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Motorcycle Safety & Driveability/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Mileage speed | 2/5/2012 | Tom Wright |
| Q: Recently i learned to drive gear bike and bought a new 100cc bike named "TVS Sport". I wanna know ... A: I am not familiar with that motorcycle. I suggest that you locate an internet forum or discussion ... | ||
| trike | 1/21/2012 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: i have a two part question. i have a vw trike does it matter what side the plate is on? and i am an ... A: The answers to both questions depend on where you live. Each state, country, province has ... | ||
| buying a motorcycle | 12/13/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: I have just moved to Ontario Canada, I know you live in the U.S.A. however you was the closest to ... A: Welcome to North America, man. We don't always get the coolest bikes here, and the XJR is one of ... | ||
| Brake failures in Vehicles - Mechanism for Prevention. | 10/19/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Link ---- http://www.sonylin.net/car/how_to_prevent_brake_failure.php Similar to Measuring ... A: Sure, it's possible. Whether it's marketable is another story. Generally, the only overheated ... | ||
| Brake failures in Vehicles - Mechanism for Prevention. | 10/19/2011 | Andrew Booth |
| Q: Link ---- http://www.sonylin.net/car/how_to_prevent_brake_failure.php Similar to Measuring ... A: Although this looks like a homework/research question I will give a quick answer. Ford, Aston ... | ||
| U-Turn in the road and stalling | 9/12/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Yesterday I did my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training (UK)) and failed on my U-Turn. I ended up half a ... A: U-turns can be a problem for even some of the best riders. They aren't easy and require frequent and ... | ||
| 125 bikes | 8/24/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Apprillia or Cagiva 125 for a 6'2 240 lbs guy fresh out of MSF fellas ? A: Both are appropriate starter bikes, especially if your objective is to commute. However, make sure ... | ||
| laying down a motorcycle to avoid collision | 8/15/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Vehicle(v1)turning left in centre turn lane - Motorcycle (m2) behind truck (v2). Motorcycle skids ... A: It is difficult if not impossible to say how many feet it would have taken to swerve. It relies on ... | ||
| Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes | 8/10/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes ... A: See, this is the problem. The quantity of tools and equipment needed are not worth the effort ... | ||
| laying down a motorcycle to avoid collision | 8/9/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Vehicle(v1)turning left in centre turn lane - Motorcycle (m2) behind truck (v2). Motorcycle skids ... A: Far better men than I have written VOLUMES on this subject. I'll try to be concise. Yes, this could ... | ||
| Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes | 8/9/2011 | Tom Wright |
| Q: Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes ... A: Prashant, If I were a designer and placed more emphasis on utility versus aesthetics I would place ... | ||
| Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes | 8/9/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes ... A: From what I observe it is not often necessary enough to be practical. Only the most hard-core ... | ||
| Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes | 8/9/2011 | Tom Wright |
| Q: Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes ... A: That is an interesting question. I have observed spare tires carried on motorcyclists taking very ... | ||
| Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes | 8/9/2011 | Andrew Booth |
| Q: Storage mechanism for Two Wheelers - Tyre/s - Bikes ... A: Prashant, Forgive me if I'm wrong but I can only assume that you are not a motorcyclist? Many of ... | ||
| Harley Davidson Iron 883 1st bike | 7/15/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Pat, is a Harley Davidson Iron 883 good for a 1st Bike, after My liscence & MSF course ? A: It's not bad. A little heavy and a little on the large side for a beginner, but not bad. I ... | ||
| Speedometer cables | 7/1/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Pat, Please consider this as a generic question about Motorcycle speedometer cables, and the ... A: A speedometer cable, if cared for (i.e. bike is not left outdoors uncovered for long periods of time ... | ||
| Seeking advice on improving mileage | 6/16/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: I bought a new TVS Apache RTR 160 bike, seeking advice on improving mileage as presently am getting ... A: Mileage: read the owners manual and find out what specific fuel should be used. Some motorcycles ... | ||
| those pesky linked brakes | 6/5/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Pat...I don't want to beat a dead horse,however..if you will indulge me..In your new book I see Mark ... A: Good questions. I don't know if Mark was using the rear brake or not, or whether or not that model ... | ||
| Motorcycle Safety Expert | 6/2/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Pat, do you know of a Safety Expert similar to yourself how would be in Illinois, preferably the ... A: I don't know anyone personally in that area. I would consider doing it (have done so before) but ... | ||
| 125cc Licence Requirement | 5/29/2011 | Andrew Booth |
| Q: When I was 16 I purchased a moped and completed my CBT. At 17 I gained my Full Driver's Licence. ... A: Ari, as far as I am aware, your car license entitlement (I assume that's what you refer to) allows ... | ||
| Honda or Kawasaki 250 sportbikes | 5/24/2011 | Tom Wright |
| Q: I'm 6'2 230-240 lbs., never riden a bike before, but am considering getting My liscence. Would a ... A: Adam, The 250cc sportbikes have a lot of power for their size and can make a great first bike. ... | ||
| Dad, Mum and toddler | 5/24/2011 | Nigel Bowers |
| Q: In the UK, is it illegal to ride a motorcycle with a pillion passenger and a small child in a sling ... A: They must be big enough to reach the footpegs. Pillion Law Without going through all the road ... | ||
| Starter Dirt bike | 5/14/2011 | Tom Wright |
| Q: Hey, I'm looking to buy a dirt bike. I'm 5' 11" 165lbs, 20 yrs old, with no experience riding ... A: Chris, I don't have enough recent dirt bike riding experience to give you a qualified response on a ... | ||
| linked brakes... | 5/6/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Pat..I have just purchased your latest book...I am digesting it..Yours were the first books I ... A: Pat you are correct. Linked brakes limit our ability to use the rear brake for low speed control. ... | ||
| Safety equipment free suggestion | 4/9/2011 | Andrew Booth |
| Q: 'Frontcar' coupling complement. Free concept, everywhere except Brazil, a far country. More details ... A: In my view, this is not even a question. It seems to be a way of promoting an idea, although well ... | ||
| What size engine? | 3/29/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Just after a little bit of info, I'm brand new to motorbikes and I am currently working through my ... A: J -- Glad you asked. My standard recommendation for a new rider is a 4 cyl bike no larger than ... | ||
| The power of a 600cc bike | 2/4/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Im a girl, and all of my friends who ride are guys. They tell me how "easy" it is to bring the front ... A: Sorry that it's taken me so long to reply. This is my busiest time of year! Think of a 600cc ... | ||
| Rolled my bike; not sure how/why | 1/29/2011 | Tom Wright |
| Q: I live in West Virginia and so we're in the off-season for riding currently. Right at the beginning ... A: Mike I recently sold one of my bikes that was a SV650. They are great handling bikes. The bike ... | ||
| Rolled my bike; not sure how/why | 1/28/2011 | Tom Wright |
| Q: I live in West Virginia and so we're in the off-season for riding currently. Right at the beginning ... A: Mike, Thanks for the question. You don't mention the make or model of motorcycle you were riding. ... | ||
| Bike Choice | 1/17/2011 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: I would consider myself a novice rider, therefore I will be taking a safe riders course this March. ... A: For a novice, three wheels will always be safer than two because it removes some of the ... | ||
| wide front tyre | 1/17/2011 | Tom Wright |
| Q: I had changed the front wheel on my Honda Shadow VT600 from a 2.15" x 19 " rim (with a 100/90x19" ... A: Emilio, There are two forces that are causing the front end to respond sluggishly. First, the ... | ||
| bmw's | 12/28/2010 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: i am anticipating the purchase of a new bmw 1200 rt or k1300. the first is an air cooled/oil cooled ... A: If you haven't seen it yet, take a look at my latest project at www.highviz.org. Free info about ... | ||
| 2007 XL 1200N | 12/12/2010 | Tom Wright |
| Q: My engine diagnostic light came on last night after riding 200 miles. I had the starter replaced and ... A: Doc, I'm sorry but I don't have enough knowledge of the Harley Davidson trouble codes to ... | ||
| Collision Reporting Exaggeration | 11/30/2010 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Last March while entering a traffic circle with my car I was passed by a 2000 HD Softail Night Train ... A: I am not entirely sure what your question is here, but let me try to help clarify some terms. ... | ||
| neck pain | 9/27/2010 | Steve Blackmore |
| Q: I am a new rider, me and my husband. We are in out mid 40's. I noticed since we have started riding ... A: When I first started riding I found this as well. It went away when I got a Yamaha Fazer as before I ... | ||
| street legal | 9/26/2010 | Tom Wright |
| Q: I'm building a motorcycle from scratch. What do I have to do to make it street legal. A: Larry, I can speak mostly about the requirements in New Jersey but I would guess that some of the ... | ||
| Cornering | 9/8/2010 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: I've just finished reading Maximum Control (great book!) and wonder - as a new rider - should I ... A: I offered the inside line as a preferable alternative to the standard outside-inside-outside path of ... | ||
| Braking Distance for Motorcycle | 9/7/2010 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Pat, Unfortunately, I was recently in a motorcycle accident with my girlfriend as a passenger. Our ... A: A good friend of mine, and co-author of Maximum Control, is an experienced reconstructionist/expert ... | ||
| Braking Distance for Motorcycle | 9/7/2010 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: Pat, Unfortunately, I was recently in a motorcycle accident with my girlfriend as a passenger. Our ... A: Best of luck to you, I hope it works out okay. One of the limitations of parking lot training is ... | ||
| 2003 honda shadow VT1100c3 | 9/5/2010 | Pat Hahn |
| Q: I recently purchased a Honda Shadow. The owner did not have the owners Manuel. I see several on ... A: The Honda factory service manual would be the best one, but also the most expensive. It's a good buy ... | ||
Motorcycle Safety & Driveability
Answers by Expert:
Pat Hahn
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions related to motorcycle safety: knowledge, skills, technical, or theoretical. I am especially familiar with the concepts of risk management, hazard awareness, crash avoidance, and traction management as they pertain to motorcycle riders. Please do not ask me to troubleshoot your mechanical/electrical problems ("Why won't my bike start?").
Experience
I'm an MSF-Certified Instructor (12 years), author of the motorcycle safety books How to Ride a Motorcycle, Ride Hard, Ride Smart, and Maximum Control; co-author of Motorcycle Track Day Handbook, and Public Information Officer for the State of Minnesota: I coordinate public information and education for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, a project of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. I am also communications director for the State Motorcycle Safety Administrators and serve on the NHTSA team that provides motorcycle safety program technical assessments to states.
Organizations
Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, State Motorcycle Safety Administrators
Check out my website at www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us Of particular interest is "Safety Tips"
Education/Credentials
BA Communications/Organizational Management
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