3 Ways To Die on a Motorcycle
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- This week on MCrider we look at 3 different ways you can die on a motorcycle. Don't make these mistakes, focus on Road Skills and Road Strategy to stay out of these situations.
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Booze, no bike, bike no booze. No exception, ever.
NOT EVER... And smoking weed makes you indecisive... Don't smoke weed on your motorcycle ever
I want to address a few comments I have seen regarding this video.
From Will: “Another “you're gonna die” vid. 🤦♂️”
In response to Will from Andre: “Yes another one, his videos really do discourage new wannabe riders”
Let me explain why I do these types of videos.
First, they are effective. Because the title and the thumbnail have a sensational element to it, it draws people in who might not otherwise listen. The other videos similar to this are the highest-ranking MCrider videos in numbers of views.
The 3 Deadliest Mistakes you can make on a Motorcycle
5 ways to die on a motorcycle
Even though the thumbnail and title might encourage clicks because of the sensationalism, what is contained in the video is sound motorcycling principals that save lives. If I wanted to just get clicks I would release real-life, gruesome, crash videos all the time. Those types of videos always rank the highest.
But, MCrider is not primarily about getting clicks…it is about developing motorcyclists.
So my response to Andre's comment…”Yes another one, his videos really do discourage new wannabe riders”
He is correct. If a rider is going to ride impaired, not develop their road skills and not develop their road strategy…
***I do want to discourage that rider.***
Ride well, friends!
I have been watching for awile and have gained great insights, some stuff my cocky personality needs while biking and uses now.
Once I fell like that guy but I was not drunk, I was daydreaming and just totally forgot about putting my feet down. I fell over and got up and watched people laughing through their windshields.
one of the dangers not talked about is attention. I have been in a few close calls because I just was not paying enough close attention.
I know I take risks in life because no one ever wrote any books about people playing it safe all the time, but you have to know what's worth risking and for what reasons. I have been injured being stupid and I'll live with it for the rest of my life for having an ahh F it attitude, but like your money analogy, certain risks are just not cost effective or wise. and in the end high insight just not worth it.
@@chuckthebull Yep, never bet your million to win a hundred.
good video. I enjoy riding but am torn with all that can go wrong such as someone in an SUV flying through a stop light and taking you out when the light has been red for seconds. I drove 330 miles from PA to Niagara Falls and was starving so I stopped off at a bar for a burger and water. A couple of riders drove up and had at least 2 beers a piece while I was there and who knows how many more after I left and before getting on their bikes. I wouldn't do it. On the way home I was taking a corner at dusk at a speed that was driving people behind me crazy but sure enough I saw a deer and was able to stop until the deer decided what it was going to do. These videos are good and I don't think they necessarily encourage people not to take up riding but to put yourself in the best possible position to ride smart.
Even with the best training, commitment and practice you can still die on a motorcycle. Your reasons are also why I don't like doing group rides with others I've never ridden with before. I'm also more likely to get taken out by a soccer mom watching her phone instead of the road. Nothing is without risk, mitigating risks doesn't necessarily eliminate all risks. I'm going for a ride and enjoy the countryside now, you never know what's around the next corner sometimes but that's what makes it interesting.
Well said, Sir!
I was a medic for years. I've unfortunately picked or scraped up to many people off the road because of alcohol. I WILL NEVER have a drink and ride or drive.
I feel the fact that you can bring your own personal real life experience into an educational video makes it that much more relatable, understandable, and lands with a greater impact than otherwise said. I love your videos. Good job man. Thanks for the education
I appreciate that!
This video just solidified my thoughts of you Kevin! I wish that there was a Kevin in every house. Thank you for all that you do for your fellow man!!
Great video and a really interesting story. I disagree that this video is about discouraging new riders. The video is about educating ALL riders to remember what they are doing when they hit that start switch on a motorcycle.
You're a good man.
I always appreciate you talking about alcohol. I used to be a Harley Davidson service manager and I'm really glad I'm not in it anymore because we threw some wild parties and saw some guys getting on bikes that never should have. It was always depressing for me to watch this happen but the dealerships Along with Quaker State and lube and others promote it. Keep up spreading the good word thank you
How about a little personal responsibility bud! Nobody promotes it more than those who are actually doing it!
That man was shown a lot of mercy that day. Hopefully he had eyes to see and ears to hear.
Thank you amigo, I appreciate what you do man , God bless you.
I was 14
Dad said
" Never driver faster than you can see to stop"
Epic
I live by that rule in a lot more areas of my life than machines.
Wise Dad 👍
“Driver faster”💀💀
Never ride faster than your angels can fly!
Thanks for all you do Kevin. I am returning rider at 60 and have used your training videos to help improve my skills as I had not risen a motorcycle in 40 years. Probably a good thing as the years have made me wiser and more cautious. I had my first close call last week and I know the awareness and training kept me from a potential crash. My wife is not a big fan of motorcycles but appreciates and watches some of the videos with me. Thanks again for all you do. May God bless you and your family during these unusual times.
Same here lol same exact same situation
Girlfriend not a fan of bikes either 🙂
Had a dozen major stacks when I was young, only two not because of me, only one when I was sober.
What a young IDIOT I was, luckily, still riding at 63 through the grace of god
I learned to never bet money on my life, because the one time you do that is the time you lose.
Great story Kevin! I appreciate your devotion to helping us become better riders. I became a member of MCRider and Patreon a few years ago after returning to riding and not being on a motorcycle for about twenty years. I bought a Harley-Davidson Streetglide and fulfilled a dream of owning a Harley. Well... it didn’t go as planned and I dropped the bike twice my first year with the Harley. I found your videos on RUclips and quickly became a member. I devoted myself to the training exercises that you taught and found out that the friction zone and back brake were my best friends. I couldn’t do a u-turn when I first started and now you have helped me be a confident rider and I now have the knowledge and confidence to perform a u-turn or brake and escape and all the other maneuvers that you teach. Thanks so much for making me a better rider!
Hi Jack, thanks so much for the kind words and supporting MCrider! Awesome to hear about your riding progress.
Thanks for the smart words Kevin. I learn something every time I watch what are your vids. Dennis
The Voice of Reason! You never fail to pull me back from the deadly brink of riding "Full Moron!" My continued existence in this world is a testament to your videos. God Bless you, Kevin.
Mistake was telling him you had his keys, I'd have dropped them off at the police station or tossed them in the ditch.
I had a single beer once before riding. I remember how even that one drink impaired my motor skills even ever so slightly even though I was well under the legal BAC limit. Never did it again.
@@thetowndrunk988 👍
Bikes and beers do not mix and I mean any amount of alcohol could be deadly. It's not just being over the limit that is the problem. As a retired police officer in the U.K. I had experience of going to collisions where one or more parties had consumed alcohol and on some occasions they were tested for breath alcohol and came up negative. Of being under a certain legal limit but by their actions it showed that they had consumed some alcohol and any small amount can impair one's cognitive ability and behaviour enough to be a cause of a collision even though that amount of alcohol was not above the legal limit that driver or rider could legally drive home in that state.
Several things that drinkers of alcohol don't take into account is the mistaken belief that its ok to have a single drink and be under the limit and as I have mentioned any alcohol can contribute to an accident. It also depends also on the strength of the alcohol in the drink. Most beers many years ago would have been on average about 3.5 % alcohol and that's the strength that the laws were based on for the number of units one could consume before reaching the legal limit but nowadays some beers are over twice that amount of alcohol per unit and therefore just one or part of one can mean that one has exceeded the legal limit without knowing it. Once impaired by alcohol its more than likely that one will end up actually consuming more of it.
If one likes to ride and if one likes to drink by all means do both in equal amounts but just don't do them at the same time. Never ever mix drinking with driving or beer with biking. Dive and don't drink or drink and don't drive. They just don't mix and costs lives, sometimes yours but sometimes someone elses and the family loses.
Me too Michael - had one beer, rode home (living in an apartment at the time), went to park the bike up on the sidewalk, and drove right up the stairwell to the second floor before I knew what happened. Scary. I knew riding home that I was impaired so I rode in the slow lane praying. But that one lapse of judgement took the bike in a completely different direction than I expected.
Light weight.
Well said Kevin, and Kudos to you for helping that rider out, you probably saved his or someone else’s life,
Great video Kevin. The personal story at the end really hits you. I hope that rider you helped is helped by his friends and community to make better life choices. We choose to ride, but by choosing to ride smart and safe, we much reduce the rick that our choice to be a rider doesn't have to end in our deaths. A friend of mine lost her husband a week ago last Sunday on his motorcycle. I still don't know the exact circumstances, but they lived in the mountains, he didn't, as far as I could tell from pictures, habitually wear a helmet, and I don't know if he separated his drinking and riding activities. It could have been any of these three, or it could have just been someone else's bad choice. I never got to meet him, and I feel for her loss. Ride safe out there.
Last week I had a wonderful time riding the country roads of Tazewell County Virginia, including Route 16 from Tazewell to Marion, aka The Back of the Dragon. It's a fantastic area for riding a motorcycle. Near the end of a long day I wound up on route 67 headed south toward Richland. This road is just what I look for--a paved, two-lane road with climbs and descents and lots of curves. I soon caught up to a line of cars going 10 mph up a long hill. The reason was obvious: in front of us was a double-wide manufactured home being towed up the mountain. This load took up both lanes of the road; there was no way to get past it going in the opposite direction in many places, especially in the tight turns that the truck pulling the double-wide barely managed to get through. I thought to myself, I sure hope anyone riding down the mountain doesn't override their line of sight, cause if they do they'll be in for a big and unpleasant surprise. It just wouldn't be fun facing a double-wide blocking the entire road going faster than you could stop. Probably not something you encounter often in Texas, but here in the Appalachians you never know what might be around the next curve.
"Hell, i can ride straighter than i can walk"
What a powerful story about alcohol and motoring. You handled it well and generously. I hope he came to realize the priceless gift you gave him and anyone else he could have taken with him. Not everyone is so lucky. Hats off, man. Seriously.
Been riding since dad got hurt and gave me his panhead, in 1966. Spent 5 of the last 6 years on the road full time, camping every night. Crossed the country east-west and north-south dozens of times. Touched every continental State. 3 ways to die, I wish that was all. I think I saw an infinite number of ways to die, most of them coming out of the clear blue sky like a sniper bullet. But yeah, you have to do the basic stuff all the time, to give you a chance to survive the unexpected stuff.
Absolutely invaluable advice. I am delighted to have found this channel. Thank you for all the sensible, safe and life saving advice.
We need more people like you in this world. Thank you for being a light in this dark world!
Good points raised .. thank you.
I have made it a point to never climb onto 2 wheels after drinking alcohol (that includes my bicycle) .. however little. No that I have not, in the past, acted more than stupid (my toes curl now at the memories thereof 😳😏) .. Alcohol and two wheels .. NEVER!
Now, at 70, I like to chuck a dollop of schnapps / whatever into my breakfast coffee to liven it up .. especially when out on an outdoor in-the-forest brunch.
However, if I know that I may, that day, have to go down to the Supermarket / wherever on the little Honda Scooter (SH300i .. 70 yrs under the belt .. stiff joints / arthritis .. a 'step-through' instead of a 'leg over' is now nice 😊) .. No Dollop .. NOTHING!
Maybe that's why I've been lucky enough to see 70 Summers .. but then, the more care and common sense one uses .. the luckier one seems to get.
An aside .. not motorcycle-related, but the principle remains the same. During my daily forest walks with the little Malti-Poo (I'm fortunate to have a forest just 50-odd metres behind where I live), one of our Routes takes us past a little 'Shrine' just off the road at the Forest edge, on a bend in the road .. the blackened tree (what's left of it) still stands there.
Four years ago .. early hours of the morning after a good 'thrash' at one of the local watering holes .. seven up in a little VW Golf (2 in front .. 5 in the rear). The road bend in question was in a 40kph speed zone. The speed that the young driver apparently attempted the bend was estimated in the region of 120kph .. he didn't make it and side-swiped an inconsiderate tree.
Two of the young girls who were sitting in the rear, on laps, next to the (thankfully) open windows, managed to get out alive .. albeit badly burned. The other 5 young males didn't.
There are those who will 'Yeh, yeh' this story .. "It'll never happen to me ..". Yep .. those seven in the Golf thought the same.
A great Channel you have 👍 .. one is never too old to learn something new .. or be reminded of other perhaps forgotten .. thank you for that.
Take care .. stay safe ..
Don't out ride your brakes, don't out ride your lights at night. Absolute basic logic. Also, part of the beauty of motorcycles is feeling the acceleration they are capable of. The more you slow down, the more you get to speed back up again, (when you can see where you're going!) 😎👍
"Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly"...I always say. As for drinking, I usually enjoy a scotch on the rocks A F T E R a nice long ride.
Hear, hear!
As a new rider (37) years old, never sat on 2 wheels so it's all new to me. Your videos like these help me tremendously and puts so much perspective into the dangers and how to avoid them. With Covid all the courses have been cancelled and the Riding Academies are also cancelled. I am on my own and your videos have thought me so much. I take what you talk about and apply it to my daily riding practice routines. Thank you so much for taking the time to make the videos and post them.
I really appreciate this video, Kevin, and all of your videos. You, as well as the vast majority of your watchers, are what I believe to be non-ego based riders--you are common sense, practically-based riders, and as you commented below, anyone who has watched just a couple of your videos will realize you are all about helping others develop into riders with sound, technical riding skill based with great real world riding tips learned from tens of thousands of miles on the roads. You are a valuable resource, and learning from sage, wise riders who have tons of skill on two wheels is really giving back to the community and world in immeasurable ways. Teachers like you, as well as so many of the other excellent motorcycle instruction channels here on RUclips have saved thousands of lives and prevented even more painful, costly injuries. Keep up the great work!
What an awesome story! I do hope that guy got it together and is out there somewhere safe. Sadly the alcohol and drug evils will still be out there. Sobering video but necessary. Stay safe!
i'm not religious but this video is blessed.
That is only common sense. Unfortunately sense is very uncommon now adays. Keep up the great work. We love you Kevin.
I was born with a biker jacket on and a need for speed! And unfortunately, an incredibly high tolerance for whiskey.
This July, with the Good Lord as my witness, I celebrated 6 years of sobriety! I quit cold turkey the day i found out my wife was pregnant with our now 5 year old daughter.
Looking back, i can't believe how many times i jumped on my Harley, stone drunk and stupid, and actually managed to live to tell about it.
This is the fourth of your videos that I have watched. I am now a subscriber of your website. You see, I have been off of a motorcycle for over 35 years. I didn't realize how much that I have forgotten. I hope to see you down the road someday. I chose the Honda Fury to relearn to ride. What a hand full.
i really liked the million dollar analogy.
I agree alcohol and motorcycles do not mix. Had someone close to me tell me years ago that " I ride better buzzed". I proceeded to explain that I am clumsy enough sober, why would I get buzzed and then try to ride something that takes balance to stay upright. He thought about it for a few seconds and then agreed that I was right. I have lost friends from drinking and riding.
I have been clean and sober going on 6 years now. 2 years ago I did what I always wanted to do. Bought a bike. Took the dot safety courses and have rode almost 15,000 miles in the past 2 years. I find it to be extremely spiritual and always feel closer to God when I'm out enjoying his creations. Thanks for all the videos. Peace and Blessings
I very occasionally ride with a client who is a very expert rider. He is a 30+ year serious desert racer, owns more than 100 bikes (many vintage), and rides a beautiful KTM 1290 daily. His skill level at the limit far exceeds my own, no doubt. But I've repeatedly been surprised by how fast he will go around corners without being able to see what's ahead. We've actually joked that I can ride faster following him than I can possibly ride myself, because I'll see his brake lights go on right before he hits the truck stalled in the road, and *I'll* be able to stop in time. He's such a skilled rider that I've caught myself thinking that what he's doing is OK, but I just can't make myself overdrive my vision, because my brain just isn't having it.
Kevin, thanks for reaffirming the truth!
You are a good man Kevin, God bless!
Your video is priceless. We used to go "back road barnstorming", speeding way faster than we could stop safely if something blocked our way. Amazed I am still alive. Thanks for making me realize how stupid I was. God Bless.
Great respect, Amen. Praise God for you Kevin.
That was the best story time ever😂
G'day Kevin great video l have been watching you channel for a while now and enjoy the content and advice loved your story about the rider who had a few to many to drink all l can say is the big fellow up stairs sent him an angel that day you helped save a life your a great bloke wish you lived down here in OZ regards Anthony from down under
Kevin you're helping me mitigate an eminent crash by coaching my mindset and raising my rider IQ
this one watrmed my heart a little
and reminded me why i ride in a very 'boring' mannor
I personally believe God placed you there at that precise time to save his earthly life.
Where was God when a deer stepped out in front of me?! Or the time a guy ran a stop sign.
Both times resulted in an injury crash...guess he likes drunks more than me...Although possible he hates deer more, as the deer died, and I survived...
Bikers in modern-day America have the same social status as Samaritans in biblical times. Thanks for this story. It hits home on several levels.
50% fatalities due to drinking and riding. Crazy I feel you need all your wits while riding. How could you impair yourself like that. Thanks for the stream.
Great video, Kevin. I think you were the rider's guardian angel that day. I wish you would have been with me in 2008 when a friend of mine died riding while drinking. Maybe you could have saved his life too.
I post this so others my learn from my mistake. Hopefully others will do the same.
It seems like once a year I have a close call. Sometimes my error, sometimes not. I already had one this year which I would like to share as I see it occur quite often. I was following a large pick-up truck who stopped to make a left turn and was waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. I scrubbed some speed and continued to go around his right side only to see at the last second a car making a left flying into my path. Basically the side of his car as I hit the brakes hard. We both could not see each other due to the size of the truck, and I could sit here and list all the errors that were made and Contrary as to what those here say that what will be will be, that is BULL. All that counts is that it was MY error knowing I could not see around the truck and not slowing more and or stop to be sure nothing was coming into my path.If I had not scrubbed some speed it would have been the car driver looking at my side as he ran me over as he was flying pretty good. If slowing in that situation ruins your cycling experience you just should not be riding. We see passing on the right everyday, cars and bikes. I see so many bikes that don't even slow. Same thing as Russian roulette
God sent the Rancher and Kevin to lead the man correctly
Hi
Drink and driving !? in a car, you may get away with it, percentage wise, maybe 80%, on a bike, 40-50%, don't drink and drive, don't drink and die !!
Regards
Vince (uk rider)
I can agree with that statement for sure. You have a way greater margin of error in a cage then on a bike. Crash your car into a tree, u will most likely live. Hurt but alive. On a bike, they will be reading about u
I just bought my first bike 2 days ago and these videos are already helping me. I ride in my neighborhood until I get comfortable enough to deal with traffic. Still trying to find a safety course near me that'll accommodate my work schedule. Stay safe friends.
Stories about alcohol are always excessive consumption cases, I get the point.
Personally, I have found that one beer affects my ability to ride safe.
I wish it weren't true, I like a beer and a burger for lunch.
However, I have crossed the line on curves even going slow, and target destination issues are enhanced.
Ride with no ego, or don't ride. Enjoy the ride!
This is a great tutorial, can't wait to try them out
What a great story of having a big heart and looking out for that man. Not a lot of people would’ve had the kindness and effort to save a life. Well done, friend
I enjoy watching Kevin and often watch the same videos again months later to stay on top of things.
It is all about risk minimization, we can only control what we are doing and having time to react and continue riding to out destination.
I read the title and thought I don’t want to die on a motorcycle! I better not watch this!
Thank you once again my friend, you words mean lot to me and so many other! I look forward to each and every one of your video.
Thank you again, Glenn.
The sad truth is many males have an elevated Testosterone levels - youth plus a feeling of being "Bullet Proof!" I know as a younger male I too had that feeling and many times I learned I didn't. Trying to inform other's, the real cost of our youthful thoughts is a difficult process. Kevin the way you talk to everyone on the dangers and your love of riding is amazing. Your information is a very common sense and friendly. A softly spoken word of advice is well received. At the time of this posting there are (35) people who disagree with you? And to those few, I pray for them because those are the one's who names will appear in the paper as a severely injured or a fatality while driving a motor cycle. Well done Sir! I enjoy your content and like learning new information about not only riding a motor cycle but driving anything on the road.
Thank you Kevin.
I second guess everything when I ride. Going through an intersection....I slow down. At a stop sign at a T......I look both ways mor
This episode is worth it's weight in Gold, you just gave me a great July 4th present to share with my buddies here in Nigeria.
I always say no to:
KNEEDOWN junkie
CITY SPEED junkie
ONE MORE BOTTLE junkie.
Great video Kev... if these videos discourage idiots who wanna drive under the influence and it saves just one life.... well GOD BLESS YOU KEVIN, THANK YOU
God works in mysterious ways!
You Kevin were God's instrument that day. And when you think of the odds of all three men being there on that day and at that moment, one in need of a rescue, and two rescuers right there to help, that's Devine intervention right there!
You're a good man. Great story.
Neighbor invited me on a group ride, they stopped at several bars on the way. Last time I rode in a group with them. I know it's a Harley thing, but it's not my thing.
You should always leave enough room to clear up everyone else's distractions and f'ups before considering your own👍 it doesn't matter you have priority if the other driver is on their phone/stoned and or drunk👍👍👌
Good story, thanks for sharing.
I started riding a motorcycle in Feb this year. I learned most about riding from you sir and motojitsu. thank you guys for the good work.
Kevin, thank you for your video. They sure made me a better rider, with alot of practice and also my mind is always thinking of road strategy. With what's happening with COVID hope you are using good health strategy and keep safe. Cheers a follower from Innisfil, ONTARIO, Canada.
Be able to stop in the distance you see to be clear on your side of the road.
This may be the most important Highway Code rule, yet I don't recall it being taught on driving or riding lessons. Only once I did the IAM RoadSmart advanced driving course was it nailed into my head. It should be the gospel of safe driving/riding.
Wow! Alcohol is a contributing factor in 50% of Motorcycle fatalities!? That's an eye opener for sure. And then realize that in 73% of motorcycling fatalities the motorcycle was the only vehicle involved and it really shows why training and practice and sobriety are so important.
Speed differential is why I stopped riding bicycles and started riding my motorcycle all the time.. my 125 could keep up with 40 mph traffic. Motorcycle was safer than a bicycle. Do NOT drink and ride. Never ever!
First time bike owner, and first time watching your videos. I greatly appreciate you and the valuable information you are providing on here. Thank you, sir.
I always watch your videos but seldom ever comment. I started not to watch this one because I don't want to learn to kill myself. Lol... Great video!
That was a good video. I admit I have been over-riding my brakes on roads I know well, since they are mostly empty and I know the curves. I will have to look closer at which ones I can see through and which ones I can't. I can think of at least three that I can't see through during summer because of foliage, they may not be blind in winter. This is an issue with rural hilly roads and driveways too, which I am very cautious about cresting hills where there are houses because I know people often pay zero attention pulling out of their driveways. thanks for the video.
Sad news. Just yesterday, in Missouri: A man is dead after a crash on Highway 19 in Montgomery County, he failed to negotiate a curve, at 8:15 p.m., while driving his 2006 Harley-Davidson and ran off the side of the road. He then went down a steep embankment. He was wearing a helmet. Tuesday's crash is Troop F's sixth fatality in April and the 15th for 2021. Two combinations we need to be aware of: Curves and Nighttime.
Great video Kevin.....I love the way you come over and the way you make your point...nice one mate..
Common sense is not so common when you are drunk. I know that from experience. Especially dangerous is 1,2,3 beers You are thinking that you are not drunk, but you are. You overestimate you’re driving abilities. Now I am still here. But many many motorcycle riders aren’t here. 2 wheels and alcohol is a big NO NO ! Thanks for the tips !
What you said about country roads hits home with me. I had a moment this morning coming off a turn that went into a hill and at the crest a white Jeep was readying to back out. I was traveling so fast I didn't realize the Jeep was occupied until I was basically right on top of it. Thankfully the driver was looking. Lesson learned.
Nice story Kevin! It was entertaining but I think you saved the life of this biker.
unfortunately if people have death wish, you only have delayed it and they will find jesus one way or the other.
One little addition to that saying ONE SHOULD RIDE AT A SPEED THAT ONE CAN STOP IN IN THE DISTANCE ONE CAN SEE TO BE CLEAR but one needs to finish it with AND ON ONES OWN SIDE OF THE ROAD. It's no use braking hard swerving and/or stopping if that takes you into conflict with any oncoming traffic. now is it?
The other thing is that if you have a table of stopping distances that table was generally for cars and light vehicles and not motorcycles and it may take longer to stop in than those distances shown. Bear that in mind . Also those stopping distances are on a flat road and on the straight.
So we have good stable contact with the road and are upright. However on bends we have a lean angle and so if we have to stop in an emergency we cannot rely on having 100% of our braking capacity. There is a known balance between lean speed, lean angle and the grip that our tyres give and so if we are leaning say at 30 deg. to the upright and need to brake then some 30% of our grip is already being used up. So our braking capacity is reduced by the grip we already have so we only have some 70 % of grip available to us to stop safely in. If we exceed that 70 % we are most likely going to lose our tyres grip on the road and slide or come off as a result.
So now we should understand that we have only some 70% of braking capacity. Whats does that mean in terms of distance that we can see ahead and one in which we can stop in. It basically means that if you lose 30 deg/% of your braking capacity then that is going to increase the distance that you can brake in and make it a lot further lets say it means a further 30% in terms of distance travelled to brake in. So if our full safe stopping distance at 40 mph is 120 ft on the straight and we are doing 40 mph around a bend with that amount of view and a lean angle of 30 deg/% grip then our braking capacity or actual distance that we now find ourselves being able to brake in has increased and actual braking would be 120 plus 30% which equals an addition of some 26 ft making our total braking distance on a bend as 156 ft anticipating that we still have 70% of braking ability left. So we should really be slowing and anticipating the need to have a stopping distance of 156 ft. and not the original 120 that we can actually see,and thought was going to be s a safe enough distance. Thus we are braking round a blind bend for a further 26 ft or a further 8 metres not knowing what is there
Also when it comes to actual braking the graph of slowing is not a straight line downwards. .Its a curve that starts shallow and as we progress in terms of time or distance our speed decreases a lot slower . So if we can be say two thirds into the braking time/distance our speed will only have dropped by one third. That means that we still have some 1/3 rd. distance to a possible collision but still a lot of speed to lose. that being 2/3rds of it. If misjudged we can hit another object at still quite a speed and thus suffer greater injuries.
Thanks again for sharing your experience and insight
14:20. When I was at my Military bases's honor guard many of our active duty funerals were motorcycle riders where alcohol was a frequent factor. I wonder how many people would drink and ride if they had to see what the aftermath is for the people left behind.
Had a guy very slightly bump my Harley at a rural gas station.
He just jumped out of the new Jeep he was driving and walked into the gas station store.
He was drunk. Beer bottle in the cup holder.
I removed his car keys from the ignition and threw them to the roof of the station.
When he came out, I offered two options:
Get me $300 in 30 minutes or intentionally break his own arm with the car door.
Otherwise, he will lose his new truck within the hour.
We did not reach an agreement.
In 90 minutes his truck was on a flatbread tow truck and he got a Third DUI!
Have taken car & motorcycle keys from others before. Never admit you took them.
Interesting story at the end.
A few months back, I nearly got killed by a kid in a pickup truck who came across four lanes of traffic and through a median making an illegal left turn into a lane where I was already traveling. That was right after sundown, and I couldn't see his headlights since until he turned in front of me (and left me nowhere to go), they were pointed across my path. And given that he was coming from a place clearly marked "No Through Traffic" (the local high school parking lot when school was not in session), I was not expecting him to drop in on me. He also was very obviously a new driver who'd recently learned how to drive on something like the driver ed class Honda Civic, and he was out now in a 7,000 pound Chevy Silverado of which he'd clearly lost control. I was sober, he was sober, and he was basically a good kid. I take exception with his mother, who probably put him in the big pickup so he'd "be safe." I'd be fine with that if he knew how to drive generally and knew how to control a large, heavy vehicle -- or somebody had taught him. Good kid, very poor parenting.
Fortunately, I knew how to countersteer to avoid the worst part, but I had no choice at the end other than to lay the bike down strategically. So it still cost me a shattered right humerus, a cracked cervical vertebra, two broken ribs, a sprained thumb, and a whole lot of bruises. It also ruined my triple tree, dinged my exhaust pipe, bent my right side handlebar, and trashed my master brake cylinder. Fortunately, the bike didn't get totaled. I think of it fondly now, since it's nimble enough to have done what I asked it to do to keep me from getting killed. Yay, Norton Commando 750!
The most telling moment in all of it was that I was conscious, ambulatory, coherent, and -- other than being in a fair amount of pain -- not in that bad shape. Still, the deputy insisted on calling an ambulance, and a motorcycle accident gets you an automatic trip to the hospital with the trauma center. I probably could have got there with a call to Uber. But the deputy wasn't going for that. Anyway, when I got wheeled into the trauma center, there were about ten medical personnel waiting, and the first thing the doctor who saw me said was, "Get that guy out of the way... We have a motorcycle accident coming!" For some reason, I still had my helmet with me, so I held it up and said, "Uh, that would be me." He indicated that most motorcycle accident victims were DOA, and of the ones who weren't, I looked better than any he'd seen in a very long time.
What made the difference: A good helmet, gloves, a jacket with body armor, and heavy boots. The helmet got replaced by the kid's insurance. And they bought me a new pair of jeans, which didn't look too good afterwards, either.
And I'll put in a plug for Joe Rocket jackets. This one didn't have a scratch on it afterwards. Lots of dirt and a bit of road grime. But it kept me protected and with a quick cleaning, it's ready to go again.
Good story, well told. Great advice, don't drink and ride. I have never ridden even after one beer. The risks are too high. It's about risk management not gambling.
I'm not a new rider and have taken several classes over the years, including a cornering clinic at a track, but I'm human and still forget things and develop the occasional bad habit so I'm always trying to improve. I watched this video last night, and had the overriding the brakes segment in the back of my mind as I went for one of my favorite rides this morning. It's some nice sweepers through mostly farmland that eventually brings me to a beautiful twisty shoreline ride around a large lake. I had this road almost to myself with one car far enough ahead not to impede me, but with your video in mind I was attentive to the several blind curves that exit adjacent to side roads and the occasional driveway. Very near the end there is a public dock, a couple of stores and public parking. As I came to the apex of the curve that exits to this public area I saw the car I had been following stopped to allow a truck towing a boat to maneuver onto the road. I was leaned over and had to bring the bike upright as I aimed for open space to the right of the car. I was able to stop with 6-8 ft to spare without too much drama, but if I had been going faster I realize I would have had less time to react while needing more space to stop. Thanks for posting this, Kevin. An excellent and timely lesson. Happy 4th, and cheers!
The problem is .just my opinion. Sport bikes and bikes in general are too dam fast. Especially Sport bikes. They should be outlawed. Racing bikes dont belong on the street. 160 miles an hour is ridiculous. This power is killing kids at an alarming rate. I love Sport bikes for the track only . I watch and enjoy racing . But don't kill me on the street thanks and ride safe.
btw...greetings from Jerusalem Israel.
I went to a ROT Rally several years ago, a first time experience, the first night of the rally there were motorcycles everywhere laid over on side streets, side walks and I-35, beautiful Harley Davidsons with lots of chrome and custom paint jobs, of course alcohol was the culprit which was sad. Many of these riders didn't even wear protective gear only fingerless gloves and those awful brain buckets that protect nothing.
from what I have heard fatalities are quite common there.
I have never forgotten to put my feet down. But I have forgotten to put my kickstand down. Oops. 😮😮🤣at me.
Fuckin AAAAA! To anyone reading this! I've had alcohol problems all my adult life! If I know I need to ride I don't drink. Simple as that. If I do drink I stay put till sober! Once I came off a ride at that time on a 250L and drank one tallboy. All I had to do was park that bike! I did it but felt such a loss of command of the bike that I decided then and there. No alcohol for riding! That's me. But the way I do it I will never ever forget to put a foot down when stopping!
MC in MCRider = Motorcycle Common sense. To be sure, common sense that is extremely valuable given all the idiots on the road, both on 2 and on 4 (or more) wheels. Thanks a lot Kevin, and I want your Honda Goldwing (damn they are so expensive)
As a safety focused rider I find choosing the correct speed on approach to junctions/intersections (& many hazards) needs careful planning. Too fast & we can come into conflict with those that don't see us or cant properly judge our speed .....too slow & they might pull out to get out onto our (major) road. ...........Too slow can also leaves us vulnerable from the rear.
Those stats on stateside alcohol riding fatalities are shocking . Here in the UK many riders head out for a ride & have a tea or coffee. here are exceptions but the MC culture here not typically linked to alcohol.. Ideally I don't want to compromise my ability to ride safe.
Hearing how high of a percentage of motorcycle deaths were of drunk riders makes me feel that I would be a safe rider. I have never drank alcohol. Maybe because I grew up in a religion which teaches against it (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
About 25 years ago, I was at a local biker bar, and stepped out front for a smoke.
One of the guys came out to a semi-chopped hog, and was so drunk, he couldn’t kick start the thing.
A few of his bar buddies came out, started his bike for him, and then all 3 of ‘em ran down the road giving him a push to get him going.
I said to one of the guys that I knew “Someone should have given that dude a ride home, man.”
They told me to “Shut the F up, and mind my own business.”
The guy never made it home alive.
I’ve crossed paths with those same guys a few times over the years, and not one of them will look me in the eye to this day.