Author Topic: For the bikers: Loud Suits Save Lives! (Read 1552 times)

bsee · « **Reply #30 on:** June 03, 2007, 02:36:38 PM »

The sound of pedaling isn't bad. The sound of a big bike engine, on the other hand, needs taming on longer rides. If I'm commuting, I usually don't bother, but on 300-1200 mile day trips, they're a necessity.

tbrannon · « **Reply #31 on:** June 03, 2007, 02:38:58 PM »

I figured as much about the noise, but am still curious to see how you bikers feel about losing a certain percentage of hearing-

I guess the full face bike helmets reduce sound anyway? My motorbike ignorance is shining isn't it? =)

811952 · « **Reply #32 on:** June 03, 2007, 03:03:38 PM »

To be truthful, hearing protection of any kind lowers the level of everything enough that I can discern sounds far better than without. On my KLR, at speed, wind noise and the tires are the loudest continuous sounds. Without the plugs, I get ear-fatigue in a matter of minutes and have a difficult time identifying new and/or different sounds in my environment. With the plugs I can still hear the whine of the tires and the buffeting of the wind, but I can also hear other traffic (and identify it as such aurally), and since the volume is so much lower I can hear subtle changes and direct my vigilance accordingly. And my ears don't ring after I ride.

Now, as for iPods and such, those ARE dangerous, due to the fact that they mask other sounds in the environment.

1200 mile day trips? bsee, you must have an iron butt!

John

rami · « **Reply #33 on:** June 03, 2007, 07:44:39 PM »

Hey John,

She's the only one. I wasn't intending to buy another bike, but one day I happened by a local Suzuki dealer and there she was. I couldn't take my eyes off her - it was love at first sight. I made every possible arguement NOT to buy her, but emotion won out over common sense.

Rami

bsee · « **Reply #34 on:** June 03, 2007, 08:22:09 PM »

On occasion. I've done about a half dozen days above 1K. A couple noteworthy, but most just to get to someplace fun. Lisa and I went on a family vacation a couple years ago averaging 600 miles per day two up for a week. Took a winding trip from MA down to Pensacola, across to New Orleans and up to Memphis before racing home over 36 hours in chilly weather ahead of a big storm.

The bike, setup and maintenance make a huge difference. The right suit is and clothing underneath are also critical. I ride an ST1300. Reliable, smooth and reasonably comfortable. Wind blast or engine vibration will really shorten your riding day.

Some guys, mostly in the west or southwest, do 1500 mile days, but they can average over 90 out there in the desert. 14 hour days are really my practical limit for riding, but I've stretched it to 18 a couple times when there was no plan to follow it up.

rraymond · « **Reply #35 on:** June 03, 2007, 10:17:23 PM »

My bike: Raleigh SC200, top speed 40MPH down a steep hill and pedaling like crazy. Helmet - YES, iPod - NFW, I have to be able to hear.

bsee · « **Reply #36 on:** June 03, 2007, 10:52:55 PM »

Reid, I'd be impressed if that thing could do 40 without going off a cliff. Absent a hi-tech Lance Armstrong time trial suit, there's an awful lot of wind resistance to overcome. 45 on a race bike is tough to hit without something to cut the wind in front of you.

bracheen · « **Reply #37 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:07:20 AM »

John
I sure wasn't expecting a Leisure Suit Larry reference. Well done.

Sam

811952 · « **Reply #38 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:10:15 AM »

Man, I used to LOVE riding pedal bikes! Now my back and knees give me fits. Nice Bike!

811952 · « **Reply #39 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:22:45 AM »

Leisure Suit Larry was my first ever video game (before that it was basic games on a TeleType, and some Fortran), played on a CompuColor box my brother owned back in the late '70s or early '80s (it's all a nice blur to me now). Good times for sure..

John

kmh364 · « **Reply #40 on:** June 04, 2007, 07:04:11 AM »

For all the bikers (or wannabees) out there, as an MSF RiderCoach, I'd recommend the following to save your bacon out on the street:

Take an MSF (or equivalent, like Team Oregon) Experienced/Advanced Rider Course every two years and/or everytime you get a new bike. This will help keep your skill set full and fairly sharp. Statistics show a disproportionate amount of riders crashing on new and/or unfamiliar bikes. I'd also HIGLY RECOMMEND the Ride Like A Pro video series and classes (ridelikeapro.com) for those with less than stellar low speed M/C control. Jerry Motorman Palladino will have you being the boss of your hoss in no time flat.

Practice, practice, practice. You can't be a good musician without practice and you certainly can't be a good rider without practicing as well. Your skills are perishable, so use 'em or lose 'em!

Read/view everything you can about motorcycle safety. The more you know, the better it gets (sorry MSF, LOL!)!

SEE AND BE SEEN. Use your eyes and gray matter to scan agressively for potential risk hazards (don't forget your mirrors and head checks as well) and let people know you're there! Ride like you're invisible, because you are! Get your head and eyes up and look as far ahead as possible when riding. Look for anything that'll ruin your day. Formulate a plan on how to deal with those problems and have an escape plan. Don't forget to TURN YOUR HEAD! I guarantee the car/truck/etc. that kills you WILL BE the one you didn't bother to turn your head to see! Wear bright, retro-reflective equipped personal protective gear. Dress for the ride (comfort), not the crash, by utilizing properly designed safety std.-conforming protective gear.

Avoid impaired or distracted riding. The effects of Alcohol, drugs (prescription, OTC or illicit) are, of course well kown and N/G for a rider. ANYTHING that says DO NOT operate heavy machinery or May cause drowsiness are to be avoided like the plague if you're gonna ride (i.e., OTC cough suppressants, allergy/cold meds, etc.). Hunger, dehydration, hypo/hyperthermia, fatigue, illness/sickness, need to urinate/defacate, anger, depression, worry, etc., accomplish the same thing...they're all distractions and/or impairments. Keep your mind clear and free from impairment and distractions. If you're thinking about ANYTHING other than your task at hand (i.e., riding) DONT RIDE! Take the car or get a ride instead!

That is all (for now), LOL!

Rubber Side Down,

Kevin

(Message edited by kmh364 on June 04, 2007)

(Message edited by kmh364 on June 04, 2007)

bsee · « **Reply #41 on:** June 04, 2007, 09:43:27 AM »

All truth, Kevin. Several of those items can creep up on you on longer rides. With the wind chill at speeds over 40 MPH, temps only need be under 60F to have an impact. A couple hours in cruise mode on the highway, especially with sub-standard gloves, and your fingers might not work so well to brake and clutch when it's time to stop.

You have to find ways to stretch and stay loose while riding so that everything works when you are called upon to maneuver to avoid trouble. Surprises on a motorcycle are almost universally a bad thing.

kmh364 · « **Reply #42 on:** June 04, 2007, 11:25:58 AM »

Agreed. The MSF BRC manual states that @ 55-60MPH a 60F ambient becomes 38F!

I find that with my carpal tunnel, cubital syndrome, tendonitis, arthritis, etc that I suffer from in both hands/wrists/arms, I can barely operate the clutch and other hand controls due to pain and or loss of strength when I get chilled. I can only ride for extended perods when it's less than 50-60F ambient if I have my Gerbings/H-D heated gloves on. It s*cks to get old, LOL!

FWIW, I taught a BRC in Rutgers-Livingston Campus this weekend, and Sat's weather was appalling blazing sun, >90F temps and 100% humidity made for a day as bad as any I've experienced in July/Aug in Joisey. Add the asphalt temps on the range that are 20-30F warmer and you'll get the picture. I had a 2-pill migraine (Zomig brand Zolmatriptan 5-mg ea.) when I normally take 1/2pill, and I never kicked the migraine...it lasted until Sun AM. I took the truck with the A/C all weekend. I know not to take the bike when I'm sick...I've got 22yrs and LOTS of safe bike miles under my belt and I've suffered life-long from migraineur.

MOS: Know yourself and know when NOT to ride!

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #43 on:** June 04, 2007, 12:10:14 PM »

Several people have mentioned the dangers of riding impaired - on this I fully concur (and, unfortunately, I can show you the roadrash scars to back it up - sunny day + new bike + hot chick to show off for + wasted = stupid. Not my best day). Something else I feel needs mentioning, however, is NEVER ride in polarized sunglasses - the same thing that takes the glare out snow also takes it out of oil, so you don't realize it's oil until you're kissing it (for that one, I submit my crooked nose as exhibit A).

Peter

keavin · « **Reply #44 on:** June 04, 2007, 12:15:04 PM »

Damn this is one Badass bike!