[coyotelance]

Hey, I was just wondering how long it took you guys to get comfortable riding in traffic. The traffic here is not bad at all, but I see a lot of stupid things that drivers do, and in my car it does not really bother me. I just think that it would bother me while riding a motorcycle. Did it take ya'll a while to really feel comfortable while riding in traffic?

 

[joberly]

When I first got my bike I felt pretty comfortable, riding it to work and such the day after... it's just something that's different for different people.... start out on very light roads, then move up to slightly busy roads, etc. Until you feel comfortable. Most importantly try to stay RELAXED... giving yourself a nervous breakdown with cars all over the place will definatly not help. I think that's the biggest issue, stay relaxed and remember what they taught you in MSF. Also hit up a parking lot and practice some of the drills as well, can't hurt!

 

[Get_1]

ill never feel comfortable on the street for the simple reason that cagers do crazy things like tail gate.. ill never get used to just try to avoid

 

[RACER X]

each person is different. i'm used to it.......houston ,heavy traffic, drive a miata, rode mt bikes in heavy traffic. no prob. for me......other's it'll be more difficult.

 

[taziscool]

Never had a problem with traffic.....I was on a 250 and it happened 20 yrs ago.....traffic didn't SUCK as bad as it does now, no cell phones back then.

 

[Filip75]

that's actually one of the things I'm dreading

 

[neutom72]

The day you become comfortable riding with traffic is the day you should sell your bike. Seasoned riders who have thousands of miles under their belt are still uncomfortable. I'm still a new rider and I can't ever imagine just cruising the freeways without worrying WHEN the morron driving next to me will try to run me over.

I'm a firm believer that loud pipes save lives. Always do your best to stay out of drivers blind spots, but a loud can might be heard if they can't see you.

I had a Katana 600 with a Vance and Hines pipe on it and I thought it was loud. Considered it loud until the bike I bought had a D&D can on it. Son of a beotch... now THIS thing is loud!! Maybe too loud?

So the take home message is this. Stay out of blind spots if you can and make some NOISE!!! Earplugs may be useful.

 

[neutom72]

Crap, I forgot one thing.

Your worst nightmare as a motorcyclist is a soccer mom with four kids, driving a Ford Excursion, talking on the cellphone, and eating McD's all at the same time. I avoid SUV's at all costs.

Be safe!

 

[crammer]

Hey, I was just wondering how long it took you guys to get comfortable riding in traffic. The traffic here is not bad at all, but I see a lot of stupid things that drivers do, and in my car it does not really bother me. I just think that it would bother me while riding a motorcycle. Did it take ya'll a while to really feel comfortable while riding in traffic?

It all depends. It takes some time to get used to having cars in close proximity of you but like everyone has said, each one is different on how they act in different situations. Just take your time, start out in light traffic and work your way up to the heavy traffic to get yourself accustomed to vehicles near you.

 

[crammer]

Crap, I forgot one thing.

Your worst nightmare as a motorcyclist is a soccer mom with four kids, driving a Ford Excursion, talking on the cellphone, and eating McD's all at the same time. I avoid SUV's at all costs.

Be safe!

You completely forgot the old ladies with blue hair white knuckling the steering wheel in their Buicks.

 

[xoxo1981]

that's actually one of the things I'm dreading

DITTO

Shoot, people that drive around the neighborhood while I'm putting around scare me... and they're only going about 30mph.

 

[Get_1]

the term " keep your head on a swivel" comes to mind everytime i ride.

 

[RayOSV]

You can get comfortable, but never complacent. You can get to the point where you're not tense, but never relax. You always need to try to anticipate every dumb move that cages around you may make. I try not to ride next to anything for any length of time let alone staying out of blind spots. Cages changing lanes into you or turning in front of you are probably the worse hazards. Assume the cage waiting to turn left will go right when you get close enough for it to matter.

In never ceases to amaze me how often you hear "I just didn't see the motorcyclist". I always think "What part of red bike, light on, bright clothing couldn't you see?" Or "If you can't see, you shouldn't be driving". Anyway, it does get less uncomfortable but you have to always have your guard up.

 

[Süsser Tod]

The first time I tried to I was like "I want to get out of here!!!". I was so terrified I wanted to leave the bike there and walk!

It took me a couple of weeks, after that I could handle it, but it took me months to really feel comfortable there.

But you can never get complacent, comfortable is one thing, complacent can get you killed.

 

[Filip75]

When I drive a car, I ALWAYS check my blind spots before turning/changing lanes, and i ALWAYS use my blinker (even in the parking lot). People that don't do the later, piss me off the most.

If I was a cop, I wouldn't stop people for speeding (as long as they don't appear too reckless). But I'd increase the fine for the "no blinker" citation. I just love how you'll be riding/driving behind someone.. you see that the road is wide open in front of them, and you jsut ride behind them at contant speed... then you just see the brakes come on and the car slows down VERY fast... You're like: WTF?... and the car just turns left :dunno

WHY NOT JUST USE A BLINKER? IS IT THAT HARD? If it's broken, FIX IT!!!!!!!!

 

[21 natas]

I still don't feel comfortable riding in traffic after putting over 150k on bikes, you just never know what's going to happen.

 

[bluesnowmonkey]

Crap, I forgot one thing.

Your worst nightmare as a motorcyclist is a soccer mom with four kids, driving a Ford Excursion, talking on the cellphone, and eating McD's all at the same time. I avoid SUV's at all costs.

Be safe!

You left out the 90% tinted windows. What's on the other side? Who knows?!

 

[Phly6]

Yes, and not to be racist or anything but here in FL there are a lot of illigals with fake lisences thinking its okay for them to drive so TRUST NO ONE! These people just buy a fake lisence and get in a car. No training or anything. I bet the only thing they know is red means stop and green means go. They are certianly not prepared to avoid a motorcycle comming up next to them. I know, i almost met the underside of a ford aerostar because the lady just jerked the wheel out of nowhere because the tow truck was going to slow for her on a three lane road. I guess it was just luck i was riding on the left side of the lane that day.
As far as driving in traffic, i generally ride behind the car next to me or on its front quarter-panal ( little in front of the front wheel ) if i have to ride next to them so I know they can see me. Better to get a speeder for 10 over then to get a medical bill for $100,000...

 

[japbike]

after livinging in Pheonx, all the blue hairs.. YIKES!! made me more aware of older drivers... in Minnesothell, God, just making it from Downtown to Burnsville (way south burb) in one piece, made me a better rider in traffic. And going from Az to Cali one yr. scared the hell outta me, not because of being on I-10 and I-8, the Interstates don't bug me, its the Semi's. Now as long as Ive been on a bike, I'm still scared shytless being any where near a Semi. I still avoid um like the plague... eeeeeesh.... they blow me around like a rag doll... being 5'5" and 113 lbs. they do a GOOD job at it.

You'll get used to it sonner or later, or you may not. Some ppl avoid heavy traffic all together. Take your time. Don't push it.

 

[neutom72]

Japbike... you're right about Minnesota. I'm in the northern burbs and finding roads that are relatively "safe" are hard to find. Before I started riding in 2002 I hated motorcyclists. I hated seeing them always riding faster than traffic and weaving in and out. Now I understand fully why they do it... to stay away from other drivers. I find myself doing the same thing.

I will always believe that SLOW drivers are more dangerous that speeders going ten over the limit. We wonder why we see more and more road rage on the news!!?? People are fed-up with slow drivers in the LEFT lane. I believe that people are starting to drive faster each year because of one simple reason. Roads are becoming so congested that when they have an opening they take it. If you're not going 75mph you're gonna get run over.

Be safe!