Tips and Tricks – Part 3

The article “The Road Often Traveled: Tips & Tricks – Part 3” by Bud Miller was originally published on the “RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel” magazine website on 07/18/2012.

I posted Tips & Tricks Part 1 two weeks ago and Tips & Tricks Part 2 last week. Here is another installment with a few more observations that occurred to me lately on my daily commute.

Be Wary of Gaps
Here in Pennsylvania, it’s still legal to use a cell phone while driving. There is a ban on texting but I’m not sure how enforceable it is since it’s still legal to make and receive a call. I’ve noticed that anyone intent on texting or calling when stopped in traffic will often leave a considerable gap between themselves and the car in front of them. It serves as an alert to me that an inattentive driver using a cell phone may be behind the wheel.

The fastest lane is usually the one you’re in
I see this every morning on my commute; everyone thinks they’re going to get there faster if they swerve from lane to lane whenever a slight gap opens up. Every morning it seems that when I ride in my lane and stay there, I end up right next to the guy who’s been meandering through traffic.

Hand positions
After a few close calls commuting I’ve altered my hand positions slightly. My left hand has two fingers on the clutch lever and thumb on the air horn. That saves me some time in heavy traffic and keeps me from missing the horn in an emergency. It takes a bit of getting used to but works like a charm.

My right hand always has two fingers on the front brake lever, again to save time and give me the instant use of both brake and throttle when necessary.

Yellow Line Crossovers
More and more lately I’ve noticed impatient drivers swerving around other cars who are making turns. Often they swerve into the oncoming lane. It’s something to watch out for and make lane position choices about in traffic. I try to stay visible but in the case of a car approaching you and turning right you have to watch out for the trailing car swerving across into your lane.

Look up ramps for mergers
I always give a look over my shoulder and up ramps checking for mergers before they suddenly appear in my mirror. Some ramp angles are so subtle and gradual that other cars are often driving parallel to motorcycles just before they merge. A quick head check up the ramp can save a rider from an incident.

Sometimes you just have a feeling
The other day I was previewing a route for a group ride I have scheduled and found myself behind two other vehicles. The lead vehicle was driving slowly, maybe 40 in a 55. The second car was obviously impatient, as was I; but we were in a section of double yellow lines. The second car got tired of waiting and passed. I had a split second where I considered following him but I held back. As the passing car began to merge a huge deer ran out from the side of the road. Had I followed I doubt I’d have missed the deer. Sometimes you just have a feeling, I always try to defer to those feelings.

Please see Tips and Tricks Part 1 and Tips and Tricks Part 2

I’ll post more as they occur to me. What are some other tips that we can all use to make us safer on the road?

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