5 Life-Saving Habits for Motorcycle Riders
TLDRThis script offers motorcyclists valuable insights into safe riding practices. It emphasizes the importance of pre-loading brakes for controlled stopping, understanding tire grip dynamics, and the influence of rider scanning habits on perception and reaction times. The video also addresses the challenges of cold weather riding, the telltale signs of new riders, and the dangers of the 'accordion effect' in group rides, advocating for placing faster riders at the back for safety.
Takeaways
- π Pre-loading your motorcycle levers can help you brake progressively and avoid sudden panic braking.
- ποΈ Understanding tire adhesion and its factors, such as weight transfer and suspension damping, is crucial for effective braking.
- π Hysteresis in tire rubber can affect grip during braking, especially when braking too quickly, as the rubber may not rebound quickly enough to provide the necessary friction.
- π Scanning the road in a left-center-right, then right-center-left pattern can improve your perception and reaction time by up to 200 milliseconds.
- π The concept of pseudoneglect suggests that people tend to miss more on the right side of their field of view, but bilingual, bi-directional readers can overcome this bias.
- βοΈ In cold weather, relaxing your body and 'getting colder' can help maintain control and prevent being blown off course by the wind.
- π‘ When stopping, bias your head leftward to fall onto the correct foot, which can provide better stability and safety in case of a rear-end collision.
- π Recognizing the 'accordion effect' in group riding can be dangerous, as those trying to keep up may end up in a high-speed braking situation that they cannot handle.
- π Placing faster riders at the back in a group can help mitigate the accordion effect and provide a safer riding environment for less experienced riders.
- π¦ The importance of not covering the brake lever during a stop, as it can lead to instability and potential accidents if not done correctly.
- π£οΈ The script highlights the importance of riding at a safe and comfortable pace, regardless of the competitive nature of others, to ensure personal safety on the road.
Q & A
Why are Canadians advised to cover their levers in traffic?
-Canadians are told to cover their levers in traffic, especially near Tim Hortons drive-throughs and in moose country, to be ready to brake fast when a moose charges, which is a common concern for riders in those areas.
What is a better alternative to covering levers when riding a motorcycle?
-Pre-loading the levers is a better alternative to covering them. It involves taking up the free play and holding it on the cusp of the pads touching the rotors, which can help in saving a crash by allowing for a progressive initial braking response.
What are the factors affecting tire adhesion?
-Tire adhesion, or grip, is affected by the friction between the tires and the road surface, the stickiness of the tires and asphalt, the weight of the vehicle which influences weight transfer to the front wheel, and the normal force exerted by the suspension as it compresses.
Why is hysteresis relevant to motorcycle braking?
-Hysteresis is relevant because it describes the lag in the force response of the tire as it compresses and rebounds while rolling over the road. This can affect the braking performance, especially when brakes are applied suddenly, as the tire may not be able to shed stress as quickly as it is applied.
What is the term used to describe when an elastic system can't return to equilibrium?
-The term used to describe when an elastic system can't return to equilibrium is the 'glass transition.' In the context of motorcycle tires, this means the tire physically becomes glassy and unable to handle the rate of force applied during sudden braking.
Why is it recommended to scan left, center, right, then right, center, left while riding?
-Scanning in this pattern gives riders twice as long to find threats on the right as on the left, which is beneficial for right-to-left readers. It also trains the brain to scan in both directions, building faster and more effective perception, similar to bi-directional readers.
How can the perception speed of a rider be improved?
-Perception speed can be improved by training the brain to scan in both left-to-right and right-to-left directions, as demonstrated by bi-directional readers who have faster search times and rarely miss anything in either field of view.
What is the counter-intuitive trick for riding in cold weather according to the old motorcycle messenger?
-The counter-intuitive trick for riding in cold weather is to get colder. This involves sitting up, loosening up, opening the chest, and allowing the body to feel the cold, which helps maintain a more stable and safe riding stance rather than hunching over to guard warmth.
Why is it safer to bias your head leftward when stopping on a motorcycle?
-Biasing your head leftward ensures that you always fall onto the left foot, which is the correct foot for stopping. This keeps the brake light on via the rear brake, providing an additional safety measure in case of rear-end collisions.
What is the 'accordion effect' and why is it dangerous for motorcyclists?
-The 'accordion effect' refers to the phenomenon where riders in a group have to accelerate to catch up with the leader and then decelerate to avoid crashing when the leader brakes. This can be dangerous because the rider following has less time to react and may have to brake from a higher speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
What is a practical habit to mitigate the risks of the 'accordion effect' in group riding?
-A practical habit to mitigate the risks of the 'accordion effect' is to place faster riders at the back of the group. This allows them to control the pace and protect new motorcyclists by letting them lead, reducing the pressure to keep up and the risk of accidents.
Outlines
ποΈ Motorcycle Safety: Lever Preloading and Tire Adhesion
The first paragraph discusses motorcycle safety tips, particularly the technique of pre-loading brakes to avoid panic braking. It explains the concept of adhesion, which is the friction between the tires and the road, and how it's affected by tire grip and vehicle weight. The speaker also delves into the physics of tire wear, mentioning factors like hysteresis and viscosity, and how these can impact braking efficiency. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of progressive braking and the role of tire properties in safe riding.
π Enhancing Perception and Cold Weather Riding Habits
This paragraph focuses on improving a rider's perception by scanning the road in both left-to-right and right-to-left directions, which can reduce reaction times and potentially save lives. It also addresses the counterintuitive habit of getting colder in cold weather to maintain better control of the motorcycle, as hunching can lead to instability. The speaker suggests sitting up straight and loosening up to counteract the effects of wind and rain, which can cause riders to lose control.
βοΈ Recognizing New Riders and the Dangers of Group Riding
The third paragraph offers insights on how to spot a new or inexperienced rider by observing their stopping habits and suggests that leaning leftward when stopping can be safer. It also warns of the 'accordion effect' in group riding, where riders following each other closely can lead to dangerous situations due to delayed reactions and increased speeds. The speaker recommends placing faster riders at the back of a group to mitigate this risk.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Adhesion
π‘Pre-loading
π‘Hysteresis
π‘Cohesion
π‘Pseudoneglect
π‘Bi-directional Readers
π‘Suspension Damping
π‘Glass Transition
π‘Rolling Resistance
π‘Accordion Effect
π‘New Rider
Highlights
Canadians are advised to cover their levers in traffic, especially near Tim Horton's drive-throughs and in moose country.
Pre-loading levers is more effective than covering them for quick braking, as it ensures a progressive initial braking response.
Adhesion, or friction between tires and road, is influenced by tire and road stickiness, vehicle weight, and suspension damping.
Hysteresis in tire behavior is complex, involving the rubber's compression and rebound, and can affect braking efficiency.
In emergency braking, the tire's hysteretic behavior can lead to a 'glass transition' state, reducing grip and increasing braking distance.
Scanning the road left, center, right, then right, center, left first can improve perception and reaction time by up to 200 milliseconds.
Bi-directional readers, such as those reading Arabic or Hebrew, may have an opposite bias in road scanning compared to left-to-right readers.
In cold weather,ζ©ζ车ιͺζ should adopt a more open posture to counteract the effects of wind and maintain control.
Stopping frequently for hot tea can be a practical way to combat the cold while riding in adverse weather conditions.
Observing how a rider stops can reveal their experience level, with new riders often displaying a shaky and unstable stop.
Biasing the head leftward during stops can help maintain stability and keep the brake light on for safety.
The 'accordion effect' in group riding can be dangerous, as riders following others may need to brake from higher speeds.
Placing faster riders at the back of a group can help mitigate the risks associated with the accordion effect.
Reckless behavior in driving can persist even as modes of transport change, as illustrated by the story of Tom's friend.
The importance of riding at a safe and comfortable pace, rather than trying to keep up with faster riders, is emphasized.
Transcripts
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