Motorcycling the Right Way E-Book

Ken Condon

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 398

Beschreibung

Expert motorcyclist and author Ken Condon knows there is a right way to hit the road and track when you're behind the handlebars. In this new book Motorcycling the Right Way, Condon lays out a basic riding course for motorcyclists who are smart enough to acknowledge that "you don't know what you don't know." In setting forth the keys to riding safely and well, Condon's method capitalizes on reducing risks and potential crashes and increasing the rider's ever-improving skills and situational awareness. Filled with readable, useful advice and anecdotes from the road, Motorcycling the Right Way will be welcomed by beginners and returning riders, as well as experienced riders who are interested in learning more on the journey.-Adding new tools to the rider's bag: multitasking, sensory intelligence, self and situational awareness, risk smarts, visibility, and attitude adjustment-Improving the rider's ability to perceive danger, size up risks, and mentally prepare for the road-Expert advice on handling the bike, cornering, traction, braking, and turning-A sobering look at crashing and handling the aftermath of an accident-Special sections on dirt riding, group rides, highway riding, nighttime riding, passengers-The right way to avoid hazards and deal with perilous obstacles and road conditions

Leseprobe

Motorcycling the Right Way

Project Team

Editor: Heather Russell-Revesz

Copy Editor: Joann Woy

Design: Mary Ann Kahn

i-5 PUBLISHING, LLCTM

Chairman: David Fry

Chief Financial Officer: David Katzoff

Chief Digital Officer: Jennifer Black-Glover

Chief Marketing Officer: Beth Freeman Reynolds

Marketing Director: Will Holburn

General Manager, i-5 Press: Christopher Reggio

Art Director, i-5 Press: Mary Ann Kahn

Senior Editor, i-5 Press: Amy Deputato

Production Director: Laurie Panaggio

Production Manager: Jessica Jaensch

Copyright © 2015 by Ken Condon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of i-5 PressTM, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Condon, Ken.

Motorcycling the right way : do this, not that : lessons from behind the

handlebars / Ken Condon.

pages cm

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-62008-169-3

1. Motorcycling. 2. Traffic safety. I. Title.

TL440.5.C66 2015

628.28’475--dc23

2015015221

This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein.

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62008-188-4

i-5 Publishing, LLC™

www.facebook.com/i5press

www.i5publishing.com

Introduction

What Is “Motorcycling the Right Way”?

There is no single “right” way to ride a motorcycle, but there sure are a lot of “wrong” ways to ride a motorcycle.

The title of this book, Motorcycling the Right Way, may imply that there is only one right way to ride a motorcycle, but that’s not the case. There are many valid methods and philosophies about how to ride a motorcycle.

Riding the right way means using known and proven principles for effectively controlling your motorcycle and managing risk. Riding a motorcycle the right way involves more than simply acquiring a collection of information and skills. It takes a commitment to developing and nurturing the relationship between you, your bike, and the road. And, just like any worthwhile relationship, it takes effort to keep it vital, healthy, and fun. Think of me as your relationship counselor, here to help make that process easier. The rewards are safety, confidence, and enjoyment.

This book is full of information to help you learn to be a better and safer motorcycle rider. You’ll find practical tips and techniques, as well as cautionary tales that illustrate ways to minimize the risk of riding. This book addresses all the facets of motorcycle riding … both the pleasant and the ugly, starting with the often-ignored topic of rider attitude and the sobering subject of risk. Are you motivated to take this ride? If so, let’s top off our tanks and get rolling.

Who Am I?

It’s smart to know who you are about to share a ride with, so let me introduce myself. My name is Ken Condon, and I’m a motorcycling junkie. For more than 40 years, I have been a commuter, tourer, off-road rider, track day instructor, road racer, drag racer, and plain old street rider who enjoys riding with friends and family.

It’s embarrassing to admit, but I started riding as a way to enhance my adolescent manhood at a time when my skinny physique and sensitive demeanor did not exactly make me a chick magnet. It didn’t take long to realize that riding a motorcycle wasn’t going to make me any more interesting to girls. But, by then, the riding bug had bitten hard and there was no turning back.

As parents are known to say: “it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” Well, I learned that truth after a couple of mishaps in high school brought the reality of the risks into plain view and threatened to spoil the fun. However, I was not to be deterred. I didn’t like feeling vulnerable, so I started improving my riding skill and learning strategies for survival to reduce anxiety and prevent any future pain and repair expense.

This began my long journey toward being the best rider I can be. In addition to my 40 years on two wheels, I also have 20 years of experience as a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor/coach, 15 years as a track day instructor, and 3 years as owner of “Riding in the Zone Motorcyclist Training,” where I offer real-world, on-street, and on-racetrack rider coaching. I am also author of the book Riding in the Zone: Advanced Techniques for Skillful Motorcycling and have written more than 250 skills and safety articles for Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN). I am currently the author of the “Street Savvy” column for Motorcyclist Magazine and creator of the “Riding in the Zone” blog. I told you I’m a motorcycling junkie.

I’ve spent 15 years as a track day instructor.

Chapter 1

What Kind of Rider Are You?

While I may not know you personally, the fact that you ride a motorcycle means that you have a higher level of risk tolerance than the general public. And, if you’re like most people, your loved ones may not be thrilled with your decision to ride a bike. You have to admit that riding a motorcycle is a little crazy. You obviously feel that the reward is worth the risk and that the risk is manageable, otherwise you wouldn’t do it, right?

One thing I can’t know about you is your risk awareness, risk tolerance, and how much you value skill development. Let’s take a moment to consider various attitudes so we can get a better idea of what type of rider you really are.

Take a look at the “Lesson Learned” box on the next page, and consider the following questions: Which rider do you identify with? Are you like Skip who is skeptical about the benefits of advanced riding skill and knowledge? Do you think that seat time is enough and that close calls and anxiety are normal? Do you consider riders like Earl to be “safety geeks” who don’t know how to have a good time? Perhaps you’re more like Alice who is somewhat neutral about improving her riding skills. Maybe you identify more with Earl or Al who discovered the value of advanced training. If so, then congratulations. You’re one of the riders on the road who understand that well-developed skills make motorcycle riding more fun.

No matter the type of rider you are, you surely want riding to include zero pain. But is it really possible to make riding safer without diminishing enjoyment? Thankfully, the answer is “Yes!” But it takes effort. All motorcycle riders need to develop advanced skills, turn them into habits, and then practice to keep these skills sharp. Let’s meet two more imaginary riders named Alan and Oliver and see how their differing attitudes affect their commute to work.

Find out what kind of rider you really are.

Are You a Good Rider?

When asked, most people think they are a good rider. But what is a good rider? Is it someone who displays impressive control skills on the racetrack or in the canyons or can do a lengthy standup wheelie? Is it someone who can maneuver an 800-pound (363-kg) motorcycle within tight confines? Certainly, these riders deserve to be recognized for their abilities. However, when it comes to describing a “good” motorcyclist, we must place the ability to make it home every day at the top of the list.

No matter how good a rider you think you are, it’s likely that you have at least a few bad habits and attitudes. Poor habits and dangerous perceptions can develop over time without you knowing it. A lot of riders think that seat time is the answer to being a better rider. But experience alone does not make you a good rider. It takes knowledge and purposeful practice to become as good as you think you are.

Start by opening to the idea that you don’t know all you need to know and evaluate your personal strengths and weaknesses. Don’t allow yourself to brush off incidents as an insignificant misstep that is quickly forgotten. Even small mistakes can be a sign that you need a bit more work.

Take some time to evaluate your current habits and assess whether the beliefs and unconscious attitudes you have may be increasing your risk and decreasing your enjoyment. Think back on a recent close call involving a vehicle crossing into your right of way. Suspend any blame for the moment and put yourself in the seat of the driver who pulled into your path. The vast majority of drivers do not wish to cause an accident. So what made him or her think it was okay to proceed? The answer is that the driver either didn’t see you, or saw you but did not accurately judge your speed and distance. Ask yourself what you could have done to help the situation. I bet there was at least one action you could have taken to reduce the hazard.

Riding with “eyes in the back of your head” through busy streets is a sign of a good rider.

We All Make Mistakes

Why is it that even “good” riders make mistakes? The real reason is that humans aren’t perfect, and, no matter how hard you try, mistakes will be made. Fortunately, with self-awareness, we can minimize the number of mistakes we make.

Often, mistakes are the result of weak concentration, faulty perception, poor judgment, or lousy execution. Other times, we make mistakes because of a bad decision, which is often followed by immediate regret. When this occurs, the smart riders asks what was the driving force behind the error.

The point is to increase your awareness of the types of mistakes you typically make. Do you space out and allow yourself to tailgate or enter turns too fast? Are you prone to overconfidence that leads to risky behavior? Self-awareness and vigilance can reduce the likelihood of making a mistake that you could regret for the rest of your life.

The Good Rider Pledge

There is a technique some schools and parents use to help manage behavior in youngsters that involves asking their teenage children to sign a pledge to not drink alcohol, do drugs, or text while driving. The idea behind these pledges is to get the signer to check his or her conscience and think before acting in a possibly harmful way. The promise is made to a respected institution or a loved one, which pressures the signer to keep the promise.

I’m not a respected institution, nor am I your parent, but imagine your parent, children, and spouse asking you to sign a pledge to be the best rider possible. Would that be enough for you to seek opportunities that will lead to this goal? Use this pledge as is, or as a template to create your own. Then sign it in front of your loved ones as a promise to be as safe and skilled as possible. Remember, this not only benefits your loved ones who want you safe, it also makes riding more fun for you!

1.I will continually expand my knowledge of motorcycling safety and control through reading and by taking one formal safety/skills course per season.

2.I will resist complacency and never take my safety for granted.

3.I will practice my physical skills that include emergency braking and swerving to keep them sharp.

4.I will learn and practice mental strategies for managing traffic and other hazardous situations.

5.I will never ride while intoxicated or impaired in any way.

6.I will choose not to ride if my ability to manage hazards is compromised.

7.I will choose to only ride with others who share my commitment to safety.

Are You Really Ready to Roll?

Now that I’ve sobered you up with all this talk about how dangerous riding is, I wonder how many of you are reconsidering whether riding a motorcycle is such a good idea. Truth be told, riding a motorcycle is not a good idea unless you are committed to being the best rider you can be. I am not talking about becoming a professional-level rider—that’s not practical and asks too much from most people. I’m talking about being the best rider you can be.

You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to learn to ride a motorcycle the “right” way.

Let me repeat that: You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to learn to ride a motorcycle the “right” way. This means increasing the repertoire of tools in your safety and skills toolbox and striving to keep these tools sharp through practice. It takes commitment, but it’s not that hard…really.

Even riders who think they are good probably have a few bad habits.

LESSON LEARNED

Who Are You?

Adept Al pulls into the crowded parking lot of a motorcycle café, finds a spot to park his bike, and then makes his way into the café to order an espresso. Al turns to find a seat, but all of the tables are full, except one. He walks over to a table with an empty chair that is occupied by three other riders and asks if he can sit. They nod. Al introduces himself and they do the same. Al learns that Skip, Alice, and Earl have just met for the first time today. Alice gets Al up to speed on their conversation, which involves something Earl learned at an advanced riding school the day before. Earl continues explaining what he learned about cornering and how shifting body weight plays only a supporting role in getting a motorcycle to lean and turn. Earl goes into further detail about how countersteering works and how chassis geometry and tire profiles affect direction control.

Al keeps silent as Earl continues. Al has taken several safety classes, including a few track-oriented courses, and has several motorcycle publications in his personal library so none of this information is new to him. He finds it interesting how each participant is reacting to Earl’s monologue and his enthusiasm about this new knowledge. Alice is listening and asking questions, but is restless. Skip is also listening, but seems tense with crossed arms and a scowl on his face.

When Earl finishes, Skip asks why he is so interested in the details of riding. Alice perks up to hear Earl’s response. Earl explains that he loves learning all about motorcycling and its challenging opportunities. Alice acknowledges that she also enjoys learning about motorcycling, but is often frustrated because she can’t seem to apply the information to her everyday riding or tries a new technique that doesn’t seem to work right away. Skip shrugs off both their statements and proclaims that he has been riding for years and he never gives his riding much thought. He says that seat time is all someone needs to ride better.

This is when Al chimes in. He asks Skip if he has ever been cut off by a driver in traffic or experienced panic from riding too fast into a curve. Skip admits that both of those things happened to him just last week and then proceeds to rant about the blind jerk who pulled out in front of him and how the corners on twisty roads should be better marked. After Skip is done, Al points out that he used to experience those problems but hasn’t for quite some time due in large part to advanced knowledge and training. Skip rebuts by saying that Al is just lucky and that all riders experience those problems. Alice agrees, saying that she has been to the MSF courses and still has anxiety in traffic and with some corners. Al points out to Alice that it takes regular practice to learn a new technique and gain confidence.

LESSON LEARNED

Risky Attitudes

Both Alan and Oliver commute to work through a mix of neighborhood streets and busy arterials. Where they differ is in their attitude toward risk. Alan rides with “eyes in the back of his head,” scanning for any signs of intruders or road surface hazards. He knows that the best way to avoid a crash is to spot hazards early, which allows abundant time and space for him to respond if a driver were to cross his path.

Oliver is less concerned. He assumes that other drivers are going to see him and follow the rules of the road—and, in most cases, they do. When something unexpected does occur, Oliver deals with the problem with quick reactions and his ability to skillfully maneuver his motorcycle. This casual attitude works most of the time, but it has its cost; Oliver experiences more close calls, which wear on his riding enjoyment.

One day, both riders encounter a similar situation on the way to work where an oncoming driver turns left across their lane. Because Alan has trained himself to spot subtle clues that alert him of danger, he recognizes that the car is about to turn. The clues Alan notices are the driver turning his head and moving his arm to rotate the steering wheel. Because Alan recognized the problem early and then covered the brakes, he avoids a collision with many feet (m) to spare.

Oliver experiences the same scenario, but, unlike Alan, he isn’t looking for clues. The first sign Oliver notices that the driver is turning is the car’s front bumper entering his lane. Oliver has little time to react, and, because he is not covering his brakes in preparation for such an encounter, his stopping distance is increased. Fortunately, Oliver’s excellent braking skill allows him to miss the car by mere inches (cm).

Because of their different approaches to risk management, Alan and Oliver’s perception of the commute differs greatly. When both riders finally get to work, they are each greeted by a coworker who asks, “How was the ride this morning?” Alan doesn’t even think to mention the invading car and answers, “Fantastic.” Oliver’s response was quite different: “It would have been great except for the idiot who almost killed me.” Oliver continues bending his coworker’s ear about the close call and how drivers really have to pay better attention.

What’s the Lesson?

Even though both riders experienced the same situation, Alan’s attitude toward risk management rendered the potentially deadly situation rather mundane, whereas Oliver’s lackadaisical attitude and lack of mental preparation led to a near accident. In addition, Alan’s attitude toward risk allows him to ride with less anxiety. Oliver, on the other hand, becomes more and more anxious with each close call he experiences.

LESSON LEARNED

Live & Learn

Lisa and Bill are on their way home after a relaxing ride aboard their middleweight cruisers. Lisa is following a few seconds behind Bill as they negotiate their way through an industrial section of town. There are several side streets and parking lot entrances on the right-hand side of the mostly straight road. Lisa notices a white van on the right waiting to enter the roadway. The van driver appears to see Bill because he passes without incident, but apparently doesn’t see the second bike. Suddenly, the van darts out in front of Lisa. She instinctively swerves right, to pass behind the van. The bike misses the van’s rear bumper by inches (cm), but Lisa can’t stop quickly enough to avoid slamming into the curb. The van driver slows after finally seeing Lisa. But with a shrug he simply drives away.

Lisa is unhurt, but her front wheel is bent. Bill arrives moments later to ask if Lisa’s okay. Lisa’s reply is barely understandable through the shock and growing anger. Lisa begins to feel rage over the carelessness of the van driver.

The incident occupies much of Lisa’s thoughts over the next few days. She tells any one who will listen of the idiot driver who almost killed her. Over time, her anger subsides, but other feelings emerge. Lisa realizes that she dreads getting back on her bike for fear of another close call—or worse. She even entertains giving up riding altogether. But motorcycling is an important part of her life. Lisa realizes that she must take the brunt of the responsibility for her safety even though responsibility is shared among all roadway users because the consequences of a crash are higher for motorcyclists. It is for this reason that Lisa finally evaluates her responsibility in the incident.

What’s the Lesson?

Focusing on blame can distract you from what you need to deal with in the moment so that you aren’t prepared for the next hazard. Also, harboring anger sidetracks an opportunity to prevent a future crash if it blocks you from taking responsibility for mishaps and learning from them.

Chapter 2

Risky Business: Accepting and Understanding Risk

We’d all like to believe that motorcycling is less risky than it is, but the fact is that riding is dangerous. Fortunately, you can develop a positive relationship with risk by recognizing your attitudes toward risk and then implementing measures to make riding safer and more fun.

Accepting Risk

I’m pretty sure you don’t ride to be “safe.” You ride because of the feeling you get from being on a motorcycle: the freedom, adventure, challenge, camaraderie…and FUN. If your primary goal is to be safe, you would find other things to do, like billiards, golf, or hiking.

There is an old saying that there are two types of riders—those who have crashed and those who have yet to crash. Unfortunately, there is some truth to this. I don’t know any rider who hasn’t experienced a simple tip-over in a parking lot during some point in his or her riding career. I also know several riders who have suffered significant crashes, and, tragically, some resulted in death.

Each rider’s perception of risk contributes to the way he or she rides and decisions he or she makes. Some people perceive the risk as high, or are generally risk-adverse, and therefore ride cautiously to limit risk exposure. They might avoid riding at night or in heavy traffic, and they work hard to keep their accident-avoidance skills up-to-date. As a result, they encounter fewer close calls and are usually more relaxed than a rider who is less prepared.

Riders who are in denial about the risks often end up in dangerous—or deadly— situations.

Risk Tolerance

There are many riders who are perfectly aware of the risks but still choose to operate their motorcycle in very risky ways, willing to accept more risk in exchange for opportunities to challenge their skills. These riders are more likely to contain their activity to remote roadways or closed courses where they can manage the risk.

Some riders are in denial about the risks and do stupid things that risk not only their own life, but also the lives of others. The most extreme examples of risk denial are those who underestimate the effects of riding under the influence of alcohol or deny the consequences of racing or stunting in traffic. This unrealistic optimism eventually leads to smashed bodywork and broken bones.

Most of us are somewhere in between the range of very cautious and reckless. We tolerate a level of risk that allows us to enjoy the challenge of riding, but self-preservation doesn’t allow us to expose ourselves to excessive or unnecessary danger. Self-preservation is what encourages us to wear protective gear, ride slowly through intersections, and improve our riding skills.

Denial

Even though most riders have a hunch that a crash is possible, many riders don’t believe it will happen to them. It’s rather easy to see what a rider’s beliefs are about risk by the type of riding gear they choose, their behavior in traffic, and their ability to ride within their limits. A rider who has a less-than-realistic perception of risk may not wear protective riding gear.

Accept the possibility that a serious fall may be in your future and prepare for it by protecting yourself from injury. You will avoid a lot of pain and suffering if you are wearing protective gear at the moment when your skill or luck runs out. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!

The lesson is, if you think you are safe on a motorcycle, you’re wrong! You could die on any ride you take. With this sobering knowledge, what are you going to do about it? I suggest you become the most skilled motorcycle rider you can be.

Some environments have a higher likelihood of injury.

Defining Risk

An accurate measure of risk includes two factors:

•Your risk exposure and the probability of a mishap

•The consequences of being involved in a crash

The probability of a particular danger depends on your risk exposure and your attitude toward risk. Risk exposure is closely tied to your riding environment. For example, riding in pouring rain or in dense traffic is much riskier than riding on a dry day on a deserted road.

Your probability of a crash also depends on your willingness to take risks. For example, if you ride while intoxicated or use the public roadways as a racetrack, then you shouldn’t be surprised if you’re involved in a higher than average number of close calls and crashes.

The consequences of a crash vary depending on several factors, including how fast you are going at the time and whether you slide to a stop in an open area or hit a hard object. Some environments have a higher likelihood of injury. For example, a crash on the street often results in a catastrophic collision with a guardrail or curbing, but this terrible fate is much less likely if you crashed on a racetrack. Even though racetrack speeds may be higher, the lack of roadside barriers decreases the likelihood of injury.

Measuring Risk

Risk perception is formed by our attitude, experiences, knowledge, and ability. People also measure risk and determine their risk acceptance by finding a balance between risk and reward. But sometimes it’s tough to know how much risk we are exposed to. An imaginary tool you can use to measure risk is the “Risk Meter.” Imagine a gauge mounted next to your speedometer that reacts to the amount of risk you are being exposed to. The needle moves toward “more risk” when you approach a busy intersection or when you approach a decreasing radius curve, and then eases back toward “less risk” when danger passes.

Another instrument you should learn to utilize is your “Anxiety Meter.” This gauge responds to your subconscious as it tells you when you are entering a high-risk situation or approaching the limits of your comfort zone. This usually occurs when you cannot process information quickly enough. One easy way to combat this problem is to always ride at speeds that allow you to calmly respond to any change in your traffic or cornering situation.

Imagine a “Risk Meter” and “Anxiety Meter” to help gauge risk.

About Crashing

It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, what type of motorcycle you ride, or where you ride, we all agree that one of the worst things that can happen to you on a motorcycle is for you to crash. Notice that I am not using the word “accident” when describing a mishap. Nobody wants to crash, so technically all mishaps are accidents, but the term “accident” suggests that it was an act of God or a random incident that happens for no reason. Thinking that way will just cause you to get into more “accidents” by not taking responsibility for the incident and therefore learning nothing from the experience.

A crash is almost always caused by someone screwing up. Unfortunately, we cannot expect human beings to be perfect all the time. Whether a crash is the result of another driver’s poor judgment or from rider error, the fact is that most incidents can been prevented. I know what you’re saying—“it was the other guy’s fault!” Maybe. But where does that get you? Your job is to prevent the crashes from happening in the first place.

How Crashes Happen

Every Monday morning, I find myself scanning the news for reports of motorcycle accidents from the past weekend. It may be a rather morbid thing to do, but these reports can provide a glimpse into why motorcyclists crash. Many serious crashes I read about involve another driver, but about half of all fatal crashes are single-vehicle incidents where the rider fails to negotiate a curve.

Too often, the primary cause of crashes is the motorcyclist riding beyond his or her skill level and the limits of the environment. One news report I read described a rider who had collided with a car going in the opposite direction on a lightly traveled scenic road. I am familiar with the corner where the incident took place. It isn’t a particularly challenging corner, but witnesses said he had been riding at excessive speed before he crossed the centerline and hit the car head on. It also mentioned that he had been riding with some other motorcyclists who came upon the scene moments after it happened. The rider died instantly, and the innocent driver was seriously injured and flown out by helicopter.

So, what happened? The news report was vague, so we can’t know for sure, but we can imagine that the rider was high on adrenaline, riding with fast friends and pushing his limits. I imagine him drifting wide, panic causing him to grab the brakes and stand the bike upright as his eyes lock on the approaching car.

Crashes like this are avoidable. So why do riders get themselves into such serious trouble? It’s usually because riders want to enjoy the feeling of cornering fast, but have an optimistic and inaccurate perception of the risks and their own ability. Optimistic riders are more likely to charge into a blind corner, willing to gamble that they can handle any situation that may occur. They may also trust that all other road users will behave just as they’re supposed to, stopping at traffic lights, changing lanes predictably, and yielding to the right of way. But optimism is a fool’s friend in this case.

Identifying a potential hazard is a large part of the battle, but to avoid a collision or crash also requires an avoidance action, such as braking, turning, or swerving. Unfortunately, many riders act inappropriately or fail to act at all. The Motorcycle Accidents in Depth Study (MAIDS) report shows that 69.8% of riders attempted some form of collision avoidance before the impact, but that a significant number of riders who attempted no avoiding action. This reaction failure may be because of “panic-freeze” or because there simply was no time to complete the action.

Even when riders have the ability and the time to perform an evasive maneuver, it doesn’t mean they will perform well. According to MAIDS, about 20% of riders end up crashing because of a loss of control while attempting an evasive maneuver. The most common example is when a rider over-brakes, skids, and collides with a car, even though the rider may have had plenty of time to stop safely if he had applied the brakes properly and avoided skidding. Another example are riders who enter a turn too fast for their ability and instead of leaning more, stand the bike up and run off the road.

Most riders facing a hazard will attempt an avoidance maneuver, but many choose the wrong one or fail to perform well enough. One example is choosing to swerve instead of brake. An unsuccessful swerve without any significant reduction in speed can be disastrous as the rider collides full-speed into the car or obstacle. Slowing before swerving is an option, but this requires more time and there is a significant risk of losing traction if you swerve and brake at the same time.

There are many reasons why crashes occur. I recommend you take a look at the MAIDS findings for yourself (www.maids-study.eu). You will gain an understanding of crash causation so that you can develop strategies that may help you to beat the odds.

Most riders facing a hazard will attempt an avoidance maneuver, but many choose the wrong one or fail to perform well enough.

Handling the Aftermath

Bummer! You fell down today. Your bike is heavily damaged, and you will soon be getting an emergency department bill in the mail. You’ll be dealing with insurance companies for months trying to sort out the financial mess. The bike can be fixed or replaced, and your body will heal, but what about the condition of your emotions and mind?

Depending on the severity of the mishap, you may have difficulty trying to comprehend what happened. After a crash, many riders question their perception of safety and continue to suffer because they don’t know how to repair the mental damage. This trauma can lead to the person choosing to stop riding if it becomes too stressful for both the rider and his or her family.

PTSD

When a person is involved in a serious crash, there can be significant psychological trauma. Many survivors of motor-vehicle crashes suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can include lingering anxiety that can easily retrigger feelings that occurred at the moment of the crash. We often associate PTSD with exposure to combat conditions, but the National Institutes of Health report that motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of PTSD.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists several common reactions to being involved in a crash:

•Shock

•Trouble believing the incident really happened

•Anger

•Nervousness or worry

•Feeling uneasy or scared

•Guilt

It’s also common to keep going over the incident in your mind.

Not everyone experiences significant emotional trauma, but some people are more vulnerable than others. The Mayo Clinic lists several factors that may make someone susceptible to PTSD:

•Your inherited mental health risks, such as an increased risk of anxiety and depression

•Your life experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you’ve gone through since early childhood

•The inherited aspects of your personality—often called your temperament

•The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress.

•The American Academy of Family Physicians also mentions several reactions that may indicate the need to seek help:

•An ongoing, general feeling of uneasiness

•Problems driving or riding in vehicles

•Not wanting to have medical tests or procedures

•Overreactions or being overly worried or angry

•Nightmares or trouble sleeping

•A feeling like you’re not connected to other events or other people

•Ongoing memories of the accident that you can’t stop

One technique that some psychologists and therapists use to treat PTSD is called eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a technique whose effectiveness I can attest to after a health scare resulted in anxiety that affected my day-to-day life. EMDR basically reprograms your cognitive mechanisms to reduce the lingering effects of trauma. Consult a professional to see whether EMDR is something that may help you or a loved on to overcome PTSD.

RIDING TERM

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Survivors of motorcycle crashes often experience this disorder, which includes feelings of lingering anxiety and ongoing memories of the incident.

Debrief and Evaluate

Whether you are involved in a tipover, a close call, or a crash, it is important to take the time to evaluate the situation so you might learn from it. A rider who does not ask “what happened?” is at risk of a repeat performance. Asking this basic question will help you understand how to avoid a similar situation in the future, and it might also help you overcome fear and apprehension.

First, determine the cause of the crash. Resist blaming others. Yes, the “other guy” may have played a significant role in the incident, but you can’t directly control others’ actions. You can, however, influence their behavior and prevent a crash. In a lot of situations, many factors are within your control: your speed, your lane position, how conspicuous your riding gear is, your ability to predict danger before it becomes critical. These are all ways for you to affect the outcome of a situation and feel less helpless.

Small Mishaps Can Feel Big

Sometimes even small incidents can be a big deal. The most common type of mishap in motorcycling is the relatively benign tipover, which rarely causes serious injury but is notorious for wreaking havoc on confidence.

I know several people who dread making tight U-turns, because of the fear of dropping their bike. Previous experience of a motorcycle falling to Earth can engrain anxiety to a point where simple parking lot maneuvers trigger almost paralyzing fear. Riders with low confidence at slow-speed maneuvering are easily spotted as they paddle-walk their bikes around parking lots, instead of maneuvering skillfully with their feet on the pegs.

Unfortunately, slow-speed maneuvers cannot be avoided. The good news is that learning to overcome the fear of slow-speed maneuvers is not too difficult. (Slow-speed maneuvering is discussed later in the book.)

Even a minor tipover can wreak havoc on a rider’s confidence.

Chapter 3:

Managing Risk: How to Ride Smart and Dress for Crashes

Up until now, we’ve discussed the mental and psychological aspects of riding smart. We learned that a rider who has the tools to preempt hazardous situations is less likely to encounter many close calls and is more likely to avoid a crash.

With this foundation poured and hardened, we can now discuss practical methods for avoiding trouble, starting with areas where riders can fall victim to poor judgment and ineffective strategies. We’ll then talk in detail about the importance of seeing and being seen.

Ride Smart

We may not ride to be safe, but this doesn’t mean we want to end up in a wheelchair or a casket before our time. Here’s a short list of consequences that should make you think about the importance of risk management:

1.Pain: Who likes pain? Not me. But pain is what you’ll feel even with a minor crash. Protective gear can significantly reduce injury, but it’s no substitute for riding well so that incidents don’t happen in the first place.

2.Financial Loss: Lost time from work, medical bills, medications, insurance deductibles, bike repairs, gear replacement … the list of expenditures goes on and on. A simple failure on your part can cost you thousands. And don’t even get me started on the costs of risking a DUI.

3.Family: Who do you think will be taking care of you when you get hurt? I don’t know about you, but my family and friends have more important things to do with their time than to help me drink my dinner through a straw or even drive me back and forth to doctor appointments because I’m in a cast. And if you die, who do you think will suffer most? Not you, you’re dead. It’s your loved ones.

I point out the ugly truth to spark your motivation to advance your physical and mental skills, use good judgment, and develop keen survival strategies. Your family and wallet will both thank you for the effort made.

Anxiety can help you discover your limits.

Recognize Limits

One of the easiest ways to stay out of trouble is to know your limits and always ride within them. Anxiety can help you discover your limits. It’s a clear sign that you’re riding over your head if you feel panicked.

You may be saying, “I know my limits.” Perhaps, but there are many variables that make it difficult to know exactly where the limits are, including an unfamiliar machine, a changing road surface, or complex riding situations. These can cause us to exceed the limits without knowing it, until it is too late.

For example, environmental conditions constantly change. A road that at one moment offers excellent grip can change suddenly with a light dusting of sand. Mood, fatigue, emotions, and hunger can also alter where the limits lie. Smart riders are continually evaluating the environment and their mental and physical condition so they stay ahead of trouble.

Managing risk means wearing protective gear.

Mind Over Muscles

The first rule of avoiding crashes is to use good judgment and have effective strategies for avoiding hazards. The best riders rarely if ever need to use their finely honed physical skills to save them from a crash. Instead, they rely on accurately perceiving risk and predicting what other drivers are about to do. They spot hazards early, accurately evaluate their significance, and act appropriately to minimize the likelihood of a crash. These strategies minimize—or dare I say eliminate—the need for heroic action.

Often, a street riding crash is the result of a sequence of factors that fall into place like toppling dominoes. The best riders with the strongest mental skills can detect the often-subtle clues that begin the sequence and act quickly to halt the progression.

Someone told me a story of a young man on a sport bike that rammed into the back of a minivan at a stoplight. He careened out of control at an excessive rate of speed. The intersection was at the base of a hill where the rider couldn’t see the van until it was too late. His youthful burst of adrenaline in a totally inappropriate location put him in the hospital with severe injuries.

It’s easy to blame recklessness on youth, but bad judgment applies equally to older riders, like the 50-year-old man who didn’t make a corner and hit a stone wall. Apparently, he simply made a bad judgment about the curve and didn’t have the skills to make the bike turn at the speed he was traveling. The point is that nobody is immune. It takes constant diligence to keep exuberance at bay.

Dress for the Crash

Managing risk includes protecting yourself from injury by wearing protective gear. Many riders who are involved in relatively minor crashes end up with major injuries simply because they chose not to wear protection. Well-designed protective apparel will reduce skin abrasion and impact injury. This can mean riding home under your own power after a minor fall rather than being transported in the back of an ambulance.

All The Gear All The Time (ATGATT)

There’s an acronym floating around called ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time). The gear we are talking about includes a helmet, sturdy jacket, sturdy long pants, and full-coverage gloves and boots. By wearing ATGATT, you ensure that you are protected at the moment you need it most. Protective riding gear needs to be worn on every ride since you cannot possibly predict when a mishap will occur.

The good news is that motorcycle gear is better than ever in terms of style, comfort, and protection. Innovative features, such as modern waterproof and thermal liner systems and high-tech venting material, provide versatility. Most touring jackets now come with some sort of impact-absorbing armor in the elbows, shoulders, and knees for impact protection.

Another important piece of protection is a back protector. Rigid back protectors can prevent a sharp object, such as a footpeg, handlebar, or tree branch from doing serious damage. Back protectors are effective in shielding the spine and internal organs, as well as in distributing bone-crushing forces over a larger area. This type of force is common when landing on pavement after being flung skyward during a highside crash.

In the racing world, more and more competitors are choosing a higher level of protection not often used before, such as chest protectors, neck braces, and even airbag suits. These protective systems will become the norm as technologies improve and as top professionals begin to use them more often.

Comfort and Style

It may seem silly to don full gear when the thermometer rises above 90°F (32°C), but crashes happen whether it’s 40°F (4°C) or 100°F (38°C) outside. You can bet that skin abrasion injuries are greater during the hottest days of the year when t-shirts and lightweight pants are the norm.

Fortunately, there are mesh jackets that provide decent protection while flowing a lot of air, and these jackets also feature sturdy material in vital places. The same manufacturers also offer riding pants for hot weather that can be worn over shorts or jeans while providing decent protection. And consider that sometimes it’s just too hot to ride, so it may be best to leave the bike in the garage if the conditions are such that wearing decent protection risks hyperthermia.

The type of protective riding gear people wear is a personal choice that should be based on risk acceptance and awareness, but more often is based on style and peer pressure. It may be tempting to wear only what is fashionably acceptable by your peers even though it offers little protection. Fortunately, several helmet and riding apparel manufacturers sell protective gear that complements all styles.

RIDING TERM

CE

Protective gear sold in Europe must conform to the “CE” standards for effectiveness in absorbing impact energy and resistance to abrasion.

Get Seen

Choosing a particular style of riding gear can help you be more visible, such as high-viz yellow or wearing a brightly colored reflective vest over your existing jacket. For the most conspicuity, buy gear with small add-on lights that mount either on a helmet or in the middle of a jacket’s upper back. Most can be programmed for steady luminescence or strobe.

Don’t want to look like a highway worker or a Christmas tree? Then choose a brightly colored jacket, like red. I know that most riders will choose black over safety colors. There is no law against that choice, but just know that you won’t be as visible to other drivers, especially in low-light environments.

Not Convinced?

Still on the fence about whether you want to spend money on good riding gear? Consider this: our body will succumb if there is an accumulation of several relatively minor injuries. That means that a serious case of road rash might be too much for your body to handle if it also has to deal with broken bones and a concussion. That’s why protecting your body from even relatively minor injury can save your life.

And if you think you’ll be okay without full protection because you’re just riding around town at “slow” speeds, consider how you’d react if I asked you to go out into a parking lot in your shorts and tank top, run as fast as you can, and dive onto the pavement. You’d likely tell me to get lost. Even if I offered you money, you’d likely walk away. Now, imagine how it would feel to fall while unprotected at 30 mph (48 kph)—not good.

In the racing world, competitors wear the highest level of protective gear.

No Panacea

We’d all love to think we can prevent death or serious injury simply by zipping on a sturdy jacket and strapping on the most expensive helmet we can afford. But the reality is that many deaths occur despite a rider wearing all the best gear. After all, elbow, knee, back, and shoulder armor is no match for a truck or tree. And no helmet made can withstand the impact of more than 300 G, which is a problem when a direct impact at normal speeds can easily exceed 500 G.

According to Academic Emergency Medicine