Do you think your a better auto driver as a result of being a bike owner? I think there are definite advantages (skills) of bike ownership, and would like to think that I carry these skills with me regardless of which I am driving. How about you?

 

I don't think so much in the way of skills, but definatly in the manner of knowing traffic. I drive with a motorcycle mindset, always watching for things coming out of the blue. and I think it's made me a safer driver. I also respect other bikes when I'm on the road, by giving them plenty of room and shielding them from ass's in other cars.
So better driver? I think so.

 

Without a doubt. Anticipation and forward observation are of necessity much more focused on a bike. Potholes, loose stuff on the roadsurface etc. become far more of a threat. One definitely compliments the other.

 

I don't own - nor ever have owned a bike. That being said, I do belive yes without question it makes you a better driver on a road course (not daily commuting - although it may help there too as described above just in the paying attention aspect). A good friend of mine I used to autocross with on a two mile road course bought a sport bike. He said it was awesome for teaching him weight transfer and how to keep a vehicle in balance through braking, accelerating, cornering because it was a LOT less forgiving about those kind of things than any car. Also provided more feedback. Two months after getting and riding the bike he was able to shave two seconds off his lap times which had been consitant for about a year. No car mods or anything else, just the bike. I'm guessing it also helped get rid of some of the fear factor in the car too....

 

Absolutely.

I believe that I am a much better driver for having ridden a motorcycle.

Riding taught me to be much more cogniscent of the other vehicles on the road. It taught me to watch other driver's heads as indicators for people who will change lanes without signaling. It taught me a greater appreciation for other riders and I now know I give them much more space on the road. I was never a tail gater to begin with, but now I give bikes even more room.

Riding also taught me about tire contact, braking, etc.

I recommend that everyone ride a motorcycle. Not only will it give you a greater sense of freedom than being in a car, but it will also teach you to be a better driver.

 

Oh I think so! I know it has helped on the auto-x track. You're more aware in the corners as to "look ahead where you want to go". The only negative I see is I'm just going to have to get used to making lower RPM shifts in the S2K than on the VFR! I'm used to 11,000+ RPM gear changes!

 

Absolutely! Driving a M/C of any kind generally makes one a lot more aware of his/her motoring environment. This alone will save your ass over and over again. It also teaches you the inticacies of clutch-throttle control and coordination. This will make driving a standard car that much more proficient.
And there's a BUT: Remember your last thread you talked about "SQUIDS"? A squid on a M/C is still a squid in a car! Only the Darwin Law will equalize these.

 

Definately, in fact I think part of driver's ed should be motorcycle and school bus driver training as well. Every parent at the very least should see how their child behaves on the ride home. Try driving a bus load of Jr High kids home some rainy afternoon. The windows fog, you can get see, can't hear, they're throwing crap at you from behind, yelling obcenities other drivers are running your loading lights, pulling out infront of you. Now your really a defensive driver. Thank god I got out of that line of work. I used to train them.