Practice sessions, what to focus on?
Discussion
Right then, I've got an huge area (a little larger than Kensington & Chelsea) that is being developed just over the river from me. All roads, roundabouts and traffic lights are in place and working along with brand new roads. The bonus here is that the area is closed to traffic while the buildings are being constructed during the day. This leaves me with a mini city to practice my riding without the concern of being run over by the clueless drivers we are blighted with here.
So my question is, what should I focus on when I go there each evening to practice? I will make time to have 3-4hrs there most evenings and want to get the most out of my time there. I've done about 10hrs of riding on the R1 so far and I want to get as familiar with the bike as possible so my riding is fluid and more instinctive.
Any tips from my knowledgable PH2 brethren as I learn my way around this bike would be very much appreciated.
So my question is, what should I focus on when I go there each evening to practice? I will make time to have 3-4hrs there most evenings and want to get the most out of my time there. I've done about 10hrs of riding on the R1 so far and I want to get as familiar with the bike as possible so my riding is fluid and more instinctive.
Any tips from my knowledgable PH2 brethren as I learn my way around this bike would be very much appreciated.
Low speed control (walking pace/as slow as possible) in a straight line and turning in the width of a road/two parking bays without putting feet down.
Emergency stops.
Then yeah, wheelies and burn outs.
What are you practising for? A test? IIRC you are not in UK (China?). Guessing the test is not too stringent there.
Otherwise you may as well practice on quiet roads with light traffic as only then will it be realistic and throw the hazards/challenges at you that you need to learn to deal with. Kind of why I think the UK Mod 1 test riding between cones in a car park is of little value. Too artificial.
Emergency stops.
Then yeah, wheelies and burn outs.
What are you practising for? A test? IIRC you are not in UK (China?). Guessing the test is not too stringent there.
Otherwise you may as well practice on quiet roads with light traffic as only then will it be realistic and throw the hazards/challenges at you that you need to learn to deal with. Kind of why I think the UK Mod 1 test riding between cones in a car park is of little value. Too artificial.
bass gt3 said:
Steering. Learn to steer the bike properly. Maybe set cones and practice flicking across, comes in very handy in traffic and avoiding accidents.
Leaning isn't steering, so learn to steer, both at walking pace and faster counter steering
Use the time OP to get yourself somewhere towards the level of this skilled individual in the following video:Leaning isn't steering, so learn to steer, both at walking pace and faster counter steering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHtraK9dhO8
thatdude said:
bass gt3 said:
Steering. Learn to steer the bike properly. Maybe set cones and practice flicking across, comes in very handy in traffic and avoiding accidents.
Leaning isn't steering, so learn to steer, both at walking pace and faster counter steering
Use the time OP to get yourself somewhere towards the level of this skilled individual in the following video:Leaning isn't steering, so learn to steer, both at walking pace and faster counter steering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHtraK9dhO8
...and probably found them useful during practice for that little exhibition..
Cheers boys, I had my first test on the way to the F1 last weekend on my first motorway outing. A great big plank of wood lay across two of the four lanes with cars swerving last minute to avoid it. I always make sure I read the road ahead, even more so now I'm on the bike, so had good time to avoid going anywhere near it. But bloody hell I was a little concerned for a moment. Quite a few haulers don't really bother with strapping things down in lorries here. They just throw things in the back, sometimes with a loose canvas over it) and go on their way.
To get there and back I have to go through a tunnel and will probably take a scenic route over a bridge and highway so will mix real-life practice with isolated "safe" practice. Low speed control and getting a little more comfortable with the riding position is definitely something I'll want to work on. I want to gain some more confidence in the feeling of the bike and increase my reaction time as I can feel myself thinking a lot before an action rather than it being a little more instinctive. Thank you all for the suggestions.
Oh and er, wheelies you say?
How soon were you lot giving them a go? 
To get there and back I have to go through a tunnel and will probably take a scenic route over a bridge and highway so will mix real-life practice with isolated "safe" practice. Low speed control and getting a little more comfortable with the riding position is definitely something I'll want to work on. I want to gain some more confidence in the feeling of the bike and increase my reaction time as I can feel myself thinking a lot before an action rather than it being a little more instinctive. Thank you all for the suggestions.
Oh and er, wheelies you say?
How soon were you lot giving them a go? Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff