Are You a Better Driver

stator · 01-19-2012, 03:23 PM

It's occurred to me I'm a better driver because of being a bike rider, applying many of the two-wheeled safety precautions to four. I pay closer attention to other drivers than I ever did, find myself looking through turns, keeping larger distances, I'm more patient and notice an overall more conscious effort behind the wheel (instead of blasting the radio, talking on the phone, eating a sandwich and scratching myself)

What's your experience? Are you a better driver now?

dyetube · 01-19-2012, 03:29 PM

I'm definitely a better driver since getting a bike last year. I really wish more people had to ride at least for a little while to understand their driving habits better. It would totally change the way they drive.

Also, after getting hit twice in one month, I have also really become a different rider. I almost feel like I have spidey senses tingling now!

**Top Cat** · 01-19-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyetube

I really wish more people had to ride at least for a little while to understand their driving habits better. It would totally change the way they drive.

It would also clean out the gene pool. Some of these drivers wouldn't last a week on a motorcycle.

ponch · 01-19-2012, 03:41 PM

I've always been a better car driver, but that doesn't mean more careful necessarily, but skill wise, definitely car.

**markclark57** · 01-19-2012, 03:32 PM

I owned a couple of motorcycles before I owned a car. I was Motorcycle only until I could afford to have both, so I don't have the proper perspective for your question. I'd say that I am more observant of rides than other motorists. My following distances and intersection precautions are the same on 2 wheels or 4.

blowndodge · 01-19-2012, 03:46 PM

I've always been more handsome behind the wheel of a car where people can see me without my helmet on and take notice of my nicely pressed shirts!

waterman · 01-19-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

I've always been more handsome behind the wheel of a car where people can see me without my helmet on and take notice of my nicely pressed shirts!

cactusjack · 01-19-2012, 03:56 PM

Good topic. Absolutely - riding a motorcycle has made me not only a much more aware driver, but a more conscientious driver as well.

I've said before that as part of the driver licensing process, everyone must spend some amount of time on a motorcycle before they graduate to an automobile. Not only would it create safer drivers, it would add much-needed depth to the gene pool.

Caddyman · 01-19-2012, 05:07 PM

Well of course I am a better Driver! I am a Man after all

ponch · 01-19-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caddyman

Well of course I am a better Driver! I am a Man after all

Yeah, but you drive on the wrong side of the road.

Caddyman · 01-19-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

Yeah, but you drive on the wrong side of the road.

If you keep to the middle sure you can't go wrong, especially on a bike!!

twowheeladdict · 01-19-2012, 05:15 PM

I'm a safer driver, but I hate when I have to drive instead of ride. Usually it is because I am taking my wife somewhere where she can't have helmet hair. LOL!

fish · 01-19-2012, 05:29 PM

I always was aware of my surrounding, looking ahead and covering the brake etc. because I've been driving buses from the time I was 18.

When Elaine started riding she told me now I understand why you ride the way you do. I only wish she would drive her car the way she rides her bike.

waterman · 01-19-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish

I always was aware of my surrounding, looking ahead and covering the brake etc. because I've been driving buses from the time I was 18.

When Elaine started riding she told me now I understand why you ride the way you do. I only wish she would drive her car the way she rides her bike.

Same here.

2x18wheeler · 01-19-2012, 06:19 PM

I am licensed to drive everything from a motorcycle up to a tractor trailer. No matter what I drive, I always follow the SMITH system of driving. It was beat into my head 30 years ago when I did my police training. It has saved my bacon over the years following this system.

01-19-2012, 03:23 PM	#1
stator Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: SC Posts: 154	Are You a Better Driver It's occurred to me I'm a better driver because of being a bike rider, applying many of the two-wheeled safety precautions to four. I pay closer attention to other drivers than I ever did, find myself looking through turns, keeping larger distances, I'm more patient and notice an overall more conscious effort behind the wheel (instead of blasting the radio, talking on the phone, eating a sandwich and scratching myself) What's your experience? Are you a better driver now? __________________ Stator 2012 Nomad 1700 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-19-2012, 03:29 PM	#2
dyetube Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 213	I'm definitely a better driver since getting a bike last year. I really wish more people had to ride at least for a little while to understand their driving habits better. It would totally change the way they drive. Also, after getting hit twice in one month, I have also really become a different rider. I almost feel like I have spidey senses tingling now! __________________ 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1500FI All stock Sena SMH10 Bluetooth
	0

01-19-2012, 03:41 PM	#4
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,014	I've always been a better car driver, but that doesn't mean more careful necessarily, but skill wise, definitely car. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
	0

01-19-2012, 03:32 PM	#5
markclark57 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,108	I owned a couple of motorcycles before I owned a car. I was Motorcycle only until I could afford to have both, so I don't have the proper perspective for your question. I'd say that I am more observant of rides than other motorists. My following distances and intersection precautions are the same on 2 wheels or 4. __________________ 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic "George III" (Patricia's) 2006 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Grace" (Mark's) Mark Clark VBA #1619 TaibhseDaid@Gmail.Com "Irish" @ Maricopa County Chapter of B.A.C.A. Phoenix, AZ Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-19-2012, 03:46 PM	#6
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	I've always been more handsome behind the wheel of a car where people can see me without my helmet on and take notice of my nicely pressed shirts! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

01-19-2012, 03:56 PM	#8
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Good topic. Absolutely - riding a motorcycle has made me not only a much more aware driver, but a more conscientious driver as well. I've said before that as part of the driver licensing process, everyone must spend some amount of time on a motorcycle before they graduate to an automobile. Not only would it create safer drivers, it would add much-needed depth to the gene pool. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

01-19-2012, 05:07 PM	#9
Caddyman Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: County Monaghan, Ireland Posts: 324	Well of course I am a better Driver! I am a Man after all __________________ VBA #1912 2003 1500 Nomad 2007 HD Heritage Ultra Carpe Diem!
	0

01-19-2012, 05:15 PM	#12
twowheeladdict Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 616	I'm a safer driver, but I hate when I have to drive instead of ride. Usually it is because I am taking my wife somewhere where she can't have helmet hair. LOL! __________________ 2010 Vulcan Voyager, 2007 Vulcan Mean Streak, 2009 Vulcan Nomad
	0

01-19-2012, 05:29 PM	#13
fish Top Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aquashicola Pa. Posts: 6,377	I always was aware of my surrounding, looking ahead and covering the brake etc. because I've been driving buses from the time I was 18. When Elaine started riding she told me now I understand why you ride the way you do. I only wish she would drive her car the way she rides her bike. __________________ I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY.
	0

01-19-2012, 06:19 PM	#15
2x18wheeler Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bedell, New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 531	I am licensed to drive everything from a motorcycle up to a tractor trailer. No matter what I drive, I always follow the SMITH system of driving. It was beat into my head 30 years ago when I did my police training. It has saved my bacon over the years following this system. __________________ VBA#1838 Blue Knights#70718 2009 HD Ultra Classic 2010 Nomad August 2011-July2012 2008 900 Classic LT February 2009-August 2011
	0