Hardest riding skill to learn

**yod** · 20th May 2011, 15:11

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Not riding with your balls.

Which somehow becomes a lot easier once you're married.

**Maha** · 20th May 2011, 15:27

Low speed maneuvering is up there for most I would imagine?

Progressive or emergency braking is a skill well worth practicing over and over again, even when you dont need to use...thats a good time to practice it, because you are under no pressure.
Saved my arse thrice now.

**Oblivion** · 20th May 2011, 17:51

The hardest thing that I found while learning to ride, was indeed the dreaded hill start. After I had that down, I just had to learn not fixate on targets. Still going on that, but I think that its coming along nicely. I just learnt to check all cars as they came along, including side streets and parked cars. As long as you keep your head moving, while still concentrating on the road, You can hope to avoid target fixation.

**Oleg** · 20th May 2011, 17:58

Am i the only one having trouble with it?

**nathanwhite** · 20th May 2011, 21:29

Originally Posted by Oleg

Am i the only one having trouble with it?

yes.

(not trying to brag or anything) but I got the basic idea of it on day 2 of riding and use it whenever I'm going fast.

Just find a straight road, get up to speed and nudge the handlebars in the opposite direction. bike leans over and way you go.

**nathanwhite** · 20th May 2011, 21:33

And I'm getting the hang of hill starts too now!

Just clutch and throttle slowly and off you go

**James Deuce** · 20th May 2011, 21:42

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

yes.

(not trying to brag or anything) but I got the basic idea of it on day 2 of riding and use it whenever I'm going fast.

Just find a straight road, get up to speed and nudge the handlebars in the opposite direction. bike leans over and way you go.

Are you related to DB? That's the most criminally insane description of counter steering I've ever seen written down.

**MSTRS:Me** · 21st May 2011, 08:48

Originally Posted by Oleg

Am i the only one having trouble with it?

Can you go round corners at a speed greater than, say, 20kph?
Because, if you can, then you ARE counter steering.

**Maha** · 21st May 2011, 09:24

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

yes.

(not trying to brag or anything) but I got the basic idea of it on day 2 of riding and use it whenever I'm going fast.

Just find a straight road, get up to speed and nudge the handlebars in the opposite direction. bike leans over and way you go.

Can also be done using your knees against the tank at slower speeds.

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

And I'm getting the hang of hill starts too now!

Just clutch and throttle slowly and off you go

...and covering the rear break.

**Usarka** · 21st May 2011, 09:25

Originally Posted by superman

Everyone always was going on about target fixation when I was learning, however I don't think my brain is built to move it's arms just because it's looking at something. I know people who do this in the car, IE look at the driver side mirror and drift to the right. But I've tried it on the bike, and no matter where I'm scanning or fixing my eyes say at the centre line only, my bike still goes where I want it to go, not where I'm looking. Go figure...

Target fixation usually manifests itself more apparently when you're in an "oh fuck" moment, ie. you've cocked up a corner for whatever reason and you're heading for a tree. The right thing to do is NOT look at the tree but look where you want to go, but this is easier said than done (see riffers post about survival instinct).

PS - I hated learning U-turns on hills.

**Hawkeye** · 21st May 2011, 09:26

Originally Posted by pritch

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...2&d=1174643096

Love this...

**terbang** · 21st May 2011, 09:26

Self control/discipline.

**Katman** · 21st May 2011, 15:07

Situational awareness.

Learning to ride with your eyes constantly on the move. If your eyes are moving your brain is working.

Moving eyes pick up clues that vacant stares miss.