Contest: Best single-sintence advice for new riders - win a prize!

[mister]

One single sentence?

That's a toughie. What applies on the open rural roads and twists is different to the urban jungle. E.g. Always ride so drivers can see you in their mirrors is useless on a trafficless rural road full of sweepers and twists. Riding within your limits, not trying to keep up with others, etc, applies there, but doesn't help negotiating the cars that want to get you when riding in the city.

Hmm.... this requires some more thought.... a single sentence - not four or five or six with commas - to impart something succinct and across the board. Thinking cap on. Do not disturb sign on door. See you when the pizza runs out...

[mchollan]

Always wear your gear, always!

[Janx101]

Beating the championship in WSBK on PS3 does NOT mean you know everything! 

[yamahonkawazuki]

lol.... coulda been close call!! .. I could hear Johns flying monkeys chattering and squealing to be let out of the cages!! 

well he does spank them constantly 

[Scoz]

This one stuck with me as a new rider: "Ride as if everyone else is trying to kill you." 

[MarkB]

"Your most important piece of safety equipment is that thing you stick in your helmet."

[Kiwingenuity]

I may need to learn from that sage like wisdom of everyone being out to get you - had one of "those" moments last night on the commute home. 

Had a car merging from the left (we drive on the left here), I slowed down a bit to let it merge in.. car slows down.. no indication.. slower.. I (incorrectly) assumed they were just being a muppet and waiting for me to get past before they merged. So I start to apply a bit of throttle.. down a gentle slope..

I ASSumed incorrectly..

They (the muppet) proceeded to execute a u-turn across the lanes in front of me from left to right very slowly in their nice big SUV.  It took a bit of effort to pull up the GS in time, and was quite an effort to avoid braking too hard on the front and lay it down.

I should have known better, even though I was watching the driver I never saw them look to their right to see if any traffic was behind them..

Thighs are a bit sore today, but I am glad I spend a bit of time practicing stopping in unguarded car parking areas from time to time... my GS is still shiny 

[PatheticPuma]

I may need to learn from that sage like wisdom of everyone being out to get you - had one of "those" moments last night on the commute home. 

Had a car merging from the left (we drive on the left here), I slowed down a bit to let it merge in.. car slows down.. no indication.. slower.. I (incorrectly) assumed they were just being a muppet and waiting for me to get past before they merged. So I start to apply a bit of throttle.. down a gentle slope..

I ASSumed incorrectly..

They (the muppet) proceeded to execute a u-turn across the lanes in front of me from left to right very slowly in their nice big SUV.  It took a bit of effort to pull up the GS in time, and was quite an effort to avoid braking too hard on the front and lay it down.

I should have known better, even though I was watching the driver I never saw them look to their right to see if any traffic was behind them..

Thighs are a bit sore today, but I am glad I spend a bit of time practicing stopping in unguarded car parking areas from time to time... my GS is still shiny 

That sucks, but at least you're alright. I have a pretty 8 inch scar up my right arm where i was knocked off my bike (honda sabre at the time) by some woman in a ford f-250.

[Kiwingenuity]

F-250 - Ouch...  could have been worse I guess..

I was a bit worried during the stopping about getting taken out by a Ford Falcon behind me, guess they had ABS...

That sucks, but at least you're alright. I have a pretty 8 inch scar up my right arm where i was knocked off my bike (honda sabre at the time) by some woman in a ford f-250.

[Erika]

Hold your head up... HIGH!

You can even sing that tune when feeling nervous. It'll get your eyes off the pavement and into the distance. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/steppenwolf/holdyourheadup.html

[Kijona]

Learn how to spell! <:

[twocool]

"Does your mother know you are doing this?"


Always stuck with me from Safety Course..............Most answered "No"...


Cookie

[twocool]

here's another one...yeah I know....one entry....

"The laws of Physics are unforgiving....and the ground is very hard."


Cookie

[ToneZone]

"You are the only person that is going to keep you out of an accident"

(I'm new and I think too many people ride with an expectation that they can predict what other cars will do or that other people are looking out for them)

[mister]

ok... best single piece of advice. Applies whether you're hitting the twists or negotiating you're way through the urban jungle....

Always remove the keys from your pocket Before putting on your gloves.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Take the following distance you would use in a cage and multiply that times 5

[shonole]

Two words:  SLOW DOWN

[yamahonkawazuki]

konw the 2-1 panic stop. and practice it

[Janx101]

konw the 2-1 panic stop. and practice it

The what? ... I know my emergency stop routine... Probably the same... Different name for different area ... But .... The what? 

[yamahonkawazuki]

konw the 2-1 panic stop. and practice it

The what? ... I know my emergency stop routine... Probably the same... Different name for different area ... But .... The what? 

downshifting from 2 to 1 and applying both brakes and clutch @ same time.