Antonopoulos Ilias - Andeli

 

 

 

Thoughts on safe motorcycle riding

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All of us who are true motorcycle riding enthusiasts overwhelmingly do not change that riding feeling even with the best car in the world.

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It's a way of life. Because those of us who have ridden a motorcycle have certainly felt this love, independence, carelessness and all the emotions that flow whether it's hot / cold, or when it's raining..

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However the issue of safe riding / commuting by riding motorcycles since 1981 - with whatever unfortunate moments I have had as a rider myself - has always driven me to try to pass on my knowledge and experience to other comrades. Because knowledge must be shared.

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But all of us who ride a small or large motorcycle every day face many challenges that mainly concern our safety and physical integrity.

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All riders are potentially vulnerable drivers as we do not have the potential passive safety of a car cabin. Essentially, when we ride a two-wheeler, we are 100% exposed since we have no windows, belts, airbags, roof, etc. around us.

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It's us and our motorcycle, along with our passive safety.

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Experienced riders report that riding a motorcycle requires an increased mental process to determine the course of the machine and protect it from oncoming hazards.

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It goes without saying that as riders we should wearALWAYShelmet and gloves. In fact, the hands are considered the first point of contact of the body with the asphalt and must be protected.

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Remember ! When it comes to riding a motorcycle, mistakes, no matter how human, are forbidden! All those who move around us are dangerous and not harmless. That's why the motorcyclist needs the knowledge to become a real driver from a simple operator. To participate his whole body and his senses.

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When riding any motorcycle, the data we have to process at every moment of riding is so much that it is human to make a mistake or mistake.

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The human brain needs two elements to function while driving: information and time.

 Lack of information or failure to anticipate random events that suddenly come our way, as well as strong emotions, personal thoughts that pass through our mind as stimuli (telephone, conversation with the passenger, billboards, crossing of pedestrians or animals, etc.) are factors that almost always create the conditions for an accident.

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Remember that the human eye can receive stimuli from a field of view that exceeds 170 degrees. This means that with a minimal movement of the head, we have a full picture of what is happening in front of us. As long as there are no visual obstacles of any form / shape / volume.

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We said that commuting by motorcycle is a necessity, it's a choice, and riding it for a ride with friends always starts with emotion and ends up with it again.

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Think about it. Always a group of fellow riders riding their motorcycles for a ride or a trip on wonderful twisty tracks - mostly on a provincial asphalt network - gives us beautiful feelings, adrenaline and pleasure. That's why at our first stop or on our return we talk with a changed mood and dream of the next excursion.

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Because riding a motorcycle is all of the above and a joy and I wish it was just that!

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In order not to have unpleasant developments when we start riding our motorcycle, we should ride with the required safety and the main axes for safe driving.

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• Our motorcycle must be in excellent or working condition as much as possible, such as tires, brakes, lights, mechanical parts, etc.

• In the motorcycles of recent years, an important safety factor is its standard equipment such as safety systems, traction control, ABS active safety, etc.

• Our individual handling and behavior when driving on the road.

• The right and continuous training. With continuous training you always win, you gain useful experiences mainly in the subconscious that will need us at the critical moment of 3-5 seconds. There are many certified safe driving schools for asphalt or dirt. Broaden your skills.

• Correct rider / passenger equipment. passive safety (correct helmet, correct equipment (leather jacket or synthetic material with protection) gloves, boots / booties.

• Invest in your passive safety and the right equipment. Invest in your life, in the continuation of the development of your family and your descendants.

 

We define things. We always drive with respect and fear.

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We drive proactively, defensively and at the first opportunity re-train to acquire driving education, individual responsibility and to understand the dangers and emergency conditions in the surrounding area.

 

A motorcycle is a vehicle that has its own rules that we must learn and respect so that our motorcycle can take us safely to our destination every day whether at work or for fun / travel.

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The need for self-promotion or recognition in society leads us to fatal or extreme situations, showing off mainly in the urban environment with kangaroos, dangerous driving, etc.

 

We should know our limits.

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All riders and especially young ones, we have the need to express our ego differently. We love speed, we love to take reckless risks, we show off what we think is right through social media, and so on. These should always be done in a controlled environment (motorways) and there we show our skills.

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It is a strong and sweet feeling to speed up and open the gas, but the feeling of returning to your loved ones, family, partner (companion) and company is equally sweet. Better to be present and not absent.

 

We all had an accident, big or small, what did we learn from it?

How many times have we been saved from an accident by sheer luck?

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We have all lost friends "so suddenly" on the roads and we used to say that he was the best driver, the best steering wheel...

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Enjoyable riding is intertwined, primarily with our individual safety and with respect for the motorcycle and respect for the K.O.K.

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Our "priority" and expectation thinking that the rest of the drivers around us faithfully follow the K.O.K., has cost the lives of many people. They believed that "since I have priority I don't need to check", or - even worse - that the green light gives them safe passage...

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Better to come into friction with familiarity with the bike and not with the asphalt.

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A motorcycle is not a toy. It is a means of entertainment and transportation every day. We must have knowledge / experience / prevention.

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No extremes, no exaggerations, no stress, no irritation. Just keep calm!

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After all, it is no coincidence that everywhere today, in the whole world, the greatest tendency of the city man and his greatest desire is the real need to travel in any way that each of us can - whether on foot or by bicycle or motorbike or by car or train, ship or plane...

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Life is the most important commodity, driving is free. Let's enjoy it to the fullest.

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Good and safe kilometers to all. Until then flashing the lights.

 

Happy Travels, free soon

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*Antonopoulos Ilias -  Andeli

 

Travel Columnist – Photo Reporter – GEO Field Investigator – MOTO Tourer – Certified MOTO Tour Guide –FIM Europe Moto Tour Assistant & Ro.SPA Diploma Rider Trainer, Blogger, Radio Producer @DUSTRADIO.EU.

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