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Adapted from http://www.motorcycle.com/rider-safety/road-conditions-quiz-88128.html
Content used with permission.By Jeff Cobb, Nov. 10, 2009
Riding a motorcycle safely and in control means not just better bike handling; it also means judging road conditions.
No matter what your experience level, riding on busy roads – which often have poor surfaces – can challenge any rider.
According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and other instructors, the best attitude to adopt is to become a “life long learner.” Enrolling in a rider’s class from time to time, as well as proactive self-learning are healthy continuing education habits to get into.
With experience, riders learn the importance of scanning the road, and they develop greater awareness of conditions as they ride, including ability to estimate traction, which has been described as “reading” types of pavement.
Gauging traction is critical! With only two thin tires, it is more important for riders than drivers of four-wheelers.
Recognizing when clean pavement is slick, or offers average traction, or is especially grippy, as well as noticing if it is littered with sand, gravel, oil increases chances for safety and control.
According to a study of motorcycle crashes done by the University of Southern California and the U.S. Department of Transportation, about 75 percent of accidents involved collision with another vehicle, and 25 percent were single-vehicle cases where the rider simply fell, or hit something.
Rider error was the cause of about two-thirds of all single-vehicle accidents. The typical error was a “slideout” or a fall due to over braking or running wide on a curve due to excess speed or under cornering.
Jeff Cobb is the editor and publisher of Motorcycle Safety News. Comments, and questions can be directed to [email protected].
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