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Seven more motorcycle safety tips no one ever told you and probably never will.
San Fransisco will challenge you big time if you don't understand this one.We were told a number of those tips at the MSF course.
1. While useful on cars, I've not found convex mirrors particularly useful on my bikes. Something about the shape of the really small ones just bothers me. Instead I always do a head check before changing direction.
2. I get around that by wearing boots that zip up!
3. Definitely good advice about lane position. Another thing to worry about is with painted lines and tar used to seal cracks. Those buggers can be really slippery even on a dry day.
4. A/C puddles are also good reason to wear non-slip footwear, though they're especially useful if you ride in the winter or rain.
5. Snug fitting gear is also better when you're going highway speeds. Getting pummeled by your own jacket kinda makes the experience less fun.
6. Identification is zipped up in my purse (which I modified to be work like a backpack). So long as the purse doesn't disintegrate they'll have everything they need.
7. Amusingly enough, I can't flash my headlights in my car. Both low and high beams are HIDs and flashing HID bulbs can dramatically shorten their lives.
Two of my own tips:
1. If you're entering a curve or turn and the road looks a little "dusty", take it easy because there are probably rocks and gravel waiting for you and depending on your bike, you will lose traction if you come in hot.
2. Manhole covers, metal grates, and metal bridges (see: Chicago) can be especially treacherous in damp or wet weather.
Tip #7 was flashing headlight for cop down the road or for bikers tapping top of helmet.
I do the headlight flash myself. It's universal. Tapping top of helmet has had other meanings but shouldn't. I've seen it mean, I have problems and pulling over in a group ride. It's what the ride captain wanted. But everyone should know one set of signals;