Motorcycle Racing and Riding

Ordinary motorcycle brake lights can be difficult to see: especially when they are also functioning as running lights, and it is bright out, and one is trying to pay attention to other vehicles. I suspect that many people rely solely on other visual cues to determine that a motorcyclist is slowing down.

I learned to appreciate flashing brake lights while doing group rides in Arkansas. The intentions of motorcyclists with flashing brake lights were unambiguous. On the other hand, they always say, “I didn’t see him. He came out of nowhere.”, and there is nothing that a small flashing light will do to change that. Feel free to completely ignore that claim from folks that sell the little flashing lights.

Let’s get that first question out of the way: are they legal? Yes. It’s legal to apply your brakes, let up, and then apply them again. That would turn your brake lights on-and-off, and these products turn your brake lights on-and-off. Also, these don’t annoy people; sometimes headlight modulators do.

I have experience with two products, one of which is the Kisan TailBlazer 20W-D plug in bulb.

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive.
• Just replace the existing brake light bulb with this unit. All of the electronics are in the base, and it just works.

Cons:

• Except when it doesn’t. In my case— a V-Star 650 Classic— the bulb was mounted vertically. The base of the light holds the electronics; that’s the part that twists in. The new bulb has two prongs, and it plugs into the top of the base. There is a little “bowl” on top of the electronics (see image), and the water would collect there. For sure, the lens (the red plastic piece) didn’t have cracks in it. I believe the condensation within the lens was bad enough of a problem though. Most motorcycles mount the bulbs horizontally, and facing backwards. I assume that this system would be more reliable in that case. I kept my original tail light bulb just in case this thing stopped working, and it did.  That original bulb came in handy during this little adventure I tell ya’.
• This simple system doesn’t work for all motorcycles. Kisan does have other brake light flashing products for that case. They also have head light modulators, tire pressure monitors, turn signal cancelling systems, and more.

Image linked-from, and to kisantech.com

Folks, this opportunity is over, but I will put any future dates that I find, at this same exact URL. Thank you!

AMA Pro Racer Santiago Villa sent us the following via facebook:

Ride 180 MPH with Chris Ulrich and help buy airfence! This weekend at Auto Club Speedway, Saturday and Sunday. First rides at 9:00am, ends at 5:00pm. $50 donation for three hot laps with Chris and all the money goes to the [Roadracing World] Action Fund. Leathers and safety equipment will be provided.

It’s a good cause, and riding with either Chris Ulrich, or Randy Mamola, will be a high point of your life. The event takes place at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana California, and occurs concurrently with a Fastrack Riders track day.

Here is some video of Chris by OTT:

September 30 2009
This one is from my home track at Heartland Park Topeka. Chris’ references to ditches and walls and Chicken Little were probably in response to Mat Mladin’s refusing to race.

July 18 2009
Chris on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10 Project Bike

July 5 2009
Chris at Sears Point (Infineon).

May 10 2009
Chris at Barber Motorsports Park

AMA Public Service Announcement— Think. Ride. Recreate Responsibly Off-Road:

This was originally published on 2008-01-16.  It was significantly updated, based in-part on feedback, on 2009-10-14.

Purchasing My ABS Motorcycle

Almost every advance in the world-of-motorcycle-safety came from the world-of-racing with the exception of two: anti-lock brakes (ABS) and airbags.

Anti-lock brakes aren’t on most motorcycles because motorcyclists are extremely conservative with regards to changes in the motorcycle-world.

Who is even more risk-averse than motorcyclists?  …motorcycle dealers.  They won’t order motorcycles with new, optional safety features unless customers have requested them-to.  Dealers are afraid that the higher price may make them less competitive.

The 50-closest Suzuki dealers (that belong to the Powersports Network, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V, Click Submit, Repeat, 50 times) only ordered one SV650 with ABS and one SV650S with ABS for 2007.  That’s not 2 motorcycles-per-dealer, that’s two motorcycles, period.  American Suzuki Motor Corporation advertised ABS left-and-right, but it was already too-late for the dealers to order more for that year.  We had to decide whether to purchase the S-model or not, and the answer to that question determined whether we would be making a trip to Colorado or to Illinois.  We went to Illinois, because it’s easier to add a tubular handlebar to an SV650S ABS than it is to add a fairing to an SV650 ABS.

Using My ABS Motorcycle

Motorcycle manufacturers advise riders to only use their anti-lock brakes while the wheels are in a straight line.  We don’t know why.  Maybe they are worried about what could happen if a litigious rider crashes while leaned over.  Maybe anti-lock brakes are only tested for straight-line panic braking.  Maybe they are concerned that the pulsing will upset the bike.  I can’t vouch for how well they will work for you (that’s my disclaimer), but I can tell you that they have worked very well for me, while leaned over, at high speed (at least for me), at Heartland Park, in the rain (thump-thump-thump-thump).

Yeah, man: I messed up and did that a couple of times.  No, I was nowhere near as fast as some other folks, but my middle name isn’t “competence”, and my bike doesn’t have a real sportbike suspension, so its easier to upset it (I am too heavy for the springs at any setting).  The SV650 comes with a standard fork suspension adjustable for pre-load only.  I love my SV650, but after factoring in a suspension upgrade the Suzuki GSX-R600 starts looking not-so-expensive.

So here is my claim: anti-lock brakes will help in every case. Let’s list a couple:

Alternatives?

“I had to lay ‘er down!”

This is the kind of thing that you hear in biker bars, at bike nights, and at bike rallies.  At least it was the kind of thing that I heard when I went to such places.  Also, I don’t know how many times a non-rider said something to me like: “My uncle is a really good biker, and even he had to lay her down to avoid crashing into a truck!”  (OK, I can tell you: I think that I heard something like this five or six times.)  Folks tend to believe (after the fact) that they actually chose to scrape-up their motorcycle in order to avoid colliding with another vehicle.

To be sure: colliding with a vehicle is something that you truly want to avoid.  I describe it this way in my airbag post: During a collision your pelvis gets crushed by the “fuel tank”, your head bounces off the other vehicle, your neck snaps, your spine gets compressed, and your skull gets crushed.  Your last thought before all that happens shouldn’t be: “Gee, I am glad that I saved money by not buying that [ABS].”

…but, your tires do have a hell of a lot more traction than the metal and plastic on your motorcycle, plus your leather-vest wearing biker’s exposed flesh gets abraded-off (it’s like being burned) while it’s sliding down the road.

Here’s the easiest way to avoid layin’ ‘er down: use anti-lock brakes. Well, watch this video.  The motorcycle with outriggers doesn’t have the anti-lock brakes.

MSF-style Crash Avoidance

The MSF Basic RiderCourse Rider Handbook tells us to swerve around an obstacle before braking.  The handbook stresses separating the two actions.  Here’s why: tires only have so-much traction, braking uses up some of the available traction, but so does swerving.  Swerving lowers the amount of available traction, because the contact patch has less traction at the edge of the tire.  Completely running out of traction while leaning means that you will fall down (this is called a “lowside”).  The Motorcycle Safety Foundation wants riders to separate the two, so that they are less likely to run out of traction.  You can read about the procedure in more detail on page 37 of the MSF Basic RiderCourse Rider Handbook and page 25 of the current MSF Motorcycle Operator Manual, but here is my version:

1. Realize that oh-mommy, I am about run into that car!
2. Decide whether to swerve to the left or to the right.  You have no time to think, so the best way to do this is to know where your escape route is at all times.
3. If you are swerving to the left, then push on the grip on the left side of your handlebar (left-turn countersteering), and then push on the grip on the right side of your handlebars (right-turn countersteering).  Let the motorcycle move underneath you: in other words keep your back straight up, and do not lean with the motorcycle.  If you need to swerve to the right, then reverse the directions above.
4. Begin braking as soon as your tires are no longer leaning.
5. Stop as quickly as possible without losing traction.

If you can do all that without crashing, then you are a better rider than I.  In fact it is extremely rare that riders get it perfectly correct: crash rates continue to rise in spite of better training.  The truth is that folks instinctively begin braking immediately: they just can’t wait.  You probably can see where I am going with this: losing traction while braking is the same as locking up the wheels, and anti-lock brakes allow maximum braking without locking up the wheels.  Also, anti-lock brakes allow you to do the swerving and the braking in less space.  (Please see Do I Brake or Do I Swerve– Motorcyclist Crash Avoidance Maneuvering presented at the 2006 International Motorcycle Safety Conference for more information about the distances that are travelled while braking and swerving at various speeds.)

This video teaches you how to do a proper panic stop (that’s step 5 above) with ABS.

The bike in the video is extremely similar to my own, and has the same ABS system.

Actor and AMA Board member Perry King promotes responsible riding practices

Oct. 9, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please see: a note about “press releases, news releases, and public service announcements”. Thank you.

AMA Public Service Announcement— Think. Ride. Recreate Responsibly on your ATV

The first phase of “Think. Ride.” is a series of short videos that encourages proper safety gear and safe, responsible riding practices, and discourages impaired riding and excessive exhaust sound. Another video tells car and truck drivers to watch out for motorcyclists on the road.

The PSA videos are available online by going to the “Rights” and then “Resources” section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

“We’re very fortunate to have a spokesperson of Perry’s caliber sitting on the AMA Board of Directors,” said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. “Perry is a passionate motorcyclist, and when he offered to help to promote the AMA’s key messages, we jumped at the chance.”

King is well known for playing the character Cody Allen in the 1980s television series Riptide. He has also appeared on stage and in movies, including Slaughterhouse Five, The Lords of Flatbush with Sylvester Stallone and Henry Winkler, and The Choirboys.

“Whether it is riding on the street or the trail, all of these messages about responsible motorcycling are personally important to me,” said King. “Earning the respect of those who don’t ride starts with us, and we must take responsibility for how we ride. When we do, we help ensure that our needs, concerns and rights are always a part of the conversation.”

King, who rides both street and dirt bikes, taped the off-road-related PSAs shortly after competing in the vintage hare scrambles race at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, in July. He taped the street-related messages the following week at the AMA headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio.

Two more phases of the new PSA program are planned: audio versions for use in radio broadcasts, and a print campaign for magazines and newspapers. Announcements will be made for each program later this fall.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.

We posted this in 2007-09 (and possibly earlier), with updates in 2009-10. The AirTronics reviews and videos were removed, because their corporate Web site longer exists.

Almost every advance in the world-of-motorcycle-safety came from the world-of-racing with the exception of two: anti-lock brakes (ABS) and airbags.  How about we start out with those, and then get back to the racing?

I will briefly describe a couple of strategies for using air to protect riders, and I will also direct y’all to some cool videos that other people have created.

First-party Airbag (there’s only one)

Yes, it really does look like you are saved by a big butt when the Honda airbag has been deployed.

The Gold Wing Airbag is most-helpful in the event of a front-end collision.  The airbag will eject the rider from her motorcycle, but it will also absorb most of the enertial energy, and slow-down the rider’s deceleration beforehand.

There are many types of motorcycle crashes that aren’t caused by collisions: Honda’s airbag might not help with some of these.  I will cover some of these other situations when I write about tires-and-suspension, traction control, anti-lock brakes, reverse-torque-limiting clutches, head-shake, and other topics.

If you don’t want a Gold Wing, then you don’t want a Gold Wing.  I am very happy with my motorcycle, and it’s not a Gold Wing.  One cannot ride a Gold Wing on the racetrack.  Many people just can’t afford a Gold Wing.  If are planning to buy a new Gold Wing though, then please, please buy the airbag.

During a collision your pelvis gets crushed by the “fuel tank”, your head bounces off the other vehicle, your neck snaps, your spine gets compressed, and your skull gets crushed.  Your last thought before all that happens shouldn’t be: “Gee, I am glad that I saved money by not buying that airbag.”

Here is a standing-still Honda demo of the airbag:

Aftermarket Airbag Products and Prototypes

Some of these might help in some of those other circumstances that I mentioned above.  Plus, they aren’t tied to only one motorcycle.

Dainese D-Air:

Simone Giorgi, Valencia

Spidi:

Spidi Air Bag, linked-from, and linked-to: http://www.wairbag.com/newfiles/mt1.html

Hit*Air:

Hit*Air (part deux):

Autobike Airbag Jacket:

This auction ran from September 22, 2009 to October 2, 2009.  The winning bid was $5,800.00.

Article by Ducati North America: Ducati North America, Nicky Hayden and the Make-A-Wish Foundation are pleased to announce today a charity auction for the helmet Nicky wore en route to a podium finish at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. Two weeks ago, at Nicky Hayden’s first Indianapolis race aboard a Ducati, Nicky unveiled this special helmet to celebrate what would be a historic moment. With his home crowd cheering him on, Nicky took his first podium of the year and his first podium while riding for Ducati. The entire race weekend saw crowds cheering for Hayden at every turn and now he is offering the helmet he wore during the race to help the Make-A-Wish foundation enrich the lives of children during their greatest moments of need. This hand painted helmet is signed by Nicky and comes with a letter of authenticity from Starline Designers.

“I was really proud of how the helmet turned out for Indy and the vibe that it got,” said Nicky. “It was truly a very special helmet and it was an honor to wear. I know how lucky I am and feel that it’s my duty to try to give something back when possible. What better way than by helping make kids dreams come true. It’s great to be part of Make A Wish. I’ve been a part of their team for 5 years and have done some neat things which always puts smiles on faces! In honor of the new Nicky Hayden Edition 848, the opening bid on the helmet will be $848.

Ducati North America has held Make-A-Wish auctions at each of this year’s MotoGP Ducati Islands. Over $23,000 has been raised to date with all proceeds going directly to Make-A-Wish. Join Ducati North America and Nicky Hayden as we finish the year strong! Please feel free to contact Ducati North America via the E-Bay message system with any questions you have about this auction.

The motorcycle photos were to Flickr by Fiatontheweb:

Notice how Jorge's seat is designed to get his weight up on the forks.

It looks like the sun, moon, #46, Rossi's new dog, and packard bell stickers are all sharing the subframe with the TV camera that Dorna points at Rossi's backside.

Jorge Lorenzo Apollo astronaut helmet, which coincidentally will look great with that aluminum colored everything-else:

Photo from, and links-to, allaboutbikes.

The racing suit photos are from Dianese:

Ben showed everyone an impressive win for his first weekend in SBK racing at Phillip island, Australia—  while wearing his new FS-15 carbon lid.  He’s managed to bring the same level of Texas tenacity and excitement we’ve been used to in US Superbike racing across the pond in SBK.

Race one was very intense with two extremely close calls after starting from pole position. After colliding with Ruben Xaus, Ben was forced off the track into the gravel but managed to finish the race in front of half the field.

For race Two, Ben came into form as he dueled in a classic battle with superbike veteran Nori Haga. Ben managed an extremely skilled and smooth race to pull ahead from Nori with four laps remaining and take the win along with 25 points. This is looking to be an excellent season of racing with Ben’s competitive spirit joining the ranks of WSBK. Awesome ride Mr. Spies, we look forward to next weekend and the excitement to come!