About speed

[angu]

Here is one thing that I don't think many people really think about.

 

Suppose you're traveling 20km on the expressway riding/driving at 80km/h.

 

You will reach your exit in 15 minutes.

 

Now, suppose you're in a "hurry" so you go at 100km/h.

 

That means your trip will take 12 minutes.

 

I think increasing your speed from 80 to 100 will have a significant (negative) impact on your and other road users safety, but it only saves you 3 minutes.

 

Is it worth it?

[omnislash]

Yes it is...

[ZzGaNgStErzZ]

depends on urself. u tink not worth not worth loh. BTW 3mins is oso saving time. if every1 like tat tink expressway will jam all e way.

[panclanrider]

Yah man...

 

It depends on individuals more likely...

 

Some always in a hurry to chase the time...

 

While some chasing the time to answer call of nature while riding...

 

 

 

:help:

[seancxm]

sometimes it's nice to go a little faster when there're no vehicles on the road.

 

obviously dun be so stupid and speed during peak hours.

 

other than that.. only hurry when when u're.. well... in a hurry

[myxilplix]

I'd rather proceed at a 100 and get away from all the blur drivers crawling along/commercial vehicles speeding along the expressways at 80.

 

Sometimes i'll even go faster, to get the hell away from all these potential hazards and into a clear stretch of road where i'm safer.

[Pplater]

angu, do you always travel at 80? I'm sure u go faster when its smooth and light traffic right?

I remember something funny on squeezing off the expressways though. 2 modded cars with loud exhausts were accelerating very hard off from taffic lights, only to stop at the next traffic light. Then me from behind squeeze all the way to the front when all the cars parked neatly before the junction. pok pok pok pok rolling to a stop beside them. This repeated 3 times, and thats why i remember the incident. I figured sometimes its not much point going fast off the expressways when i can do all my overtaking very safely at traffic junctions. Only need to look out for opening doors and pedestrians in between vehicles

[gnayed]

Originally posted by angu@April 26, 2007 10:06 am

Here is one thing that I don't think many people really think about.

 

Suppose you're traveling 20km on the expressway riding/driving at 80km/h.

 

You will reach your exit in 15 minutes.

 

Now, suppose you're in a "hurry" so you go at 100km/h.

 

That means your trip will take 12 minutes.

 

I think increasing your speed from 80 to 100 will have a significant (negative) impact on your and other road users safety, but it only saves you 3 minutes.

 

Is it worth it?

It is not so much of the speed that actually contributes to dangerous riding, but rather, the behaviour of the rider.

 

You can travel 80km/h on expressway, but in a traffic jam standstill situation, 80km/h is death-seeking. So 100km/h on a clear open road can be equally safe as riding at 80km/h, while giving you a bonus of 3 mins, why not?

 

Then again, your calculation only applies true to a 20km expressway stretch. What if I'm doing a trip to KL which is around 340km away?

 

340km @ 80km/h = 4hrs 15mins (perceived safe limit)

340km @ 110km/h = 3hrs 5mins (speed limit)

340km @ 150km/h = 2hrs 16mins (average touring pace by local riders)

 

If I'm driving and want to avoid the tolls, so I took the trunk road:

340km @ 50km/h = 6hrs 48mins

340km @ 80km/h = 4hrs 15mins

 

Just some food for thought.

[angu]

Sure, if no other vehicles you can go as fast as you like, I don't care.

 

And the exact speed you choose depends on traffic conditions of course.

 

And no, I don't go at 80 all the time. I just chose numbers that were easy to calculate...

The 20 km I chose because I thought that would be relevant for Singapore commuters.

 

The point is that speeding doesn't save you more time than you'd anyway waste on this board...

 

Btw, I don't agree with those who say that speed itself isn't dangerous. Even if you're a good rider/driver with lots of experience, your reaction distance increases proportionally to your speed and your breaking distance increases proportionally to the SQUARE of your speed. These are facts you can't ignore, even if you're experienced.

 

My personal opinion is that risking other lives to save yourself a couple of minutes is an immature and egoistic way of thinking . But that is of course just an opinion...

[Echo]

I rather amazed that some riders actually think that speeding is a way to get out of potential hazards, conditions and situations. Then do you think TP will buy ur story on that? They will either summon u or charge you for reckless driving. Giving such excuse doesn't justify your reason to speed.

 

In fact, if u talk about the behaviour of a rider, speeding itself is a negative behaviour. Because you are neglecting the safety of other road users. so much many times, majority of road accidents occur just simply because riders or drivers speed. That's the fact we all know. I guess most of us still don't get the message. So that's why I strongly disagree the point that speeding is to get out or avoid dangers.

 

To get out of potential hazards, hogging vehicles, etc, there are definately better ways.

We all heard and know defensive riding right.

 

Drive defensively and be a responsible rider to yourself and road users.

[ZzGaNgStErzZ]

Originally posted by angu@April 26, 2007 01:29 pm

Sure, if no other vehicles you can go as fast as you like, I don't care.

 

And the exact speed you choose depends on traffic conditions of course.

 

And no, I don't go at 80 all the time. I just chose numbers that were easy to calculate...

The 20 km I chose because I thought that would be relevant for Singapore commuters.

 

The point is that speeding doesn't save you more time than you'd anyway waste on this board...

 

Btw, I don't agree with those who say that speed itself isn't dangerous. Even if you're a good rider/driver with lots of experience, your reaction distance increases proportionally to your speed and your breaking distance increases proportionally to the SQUARE of your speed. These are facts you can't ignore, even if you're experienced.

 

My personal opinion is that risking other lives to save yourself a couple of minutes is an immature and egoistic way of thinking . But that is of course just an opinion...

yup, u can care n dun care 4 tat. but arent u doing e same ting now

BTW its not wasting time. if its wasting time, den u wun see ppl replying 2 u.

overslping is oso considered wasting time.

[ZzGaNgStErzZ]

Originally posted by tranquility82@April 26, 2007 02:43 pm

To get out of potential hazards, hogging vehicles, etc, there are definately better ways.

We all heard and know defensive riding right.

u dun overtake em slowly folo behind? tats even more dangerous. they might not b able 2 see u. N u cant get a clear view of e traffic wif em in front of u.

[Echo]

If i follow behind, i not in their blind spot........

 

overtaking is a much more different meaning than speeding.. overtaking means i will change lane but not speeding to get ahead of them.. If unless the front vehicle is lorry, truck or bus, if heavy traffic, i will tag behind at a safety distance... that's all abt riding defensively..

 

Nevertheless, different individuals have different opinions, but ultimately it boils down to the fact that we value our own life, isn't it? Why place that stake on the road especially when we ride everyday? Think there is one member here whose signature goes something like this (which i find it true), ride safety to ride tomorrow.. something like that.

[angu]

Originally posted by ZzGaNgStErzZ@April 26, 2007 04:07 pm

yup, u can care n dun care 4 tat. but arent u doing e same ting now

BTW its not wasting time. if its wasting time, den u wun see ppl replying 2 u.

overslping is oso considered wasting time.

Sigh...

 

Don't take everything literally.

[Pplater]

Originally posted by tranquility82@April 26, 2007 02:43 pm

I rather amazed that some riders actually think that speeding is a way to get out of potential hazards, conditions and situations. Then do you think TP will buy ur story on that? They will either summon u or charge you for reckless driving. Giving such excuse doesn't justify your reason to speed.

 

In fact, if u talk about the behaviour of a rider, speeding itself is a negative behaviour. Because you are neglecting the safety of other road users. so much many times, majority of road accidents occur just simply because riders or drivers speed. That's the fact we all know. I guess most of us still don't get the message. So that's why I strongly disagree the point that speeding is to get out or avoid dangers.

 

To get out of potential hazards, hogging vehicles, etc, there are definately better ways.

We all heard and know defensive riding right.

 

Drive defensively and be a responsible rider to yourself and road users.

This is subjective. Sometimes U need to pull away from danger. Under emergency circumstances I will not hesitate to break ALL and ANY traffic rules to ensure my own safety. Let me relate a situation. I had a taxi come up close behind me on lane 2 on CTE, at that same instant, another taxi from lane 3 accelerates hard from the rear coming level with me, getting very close to the vehicle in fron of it. I anticipate Mr Impatient is gonna cut into my lane and force me out any moment. Since I am constantly aware of my surrounding, i double checked my right lane was clear and immediately signal and cut into lane 1 at the same time and pull away. Guess what, Mr Impatiently did not just cut into lane 2. He cut all the way into lane 1 right behind me, in the process, leaving a metre or 2 behing my tailgator in lane 2 and the car in front braking. Seeing that Mr Imapatient was now right behind me, about a metre only, I squeeze in between lane 1 and 2 and chao liao. I probabaly broke some rules, including spee limit? I don't care, honestly. If TP want to give me a fine so be it. I'm the best judge of circumstances when I'm in sh*t. If I think I cannot practice the reccomended holier than thou text book angel manuveres and am about to be run over, ALL traffic rules become guidelines.

[Pplater]

Originally posted by tranquility82@April 26, 2007 02:43 pm

I rather amazed that some riders actually think that speeding is a way to get out of potential hazards, conditions and situations. Then do you think TP will buy ur story on that? They will either summon u or charge you for reckless driving. Giving such excuse doesn't justify your reason to speed.

 

In fact, if u talk about the behaviour of a rider, speeding itself is a negative behaviour. Because you are neglecting the safety of other road users. so much many times, majority of road accidents occur just simply because riders or drivers speed. That's the fact we all know. I guess most of us still don't get the message. So that's why I strongly disagree the point that speeding is to get out or avoid dangers.

 

To get out of potential hazards, hogging vehicles, etc, there are definately better ways.

We all heard and know defensive riding right.

 

Drive defensively and be a responsible rider to yourself and road users.

This is subjective. Sometimes U need to pull away from danger. Under emergency circumstances I will not hesitate to break ALL and ANY traffic rules to ensure my own safety. Let me relate a situation. I had a taxi come up close behind me on lane 2 on CTE, at that same instant, another taxi from lane 3 accelerates hard from the rear coming level with me, getting very close to the vehicle in fron of it. I anticipate Mr Impatient is gonna cut into my lane and force me out any moment. Since I am constantly aware of my surrounding, i double checked my right lane was clear and immediately signal and cut into lane 1 at the same time and pull away. Guess what, Mr Impatiently did not just cut into lane 2. He cut all the way into lane 1 right behind me, in the process, leaving a metre or 2 behing my tailgator in lane 2 and the car in front braking. Seeing that Mr Imapatient was now right behind me, about a metre only, I squeeze in between lane 1 and 2 and chao liao. I probabaly broke some rules, including spee limit? I don't care, honestly. If TP want to give me a fine so be it. I'm the best judge of circumstances when I'm in sh*t. If I think I cannot practice the reccomended holier than thou text book angel manuveres and am about to be run over, ALL traffic rules become guidelines.

[deanz4]

chill man... the truth is most rider will sure to speed unless u r and old uncle.even some old uncle riding RXK also speed...heheh road is a dangerous place.... wanna be safe take MRT lor.(tought time longer still can sleep)..

[snowman]

Originally posted by angu@April 26, 2007 01:29 pm

The point is that speeding doesn't save you more time than you'd anyway waste on this board...

 

Angu, there is no doubt that speeding will not win you much time on expressway. Especially that of times we do not travel 20km anyway, with much shorter distances time win is really negligible.

 

However there are other actractive factors about speed:

- the feeling of acceleration from traffic light, people get addicted to it! Once you experience 3 sec to 100, you will want to do it again and again and again...

- the feeling of superior bike performance, mainly applies to those with egine of 1l and up. Try the Triumph Rocket III that propels almost a half tone (inlcuding rider) with such an immence speed thanks it 2400cc but still handles superbly.

- and last but not least -> adrenaline rush ... PRICELESS!!

 

 

But in the end, safety still come first! Its just men like to play with their toys!

[hachi]

Originally posted by Pplater@April 27, 2007 12:50 am

This is subjective. Sometimes U need to pull away from danger. Under emergency circumstances I will not hesitate to break ALL and ANY traffic rules to ensure my own safety. Let me relate a situation. I had a taxi come up close behind me on lane 2 on CTE, at that same instant, another taxi from lane 3 accelerates hard from the rear coming level with me, getting very close to the vehicle in fron of it. I anticipate Mr Impatient is gonna cut into my lane and force me out any moment. Since I am constantly aware of my surrounding, i double checked my right lane was clear and immediately signal and cut into lane 1 at the same time and pull away. Guess what, Mr Impatiently did not just cut into lane 2. He cut all the way into lane 1 right behind me, in the process, leaving a metre or 2 behing my tailgator in lane 2 and the car in front braking. Seeing that Mr Imapatient was now right behind me, about a metre only, I squeeze in between lane 1 and 2 and chao liao. I probabaly broke some rules, including spee limit? I don't care, honestly. If TP want to give me a fine so be it. I'm the best judge of circumstances when I'm in sh*t. If I think I cannot practice the reccomended holier than thou text book angel manuveres and am about to be run over, ALL traffic rules become guidelines.

I agreed with u. Big bikes have more powerful and u can lesser the time in so called 'danger zone"

For example:

How any times u r in a big vehicles Blind spot? If u r in lane 1 and a taxi or lorry in lane 2 waiting to overtake the vehicle in front. With a vehicle very close in ur rear, u can accelerate quickly to get urself out of this kind of condition. A 1000/600cc 2-3 sec but a small 2B bike have to accelerate like he stole the bike still need a whooping 10 sec...?

 

And tailgating? Cl2 can accelerate from 80 to 140 in secs and quickly put safety distance between u and the rear vehicles. CL2 bikes can do this in a blink of an eye.....

 

Speeding for the sake of safety I would agree, I dont speed on singapore roads, but there are always NSHW and gudang for the need adrenaline rush...We are very lucky.....

[angu]

snowman: Agreed. Powerful machines can be tremendous fun to play with. Haven't tried big bikes yet, but snowmobiles... wow. Let's just choose a suitable playground

 

Pplater and hachi: Speeding for the cause of safety, yes in certain situations like overtaking or getting out of ugly situations I agree fully. Of cause the ends are more important than the means. My rant was mainly against those who speed as a constant habit to get to their job faster. Just think how nice it would be and how much safer we all would feel without all the impatient drivers out there (actually those that gave me the idea to calculate the minutes...).

[Pplater]

Honestly.. Singapore we only travel short distances lah. I'm slowing down more these days. Figured it wasn't worth it. Like you said, really not many minutes saved for local riding. Especially in heavy traffic, trying to keep myself to lane 3 and 2. More often than not, I overtake those peeps later who i give way to when they are start parking on the expressway. Wished i had a big bike. But small bikes drop gear high rev and throw clutch for a short power surge. Do it on big bike may wheelie or fly. On small machines just nice to pull away comfortably You guys saw some of the clips the video clips threads? Check out this one Requiem for Bikers. It really helps you "mellow" a little, and ride a little more maturely, i hope.

 

http://www.livevideo.com/video/Maxxi/E737D...or-a-biker.aspx

 

Courtesy of Saboon.

 

And something that surprised me...

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forum/index....howtopic=158482

[operator]

I believe in certain cases, 3 mins can be very impt. Let me give you an example. Today, I travel 80km/h and clocked in for work at 0801hrs. Tomorrow, I go abit faster at 100km/h and clock in for work at 0758hrs. The difference is today, I'm late for work and the day after, I'm early.

 

In saying all this, I can only conclude one thing. Its not how fast but how safe you ride. Going 100km/h yet observing all safety rules is much much safer than going 80km/h yet weaving in and out of traffic.

[angu]

Please don't get too hung up on the numbers 80 and 100. However, I think 20 kph is usually the difference between being relatively safe or not and it's when we "hurry" that we start to push the limits and thus putting lives at stake. The stupid thing is that in normal Singapore conditions we gain almost nothing by hurrying.

 

Also, I think we tend to underestimate the danger of speed since in normal situations we can handle it. It's when things we didn't predict happen, that we need those extra metres, and then our speed makes a huge difference, regardless of all our other good habits.

 

If to choose between putting yourself and others at risk, or leaving home three minutes earlier, I hope the choice is obvious... I would even dare to say that safety is more important than being in time for work. Frankly speaking, I find it a bit scary that this turned out to be so controversial...

[operator]

Originally posted by angu@April 27, 2007 08:09 pm

Please don't get too hung up on the numbers 80 and 100. However, I think 20 kph is usually the difference between being relatively safe or not and it's when we "hurry" that we start to push the limits and thus putting lives at stake. The stupid thing is that in normal Singapore conditions we gain almost nothing by hurrying.

 

Also, I think we tend to underestimate the danger of speed since in normal situations we can handle it. It's when things we didn't predict happen, that we need those extra metres, and then our speed makes a huge difference, regardless of all our other good habits.

 

If to choose between putting yourself and others at risk, or leaving home three minutes earlier, I hope the choice is obvious... I would even dare to say that safety is more important than being in time for work. Frankly speaking, I find it a bit scary that this turned out to be so controversial...

Well. to open such topic would of course invite controversy. One has just got to learn to accept.

 

It's always good to ask the reason for speeding. Speeding for fun(racing) or to make up for lost time(late for work.. appt)??

 

I'll be frank and honest. I normally go between 90-100km/h on the expressway but I'll speed if I'm late for an appointment or work, that's for sure. I'll not afraid to go 110km/h on the expressway but I'll be extra careful and try to do it in the safest way possible like signalling when overtaking.

 

If speeding for fun or racing, then its a different ball game altogether.

 

Ppl can disagree or argue my point but I'm sure there are many others out there whom have done exactly the same thing as me.

[ZzGaNgStErzZ]

BTW, in order 2 put other road users in danger 4 spding, riders r puting emselves in it 1st. 4 mi, i dun usually spd, its juz tat its up 2 personal preference. N if 1 shd onli spd or ride fast onli in tracks, i tink u wun see many big bikes in sg liao.