12 hours from bottle to throttle...

[Robb]

Excellent rule. However I screwed up and had beers whilst working on the patio, and lo, perfect evening riding weather.

AND, I'm sticking to it. Sad but true.

Anyone else have a riding rule to share?

[av8rdave]

1. Here I always thought the rule was 12 INCHES bottle to throttle

Just kidding...I never drink and ride. Don't want the odds any less in my favor than they are!

[guitar man]

2. right on

don't drink and ride, just DON'T DO IT!!

Let's see, riding rules to live by.

Check your tire pressure often, a small difference in tire pressure can make a huge difference in the way your bike handles.

Never assume anything about a cager. If they are in a position to hang a left or pull out in front of you, assume that's exactly what they will do and adjust accordingly. NEVER ASSUME THEY SEE YOU, THEY DON'T!!

get plenty of sleep and make sure you are alert and your head is screwed on straight before riding. Groggy and/or distracted riding is a sur fire way to end up a greasy spot on the pavement.

Always check your fuel petcock after filling up. If you had to hit reserve befor you got to the station, leaving it on reserve could leave you stranded.

[Uben]

3. I was advised by my mechanic

...to turn the petcock to the off position when you are not riding.

[Robb]

4. Yep

You've got off, on, and reserve. If you run out of fuel in "on," turn it to "reserve" and get to a gas station. Then switch back to "on".

But yes, turn it to "off" between rides. Unless it has an automatic valve, which interestingly a few do. Owner's manual will usually tell you in big letters if it does.

[guitar man]

5. yep

my sporty has a vacuum operated petcock, so fuel doesn't start flowing until the engine is sterted, so there is no need to turn it off.

[northofdenali]

6. Watch your ass for tailgaters. Those are the WORST.

We know cagers don't see us, so if we're smart, we watch out. But tailgaters? Those people are just angry assholes and don't CARE. Go down in front of one and you're toast. I had one last summer in a construction zone (gravel, mud, 50 degrees and raining) and could not pull over anywhere. We had the whole "pilot car" thing going.

Thanks, Alaska State Troopers - they nailed him right as the zone ended, and since all construction zones here are "double fines"...... he paid through the nose for that one.

I've tried everything from tapping brakes to slowing way, way down, but for folks like that? Doesn't matter. Wait till their kid gets slammed by some idiot cager who can't keep a decent distance!

[Robb]

7. With my dirt orientation

...my solution lately has been to stand on the pegs. Tall bike, sitting my head's already higher than the driver in the biggest SUV. :evilgrin:

It sort of freaks tailgaters out. They have no idea what's going down, and I don't sacrifice any control with the gesture. So far everyone's backed off.

[Greyhound]

8. Ride in space, watch their front tires,

and always assume they will do the worst thing possible at the worst time.