keeps his bright lights on. Your eyes tend to stare at the lights. It is imperative you concentrate very hard to avoid a head on collision in such a case. It is one of the reasons I do not like riding at night. No problem in town because the place is lit up with street lights but on the highways night riding is precarious and dangerous, especially out west where the deer and the antelope play.
Always gold nuggets of information here. Many thanks.
Great video!!!!
Thank you for this.
Yes I feel like an impala but in heavy traffic, I feel like I’m running with wildebeests (cars and trucks), and elephants ( semi trucks). I always search for the open spaces in this herd migration.
A truly advanced Rider is both.
The awareness of a PREY species and the cunning and quick proactive and reactive skills of a predator!
Example: PREY SPECIES know every way to get out of harm's way.
Example: PREDATORS KNOW every angle of attack!
So having characteristics of both is the best way to ride
No idea which, if either predator or prey are better. My prediction before watching the video is I ride like I am prey on the road and I ride like a predator on the dirt. When I am riding on the road in the presence of traffic I am in a constant exercise of trying to predict other people's driving, avoid danger and be ready to react at a moment's notice if someone does something stupid/dangerous.
If there is no traffic (I am out in the sticks on a tertiary highway or dirt road) or I am in the woods generally I am looking forward, figuring out how I am going to 'attack' the next thing and how to get the most out of myself and my bike.
Okay let's watch the video and see what he says.
Interesting comparason
I've been riding on a street 53 years now, and my head is always on a swivel. When my girlfriend, who later became my wife, was alive and began riding with me, she would ask me, why are you constantly doing that? I explained to her as a motorcyclist, you are invisible to drivers in cars. You have to watch out for unforeseen problems if you don't want to get dead.
Back in the day the 70s and the 80s the only thing you had to worry about when riding your bike was old drunk men after dark or teenagers who just got their license.nowadays you have to worry about everyone because they think getting in their car means to start TEXTING.IDIOTS in cars are more dangerous than drunks.because everyone’s texting 24 hours a day…🖕🏼
If you look at nature with predators many die hunting. They don’t survive in the way people like to think they do because prey can really injure them. Also as someone that was owned by a bunny for 9 yrs(he was a rescue so I don’t know what age he was when he passed)they have a blind spot right in front of them that becomes obvious when trying to give them treats so we all have a blind spot somewhere to be aware of. We can learn quite a bit from nature and apply it to ourselves in many situations because we are animals with bonuses of our species as well as weaknesses.
Good one👍
I can't add to all the good comments here, other than to say I don't just ride a motorcycle but I also drive tractor trailer. In both cases I look at all other drivers like they are going to do the absolutely dumbest thing possible in front of, or beside, me. That has saved many, many collisions!!!
ALWAYS anticipate what the cagers might do or might not do
Isn’t it great how the creator designed and made everything?
Great, great post! "The Science of Motorcycling." Thank you for your wonderful work, masterful knowledge, and generosity sharing. God Bless.
I'm in L.A. that means, ride like you're the Prey every time.
I may not be anywhere near the strongest or toughest guy in the set.
But on the road in a fkn predator.
I refuse to lay down and be pray.
I protect my lane.
I protect my Brothers backs (Prospect so I ride in the back).
I’m looking everywhere and at everything
Trying to predict the moves of all the cars.
Assuming the bigger predator is gonna make a move (car is bigger).
We all need to ride defensive and offensive at times. Head in the game 100%.
I know the times I don’t I dodge a close call (like a car that was behind another car waiting to turn left and by the grace of God happen to see my when normally if riding solo I’d get over to right if my lane for better visibility to them and me.
Ride safe brothers and sisters
It depends on how high you are on the food chain.
Well said! Thank you!
That was a great video Kevin thank you.😎
This was a very interesting analysis and theory. One I agree with. Maybe it's time to adjust some thinking. I always enjoy the philosophical elements of this channel.
Are we turning the throttle the wrong way?
When I ride onroad, I am permanetly scanning the area. Most of the time I do that quite far in front of me. Nearly the same offroad, but there the point is more to find the line, wich brings me onroad again. I am always looking for escape corridors, if you know what I mean.
Technically if you are riding safe you are double checking that nobody is in the lane you want to change into since the last time you checked the cars around you.
Okay but I watched a video of a mother rabbit ripping a large snake to apart to protect her babies. But I get your point. ;- )
I think I'm invisible. Avoid everything on 4 wheels. If you happen to be seen, assume they're trying to kill you.
We also lose peripheral vision wearing a helmet, so that must be factored in.
Stereoscopic vision…..not “binocular vision.”
I ride like I'm prey. A motorcycle vs a f150 is never going to make it as the predator. It's like telling a rabbit getting attacked by a bear to be the predator.
The best defence is a strong offensive.
“He’s got big nasty pointy teeth”
Yes sir the school of bike knowledge read everything,newbees take notes! Live to ride ride to live
I'm like a cheetah on the road and like to zip by the cars so I've got my own space, they I don't become the deer in a roadkill situation.
My other love is aviation, and keeping your head on a swivel is part of our DNA.
agree wholeheartedly
Seeing that comment, of which I won't give the username to, just screams "I really don't know what I am doing."
While having no traffic around you is safer; the less people to worry about being on their cell phone, eating lunch, putting on last minute touches to their makeup and hair, the danger is extremely higher for a motorcyclist who decides to try their hand at slolom on the open highway.
The motorcyclist that continues to treat the road like their own personal crochet machine will end up losing a limb to it. I know too many people who no longer ride because of their crash and sold the rest of their bikes because they needed to pay medical bills.
That comment is nothing more than another wrong path to take.
On the road I'm a fly, and everyone else is a fly swatter.
Survive the ride for the pride
The comment you reference stated that it's safer to be in front of vehicles. Considering motorcycles require shorter stopping distance, this a great way to end up getting rear ended. I would argue that it's better to stay behind big vehicles so you can keep them in your primary field of view and can react faster in an emergency.
I don't stay behind big vehicles because all I can see from there is a big vehicle.
Fun fact: you and most other predators can also be prey. Not every predator is also an apex predator.
Domestic cats are predators with front facing eyes but also bury their poo to prevent being eaten. You think lions bury their poo?
Humans likewise can be both. We certainly hunt enough, but meet a grizzly in the woods and let me know if you don’t think you’re prey.
The whole analogy is false anyway. No prey uses loud pipes to defend itself against predators. Traffic is social creatures with physical extensions operating in a contrived environment, complicated with issues of law and insurance. Very much not the jungle!
Yesterday Saw a rider on a big HD the most reckless rider I have ever seen. It's a 60 mph Speed Limit through Wichita Falls and he was being an unbelievable dangerous
a$$.