Discussion
Afternoon All
Now i've passed my test and got me bike, i'm after some hints and tips from those with a little more experience than me. I'm hopefully going to try and get some tutoring from a BiB biker in the near future, but i'm after some other bits of advice to improve me technique that i can go out and practice on my own. I'm not looking at dashing out and getting me knee down, more learning how to ride it smoothly and quickly, rather than the really slow in the bends and blatting it down the straights method. I was followed by a couple of bikers the other day and felt a little unsure as i felt like i was being pushed faster than i felt comfortable, i backed off and they spent 5 minutes crawling all over me despite me leaving room to pass.
Having been out a few times i'm currently trying to get to grips with counter steering, but it's taking a lot of getting used to. Fortunatly i haven't had any serious mishaps, and i'd like to try and avoid them if at all possible!
So, other than the standard treat everybody else on the road like an idiot, and avoiding getting dragged in with quicker guys, what bits of worldly advice do you lot have to offer?
Cheers
Now i've passed my test and got me bike, i'm after some hints and tips from those with a little more experience than me. I'm hopefully going to try and get some tutoring from a BiB biker in the near future, but i'm after some other bits of advice to improve me technique that i can go out and practice on my own. I'm not looking at dashing out and getting me knee down, more learning how to ride it smoothly and quickly, rather than the really slow in the bends and blatting it down the straights method. I was followed by a couple of bikers the other day and felt a little unsure as i felt like i was being pushed faster than i felt comfortable, i backed off and they spent 5 minutes crawling all over me despite me leaving room to pass.
Having been out a few times i'm currently trying to get to grips with counter steering, but it's taking a lot of getting used to. Fortunatly i haven't had any serious mishaps, and i'd like to try and avoid them if at all possible!
So, other than the standard treat everybody else on the road like an idiot, and avoiding getting dragged in with quicker guys, what bits of worldly advice do you lot have to offer?
Cheers
I would strongly suggest you read the Police Motorcycle RoadCraft. This will explain the system which can be used to ensure that your riding on the road is quick, smooth and most importantly, safe.
I would also suggest that, rather than working on techniques like counter steering at this stage, the thing to focus on is observation. While riding along an open road, think about where you are looking. I will bet that you are focusing your attention something like 20 to 50yds in front of you. This then means that by the time you get to see something such that it actually ‘registers’ with you, you are already into the area where avoiding action requires a good deal of change to your current progress – braking hard, having to make serious avoiding manoeuvres etc. Work on getting your concentration focused on ‘the vanishing point’. What I mean by this is the place in the distance where you loose sight of the road. This is the point where the two verges appear to meet and on a dead straight flat section of road this will be the point on the horizon about 4 to 5 miles away. On a normal road this will be the point where the road bends either to the left or the right, or will be the point where there is a crest with the road dropping off on the other side. Ensure your eyes follow the vanishing and you will always be looking in the right direction. If the distance between you and the vanishing point is getting shorter (you are approaching a potential hazard) then you need to be reducing your speed. If the distance between you and the vanishing point is increasing, then you can accelerate.
Give it a try and let us know how you get on?
Ride safe and enjoy.
I would also suggest that, rather than working on techniques like counter steering at this stage, the thing to focus on is observation. While riding along an open road, think about where you are looking. I will bet that you are focusing your attention something like 20 to 50yds in front of you. This then means that by the time you get to see something such that it actually ‘registers’ with you, you are already into the area where avoiding action requires a good deal of change to your current progress – braking hard, having to make serious avoiding manoeuvres etc. Work on getting your concentration focused on ‘the vanishing point’. What I mean by this is the place in the distance where you loose sight of the road. This is the point where the two verges appear to meet and on a dead straight flat section of road this will be the point on the horizon about 4 to 5 miles away. On a normal road this will be the point where the road bends either to the left or the right, or will be the point where there is a crest with the road dropping off on the other side. Ensure your eyes follow the vanishing and you will always be looking in the right direction. If the distance between you and the vanishing point is getting shorter (you are approaching a potential hazard) then you need to be reducing your speed. If the distance between you and the vanishing point is increasing, then you can accelerate.
Give it a try and let us know how you get on?
Ride safe and enjoy.
Always look through a bend, and as far into the distance as the road permits.
Never follow other road users so close that you can't see as the above suggests.
Above all, relax, as your rigidity will be influencing how the suspension and tyres work.
Ride for yourself and your enjoyment, not for anyone else under any circumstances.
Beware of riding in groups as you can get drawn into negating the above comment. Some groups will allow you to learn quicker dependent on how human (and how accomplished) the riders are.
When you have a good feel for the bike, i.e. you are not thinking about the controls and they are operated unconsciously through muscle pattern then:
Do a track day.
Do Bikesafe with the local constabulary.
Practice active countersteering and weighting the pegs.
Ride more in the wet to learn weight shift, throttle control and effective braking.
Also,
Try riding at a time where the roads are clearer. Sunday morning at 6am is a really good time to enjoy motorcycling, especially if the weather is good.
Never follow other road users so close that you can't see as the above suggests.
Above all, relax, as your rigidity will be influencing how the suspension and tyres work.
Ride for yourself and your enjoyment, not for anyone else under any circumstances.
Beware of riding in groups as you can get drawn into negating the above comment. Some groups will allow you to learn quicker dependent on how human (and how accomplished) the riders are.
When you have a good feel for the bike, i.e. you are not thinking about the controls and they are operated unconsciously through muscle pattern then:
Do a track day.
Do Bikesafe with the local constabulary.
Practice active countersteering and weighting the pegs.
Ride more in the wet to learn weight shift, throttle control and effective braking.
Also,
Try riding at a time where the roads are clearer. Sunday morning at 6am is a really good time to enjoy motorcycling, especially if the weather is good.
Here's some good advice.....
RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. This gets drummed into everyone on my course (IAM). By the sounds of it, you really must keep this in mind. Let other bikers fly past you on one wheel if they want to, just let them go. I KNOW this is sound advice, as I found out the hard way trying to follow a couple of much more experienced rider.
Good luck though!!
RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. This gets drummed into everyone on my course (IAM). By the sounds of it, you really must keep this in mind. Let other bikers fly past you on one wheel if they want to, just let them go. I KNOW this is sound advice, as I found out the hard way trying to follow a couple of much more experienced rider.
Good luck though!!
Couple of tips,1)Never trust what car drivers are going to do next 2)You never know what car drivers are going to do next and 3)Car drivers,never trust them!Countersteering isn't something to get really hung up about.Have you been around a bend before?Well you can't have done that 'without' countersteering,its the only way to get around a corner,you do it without thinking about it.Same with hanging off a bike,that doesn't get you round a corner,countersteering does.Drive along at 60mph on a straight,hang right off the bike and see what happens,not a lot really,you keep going straight!
The observation tips and roadcraft are by far the most important as you've just past. If you want to corner faster, the following may help;
1. Arms bent, not locked with a relaxed but good grip of the bars.
2. Counter steering - practice I guess? Push the bars - make sure youre opposite hand isn't countering your counter steering if that makes sense.
3. Have your bum off the seat slightly and move your head away from the screen a little. Your head should be position above the screen (height).
4. Use the pegs - some pressure on the pegs makes a big difference.
5. Don't pressure the bars when changing position on the bike, use your lower body.
6. Drop your shoulder into the corner as well.
The above is really how I've managed to become quite a fast rider - others may offer different advice which may suit better... But being safe should be no1 on your list - don't outride yourself, work up some speed otherwise you WILL crash as I have! And remember the public road is full of crap - oil and more recently sand and grit which has been washed into the road from the verges.
Just for your information - I never stick my knee out on the road but get my knee down on the track. However, I live in Norfolk so it's rare I can actually see round a corner (the place is so damn flat)so my lines are on my side of the road - i.e. It's very rare I get to cut a corner and take the best line. Perhaps if I lived where there's hills, I might try getting my knee down on the public road.
PS - make sure you're tyres are warm as well - use counter steering to weave the bike as you go along which will generate heat.
1. Arms bent, not locked with a relaxed but good grip of the bars.
2. Counter steering - practice I guess? Push the bars - make sure youre opposite hand isn't countering your counter steering if that makes sense.
3. Have your bum off the seat slightly and move your head away from the screen a little. Your head should be position above the screen (height).
4. Use the pegs - some pressure on the pegs makes a big difference.
5. Don't pressure the bars when changing position on the bike, use your lower body.
6. Drop your shoulder into the corner as well.
The above is really how I've managed to become quite a fast rider - others may offer different advice which may suit better... But being safe should be no1 on your list - don't outride yourself, work up some speed otherwise you WILL crash as I have! And remember the public road is full of crap - oil and more recently sand and grit which has been washed into the road from the verges.
Just for your information - I never stick my knee out on the road but get my knee down on the track. However, I live in Norfolk so it's rare I can actually see round a corner (the place is so damn flat)so my lines are on my side of the road - i.e. It's very rare I get to cut a corner and take the best line. Perhaps if I lived where there's hills, I might try getting my knee down on the public road.
PS - make sure you're tyres are warm as well - use counter steering to weave the bike as you go along which will generate heat.
Don't look at your reflection in shop windows as you are bound to run into a stationary car/van/bus.
Be aware of young ladies with a heavy bust, wearing flimsy top's, much more dangerous than Volvo's.
Don't show off in front of your mates, you will fall off.
And an other thing.. Don't believe all the crap that's written in MCN/bike mags.
Be aware of young ladies with a heavy bust, wearing flimsy top's, much more dangerous than Volvo's.
Don't show off in front of your mates, you will fall off.
And an other thing.. Don't believe all the crap that's written in MCN/bike mags.
Biker's Nemesis said:
Don't look at your reflection in shop windows as you are bound to run into a stationary car/van/bus.
Be aware of young ladies with a heavy bust, wearing flimsy top's, much more dangerous than Volvo's.
Don't show off in front of your mates, you will fall off.
And an other thing.. Don't believe all the crap that's written in MCN/bike mags.
Be aware of young ladies with a heavy bust, wearing flimsy top's, much more dangerous than Volvo's.
Don't show off in front of your mates, you will fall off.
And an other thing.. Don't believe all the crap that's written in MCN/bike mags.
but very true!!Biker's Nemesis said:
Don't look at your reflection in shop windows as you are bound to run into a stationary car/van/bus.
Be aware of young ladies with a heavy bust, wearing flimsy top's, much more dangerous than Volvo's.
Don't show off in front of your mates, you will fall off.
And an other thing.. Don't believe all the crap that's written in MCN/bike mags.
I've managed to avoid the looking at my reflection, but the girl with big tits does distract me slightly, Union Street in Aberdeen is a great spotting place Be aware of young ladies with a heavy bust, wearing flimsy top's, much more dangerous than Volvo's.
Don't show off in front of your mates, you will fall off.
And an other thing.. Don't believe all the crap that's written in MCN/bike mags.
Not at the showing off stage yet, none of my mates are bikers so i'm confined to going out on my own or with my dad and his mates.
My observation is quite good, i'm actively making myself look into the far distance and vanishing points on the road i used when driving the car so i'm applying the same principles on the bike. I am however aware of my current limitations, having only managed to go out a couple of times since i bought the bike. Is it worth getting a bit of advanced instruction this early on, or should i give myself a bit more time to used to the bike? My dad is quite keen to get me out with a mate of his who is an ex police advanced riding instructor, but i don't know if i would get any benefit at this early stage
D_T_W said:
Is it worth getting a bit of advanced instruction this early on, or should i give myself a bit more time to used to the bike? My dad is quite keen to get me out with a mate of his who is an ex police advanced riding instructor, but i don't know if i would get any benefit at this early stage
I would recommend that you take the training as soon as you can. It will help develop the correct techniques and any trainer worth his/her salt will adjust the training to be at the right level for your current abilities.I am a new rider too, only 4 years and maybe 20k miles experience. I try emergency stops from time to time. Ride along an empty, straight, piece of tarmac at a low speed (60mph is ok). Pick a point up ahead that looks like it might be just possible to stop before and go for it. If it is dry don't use much if any rear brake. It can sometimes be surprising how long it takes to actually stop.
Keep up the conscious countersteering, it should become second nature. If you start to get any slides, stay calm - keep the throttle constant and slightly increase the radius of the turn.
It's not an easy thing to learn, but it is fun trying! I like the fact that you are being observant. That's my style too, but I sometimes screw up by trying to make flowing progress when really the road is just too busy.
shane
Keep up the conscious countersteering, it should become second nature. If you start to get any slides, stay calm - keep the throttle constant and slightly increase the radius of the turn.
It's not an easy thing to learn, but it is fun trying! I like the fact that you are being observant. That's my style too, but I sometimes screw up by trying to make flowing progress when really the road is just too busy.
shane
looking at the vanishing point will tell you if a bend tightens or opens up
always look where you want to go..ie if someone pulls out infront of you look at the GAP rather than staring at the driver..or if you go into a corner and you think you may be going a bit to hot look around the corner rather than panic and look at the hedge..you will go where you look 9 times out of 10
take you time with it ,it will come as your confidence grows
always look where you want to go..ie if someone pulls out infront of you look at the GAP rather than staring at the driver..or if you go into a corner and you think you may be going a bit to hot look around the corner rather than panic and look at the hedge..you will go where you look 9 times out of 10
take you time with it ,it will come as your confidence grows
Ride at the speed that you feel most comfortable at.
You don't have to ride fast to enjoy biking. It is fun to go fast but it takes time to do it well.
Watch out for terminal fixation. Look where you want to go not where you don't.
Ride all year round, except in snow and ice, because it improves your skills.
Most important of all - enjoy yourself!
You don't have to ride fast to enjoy biking. It is fun to go fast but it takes time to do it well.
Watch out for terminal fixation. Look where you want to go not where you don't.
Ride all year round, except in snow and ice, because it improves your skills.
Most important of all - enjoy yourself!
sjwb said:
Oh, well perhaps just one bit - FORGET ABOUT COUNTER-STEERING; completely. It is something that you do naturally and has more bollox talked about than enough.
While that's partly true forgetting about it would be denying yourself the ability to turn in a lot more quickly and more confidently than you otherwise would be able to.I've been riding for four years and done about 30k miles.
I am still guilty of looking at myself, on the bike in shop windows, because I still can't quite believe that I took the test, after so many years wanting to.
If you are guilty of this then at least time it so that a split second glance won't mean that you hit the car in front, if it decides to brake!
I am still guilty of looking at myself, on the bike in shop windows, because I still can't quite believe that I took the test, after so many years wanting to.
If you are guilty of this then at least time it so that a split second glance won't mean that you hit the car in front, if it decides to brake!
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