Hardest riding skill to learn

**nathanwhite** · 15th May 2011, 10:01

So after a week of puttering around back roads with the occasional foray into a main road I have found the hardest skill to get the hang of is hill starting. I started wondering how common this is.
So what was the hardest part of riding that you had to learn?

**Jantar** · 15th May 2011, 10:09

Probably the hardest skill to learn is to avoid target fixation. This is also the most important life saving skill to learn.

Perhaps I should elaborate. Where you look is where you will go. So when there is a hazard, if you concentrate on that hazrd you will probably hit it. You must learn to look at the gaps and the escape routes, while keeping the hazard in your peripheral vision, not your line of site.

**nathanwhite** · 15th May 2011, 10:11

(excuse the n00bness) what's target fixation?
I know I have problems with looking at what I'm trying to avoid when turning but it's not hard.

**maggot** · 15th May 2011, 10:14

Hill starting comes with a lot of practice and concentration. I used to loathe it when I first started out, but once you learn, it's not something you forget in a hurry.
Low speed maneuvering can be a bit of a bitch, that's the one I'd say is more difficult. Took me a few embarrassing moments in carparks to get it right, and I've still not quite got it down pat yet

**Motig** · 15th May 2011, 10:16

How about if you look at the power pole instead of where your going you'll hit the pole

**nathanwhite** · 15th May 2011, 10:19

Originally Posted by Jantar

Where you look is where you will go. So when there is a hazard, if you concentrate on that hazrd you will probably hit it. You must learn to look at the gaps and the escape routes, while keeping the hazard in your peripheral vision, not your line of site.

ah yes, thats fun

**Jantar** · 15th May 2011, 10:21

In my opinion the next most important thing to learn is throttle control to match your speed to the conditions. Its not hard to learn, it just takes a little self discipline.

One of the downsides of limiting learner riders to low powered bikes is that many learn the habit of riding everywhere at full throttle. Its important to break this habit early and learn to read the road ahead and match your speed so that you should never need to brake suddenly in a corner or find yourself too slow for a hiil etc.

**george formby** · 15th May 2011, 10:22

Target fixation is definitely something you have to learn, usually in butt puckering circumstances.
Full lock turns on a slippy, cambered surface also require a lot of faith.

From another thread, using your mirrors appropriately is also a tough thing to learn, when you really do not want to look away from what is happening ahead is often the time when you really need to check your mirrors.

Popping a wheelie with your girlfriend on the handlebars takes a bit of practice too.

**Milts** · 15th May 2011, 10:23

Other than perhaps target fixation, which is damn difficult to stop doing, I'd say the hardest skill isn't a skill at all.

I'd say judgement, knowing what is safe when, when to back off, and when you're at the edge of your abilities is the hardest and most important aspect of riding a motorcycle, especially on the road.

Sometimes people don't have an appreciation of how easy it is for something to go from fine to fatal, or how close to the edge of their ability they are riding. Sometimes it takes a scare or an accident to learn - if new riders were able to learn it without needing a close call or two first, it would do wonders for crash stats IMHO.

**BMWST?** · 15th May 2011, 10:23

hill starts are easy,much easier than in a car.The real skill in motorcycling is recognising hazards,be they "natural"(slippery surfaces,potholes,loose gravel,sand ,diesel) etc or the actions(or lack of) of other road users.

**FJRider** · 15th May 2011, 10:25

The greatest skill to learn is mindreading the intentions of those motorists ahead of you ...

Master that and your motorcycling will be accident free ...
(barring YOUR own fuck ups... )

**george formby** · 15th May 2011, 10:25

Originally Posted by BMWST?

hill starts are easy,much easier than in a car.The real skill in motorcycling is recognising hazards,be they "natural"(slippery surfaces,potholes,loose gravel,sand ,diesel) etc or the actions(or lack of) of other road users.

Yup, comprehensive road craft. Certainly takes the longest to learn.

**maggot** · 15th May 2011, 10:26

Originally Posted by Milts

Other than perhaps target fixation, which is damn difficult to stop doing, I'd say the hardest skill isn't a skill at all.

I'd say judgement, knowing what is safe when, when to back off, and when you're at the edge of your abilities is the hardest and most important aspect of riding a motorcycle, especially on the road.

Sometimes people don't have an appreciation of how easy it is for something to go from fine to fatal, or how close to the edge of their ability they are riding. Sometimes it takes a scare or an accident to learn - if new riders were able to learn it without needing a close call or two first, it would do wonders for crash stats IMHO.

This post makes me think of those "stay in Mantrol" ads.. Good point though.

**pritch** · 15th May 2011, 10:32

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

(excuse the n00bness) what's target fixation?

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

**Milts** · 15th May 2011, 10:35

Originally Posted by maggot

This post makes me think of those "stay in Mantrol" ads.. Good point though.

Hah, bugger, I hate those ads. I just think the biggest difference between old and "good" riders and young and "beginner" riders is as much judgement as skill.