--- Adam Back <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > As far as evolutionary pressures, aggressive and > fast driving is far > more dangerous, however adrenaline inducingly fun > that may be.
Depends on one's strategy. When riding a motorcycle, there are two aggressive driving principles I observe at all times (in addition to the usual precaution of keeping track of the vectors of all nearby vehicles at all times): (a) Remain ahead of car `packs' at all times. From stoplights, I will tend to accelerate aggressively to put distance between myself and the other cars waiting at the light. (b) Drive five to ten kilometres per hour faster than the average traffic speed so that in most cases, I am approacing vehicles from behind, and can therefore plan my maneuverings appropriately. Particularly on the highway, I think it is stupid to stay in the right lane at a speed where most of the car and truck traffic is passing you, and where people entering and exiting the highway are constantly changing in and out of your lane. It is not always pleasant driving in the `fast' lane on a 550 c.c. bike, but it tends to be the safest place. In my opinion, this sort of aggressive driving has its place as a valid defensive driving strategy. > (ke =1/2.m.v^2). Also exposed or unduly light > vehicles -- motorbikes, > light built cars like citroen 2cv or such. > motorbikes have very bad > accident statistics. This is true, and the reason that I tend to prefer driving my car when I have to commute any great distance, or in marginal weather conditions. That said, individual skill plays a part, as does equipment. I believe I have better than average reflexes and driving skill, and I don't ride a crotch-rocket; which I like to think improves my odds somewhat. This may be wishful thinking, but I've only dropped the bike twice in four years of riding, and on both occasions it occured at very low speeds when my wheels skidded on a tiny bit of loose gravel. > > Set a new personal record for removal, > disassembly, reassambly, and > > installation of a transmission after I slipped the > clutch to get the > > car home too. > > I had a clutch cable snap on me when I was moving -- > car was jam > packed with household effects. Just drove it for 10 > miles without a > clutch. To start: switch engine off, put it in > first, start engine; > gear change match engine speed to road speed pull > out of gear, reduce > engine speed to match road speed at higher gear > ratio put into new > gear; and plan ahead to not have to do a hill start > on 1 in 6 hill on > way home :-) You can change down also, but it's > harder because there's > less tolerance for error in the engine speed. This is called power-shifting. The transmission on my bike is particularly well suited for this and I have found that acceleration is *much* better when you don't have to worry about that pesky lever. Downshifting is tricky, but with a little practice it becomes managable. When I don't care about making noise, it's a lot of fun to ride around, going up and down the gears without needing touching the clutch at all except for stoplights. I think it frightens some drivers when I do this, but that probably has something to do with the holes I drilled at the back of the pipe for those few extra HP. :) Now that I think of it, the noise on the highway at 5500 RPM probably alerts drivers as to my approach, contributing to my safety. > It helps to have practised this a bit first, > otherwise you'll grind > the gears or even break something. I was glad I had > practised it when > the cable broke. Never had a clutch-cable break, but it's a good skill to have. I've blown a few shifts though, and was Informed of the fact by the very unnerving feeling of the clutch-plates slipping while at full-throttle. Some transmissions are better than others for power-shifting, too. My VW 4-speed will power-shift, but it wasn't designed for it. Consequently, shifting normally with the clutch tends to be faster and more comfortable. There are aftermarket shifters for many cars that will do wonders for your quarter-mile. Only recommended for the truly anal. Regards, Steve ______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
