I learnt a few things today...

[GOONR]

1. I lean too much on my wrist's, half way through the ride today I could feel my fingers in my right hand going numb, not good obviously cause they are needed to make you stop..

I must learn to "sit" on the bike rather than lean on my wrists.

2. Instead of tracking the right hand wheel mark I tend to drift back towards the middle of the lane.

3. Don't just follow the bugger in front of you round corners. In this case he could take corners a damn site quicker than I can.

And this ladies and gentlemen is why I have a "L" on my bike, because I am learning.

[p.dath]

If you lean too much on your wrists you may also find you are making your arms stiff or "straight". If you want to counteract this effect, try exagerating the fix by leaning forward.
If you lean forward you will be forced to bend your elbows.

With regard to the right handle track, I'm not sure if you mean when going in a straight line or cornering, but either way just use that as a guide and don't treat it like a law.

To begin with (when learning) try staying on the outside of the corner the whole way around till you can see your way through the exit, and then turn in.
Generally the "wide in, late apex out" is favoured by many, but their is no "exact" corner line. It varies from rider to rider. Some people are better at leaning, some are better at throttle control, sometimes one person might perceive something on the road as a risk and someone else wont - so just find what works best for you and practice that.

[chasio]

Saw your other thread and you mentioned NASS but have you done Ride Right Ride Safe, Goonr? I found it invaluable and unbelievably good value.

I no longer have an L plate on mine as I am 2 years in. But I am still learning massively and if I ever feel like I'm not, it's probably time to put away the helmet for good.

Cheers - Chasio

PS If you are a Gooner my old mate Richard Clarke is editor of Arsenal.com. True. Still, I forgive him.

Come on you Irons (we need all the help we can get)

[GOONR]

If you lean too much on your wrists you may also find you are making your arms stiff or "straight". If you want to counteract this effect, try exagerating the fix by leaning forward.
If you lean forward you will be forced to bend your elbows.

With regard to the right handle track, I'm not sure if you mean when going in a straight line or cornering, but either way just use that as a guide and don't treat it like a law.

To begin with (when learning) try staying on the outside of the corner the whole way around till you can see your way through the exit, and then turn in.
Generally the "wide out, late apex in" is favoured by many, but their is no "exact" corner line. It varies from rider to rider. Some people are better at leaning, some are better at throttle control, sometimes one person might perceive something on the road as a risk and someone else wont - so just find what works best for you and practice that.

"right handle track", when I'm going straight, I just tend to drift back to the center of the lane. don't do it at slower (commuter) speeds though. When I'm going round corners I try to stick to the outside.

Thanks for the advise!!

[GOONR]

Saw your other thread and you mentioned NASS but have you done Ride Right Ride Safe, Goonr? I found it invaluable and unbelievably good value.

I no longer have an L plate on mine as I am 2 years in. But I am still learning massively and if I ever feel like I'm not, it's probably time to put away the helmet for good.

Cheers - Chasio

PS If you are a Gooner my old mate Richard Clarke is editor of Arsenal.com. True. Still, I forgive him.

Come on you Irons (we need all the help we can get)

Haven't done Ride Right Ride Safe yet. It is on my list of things I must do, just trying to keep up with the bils at the moment though

And yes I'm a Gooner!! What dya mean you forgive him. Give the man a medal!

[chasio]

$50 is good value if you can possible get to it. Or maybe find a mentor? That people will donate their time for free to help others out is a wonderful thing.

Cheers - Chasio

[p.dath]

"right handle track", when I'm going straight, I just tend to drift back to the center of the lane. don't do it at slower (commuter) speeds though. When I'm going round corners I try to stick to the outside.

Thanks for the advise!!

Here is the two schools of thought. I'll leave you to decide what is best for you.

When riding in the right hand track you are likely to be in view of the driver in front of you. When cornering you get to see far further around the corner than from the inside or middle of the road.
The downside is that you are much closer to oncoming traffic. If they go across the centre lane - or you cross it, then the results are pretty bad.

When riding on the left you are much further away from oncoming traffic, and hence a potentially nasty collision. The downside is that drivers in front and behind are less likely to see you, and more likely to try and "take" your space.


I personally prefer the right hand track myself. But different people perceive some risks as greater than others, and hence you'll notice some variation when watching other riders on the road.

[varminter]

I still find myself gripping the throttle too hard sometimes especially when riding a bike new to me, have to consciously relax that hand. Newbie death grip survives for ages.

[MadDuck]

And this ladies and gentlemen is why I have a "L" on my bike, because I am learning.

Exactly. You looked fine from where I was sitting.

The only thing I would say if you are in a big group ride again drifting across causes everyone else to move over as we are ridng staggered. No biggie but we ride staggered in case the person in front of us comes to a sudden stop.

I would be more than happy to ride with you.

[GOONR]

Exactly. You looked fine from where I was sitting.

The only thing I would say if you are in a big group ride again drifting across causes everyone else to move over as we are ridng staggered. No biggie but we ride staggered in case the person in front of us comes to a sudden stop.

I would be more than happy to ride with you.

Yeah, I noticed I was drifting over a bit and will work on that, a couple of times I shifted over because the guy in front of me had switched sides.

Saying that you would ride with me again is a big complement, thank you!!

[KiwiPhoenix]

I still find myself gripping the throttle too hard sometimes especially when riding a bike new to me, have to consciously relax that hand. Newbie death grip survives for ages.

I hear you on this! In town I'm fairly relaxed but on longer trips on roads I don't know and when I get the speed up I tend to grip the throttle! I guess its a newbie thing!

[GOONR]

If you lean too much on your wrists you may also find you are making your arms stiff or "straight". If you want to counteract this effect, try exagerating the fix by leaning forward.
If you lean forward you will be forced to bend your elbows.

Perfect!! Went out today, did what you suggested and was miles more comfortable. Granted I wasn't out on the bike that long but it was more comfortable and I felt more relaxed as well.

Cheers!

[p.dath]

Perfect!! Went out today, did what you suggested and was miles more comfortable. Granted I wasn't out on the bike that long but it was more comfortable and I felt more relaxed as well.

Cheers!

Glad that helped. You will also find that leaning forward helps in the "twisties" for the same reasons (forces you to bend your elbows and to stop leaning on the handle bars).

[vifferman]

Glad that helped. You will also find that leaning forward helps in the "twisties" for the same reasons (forces you to bend your elbows and to stop leaning on the handle bars).

It also gets more weight over the front wheel, which is a good thing when cornering. In any case, when in tight corners you should be leading with your inside shoulder, so if you're leaning forward a bit you're part way there.

Mr Goonr: practice arching your back in (forwards) - like you're sticking your gut out, and make sure your weight is supported by your knees gripping the tank, and by your core strength (abdominal and lumbar muscles). You should be able to sit on your bike with no weight at all on the bars. If you can't, then you need to build up your core strength and practice better posture.

[avgas]

Yeah make you dont get fixation on anything in front of you. Seriously fucks you up. You stare too much at the corner....and fall off.
You stare too much at the car in front of you......and fail to see it brake.
You stare too much at the sign post....and leave the road.

Always look where you want to go