[Bow&Aero]

I've been riding for three years now. I've been noticing that when riding a bike, as opposed to a cage, my senses are hightened. Specifically my sense of smell and hearing.
My problem is everytime I smell cooked brakes, antifreeze, or burning oil, I start to look around my bike thinking its coming from it. It goes the same with the sound. This distraction can be dangerous because I take my eyes off the road for a moment, however I am training myself to not look until I am stopped.
How many of you do the same thing or am I just overly paranoid? :-?

 

[CrazyDave]

I take note of the things I smell and whether they seem to be intensifying.. but I don't look around for a problem while riding..if I think it is coming from my bike I will pull over and do an inspection , you are correct it is dangerous and my wifes co worked lost a husband that way, he was trying to adjust a sticking enricher on the fly..break yourself of this habit now.

 

[Mark-B]

Yup.. Cooked brakes and catalytic converters are the favorites to get my attention.. But I also know that if these issues are mine and mechanical, there will usually be other tell-tale signs to go along with any smell.. Sound and vibration for example..

When I hit a weird piece of road though.. I do - at least momentarily - worry for my tires :lol: ... I just put a TPM system on my new scoot so I won't have to worry about that... Now, when I hit weird road, I can check for sudden pressure drops without worrying that I need to pull over.

 

[John Hopkins]

This all comes back to an earlier post about fitting a rev counter..

You need to concentrate on the road and other road users..

Sometimes you think you can hear some strange noise that makes you think your engine is about to blow.. and then a hot rod blows past you with no mufflers.

John.

 

[John Hopkins]

:lol: ... I just put a TPM system on my new scoot so I won't have to worry about that... Now, when I hit weird road, I can check for sudden pressure drops without worrying that I need to pull over.

I have just ordered a TPM for my bikes, I ordered the car model because it comes with four sensors, that way if I lose or damage one I can use one of the others.. Also I should be able to fit two bikes for the price of one..

The cost over here is about $110.

I might mount the monitor on the tank with double sided tape or Velcro and a string to secure it in case it vibrates off while I am riding.

John.

 

[Les]

Talk about heightened senses, I ride the same route to work and back 5 days a week, for the past 7 years [so far] and there is one thing that never gets me more than two farms I pass, one uses chicken manure and another used hog farm waste, both are bad and will take your breath away, they are so strong you can taste them, did you know that in a severe circumstances that you can hold your breath a long, long time, and it seems that my right hand will start to twist in a downward direction at the same time. Wearing a modular full face helmet keeps the fragrance in side long after you have passed. Are those the kind of heightened senses you are talking about?

 

[CrazyDave]

Talk about heightened senses, I ride the same route to work and back 5 days a week, for the past 7 years [so far] and there is one thing that never gets me more than two farms I pass, one uses chicken manure and another used hog farm waste, both are bad and will take your breath away, they are so strong you can taste them, did you know that in a severe circumstances that you can hold your breath a long, long time, and it seems that my right hand will start to twist in a downward direction at the same time. Wearing a modular full face helmet keeps the fragrance in side long after you have passed. Are those the kind of heightened senses you are talking about?

And yet another reason not to voluntarily wear a lid

 

[7xclm]

The only aroma that gets my attention while riding is Marijuana. I speed up and try to find the vehicle it is coming from. You can spot the vehicle because when you get beside a vehicle and look, the occupants they start acting paranoid.

I get a real laugh, then ride on.

 

[Bobolto]

I've been riding for three years now. I've been noticing that when riding a bike, as opposed to a cage, my senses are hightened. Specifically my sense of smell and hearing.
My problem is everytime I smell cooked brakes, antifreeze, or burning oil, I start to look around my bike thinking its coming from it. It goes the same with the sound. This distraction can be dangerous because I take my eyes off the road for a moment, however I am training myself to not look until I am stopped.
How many of you do the same thing or am I just overly paranoid? :-?

you're not alone....

normally i dismiss it as some cage that needs repair is blowing off fumes.

but a couple weeks ago i smelled antifreeze in light traffic and dismissed it
as usual. But shortly after traffic cleared and no cars were around i could still smell antifreeze.

The paranoid alarm went off and i looked at the engine it was fine
and i never noticed it again that day.
Still remains a mystery why i still smelled it after the cars were gone... but oh well.

I have the extended coverage until 2017 :mrgreen:

you're not alone ..... we are watching you ..... lol

 

[Freebirdbeachbum]

It's taken years, but after many years of driving convertibles, including a rear engine one, i finally stopped assuming all those burning smells (including the pot) were coming from my car. They always go away as quickly as they came.

It's very similar when riding my bike. Considering the open air and engine/mechanicals placement, anything coming from your bike (good or bad, normal or abnormal) is being inhaled by the guys behind you. What you are smelling is someone's problem who's in front of you.

 

[Bow&Aero]

The only aroma that gets my attention while riding is Marijuana. I speed up and try to find the vehicle it is coming from. You can spot the vehicle because when you get beside a vehicle and look, the occupants they start acting paranoid.

I get a real laugh, then ride on.

Be Careful....
If you inhale too deeply while following the potheads, you'll be distracted trying to find the nearest Mc Donalds.

Whats funny is much more frequent I smell pot while riding. There are alot of dopers driving!

 

[Mark-B]

I have just ordered a TPM for my bikes, I ordered the car model because it comes with four sensors, that way if I lose or damage one I can use one of the others.. Also I should be able to fit two bikes for the price of one..

The cost over here is about $110.

I might mount the monitor on the tank with double sided tape or Velcro and a string to secure it in case it vibrates off while I am riding.

John.

Great Idea! .. Plus, Velcro make a really aggressive hook and loop these days, so should hold.. Could look into a modified handlebar cell-phone mount or something... Perhaps even use some Spiderwire or etc., as a security tether..

Seems like every time I take my bike out for a few hours I hit weird road - especially after all this freezing and thawing - good roads turn into bad roads etc.. So recently, I have been glad to have my TPM about 2-3 times a trip.

They help serve a couple of purposes.. I think you'll find yourself liking that info when you need it..

 

[Harryc]

Which TPM units do you use/recommend? Internal? External?

 

[Mark-B]

Which TPM units do you use/recommend? Internal? External?

Mine are just the caps you screw on.. A TireGard System.. Mine is the Handlebar Mount system, but they are cheaper if you get the fob monitor and MacGyver it onto your bars..

If you have more than one bike, I think John is onto the right idea though..

 

[Harryc]

Mine are just the caps you screw on.. A TireGard System.. Mine is the Handlebar Mount system, but they are cheaper if you get the fob monitor and MacGyver it onto your bars..

If you have more than one bike, I think John is onto the right idea though..

Thanks. I kind of like this little guy if it works OK ... has a USB charger port too. TW100 4 Wireless Tire Pressure Monitoring TPMS System Monitor 4 External Sensors | eBay

 

[Mark-B]

If you have an outlet on your bars, that would work pretty good!

Sorry for the Hijack Folks.. :roll: ..

 

[John Hopkins]

Thanks. I kind of like this little guy if it works OK ... has a USB charger port too. TW100 4 Wireless Tire Pressure Monitoring TPMS System Monitor 4 External Sensors | eBay

Some have replaceable batteries..

I went with this one.

TPMS Motorcycle Portable LCD Motorbike Tire Pressure Monitor 2x Sensors System | eBay

John.

 

[gat803]

I met a girl called Lola and I took her back to my place. Feelin' guilty, Feelin' scared, hidden camera's everywhere...

 

[Gnarly]

Yep.....take it from me, being a retired Psych /Chem Dep RN....20 years....a little paranoia IS a healthy thing.

 

["Captain D"]

Another chance for me to say, Know Your Bike!!!

TCLOCS at least once a month will deter these hallucination of problems...
But not the Pot

Know your Bike