Can you downshift multiple gears when stopped? - Page 3

Badbob · 06-29-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwonton

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badbob

You might want to reconsider how close you are following the car in front of you if you find yourself stopping short like this a lot. Cars can stop faster than you can. They just put both feet on the pedal and the computer does the rest. On a bike you have to actually apply you brakes and keep control of your bike yourself. Cars don't fall over if their wheels quit spinning.

I like to use the one second for every 10 miles per hour. This keeps me at a comfortable following distance and helps to prevent those quick stops.

Very true and point noted. However, you tell Mr. Hungry that screeching to a stop on the road in order to make the turn in for the McDonalds Value Meal drivethrough puts those behind him at risk.

Yes it does. However, if you are far enough back it goes from a heart pounding panic stop to just being annoyed a Mr Hungry for being so stupid. Right or wrong, legal or illegal doesn't matter one bit when a bike tangles with a cage the bike always looses. My goal is to all ways ride far enough away from other vehicles so I never panic stop. IMHO if you are panic stopping your to close irregardless of how you got to be in that position.

There are some situations where you are not in control of this such as having a cage change lanes right in front of you and slam on the brakes. Been there done that.

Orpheus · 06-29-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badbob

There are some situations where you are not in control of this such as having a cage change lanes right in front of you and slam on the brakes. Been there done that.

You should move to the Phoenix area; drivers here are horrible about this. In order to avoid it, most drivers tailgate the car (or bike) in front of them so there's not enough room for a car to squeeze in. I try to ride with plenty of room in front of me and just keep an eye on the cars that might try to cut me off. Most of the roads around here are three lanes both ways, so if you're in the middle lane you have to watch everyone around you VERY closely and be prepared for it. There's also the times when the third (far right) lane ends and the road narrows to two lanes; cars will speed through the lane that ends in order to get in front of the traffic in the lane they're supposed to merge with and then slam on their brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of them.