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Philip's Ravings

My blog contains topics of interest to me, or recent activities I have been involved in.

  1. Motorcycle Emergency Braking

    Emergency Braking is a contentious discussion topic. Many people have different views - and often they are all right - in certain circumstances. Often views vary from country to country as different methods are taught, and people like to (rightly or wrongly) defend what they have learnt and practised over the years.

    What is emergency braking?
    Emergency braking is the act of bringing a motorbike to a complete halt in the minimum amount of distance.

    Overview
    ...

    Updated 29th March 2010 at 08:23 by p.dath (Added info about wheel locking)

    Categories
    General Bike Ravings , Survival Skills
  2. Car driving skills don't convert to motorcycle road riding skills

    You often hear new riders who are experienced car drivers complaining that they have to go through the full licence process to get a motorcycle licence. Their primary argument is that their years of car driving experience transfers across to riding a motorcycle, so they should be able to get to a full licence in a shorter period of time.

    My personal opinion is that riding a motorcycle requires a different set of skills to driving a car, and that the dangers experienced riding a motorcycle ...
  3. Fitting Oxford HotGrips

    With another winter approaching and my woman complaining of my freezing cold hands after each ride (which I was sure to rush in when finished riding, rip my gloves off, and promptly place on her nice warm stomach) I decided it was time to look at the options available.

    I have very limited mechanical abilities myself (to help you place your skills alongside mine if you’re going to do this yourself). But I have a lot of patience and perseverance and I try not to let the fear ...
  4. Choosing a Motorcycle Helmet

    Overview

    Rather like emergency braking, a discussion on helmets can be like a discussion on religion. People often take polarised views. Unlike emergency braking you don't really want to practice coming off your bike and having head impacts to test which is the best kind of helmet for you.

    So short of repeated practical experience you have to learn a little bit about helmets to help you make a choice that is only like to be tested once.

    One thing you'll notice ...