Riding

A few hints on riding in the city:

• never take your fingers off that front brake
• watch out for the cabs they can be over 50% of the traffic
• an empty cab will cut across 3 lanes of traffic to pick up a fare
• a cab with a fare will go fast as possible and switch lanes for any opening in traffic
• stay away from cars with out of state plates, they are an accident waiting to happen
• most cab drivers come from other nations and are not strict observers of the rules of the road
• most cab drivers are ok with you splitting the lane while stopped at a light since that's how it is back home for them
• a bus will cut back into traffic from a stop whenever the driver feels like
• do not follow too closely to traffic the city has very deep pot holes that will suddenly appear from beneath the car in front of you
• be careful when changing lanes pavement in nyc is very uneven due to all the traffic
• garbage trucks often leave greasy patches all over the road, especially at the corners of intersections
• there is no right turn on red anywhere in the city
• there is no lane splitting but city cops are often too busy to bother
• NYPD highway cops are much more strict about enforcing rules so watch out on the West Side highway, FDR, BQE, etc...
• know your bridges and tunnels, some are free and some are up to $10 to cross
• get an ez-pass for when you do have to pay tolls
• join the AMA, nyc is in district 34

Places to go:

The best local mag to read is the http://www.backroadsusa.com site. You can find their hardcopy at most dealers as well. Check out the Rip and Ride section for some really great routes in the New York area.

Another site with great rides around NYC is http://www.roadtwist.com

Motorcycle Roads also has a web page http://www.motorcycleroads.us/ny.html

Motorcycle Rides in America has a web page for new york at http://www.motorcycleridesinamerica.com/rides_new_york.htm

Other riding info:

Anyone that wants to ride should check out the MSF Report on safety, or the original Hurt Report. Knowing how other people got into trouble may save you some...

Also: take a look at Schools to find a track day or track school!