STREET SMART

Spectrum · August 26, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Crash03.jpg

Ever wonder why Motor Cycle Racer quite often walks away after a Crash...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Crash01.jpg

That's Because There Don't Hit Anything

And there's the Sand to Slow them down...

Full Skin Overall include spine protector. Boots

Full Face Helmet...

But Occasionally they do hit something or someone ride over them.

That's when serious injury occurs.

Spectrum · August 26, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/ResizeofCorner01M.jpg

When Taking the Above Corner...

A skid & Drop while on the Right Lane...

Rider would most likely hit the Barrier.

Taking the Left Lane...

Rider would most probably remain on the road...

But a Vehicle may run the rider down...

Using the Left Lane with A clear Right Lane Would be Ideal...

Be surprise how often that can be Achieved.

endlessloop · August 27, 2005

Having personally "tested" skidding on a track for a distance of no less than 5 road lanes, I am quite concerned about skidding on public roads with all the additional collision hazards.

So I went through a stage of riding where my upmost concern is to to position myself so that should I skid on the road, I have the longest, clearest and safest path.

After a while, I came to a conclusion it is a futile attempt because:

1. You really need a lot of space.

You will be surprised how far a rider can skid/fly after being flung off a bike, even when the bike is travelling only at moderate road pace.

If you really need to visualise, I will take our bikes' minimum braking distance multiply by at least 2. And this kind of space is almost very hard to find in singapore traffic and roads.

2. The search for this "landing space" some times conflict with other safe riding habits.

If we give priority to "landing space" then we might actually be increasing our chance of "landing" which is not what we want.

An example: On a wide running blind bend (ie you can't see until the end of the bend), you have maximum visibility if you travel at the other most right of the bend. But this compromises your "landing space". If I maximise my "landing space", then my visibility is then severely shrinked.

It is a question of Avoidance (of conditions leading to skid) and Confrontation (what to do when one skid).

3. If you adopt sensible safe riding habits on public roads, it is very hard to skid.

Assumed that we keep a look out and avoid oil, gravel, sand, keep 2 second safety distance, and we do not ride worn out tires, I was never able to break my bike's traction on road riding.

To look at it from another perspective, in order to break our bike's traction, even on a track, we need to ride very close to the bike's limit. And such track conditions are almost very hard to find on public roads, that's why the existence of track circuits.

If you ask me now, in the ideal case, I would still want to keep my various safety habits and still be able to have maximum landing space, just in case

Spectrum · August 27, 2005

Well Said.. Endless

Recall not too long ago...

A Light Drizzle had just started to wet the roads...

On the ECP, driving towards city... turning out to Bedok

S4 Drops just in front of me...

As I was not too close... I was able to stop in time.

Stop on break down lane & went to assist him.

As the corner was a tight one with limited vision for vehicles using it...

Advise him to quickly get clear of area.

Gave his pillion a lift to the nearest Petrol stn

As pillion was quite shaken & the rain is now heavier.

Learning Pt...

Roads is always at it's worst with a lite rain.Heavy rain washes the road clean.

But just remember puddle of water will cause your tires to loose grip.

Hydro planning.

HamsterZ · August 27, 2005

Originally posted by Spectrum@Aug 27 2005, 01:02 PM
Well Said.. Endless

Recall not too long ago...
A Light Drizzle had just started to wet the roads...

On the ECP, driving towards city... turning out to Bedok
S4 Drops just in front of me...

As I was not too close... I was able to stop in time.
Stop on break down lane & went to assist him.

As the corner was a tight one with limited vision for vehicles using it...
Advise him to quickly get clear of area.

Gave his pillion a lift to the nearest Petrol stn
As pillion was quite shaken & the rain is now heavier.

Learning Pt...

Roads is always at it's worst with a lite rain.Heavy rain washes the road clean.
But just remember puddle of water will cause your tires to loose grip.
Hydro planning.

just a pointer to add..hope it is useful

Incident 1. (light rain road)

Personnal experience on light rain (just started to rain) I was accelerating from filter on to a merging main road (AYE to clemnti ave 6 just before the tunnel). My rear wheel slided!. balls drop. Intiution made me counter-steer n then close throttle..but not too much. Luckily the bike only slided sideways, then got back its grip. think the driver might have laughed coz instead of trying to go faster, my bike made a funni action.

So I have learnt to be cool on this kinda weather and dunt throttle so much (R1 on 4th gear leh.. also skid!! )

Incident 2 (puddles of water-hydroplane)

was going to work in heavy rain. I was only going at like erm 70kmh? on the expressway. Visibility was OK only. Did not notice a puddle of water. and my bike went through it. Intiution again, i lifted my legs up 9so wunt get wet ). The rear suddenly slided !!. Bike was waviy left n right while i was trying to maintain straight course.

Moral of story is be extra careful and look far, anticipate. My bike (VFR of weight 2295kg, including bike, me n full tank) awith such a mass also canont hold steady.

ReBornBikeR · August 27, 2005

Originally posted by HamsterZ@Aug 27 2005, 03:57 PM
Moral of story is be extra careful and look far, anticipate. My bike (VFR of weight 2295kg, including bike, me n full tank) awith such a mass also canont hold steady.

Wow, your bike so heavy huh? 2295kg?

Heavier than my car :sweat:

Just pulling your leg, I know it's a typo error

endlessloop · August 27, 2005

To avoid hydro/aqua planing, I have learnt that:

1. "Dead" water is deadly.

"Dead" water means water puddles or pools that are not still and not running.

A shallow puddle of dead water is all that is needed to lead to hydro planing.

This is in contrast to running water. That is water that is flowing or streaming.

For example, water streaming from the concave centre of the road to the side of the road is not as deadly.

2. Volume x speed

The grooves in the tires act as chanels to flush out water sideways instead of letting your tire float over the water leading to hydroplaning.

As these grooves are literally chanels, they have bandwith or limit.

When the limit is exceeded, hydroplanning occurs even when the grooves are there.

As the tire gets more worn out, the chanels become shallower and bandwith decreases. Therefore, one needs to replace tires when the grooves are gone, even when the tire is able to provide traction in dry days.

As the rain is heavier, the amount of water to flush out increases. Therefore, when the rain is very heavy, one needs to ride slower.

As your speed increases, the amount of water to flush out also increases. Therefore, the faster one ride, one is closer towards hydroplaning.

HamsterZ · August 27, 2005

Originally posted by ReBornBikeR@Aug 27 2005, 04:53 PM
Wow, your bike so heavy huh? 2295kg?
Heavier than my car :sweat:

Just pulling your leg, I know it's a typo error

oops paiseh.. its (215+58+22=295kg)

Spectrum · August 30, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart60.jpg

Spectrum · August 30, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart61.jpg

STREET SMART TIP OF THE DAY #61

DECREASING_RADIUS TURNS

This is a turn that tightens up as you go through it.

IF u are unaware...

there may be a nasty surprise at the end of the turn waiting for U.

Just Slow down... as u progress in the turn.

Two Turns I can think of:

1. KJE to BKE towards the City.

2. PIE to ECP towards the City.

(to make matter worst...

there are spd strips as the turn tightens up... towards PIE.

that's where we may be struggling to control our bikes)

Not a gd design but we have to live with it.

THE Other 2 Kind of Turns are:

a. Constant Radius Turns - Neither tightens or increases

b. Increasing Radius Turns - This turn widens.

Acknowlegements: Twist of the Throttle

(Thks Wayang for loan of Paper Back)

2wheels · August 30, 2005

my dad gave me this advise:

when light drizzle, always becareful cos this type of rain will make the sands/stones/dirt float on rd surfaces. high chances of skidding.

endlessloop · August 30, 2005

Hmm. Interesting advice. I will take note and observe.

Spectrum · August 30, 2005

Originally posted by 2wheels@Aug 30 2005, 07:36 PM
my dad gave me this advise:
when light drizzle, always becareful cos this type of rain will make the sands/stones/dirt float on rd surfaces. high chances of skidding.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/WetDays.jpg

Light Drizzle will just provide enough water to make a slippery pad.

Heavy rain will was the roads clean.

Remember the Infamous Old Tampines Rd

where the Sand lorry use to carry sand from

the Quarry around there...

Drip a lot of sand/mud water as they rush their sand to construction sites.

SLIME!

Come a little rain... Tampanis Rd will without fail...

have vehicles that had skidded of the rd!

& most of them has 4 wheels.

A simple tap of the brakes is all that is needed...

2wheels · August 31, 2005

Originally posted by Spectrum@Aug 31 2005, 01:05 AM
Light Drizzle will just provide enough water to make a slippery pad.
Heavy rain will was the roads clean.

tats wat my dad said exactly

last time my thinking was if slight drizzle, still not dangerous cos i equate amt of rain to level of danger

oh yeah, tampines rd is one stoney island.

Spectrum · August 31, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart62.jpg

STREET SMART TIP OF THE DAY #62

Dealing with this Emergency:

WOBBLE

Sometimes when going at fairly high spd,

the front wheel can suddenly begins to "wobble"

(shake from side to side).

This can be hair-raising experience.

The only thing to do is to ride it out...

Use the above pts to guide u to pull off the road

as soon as possible.

If u are carrying a heavy load, distribute it more evenly.

If at service stn, check tyre pressure.

Other things that can cause a wobble:

- a wheel that is bent or out of alignment

- poorly adjusted steering

- a windshield or fairing that is improperly mounted

or not design for the motocycle

- loose wheel bearings

- improper tread design

- worn steering parts

mike1024 · August 31, 2005

is this what they also call "tankslapping"?

i often read articles where they refer to tankslap, and wonder what it could be - which part of the bike can slap the tank?

experienced before, on my phantom, gotta admit it's quite scary.

think it has something to do with the road conditions causing vibrations which excite the resonant frequencies of the bike; what i did then to stop the wobbles was (duh) to slow down.

endlessloop · August 31, 2005

Originally posted by mike1024@Aug 31 2005, 11:44 AM
is this what they also call "tankslapping"?

The conditions specified by Spectrum that leads to wobble of the handle bars appear to differ from that of a tankslap.

I have experienced before and I feel "tankslap" is really over-hyped.

It is a very rare event to occur and very few people are lucky enough to encounter one in their lifetime.

One of the times that it can happen is when you push your bike really really hard that weight transfers shifts out of the front, and then combined with riding on a uneven surface (sounds almost like a foolish act isn't it? ).

Should it occur, yes, the experience is hair-raising, but it's seldom fatal

It is certainly a hair-raising experience if you have not encountered it before because you will be shocked to feel the handlebars have a life of its own. You want it to stay still but it just shakes it's head and wouldn't calm down.

Usually, it just last a few moments or a few seconds and it's over. One of the trick to calm down the shake is to stop your hard acceleration to allow weight transferred back to the front. Most people will stop twisting their throttle once they get shocked by a shake, so it is self-correcting.

That is why, I said it is hair-raising but seldom deadly. I do not know of anyone who ever got thrown off because of such a shake.

One of the remedy is to install a steering damper. This is a good mod only for a few bikes who are meant to be ridden hard but perhaps engineered slightly inperfectly such as the R1-02-03. The rest of the really powerful sports bikes either are engineered that they will hardly tankslap or comes with dampers already. I feel there is seldom a need for non-sports bike to install dampers because our bikes aren't powerful enough and most of us do not ride crazy enough

I said this tankslap thing is over-hyped because I have seen a few Super4s and even RXKs ridden by family-looking men with steering dampers!

Should you encounter a tankslap, just relax and calm down. If you can, enjoy the fun as you watch the handle bar shake violently on its own, even as your hand is on it, but the bike still goes straight!

Mr Zh4n · August 31, 2005

Hi guys. I have been reading alot on motorcycle defensive riding techniques mainly from Street survival, and of course this wonderful thread. I was wondering if there is any riding schools in Singapore that teaches motorcycling techniques, that would help you to have more confidence in riding on the road, so that you are unafraid to push your machine to the limit if the situation needs it. I know CDC has some defensive riding course, but is that comprehensive enough? Thanks

Spectrum · August 31, 2005

Thks Endless... Thought I read about it in Sports Mag...

But u sure know how to explain it...

As for Riding Sch... I had attended the advance course in Bukit Batok...Not Bad ... Learn quite a fair bit...

But the others in the course were there to go thru course &

That gives them the passport to ride into their army camp...

There's also a simulator that shows u how easy it is to get into an

accident.

Also a chance to ride a simulated Moto GP...

Just remember one of the hair pin .... u need to drop to 2 gear.

otherwise u crash out...

Think now and then sport riding courses are being organize...

Expensive though...

If any reader know of one...

endlessloop · September 1, 2005

Originally posted by Mr Zh4n@Aug 31 2005, 04:54 PM
Hi guys. I have been reading alot on motorcycle defensive riding techniques mainly from Street survival, and of course this wonderful thread. I was wondering if there is any riding schools in Singapore that teaches motorcycling techniques, that would help you to have more confidence in riding on the road, so that you are unafraid to push your machine to the limit if the situation needs it. I know CDC has some defensive riding course, but is that comprehensive enough? Thanks

I have done 9 years of public road-riding and trunk road-riding in sg and malaysia. I have ridden quite a bit on tracks as well.

Based on my experience, this is my personal opinion:

Safe Road-riding

In terms of physical skills such as emergency brake, balancing and squeezing through traffic and balancing on a slope,

whatever the singapore riding schools teach, are more than sufficient.

I have the opinion that sg riding schools are one of the best around the region because of its extensive syllabus and high standards.

Of course, they are not perfect. There are a few physical skills some might argue that can also be included such as counter-steering. But then again, for public road-riding, such skills are nice-to-have and not a requirement.

Mental Skills for Safe Road-Riding

While the sg riding schools are doing a very good job in imparting physical skills for road-riding, the biggest missing element is the lack of imparting mental skills.

This is what this thread Street Smart tries to accomplish and fill in this void.

I would say to ensure one's safety on public-road, 10% is from physical skill and 90% comes from mental skill. So I urge all to keep reading and contributing to Street Smart to help save lives.

Safety Defensive Riding Courses

I have also driven sports cars where there are more of such "Safety Defensive Courses" available.

If one is more interested in increasing one's safety for road-riding, my opinion is that these courses do not significantly help you. The reasons are:

1. Track Skills Disguised for Road-Riding

Eg: Corner until your knee can touch the floor.

Track riding is very different from road-riding.

Therefore, only a small fraction of track riding increases road riding safety.

If one applies the rest of track riding to road riding, one is really DECREASING your road riding safety.

Most of the real defensive courses are conducted--on tracks of course!

2. Circus Acts

Eg: Willie, Stoppie, Zig zagging on a wet water surface

These acts are impressive to watch but really do nothing towards contributing to public road riding safety.

3. 90% is Mental Skill

As mentioned, 90% of safe public road riding comes from mental skill. These "Defensive Courses" do not really emphasize on mental skill because there is nothing to show for it, then such courses will not sell.

Riding closer to the Limit

If this is what you want, then you also approaching a rather dangerous area.

The simple reason is what is the definition of "Limit"?

How do you know what is you and your bike's "Limit"?

Nobody really has the answer.

The only way to find out is to cross the "Limit". Then you know "Oops, OK, now I know this is the limit".

If you want to ride close to the limit, you must be prepared to crash.

If you do not want to crash, then you will not be able to ride close to your limit.

Therefore, there is only place to explore one's limit and to push one closer to the limit----The Track.

The track is the only place you can crash much more safely than on public road (see a couple of Spectrum's post back on crashing).

And our bikes are really much more capable than we think.

Even if we really push our bike to the max for road-riding, it is still capable of really much more. The bike's max limit can only be found on a track.

Eg: For a sportsbike, we are really only using 15-25% of its limit on road riding.

For a streetbike, perhaps 40-50%. For cruiser, perhaps 50-75%.

Do not exclude yourself from track just because you are not riding a sportsbike.

The track (eg: Pasir Gudang) is a commercial place. You pay, you can get in. It is not limited to sportsbike only.

I strongly do not urge riders who are not riding sportsbike, to try to explore their limits on public roads, because they think it is not right for them to go onto the track.

Having provided a general background, in summary, my response to your questions :

- It's good to read more from http://motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/ . But essential reading is here in Street Smart. Because it covers mental skills.

- If read and implement Street Smart teachings, you will have more confidence in your road riding.

- If you want to push your machine to the limit, please do it on the track.

- I doubt any advanced riding courses conducted using sg riding school premises will provide significant contribution to one's road-riding safety. Reasons: 1. Road riding is largely mental. 2. The venue is meant for beginner riding.

calvin · September 1, 2005

Originally posted by Spectrum@Aug 30 2005, 03:58 PM
there are spd strips as the turn tightens up... towards PIE.
that's where we may be struggling to control our bikes)

Not a gd design but we have to live with it.

these strips are suppose to make you slow down along the stretch of road but actually according to theroy of simple harmonic motion..... it is better to go over this strips at higher speed than lower.... reasons being that these strips are evenly spread and going over at higher speed our suspension will take the bounce and will not have enough time to transfer this motion to the body and handle bar of the bike... its is hard to control the bike when it is bouncing not to mention that it is very uncomfortable...... the problem with going over these strips at higher speed is when the road is wet.... the strips become very slippery......

try it.... find a dry day with strip on a straight road.... go over them at different speed and fell the difference.....

hope this is usefull......

br1an · September 1, 2005

Originally posted by Spectrum@Sep 1 2005, 01:47 PM
Interesting Observation Calvin...
Mmmm... Not sure what LTA will think...

I see a lot of these spd scripts app toll in Malaysia.
Can check out the Simple Harmonic Motion there....
But most of our bikers preferr to avoid them totally by keeping left
on the Breakdown lane...

Thks Endless... One Word... "Thorough"

wat calvin said is true, if u ride scramber u know tat its better to go fast in that situation , but the problem is when there is stripe tat mean the road are mean to so go slow, e.g blind corner or something like tat. as for when the road is wet. try to set ur bike up wit the line that enable ur to go as stright as possible and hold ur speed constance as much as u can, tat is situation alow.

Spectrum · September 1, 2005

Originally posted by br1an@Sep 1 2005, 07:33 PM
wat calvin said is true, if u ride scramber u know tat its better to go fast in that situation , but the problem is when there is stripe tat mean the road are mean to so go slow, e.g blind corner or something like tat. as for when the road is wet. try to set ur bike up wit the line that enable ur to go as stright as possible and hold ur speed constance as much as u can, tat is situation alow.

U are Correct Br1an...

Scramblers are Happiest with uneven roads.

Had a XT125 for 2 yrs. (younger days lah)

Enjoyed the fast rides thru bumpy dirt tracks.

Not for Street bikes though...

Vibrations are just too uncomfortable.

As u rightly said...

they are meant to slow motorist

For a safe ride...

One thing to watch out for...

The Off Road Tires of the Scramblers makes them

Vulnerable to Skids when the Roads are Wet...

Be aware of spilled diesel on concrete surfaces

(eg around bus stops)

NOTE: Those involve Moto-X has plenty of practice in

Skidding & Riding over Humps on Dirt Track...

This skill had been proved to be a plus in handling

emergencies(especially skid) on the Street.

But Moto-X does come with it's injuries...

Spectrum · September 2, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart63.jpg

STREET SMART TIP OF THE DAY #63

Engine Seizure

This means the engine locks or jams up.

Main cause is the lack of Lubrication.

Without Oil, the engin's moving parts will no longer

move smoothly against one another

and the engine will over heat!

Symptoms:

- Red Warning Light on your Speedometer. Eg Low Pressure cos' not enough oil

- Overheat indicator is in RED ZONE!

- Loss of engine power

- Change in Engine Sound

(those that ride with ear plugs or mp3 may not notice this)

IF your Engine start to Seize...

Squeeze the clutch lever,

Disengaging the engine pwr for the Rear Wheel.

Pull off the road to the breakdown lane.

Let the engine cool.

While U may be able to add oil & restart Engine,

It should be thoroughly checked for damage.

Good chance of cracked engine block

(leaking the oil leak out.)

Don't forget a Good Pre-Ride check.

A puddle of Oil below your bike

means it is unsafe to ride & needs repair.

honda475 · September 2, 2005

hi spectrum .

nice of u for all the above postings on safety.

my personal belief. :

i RIDE LIKE EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO KILL ME..

I m wondering if any members here adopt the same attitude as me.

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