I'm a proper biker now.

[KiWiP]

Did my basic handling,restricted, full... Bought big bike, rode it, cleaned down seat, rode it again little slower this time. Great getting comfortable, loving it...

Now during the basic training year the only issue I had with other road users was tail gateing. But in the last two weeks since getting my full and riding a fat Katana with twin headlights (can you get more visible) Everyone wants to fling themselves under my wheels.

Big ones prompting this post

1. Last night. Riding down road, car travelling in opposite direction signalling left (away from me) and with wheels turning left suddenly swings right straight across my path. I strangle the last breath out of clutch and brake and wreck two perfectly fine testicles in the process but avoid bike damage which is the important thing.
2 Tonight. It's Friday, I'm feeling good riding home. Side road and a taxi is sitting patiently waiting for me to pass by. Well that's what he's waiting for yes? there's nothing else on the road. After about five seconds of visual contact and I'm almost beside the junction he pulls out! right on me! WTF Again a fistful of brake and clutch but this time levering the nuts over rather than into the tank and a deft flick of Katie to the left (god I'm great LOL) and I'm not spending the next six months in traction. I must of looked around a lot as the taxi driver pulled an illegal U and F'ed of to another place.

Escape from injury on both occasions I can squarely put down to my DDC instruction. I was looking for it, I avoided it Cheers Tricia

Ride safe Y'all :-)

[davebullet]

Only one tip. If you need to stop in a hurry - don't pull in your clutch lever. Use your engine to assist your braking. Pull your clutch in at the last moment.

[onearmedbandit]

^^+1. Also, expect every car to pull out at the last moment. It already sounds like you are, but never forget it.

[Grasshopperus]

Good stuff mate. You've obviously got your head in the right place

[boman]

^^+1. Also, expect every car to pull out at the last moment. It already sounds like you are, but never forget it.

Agreed. Treat every other road user, as if they are out to get you. Assume nothing. Always have a plan of escape. You will be surprised at how many times you use that escape route. Even when they have seen you and still pull out in fronet of you.

Happy motoring..

[willytheekid]

Welcome to the "Club".

Great to see your using the training...shame you have to tho
Its a mission to stay alive on NZ roads alright, but as the guys above have said, treat EVERYONE around you as if there out to kill you! expect them to U-turn and pull out etc....that way if they do, you get to stay with us and keep riding

Enjoy the New Bike! ...and I hope your nuts recover

[Urano]

Only one tip. If you need to stop in a hurry - don't pull in your clutch lever. Use your engine to assist your braking. Pull your clutch in at the last moment.

i don't agree.
brakes are way sufficient to stop the bike.
downshifting and playing with the clutch only make harder for you to concentrate on the brakes, and the residual torque would drag you ahead.
push on the back brake, stay back on the saddle, pull the clutch, the rear wheel will fast lock but that half second will be enough to compress the fork so at that point you'll have the whole brakin force on the front wheel (which is the one that let you stop the bike).
at that point just pull the front brake as hard as it's necessary...

[wingnutt]

Only one tip. If you need to stop in a hurry - don't pull in your clutch lever. Use your engine to assist your braking. Pull your clutch in at the last moment.

Not true. at 100kph, when emergency braking, there is a difference of about 1 metre shorter stopping difference, when pulling the clutch in, and using both brakes to stop.

having used this method to stop myself, I'm convinced that a shorter stopping distance, is achieved, by pulling the clutch in immediately, and using both brakes.

[mrchips]

Good on ya.

Here in Wellington, there are 2 types of car drivers..

• Impatient 'go like hell' weekday communters

• The weekend pootler

The only difference between the two is weekend pootlers require use of special ESP powers, otherwise general rule of thumb is they're all out to get ya.

I can't imagine anyone lasting very long without defensive driving technique, just goes with the territory,