Police riders' handbook to better motorcycling - Motorcycle road craft

**Tricia1000** · 13th April 2010, 11:51

Originally Posted by sinned

Thanks for this book recommendation; I have ordered from Amazon - it is on back order. A zillion years ago I did the Institute of Advanced Motorists driving program, got the cert but more importantly developed skills which have helped to keep me alive and enjoy driving. If only the equivalent motorcycle riding program was available in NZ?

It is all available in New Zealand. IAM have benn here for a million years, and I for one, amongst a few others up and down the country do the training. If your instructor doesn't use Roadcraft as their basis for advanced riding, then, maybe advanced training isn't for them.
I endorse this book 1000% percent.,

**Skinon** · 13th April 2010, 19:18

Awesome invaluable information for someone like me! thanks! definately gotta work on my attitude...

**sinned** · 3rd May 2010, 18:45

The book I ordered from Amazon arrived today. I have skimmed through the book and am impressed by the layout, presentation and use of diagrams to illustrate points made. Nice - now time to start reading.
Reminder to self and others: reading the book alone will not make one a better rider. This is a textbook for those taking a course.

**phill-k** · 4th May 2010, 11:48

Since a few seem to be ordering the book it would be great if we could start some sensible dialog around the information and techniques in the book, without the thread falling into a slanging match or a battle of the heroic keyboarders.
On KB I constantly see reference to cornering skills or the lack there of, one of the points highlighted in yellow throughout the book is the following - pretty fundamental really but here goes:

Never ride so fast that you cannot stop comfortably on your own side of the road within the distance you can see is clear.

I commented about this in another thread and basically got told that racing up to a corner or crest in a hill and slowing to 30km's will piss people off, I don't read it as that but I do see it as perhaps not going over the crest at 130km rather 90 or whatever, likewise entering a corner such that you can stop or at least slow to a speed that serious injury or death is not the likely outcome if theres a cow or some gravel on the road.
The book is an interesting read, the practicing of techniques mentioned won't have you riding better overnight, but will certainly give you food for thought as you do ride. I would like to follow this up with some advanced training by someone who uses the book as the basis for same.

**Bald Eagle** · 4th May 2010, 11:55

Originally Posted by phill-k

Since a few seem to be ordering the book it would be great if we could start some sensible dialog around the information and techniques in the book, without the thread falling into a slanging match or a battle of the heroic keyboarders.
On KB I constantly see reference to cornering skills or the lack there of, one of the points highlighted in yellow throughout the book is the following - pretty fundamental really but here goes:

Never ride so fast that you cannot stop comfortably on your own side of the road within the distance you can see is clear.

I commented about this in another thread and basically got told that racing up to a corner or crest in a hill and slowing to 30km's will piss people off, I don't read it as that but I do see it as perhaps not going over the crest at 130km rather 90 or whatever, likewise entering a corner such that you can stop or at least slow to a speed that serious injury or death is not the likely outcome if theres a cow or some gravel on the road.
The book is an interesting read, the practicing of techniques mentioned won't have you riding better overnight, but will certainly give you food for thought as you do ride. I would like to follow this up with some advanced training by someone who uses the book as the basis for same.

A lot of the above is not limited to motorbike riding and could be considered good defensive driving practice whatever conveyance is involved. The most important part is the bit between the ears, or to paraphrase the old adage Attitude,Attitude,Attitude.

**Riderskills** · 14th May 2010, 18:56

Originally Posted by sinned

Thanks for this book recommendation; I have ordered from Amazon - it is on back order. A zillion years ago I did the Institute of Advanced Motorists driving program, got the cert but more importantly developed skills which have helped to keep me alive and enjoy driving. If only the equivalent motorcycle riding program was available in NZ?

It is....http://www.nz-iam.org.nz

**Doughnut** · 16th May 2010, 20:49

A+ Thanks for spending your time to help ... wish i'd read sooner

**bikemike** · 20th May 2010, 23:26

Refreshing to see this thread. Makes a change from advocating Keith Code's bibles. Read those too, but Roadcraft has affected my riding way more than those.

Interested to see some debate about the System, positioning, observational skills and so on....