STREET SMART

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart102copy_resize.jpg

[Spectrum]

Originally posted by tingchiyen@Jan 25 2006, 11:44 AM

haha alan you stalked that poor rider all the way from ECP to katong??

Smile... You're on...

 

C-A-N-D-I-D C-A-M-E-R-A

[endlessloop]

I would like to share my view point from my 9 years of good record of bike riding and 12+++ yrs of car driving.

 

Box-Riding

 

I agree on the style of riding in the middle of the lane. And not straddling between 2 lanes or riding with an obvious offset to one side of the lane.

 

That is, ride like a car. Send obvious signal to cars that this box of space is mine. It is not meant to be share with another car. I have been riding box all my years of riding and I had no problems with it.

 

You will be surprised that as a car driver, they actually prefer this sort of riding style because it is clearer and more obvious to them to decide how to overtake (ie, overtake the bike like overtaking a car).

 

As a car driver, I much prefer bikes not to ride with significant offset to one side of the lane. Even though the rider may even be doing so in order to be polite to avoid taking up so much space. If the rider is doing this to be safer, it is actually more dangerous to the rider. Why?

 

Because as a car driver, if the bike in front is greatly offset, I am tempted to overtake without filtering into another lane. This brings my car very close to the bike which as a car driver, we don't like because we are unable estimate the width of the car as well as a rider can for bikes. No car driver wants to knock down a bike. Next, even if as car driver, I don't intend to overtake, there will be pressure on me to inch very close physically to this offset bike. Why? Because there is an obvious big empty space between my car to the next car in front (the offset bike is in between).

 

If you are offset a little left or right by 1-2 feet from the middle of the lane, I think it is ok to car drivers. The key is the main message is that the box of space is yours.

 

So if you take up a box and with the flow, it is ok to the rest of car drivers.

When you do this, you got to be mindful yourself that you do not hog traffic behind. Also give way to those car drivers in the rush and those manic tail-gaters.

 

When traffic slows down to a crawl, I think it is up to the individual if the person wants to switch from box to squeeze in between the cars.

[ValenYono]

Originally posted by endlessloop@Jan 27 2006, 08:54 AM

I would like to share my view point from my 9 years of good record of bike riding and 12+++ yrs of car driving.

 

Box-Riding

 

I agree on the style of riding in the middle of the lane. And not straddling between 2 lanes or riding with an obvious offset to one side of the lane.

 

That is, ride like a car. Send obvious signal to cars that this box of space is mine. It is not meant to be share with another car. I have been riding box all my years of riding and I had no problems with it.

 

You will be surprised that as a car driver, they actually prefer this sort of riding style because it is clearer and more obvious to them to decide how to overtake (ie, overtake the bike like overtaking a car).

 

As a car driver, I much prefer bikes that take significant offset to one side of the lane. Even though the rider may even be doing so in order to be polite to avoid taking up so much space. If the rider is doing this to be safer, it is actually more dangerous to the rider. Why?

 

Because as a car driver, if the bike in front is greatly offset, I am tempted to overtake without filtering into another lane. This brings my car very close to the bike which as a car driver, we don't like because we are unable estimate the width of the car as well as a rider can for bikes. No car driver wants to knock down a bike. Next, even if as car driver, I don't intend to overtake, there will be pressure on me to inch very close physically to this offset bike. Why? Because there is an obvious big empty space between my car to the next car in front (the offset bike is in between).

 

If you are offset a little left or right by 1-2 feet from the middle of the lane, I think it is ok to car drivers. The key is the main message is that the box of space is yours.

 

So if you take up a box and with the flow, it is ok to the rest of car drivers.

When you do this, you got to be mindful yourself that you do not hog traffic behind. Also give way to those car drivers in the rush and those manic tail-gaters.

 

When traffic slows down to a crawl, I think it is up to the individual if the person wants to switch from box to squeeze in between the cars.

Great explanation there. I myself do this. Cheers.. Wishing all our Chinese frenz A Happy and Prosperous New Year. May this year bring health and good luck to you.

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmartCNY01resize.jpg

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart103_resize.jpg

 

As brought up by one of our readers...

Chinese New Year is a time when there will be much visiting.

 

There will be much distraction in looking for addresses...

of friends & relatives...

 

With drivers losing their concentration on the road...

 

So do be careful if u see a car moving kind of slow...

Cos he my just turn into your path...

 

Happy New Year..

[skybono]

Yup...I saw a few of them just now...

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Hornet/H3M_resize.jpg

 

Dealing With Emergencies

 

If u have a rapid puncture whilst riding,

U need to react quickly to keep your balance!

 

Front Tyre BlowOut Is dangerous since it will affect your steering.

You need to be able to steer well to keep your balance.

 

You cannot always hear a tyre blow.

But u can detect a flat by the way the motorcycle reacts.

 

If the Front goes flat, the steering will feel very heavy.

If the Rear goes Flat, the Back of the bike will weave from

Side to Side.

 

Points To Remember

During a Blowout or Puncture

 

1. Hold Hand grip firmly and concentrate on steering.

Try to Keep a Straight Course

 

2. Stay off the brakes.

Gradually close the throttle & let the motorcycle slow down.

Keep looking where u are going.

 

3. If it is the Front Tyre that has gone flat,

Shift your weight as far back as u can.

If it is a rear puncture, sit normally

 

4. Wait till the motorcycle is going very slowly.

Then edge toward the side of the road and stop.

 

Remember! All the above info is for use at low speeds.

The higher the speed, the more likely it is that a flat tyre

will result in a fall!

 

Above is a text book answer...

Perhaps some of u may had experience a blow out

and like to share with us your moment of anxiety...

Please do.

 

Tubeless tyres will be less dramatic if tyre goes flat.

It will lose air gradually.

Normally won't just blowout in the middle of a ride.

So perhaps safer.

 

I was told that spoke wheels cannot go tubeless.

If that's so... Do consider a Cast Wheel Bike that

Provides tubeless tires when u are buying a bike.

 

Maintenance is also a preventive measure.

So check your tyres constantly & change it when the

Tyres are worn.

[endlessloop]

I always feel the most important parts to a bike is its tyres, whether for performance or for safety.

 

I have experienced 3-4 times when I found nails poking into my tyre my last 2 years. Strangely, all are on rear tyres only.

 

My tyre is tubeless type--the very common Bridgestone BT014.

 

Twice the nails did not result in any puncture. Just pull out the nail and the tyre is ok. The nails are not that tiny, average 3-4 cm long.

 

The other 2 times, the nails result in puncture. But there was no blowout. If I had not inspect my tire, I would not have realise there was a puncture. Then I just go to mechanic shop and just plug in rubber to mend the puncture.

 

Based on my experience, it appears that Sg actually has got quite a lot of loose nails lying around. All my nails are from within Sg.

 

The stickier the tyre, the more likely it will attract nails. One of my nails were stucked to my tyre pointing sideways (that is, at right angles to the direction of the bike).

 

Good thing is modern tubeless tyres are actually very strong, provided you regularly change your tires every 1-2 years. I also saw how much the mechanic need to exert in order to push in the needle when plugging my punctures. If you go read, the common major brands of tubeless tyres all use multiple layers of different material (including steel belt) to strengthen their tyres.

[Spectrum]

Some Tips on where not to get all these nails...

 

Mostly on ramps going up/down multi storey carparks.

All those gaps for tyre grip will hold nails, even keys...

at an angle

that will penetrate your tyres...

 

Try... not to ride over cracks in rd.. especially

back lanes where bikes usually have to park.

 

So avoid or look carefully over these areas.

[burningacid]

just curious, will a tyre punture by itself even when no contacts with nails or sharp object? if will, how?

[yohji]

Hi guys,

 

After patching a puncture on a tubeless tyre, how long more can the tyre last? Do I need to change the tyre ASAP or just continue riding like normal until the tyre wears out?

[Wayang]

Originally posted by burningacid@Feb 1 2006, 05:43 PM

just curious, will a tyre punture by itself even when no contacts with nails or sharp object? if will, how?

did it happened to u ?

[endlessloop]

Originally posted by yohji@Feb 1 2006, 07:41 PM

After patching a puncture on a tubeless tyre, how long more can the tyre last? Do I need to change the tyre ASAP or just continue riding like normal until the tyre wears out?

 

I was quite suay in that when I just changed to a new set of BT014, I kena big nail and have to mend. Because my tyre was new, I continue to ride it until it wears out some 6 months later.

 

And during that period, I hit above 200kmh and rode the plugged-up tire in Pasir Gudang track at high lean angles.

 

So I would say that yes, I was a little worried throughout the period when my tyre was plugged up. Especially given that the plugged-up hole actually looked quite ugly with a swell-up rubber bump. But the tyre actually went through it all. If you have the money and want to save yourself the anxiety, by all means change it.

[Spectrum]

Yes... It will have to be case to case basis...

If the hole is small eg.. nail

And pressure is holding well...

 

But do consult the mechanic for a second opinion.

[burningacid]

Originally posted by Wayang@Feb 1 2006, 09:56 PM

did it happened to u ?

nope, im just curious..

[yohji]

Originally posted by endlessloop@Feb 1 2006, 11:04 PM

I was quite suay in that when I just changed to a new set of BT014, I kena big nail and have to mend. Because my tyre was new, I continue to ride it until it wears out some 6 months later.

 

And during that period, I hit above 200kmh and rode the plugged-up tire in Pasir Gudang track at high lean angles.

 

So I would say that yes, I was a little worried throughout the period when my tyre was plugged up. Especially given that the plugged-up hole actually looked quite ugly with a swell-up rubber bump. But the tyre actually went through it all. If you have the money and want to save yourself the anxiety, by all means change it.

Thanks for the reply. Think I will ride my bike till the tyre wears out because I am not rich hehe : )

 

I would have changed it without asking if I have the money haha.

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart105M_resize.jpg

[gohjohan]

Originally posted by Spectrum@Feb 7 2006, 08:38 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart105M_resize.jpg

That's a good one. Also if your bike is heavy (above 160 kg dry) and carrying pillion or/and extra load, need more time.

[KuKuBird]

Originally posted by Spectrum@Jan 24 2006, 10:39 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart101M_resize.jpg

 

 

this is just somewhere near my house -_-

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart105M.jpg

 

Animals

 

Best to Slow down & Pass them slowly...

Giving clear signal to the Traffic behind

That u are slowing down.

 

Hitting Animals is sure way of losing control!

[Alvin.Y]

I nearly hit a Dog during last year cruiser fest. The whole convoy was travelling around pendas and i suppose this dog was too impatient.

I only saw it waiting by the roadside when I was only bout a few metres away. There was a slight gap btw the bike in front and me and it just dashed across.

Luckily wasn't travelling too fast, managed to brake and slow down my speed, missing the dog by inches

 

To me personally, its again one of those 'murphy' stuff that is very hard to prevent. And worse if its those tall grasses, camouflage them very nicely . You won't see those buggers till they are already out

[Spectrum]

Different Animals behave differently...

 

Cows won't even move... or very slowly.

And usually in a herd...

 

Monkeys usually jumps away...

 

Idea is to slow down so as to give yourself

Space to Manoeuver around these animals

And time to react.

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart106_resize.jpg

 

North-South Highway In The Night...

 

"Hantu Lorries" are lorries with very dim tail lights.

Or bearly visible...

And they are dead slow.

 

So whenever u see a tour bus on the right lane...

Do be very careful when over taking on the Left.

There may just be a "Hantu Lorry" right in front of U!

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart107M_resize.jpg

 

Enjoy your ride down the Mountain

And The Scenery...

But don't forget to pay attention to the roads.

 

Keep in low gear & spd around bends

To prevent Over runs.

And to keep control.

 

Remember!

A pile of sand beside the road....

Will mean sand on the road.

 

Avoid!

Or ride straight over it!

The tyres will lose traction as the lean angle increases...