Are we better drivers?

[skeggo]

Ah, finally some temperatures over 10 degrees. Hit 50 here today in Minnesota. Just need a good storm to clean the roads and the season is on!

When this time of year comes around, I start to put my brain back in rider mode. I start to take note of all the new potholes on my daily route. Paying more attention to driving patterns, looking further ahead, generally more attentive driving.

I am then reminded of generally how bad most drivers are. It occurs to me, are motorcycle riders better drivers?

[planedick]

Amounts of road rash indicates...

the rider's skill level or lack thereof. Thing about road rash, it never really goes away, nor does the memory. Older scars usually indicate lessons learned and newer ones indicate lessons to be learned.... LOL

Maybe we could come up with a standard by which we could judge riding skills. Like miles/month, relative danger in area riden etc, some sort of formula????

Darn, I need to find something to do.......

[fredintoon]

Of course we are

Or at least, we have the potential to be so. A motorcycle rider is far more aware of how slippery roads can be and of the hazards imposed by other traffic. Those who weren't, died. OTOH a car driver can proceed while paying less than full attention, yabbling down a cell phone and involved in many other distractions for years until the odds catch up with him.

[mason79]

average rider is better than the average driver

[randy]

By necessity, riders are more aware of their surroundings, thier reaction time has to be quicker and the decision making process has to be precise, no time for second-guessing! Been riding 32 yrs, in New Yawk City, in the late 70's operating a messenger service on my KZ400. I figure if I can survive that, I'm doing pretty good. The flip side is, could be I used up a bunch of my good luck doing that!

Riding has made me a better car driver. Whatever I'm driving, I'm thinking like a rider.

[TADracer]

Because when you ride you are 'out in the open' you naturally become more aware of your surroundings and what the other guy (or girl) is doing. So that in itself gives a rider the groundwork to be a better driver.

[John]

I feel that being a motorcycle rider does make you a better cager, for all the reasons listed above, but another activity that I feel makes one a better rider/driver is driving around the tarmac/gate area (ramp) of an airport. Your head has to be on a swivel at all times. In addition to the planes, you must be looking out for baggage tractors, catering trucks, lavatory trucks (turd hearses), fuel trucks, and every other idiot driving out there. 22 years of working on an airport, and so far so good, but some guys aren't so lucky. About a year ago, a baggage handler (bag rat) got run over by a aircraft pushout tractor, and lost both legs. There are frequent accidents on the ramp, and quite a few serious. Even though most bag tractors are goverened to about 15-20 MPH, they are still quite heavy (6000lbs), and they pull heavy loads. Any impact has a lot of potential energy, so quite often a small impact can be very serious for the drivers involved. I have always said thatI'm surprized there isn't a deah a day on the ramp. Ya ever see a Ford Ranger that was clobbered by a 60,000 lb pushout tractor? Not pretty...

[Cobia]

Better Driversand riders

I've always been a very safe and FAST driver. In the cage I've always made sure I know what's going on as far as I can see in all directions and monitor constantly. If nothing else to avoid getting tickets!!

That set the stage for riding. The PO, who's also a friend, gave me a piece of advise which I follow every day I ride:

"Ride as if everyone is out there to kill you."

It has served me well.

Another thing that helps is visualization. Visuali...what!!!??

Read the riding tips and the entries of how other people got out of jams and make mental notes of how you need to react under particular circumstances. When you find yourself in trouble you will react automatically. I've experienced that already.

[Pat Kelly]

I am a cage driver, a motorcycle pilot, and now I drive an 18-wheeler.
I used to road-race 400cc box-stock and street-production (anyone remember 400cc streetbikes?). I've driven/ridden for 32 years now and have never been in an accident (well once, I was the passenger).
I do consider my skills average.

[mitch]

40 yrs

I have had some sort of bike for the last 40 years,seems like i learn something new every ride! I must be a very slow learner
Doug

[Guy_b_g]

lol...it might be guaged by how much your motorcycle insurance costs...

[QUOTE]Maybe we could come up with a standard by which we could judge riding skills. Like miles/month, relative danger in area riden etc, some sort of formula????

At least the insurance companies think so....

[mason79]

what's better?

if you are alive and not dead and you want to and can ride and do ride, then it's all subjective, as long as you get to your destination consistently.

that is what sanctioned racing and stunting is for to weed out the talkers from the winners

my guess is your better half considers herself a better driver and if you know better she is right.

[planedick]

Of course

As soon as we begin to think we are getting good, BAM some darn cager will set you straight. To the hospital that is. Kinda like the reason I carry so many tools with me. That way I never need them.

[STEPPENWOLF]

I trust no one near me.......car,truck,bike,cat or dog......,pot holes or slippery crack fillers,sewer lids or painted lines...yes I am a better driver cause I am always aware of my surroundings and the potential of something happening.

[mason79]

i tell myself i'm playing dodge ball, i dodge everything steppenwolf