Author Archives: John

Fixation

Fixation can get us into trouble faster than we can blink an eye. For some reason, our human tendency is to focus on the object that caused our attention shift for too long. Maybe a left over as a survival … Continue reading

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Motorcycles and Cars are Different

Motorcycles and Cars are Different Motorcycles are a different class of vehicle! I know, difficult to conceptualize, but motorcycles aren’t cars. The idea came to me as I reflected on a speeding ticket I was awarded by one of our … Continue reading

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Finding Balance

Before you can really begin to understand counter steering, you have to be able to “feel” your motorcycle. As you are finding balance, look for an area on your seat where you can sit that keeps the steering feel neutral. … Continue reading

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Text and Distraction

I’m hoping that none of us who ride actually text while operating our motorcycles. But lately I have seen a whole lot more of the car drivers with their eyes down being distracted while they are out there with us … Continue reading

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Constant Bearing, Decreasing Range

Impact A component of navigation that will result in a collision if a change in course isn’t made immediately is known as Constant Bearing, Decreasing Range. Constant bearing means there is no relative lateral motion of an object. The object … Continue reading

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Deer in the Ditch

Early Commute At 4:30 in the morning I got on my bike to commute to work. I’d been awake about 30 minutes and the coffee hadn’t kicked in yet. I wasn’t ready for deer. I’m usually the only bike on … Continue reading

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Perception, Reality and Risk

Motorists willing to take more risk and err in judging motorcycle closure rates have to be one of the major contributing factors in most, if not all, pull-out collisions. Most of us that ride probably already know this, but I’d … Continue reading

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Limited Visibility

Commuters in northern latitudes probably spend at least 50% of their commute in the dark this time of year with a small percentage of that time riding in the fog and rain. Separately, darkness, rain and fog result in limited … Continue reading

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Cones and Tire Tracks

I don’t spend any time riding cone weave courses. I’ll bet you don’t either beyond the basic cones set up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s training programs. So when Sargent Wayne Davis, one of the founders of the training program … Continue reading

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Awareness, Errors, and Behavior

What is SA, TEM, BM? Over the years of riding motorcycles and flying airplanes I’ve noticed there are strong parallels between the modes of transportation. Both require constant focus and a high level of Situational Awareness (SA) to enjoy success. … Continue reading

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