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Tackling Indian roads.

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  • Tackling Indian roads.

    This thread has common pointers almost known to all, but most of us are too lazy implementing them.
    Also, it can serve as a helpful guide to new riders.

    This thread should be used for constructive pointers and no flame wars please! Members are encouraged to add further pointers that may help fellow riders.

    With alloys breaking, handlebars shattering, bikes skidding etc; it is prudent that some common tips be shared to try and avoid a few of such mishaps.

    1. Use common sense on the road. Leave ego at home.
    2. Use the clutch only to change gears.
    3. Never pull in the clutch when braking/descending inclines.
    4. Do not switch off the bike while descending hills/ghats.
    5. Maintain the exact tire pressure at all times. 1-2 psi extra can be put in rainy season and not the other way round!
    6. While tackling a pothole, do not brake. Rather; accelerate over it smoothly. Braking brings the entire weight on the front wheel and rim bends/cracks are a possibility.
    7. When tackling a speed breaker, let go of the brake lever at least 5 feet/1 second before ascending the hump so that the suspension has time to regain normal position. This would help avoid scraping the underbelly.
    8. For low slung bikes, speed breakers should be tackled at an angle.
    9. Predict others' movements while on the move.
    10. Check for cars' front tires' direction (if parked with someone inside) to gauge if they may move in your direction.
    11. Stay at least 5 feet away from parked vehicles doors to avoid getting hit by an opening door.
    12. Follow larger vehicles' rear tires and never ride between those 2 tires. Cars usually avoid potholes by riding around/over them and you may be caught with a nasty surprise. Follow either of the rear wheels.
    13. Grip the tank with your thighs at all times to save your family jewels under hard braking and generally to keep a better control over the vehicle. It also helps alleviate pressure put on the arms otherwise.
    14. Use front brakes primarily! (except heavy rain/gravel) Rear brakes don't stop the bike. They only provide stability 99% of the time.
    15. Wear bright/reflective clothes/riding apparel. Many accidents happen because bigger vehicles fail spotting a rider/bike.
    16. Don't ride in bigger vehicles' blind spots.
    17. Use RVMs and if possible a quick check by turning around to see beyond the RVM's field of vision. (roughly takes half a second)
    18. Practice defensive riding.
    19. Keep an eye on the road for hazards and not on the ODO/speedo!
    20. Avoid changing gears in a corner. Downshift, brake well in advance and accelerate out of the corner.
    21. Practice throttle blip-ing, braking and counter-steering.
    22. Ride on the outer line of the road (farthest point from the center) in ghats/corners to avoid last moment surprises.
    23. Brakes fade a bit in rains (become spongy). Pump them a few times at slow speeds in a safe area to regain some of the lost bite.
    24. Do not brake suddenly when followed by a large vehicle. Brake early a few times to let the driver know about your intentions in advance. If in traffic, plan your braking and keep some distance ahead of you should you see the following vehicle not stop enough/in time.
    25. Ensure the vehicle is sound electrically/mechanically. Pro-active maintenance helps avoid most breakdowns.
    26. If a crash is imminent, be prepared to lose your grip on the bike. Holding the bike certainly makes matters worse for both bike and the rider.
    27. Learn to take a fall (by only watching videos of course). In case of a crash, our natural tendency is to cushion the fall by putting the hands/arms in the way of the fall. This should be avoided. It's the biggest cause of bone dislocations and fractures.

    Wanted to make it 30 points, but nothing else comes to mind right now. I shall add if I recall something new. Members are advised to pour in their experiences as well.
    Last edited by Divya Sharan; 07-31-2015, 12:37 AM.
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  • #2
    Re: Tackling Indian roads.

    Some additional points from my side to bring it to 30..
    Try to use peripheral vision to detect motion on road sides.
    Never corner to the limit in normal situation to ensure braking is possible under emergency.
    Use indicators 2-3 seconds earlier to show others your intended maneuver.

    Sent from my C6903 using xBhp Connect mobile app

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    • #3
      Re: Tackling Indian roads.

      31. Protective riding gear all the time. For budget junta gloves, thick denims, decent helmet is a must.

      32. Decrease your speed by 30-40% when riding in heavy rain, keep your headlights on in rain.

      33. Maintain atleast 10-15 meters of distance from vehicles ahead, do not tail them.

      34. Do not get tempted into street race with any local bloke, because your ego is at stake. This is the major reason for accident. "Jaykant shikre nahi ban ne gaa"

      35. When the signal is red, keep the bike in the rightmost or leftmost lane so that people who do not follow signal can go through the middle lane without you getting rammed from behind. But this cannot work all the time, as on signals we are on gods grace so that nobody rams us from behind.

      36. Keep the right wrist in check all the time.

      Cheers,
      Sanjay

      Sent from my LT28h using xBhp Connect mobile app
      Last edited by Divya Sharan; 07-31-2015, 10:29 AM. Reason: Do not use slang language!
      http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/touring-queries-route-planning-itinerary/33587-endurance-ride.html

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      • #4
        Re: Tackling Indian roads.

        Originally posted by sanjaysangar1990 View Post
        31. Protective riding gear all the time. For budget junta gloves, thick denims, decent helmet is a must.

        32. Decrease your speed by 30-40% when riding in heavy rain, keep your headlights on in rain.

        33. Maintain atleast 10-15 meters of distance from vehicles ahead, do not tail them.

        34. Do not get tempted into street race with any local bloke, because your ego is at stake. This is the major reason for accident. "Jaykant shikre nahi ban ne gaa"

        35. When the signal is red, keep the bike in the rightmost or leftmost lane so that people who do not follow signal can go through the middle lane without you getting rammed from behind. But this cannot work all the time, as on signals we are on gods grace so that nobody rams us from behind.

        36. Keep the right wrist in check all the time.

        Cheers,
        Sanjay

        Sent from my LT28h using xBhp Connect mobile app



        hi brothers,


        few points from my side :-


        37) One of the most important rule is to understand your bike's capabilities and your own skill. Like for example:- If you are riding a discover or platina, don't try
        to ride it like a KTM duke 390, KTM has brilliant disc brakes with much wider and better metzeler tyres with ABS, as comparing to drum brakes assisting
        skinny tyres of platinas and discovers and alike. Also, bikes like KTM, ninjas, R15s or R3s are much more powerful and their throttle response is much quicker than normal commuter bikes, so, never ever try to race or beat them as your bike's power will be much lesser. It will miscalculate the whole scenario and 99% of the time will result in an accident. Similarly, don't try to ride
        like an expert, when you are not.

        38) Another important rule is Anticipiation. Just like brilliant fielding on a cricket ground is a lot about anticipation, a safe and nice and enjoyable ride on the road is
        lot about anticipation. You can easily recognise nervous brakers on the road, who will apply sudden brakes on their cars or bikes even 100 metres early from
        any vehicle. Avoid these guys at any and every cost possible. Try to anticipate other vehicles movement in advance. The most common scenario
        on our roads are wrong indicator signals. People moving right giving left indicator signals and vice-versa.



        Cheers....
        Last edited by portedyammie; 10-03-2015, 06:48 PM.

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        • #5
          Re: Tackling Indian roads.

          39. Never ever overtake a large vehicle like Bus, Truck or even a car from its left when the bigger vehicle is parked on the right extreme lane. They might have stopped for a reason as some nut-case would have jumped the median and came in front. So, they tend to run from the vehicles right to left and you are right in the line of fire.

          If you see any bigger vehicle on the right extreme lane(which will narrow your vision by 50%, Slow down or stop even if needed and proceed very slowly so that under braking , your bike doesnt skip and stops instantly

          40. Better to change lanes well in advance knowing if you are going to take a left or right...Dont just cross near the vehicle and give scary moments to the rider/drivers behind you.

          41. Know your route better (i.e.) Certain sections of the road where Bus-stops are there, Jay-walkers tend to prevail more, Speed breaker, pot-holes, signals etc. That will help you drive cautiously.

          ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

          When talking about traffic-signals...

          42. Dont just go for glory when the lights turn green, Leave a second gap (dont give a shit when people honks behind you, forcing your action premature). Reason being, idiots from other end of the signal, though red tends to jump and may even hit you while you are on the move.

          ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

          43. Finding the gap - THough you find gap between two big haulers, dont even think of going through it. A small stone lying on the road might cause imbalance in your front wheel making you to adjust in a gap which does not even exist. And you end up being an added color to the tarmac.

          ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

          44. Try to avoid traffic as much as you can by starting early to office atleast and leaving from work on time. Majority of the road users from 6-8pm being IT company buses, end up making a pile-up either at a toll-gate or signals... (I know this doesnt work with IT guys...but least could be done by anybody)
          Last edited by TheArcher84; 10-01-2015, 10:43 PM. Reason: Numbering incorrect
          R15S - Current
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          Classic 500 - Sold
          Pulsar 220 dtsi - Sold
          Yamaha YBX125 - Sold

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          • #6
            Re: Tackling Indian roads.

            44. Never skip a RED LIGHT even in the dead of the night, during non commuting hours 12-4 if the signal is red STOP, LOOK, PROCEED.

            45. When ladies are riding pillion on the sides always anticipate the extra length, that their foot juts out. Also remember the weight will be on one side.

            46. When the cops flag you down just stop never race away some cops hit you in the back or throw lathis (crime branch) of you have everything you don't have to be afraid of. They'll let you go after checking the documents.

            47. Don't use side walks to ride your bike or the pedestrian crossing as your waiting point in a signal.

            48. If you're going to take a left or right turn don't go all the way to the front and block the the traffic that has to go straight.

            49. Always carry some money in your bike min of 100 bucks so in case you run into any misfortune like a puncture or a blown fuse or you had forgotten to fill fuel, you don't have to call someone to help or leave your bike at unknown places.

            50. Use indicators when switching lanes in highways and if you don't have DRLs use your parking lights as DRLs.

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            • #7
              Re: Tackling Indian roads.

              This video highlights of all the don't on Indian roads as explained previously by our xbhpians https://youtu.be/Ed44o9RhFbU

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