Street Smart Tip of the Day, A Guide to Street Survival Skills Options

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GLAD U Drop By...

Take a Few Minutes to Read
'Cos U really have less than 2 Sec
To React to a Situation on the Road...

But the KEY is not Getting Into The Situation...

Spectrum

Note: Just Read One "Tip of the Day"
Every time u logged in...
Don't Read thru the thread in one go...
Feel free to quote which ever point as u
share your own experience with us.

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Note:
There is no Copy Right when spreading a Word on safety.
Right Click with your mouse & click "property" -
Copy "Address (URL)" and paste on "IMG".
Or simply "save picture as... " to your disc

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Street Smart

Tip of the Day #1

Most motorcycles accidents involve a short trip associated
with shopping, work, friends or entertainment.
50% of Crashes happen within the first six minutes.
So be extra careful when starting off.
The Factors are Attention & Concentration.
Transition from House to Bike, Office to Bike is High risk.
How focuses are u on the traffic hazards or is your mind somewhere else?

Every time U swing your leg over the Bike.
Take time to direct your Mind to the Task.
To focus on the road & traffic ahead.
Wipe things of your mind & tune in to the bike & ride.

A Transition is Needed Take a little time to concentrate on what lies ahead!
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Hi All,

Above is a Statistic.
But U need not be One. :smile:

Although the figures were compiled in another country...
I feel It is also relevant here in Spore.

Please contribute your views & experience.
As conditions here at Home are different.
And whatever U contribute will beneficial to ALL.

Thank You for Tuning In...

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STREET SMART
CONTENTS For your "Quick Reference"

1. 50% of Crashes happen within the 1st 6 min
2. The Art of Soft Lane Change
3. Intersections - Most Frequent Place for an Accident
4. Less Traffic = Fewer Hazard (choose your route)
5. See & Be Seen (Be obvious)
6. Vision: Whose is more important. Yours or others
7. It's All about Speed
8. Risk in City Street Vs Expressways
9. Good Time... Bad Time (different time in the day/nite)
10. 2 Min Check (Pre-Ride)

11. How long it takes to get use to riding a new bike
12. Recognizing & Respond to Hazards
13. Wet Weather Riding
14. Emergency! Chain Snap! (pg 2)
14a. Blind Spots
15. Something Heavy on your Mind...
16. 2 Most Dangerous Risk to the Biker
17. The Attitude to Learning
18. Swerving
19. 3 Deadly Junction in the West
20. Change your Gears before entering a Corner

21. 4 Things that seperate You from the Ground22. Bikers Wt vs Bike Wt.
23. Tires indicates the Drivers Intentions
24. Taxis... $#%%!
25. Taking a Left/Right Bend
26. Tunnel Vision
27. Crash & Injuries Pattern
28. Best Protection is Distance
29. Filtering Between Lane
30. Entering Expressways

31. The U-Turn
32. Shadow Watching
33. When Sun Gets In Your Eyes/Sand (Pg 3)
34. Take a Break
34a. Wear Protection
35. High WInds
36. Overload
37. Overtaking Commercial Vehicles
38. Under the Bridge
39. Being Noisy Could be a Good Thing
40. Beyong Your Envelope

41. Life Saver
42. Bikes on Tour
43. Overtaking a String of Vehicles
44. Offside Overtaking
45. Wet Days
45a. Big WHEELs small wheels
47. Which Bike Should I Steal?
47a. Riding Skill... Physical/Mental
49. Slippery When Wet
50. Be Cool!

51. Stop & U Drop
52. Keep to the side when turning
52a. Look out for that Cow!
53. Height has It's Advantages
54. F.A.S.T.
55. Target Fixation
55a. Space
56. When u see a slow car... (Pg 4)
56a. Entry Speed (pg17)
56b. Tyres
57. Stoney Island
57a. 1000th Hit Post "Don't Rush"
58. Regulating your speed
59. Don't want to Hit Anything when I fall
60. Hydro Planning

61. Decreasing Radius Turns
62. The Wobble
63. Engine Seizure
64. Skids
65. ABS Brakes
68. Thunderstorms
69. Speed Vs Gear
70. Signal Your Intentions

71. Flashing Your HeadLights
72. Junctions
73. Taxis
74. Hand Signals
75. Courtesy
76. Responding to other signals
77. Learning from our mistakes
78. Attitudes Towards Speed
79. Attitudes Towards Other Road User
80. Attitudes Towards Risk Taking

81. Heavy Vehicle on the overtake...
81a. Looking but not seeing
82. Red Mist
83. Traffic Jams
84. Riding In A Group
85. Ride Within Your Comfort Zone
86. Overtaking is a Decision u can Reconsider at anytime.
87. Don't follow blindly
88. You Alone can Access the situation
89. When your vision begin to blur.
90. 12 midnight to 8am

91. Do Something to Keep Awake
92. May Not Be A Good Idea to squeeze between 2 vehicles
93. One of the safest position is between two vehicle.
94. Be Selective Who U are with.
95. Debris from Trucks...
96. Drop Gears Before Entering Corners for more control
97. Exit & Entrances
98. It Need Not Involve U
99. A Wet Tale
100. Think Buffet

101. It sometime not good to share.
102. When the surface is getting Wet
103. Looking Here - Looking There
104. Punctures & Blowouts
105. Altering Your Riding Behaviour
106. Cute Animals
106a. Hantu Lorries
107. Clear & Present Danger
108. Reading the Roads
109. Reaction Time
110. One Eye Joe

111. Snap Out!
112. 2 Sec Rule
113. Pick Up Zones
114. Back Alleys
115. Deadly Cracks
116. The Ramp
117. The Junction
118. A Sign call Danger
119. Taking Position –
119a. Snooze & U sleep on the street
120. Famous Last Words - I didn't see him leh!
120a. Speed

121. Body Language
122. Below The Waist
123. Lane Selection
124. Dropping Gears – Rags in wet days
125. Tire pressure
126. Anticipate & Avoid
127. Dress for the fall
128. Dressing Up
129. Survival Instinct
130. Know the Statistic but do not be one.

131. Vital Statistic
132. Who is most likely to be involve in an accident
133. Where are accidents most likely to happen
133a. Do we learn from our Mistakes
134. Our Own Count
135. Riding 2 Up
136. Precious cargo
137. What Makes A Good Rider
138. No Lines – Don’t Squeez
139. Buying A Bike
140. What Bike do u have in mind.

141. New or Old
142. Used Bikes
143. Popular or Individual machines
144. Scooter or Motorcycle
145. Which Brand
146. Italian Bike
147. Getting a Used Bike
148. Strength & Limitations
149. Roads are not racing tracks
150. Time to bring our the Mask

151. Lapse & bite the dust
152. Right turning vehicle kills the most bikers
153. Wear Protection
154. Case Study #1
155. Case Study #2
156. Don’t Just ride.. think!
157. It’s about walking
158. The Most Dangerous Time is when the drinking ends
159. If u drink – don’t ride
160. Do U look at your mirrors when u stop

161. Wet Days
162. Vigilance is crucial to minimising error
163. Disturbing story with a taxi driver
164. Avoiding Vehicle turning into your path
165. A little distance in wet days
166. Push yourself to the limit & you’ll crash
167. Slippery when Wet
168. Falling asleep on the ride
169. 360 Vision
170. When the going gets tough – The tough goes shopping

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Street Smart

Tip of the Day #2

The Art Of Soft Lane Change

The Purpose of this technique is to allow Yourself
and other road user time & space to make mistakes.
Everybody makes mistakes so why not allow them
rather than suffer from them.

Here is how it works:

When u move form one lane to another,
After u check your blind spot carefully & mirror thoroughly,
Flash your turn signal.

Move to barely across to the line that divides the both lanes,
Wait a few moments for horn or
some indicator that u miss some important info.

After a few seconds, hear or see no problem…
Smoothly & deliberately adjust your position to the new lane u prefer.

U basically turn 1 motion into 2.
Making Room for yourself.

Try It! It works!And It won't Hurt!
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JUNCIONS Most Dangerous Place For Motorcycles

The Most Frequent Place for an Accident to the Motorcycle Proceeding Straight.
Especially for Vehicles Turning into Our Path...

They More than Often Fail or Choose Not to See us...

Junctions, Traffic Lights Intersection...
(not stopping when lights are red or at STOP sign)

Just Remember!
Drivers are at Times are Unpredictable!
(look at the driver... may give u some hint of what to expect)

Just when u feel that they are stopping & slowing down for U...
Surprise!

Think!
Whenever u approach a Road Junction.
It is the MOST Dangerous Place for Motorcycles.

It Had Been, and Shall Always BE!

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STREET SMART
TIP OF THE DAY #4

Less Traffic = Fewer hazards equals Less Risk & Stress.

Try Leaving Your HOME a Little Earlier eg. 15min/30min
And see if the amount of Traffic is Much lesser.

U can always pack your breakfast & have it at your place of work.
With a 3 in One coffee bag. (can even make u slimmer)

Try Leaving your Place of Work Later eg. 15/30min
& see if the Traffic is much lesser.

Consider adjusting your work schd
And maybe make the trip more enjoyable.

TRY Different Routes TO your Place of Work/Home.

Some maybe Longer... But if the Traffic is low...
U will probably get there in Better Shape.

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SEE & BE SEEN

This Picture was taken last week.
Driver turning out from a minor Junction in to a Main Road.

If for any reason... Driver a little late for appointment, tired....
as to lack concentration in anyway
& miss seeing the difficult to see bike...

He would have turn Car right Into His Lane

And .... SURPRISE!

The Biker will have to do Emergency Braking or
Serve Right into the Next Lane to avoid the Car...
Hoping There are no Vehicles on that lane.....
:cheeky: :smile: :giddy:

Riding in the Shadow may be a Cool Thing to Do on a Hot Day...
But Beware of Drivers that Just don't see U...

Never Assume That U are Visible...
It is Better to Assume That U are InVisible!

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Way to Protect Ourself...


Plan A: If u Are Prepared Mentally that
The Vehicle Is Coming out into your Lane (cos he does not see U.)

Obviously, U would Slow Down to let Him thru...
Maybe look Behind to take the Next Lane Right (checking for traffic of course)

Plan B: Flash Highbeam/Friendly Horn to Let Him know U are Coming.
Beware! Him Slowing Down does not means He is Stopping...
On One Occassion...
A car slowed down but did not stop and drove right in front of me.
(Did not see the Stop Sign for Him)

I could not stop even with max brakes.
Crash into his side with My car...
Spd was slow... Min damage.
No Injury to occupants!

Remember!
In a Crash... The driver will walk out to see the damage...
Car & U... IN that order...
As for the Rider...
I am sure the Rider will Suffer a Little More injuries.

Just A add-on:

Hear from fellow motorist working around there...
This Corner at Guillemard Rd is has many bad Accidents...
Wonder why?
But remember... Know the Statistic but do not be One...

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OUR wish is that All motorist sees Us Clearly... All the Time...

But Unfortunately....

...They Dont'.

As Such,

OUR VISION is All Important in Keeping Us Safe...
In Reading & Avoiding potential dangers...

All we need is a moment of Lapse... And Surprise.. We have a Vehicle Right in front of our Lane!
Don't even know where it came from...
Next.... we are fanatically trying to avoid crashing into the vehicle...


A Simple Disipline is to keep our Visor
Clean & Clear ...
Essential to Good Vision & safe riding.

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There Were Times When I have to Cruise Along the
North-South Highway At low Speed...
(Eg. When Almost Every Body is passing U)

I Just Have this Great Sense of Discomfort And that is when
BUSES & LORRIES
Overtake And Roar pass my bike.

The Uncertainty of Not being in control of the Vehicle
From Behind
Is just very Uncomfortable.

Putting My Faith in the hands of Lorry/Bus Drivers
Is just not one of my Favorite Past Time.

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STREET SMART Tip of the Day #8

When U ride...
Which way shall u take today...
Which has more Risk...

Expressways or City Streets?

Because of the Better Flowing Traffic... Expressways has lower risk.
But 'cos of the Higher Speed... An accident would mean serious injury

Generally, more crashes occurs in City Streets 'cos of the Numerous Junction & Stop/Go Traffic.
But lighter injury is the order of the Day.

Best Option:

Depends on your route & time of travel...
Choose one with lesser traffic...
May take u a longer time(route)...

But U be safe & sound....
Probably enjoy your ride More...
(go experiment with different routes... U may even reach office/home earlier)

Between Expressways... U can always take the one that does not go thru the City center but use SLE, TPE or KJE...
It may be sometime more worth while to pay the 50c ERP just to enjoy the ride thru the city with lesser traffic...
(don't forget to insert your cash card)

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Street Smart
Tip of the Day #9

Good Time... Bad Time

Fatal Crashes start to Peak after 6pm.
Injury Crashes prevail from 9pm to midnight
But the Midnight to 3am shift is the prime time for deaths.

NO surprise as most family activities happens after work.
Going home after shopping... dinner...
But after Midnight... is Bar/Pub Closing Time.

Just too many drivers with access alcohol...
They will do the Most Unpredictable Manoeouver.

It is just a Bad, Bad time to be on the Road...
No matter what skill, state of mind, location or choice of vehicle.
Why do u think the Police does spot checks on drink driving
around Midnight...
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Street SmartTip of the Day #10

2 Minute Pre Ride Check
- Can Save Your Life

1st Ride of the Day
This Would be A Healthy Routine U can Adapt to Your Life Style
A simple Check on your Bike before Hit the Road..

Approaching your Bike
Look for Fluid drips on floor
Any thing stuck to tires

Tire Pressure
If the Bike has not been ridden for a week.
Check Pressure with a Gauge...
Or ride to the Nearest petrol stn for air.

Chain
Does it need to be adjusted... Use your Toes
Check Oil & Fluid Level
Bike should be Upright(ctr Stand)
Engine Oil, Brake Fluid Front & Back

Cable - Normally fail slowly
Roll throttle & see it returns automatically
Squeeze Clutch Lever
Brake Lever Pressure Normal

Start Engine
Check Lights
High/Low Beam
Signal Lights Front/Back
Brakes Lights - Front/Back Brakes
(use Vehicles or wall around U to see reflections)

Move Off
Give Front & Back brakes a tap to see if it works.

It seem like a long list... But if U do it correctly & regularly
It takes very little time. And will prevent Ugly Surprises on the Roads
Print a copy as checklist, after a few days... U won't need the list anymore...
U have aquired a Good Habit. Just like wearing a seat belt

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Street Smart Tip of the Day #13

Wet Weather Riding

Wet Roads Means Less Traction
Smooth Changes in Direction & Braking
Is the Order of the Day

Avoid the Painted Lines/Arrows on the Road.
Very Slippery.
If U do Skid...
Release Your Brakes... (Locking up the Front Wheel will guarantee a Drop)
Apply again when u regain Control of your Bike.
(advance riding in BBDC will teach u how to handle a skid)
U should use both Front & Back Braking.

Visibility will be Reduce...
So Give Don't Miss Anything that may hit U.

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Riding In the Wet may not be all Bad.

I have experience 2 rides in very heavy rain on the North-South Highway.
Vision is acceptable... but gets bad behind vehicles.
So I keep clear of all vehicles.

Any Form of Spray-on that's gets water
off your visor will help greatly.
Fogging up on the inside of visor may also be a problem.
But Normal vent provide should do the Job.

And It is the Acid Test for your Gears.
Water Proofs & Helmet.

Being in the Rain Lately?

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Street Smart Tip of the Day #14

Chain Snap

It's is important to respond Quickly As Instructed Above.
Look ahead to where u want to go.
Looking out for traffic on the left if pulling to Break down Lane.

When Chain Breaks

You will Notice it Immediately
Cos' you'll insantly lose power.

Chain could LOCK rear wheel & cause u to skid

Chain Maintenance(once a mth)

Check that It is Not too Tight (or Lose)
Use your Toe at Mid point... chain should move about 2cm.

1. Clean Chain by spraying WD40 and clean with rags
(Do Not Use Diesel to clean! there are rubber component in your chain
That will be damage)
2. Apply Chain Lube

Or

Use Scott Oiler
What the Oiler does is drip oil on your chain at regular interval.
Click for more info on Scott Oiler

Price: Reasonable as having to deal with a Chain Snap on the Road

(IMG:http://www.scottoiler.com/images/lubetube.jpg)

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Stay off the RED ZONES

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Will He Turn Into your Path?

Even if he has his signal on...
... Make sure He Knows U are Coming...
Flash your Lites or Sound your Horn if u need to!

As for Us... We have to Me Absolutely Sure He is NOT Turning!
May even need to Slow down or Stop to let him thru...

It's Your Survival!

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Swerving May be Necessary to avoid a Particular Emergency
A "QUICK SWERVE" May be the only way to avoid collision!

Counter Steering is the Best way to get Around Objects.

HOW TO:

At Slow Spd... U push Left Handgrip to go Right...

At High Speed..
U push RightHandgrip to go Right!
When u do it, the bike will lean right

Pass the Object... straighten up & do the Opposite.

U may need to brake & steer at the same time...
Slowing down gives u more control.

Use Very little rear Brakes. Rear wheel tend to skid in sharp turns.

STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE!
Or u risk being hit by another vehicle.

I Been Taught to Use my knee to kick the bike on the Left to go Right!
It Works! Try It!
(some uses body wt. transfer... works too)
Go practice by avoiding white arrows on the Ground...
...Remember, Keep to your lane!