Motorcycle myths

[Atesz792]

Originally Posted By: LoneRanger
As far as helmets go, I don't see how you non-wearers tolerate being peened in the face by hard shells, rocks, and other shrapnel. Can't count the number of times I've been riding along and *pow* something strikes my face shield that sounds like a BB ricocheting. Those are the concerning ones that might have caused a big old problem if cool dogging along wearing only a pair of shades with much weaker polycarb lenses.


A valid point. Even a bigger fly (the poor thing) can knock quite hard on your visor (and you don't need to be speeding either).

 

[iahawk]

wouldn't even consider getting on the bike without a full face helmet and all the gear...not worth it

 

[Reg# 43897]

Originally Posted By: loneryder
Yes they are amazing. I just applied the front brake but they are linked. A police dept in Va. demonstrated that you can stop even faster by braking just up to antilock kick in. I was surprised.
The thing that stands out to me about that accident is the perfect conditions. When I go for a ride, I review in my mind what kind of day it is, weather, road conditions, is there sand in the road at driveways and so on. I considered this a perfect day and route. The only car I encountered that day turned in front of me.


That's referred to as 'impending lock-up' & it must be taught & practised. You become your own ABS, so-to-speak. The problem is encountering multi-surface braking which, when you consider it, is every danged ride that we take on a public road. This stuff gets taught in perfect conditions on a closed track. I was taught it in old Caprice's & Crown Vic's (square ones, not the rounded-off ones!) in dry & wet. I was also taught it in -30 Celsius & summer heat. To this day I have to consciously stick my boot into it to activate a vehicle's ABS... My FJR doesn't have it, so I don't know what I'm missing. The brakes are not even linked. Love the machine but I do wish for a more modern set up for the brakes. Put some braided steel lines up front. It's one thing to run a heavy sedan w/o ABS but a bike's a completely different animal. A single-tracked machine's benefits are also its limitations...

As Jack Nicholson's Whitey Bulger knock-off character says in Scorsese's "The Departed," "Act accordingly..."

I love that movie...!

John.

 

[David_g]

Originally Posted By: Reg# 43897

My FJR doesn't have it, so I don't know what I'm missing. The brakes are not even linked. Love the machine but I do wish for a more modern set up for the brakes.

I wouldn't want linked brakes without ABS. Linked back to front I wouldn't want at all. Linked front to back like on my BMW seems fine as long as the bike is smart enough not to lock the rear when I'm hard on the front.

One thing I think is often a myth is "ABS saved my [censored]". I'm sure in some cases it's true. But not in as many as I've read. In some cases it seems like someone panic braked, and because they didn't crash ABS must have saved them. And of course bad ABS implementations can be way too prone to freewheel, and have caused problems. Had such in a car before, but never had a bad implementation on a bike.

Two of my bikes have ABS and both seem good. One doesn't and its brakes seem pretty good too.

The one about tires is a bit silly. As he points out a new tire can be quite slick before it's scuffed. So there's no point even bringing up tire profile, etc. We're all capable of switching between bikes with different tire profiles without incident, but many of us have had a slick as snot incident with a new tire. I've had 'em on cars a couple of times well in the past, and on a bike once or twice.

And back to mold release. While I believe big-name tires don't use it, Shinko still claims to on their website. I realize manufacturer websites, like motorcycle owners manuals are capable of accumulating obsolete, inaccurate information, and I have no idea if they really do.

From http://www.shinkotireusa.com/faqs :

Quote:
What is the recommended run-in for a new street tire?

Shinko recommends a run-in distance of approximately 100 miles. Before then, maximum power or hard cornering should not be applied to the tires. Proper run-in allows you to familiarize yourself with the feel of the new tires or tire combination, as well as allowing the tire mold release agent applied during the manufacturing process to be worn off.

 

[alarmguy]

Agree on the tires, easy for 100 miles and thats it.

Dont agree on the ABS, many accidents would be prevented if all bikes had them. Computer is 1000 times faster applying the brakes in a panic stop allowing the rider to focus on the rode.
So many people "freeze" up, or apply the rear brake to hard and the bike slides out and if the bike doesnt slide out, it just takes them to dam long to stop.

See a deer in the road? slam on the brakes and focus on riding around the deer. You can take care of the steering and the computer will take care of the braking.

Only, only, in the most controlled conditions, were professional riders able to beat ABS, and even then it was close.
Put one of those professionals in a real accident situation and well, anyway ...
I remember decades ago, people would present similar arguments against ABS in cars, it just doesnt hold water.
Dont quote me on this, but I am pretty sure ABS is or is becoming mandatory on motorcycles overseas.
I really wasnt a pro ABS person for MANY years, but I changed my view around 100%.

PS ... Im just chatting here! I have read your post and I understand you are not against ABS.
and ... man, I was just so impressed in my situation I posted before with my Road King and its linked ABS.

Im not so sure I would want linked brakes on a motorcycle without ABS though. I will give you that. I didnt know such as thing could exist. Kind of sounds scary to me no computer to control the front and rear brakes and no human to control the front and rear brakes independently???

 

[ChristianReske]

Loud Pipes in germany:
Worst case:
Police officer will seize your bike. First, now it´s your own problem how you get home. Taxi, Train...Hope you have enough money in your wallet. Second, your bike end on a tow truck and is transported to a safety inspection by a technican. (TUV) They will check your bike. The german way.

"What, a non-factory bolt on the Windscreen? Oh boy!"(I am kidding, but just a little bit..)
You have to pay for all this, it could reach 1,000,- €. And you earn "Points" to your driving licence, 8 Points within a certain time and you are pedestrian. And of course, if you want your bike back, you just can ride it away from the inspection center with a certifid pipe.

In the past, it was more relaxed, you just get a ticket by the Police officer, ride away, pay a fine (50,-€) and earn a point. You get one week to put a certified pipe on it again, and you have to show your bike at the Police Sation with a silent Pipe within this week.

But as it was a annoiyng "Catch me if you can" game with Bikers that tried all kind of tricks etc. even the german police get a little bit more upset, and no, within the last 15 Years, is getting almost mercyless.

--------------

Yes, ride like you are Invisible is allways a very good rule, one of the best. I found out that adjusting the headlights of my bike just a little bit upwards - not to the point that you glare other drivers at night, but just slightly out of the proper adjustement - really help a lot. Car drivers notice me much more. The cases where they pull out from side roads in front of me and i have to make a emergency brake are really reduced. Try it!

 

[Atesz792]

On that last note - I ride with the high beam on during the day.
Good effect on noticing you, and 1 single weak headlight won't blind anyone in bright sunshine.
But that subject's a whole different can of worms on its own...

 

[gman2304]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3MfLcJLaCs

You decide.

 

[SuperSalad]

Originally Posted By: gman2304
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3MfLcJLaCs

You decide.

It looks like those training wheels are mighty useful

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted By: gman2304
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3MfLcJLaCs

You decide.


Well, the video is misleading. Before the advent of capable ABS systems, one of the most heavily taught skills towards competent riding, is braking in all conditions.

All this video shows is crushing the brake levers in slick conditions, with no attempt to modulate the brake pressure applied (as an ABS system does).

I will say that very few riders I saw and have helped teach, knew how to properly modulate brake pressure in varying conditions. They are often ham-fisted when applying the brakes, (as was aptly demonstrated in this video) with predictable results. I can't tell you how many Cruiser riders in particular I taught, who are deathly afraid of using the front brake.

So while ABS can certainly help. A rider that has the skill to properly use brake modulation and front and rear brake application in varying conditions, will still be better off even when riding an ABS equipped bike.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: 02SE
Originally Posted By: gman2304
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3MfLcJLaCs

You decide.


All this video shows is crushing the brake levers in slick conditions, with no attempt to modulate the brake pressure applied (as an ABS system does).

I will say that very few riders I saw and have helped teach, knew how to properly modulate brake pressure in varying conditions. They are often ham-fisted when applying the brakes, (as was aptly demonstrated in this video) with predictable results. I can't tell you how many Cruiser riders in particular I taught, who are deathly afraid of using the front brake.


+1 ... ABS certainly helps the unskilled riders in a panic stop situation, and could also help a skilled rider if for some reason he grabs way too much front brake under some unexpected emergency situation. My new XSR900 is the first bike I've ever owned with ABS, and haven't ever had to use it, but if someday I happen to over react in a braking situation I hope it gives me a better chance of controlling the braking.

 

[Silk]

Originally Posted By: alarmguy

Dont quote me on this, but I am pretty sure ABS is or is becoming mandatory on motorcycles overseas.


Sorry for the quote, but top end bikes able to be fitted with ABS are only a fraction of the bikes sold worldwide. The vast majority of motorcycles sold in the world are under 200cc with a rod operated drum rear brake...these are highly unlikely to have maditory ABS systems.

 

[David_g]

As far as I know ABS is mandatory on bikes in the EU from 2016. I think very low displacement is exempt.

 

[LoneRanger]

German language video of testing the Cornering ABS feature that is part of the Bosch Motorcycle Stability Control system, on a BMW S1000XR,
Ducati Multistrada DVT 1200S, and KTM Super Adventure 1290.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: Silk
Originally Posted By: alarmguy

Dont quote me on this, but I am pretty sure ABS is or is becoming mandatory on motorcycles overseas.


Sorry for the quote, but top end bikes able to be fitted with ABS are only a fraction of the bikes sold worldwide. The vast majority of motorcycles sold in the world are under 200cc with a rod operated drum rear brake...these are highly unlikely to have maditory ABS systems.


Not really correct. All motorcycles sold in the EU over 125 CC must have ABS now, hardly a top end bike.
I look at anything under 125 cc as a moped and not really in a motorcycle discussion, just my point of view anyway.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: David_g
As far as I know ABS is mandatory on bikes in the EU from 2016. I think very low displacement is exempt.

Correct, under 125cc is exempt.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Agree on the tires, easy for 100 miles and thats it.

Dont agree on the ABS, many accidents would be prevented if all bikes had them. Computer is 1000 times faster applying the brakes in a panic stop allowing the rider to focus on the rode.
So many people "freeze" up, or apply the rear brake to hard and the bike slides out and if the bike doesnt slide out, it just takes them to dam long to stop.

See a deer in the road? slam on the brakes and focus on riding around the deer. You can take care of the steering and the computer will take care of the braking.

Only, only, in the most controlled conditions, were professional riders able to beat ABS, and even then it was close.
Put one of those professionals in a real accident situation and well, anyway ...
I remember decades ago, people would present similar arguments against ABS in cars, it just doesnt hold water.
Dont quote me on this, but I am pretty sure ABS is or is becoming mandatory on motorcycles overseas.
I really wasnt a pro ABS person for MANY years, but I changed my view around 100%.

PS ... Im just chatting here! I have read your post and I understand you are not against ABS.
and ... man, I was just so impressed in my situation I posted before with my Road King and its linked ABS.

Im not so sure I would want linked brakes on a motorcycle without ABS though. I will give you that. I didnt know such as thing could exist. Kind of sounds scary to me no computer to control the front and rear brakes and no human to control the front and rear brakes independently???


I recall some Goldwings have linked brakes without standard ABS.

I will also note that many early car/truck ABS systems could, in the right (wrong) circumstances, be incredibly scary.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: Atesz792
On that last note - I ride with the high beam on during the day.
Good effect on noticing you, and 1 single weak headlight won't blind anyone in bright sunshine.
But that subject's a whole different can of worms on its own...


Actually, no, more than a few MC headlights WILL blind an oncoming driver, even in daylight.

 

[Silverado12]

I have a headlight modulator that seems to get people's attention fairly well. Also high-vis jacket, knee guards and 3/4 helmet (sorry, but I just can't stand a full face). I'm sorta glad there's a helmet law here in VA becaus eof the temptation not to wear one. When I travel to SC I hardly see anyone wear one.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Ever tried a modular helmet?