Came off the road last night.........
Discussion
but managed to get it back! I absolutely sh!t myself. Exactly the same thing as before. Riding along a country road, overtake a car, who annoyingly is pushing me right over to the right. Keen to get out of the way of oncoming cars, I moved back over to the left. By this time the road bends slightly round to the right, so more lean needed. What did I do? Locked me arms, and stared at the field now approaching. However at the last second, I lifted my head and look where I realy wanted to go. Ok, so I was now bouncing over mud/grass, but heading towards the black stuff.
Now I understand I was a bit silly to be there in the first place. Perhaps not the best use of judgement, but once you start an overtake it's too easy just to wind more power on should things start to gt a bit tricky. However, I was pleased with the way I lifted my head, and managed to stay upright.
BUT, why, why, why did I lock my arms again? I know it's the worst thing you can do....but I just did.
Any ideas?
Now I understand I was a bit silly to be there in the first place. Perhaps not the best use of judgement, but once you start an overtake it's too easy just to wind more power on should things start to gt a bit tricky. However, I was pleased with the way I lifted my head, and managed to stay upright.
BUT, why, why, why did I lock my arms again? I know it's the worst thing you can do....but I just did.
Any ideas?
chilli said:
but managed to get it back! I absolutely sh!t myself. Exactly the same thing as before. Riding along a country road, overtake a car, who annoyingly is pushing me right over to the right. Keen to get out of the way of oncoming cars, I moved back over to the left. By this time the road bends slightly round to the right, so more lean needed. What did I do? Locked me arms, and stared at the field now approaching. However at the last second, I lifted my head and look where I realy wanted to go. Ok, so I was now bouncing over mud/grass, but heading towards the black stuff.
Now I understand I was a bit silly to be there in the first place. Perhaps not the best use of judgement, but once you start an overtake it's too easy just to wind more power on should things start to gt a bit tricky. However, I was pleased with the way I lifted my head, and managed to stay upright.
BUT, why, why, why did I lock my arms again? I know it's the worst thing you can do....but I just did.
Any ideas?
Now I understand I was a bit silly to be there in the first place. Perhaps not the best use of judgement, but once you start an overtake it's too easy just to wind more power on should things start to gt a bit tricky. However, I was pleased with the way I lifted my head, and managed to stay upright.
BUT, why, why, why did I lock my arms again? I know it's the worst thing you can do....but I just did.
Any ideas?
Why did you do it - an instinctive reaction I suspect. Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist series is a good read on this point. A trackday will give you better bike handling skills, so when faced with such a situation you know what the bike can do and how to make it do it. Road training will help you spot the situation earlier, so you hopefully don't have to use your trackday skills too often. A bit of either should be enjoyable and beneficial to your riding - particulally a track school.
Steve.
Ah, I thought you'd have done some track work since I was last typing on here. Right, in that case I'll draw on my own experience. Back when I learnt to ride, I had quite a lot of scary moments on the road and only experience and better bike handling skills helped me. Beating the survival reactions is the main battle (as Steve said). I used to read a chapter of twist of the wrist and then practice it for a week. It improved my riding no end.
I can't say enough good things about twist of the wrist, although avoid the DVD as it's the most dull motorcycling thing you will have ever experienced.
I can't say enough good things about twist of the wrist, although avoid the DVD as it's the most dull motorcycling thing you will have ever experienced.
Nick
I’m glad to hear that it all ended up OK even if it was a little ‘exciting’ while it happened.
While I agree with the comments previously about gaining bike control skills through track sessions I would suggest that it’s the advanced road techniques that would be better in such circumstances. Always looking at where you want to go and giving yourself enough time to react to changing circumstances is fundamental to advanced road skills. Keep practicing both the bike control skills and the advanced road skills and hopefully the frequency of such events will reduce and your handling of them when they do occur will continue to improve.
I’m glad to hear that it all ended up OK even if it was a little ‘exciting’ while it happened.
While I agree with the comments previously about gaining bike control skills through track sessions I would suggest that it’s the advanced road techniques that would be better in such circumstances. Always looking at where you want to go and giving yourself enough time to react to changing circumstances is fundamental to advanced road skills. Keep practicing both the bike control skills and the advanced road skills and hopefully the frequency of such events will reduce and your handling of them when they do occur will continue to improve.
Chilli, glad you're OK, on the plus side its the sort of moment that proves you don't need a heart pacemaker.
To be honest none of us ride perfectly and most will admit to having the odd 'moment' every now and then and this happens regardless of how many track days you have done or advanced courses you have been on. I am I big fan of both before anyone shoots me and believe they are an essential part of the armoury you need to survive out there. Its all about minimising risk and a great deal of this comes from experience.
I had one the other week which was an exact replica of one last year. Its wet, coming round the roundabout at the bottom of Blackfriars Bridge road turning into Borough Union rd and oops out goes the back wheel 'A la' Gary McCoy without the skill levels. Brown trousers
Now I ride this road nearly every day and I know it can be a b***** in the wet, but I looked at it and thought it appears OK no worries, wrong, so next time its wet I'll walk the bike round!!!
To be honest none of us ride perfectly and most will admit to having the odd 'moment' every now and then and this happens regardless of how many track days you have done or advanced courses you have been on. I am I big fan of both before anyone shoots me and believe they are an essential part of the armoury you need to survive out there. Its all about minimising risk and a great deal of this comes from experience.
I had one the other week which was an exact replica of one last year. Its wet, coming round the roundabout at the bottom of Blackfriars Bridge road turning into Borough Union rd and oops out goes the back wheel 'A la' Gary McCoy without the skill levels. Brown trousers
Now I ride this road nearly every day and I know it can be a b***** in the wet, but I looked at it and thought it appears OK no worries, wrong, so next time its wet I'll walk the bike round!!!If you're locking your arms you're obviously also holding onto the bars waayyyyyy too tightly. I find leaning over the tank (in attack mode) stops you from being able to tighten up as you're arms are naturally bent, whereas sat up you are able to straighten & therefore lock your arms.
I do think a bit of track time would be good for you, not specifically to make you quicker but more to make you aware of looking ahead & also obviously to safely push your current riding limits.
Making progress/going quick is soooo much about smoothness & foresight.
Alternatively, chop the R6 in for an offroad
I do think a bit of track time would be good for you, not specifically to make you quicker but more to make you aware of looking ahead & also obviously to safely push your current riding limits.
Making progress/going quick is soooo much about smoothness & foresight.
Alternatively, chop the R6 in for an offroad
Nick,
Glad you're ok mate. Sounds like you are a little tense on the bike, I know it's easy to say but try ro relax more on the bike and always look where you want to go and try not to have target fixation, also in a situation you have explained counter steering would have helped...but it's easy to say this after the event.
I believe that your riding skill will mprove after the California school you're doing soon as it will teach you what your bike is really capable of. I learnt a great deal from doing track days and learnt to appreciate the bike more. I've also transferred a lot of the knowledge gained on track to road riding (obviously not the speed officer) and it definitely helped & improved my road riding.
Keep your chin up mate at least you saved it and hopefully you'll relax a bit more on the bike......well done
Andy.
Glad you're ok mate. Sounds like you are a little tense on the bike, I know it's easy to say but try ro relax more on the bike and always look where you want to go and try not to have target fixation, also in a situation you have explained counter steering would have helped...but it's easy to say this after the event.
I believe that your riding skill will mprove after the California school you're doing soon as it will teach you what your bike is really capable of. I learnt a great deal from doing track days and learnt to appreciate the bike more. I've also transferred a lot of the knowledge gained on track to road riding (obviously not the speed officer
) and it definitely helped & improved my road riding. Keep your chin up mate at least you saved it and hopefully you'll relax a bit more on the bike......well done
Andy.
Edited by Andy Oh on Thursday 29th March 11:27
Bloody hell Chilli, if you carry on like this I'm going to be panicking every time I walk past your parking space and the black bike aint there 
Sounds like you've started on the right track by booking some track training. Have you done any further road training too? I use Rapid to brush up my road skills at least once a year, and they're good guys:
www.rapidtraining.co.uk/e/home.htm
What day you doing CSS? I'm at Rockingham in May for level 2...
PS glad you got away with it this time!
Sounds like you've started on the right track by booking some track training. Have you done any further road training too? I use Rapid to brush up my road skills at least once a year, and they're good guys:
www.rapidtraining.co.uk/e/home.htm
What day you doing CSS? I'm at Rockingham in May for level 2...
PS glad you got away with it this time!
chilli said:
but managed to get it back! I absolutely sh!t myself. Exactly the same thing as before. Riding along a country road, overtake a car, who annoyingly is pushing me right over to the right. Keen to get out of the way of oncoming cars, I moved back over to the left. By this time the road bends slightly round to the right, so more lean needed. What did I do? Locked me arms, and stared at the field now approaching. However at the last second, I lifted my head and look where I realy wanted to go. Ok, so I was now bouncing over mud/grass, but heading towards the black stuff.
Now I understand I was a bit silly to be there in the first place. Perhaps not the best use of judgement, but once you start an overtake it's too easy just to wind more power on should things start to gt a bit tricky. However, I was pleased with the way I lifted my head, and managed to stay upright.
BUT, why, why, why did I lock my arms again? I know it's the worst thing you can do....but I just did.
Any ideas?
Now I understand I was a bit silly to be there in the first place. Perhaps not the best use of judgement, but once you start an overtake it's too easy just to wind more power on should things start to gt a bit tricky. However, I was pleased with the way I lifted my head, and managed to stay upright.
BUT, why, why, why did I lock my arms again? I know it's the worst thing you can do....but I just did.
Any ideas?
This is not meant to sound harsh chilli (But I suppose it will) what are you doing overtaking a car before a corner. Are you familiar with the road? whether you are or not gives the same answer you shouldn't have.
The simple answer to locking your arms is that you were frightened, natural reaction for someone who is inexperienced.
I would suggest that you should read "road craft" which would benefit you more than the performance (track) enhancing ones.
As one of the guys who welcomed me to this site, as regards to what I've said above I'm not trying to be smug.
Pleased to hear that you are OK though.
John.
You need to look and plan further ahead, you really shouldn't be getting caught out in this way! I think you may just need to calm down a bit, slow down and get your lines right rather than riding like a headless chicken.
Plus, do a trackday, get more practise and get some more training!! I've never known anyone have so many crashes and near misses in such a short space of time. It sounds harsh, but it's true and sooner or later you're going to properly hurt yourself.
Dave
Plus, do a trackday, get more practise and get some more training!! I've never known anyone have so many crashes and near misses in such a short space of time. It sounds harsh, but it's true and sooner or later you're going to properly hurt yourself.
Dave
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