Essential skills...

[magicmonkey]

Well, so far I've worked on emergency braking, countersteering and swerving, they all need a lot of practice of course but the very basics of those elements are second nature now. So the big question for me at the moment is, what next?

I'll be riding a lot and practicing the skills I've already got but it feels like it's time to add something more to the mix as well, I just have no idea what! any of you charming folks got any suggestions?

[Rosie]

Hill starts?
Smooooth gear changes?
Can you use all the controls (indicators, lights etc) without looking?
Identifying appropriate lines when cornering?

When I was learning, I found it helpful to choose three things to concentrate on each time I went for a ride. They could be little things, like cancelling indicators, or using mirrors frequently, or bigger stuff like improving cornering technique.

[BOGAR]

There are things like low speed weaving for more than a couple of turns, full lock turns one way and then the other(without putting your foot down), breaking in a corner (be very careful where and how you try this one). Not all of your training should focus on the higher speeds. I feel smooth at road speeds but still need to work on my U turns. Good luck though.

[Rodney007]

OPEN EYES ..... practice that

and how on earth you practice emergency braking ... ask people to pull out on you?

[vifferman]

Waving? :confused:

Srsly, there's LOTS to learn (waving being a pre-eminent skill, of course ;)). Try some practice on crap surfaces (gravel, slippery road, grass); getting your lines through corners right on the OpenRode by learning to look for the vanishing point; <s>lane-splitting on one wheel; mirrorectomies; sneezing inside your helmet;</s> early recognition of hazards; parking on hills; use of "body english" on slopes, blah blah blah.
It never ends - there's always stuff to learn. Just get out there and ride.

Oh - and kudos to you for wanting to do this right - that's the first step, and very commendable. :niceone:

[magicmonkey]

I've managed to get hill starts sorted, which I'm pretty proud of! I think it's a bit easier on my GN than on most bikes though as the low down power and high compression helps a lot; I'll probably have a bit of a shock when it comes to upgrade time :sweatdrop

The U-turn idea is something I could probably use some work on though, how large a space to the give you to do it on your test? I can manage a u turn in the width of a normal road without issues but if it's tighter than that I might have to start pushing myself a bit!

I could do with learning how to change gears without the clutch but I've been a bit hesitant about trying it as I really don't want to watch the gear drop onto the road as I fly over the handlebars!

[magicmonkey]

Waving? :confused:

Srsly, there's LOTS to learn (waving being a pre-eminent skill, of course ;)). Try some practice on crap surfaces (gravel, slippery road, grass); getting your lines through corners right on the OpenRode by learning to look for the vanishing point; <s>lane-splitting on one wheel; mirrorectomies; sneezing inside your helmet;</s> early recognition of hazards; parking on hills; use of "body english" on slopes, blah blah blah.
It never ends - there's always stuff to learn. Just get out there and ride.

Oh - and kudos to you for wanting to do this right - that's the first step, and very commendable. :niceone:

well, you mention one wheel stuff here, I have been thinking that it would be a good idea for me to learn how to handle a wheelie, it's not that I'm interested in actually doing them (I couldn't give 2 shits about the show off stuff) just that I'm sure to launch the front wheel by accident at some point and I'd like to know that I won't panic when that happens, probably something I should leave until I'm a lot more comfortable with the rest of the handling though ;)

[crazyhorse]

Not sure is winter is really over - but there is always snow and ice to practise on too - but you'd be tough to try them out of fun :rockon::wari:

[White trash]

I'm getting very fucken sick of telling you this. But.


HOW ARE THE WHEELIES COMING ALONG

[Rodney007]

I'm getting very fucken sick of telling you this. But.


HOW ARE THE WHEELIES COMING ALONG

hehe.... :scooter:

[James Deuce]

The most important one. Situational Awareness.

[magicmonkey]

The most important one. Situational Awareness.


Well that one seems to be progressing at the same rate as my getting more comfortable on the bike. The less attention I'm paying to the controls (due to their becoming second nature rather than just not using them) the more attention I'm focusing on my surroundings. At the moment I'm reasonably comfortable with the amount of warning time I'm giving myself, it can always be improved of course but it seems to be improving on it's own while I have to put work into other areas more pro-actively.

[magicmonkey]

Not sure is winter is really over - but there is always snow and ice to practise on too - but you'd be tough to try them out of fun :rockon::wari:

eurgh, I've tried ice already and I don't plan on going anywhere near the stuff again unless I have no other choice, that's what the car with the heating and the airbags is for ;)

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Well, so far I've worked on emergency braking, countersteering and swerving, they all need a lot of practice of course but the very basics of those elements are second nature now. So the big question for me at the moment is, what next?

I'll be riding a lot and practicing the skills I've already got but it feels like it's time to add something more to the mix as well, I just have no idea what! any of you charming folks got any suggestions?


Good on you magicmonkey. I think you have come to the same conclusion that I came to when I got into biking. They don't teach you enough in the basic tests.

Sounds like you are on the right track, here are some others that I practised/ am still practising:

Slow speed manouvres.
U turns (two side by side car park spaces - in a car park should be what you work towards). Minimum from a test perspective is a normal road width.
Cornering, lean of bike - getting comfortable with leaning the bike angle over - beyond your original comfort zone, you know when you hit your limit is when bits start touching the ground.
Cornering, body position - just got a few good tips on this myself in another thread. Best was to attempt to kiss the wing mirror. This negates some of the need to lean the bike on tighter corners.
Note both cornering practices don't have to be fast (you can do them slowly - 20kph upwards- around corners).
Learning to adjust your line mid corner (for possible hazards).
Keeping to the outside (left of lane) line and not crossing your lane on right handers (maximum visibility).
Keeping to the inside (right of lane) line and not crossing your lane on left handers (again maximum visibility).
People might have issue with the last two but they are good to practise even if you apex corners usually.

Best bit of non required training I've had was from Roadsmart run by Andrew Templeton. The advanced course. This teahces you slow speed manouvres and braking techniques. Well worth the investment.

Have fun practising - it never stops but it's fun!

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Just thought of something else.

Ask around for a mentor (possibly someone on this site but don't get a crazy racer who only wants to show you how to wheelie). I had a mate mentor me (he has 15 years plus bike experience). Generally you want someone experienced trailing you and then able to point out what you need to work on.

Also just read your post about being advised not to go on the advanced rider course until you get your experience up. Shows that there is a gap in the market for follow on BHS training which is not being catered for.

[White trash]

(possibly someone on this site but don't get a crazy racer who only wants to show you how to wheelie).

And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?

[avgas]

People will probably flame me for it, but fuck it - there is learning and then there is the "learn".
Take all "brakeable" stuff off - mirrors etc.
Take it to a grass patch and do some riding in 1st and second gear, try and go faster and faster.....eventually sliding the bike a bit.
You may drop it a few times, but to be honest - the skills you pick up, and the bruises....will be embedded in your brain.
It is how I learnt to ride and drive. And those skills are the best skills.

Think about it - how did you learn to ride a bike, on the road, taking it easy - or in the grass doing a few skids?

There are very few "essential" skills apart from a bit of "slide tests" and "observations tests". Riding a bike is a natural mechanical system - the body does what the mind is not scared of. If the mind locks up, so does the body.

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?

Nothing against you personaly - just noticed your above post - just a general point to magicmonkey to get a mentor focused upon safety skills and then maybe extend out to flashy skills.

I still can't wheelie and am sure that I would like to - eventually. But for now I am more focused on being in control of everyday situations.

[James Deuce]

Nothing against you personaly - just noticed your above post - just a general point to magicmonkey to get a mentor focused upon safety skills and then maybe extend out to flashy skills.

I still can't wheelie and am sure that I would like to - eventually. But for now I am more focused on being in control of everyday situations.
Pop around and see me; I have a Grey Cardigan for you.

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

Pop around and see me; I have a Grey Cardigan for you.

That'll go nicely with my brown slippers.

[James Deuce]

Well that one seems to be progressing at the same rate as my getting more comfortable on the bike. The less attention I'm paying to the controls (due to their becoming second nature rather than just not using them) the more attention I'm focusing on my surroundings. At the moment I'm reasonably comfortable with the amount of warning time I'm giving myself, it can always be improved of course but it seems to be improving on it's own while I have to put work into other areas more pro-actively.

It doesn't improve on its own. It fools you into thinking that, lulls you into a false sense of superior roadcraft and draws you into a big accident.

[James Deuce]

That'll go nicely with my brown slippers.
They could be mine. I'll check when I get home and if I still can't find them I may have to break the Zimmer Frame out.

[magicmonkey]

Also just read your post about being advised not to go on the advanced rider course until you get your experience up. Shows that there is a gap in the market for follow on BHS training which is not being catered for.

yeah, that was a real bummer! Still, a few thousand K's more and I'll be ready to learn hill starts :wari:

[magicmonkey]

I'm getting very fucken sick of telling you this. But.


HOW ARE THE WHEELIES COMING ALONG

Yeah, they're great, the stoppies need some work though :shutup:

[White trash]

Nothing against you personaly - just noticed your above post - just a general point to magicmonkey to get a mentor focused upon safety skills and then maybe extend out to flashy skills.

I still can't wheelie and am sure that I would like to - eventually. But for now I am more focused on being in control of everyday situations.
Lol. All good, I didn't take it personal, just stirring shit.

Just an ongoing lighthearted point I seem to be making in all magicmonkey's threads which he seems good enough to take in his stride.

[MSTRS]

... I'm sure to launch the front wheel by accident at some point ...

I'm not sure that's possible on a GN. They'll do it, but the rider would need to work at it to manage one.

[magicmonkey]

I'm not sure that's possible on a GN. They'll do it, but the rider would need to work at it to manage one.

Yeah, I don't intend to try it any time soon but I do wonder if it's better to get a feel for them on a GN and have to work at it before I get a bigger bike, panic when I open it up too much and land with the front brakes on or the wheel crooked or something with an equally messy ending!

to be frank though, I couldn't give 2 shits about learning how to do a wheelie, beyond making sure I don't kill myself in an accidental one; I'll get a lot more joy out of handling the bike precisely and a few track days further down the line I think.

[vifferman]

I've managed to get hill starts sorted, which I'm pretty proud of!
Good - now trying parking in awkward sloping carparks; that tests more'n one skill. First you have to work out which is the best place to park, then manouevre your bike into the park, so that it (a) won't fall over, and (b) is possible to get out of again.


The U-turn idea is something I could probably use some work on though, how large a space to the give you to do it on your test? I can manage a u turn in the width of a normal road without issues but if it's tighter than that I might have to start pushing myself a bit!
Sounds like you're OK, but you can never practice too much. In common with many things on a bike, one of the critical things (apart from the obvious throttle and clutch control, and using the back brake as a rudder) is head position and where you look.
This also applies on roundabouts (similar thing): you need to look over your right shoulder, and keep looking, while at the same time being aware of what's happening on the road surface. The first is where your focus is, the second is a quick information-gathering scan.
This also applies when you're riding anywhere; you go where your focus is, but rather than staring fixedly ahead, you need to be able to take in everything around you, filtering out the irrelevant and noting the important:
- Is that guy going to stop?
- Has the cute chick in the car seen me, or is she going to change lanes on me?
- Oh- there's a piece of debris in the lane; must scope out a path to avoid it.
- The traffic's slowing down ahead.
- There's a rainbow sheen on the road (oil, brake fluid, antifreeze?) - must not run over that.
- Whoops! No time to avoid that pothole - must stand up on the pegs.


I could do with learning how to change gears without the clutch but I've been a bit hesitant about trying it as I really don't want to watch the gear drop onto the road as I fly over the handlebars!
No real need for that. It's not really a skill, and won't help you with your licence. It's more a facet of how the bike's gearbox works.

[magicmonkey]

Good - now trying parking in awkward sloping carparks; that tests more'n one skill. First you have to work out which is the best place to park, then manouevre your bike into the park, so that it (a) won't fall over, and (b) is possible to get out of again.

yeah, probably a good idea to learn that before I get on the ferry to south Island next month!


Sounds like you're OK, but you can never practice too much. In common with many things on a bike, one of the critical things (apart from the obvious throttle and clutch control, and using the back brake as a rudder) is head position and where you look.
This also applies on roundabouts (similar thing): you need to look over your right shoulder, and keep looking, while at the same time being aware of what's happening on the road surface. The first is where your focus is, the second is a quick information-gathering scan.

That's one I'm getting there with but only very slowly, it's quite a nuanced skill to be able to pay attention to where you're going and the road surface. I'm going for the old 'practice makes perfect' one with this, mainly because it's a good excuse to get the bike out ;)


This also applies when you're riding anywhere; you go where your focus is, but rather than staring fixedly ahead, you need to be able to take in everything around you, filtering out the irrelevant and noting the important:
- Is that guy going to stop?
- Has the cute chick in the car seen me, or is she going to change lanes on me?
- Oh- there's a piece of debris in the lane; must scope out a path to avoid it.
- The traffic's slowing down ahead.
- There's a rainbow sheen on the road (oil, brake fluid, antifreeze?) - must not run over that.
- Whoops! No time to avoid that pothole - must stand up on the pegs.

Now, what is it about getting higher when you run into that unavoidable pothole?? Is it just some strange human reaction or is there an actual reason I keep on doing that!

oh, and the hot chick in the car has always noticed me 'cause I've tooted my horn at her ;)


No real need for that. It's not really a skill, and won't help you with your licence. It's more a facet of how the bike's gearbox works.

Yeah, I get that there's no real need for it, it's still a skill I'd like to learn though; mainly because I'll probably get involved in track days at some point down the lin e and I understand it's quite a useful skill to have there (not that I'll be treating the road like a race track before anyone pipes up!)

[vifferman]

yeah, probably a good idea to learn that before I get on the ferry to south Island next month!
You'll need skills with riding on crappy surfaces for that too.


That's one I'm getting there with but only very slowly, it's quite a nuanced skill to be able to pay attention to where you're going and the road surface.
It's like checking out a hot chick without your woman noticing: your attention's where it should be, while sneaking a surreptitious glance that's enough to take in critical details without it being obvious you're looking.
On a bike, even when you have to do more than just glance briefly away from your intended path, you still have your mental focus there. If the glance takes in something critical, the mental focus changes.



Now, what is it about getting higher when you run into that unavoidable pothole?? Is it just some strange human reaction or is there an actual reason I keep on doing that!
No, it's not that so much as absorbing the shock with your legs. Plus if you're clever, you can actually bounce down on the suspension at the right time so the rebound floats the bike over the pothole. (Don't be tempted to wheelie over it - that forces the rear wheel into it. You'd be better doing a combo wheelie/stoppie to avoid it altogether!)


Yeah, I get that there's no real need for it, it's still a skill I'd like to learn though
It's a piece of piss, especially changing up; all that's needed is a momentary change of revs coupled with a bit of lever pressure; the box is essentially a constant mesh one, so not much is required to engage the next gear. On race/drag bikes, it's accomplished with an automatic momentary ignition cutout triggerd by a microswitch on the gear lever or by the ECU itself.
You may well be doing what amounts to clutchless changes anyway if you're changing gear fast and not pulling the clutch lever all the way in.

A lt of this 'stuff' is about repetition (of the right actions) to build up patterns in your brain (like a musician and 'finger memory'), so that eventually, the riding is a right-hemisphere, unconscious action, and your rational brain (left hemisphere) has time to do other stuff, like evaluating what the heck is going on around you.

[XP@]

Being able to walk around your bike in either direction without it being on the stand. Also be able to touch the ground with one hand whilst holding the bike with the other. (start on grass first).

Being able to ride on gravel / off road, when you are comfortable with dirt, normal roads are easy, even when they are govered in c**p!

[vifferman]

Being able to walk around your bike in either direction without it being on the stand. Also be able to touch the ground with one hand whilst holding the bike with the other. (start on grass first).

Being able to ride on gravel / off road, when you are comfortable with dirt, normal roads are easy, even when they are govered in c**p!
Good points, Sir! :niceone:
I'd forgotten about stuff like this. And stopping on a hill then swapping which foot's on the ground, so you can select neutral or first (because you didn't change all the way down :o )
Riding standing on the pegs. Or the seat, if the floodwater's really high... :eek5:

[retro asian]

Braking in a corner is a very valuable skill...but make sure you have someone knowledgeable teach you how to do this (otherwise it may hurt).


With practising anything, take it at your own pace, start easy and try to improve in small steps.

[magicmonkey]

Braking in a corner is a very valuable skill...but make sure you have someone knowledgeable teach you how to do this (otherwise it may hurt).


With practising anything, take it at your own pace, start easy and try to improve in small steps.

I've done this a few times already, which is probably quite a bad thing! I tend to try and be as upright as possible, using the front brake and then either fully release or hold very, very gently onto the front brakes as I go into the corner. Usually only happens if I've decided my entry speed is a bit high and needs some scrubbing off and I've never had to use it in panic although I do worry about what will happen when I do, highsiders look pretty uncomfortable to me and I understand that braking too hard in a corner is the perfect way to set one up!

Is that more or less the technique I should be using for braking in a corner or am I increasing my chances of becoming a statistic at the moment?

[magicmonkey]

Being able to walk around your bike in either direction without it being on the stand. Also be able to touch the ground with one hand whilst holding the bike with the other. (start on grass first).

I'm afraid I haven't a clue what you mean here!


Being able to ride on gravel / off road, when you are comfortable with dirt, normal roads are easy, even when they are govered in c**p!

Yeah, I wouldn't mind some time on a gravel track, I am a bit afraid of wrecking my bike though so I haven't tried it yet...

[magicmonkey]

You'll need skills with riding on crappy surfaces for that too.

Joy!


It's like checking out a hot chick without your woman noticing: your attention's where it should be, while sneaking a surreptitious glance that's enough to take in critical details without it being obvious you're looking.
On a bike, even when you have to do more than just glance briefly away from your intended path, you still have your mental focus there. If the glance takes in something critical, the mental focus changes.

lol, loving the analogy! Unfortunately I'm never that subtle, chicks always seem to notice me perving :gob:


No, it's not that so much as absorbing the shock with your legs. Plus if you're clever, you can actually bounce down on the suspension at the right time so the rebound floats the bike over the pothole. (Don't be tempted to wheelie over it - that forces the rear wheel into it. You'd be better doing a combo wheelie/stoppie to avoid it altogether!)

Fair enough, I tend to go bolt upright and clamp my knees to the tank, seems like that's not really in keeping with the spirit of your advice there, somthing I can try out next time I come up on that nasty pothole :)


It's a piece of piss, especially changing up; all that's needed is a momentary change of revs coupled with a bit of lever pressure; the box is essentially a constant mesh one, so not much is required to engage the next gear. On race/drag bikes, it's accomplished with an automatic momentary ignition cutout triggerd by a microswitch on the gear lever or by the ECU itself.
You may well be doing what amounts to clutchless changes anyway if you're changing gear fast and not pulling the clutch lever all the way in.

I assume it's a downwards change of revs we're talking about here when shifting up, are you talking about completely closing the throttle and then re-opening it is just lowering the rev count briefly?

I'm pretty sure I'm pulling the clutch in all the way every time I shift, I could be wrong about that though as I've not really paid any attention to the mechanics of shifting for a while


A lt of this 'stuff' is about repetition (of the right actions) to build up patterns in your brain (like a musician and 'finger memory'), so that eventually, the riding is a right-hemisphere, unconscious action, and your rational brain (left hemisphere) has time to do other stuff, like evaluating what the heck is going on around you.

yup, I'm well aware of the repetition part of learning, it's my favorite excuse for getting on the bike :D

[XP@]

It is all about being comfortable with your bike. A gn is small and light so it is quite easy to manage when you are not sat on it but as you progress to bigger (and more expensive) bikes you don't want to drop them in the garage, carpark, traffic lights. Mirrors break and ego's get bruised.

There are times when you find yourself at the wrong side of your bike with the side stand up, not good if it is a 280kg BMW. Other times and the grass is too soft for your stand. To get round these minor issues you need to be able to keep your bike upright whilst doing other stuff. As you have probably guessed by now your bike will not stand up all by itself!

The excersise:
With your bike on some grass put the side stand up. Then walk all the way around your bike clockwise without letting it fall over. Try the same anti-clockwise. Once you are comfortable walking round your bike both ways try touching the ground whilst holding the bike up. Further up the ante by doing it on the pavement in full bike gear.



I'm afraid I haven't a clue what you mean here!
Yeah, I wouldn't mind some time on a gravel track, I am a bit afraid of wrecking my bike though so I haven't tried it yet...
See the gravel thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=109796
It is better to approach this one on your terms (go out and find some) rather than coming across some roadworks and having to learn fast.
Best if you can borrow a mates adventure bike, but your GN would cope fine :-)

[retro asian]

I've done this a few times already, which is probably quite a bad thing! I tend to try and be as upright as possible, using the front brake and then either fully release or hold very, very gently onto the front brakes as I go into the corner. Usually only happens if I've decided my entry speed is a bit high and needs some scrubbing off and I've never had to use it in panic although I do worry about what will happen when I do, highsiders look pretty uncomfortable to me and I understand that braking too hard in a corner is the perfect way to set one up!

Is that more or less the technique I should be using for braking in a corner or am I increasing my chances of becoming a statistic at the moment?

Learn what happens to your bike from the front brake and the back brake, ie one straightens you up, one leans you more. Both brakes have to be applied smoothly (i.e. not slammed on) in a corner. Just do it carefully, try it at low speeds first... just like in the BHS test... it's not dangerous if you are very sensible about how you do it. Get a mentor to join/watch you.

[XRVrider]

I found little technical things helped a lot to my skills, like, full lock circles where you play the clutch and revs to do circles, with the steering turned full lock each way, well one way for a few turns then the other and see if you can keep the bike on full lock. Theres a tendency to straighten up when your balance isnt so good. Stand up and keep the centre of gravity low first if you can, then sit and do it. This will help a great deal for U turns and parking and with throttle and clutch control in general. They taught us that when I first got my license many years ago and went to a skills course.

Good luck with everything and all and the practice, it may save your life.

[LBD]

Hill starts?
Identifying appropriate lines when cornering?

or bigger stuff like improving cornering technique.

+1

Practice watching two cars in front as well as the immediate....

Riding in strong cross wind...using counter steering.

[Ms Piggy]

Oh - and kudos to you for wanting to do this right - that's the first step, and very commendable. :niceone:
Yep - well done this man for working hard on learning to ride. Ummmm...not sure if anyone has mentioned this but anticipating hazards (never assuming that a gap means you can go there cos there might be a car heading there too!) and looking further ahead in the traffic (like noticing that 6 or 7 carsa head the brakes are going on), looking for escape routes rather than slamming on the brakes (that's one i need to practice!). Keep up the good work!

[MSTRS]

I assume it's a downwards change of revs we're talking about here when shifting up, are you talking about completely closing the throttle and then re-opening it is just lowering the rev count briefly?


I wouldn't worry about clutchless shifting just yet.
But if you insist, this is how/why it works...
When you are rolling, there are 3 types of throttle setting. Closed = decelerating. Part-open = maintain speed. Open = accelerating. However, even part-open is still a mild state of acceleration - to offset the friction forces that are trying to slow you down. Your gearbox is in constant-mesh, meaning whatever the throttle does, there is pressure on the face of one gear cog teeth against the teeth of the one it is touching. There is a small amount of play in the mesh, so if you change from accel to decel, the pressure on the geartooth faces changes from one side to the other. Momentary backing off the throttle, or pulling in the clutch, achieves this 'unloading', and allows the cogs to move into the next gear up.
Most people don't clutchless downshift, but it is a reverse of the above...if you are slowing down, your throttle will be closed, but you need to apply a momentary slight acceleration to unload the gearbox...etc.

[magicmonkey]

I cleaned the chain this morning and then headed out for a ride along a well known road (kerosene splash on the rear tire, cleaned it off but wanted to take it gentle just in case) I tried out clutchless upshifting which worked fine, bit of a jolt when the gear caught though so I'll need some practice at matching the revs, not a big deal as I've driven vintage cars with no sync'mesh before now and the idea is pretty much the same by the sounds of it, just need to get more practice in (yay, another excuse to ride!)

tried standing up on the pegs over a couple of speed bumps etc. (well, not actually standing up but raising my arse off the seat a bit) It does seem a bit more stable but it puts my arms in an odd position for the controls, again, something i'll have to get used to by the looks of things.

I think I'm going to head out onto SH1 later on today as the weather is decent and I've only had the bike up to 100 once before, I'd like to get my confidence up a bit and it'd be good to go on a proper long ride rather than the scenic backroads I've been riding so far.

If I'm feeling really adventurous I might even try and find a gravel track somewhere :o

XP@ - I decided not to try and walk around the bike earlier, I did think about it for a bit and then decided to leave it for a while. I'll crack on with it when I can park up somewhere grassy and nice though (maybe after removing the indicators and mirrors ;))

[Felix52]

Good - now trying parking in awkward sloping carparks; that tests more'n one skill. First you have to work out which is the best place to park, then manouevre your bike into the park, so that it (a) won't fall over, and (b) is possible to get out of again.


I recommend doing a bit of this while you have a nice light learner's bike (especially living in Wellington!). I got caught out the other day, parking at the mortgage broker's (of all places...).

Mistake #1 (small) - tried to park with the sidestand on the uphill side, couldn't get it down (and it wouldn't have held the bike there anyway).

Mistake #2 (bigger) - looked for a better place to put the bike, and ended up pointing downhill with nowhere to go. My little Scorpio had made me a bit lazy, it was light enough that you can haul it backwards up some pretty steep stuff, but I couldn't get the bigger bike moving at all. Luckily the broker knows bikes and could see I was stuck (and that my way out would have been up on the pegs and through his flower garden :Oops:) so gave me a hand.

[magicmonkey]

I recommend doing a bit of this while you have a nice light learner's bike (especially living in Wellington!). I got caught out the other day, parking at the mortgage broker's (of all places...).

Mistake #1 (small) - tried to park with the sidestand on the uphill side, couldn't get it down (and it wouldn't have held the bike there anyway).

Mistake #2 (bigger) - looked for a better place to put the bike, and ended up pointing downhill with nowhere to go. My little Scorpio had made me a bit lazy, it was light enough that you can haul it backwards up some pretty steep stuff, but I couldn't get the bigger bike moving at all. Luckily the broker knows bikes and could see I was stuck (and that my way out would have been up on the pegs and through his flower garden :Oops:) so gave me a hand.

Yeah, the GN is light enough for me to pull it back up some pretty steep slopes, especially considering how non-muscular I am!

[magicmonkey]

Just a thought; back brakes, I've barely touched them since I finished the BHS and maybe a tiny bit when stuck in traffic, should I be using them more? At the moment I tend to not use them as the front works fine and I worry about sliding the arse end out if I get too used to using them and give them a tap in a corner...

[MSTRS]

Front brakes give you some 75-80% of a bike's stopping power, dependant on other factors, so it is normal to use it more/mostly. But the rear is very useful too.
There is a theory that if you use the rear and hold before applying the front (talking a second at most) that it 'sits' the back down then the front doesn't dive as much. Not sure about this. You could try it yourself.

[ZK-Awesome]

Use the rear brake more than the front brake when in slow-speed situations such as carparks.

[boman]

Well, so far I've worked on emergency braking, countersteering and swerving, they all need a lot of practice of course but the very basics of those elements are second nature now. So the big question for me at the moment is, what next?

I'll be riding a lot and practicing the skills I've already got but it feels like it's time to add something more to the mix as well, I just have no idea what! any of you charming folks got any suggestions?

What If?

You know, what if that car pulls out of the side road without looking. What if there is gravel around the corner. What if the unexpected happens.

Somone else said situational awareness. IMHO it is one of the best things you can learn on 2 wheels. 4 wheels too.

[kewwig]

There's been a lot of good replies. Something newer riders and drivers don't do adequately is to look far enough ahead. It's something worth consciously practising: look as far as you can down the road and say to yourself what you see and what the implications are. That's a skill that helps you look through the corners instead of at the tree/fence/gravel on the outer apex of the turn, and it helps you be situationally aware of the idiot in the cage not looking at the intersection ahead. Looking ahead gives you more reaction time.