Tag: riding

Prepare mentally for the three kinds of spring riding hazards


Great advise about getting back on your bike if you have not been riding through out the winter.

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Spring

Continue reading “Prepare mentally for the three kinds of spring riding hazards”

“Aren’t you afraid to die?”


Best quote: “People say to me ‘Aren’t you afraid to die?’, and I say ‘Well, are you afraid to live?'”

I Love videos like this…so articulate and those of us who ride will totally relate to this video….I know I am obsessed with bikes but when I watched this I know I am not alone.  He talks about 2-3 weeks to ride….we are fortunate to have had many weeks on board or our bikes…making us want to stretch out each trip to months. 

ENJOY! Continue reading ““Aren’t you afraid to die?””

Group Riding Hand Signals


Good to know…I still haven’t seen a group of BMW riders doing this, mainly the cruisers but hey still good to know! 😉

Motorcycle hand signals are important for all riders to know and understand but especially when riding in a group. (When riding in a group the signals should be relayed back through the group.)

START ENGINES
With your right or left arm extended, move your index finger in a circular motion.
LEFT TURN
Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow fully extended.
RIGHT TURN
Raise your left arm horizontal with your elbow bent 90 degrees vertically.

HAZARD LEFT
Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.

 
HAZARD RIGHT A
Extend your right arm at a 45 degree angle and point towards the hazard.
HAZARD RIGHT B
Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and point towards the hazard over your helmet.
SPEED UP
Raise your left arm up and down with your index finger extended upward.  This indicates the leader wants to speed up.
SLOW DOWN
Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle and move your hand up and down.
STOP
Extend your left arm at a 45 degree angle with the palm of your hand facing rearward.
SINGLE FILE
Position your left hand over your helmet with your fingers extended upward.  This indicates the leader wants the group in a single file formation. Usually this is done for safety reasons.
STAGGERED   or  SIDE-BY-SIDE FORMATION
Extend your left arm upward at a 45 degree angle with your index and pinkie finger extended. This indicate that it is safe to return to staggered formation.
TIGHTEN UP
Raise your left arm and repeatedly move up and down in a pulling motion.  This indicates the leader wants the group to close ranks.
TICKED OFF
Extend your left arm straight out with your elbow bent 90 degrees. Carefully extend your middle finger to clearly demonstrate your dissatisfaction with the other guy. NOTE: It is not recommended you do this when you are alone.

Special thanks to graphics from: Ann Arbor Hog Chapter

BMW Motorrad Community


Your way to create your own ADV community.  Seems like a Facebook/Google + site for just bikers.  Not a bad idea if you have the time.

BMW COMMUNITY CLICK HERE

Riding in the Winter


Usually I ride all year long but this year I am questioning as is Cheryl how prudent is it to have 4 vehicles insured at one time just to have the cars available for those what if days in our Winter months???  Could I be happy commuting to work in a car or by transit?  Probably not but here in BC our insurance rates for motorcycles are equal to that of a car.  ICBC our government run insurance company does not discount bikes like they should. 

So, pondering the idea of taking our bikes off the road for 3 months to save a little money and start making responsible decisions?  Would be sad but perhaps the right thing to do. 

Any thoughts? Who rides all year?

On another note Triumph is coming out with their version of the BMW 1200 soon.  Curious to read and see more about this bike.  I just love competition and would love to see BMW at least for the 800GS to add an adjustable seat that is a bit wider than the plank they offer now.  I also predict maybe not right away but the Tiger will have an info button to toggle through the dash, with an on/off ABS button.  Just my prediction because it makes sense for the rider.  Looking forward to what these 2 companies come out with in the next year or two.

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