We've all seen the movie Seven with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. A lot of the characters in the movie didn't make it to the part where the credits start playing, because they were dead. Yes, there is nothing that takes the fun out of motorcycling the way serious injury or death does. Here are my seven deadly sins of motorcycling.
1. Lack of awareness
Instead of crumple zones, airbags and a seatbelt, you have been given two eyes. Acute awareness at all times of what is happening around you is probably the most important part of your safety. On the rare occasion I've came across someone that deliberately wants to cut you off, but mostly other motorists are ignorant. It is also no wonder that the first rule of defensive driving is "Observe". Sure, it is awkward to glance regularly in your rear view mirrors and in your blind spots, but the sooner you spot something potentially threatening, the sooner you can anticipate and react... and live to talk about it.
2. Not dressing for the occasion
I've once read "Don't dress for the ride - dress for the fall". A protective jacket and helmet are all but comfortable in mid summer, but they are absolutely necessary. So is sturdy shoes or boots, pants and gloves. Plus, it makes you look pro. Common sense is just as important as the quality of your gear. The best helmet money can buy is useless if not fastened properly. If you do not zip up your jacket, it will only mean as much as Batman's cape when you're flying through the air...
3. Not obeying the traffic laws
On a motorcycle you can do things and go places that a car would not allow. But, you still share the road with motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. For your safety and theirs, it is a good idea to obey all the traffic laws. Speeding is usually the biggest offense and similarly holds the biggest danger. The faster you go, the less time you have to react. Einstein had this theory of relativity, which states that as you approach the speed of light, time slows down. That is unfortunately not applicable to us, yet.
4. Not minding the intersection
I've read that most motorcycle accidents occur at intersections - either when oncoming traffic turn in front of you, or when crossing traffic do not yield to your approach. Second only to a head-on collision, a t-bone with a car will result in a spectacular, potentially fatal accident. Remember, the fact that you obey the traffic rules does not mean that other motorists do. So slow down and observe fanatically at every intersection.
5. Losing your respect
If you eat the same meal over and over, or listen to the same song over and over, it starts to lose its initial appeal. In the same way, riding a bike often will eventually start wearing out your respect for it. I've once watched this program on the television about a stunt man. He said that the day he's not afraid to perform a stunt, he'll quit without hesitation. The same should apply with motorcycling - if you get tame, get off (the bike).
6. Not keeping your motorbike in shape
A regular service by a qualified person will keep your motorcycle in tip-top shape. Failing brakes, broken chain, burst tires - that doesn't sound like fun. And if you should happen to break down in the middle of nowhere, or in a bad part of town... No, let's not go there. I am not advocating a full pre-trip inspection (like they require when you do your license), but rather check the important stuff before you ride off into the sunset.
7. No drugs, No alcohol
Unless you really have a death wish, rather steer clear of the nasty substances. Sure, it makes you feel all great and happy, but it can cost you precious moments when you should decide to brake or swerve. NO drugs, NO alcohol. Enough said.
All of these sins apply to a greater or lesser extent to other road users too, but without all the protection that they may have, you are better off taking a more conservative approach.
Safe riding!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Why you DO want a motorcycle.
When you think of getting yourself a motorcycle, the de facto response from most people is that of surprise, disbelief, denial and accusation. You could just as well said you plan on quitting your job, donate all your earthly possessions and study some long forgotten theology on some high mountain Eastern Asia! But you also get the "Cooooool! What bike?" replies. But mostly people are skeptical... I can only guess they are mentally trying to picture you on a bike with a bandanna on your head, lots of tattoos and harassing old ladies at intersections.
So why DO you want 'n motorcycle?
Fuel prices: Yes, oil is a rare fossil fuel short in supply and in great demand. Motorists must foot the bill for the luxury of travel. I have a Toyota Raider 2.7 bakkie. It is big, useful and dependable, but it only gives me 7.5km on a litre of fuel. My BMW 650 GS Dakar gives me around 25km for that same litre! And there are plenty of scooters and smaller bikes that will put my Dakar to shame in the economy section. AND my Toyota is slow :)
Traffic congestion: Oil is high in demand, because so many people have cars. And all those people happen to travel the same road I take to and from the office each day! I live 17km from the office and by car it takes around 40 minutes to get there or back in peak traffic hour. And that is if there are no "problems" on the road. On a motorcycle, you get to move through the traffic, not move as part of it. Now that I think of it, I'm actually doing other motorists a favor by not adding an additional car to their traffic problem!
Purchase and maintenance cost: Even though there are motorcycles more expensive than some luxury cars, they are generally very affordable - to get and keep going. Sure, it does not offer all the features and luxuries of the cross-section motor vehicle, but all models come with aircon! Seriously, higher-end motorcycle models come with ABS, heated grips, on-board computers, and of course, an unbeatable power-to-weight ratio.
Freedom, Fun: I admit, this is more on a philosophical level, but a motorcycle connects to some primitive part of your brain - when humans first domesticated and rode animals, I guess. It does not give you the kind of freedom to break traffic laws and such, but on a motorcycle, your flying! Lone Ranger, Indiana Jones type stuff I'm talking here.
There are however a number of reasons to rather be apprehensive towards motorcycles in general, but it falls outside the scope of this post :)
In this current age of consumarism, individualism and style, there is now way denying that a motorcycle makes so much more sense than the conformist and traditional motor vehicle that Henry Ford was so proud of a century ago. So now get up, walk to the nearest mirror, look yourself in the eyes and ask yourself: "Are you ready to go on two?".
See you on the road!
So why DO you want 'n motorcycle?
Fuel prices: Yes, oil is a rare fossil fuel short in supply and in great demand. Motorists must foot the bill for the luxury of travel. I have a Toyota Raider 2.7 bakkie. It is big, useful and dependable, but it only gives me 7.5km on a litre of fuel. My BMW 650 GS Dakar gives me around 25km for that same litre! And there are plenty of scooters and smaller bikes that will put my Dakar to shame in the economy section. AND my Toyota is slow :)
Traffic congestion: Oil is high in demand, because so many people have cars. And all those people happen to travel the same road I take to and from the office each day! I live 17km from the office and by car it takes around 40 minutes to get there or back in peak traffic hour. And that is if there are no "problems" on the road. On a motorcycle, you get to move through the traffic, not move as part of it. Now that I think of it, I'm actually doing other motorists a favor by not adding an additional car to their traffic problem!
Purchase and maintenance cost: Even though there are motorcycles more expensive than some luxury cars, they are generally very affordable - to get and keep going. Sure, it does not offer all the features and luxuries of the cross-section motor vehicle, but all models come with aircon! Seriously, higher-end motorcycle models come with ABS, heated grips, on-board computers, and of course, an unbeatable power-to-weight ratio.
Freedom, Fun: I admit, this is more on a philosophical level, but a motorcycle connects to some primitive part of your brain - when humans first domesticated and rode animals, I guess. It does not give you the kind of freedom to break traffic laws and such, but on a motorcycle, your flying! Lone Ranger, Indiana Jones type stuff I'm talking here.
There are however a number of reasons to rather be apprehensive towards motorcycles in general, but it falls outside the scope of this post :)
In this current age of consumarism, individualism and style, there is now way denying that a motorcycle makes so much more sense than the conformist and traditional motor vehicle that Henry Ford was so proud of a century ago. So now get up, walk to the nearest mirror, look yourself in the eyes and ask yourself: "Are you ready to go on two?".
See you on the road!
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