Riding "no hands"

[pyrocam]

ok what the deal with this. Im too much of a noob to even think about trying it properly because its a stupid stupid thing to do.

when me and BJ were coming UP the 22 last ride, I was getting a bit 'mentally exhausted' mainly due to not eating all day and I inadvertantly did a palms up shrug to BugJuice to answer his 'where are the others' sign languange. which involved me taking both hands off the bars to do it.

but I rode a pushbike for years before I was on a motorbike. I used to commute 10k's there and 10 back about 2 years ago. and hands off was A-OK under nearly all circumstances.

I dont want to learn anything stupid, but whats the deal. would any of you take both hands off the bars for any reason?

and while im on the topic. I was going up the northwestern I noticed a biker coming at me from the opposite direction. stand up fully on his pegs and look at his headlight. either he was
(A) checking his headlight if it was on
(B) telling me that my light was on full beam (which it was, better be seen and anoyying than not seen, its a 20w bulb)
or (C) a super-duper Hello your another biker
since there was a motion that looked like a nod when he was up there.

Ive been playing around with that Ive found its a really effective method to check your lights while on the road. and its fun to do when passing mates.
your thoughts?

[Storm]

I'd have to agree, it does make a good sight. I've stood on the pegs and saluted when I passed a wedding before(for all the safety conscious, yes there was at least 150m of clear, straight road in front of me, and I have practiced that move in a controlled off the road envionment)

[surfchick]

sweet as i reckon, you'll only be doin it for fun odd times & hardly in the middle of some critical situation

[John]

I always do it when I come to lights after comming from a big blast out of town, and roll to the lights adjusting my gloves (what a show off, but hey I will try anything to pull some ladies), Oh and I also have mastered changing gears with no hands on downshifting had a few moments trying it but its pretty trick!

Other than that if I'm on the road I just resort to a wave or nod, preferr a wave but if they dont wave back I get pissed off so I just nod most of the time now..

As for up on the pegs, lol I've hadto do that on more occasions when my brakes decided to go red hot and start locking on... must have looked like a twat looking at it though

[sAsLEX]

used to be able to ride most of the 5k to shcool no hands, but on a motorcycle it would pay to keep this to safe and straight, no side road/driveway type of roads.

Do the stand up thing to strecth after being in the saddle a while

[Waylander]

I always do it when I come to lights after comming from a big blast out of town, and roll to the lights adjusting my gloves (what a show off, but hey I will try anything to pull some ladies), Oh and I also have mastered changing gears with no hands on downshifting had a few moments trying it but its pretty trick!

Other than that if I'm on the road I just resort to a wave or nod, preferr a wave but if they dont wave back I get pissed off so I just nod most of the time now..

As for up on the pegs, lol I've hadto do that on more occasions when my brakes decided to go red hot and start locking on... must have looked like a twat looking at it though

All that should be easy for you seeing as how you are the bike.


Anyway I can't ride with no hands yet and everytime I try I start drifting to the left. Standing up on the bike I do alot just for the fun of it and to get a good look over all the traffic in front of me to figure out how far till it clears up.

[Drew]

I don't want to try and sound like a hero, but as long as I have a straight road, I can stand on the seat, two hands up, and wave my willie,
Going too far you say? Maybe, but aftersome practice, no hands becomes a piece of piss.
In reality, I haven't tried to wave my willie, but it must be possible!
Pushing the limits, is all you have to do, to get quite good, at playing silly buggers, on your bike.
Give it a go, and have a ball!

[John]

All that should be easy for you seeing as how you are the bike.


Anyway I can't ride with no hands yet and everytime I try I start drifting to the left. Standing up on the bike I do alot just for the fun of it and to get a good look over all the traffic in front of me to figure out how far till it clears up.

Thats because your bikes american, it wants to go form a new democracy in the ditch...

(j/k)

[Ixion]

Well, no hands is a bit of a problem with a twistgrip to deal with. But other than that it's no big deal, I've done it on odd occasions when slowing down or something. I'm old enough that I still hand signal sometimes when stopping (cos I don't trust brake lights , first bulb that vibration knocks out is usually the brake light, and you can't see it easily - though the Beammer I think has some electronics to flash the ABS light if the brake light is out) , so occasionally I'll be giving a stop signal with the left hand, and flick the right hand to raise my visor or something. Not really the best practice though, and I wouldn't care to recoomend it especially to a young rider.

Standing up is pretty much standard procedure for long distance riders, to stretch a bit. And it's a good idea if you're going to hit something (rubbish on road etc). I've done that headlamp thing too, checking to see if it's working.

[zooter]

Hell, why not get it up on one wheel before climbing up on the seat? May as well get a real ticket.

[Waylander]

Thats because your bikes american, it wants to go form a new democracy in the ditch...

(j/k)

Well seeing as how A) it's from JAPAN!! and B) the last time I tried riding no hands was in the states. So going to the left is away from any ditch. And C) there arn't any ditches on the side of the road in Texas. We have this advanced bit of technolagy called gutters. helps keep water and loose rocks and stuff off the road.

[justsomeguy]

Do it quite a bit on the straights if I want to cruise and on down hills...

Been doing it all my life on push bikes.... it's pretty much the same.

Still can't turn with no hands...... yet

[FROSTY:Me]

sorry I can't see the big deal--I ride the ol xj no hands --itsw a real quick way to find out if the tyres a touch under inflated.

[justsomeguy]

its a real quick way to find out if the tyres a touch under inflated.

How???

And if your bike starts to drift to one side....mine does to the left... does it mean somethings out of alignment??

[sAsLEX]

Still can't turn with no hands...... yet

good point!!

if you do get it working no hands, try adjusting your body position and weight on the foot pegs and you will learn how the bike reacts to inputs other than your hands!