STREET SMART

[endlessloop]

Wah, what beautiful curves.

Is this place in Malaysia?

[VistaII]

Originally posted by Spectrum@Feb 10 2006, 09:45 PM

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...

where is this place

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Rides/MountainRoad01M_resize.jpg

 

It Has To Be North Of KL..

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Rides/MountainRoad02M_resize.jpg

[gohjohan]

Where did you get that aerial pic? Strangely every time I go to Genting Highlands, it rains.

[Spectrum]

Originally posted by gohjohan@Feb 13 2006, 05:29 PM

Where did you get that aerial pic? Strangely every time I go to Genting Highlands, it rains.

This is the Back of Genting Resort... The pic is taken from one of the Hotel.

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/StreetSmart108MM_resize.jpg

[klaywoman]

Hello all! I so happened to browse through the forum and stumble across Street Smart. I finished reading from the first post to the recent one, all in 3+ hours! There are just so much information and things to learn, especially for a newbie like me. I just got my 2B licence last Thursday and I realised that there are so many things that the driving centres could not teach/pass on to new riders.

 

Spectrum, thumbs up for your good work! I am sure many people who have read this forum have benefitted greatly from the information here. For the other experienced riders who have also contributed their invaluable advice, please keep up the good work too!

 

I have already marked this forum as a must-read as part of my daily activities. Thanks again to one & all who have contributed to this forum! Maybe some day can join you guys for an outing or meet up. Cheers!

 

[gohjohan]

Originally posted by klaywoman@Feb 15 2006, 11:52 PM

Hello all! I so happened to browse through the forum and stumble across Street Smart. I finished reading from the first post to the recent one, all in 3+ hours! There are just so much information and things to learn, especially for a newbie like me. I just got my 2B licence last Thursday and I realised that there are so many things that the driving centres could not teach/pass on to new riders.

 

Spectrum, thumbs up for your good work! I am sure many people who have read this forum have benefitted greatly from the information here. For the other experienced riders who have also contributed their invaluable advice, please keep up the good work too!

 

I have already marked this forum as a must-read as part of my daily activities. Thanks again to one & all who have contributed to this forum! Maybe some day can join you guys for an outing or meet up. Cheers!

 

Glad to have you join us, klaywoman. When I 1st joined SBF last year, I read this Street Smart thread and it took me over 2 hours to finish reading. It was 22 pages at that time. A lot of good information.

 

If you've got your bike now, don't worry, it's not too late. You can practice what you've learnt. If you haven't got your bike yet, now you know what to expect when you are on the roads. When you get more advanced and head to Malaysia for riding, it will get more challenging.

 

Also congratulations on passing your 2B.

 

This is the Back of Genting Resort... The pic is taken from one of the Hotel. icon-smile.gif

- Spectrum

 

So that's how it's done.

[Spectrum]

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

Did U give yourself Time to React?

[anodise57]

Was seh.. Alan.. U really a volunteer Trainer in SBF .... hahahahah must be "zhi Ye Bing" job sickness.... hahhahah

[endlessloop]

Originally posted by Spectrum@Feb 21 2006, 12:30 AM

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

Did U give yourself Time to React?

 

What a coincidence!

During my last saturday safety discussion, I brought out that in my opinion, the most important aspect towards motorcycle safety, is Reaction Time.

Or your ability to react in time.

 

 

There is this common saying "Car is metal wrap around man. Motorbike is man wrap around metal."

 

This sleek saying appears irrefutable and seems to destine motorcycle riding into a hopelessly dangerous act.

 

My antidote to is saying is "Yes, that is true, physics wise.

But just as one does use the road as a pedestrian like one drives a car.

One does not ride a motorcylce like one drives a car."

 

So the saying is comparing apples to oranges. And it is illogical and hence untrue.

 

Ok, so if one should not ride a motorcycle like one drives a car, then what is the key difference between the how one should ride versus how one drive?

 

To me, the answer is Reaction Time or Your ability to react.

 

 

When one (or other people) drives a car, one can get away with insufficient reaction time.

 

But for a motorcyclist, you need to ensure to yourself that you ALWAYS have the ability to react in time.

 

This emphasis on ability to react in time, leads to the 2-second rule, Hazard Oriented Vision (HOV), watching out for potential hazards, riding in-between empty pockets of cars, effective e-brake skill, etc and much of the skills discussed so far in Street Smart.

 

 

So remember, your ability to react in time is your best protection.

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/Street%20Smart/Aye01M_resize.jpg

 

7.10am...

Tue Morning...

Aye...

 

Usual heavy traffic but moving @ about 70kmh

Me driving on lane #2 (middle) towards Jurong...

Lane #1 starts slowing down fast..

Could see the brake lite coming on as the rest of the cars slow down.

 

The car just right of my car "Crash" into the vehicle infront.

Bad! His bonnet beng-kok! Fold into 2...

 

No one was injured.

Interestingly there was a police vehicle a few cars infront of the

accident.

 

No one emer brake from the front.

 

So... What caused the accident?

[gohjohan]

7.10am...

Tue Morning...

Aye...

 

Usual heavy traffic but moving @ about 70kmh

Me driving on lane #2 (middle) towards Jurong...

Lane #1 starts slowing down fast..

Could see the brake lite coming on as the rest of the cars slow down.

 

The car just right of my car "Crash" into the vehicle infront.

Bad! His bonnet beng-kok! Fold into 2...

 

No one was injured.

Interestingly there was a police vehicle a few cars infront of the

accident.

 

No one emer brake from the front.

 

So... What caused the accident? icon-touguecheeky.gif

- Spectrum

 

I think it's someone cutting into the lane. Somebody had to slam on the brakes. Happened to me a few times now this week. Good thing I can see ahead, if not, I'll be a lot worse off.

[endlessloop]

"The car just right of my car "Crash" into the vehicle infront.

Bad! His bonnet beng-kok! Fold into 2...

...

So... What caused the accident? :cheeky:"

 

My answer is the Driving School Instructor.

 

I think the driver that crashed the car learnt from the same driving instructor as my wife.

 

My wife once used a Mitsubishi Evolution as a brake pad. Same thing. Traffic jam. Car in front suddenly stopped. But my wife never even stepped brake. Used the Evo backside in front to cushion her CRV to come to a halt.

 

If not this reason, then I can't think of the answer leh.

 

 

I must compliment on Spectrum's hightened Road Situation Awareness.

He can be alert enough to spot the brake lights of the cars well in front firing up. Compared to the driver who got into accident who did not spot this important clue.

 

Very often, there are lots of tell-tail signs that warn us of impending danger or hazards. If we were able to spot them, they would give us more more time to react on top of our 2-second rule, and we could have well avoided many accidents.

That is the basis of Hazard Oriented Vision (HOV).

 

PS: Please don't ask me why my wife don't bother to learn about all these safe riding/driving techniques from me

[Mr.X1]

good post and advice from everyone.

 

dont go too fast near shopping centers

 

intersections are deadly, best to follow a car through one

 

dont lead through an intersection, unless you are absolutely sure.

 

watch out for thai people on mobile phones with a pillion passenger and groceries between their legs, on the side of you're bike (in thailand)

 

I try to avoid people on my side's of my bike, they are unpredictable, I will either slow down, or speed up. The last one I let past me almost hit the side of a car, that pulled out in front of her, she did a stupid thing, braking and turning at the same time. She hit the ground immediately, as the Thai people rode by and stared, I helped her get back on her bike.

[Spectrum]

As with the Situation along AYE:

 

Think it just a lapse of concentration...

Cos all manage to slow down except the car that crash hard.

 

Could be a distraction.. hp rang... or chatting on hp...

Planning the days program... Mind away from the road.

So... 100% On the road. That's important.

 

Thailand...

 

Had this interesting 25min ride on a taxi.

Young driver was holding and talking on his hp thru out the journey.

 

Manual gear. So at time NO HANDS on the steering.

Weaving thru gaps in the the usual jam in Bangkok.

And Fast!

 

Wow! What Skill! Ha ha..

 

Mr X1: Gd Suggestion... Another way is to Shadow a Vehicle...

Eg. by it's side away from on coming traffic.

Will post a pic at a latter stage.

[Spectrum]

Originally posted by anodise57@Feb 21 2006, 04:45 PM

Was seh....     U really a volunteer Trainer in SBF ....

Aiya... Not Trainer Lah..

 

An Interest.

 

The Statistics for bikers getting injured had been high

and will remain high.

Especially younger riders with little experience.

 

It's just that bikers are on two wheels

and as Endless says it...

"Car is metal wrap around man.

Motorbike is man wrap around metal."

Riders are vulnerable.

 

We all have a responsibility... to our family & love ones.

"Enjoy our rides but come home safe"

 

My hope is that we may reduce the amount of injury

amoung our fellow riders.

And I believe that is achievable.

Perhaps towards zero sum... possible.

 

Just have to cultivate an attitude within ourself.

And that's half the battle won.

 

We had also learned much from

readers that had shared their experiences

& comments.

Invaluable contribuitions. Thk U.

 

Let's ride!

[endlessloop]

Last Sunday, 26th Feb, there is an article about motorcycling safety tips by an expert in Sunday Life.

 

In this article, some tips were written and shared.

 

For discussion sake only, what do you guys think about those tips?

[gohjohan]

Originally posted by endlessloop@Feb 27 2006, 10:39 AM

Last Sunday, 26th Feb, there is an article about motorcycling safety tips by an expert in Sunday Life.

 

In this article, some tips were written and shared.

 

For discussion sake only, what do you guys think about those tips?

The one about counter-steering, what do you think? I still remember you told me to brake instead of counter-steering and squeeze in between cars.

 

Actually, all this while, I've been doing a lot of braking and countersteering at the same time. I have to focus on braking especially when my bike is heavy and wide.

 

I guess that bit of squeezing to avoid the car in front may not apply to me but to others.

 

His comment about the skill of the rider matter more than the size of the bike, I think I disagree because handling a class 2 bike and a class 2B bike is different. The lean when turning is different, the controlling of the clutch and throttle is a lot more sensitive on a class 2 bike. The size of a class 2 bike is a lot heavier too.

 

His techniques on cornering, yes, I fully agree with them.

 

I like to say more, but I need to look at the article again

[Spectrum]

Have to be very sure there' s no traffic behind before serving left or right

to avoid crashing into front vehicle.

 

It will be worst to be hit by a fast car from behind.

Pic shows serving within the same lane...

That would be ideal if can be done...

but in an emer braking cond...

Have my doubts... time is critical.

 

Best not to get into situation with plenty of space...

 

[Spectrum]

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

 

Overtaking in a Dark Night

Malaysian Trunk Roads

 

Can we overtake?

Easy right...

Just one bike keeping to the side of the opp lane...

 

Wrong!

 

Car with it's right head light not working!

 

Think about that...

 

 

 

 

#Street Smart 110

[Alvin.Y]

I also do not have the exact article with me but I remember him saying something along this line -- that skillful riding can save the day.

 

I think the idea is this, its probably very hard to 'ride safe'. Hard not as in skill wise but attitude wise . e.g. weaving in and out of traffic. Its very hard not to be tempted to do that when u know u can squeeze in btw the lanes and traffic.

And since u are it -- 'unsafe riding', you might as well do it carefully/skillfully so u can lessen the chances of accidents.

 

His method will work best for people who are probably not as patient and cautious like endlessloop

 

I personally practise having 2 fingers standby on the front brake lever when I do weave in and out of traffic -- my bad But its good for quick reaction and 2 fingers is enough to stop the bike as we are usually at slower speed.

In fact, i rem reading bout this 2 finger braking technqiues from one of the riding books, i think its twist of the wrist ?

[Spectrum]

Think u probably talking about filtering...

eg between lanes during heavy slow traffic.

 

Finger & foot all ready to hit the brakes...

We enter the "Filtering Mode" eg. State of High Alert.

Being quick to react is important.

But Do look way ahead...

for impending danger.

[Spectrum]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart111M_resize.jpg

 

It's simply too great a mental task to go from

one mode of thinking to another.

Riding back after work, people think about the days events.

Decision made. Decisions to be make...

What time ah boy close...

maybe can pick up the spares u need for your bike.

 

And as it creeps in, your concentration on the road goes to the side...

down the drain.

 

Plenty of indication that vehicles are stopping in front...

But u just too deep in your thoughts to notice it...

Till it suddenly occurs to you that..

"*$#!" the car infront just got very close!

 

Remember! When you just got on the road.

And too many things are clogging your head...

 

SNAP OUT OF IT!

 

Return back to riding! Full concentration on the road!

Leave your thoughts till u are off the bike.

 

Point to note... They are all returning from work.