Seven Attitudes and Behaviors that Keep Me Safe While Riding my Motorcycle.

[@barrios1100]

New rider here. I am very happy to listen to great advice not only for riding a motorcycle but for normal life.

[@born2bwildne744]

In the late ‘70’s, I rode the bus to/from work in downtown Lincoln NE. One night I was waiting for the bus at the end of a fall day. As I was in the middle of the MSF Basic Riding Skills course, which at that time was taught on three straight Saturdays, I was watching motorcycles - a lot. As I waited for the bus, I watched a rider riding west to east on Lincoln’s main street - “O” Street. He wasn’t hot rodding nor speeding. I was watching him progress through the intersection - and all of a sudden he wasn’t there! He reentered my vision tumbling through the air and “splatting” on the concrete. Turns out a Datsun pickup was heading west and in the left turn lane. The driver was blinded by the sun low in the fall sky at the end of the work day - and turned right in front of the motorcyclist. Back then NE did not have a helmet law - all this rider was wearing was a pair of shorts and sandals - that was it. The upcoming Saturday was the 3rd and final session of the MSF class - and a State Patrolman attended - I think to proctor the written test. I asked him if he was familiar with the collision I had witnessed - and he was, sharing that the rider would be a vegetable for the rest of his life. The class then discussed what the rider could have done to prevent the accident. I always remember to stay aware of where the sun is relative to me - and anticipate which drivers may be blinded by the sun. My shadow points in the direction where drivers may be blinded as they attempt to see me.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Powerful reminder.

[@cappy7676]

Slow in out with a grin. My kinda channel. lol. Subscribed. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@dabishop9060]

👍👌Good Informative Video.. We Don"t Heal as Fast or as Immortal as when we were Young.

[@drewrobertson3301]

When I did the advanced motorcycle course here in the UK, one of the most important facets was that you must, “Always be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear on your own side of the road.” Things like this never leave you as advanced skills and practices become second nature. We work to refine and enhance and like you say, the tool of “lifelong learning” is so essential. You are only as good as you last mistake. Great vid and all good valid points.

[@WJRobbins125]

Good stuff, especially the suspension of ego!

[@donaldhibbard3248]

I couldn’t agree more. I was riding a Honda ST1300. It was a great motorcycle but weighed a bunch. I recently purchased a Triumph Tiger Sport 660. The fun is back and I ride more; as Ido not have to struggle with a small garage. It also helps regarding your initial subject that I stopped watching the news. D.H.

[@ericswild]

I find that my worse enemy is me and not the other drivers. I try and limit my risks. Speeding, aggression, distractions...are all pitfalls I am working on daily. I also like to practice slow speed maneuvers for balance and offroad really helps with this as well.

[@donflores5227]

As simple as it my seam, I ride like I am invisible. If I am seen well that's a plus. I'm almost 73 and I've been riding since I was 15. So far so good. I've only been hit by one car and he decided to back up after stopping at a stop sign. I almost got out of the way.

[@mikemaners4411]

Great stuff, thanks from Montreal, Merci!

[@JeffConner-m5v]

Hey there! Love the channel. I am a healthy 61 year old who has been riding motorcycles since I was 15. Two weeks ago, I was involved in a collision where an opposing vehicle turned left in front of me. This also happened to me approximately 2 years ago-same situation-person turned in front of me. Both times, my motorcycle was totaled. The first collision (BMW 1200RT), I got away with only a pulled hamstring. The second collision, not so lucky. I broke my tibia, went to the ER, and had surgery. I have not given up on motorcycle riding, but am struggling with what is my next motorcycle. Thanks for you channel!

[@krob-sn7ek]

Hope u feel better soon. I am 61, been riding since I was 11, i am riding a WR250R, small but very maneuverable. Live in the south, so we take off July August haha

[@2ndborn186]

Thanks for posting. Fortunately the weather is better where I live. I ride often, even in the winter. In fact, just rode today.

[@JimmyHamAnp]

I never ride when I have other issues on my mind!

[@5280Roadrunner]

Great video. Thank for posting. I would maybe add one more. Don’t drink and ride, arrive alive.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

For sure!

[@Vstromxt]

I live in Central Illinois. Typically ride all winter except when the roads have snow and ice. Good advice. I've recently had on coming cars passing and seem oblivious to me headed straight towards them. They definitely get a big middle finger.

[@sonics747]

I have similar mindset before starting out on a ride but sometimes forget to practice this safety rules all the time. I need reinforcement from time to time to make it thru another year of accident free riding.

[@markmattson4752]

Good advice Craig👍 .Ya let people pass if there are in a hurry. I am out for the scenery not to race . Look ahead just like on a dirt bike to see what’s coming so you can react.

[@gregb.6682]

Let the side stand be a delete key. To many things running in the background of your mind will dilute your riding attention. Just like speed.. distraction slows down your reaction time too.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I like that!

[@charliehollis1486]

Craig, you and I have a similar story in regard to time spent with Ken. Some of the most positive experiences I have had I owe to good teachers. An American history professor at a community college, an endlessly patient math tutor in college, a fourth grade English teacher who gave me the idea that when you write, do it in a way that is easy for people to understand what you are trying to share. Ken is __endlessly__ patient. I walk away feeling like I've upped my game that much more after I've trained with him. I started quite late in life; I was barely forty-two years old when I got my license and first ride. Resolved that I would do my best to take it seriously. My tip, if one could call it that is I envision my head as that of a bobble head doll; I'm looking around all the time, especially at signaled intersections when cars are accumulating. Human nature is to become impatient and when that light turns green, it can be a free-for-all. I make a mental game of who is likely to do what before I engage forward into the 'melee.' I will appropriate a concept from Ken as well. Each ride is a video game and you practice avoidance techniques to keep from being killed. I try to accumulate as many points as possible! Excellent video. Thanks for the tips and the lovely scenery footage.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks for the kind words and the additional tips!

[@ttrguy9952]

Craig Love to hook up an ride this summer on our Tigers! Would be fun. Cheers. 👍👍

[@andrespabloviacava7861]

Perfect, and always used a good gear

[@KenCondon]

Nice job, Craig.

[@vincenttarquini4235]

Everything you have stated is true and can be boiled down to one word, Wisdom! If you ride with Wisdom, you will more than likely survive to ride tomorrow.

[@stevesheltz8138]

Be mentally ready before you start. Don’t ride angry, tired or impaired.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Excellent!

[@mhoeij]

High-viz makes a big difference. If you ride long enough, someone will violate your right of way, and you have to always prepare for this before it actually happens. You should plan ahead of time, if that left-turner starts moving, am I going to brake or swerve? The answer depends on the speed/distance/etc, there's usually a "point of no return" so that, before that point, the strategy is braking, and past that point, the strategy switches to swerving. But the point is that the strategy should be chosen *before* that car actually starts moving, that way, when he does violate your right of way, there'll be no panic because you already decided how you will respond. The other advantage of planning ahead of time is that when you notice that at the current speed there is no safe escape, then this is telling you that you're going too fast, and have to start gentle braking (even if that car hasn't moved yet, and even if you have the right of way!). But these right-of-way violations happen much less often with high-viz. Definitely safer and more relaxed.

[@MotorvriendenDePallieters]

Very informative video,and indeed we are never too old to learn anything. As a motorcyclist you learn something every day. Thank you for this beautiful reportage. ✌

[@michaelspiak3998]

Excellent content. Great info and video.

[@kevinw6282]

I have wanted to learn to ride for the purpose of touring and travelling by bike for a long time. Wide ranging excuses have kept me from it. At 47, nearly 48, I'm now more seriously thinking about getting after it, which is how I came across your channel. Thank you for the time and effort it takes to make this channel and share the perspective, info and wisdom. Sub'd today, looking forward to going through older content and what's to come. When it comes to regular old driving a vehicle on the road, everyone is familiar with the saying "Be a defensive driver", but I don't think many people go much beyond that as far as actually trying to understand and apply what that means. In so far as the tips you provide here can be applied to driving a vehicle, I have done these for a long time, almost second nature-like at this point, particularly with being aware of potential dangers, anticipating, high attention level to the road and so forth. Probably because I love the act of driving, it's not just a chore to me and it's always been that way. I'll take a manual trans over an auto almost any day. I'll take the back road over the highway when I can. So I wonder, if my background and approach with driving a car/vehicle already has some aspects that are very important to riding a motorcycle safely, and I take a measured approach to learning how to ride by not getting to big/powerful a bike to start with , committing to the idea of life long learning with practice and courses and so forth, am I likely to be off to a better start than most, some or at least a few other riders out there? I'm kind of stuck in this self assessment of risk mode. I posted this here because maybe other people who come across your channel are in a similar place of indecision and may have a similar approach to driving in general.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

My initial thought from reading your post is yes, taking the attitude you describe puts you ahead of most who are thinking about getting a bike at an older age (my return as at 46). Motorcycling does have some inherent risk and you need to accept that when you get on one. You can reduce those risks by getting training (an MSF course is the place to start in the States), wearing proper gear, not drinking or doing drugs when riding, starting on a smaller bike, and not being an idiot. You do need to understand that car drivers have a harder time seeing bikes because they are not looking for them, so you need to ride as if they don't. Give yourself more time to react. Pick up Ken Condon's book "Motorcycling the Right Way." It is a great introduction. There are some more advanced things in there, along with the basic, but along with some one on one training, it is a great place to start. Motorcycling is very rewarding and can be done safety. It sounds like have the right attitude about it.

[@kevinw6282]

@LivingOffTheSlab thank you. I appreciate the info and measured encouragement! Will definitely get Ken's book.

[@richardvalitalo3670]

Don't be in a hurry while riding.

[@HDHeroCam]

Always beware of the person turning left, also, do not follow any vehicle with stuff in the back of it that may fall out onto the road in front of you.

[@henryhawk978]

Have you taken a job the MSF?! Enjoyed the video and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Lol, no. Thanks!

[@4940markhutchins]

Good points all. As a teen, my dad taught me to pretend I’m invisible on the road, because I am. How did you like track days? That’s something I haven’t tried yet.

[@kirklandr3]

Great video! I always think when I read the "Look twice save a life", that nobody other than other motorcyclist pays that any of attention. Others can rely on cagers to look twice but for me I'm going to rely on proper lane position and hiviz gear and the hope they see me on the first (glancing) look.

[@royhall3760]

Love your videos! Could you give an update on your impressions of the Tiger? As a Haley rider I'm very interested in the Tiger 1200 GT Pro as my retirement bike. Love the channel!

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thanks Roy! Yes, I will be doing an update video on the Tiger. 4100 miles on it so far, and I still love the bike.

[@davidruggles996]

Excellent video Craig. I'm fortunate to be able to ride all year... But about this time of year I start seeing the number of bikes on the road increase.. While the bikes are clean and tuned up, a lot of the time the loose nut on the handlebars could use some work 😜🤣

[@dennismims2999]

I am a subscriber and continually watch your videos. Your content is informative whether it's attitude, gear or rides you've taken. You and I are about the same age with roughly the same attitude when it comes to riding. Just want to get out and go. I've recently had a huge change in my riding career. In September I went from riding cruisers and traded my favorite, most reliable bike in over 54 years of riding, a 2003 Suzuki Volusia (from the crate), for a 2022 Indian Pursuit Limited (from the showroom floor). From 500 lbs to 900 lbs has been a huge change. Slowly but surely I'm getting used to it. For now I'm riding mostly my favorite backroads, with as little traffic as I can find. Starting to take it out on the interstate and finding out that's where IT wants to be. Before much longer I'm hoping to be crossing state lines and time zones. Luckily I live in south La. and am able to ride all year round, I can't imagine having to put my bike away for months. Hope you're able to get back out soon. Thanks Craig.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Thank you, spring will be here soon! Enjoy the new bike!

[@puff427]

If I know I'm gonna get hit at any point by someone and it's their fault I'll take the hit and see my lawyer.I can use more money fron others stupidity. I also wear reflected EMS vest 2 be seen easier. Works great. DOT tape on forks and blind spots also helps..b safe.peace

[@nickhildabridle1612]

Trail Braking. This style of breaking will lead to faster breakware. Do you just consider that to be just a cost of riding safely??? Also, the cost for the MRA software or paid in Euros bs USD, correct? Also do you also have to pay for the app? TIA

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Brakes are consumables. Use them to be safe and control the motorcycle. Why would you worry about using your brakes. I have already answered your question about MRA. You pay by credit card in to the currency of your home country and it will be converted to Euros. Go to there website and take a look.

[@MountainGoat67]

keep distraction to a minimum.. GPS, Music, Phones, etc

[@brianvanlaarhoven]

I am confused by the fact that most riders are over 50, overweight, and seldom exercise, yet want to be known as "bad asses." Many of us are in such poor condition, we require 3 wheels to hold the cycle up. Come on, we are not bad asses. We are geriatrics!😂