STREET SMART

Spectrum · May 10, 2005

Originally posted by endlessloop@May 10 2005, 09:42 AM
And the interesting thing was that the sg govnmt banned full-face for a long time until the rule was lifted in the 90s.

I wonder how many teeth was lost collectively during the period of ban...

Ya Loh! Notice a Lot of Despatch Riders... with some missing Teeth!

Spectrum · May 10, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart27.jpg

"This photo is indeed very telling. Sadly, it is representative of easily half or more of riders I see in Singapore. Even riders of nice big sportsbikes I've seen wearing slippers shorts and singlets, and an open face helmet. Just don't understand why protecting oneself means so little to so many people. "

http://www.harley-heaven.com/bikerb8.jpg

Interesting Statistic From one of the American Road Safety Report.

In Europe...

Accident Rate... 6.1 per 10000 Riders

In United States...

Accident Rate... 8.1 per 10000 Riders

The Author made an Observation...

That in comparing the way they dress for riding...

The Americans are often seen dress casually

As for the Europeans. they are always in their Riding Jackets.

Concludes that it comes down to the Attitude of the Rider!

When something happens...

Would one say:

It's Not My Fault!

or

If U do something dumb & crash.

It's my own fault.

How Do we Dress?

http://www.motorrad-touristik.de/bilder/biker.jpg

Spectrum · May 11, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart28.jpg

Spectrum · May 11, 2005

STREET SMART #28 TIP OF THE DAY

Distance Between Yourself & Others.

IF someone makes a Mistake...

...Distance gives Your time to React

& go Somewhere.

Some call it "CUSHION RIDING"

Distance In Front

Distance Behind

Distance to the Side

DISTANCE IN FRONT

Ordinary Condition... keep a 2 sec gap

(eg. time the car infront passes an fix obj to the time u take to reach it)

Gives u Better View of things on the road

& distance to slow down or even stop if the

Vehicle in front stops suddenly.

Wet days... 4 sec gap...

DISTANCE BEHIND

Tailgaters... those that follows very close behind

Change Lanes, or just let vehicle pass

DISTANCE TO THE SIDE

One thing the Rider can do & cars can't

That is we can move to one side of the lane.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart28.jpg

endlessloop · May 11, 2005

On tuesday 10 May, somewhere along PIE towards city around Kallang area, I saw the aftermath of a non-fatal accident that illustrates the importance of keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Traffic was very very slow around that area (MRT construction) and it was peak hour time. As the traffic was very slow, the tendency is that we start to bunch up.

And when everybody bunch up and you have been stuck in it crawling for 5 min, it is too easy for us to forget to keep a 2 second distance from the vehicle in front.

Then what happens? The vehicle in front, suddenly, brakes out of the blue and bang!

I saw a motorcycle lying sidways just directly below the tailboard of a small lorry.

The motorcylist was siting on the floor beside his bike. He looked quite alright except that he was cupping his mouth with his hand (maybe his chin hit the tailboard). The lorry driver was standing beside him trying to sooth the motorcyclist. In such a case, it is going to be difficult to argue to the law that the lorry was at fault.

Fortunately, I don't think the collision was severe. No debris. No blood. Motorcylist conscious. Only learnt a hard lesson.

My general thumb is always to see as far possible in front and to pick up and use as much cues or telltale signs of traffic.

I would like to point out another subtle safety tip.

If following a normal sedan car, see through the car's rear and front windscreens to look for the brake light of the car in front. This way, you get earlier warning.

However, if you were following a "opaque" vehicle that you can't see through like this, then you may have to keep an even bigger safety distance away. "Opaque" vehicles include lorries (example of accident above illustrates), buses and high SUVs.

If you follow these vehicles, it is like watching the backside of an elephant. You can't see the view in front and by the time the vehicle brake light lights up, oops, things are going to get a bit tight...

Sharktooth · May 11, 2005

This is a good thread and sounds like safe riders to ride with. Please PM me on the trip to Mersing. Will be interested.

9up · May 11, 2005

Originally posted by Spectrum@May 10 2005, 12:21 AM

Me... Full Face Helmet All the Time...

same here.

live by it. saved by it.

thank god... :thumb:

jamez · May 11, 2005

Hi guyz…something on countersteering I leeched of the magazine as promised.

Pls remember this is not an article by me…it is from a magazine so pls give credit to Bike Magazine. And remember this is not the full article…juz some important points I picked out. And also remember I am not responsible for any accident (unlikely) that may arise from this piece of information. Ride safe.

Countersteering

Main Jeez: To turn motorcycle to left, you move bars to the right. Enables rider to swerve fast.

Upper Body

Monitor yourself for tension.If you are tense, slow down abit until you are not.Shoulders should be mobile, relaxed and free to swivel. Dropping the inside shoulder will automatically help you put pressure on the bar and start the turn.

Lower Body

Save your concentration for the upper half of your body. Concentrate on synchronising your shoulder drop, head turn and amount of pressure you are applying to the bars.

Head

Nose pointing where you want to go, eyes scanning and skull contents serenely monitoring input. Think “push the bar push the bar”—especially if panic threatens.

Elbows

Keep elbows bent. The elbow is the point at which shoulder push is fine tuned. If you tense up and stiffen at the elbows, you will lose fine control.

Hands

These should be relaxed, resting on the bars, not gripping them. Push with your palms, rather then pulling the bars towards you. This leaves your fingers free to operate levers and throttle. To separate throttle and steering, push through the shoulder and elbow to the outside of the palm.

Testing on yourself:

Are you able to use the countersteering technique if you need to? Do you believe turning the steering to the right turns the bike left?

Select a flexible gear and ride with only your right hand on the bar(if you are not confident with this then cover the left very loosely, applying no pressure.) as you ride, you will find that pushing forwards with your right hand will turn the bike right and pulling will take you left. Now ride without your fingers over the front of the bars and steer by just pushing with palms on the insde of bars.

ok datz it.more coming up if i dun face any legal action from anyone.....

Spectrum · May 11, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart28.jpg

Try Not to Follow Behind A Large Vehicle that Obstruct your View.

Being Able to Look way ahead will Give that little more Time to react.

And that may make the difference between staying on or off your Bike!

Behind Cars are Fine... we can look far ahead.

So if vehicles are slowing down in front... we are READY!

YESTERDAY... Raining Day...

Say One Bike Trailing very close behing a Big Bus just to get

some Shelter from the Heavy Rain...

If the Bus just hit his brakes.. the bike is history...

Thks FOR your Post Gentlemen... :thumb:

Learning & Applying Your Postings...

chris 525 · May 11, 2005

Counter steering also works on the humble bicycle too. If you don't believe, then try it.

On your bicycle, choose a long straight stretch and get the bike moving at 10-20 kph with e wind behind you.

Put slight pressure on the left bar and the bike goes gently to the left, put slight pressure on the right bar the bike goes gently to the right. No need to steer.

Spectrum · May 12, 2005

COUNTER STEER...

Have read a few methods...

Thought just "Kick Fuel Tank with Knee" is quite nice to use.

Eg. Right knee for Left Steer...

Try it...

endlessloop · May 13, 2005

Lesson on Singapore Road Craft

Date: 28th May Sat

Time: 2 - 6 pm.

Venue: Kallang KFC

Purpose:

To share my safety riding techniques called Singapor Road Craft, based on:

1. Method also used by UK TP

2. Proficient Motorcycling, the popular book

3. My personal singapore riding and driving experience

Style:

Small gathering. Interactive discussion.

Read up my post post in this thread to know the history of my method.

Those interested to attend, please pm me your hp.

Spectrum · May 14, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart29.jpg

Spectrum · May 14, 2005

Street Smart Tip of the Day #29

FILTERING

(Riding between Lanes)

When U Filter Between Lanes...

Your Safety Distances Just Drop to Very NEAR!

The Distance infront will depend on whether the Vehicles Closes up the Gap.

Your Side Distances is now very near...

LEGALLY... have not known anyone being booked for filtering...

Dangerous riding... (eg over taking in a hazardous way)... Yes!

IN UK it is Legal.

SAFETY... How safe will depends on the Gap.

And How alert & fast u react to the Different changing Conditions.

Eg. Hand And Foot all ready to use the Brakes.

Looking far & wide.

Do You DO it... Guess it all depends on how comfortable u are

with such close distance from other vehicles.

We normally do it when traffic is slow moving or there is Jam

The safe way recommended is to be just ride

a little faster than the traffic when filtering thru.

That gives u the upper hand.

And to give way to more experience Riders u may be holding up behind.

Note

Try Not To Filter Thru Moving Traffic when The Road Is Wet (Drizzle or Rain)...

Any sharp usage of Brakes has a High Chance of Skidding...

This would put us on the road surface...

& We hope the vehicle behind is able to avoid us...

(remember... he is also having poor visiblity & less braking... )

Give Yourself Plenty of Space to Slow Down...

And if u can.... plenty of space behind...

Try using Engine Braking

(eg. Drop Your Gear... 5th to 4th to 3rd.... Less chance of skidding)

Use both brakes... more of the rear brake...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart29.jpg

endlessloop · May 15, 2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/JurongWest.jpg
3 DEADLY JUNCTION!
~JURONG WEST~

Like to thank "Endlesslop" for this Contribution
Living @ Jurong West... He notice frequent accidents at these junctions...

Please Take Note! if u use these Junctions...
If u use these junction & in the High Risk Group(ntu/scdf)
Don't Add to the Statistic...

And Please Pass this informationt to your Fellow Bikers..

The most dangerous junction and with the most frequent accident of the 3 are:

1. The cross junction between Jalan Bahar and Jurong West Ave 2/4.Either 90 degree approach can be hazardous.

2. The next one is cross junction between Jurong West Ave 4 and Jurong West St 75/St 64.

3. The third one is cross junction between Jurong West Ave 4 and Jurong West St 71/61. An undisciplined bike can approach this junction at 90-100 kmh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart26-02.jpg

Street Smart Tip of the Day #26

Don't Just Focus your Vision on the Lane in front of U...
Put On All the Flood Lights
And Have your Vision Cover Traffic on both sides
that may Cut Into Your Path!
Blue Lorry on the Left or Bunch of Vehicles on the Right.

For some strange reason... they may just don't see You.

Remember these posts?

endlessloop · May 15, 2005

Aftermath of accident between a ST1100 and a Taxi

At cross junction between Jurong West Ave 4 and Jurong West St 71/61, next to Pioneer Mall

http://www.picturesky.com/albums/userpics/11669/normal_ST1.jpg

http://www.picturesky.com/albums/userpics/11669/normal_ST3.jpg

http://www.picturesky.com/albums/userpics/11669/normal_ST5.jpg

I hope the ST rider will recover soon.

The image of ST riders is normally associated with that of mature, steady and experienced riders who are not into risky riding.

This is a reminder that no matter how experienced we are, what kind of bike we ride, we have to be vigilant at all times, once we mount our bikes.

fleaz · May 16, 2005

this is a wonderful thread. keep up the good work.

Keynes · May 17, 2005

Originally posted by fleaz@May 16 2005, 07:32 PM
this is a wonderful thread. keep up the good work.

U have a wonderful signature, keep up the good picture!

Ravon11 · May 17, 2005

Originally posted by endlessloop@May 15 2005, 10:03 PM

This is a reminder that no matter how experienced we are, what kind of bike we ride, we have to be vigilant at all times, once we mount our bikes.

i totally agree.. everyday when we get on our bikes.. we r takin risk!!

so we bikers hav to be vigilant at all times.. take every vehicles on the road as threat to you..

chris 525 · May 18, 2005

It is important and easy to keep the distance between you and the vehicle in front. But you also need to be aware of the distance between you and the vehicle behind.

If that vehicle behind is too close to you, then you are in danger because if anything happens, that vehicle will knock you.

Usually these type of drivers are aggressive and do not have any regard for others.

If you find your self in this situation, either accelerate away if you got a powerful bike and put a very big distance. Or as safely as you can move into another lane.

One time (back in 2000) I was in the central lane in the CTE Tunnel on a Sunday afternoon. The road was empty. I was doing maybe 90. I became aware of a van tailgating me. The van was so close to me that even when I look in the mirror, all I can see is the van. And when I mean close it was like 1 metre behind me. In the end the hill at Chin Swee Road came, so I was able to create a bigger distance, and saw that the van was an ambulance. I was already doing 110 by this time. And only 10kph away from the top speed of the bike. Maybe my fault for been in that lane, but the van had no rights to tailgate me like this, he not even toot his horn to give me a warning.

chris 525 · May 18, 2005

When riding in the evening rush hour, it is best to avoid the congested highway.

Drivers are tired and stressed after a day at the office. They are thinking about home and other things. And because a highway, the assumption that "I do not need to stop" is there. So my guess is that reactions times and alertness are decreased.

By driving along trunk roads with traffic lights, busses stopping, pedesterians crossing the road, taxi's etc. The traffic on the trunk road is going to be more alert. There are also traffic lights to regulate the flow, so drivers know that have to stop. You can also use traffic lights to create gaps to ride on your own and not in the taffic.

Spectrum · May 18, 2005

Originally posted by endlessloop@May 15 2005, 10:03 PM
Aftermath of accident between a ST1100 and a Taxi

At cross junction between Jurong West Ave 4 and Jurong West St 71/61, next to Pioneer Mall

http://www.picturesky.com/albums/userpics/11669/normal_ST1.jpg

I hope the ST rider will recover soon.

The image of ST riders is normally associated with that of mature, steady and experienced riders who are not into risky riding.

This is a reminder that no matter how experienced we are, what kind of bike we ride, we have to be vigilant at all times, once we mount our bikes.

Thks for Pics....

Good Reminder & once again proving that the above Junction is Dangerous!

It Is Important to Remember that...

"Know the Statistics(eg this particular junction has a high rate of crashes)...

But U Can Avoid Being ONE!"

It Looks Like the Taxi did not see the Dark Blue ST coming

& turn into His Path...

If that is the Case...

One solution may be...

1. Approach this Junction with extreme Caution

2. With the Taxi waiting to turn...

3. Flash headlites, horn let him know u are coming...

4. If that fail... slow to let taxi thru'... What to do...

genie · May 18, 2005

I don't quite understand the bit on counter-steering. Anyone care to explain in simple terms, please?

Thank you.

chris 525 · May 19, 2005

Originally posted by genie@May 19 2005, 12:25 AM
I don't quite understand the bit on counter-steering. Anyone care to explain in simple terms, please?

Thank you.

Just ride your bike and don't think about it you do it automatically anyway.

but ---

Ride along a long empty straight road like ECP, AYE (at weekend), at 80-90.

Relax your arms.

Put slight pressure on the left bar (push the left bar forward a tiny little bit), the bike goes left.

Put slight pressure on the right bar, the bike goes right.

And ...

You will realise that every time you move the bike from one lane to another, you are counter steering

Spectrum · May 19, 2005

Originally posted by genie@May 19 2005, 12:25 AM
I don't quite understand the bit on counter-steering. Anyone care to explain in simple terms, please?

Thank you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/2100spectrum/StreetSmart18.jpg

Hi Genie...

COUNTER STEERING

The Use of Opposite force to steer in the same direction

as the Bike Speed increases.

When u Start off on your bike...

To Turn Right... U would Pull The Right Side of the Handle Bar... Yes...

As the Speed Increases... U will now Push the Right Side of the Handle Bar

To Turn Right. U do it all the Time.

(this is caused by the Gyroscopic Force

created by the Spinning Wheel... same with Bicycles)

U do this all the TIME... Nothing New...

But Interesting... For the Same Direction

U start by pulling, then Pushing.

SWERVING

Now, What that is Important to The Motorcyclist is

Learning How to Do this Quickly & Safely

to Avoid a Vehicle, Potholes Or Rubbish

that would be dangerous to U.

And to Do it within Your Own Lane!

(otherwise some vehicle behind will hit U)

Swerving is a Severe form of

Counter-Steering(changing direction)

Few ways to do It...

A Quick...

1. Push on your Handle bar to the Direction u wanna go.

2. Transfer of your weight to the Direction U wanna go.

3. Kick to your fuel tank with your opposite knee... to the Direction u wanna go.

4. Or a combination of all the above

& Quickly Doing the Opposite to get Back on Track.

So u would just avoid the obstacle.

So it is a safe way of avoiding danger...

But has to be practice... best on a clear highway like 2nd link

PM me if u need any more explaination...

Otherwise, can drop by "ENDLESLOOP" Road Craft Session

(Just PM Him to attend the next session)

Maybe can just practice it in KFC Kallang Carpark

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