Good Riders?

[Aucker]

What makes a good road rider?


someone who has never come off
someone who has never had a ticket
someone who can pull good stunts
someone who can ride fast but controlled

I reckon i'm a good rider but wouldn't qualify as one going by the list above?

Hmmm, what do u think makes a good rider? :grouphug:

[SPman]

Hmmm, what do u think makes a good rider? :grouphug:

Ummmm...somone who can bullshit faster than the other riders? :msn-wink:

[Motoracer]

What makes a good road rider?


someone who has never come off
someone who has never had a ticket
someone who can pull good stunts
someone who can ride fast but controlled

I reckon i'm a good rider but wouldn't qualify as one going by the list above?

Hmmm, what do u think makes a good rider? :grouphug:


* Most people come off if they ride long enough. Its the frequency that counts. :msn-wink:
*Does that mean good riders have always got to do runners? :mellow:
*Shit yea, good stunts can easily show how skilled a rider is at controling the bike. :niceone:
* A fast but safe rider is definetly a good rider I reckon. :not:

[Two Smoker]

Definately the last two, as Motoracer said, stunts show skill, but being fast and safe is what counts because that shows even more skill and thought processing...

[Motu]

I'm a bad arse rider - sit on my bike outside plate glass shop windows,hand on hip,tilt the head down....ooooh,yeah baby,that's one cool dude!

[Zed]

What makes a good road rider?


someone who has never come off
someone who has never had a ticket
someone who can pull good stunts
someone who can ride fast but controlled
I reckon i'm a good rider but wouldn't qualify as one going by the list above?

Hmmm, what do u think makes a good rider? :grouphug:
Aside from the qualifications you've listed (and if anyone can claim all of those they are an expert!) I judge a good rider by how they ride in groups of 2 or more bikes. I find when travelling in a group of good riders there is a common cooperation exercised that requires a level of skill. I have riden with not so good riders who are actually a danger to me & others because they ride irresponsibly and don't seem to have that respect that a good rider displays!

Good 1st thread! :2thumbsup


Zed

[Zed]

I'm a bad arse rider - sit on my bike outside plate glass shop windows,hand on hip,tilt the head down....ooooh,yeah baby,that's one cool dude!
...but can you lift up the front wheel as you're pulling away from the onlookers? :shit:

[Wonko]

IMHO a good rider (or driver) is being able to ride within the capabilities of your machine in the conditions your riding in a manor that does not endanger yourself or anyone else excesivly.

eg popping a wheelie at 120 down the southern in rush hour in the middle of a gale may show that you've got good skills (and balls the size of watermelons), but your being a fucktard in regard to other people's safety.

As with comedy, timing is everything.



Ummmm...somone who can bullshit faster than the other riders?


hehehe right on

[merv]

What about you simply enjoy what you do without messing with other people.

[ManDownUnder]

The ability to anticipate the requirements of others requires intelligence (seeing what they are doing, deriving their next move based on available evidence blah blah blah)... and with that anticipation comes two very important things

1) Safety. If you know what is goin to happen (or at least have a good idea of what will LIKELY happen) you can avoid the lurking danger... and the PAIN that goes with ti
2) Consideration for others... you can help avoid pissing them off, hurting them, or being hurt by them.

Of course if pissing them off is your goal - you can do that too... :Punk:

just my 5c...
MDU

[White trash]

I know a "good" rider who once got his missus to stand by the side of the road for hours while he went back and forth trying to get a clean shot that he could doctor in Photoshop and look like he gets his knee down.

Good rider? Someone who can do a 160mph, one footed, stand up wheelie on his RSV1000 past his mates Porsche boxter. Fucking legend :shit:

[aff-man]

Ride safe ride smart and ride smooth. There is something about a rider who you can't tell where he ends and his machine begins. Where every corner they make looks like they have been practicing for years and have it just right, Who ride that way because they can and not to show off. That is what i think makes a good rider

[Motoracer]

Good rider? Someone who can do a 160mph, one footed, stand up wheelie on his RSV1000 past his mates Porsche boxter. Fucking legend :shit:

How about a 140k stoppie on the motorway while overtakeing a Maserati? :cool:

[SPman]

Ride safe ride smart and ride smooth. There is something about a rider who you can't tell where he ends and his machine begins. Where every corner they make looks like they have been practicing for years and have it just right, Who ride that way because they can and not to show off. That is what i think makes a good rider Yep - a rider who is deceptively fast and makes it look all so effortless - who rides fast but not stupid. They are around, but I'm not one of them!

[bluninja]

A good rider is one that nobody else has ridden with or seen ride....then they can't say that you aren't....well they can...but they won't really know.

I wonder if Liv in Norway is a good rider? Has anyone seen her ride? :rolleyes:

Of course since moving back to Pomgolia I've become a brilliant rider....errrr.....well I would be if I had a bike to ride :brick: No tickets, no accidents, no wheelies, no stoppies.....must take the medication and then go and polish my Volvo :Oops:

[Coldkiwi]

good to see ya back on here Blu

i'd agree with the smoothness call in every form of the ride. smooththrottle use, smooth stopping (yeah 140k past on the overtake is DEFINITELY cool), smooth cornering , smooth lane transitions/position when in a group, smooth gear changes, smooth raising of the front :)... thats what makes a good rider.
the riders that do all that fast and smooth are the best I reckon

[bondagebunny]

Ride safe ride smart and ride smooth. There is something about a rider who you can't tell where he ends and his machine begins. Where every corner they make looks like they have been practicing for years and have it just right, Who ride that way because they can and not to show off. That is what i think makes a good rider


the key word being smooth - look at the likes of Rossi and Doohan.

[Aucker]

the key word being smooth - look at the likes of Rossi and Doohan.
My thread was about road riders not race track riders. They are not the same.

[Holy Roller]

My thread was about road riders not race track riders. They are not the same.
Any one can go fast, like the 82 yr old who has just brought a new bike ( don't know what make or model yet) and when asked if it was true that he did 188km/hr he replied "yes, it was quite easy" Its knowing the capabilities of ones bike, mine will do a ton on the straights but in the twisties anything over 120 would proberly see me depart this earth early. Those who ride to the conditions, their skill level and bikes capabilities are the best bike riders IMHO

[XRNR]

Ummmm...somone who can bullshit faster than the other riders? :msn-wink:

Yep, SPman know the truth!

[SPman]

Yep, SPman know the truth!
:eek5:


:thud:


:cry:

[Zed]

My thread was about road riders not race track riders...
Lol, Bunny obviously missed that Aucker!

I spoke with Andrew Stroud (Britten rider) recenty and he hasn't riden a bike on the road for many years! I guess if he was to ride on the road his skill level would be nowhere near his racing- like comparing apples with oranges really. :wacko:


Zed

[bondagebunny]

regardless of on the road track or the dirt.

if you dont think you can ride as good as the Rossi's of the world then you never will -

you have to want to try even on the road or you stop learning.

of course there are those who know every thing and can do it all while waving a bible.

So - No I didnt miss it - zealot - you wasted a "lol"

[spudchucka]

A talented rider isn't always a competant road rider. I think a mixture of talent and experience is what makes a rider competant.

I also agree with Zed, some inexperienced riders are dangerous to ride with in a group. Experienced riders tend to know instinctively what another rider is about to do, meaning you can just go with the flow and not stress over unpredictable moves from other riders.

I can't imagine how a race rider like Stroud could get on a road bike and travel at the speed limit after they spend so much time reeming bikes out at the red line.

[Lou Girardin]

Stroud's got the bike control skills and if his defensive techniques are good, there's no reason why he wouldn't be tops on the road too.
Lou

[SPman]

Stroud's got the bike control skills and if his defensive techniques are good, there's no reason why he wouldn't be tops on the road too.Lou
What amazes me, is how many top race riders never ride on the road. Most of them reckon its too dangerous!

[White trash]

What amazes me, is how many top race riders never ride on the road. Most of them reckon its too dangerous!

Aaron Slight has a bloody nice Fatboy he putts around on.

Drives his ute like a friggin maniac though :not:

[wari]

...

No tickets, no accidents, no wheelies, no stoppies.....must take the medication and then go and polish my Volvo :Oops:

Turned into a poof have ya ? ... :thud:

[Ms Piggy]

Being a very new rider my theory would be that a good rider would be:

(a) Someone who is alert.

(b) Considerate to other riders & drivers.

and

(c) Never too old to learn.

:rockon:

[Lou Girardin]

Aaron Slight has a bloody nice Fatboy he putts around on.

I happened to see Carlos Spencers Harley yesterday, it seems that he didn't even ride it before it went into AMPS workshop for a mega custom rework. A rear tyre that'd do an F1 car, 123 cubic inch engine, custom paint, unbloody-believable. You could get 2 or 3 Italian exotics for the same money.
Lou

[Aucker]

regardless of on the road track or the dirt.

if you dont think you can ride as good as the Rossi's of the world then you never will -

you have to want to try even on the road or you stop learning.

of course there are those who know every thing and can do it all while waving a bible.

So - No I didnt miss it - zealot - you wasted a "lol"
weird post?

[Motoracer]

weird post?

You'd have to know a bit of history behind BB and Zed to get the foreplay

[spudchucka]

Stroud's got the bike control skills and if his defensive techniques are good, there's no reason why he wouldn't be tops on the road too.
Lou

Thats obvious, I just wonder if guys like Stroud etc have any desire to ride on the road after so much track time.

[bondagebunny]

raod racers are not allowed to ride on the road due to contractual arrangements. Several reasons for that - possibility of injury, possiblity of riding a competitors brand of machine etc.

[bondagebunny]

You'd have to know a bit of history behind BB and Zed to get the foreplay


Zealot thinks im a pervert, and I know he is a bible bashing, chater quoting parrot, who is unable to either think for himself,or keep his ranting gob shut.
He posts more stuff here than anyone - because he is probably unemployed and has nothing better to do than try to cram his crap down other peoples throats or up there exhaust pipes.

God save us from zealots who piss people off in his name

Time for another war in Gods name methinks

[bondagebunny]

You'd have to know a bit of history behind BB and Zed to get the foreplay


Zealot thinks im a pervert, and I know he is a bible bashing, chapter quoting parrot, who is unable to either think for himself,or keep his ranting gob shut.
He posts more stuff here than anyone - because he is probably unemployed and has nothing better to do than try to cram his crap down other peoples throats or up there exhaust pipes.

God save us from zealots who piss people off in his name

Time for another war in Gods name methinks

[Aucker]

Zealot thinks im a pervert, and I know he is a bible bashing, chapter quoting parrot, who is unable to either think for himself,or keep his ranting gob shut.
He posts more stuff here than anyone - because he is probably unemployed and has nothing better to do than try to cram his crap down other peoples throats or up there exhaust pipes.

God save us from zealots who piss people off in his name

Time for another war in Gods name methinks
Bondagebuuny this thread is about good bike riders and you are off the topic on your own personal attacks against someone else. Zed hasn't said anything persnal against you here so whats your problem then? Please stick to the topic and take your isues elsewhere, thanks.

[Zed]

Zealot thinks im a pervert, and I know he is a bible bashing, chapter quoting parrot, who is unable to either think for himself,or keep his ranting gob shut.
He posts more stuff here than anyone - because he is probably unemployed and has nothing better to do than try to cram his crap down other peoples throats or up there exhaust pipes.

God save us from zealots who piss people off in his name

Time for another war in Gods name methinks
Charming! I turn the other cheek.

:Offtopic: let it go Bunny!

[Skyryder]

What makes a good rider??? Common sense to start with. If you do not have that........sooner or later it will cost. Confidence. Without confidence you may hesitate at the wrong time. Could be costly. Know where your edge is and do not cross it. But most important a good rider has the ability to learn not only from minor mistakes but what caused them. There is a heap of other things that make up a good rider but speed is not one of them.

Skyryder

[Skyryder]

Charming! I turn the other cheek.

let it go Bunny!


Zed I see that you have understood the Parable of the Dipstick. You are now off my ignore list. :apint:

[Drunken Monkey]

I turn the other cheek.

Yeck! Keep ya pants on Zed, I don't want to see no-one's cheeks - this is a bike forum, not a bottom forum! hehehehehe :bleh:

[fzr400rr]

Good riders are guys and gals that (to a point) either have it or they do not. I have a Q that might sound stupid - What's tankslap?? Yehyehyeh, I'm new to Motorbikes, but not to 2 wheels. I go into corners weather they're 65 or 35 chopping thru 6th,5th,4th,etc 2-3grand below redline then hammer my 400 out of them. No instability issues. Do you have to hit a gravel / oil patch to get this dreaded tank slap....?? Or is it when you've gone in too hot (how people do that I don't know), and put your front susp. all the way down...?

[jrandom]

No instability issues. Do you have to hit a gravel / oil patch to get this dreaded tank slap....??

Tankslaps are self-amplifying resonant oscillations in the steering head that start at a given speed when pushed into it by a bump in the road or a gust of wind catching something, and so they're mostly due to the combination of front suspension geometry and aerodynamics. Some bikes never tankslap no matter how hard you try, some will tankslap their way off a dry motorway on a fine day every time you take them over 160kph.

Small 'bikini' fairings (slapped on as an afterthought, never tested in windtunnels or nuffin') on meant-to-be-naked bikes back in the 80s had a terrible rep for blowing the handlebars into a tankslap IIRC.

[Marmoot]

How about a 140k stoppie on the motorway while overtakeing a Maserati? :cool:

How about 80k stoppie on a 35k corner? :laugh:
Or 160k wheelie on gravel road? 90mile beach? etc? :laugh: :laugh:
Kneedown on Harbour Bridge? :laugh:

I'd say a good rider is one who knows what he's (or she's) doing, reasonably safe and ride to road conditions.
But an ideal rider is one who can push the bike to the limit while staying inside his limit :)
....or one lady rider with pretty face and 36C bust :laugh:

[Zed]

Yeck! Keep ya pants on Zed, I don't want to see no-one's cheeks - this is a bike forum, not a bottom forum! hehehehehe :bleh:
I apologise for causing your imagination to run wild DM...I'll be more careful with my words around you from now on you cheeky man! :crazy:

[FROSTY]

Good is fast.smooth,and totlally under control

[Jackrat]

To me a good rider is somebody that has good road skills.
The abilite so see things coming,Stays smooth an gets where their going with a minimum of fuss.Anybody regardless of their style that is still doing it after many years just has to be good,even if they arn't all that fast.Just being alive must mean their doing it right.

[wkid_one]

Tankslaps are self-amplifying resonant oscillations in the steering head So true - the best way to stop them is to not freeze on the bars and stiffen your arms - because all you will do is transfer the oscillations to the rear of the bike and come off. Best thing to do is to barely grip the bars and ride it out. A bikes natural tendency when going straight is to stay going straight

A good rider is hard to judge.....it is a personal thing. I have seen fast riders who look outta control and totally controlled riders who don't look fast.

However, there is nothing more impressive than following someone who just makes it look soooo easy it sickens you to the stomach.

I don't think speed comes in to it. There are sooo many things that make up a 'good' rider - bike control, line choice, pillioning ability, hazard awareness, traffic awareness, lane positioning. I think every rider has weaknesses in some areas (mine was not having prudent use of my throttle - got the red haze toooo often).

You will see rider choose the best lines - but brake too much, other riders not brake, and have the worst lines - however they could have both never have fallen off and be as quick from A - B - who is better?

Subjective word 'good'.:brick:

[Motoracer]

So true - the best way to stop them is to not freeze on the bars and stiffen your arms - because all you will do is transfer the oscillations to the rear of the bike and come off. Best thing to do is to barely grip the bars and ride it out. A bikes natural tendency when going straight is to stay going straight

Eh?? So you are telling me steering dampers make you come off? Cause they are doing the exact same thing as stiffening the steering with your arms but only a million times more effectively.

There isn't much you can do during tank slapper cause its just so fast and brutal, you either come through it or you don't...

Best to have a damper just in case.

[wkid_one]

Eh?? So you are telling me steering dampers make you come off? Cause they are doing the exact same thing as stiffening the steering with your arms but only a million times more effectively.

There isn't much you can do during tank slapper cause its just so fast and brutal, you either come through it or you don't...

Best to have a damper just in case.Nope - steering dampers actually stop the oscillations in the first place....

Hence the word - damper!!!. If it was to mirror your arms locking - when the slapping starts - it would lock solid - dampers don't do this. They neutralise the oscillations.

[magnum]

i would have to agree with xjxjxj the most.analising road conditions/apexs,cambers etc would also come into it.

[moko]

Last time I came off was in 1979 and I`m a high-mileage all-year-round biker so maybe doing something right.Fast and smooth,be aware of everything going on around you and never take chances,bikes are plenty of fun without taking un-nescessary risks.Always remember how vulnerable you are without getting paranoid about it,get to know your bike properly,it`s limits and your own limits.Whenever I get a new bike I take it on a nice and steady ride,get it into an empty car park or similar and make sure I know exactly how the brakes feel,couple of low-speed deliberate lock-ups even,beats getting chucked off because you didnt realise how powerful your front brake was .Best tip I can give is to watch the driver/rider in front of you as well as the vehicle,if they`re not paying attention to their driving then all the more reason for you to do it for them,I`ve seen jerks on mobiles,putting on makeup and god knows what while driving.Also bear in mind that you could well be travelling a lot quicker than other road-users realise and they`ll react accordingly.

[madandy]

yep a good road rider is one who is observant of other road users and respects their ignorance enough to give them the space they need to make phone calls, adjust the radio and swerve accross their lane when it suits them.Always alert to emergency situations and always planning to avoid them whilst maintaining a swift, smooth tempo through bends and steady overtaking on straights.And having fun, too.

[andy1]

someone that can ride like GHOST RIDER is a good road rider :devil2:

[Motoracer]

someone that can ride like GHOST RIDER is a good road rider :devil2:

AKA Andy1... On a GSXR1000! :soon:

[Aucker]

someone that can ride like GHOST RIDER is a good road rider :devil2:
Didn't that guy die in a high speed motorcycle incident?

[Skyryder]

I happened to see Carlos Spencers Harley yesterday, it seems that he didn't even ride it before it went into AMPS workshop for a mega custom rework. A rear tyre that'd do an F1 car, 123 cubic inch engine, custom paint, unbloody-believable. You could get 2 or 3 Italian exotics for the same money.
Lou

Well if he rides like the way he passes the ball without looking where it's going his bike will not be worth didly squat.

Skyryder

[Morepower]

Nope - steering dampers actually stop the oscillations in the first place....

Hence the word - damper!!!. If it was to mirror your arms locking - when the slapping starts - it would lock solid - dampers don't do this. They neutralise the oscillations.

Ah not quite , you can still get a slapper with a damper ( got a TL , been there !) , the difference is it hopefully straightens out quickly and is not too viscious.
The damper does its job by slowing the bars just like your shock stops the back end bouncing uncontrolably. Your arms have no hope in controling a slapper, loosening your grip is the best thing to do , how many times have you seen race footage of a bike that throws its rider and then carries on nice and straight!

Dave

[Joni]

Of the topic or not - dont judge people, especially if you dont know them. Zed is passionate in what he believes, at least he believes in something and does not ramble through life in nothingness. :yeah:

Not cool to rant like that in any public forum.

[Zed]

Of the topic or not - dont judge people, especially if you dont know them. Zed is passionate in what he believes, at last he believes in something and does not ramble through life in nothingness. :yeah:

Not cool to rant like that in any public forum.
Careful Joni or you might wake up BBunny from the dead- she's been quiet for a while now on this site...:thud:

So Joni, if there was one specific thing that makes a good rider, what would that be in your books?


Zed

[Joni]

Careful Joni or you might wake up BBunny from the dead- she's been quiet for a while now on this site...:thud:

So Joni, if there was one specific thing that makes a good rider, what would that be in your books?


Zed

Control (bike and mind) - fast, slow, knee to the tar whatever, when you are riding be aware when you are reaching your control limits, and dont cross the line. A gradual upward curve is a better way to learn.

[750Y]

Good rider?
a good rider rides with their brain. they also make mistakes like everyone else.
there are thousands of good riders out there from newbys to seasoned road racers.