Motorcycle Skills - See them in real time

Motorcycle skills are more than just emergency braking, cornering, or doing tight u-turns. In order to be a skilled motorcyclist you must use Road Strategy and Road Skills together to avoid crashes on the road. This week we will look at a viewer submitted video and see how he fared with a car pulling into his lane of traffic.
#motorcycle #motorcycles #mcrider
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[@philipmartin708]

"I had to brake hard and swerve a bit". Why? The car waited for you, well out of your path. He was not a threat, but only a potential threat. And of course you should be ready to take action if needed. But in this case, he was waiting, not pulling into your path.

[@judgedredd49]

If you notice at first the car had moved forwards possibly encouraged by the car coming towards him and slowing to make space in which he could turn into your path. Always look out for gaps in traffic as gaps are traps. He did brake and swerve slightly but no harm in reacting as he did as one cannot be sure that one has been seen and therefore one anticipated or presumed the worst case scenario and he rightly took avoiding action. In too many collisions the biker has become involved because they have made the wrong assumption or presumed or anticipated the wrong case scenario and as a result came to the wrong conclusion about the circs. or the driver and have come to grief as a result of their poor judgement. However in this case he was justified in doing what he did. Whether the danger still existed doesn't really matter.

[@philipmartin708]

@@judgedredd49 Your advice is excellent. I agree with everything you said. His braking and swerving were smart. It was a defensive thing to do. But by his saying "had to" implies if he didn't, he would have collided. That's just not true in this case.

[@leonidfro8302]

Correct. No sane car driver will go any faster in such situation - he doesn't really see traffic coming from his right, and want to avoid nasty t-bone crash. Also, traffic is very slow - brake hard and you stop your bike any moment.

[@nickthequick]

Agree. This was a very weak example of a required, evasive maneuver.

[@judgedredd49]

@@nickthequick Yes but as he said AS SOON AS he saw the car he reacted instinctively and did the manoeuvre that we know about, the swerve and brake or brake and then swerve.. If you see something as you say a potential or real danger then if given the time and distance you would slow and move over away from said danger and slow also. As it has caused debate then the video has merit.

[@mikeroshandel6957]

Hello, just wanted to share my experience in regard to bee seen and heard! I have invented a BlackBox that control emergency lights (Back and Front haz lights) to flash once you push the horn at the same time and automatically will be canceled. I have noticed that car drives are much aware of haz lights and respond very quickly and of course the sound of the horn gets their attention. I am an engineer and I created this for my own use and willing to share with my fellow riders.

[@om7813]

“I play pipe organ in a metal band” 😂😂😂 🤘🏼🎸

[@mikesykes173]

Yep I was "distracted". Had to go back and look for it...Great Video Kevin.

[@MCrider]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@pilotdane1]

Same here... like 3 times !

[@notyoutuber9519]

It's nice to see you are still making some of the best motorcycle content on KZbin, great video.

[@bubs3510]

RIDING POSITION! RIDING POSITION! RIDING POSITION! There is no better substitute that gives you TIME AND SPACE to adjust to what your riding situation throws at you...THANKS KEVIN! As always you provide the perfect instructional advice....Your buddy Squid did destract me! I did see the sign the arrow helped me out...lol.. BUT I DO SEE THE GREATER PICTURE! Squid is becoming a very integral part of the MC RIDER team...Thanks again mate! Great Video! Rock on 😁

[@AmerSheikh]

Great to see you and Squid! Been through this situation many times and every time there is something to learn. Thank you for another great video!

[@MCrider]

Thanks for watching!

[@roxannerodriguez7640]

The only thing I seen was the pop up sign saying “ squid.” Thanks again for all you do. I now have my young son interesting in riding and watching your videos. 🤗

[@MCrider]

That is awesome!

[@charleshubert6751]

Me too Roxanne!

[@thomasche]

Me too

[@Clutch605]

Totally missed it. I was focusing on a squid trying to void that BMW's warranty.

[@olliechristopher467]

Kevin I saw the squiggly but did not pay attention to the word. I had to rewind. This is a stark reminder of distractions. Another one I learned is GPS navigating off road on a dirt bike. Two guys in our dual sport club had a head on while routing out a ride for the club. One of them succumbed to his injuries. I had a pro rider from my club take come out and train me for a day in strictly navigation of tracks. I am so grateful for this man showing me how to navigate safely. I was taught to glance at the GPS screen just like checking mirrors. Very quick glances. It is really hard at first. Better to pass your turn than have a crash.

[@winginitwithjohn8451]

Awareness buys you time, time buys you options.

[@MCrider]

I like that one

[@winginitwithjohn8451]

@@MCrider It's a saying I learned from my CC Handgun classes. It applies to most things in life, especially the dangerous things.

[@gbrown480]

Excellent, thank you for what you do.

[@davehamilton8034]

Love your sense of humor while offering up great advice! Youda best, Kevin!!😎

[@got_to_roll]

Regardless of necessity the maneuver was performed with smooth transition from brake to swerve. Nice skills. This channel HAS made me a better rider by providing strategy and skills to PRACTICE. Thanks Kevin!

[@russellhorn6372]

I know a lot of riders either listen to music, use comms between riders, or comms with their passenger. All of which can be a distraction. Some of the big bikes even come stock with these features. And then there are the riders who have a cell phone mounted on the bike, with a bluetooth setup so they don't miss any phone calls. Just riding successfully without an accident happening to you is a full time job.

[@skinwalkerskating9068]

Hi Kevin People buy Motorcycles for all kinds of reason's, and after almost 10 year's without a bike i recently took the plunge and i bought myself a 2011 GSF1250 Suzuki. I started riding in 1981 and my first road bike was a RD250LC and i look back on those days with a mixture of terror and OMG how did i survive. I'm 46 now and i absolutely love my big Suzuki, for it's size it's incredibly relaxing to ride and having a nice mix of old school and new tech safety is a blessing I bought the Suzuki while i recovered from an injury i had while Rollerskating - coincidentally I've been skating almost as long as I've been riding motorcycles.... I've represented myself and country on my skates at an elite level in freestyle, dance, outdoor and ramp..... But almost 5 months ago while skating i broke my leg in 22 places, shearing my tibula bone into a wedge spiral compound fracture.... My bone broke through in 4 places and it severed my tibial artery and i lost 880ml blood in under 10 mins - oh and i broke my shoulder too when i hit the ground I held off buying a bike for a long time - because i simply didn't have the time, but buying one while i recovered was all the motivation i needed to stay strong and recover, and it was just a blessing having the bike to fiddle with and work on... And i watched pretty much all of your video's to bring me back up to date while riding. Here in Perth Western Australia we have some beautiful roads and wide open spaces ... Keep up the good work mate and i really love your video's

[@MCrider]

Wow, prayers for your continued recovery!

[@qft0]

Your videos are a great service to us all, and I'm really enjoying the new cast member.

[@davekollatz244]

I find all your training videos helpful, keep them coming.

[@MCrider]

Thanks, will do!

[@simongarcia7360]

Squids is a big addition to your videos, but he needs a bit of mechanical knowledge. keep up the good work. Hey Squids, ROCK ON!!!! 😂😂😂

[@hopeyracing7554]

Great vid. Nice recognition and reaction. I have recently encountered a similar situation.

[@WhackBytch256]

Also reason to be hypervigilant in that situation is the position of the sun. That long shadow pointing towards opposing traffic means that you are harder for them to see in the glare of sun. It always reminds me to make sure that I take extra care at those times.

[@judgedredd49]

Very well said. If you are chasing your shadow it means that the sun is low and behind you and even if you were a HGV or coach or even riding buck naked anything looking in your direction would not see you and you end up being mincemeat. So the danger is of other drivers not seeing you as they look toward the sun and are blinded by it. That's danger from vehicles turning out on you from a side road, either side, or a vehicle actually heading towards you but turning directly in front of you as to them you are just not there. No amount of hi vis or headlights or weaving will help under these circs, you are just not there. Unfortunately the problem is partly our fault as many motorcyclists don't know that and they should all be made aware of the danger of casting a long shadow. LOW SUN CAN KILL. If you want to make life easier and safer for motorcyclist then when out in your car follow this rule, When looking at the sun out sideways don't look through a dirty windscreen or side window, make sure the windscreen is clean and lower the side window so that you are looking through nothing by but fresh air. At the same time, even though you have sunglasses on its best to shade your eyes from the direct sunlight so turn your sunshade round and over the open window and that will all help you see more out of your side windows. To often as said drivers may have sunglasses o and rely on that alone but look through dirty windows and don't move the sunshade and they see next to nothing even though they appear to be looking straight at you. Never ever presume that you have been seen and watch their front wheels for turning and take evasive or defensive action anyway.

[@FarkyDave]

Ha ha, nice video with Squids in it. I did NOT see the sign at the beginning, so you made a great point there about the distraction factor in our riding. I love these videos with real world examples that we can see in action. Keep up the great work!

[@MCrider]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@normanclark3429]

You and Squids made my morning! Thank you again for another great video!

[@MCrider]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@topherdalrymple6535]

The ability to see and be seen. There's your nugget folks. Thanks Kevin.

[@desmondjdurandt9542]

Thanx again Kevin for another educational video,it's always a pleasure to watch your video's, greetings from Rustenburg in South Africa and greetings to our knew friend "Squid" 😊

[@mariorivero8441]

Great way to make an important point! Thank you.

[@MCrider]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidhayden6724]

I was distracted and had to go back and look. Another excellent video Kevin!

[@MCrider]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@35MMeters]

Still I went to floor a few times already! Learned to watch! I am filmmaker, detail is everything! Great points you're mentioning! Wise! Thanks

[@breakingboardrooms1778]

I don't ride a motorcycle yet, but I had an adventure in my cage recently. I was about to get caught in some slow as molasses traffic, and I was on the highway, going highway speeds. By the time I noticed that the truck up ahead of me was not going to be able to speed up, I was already uncomfortably close. I did have enough time to stop very quickly, despite my dad squealing, and get out of the way of that truck. It was a very near thing, though. It was my first-ever really long trip, and it was a great reminder for me to pay attention.

[@jeffmccollum3769]

Great job Kevin, way to mix it up

[@theChestnutMtnTinman]

Yup, saw Squid but not distracted. You got me. Job well done. 😎😎

[@johnburgess2084]

I saw the banner, but didn't recall having seen it when you mentioned it later. Going back to the start, when I saw the banner again, I realized I had seen it before. I guess I did a good job of not "target fixating" on the banner because it wasn't important!

[@mitchburk5112]

Watch out for the "Good Samaritan" crash on a 4 lane street. A person in the inside lane stops leaves a gap and motions a car coming from the opposite direction to turn left in front of him. What a nice guy. Unfortunately you are moving forward in the curbside lane the same direction as the nice guy. The car turning lefts vision is blocked but he continues to make the left turn across both lanes right into your path. Fortunately, I've never seen this happen to a motorcycle rider but I've seen it several times happen to cars here in Houston.

[@RevJay_Rides]

I saw something come up, but I never looked to see what it was. You got me!

[@jamesnavia]

I went back and looked. Didn't see it the first time around. Wow!

[@MikeWilliams-yp9kl]

You / squids lol made my morning, and NO I didn't see that sign saying SQUIDS at the beginning. Great video

[@MCrider]

There was another black sign in front of me.

[@SMKreitzer1968]

Had to go back and look again, I guess I was distracted by the squid! God bless and stay safe Kevin.

[@julienlalondemymachines]

Got a high visibility padded jacket today thanks Kevin for the advice,they won't say i did not see him if i have a bad luck God forbid

[@smiley50ish]

Brilliant

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks Kevin. for proving once again that good help is hard to find. Sign, sign everywhere a sign that I didn't see. Oh, and of course, thanks for the safety video.

[@MCrider]

Very welcome

[@threedogracing]

I had to go back also. Good lesson.

[@briangier3250]

"It's fuel injected..." Squids is my new favorite background character. I hope he sticks around so that you can teach him the ropes.

[@scottdeeslcutusa8117]

I saw first time, Thanks for testing us...

[@David_Owsnett]

"Distracted" by Squids who by the way is very funny.

[@chuckthebull]

That was a funny bit with the carb cleaning dude.. good lesson,,,runnng through the mountains I like seeing the scenery, but I try and only do that in straight aways and light traffic...and no I did not notice the sign you poped up...and I had far closer calls then your example and still managed to avoid them by paying attention and reacting ahead of time..I always watch tires too. I assume everyone is an idiot.

[@2854Navman]

I saw the distracted but thought you were describing yourself LOL.

[@bujefe]

Love your alter ego Squids 🤪

[@keithgramling5992]

I had to back also. Thank you Kevin for a heads up video. Are you letting Squids work out of your garage. 😁

[@MCrider]

I can't get rid of him...he keeps trying to bring the band over and practice...

[@davewilliams6841]

Yep,I too had to go back and see it lol. Distracted

[@steve00alt70]

There has been scientific studies saying that motorcycles make you obviously smarter and keeps your mind sharper than other forms of transport.

[@shawnmcalpine8767]

Kevin, I did not see the sign in front of you. I focused on the writing you were displaying. Good learning video. Thanks. ,

[@BloozBone]

Missed it the first time. From my experience, distraction is something you have to very deliberate about avoding. I have caught myself more times than I like fixating on something, like an interesting building in a small town. I almost hit my brother leading our 3 bike group. He didn't notice, but I admitted my error in hopes that no one else would do the same thing.

[@judgedredd49]

The vast majority wont have seen the sign as they were looking directly at you and that could be considered Target fixation but if looking directly at a point on a screen or otherwise ie your face or more particularly your mouth then anything that is more than 1 or 2 degrees away is peripheral. Even when you looked round and the focus of our eyes went from you to the mechanic as our eyes see in saccades and jumped from you to him anything in between would not have been registered by our eyes. The same can happen on the roads. If we look at a number plate of a car in front we fail to see much of anything else about the rear of that vehicle unless we move our eyes over it like scanning through a telescope and when our eyes jump from one picture to the next we can miss an awful lot of what was static or even going on in between. The eye is also drawn to movement and light so anything that is dark coloured or in the dark and not apparently moving we don't see it so well and that can mean a motorcycle coming towards us.

[@valaudae1809]

I firmly believe in acknowledging other bikers but in “busier” situations will nod without actually looking directly at the other rider so that he, if he is looking at me, will see l’m not ignoring him.

[@jamesbonanno3359]

Wow, I don't think target fixation could have been Illustrated any better than that.. I never saw the sign at all. I was laser focused on squid only. Well done indeed!

[@MCrider]

Thanks James.

[@kevinjudge195]

Same here, I saw squids and had to go back to see distracted 😁. Thanx Kev

[@MCrider]

Thanks for watching!

[@brendakay5498]

I saw it the frist.and like the end of your video to I watch all them

[@ronbatt756]

I saw the arrow... but not the SQUIDS ... word..... yes. I was distracted. Another excellent video.

[@MCrider]

You still didn't see it, the black sign was in front of me.

[@ronbatt756]

Ha ha Kevin.... the brightness level on my phone was too low to see that text...... point is well taken...

[@charlescummings1484]

Examples are good.

[@spremoneb]

Didnt see the sign the first time but on second viewing it was familiar. Excellent example.

[@magsteel9891]

I thought the biggest factor was his speed. In most of these accidents the turning car does look right before proceeding but the motorcycle is coming so fast it seems to come out of nowhere. Once the car is in the lane the motorcycle has very little time to stop or swerve.

[@yurikhromov2905]

I saw the "Distracted?" sign the first time. But it was right in the middle, easy to see. It would probably be harder to notice if it was smaller and in the left corner of the screen, further away from the source of distraction.

[@HJC1950]

This situation could also have been described as a "blocked vision" scenario. That car driver didn't come all the way out, but don't for a second think that other drivers wouldn't have done so, despite their vision being blocked. It also points out the dangers of a line of slow moving traffic. I'll call that a queue of traffic. Beware the "queue breaker," the motorist who insists on popping through, or "breaking" that queue, often with the encouragement of the motorist who opened up a gap in that queue, thinking he was doing someone a favor, but which may result in a nasty wreck. Don't just scan for immediate hazards, scan for dangerous situations, one of which is blocked vision, another of queues of traffic which may contain gaps that motorists can break through and cause a collision.

[@Herbchamp]

Herbchamp , One habit that is very distracting is taking your hand Off the bar to recognize another biker. For decades I have only lifted a few fingers off the bar. It is always recognized with response.

[@paulacabbo466]

I was more focused on kevin because he stayed in focus while his hippie twin was out of focus so yeah i caught ( distracted ) right off. I always slow down when there's slow moving cars around, things get dicy in those kinds of situations

[@omarsalgado9715]

In regards of lane positioning: Moving to the right could seem to be more secure, being in biker's advantage the gain in sight to what could happen to the left, as is in the case of the situation presented in the video, but the downside is that cagers could see that as an invitation to go on, which is a very usual action in such a situation, well, at least here in Mexico City.

[@ronoldcross8189]

Saw it the 1st time, but went back and read it the second. Not "Squids" but "distracted?".

[@RoadReality]

I saw 2 signs ... "DISTRACTED" centered about chest height, and "SQUID" in the background, naming your long-haired counterpart. :D What do I win? :D

[@jfamtd2770]

Did not see it the first time. Seen the "Squid" comment but not the "Distracted" sign.

[@NEBURNZ1981]

I saw the squids sign without been distracted, target fixation and not using counter steering caused my las crash on curve... :S

[@JockBiker]

Nice vid. Didn’t see it first time. As soon as the clip starts he should have seen the car at the intersection, as you say position slightly more to the right to extend his safety Hubble, perhaps role if the throttle (gas) or at least cover the brake in preparation.

[@christianlabreche5722]

I noticed the pop up, but did not read it. I was too focused on the better looking one ...squid. Lol

[@mitchrozelle269]

Where did squid get that hair and tattoo sleeves? Also had almost the same thing happen to me, but the car was poling out in front of me E. baking came in use , it was close ! it took all most the rest of the ride to get over it.

[@gerrydunne8768]

i saw the squid the first time great video

[@MCrider]

But did you see the black sign in front of me?

[@julespeace684]

Squid above and Distracted on the bottom. My Big Brother wants to remove the front brake lever. What’s your opinion Kevin.I ride a HD FLSTFB Lo. Just wanted to ask you.

[@leanavanzyl9936]

distracted. Absolutely LOVING Squids

[@normanclark3429]

Good morning my friend!!

[@MCrider]

Good morning!

[@chibiwibi]

Saw both "squids and distracted" but that's probably from watching subtitled videos for 20+ years...

[@colinmorgan6733]

"Squids" wit the squiggly arrow. I saw it first time but thought it was letting us know who it was.

[@MCrider]

Nope, still missed it. The sign is in front of me, watch again.

[@eddcurry1245]

Good important video. And no I missed the sign the first time. I was distracted...

[@MCrider]

Thanks for watching Edd!

[@randystevens3240]

I was too distracted to see the distracted sign.

[@wendallgray8970]

I agree Kevin that the rider could have improved on his lane position. As riders we should never be taken by surprise while in traffic. For myself I would have been in the right lane AND turned on the High Beam. Not flash it but leave it on until the danger passed

[@MCrider]

I think lane position would have helped. But in his defense it is always easier to arm chair QB than to have the motorcycle in the correct position all the time on the road.

[@michaelreilly3235]

Saw the word Squid and a looping arrow. Was wondering what you were trying to say with the popup until you mentioned it later in the video.

[@MCrider]

Nope, black sign in front of me

[@michaelreilly3235]

Ah - the "Distracted?" sign which came up at the same time as the word squid.

[@mr.electric8559]

Missed the word the first time, but did see the white squiggly line.

[@MCrider]

Nope, black sign in front of me

[@Birdoneful]

Kevin I didn’t see it until the 3rd time through

[@richardmourdock2719]

That squid's voice seemed a bit familiar...wellllllllll guess I've been watching too many videos. Another motorcycle mechanic working on the carb of a fuel injected bike. Also, Bennett had his two fingers covering the brake. Indeed, nicely done.

[@MatthewMcAllisterBUSHIE]

Nice to see squids again 🤣 although I'd check your bike before your next ride.... He clearly does not know what he's doing

[@MCrider]

True that!

[@piftik5190]

I did see it the first time.

[@georgerehak1424]

Didn’t see the sign the 1st time.

[@michaelcoulter714]

Oh Distracted...yep got it

[@stephencochran6843]

Saw it the first time. Squids with a squiggly arrowed line.

[@MCrider]

Nope, black sign in front of me

[@charleshubert6751]

I saw 'something' but as I was misdirected I sure didn't identify it. Things do happen quickly!

[@l.d.barneske8qbi5]

Squids could of caused me to be distracted.

[@jdhsingi]

I missed it.....But I must admit I would feel better about myself having been distracted by a hot girl in a bikini instead of squid :) lol You got me.....

[@leslieaustin151]

When I did an advanced driving course (car, not MC) we were taught by the police officer instructor “Triple C” (= “Crumpet Cancels Concentration”) If such a thing happens when I’m driving or riding I try to purposely look everywhere else because I know the shapely Miss has already taken my attention. Perhaps the use of “crumpet” in this context is a peculiarly British thing, but you can work up your own version.. Les in UK

[@stefananlauf351]

I didn't see anything! I hope I'm more alert on the bike.

[@davidk1579]

Yes I seen it in the opening, squid.

[@l.d.barneske8qbi5]

Dr. Kevin and Mr. Squids

[@sebastianblanc]

I don't know., I got Distracted? maybe? :)

[@ReyHubbard]

I did not see the message on the 1st view. I did see it when I went back.

[@constpegasus]

The distraction caused me not too notice it I think. May have not paid attention to it.

[@showcoach97]

Didn’t see the “distracted?” Sign the first time.