Some things I've learnt over the last two years

[sinfull]

Quite honestly, I think we'd be far better off adopting the philosophy of "The only thing that will kill me is my own inattention".

*if one rides within ones capabilities and limits*

[oneofsix]

Quite honestly, I think we'd be far better off adopting the philosophy of "The only thing that will kill me is my own inattention".

Attention/Inattention are soft woolly ideas and can't kill anything. Impact with hard stuff kills.

[onearmedbandit]

Attention/Inattention are soft woolly ideas and can't kill anything.

You're fucking kidding me right?

[Katman]

Attention/Inattention are soft woolly ideas and can't kill anything. Impact with hard stuff kills.

[avgas]

Quite honestly, I think we'd be far better off adopting the philosophy of "The only thing that will kill me is my own inattention".

Thats rather vague. Unless you are an all knowing all seeing god.
People die everyday paying attention.

[Katman]

Thats rather vague. Unless you are an all knowing all seeing god.

No, just your average superhero.

People die everyday paying attention.

Obviously not enough.

[oneofsix]

You're fucking kidding me right?

Yes, but not you specifically.

[bogan]

Isn't it gyroscopic precession, not progression....

And I wouldn't call it the racing line, have to optimise it for vision, not speed; but the subsequent writing about late apex etc is good. As is the rest.

[FJRider]

I've been riding for two years now. Here are some of the things I've learnt over the last two years. And I'm still learning, every day. I'll add extra items as I remember them.

1. MOTORBIKE RULE NUMBER ONE!

Every vehicle on the road is trying to kill you.

Every vehicle and/or its operator is not out to kill you ... but ... if you ride on assumption they ARE ... and expect them to do things that you dont want them to ... you will (may) be ready for when they DO.
YOUR lack of preparedness will do you more harm than any of their actions.

My number 1. rule is ... NEVER assume that ... even if you have "Right of Way" ... you will get it.

2. BE ALERT!

Motorbiking demands 100% attention to your surroundings.

Actually it needs about 200% of your attention ... there are things you cannot be ever be aware of ... or be prepared for. NEVER think you are.

3. ALL THE GEAR ALL THE TIME

ATGATT isn't just a nice collection of letters, it could save your skin. OK, I admit that I ride around town wearing jeans but always wear boots, jacket, gloves and helmet.

All the gear ... is only a risk management. It will NEVER remove that risk of injury. Just reduce it ... MAYBE. The assumption that you have full protection with all the gear ... may kill you.

4. COUNTER STEERING

5. CORNERING

The easiest way around a corner is the “Racing Line”. Though in the past this technique was considered unnecessary for normal road users, this is now taught in defensive driving courses as the correct way to corner.

Counter steering and lines taken through corners ... is not something that can be practiced with the certainty that every corner is the same. Nor can all corners of the same shape can be (assumed to be) taken the same way ..... as both weather, traffic (volume), and road conditions will change so much. "Racing lines" are for race tracks. Why try to straighten a perfectly good corner .... to save time ... ??? Too many assume the "racing line" is for ... and includes ... the whole road. This line also puts the rider at nearest point to the centerline mid corner, if even only using "your" lane. Not always the safest place to be in some traffic flows. Rider safety courses are better for motorcyclists ... as defensive driving courses are biased towards car driving practices.

6. THE VANISHING POINT

You go where you are looking!


7. MAINTENANCE

Keep your bike in top condition,

Keep instructions to learners basic and to a minimum. They have enough to think about already.

8. RIDING WITH OTHER BIKES

If riding alone, the best position on the road is ...

When riding with other bikes ...

To state hard and fast rules to a learner ... will encourage them to treat them as such. It may even make them afraid to move out of those "correct" places on the road. It is MY belief that you should be able to move about in your lane at all times ... if you can't ... you are getting in to trouble. If you aren't already.

9. USE YOUR MIRRORS AND ALWAYS LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER BEFORE CHANGING LANES

10. GET INTO THE HABIT OF AVOIDING WHITE LINES

In the wet, white lines can tip you over so easily.

11. NO BULLSHIT

12. ACKNOWLEDGE OTHER BIKERS

9. Yep ... but mirrors only help you see some of the things behind you .... Not always ... ALL the things you have to see.

10. The total avoidence may help ... but it's often impossibe to do this. Being aware there could be a problem with them ... just means taking extra care crossing them. Thus being prepared for possible problems.

11. See rule 2.

12. See rule 2. If a wave (or a nod) will endanger your ability to focus on your riding, especially in traffic ... DON'T ... !!! The warm fuzzy feeling after a wave doesn't last long in hospital.

[onearmedbandit]

Way to pull a quite positive post apart. I didn't see where he stated this was a guide for learner riders, just a list of things he had learnt. Sure it could be taken that way, but he tells us otherwise. And how can you say that maintaining your bike is not good advice for a learning rider?

[Old Steve]

I'm just glad this thread has generated some good discussion. This isn't a definitive guide for newbies, just a review of things I've learnt.

And I know where Katman is coming from. Sure, the only thing that will kill me is my own inattention. But what I meant was I ride trying to be aware of all other hazards on the road. Maybe that should read that every vehicle on the road has the potential to kill you so be aware of them and be prepared to take avoiding action.

And on my Sunday ride I remembered about passing trucks, so item 13 has been added.

[Glowerss]

This thread has generated a good bit of know how so I figure this is as good a place as any to ask.

How close to the center line should you be/is safe? been doing a fair bit of riding down through the waitaks, and I don't feel comfortable going anywhere near the center line as I see trucks and cars and things tend to creep over the line. Shying away from the center line though does tend to spoil taking the wide way around the corners. I'm torn between staying in the right wheel mark when going around left handed corners to keep the turn as wide and as gentle as possible, and from staying further from that line.

[Skiwi]

Hi Glowers,
While there are some basic cornering techniques which have been well discussed on this forum, IMHO the point is that there is no right way to take corners, every one is different and on top of that each corner is different every time (surface, visibility, traffic, light etc)
I frequently take different lines through the same corner depending on the circumstances at that time.

Shock horror, I have even been known to cross the centerline if visibility is not an issue and no traffic is coming towards me, other times I'll be hugging the LH white line as some dodgy bugger gives me the shits because he is drifting my way while chatting on his cellphone and chugging down a flat white.

Comes back to being alert to everthing around, over, in and under you when riding ....all of the time.

[mellowyellow]

from what i have learnt, Katman suggests stopping before every corner so you can get off and push your bike around it, jump back on the bike until the next corner. you can never be prepared enough, other drivers/riders will always be a danger. along with weather, animals, yourself, unexpected tyre blowouts and brake lock ups. to ride and be able to be ready for ANY and ALL possible issues that may arise, means to drive a volvo station wagon.

i like your thread Old Steve, i like how you wrote it and what you have said.

Imho, safety is 99% phsycological. if you put too much trust in something, you will soon learn you were wrong. before riding, i thought the protective clothing gave more protection. i wear it always (full kit, thanks to red baron in lower hutt) and pretend im wearing shorts and t shirt. i know when i come off, it'll hurt and i will probably need an ambulance to carry me away. this makes me more alert and prevents the "she'll be right" attitude. works for me.
when i learnt to drive a car, the best thing an instructor taught me was "everybody is out to kill you or send you to prison so you can keep their cousin jake warm at night". i know is not true, not eeryone in prison is called jake. again, its a phsycological thing. as a car driver, why do i care if someone rides out in front of me, why would i care if someone steps out in front of me..... becuase life has consiquences and a short sentance is easier to remember "everybody is out to kill you". great thing to repeat to yourself as you come upto a blind corner, narrow road or intersection.
knowing your bike and being able to carry out general maintenance is a great idea for all learners. just need to remember not to trust all is working perfectly. tyres can still blow out, brakes can fail, blonde lady may flash you...
to be aware of every possible event is also phsycological. how can you be aware of something you dont know. you will only know if you read about it, talk about it or experience it. another good reason for this thread

so in summary, who cars about political correctness, who care if its true or not. if it helps keep you and others around you safe, isnt it a good thing?

keep the thread upto date, its great to see what i have learnt is similar, even better to consider things i never knew.

[onearmedbandit]

from what i have learnt, Katman suggests stopping before every corner so you can get off and push your bike around it, jump back on the bike until the next corner. you can never be prepared enough, other drivers/riders will always be a danger. along with weather, animals, yourself, unexpected tyre blowouts and brake lock ups. to ride and be able to be ready for ANY and ALL possible issues that may arise, means to drive a volvo station wagon.

As soon as I started reading your post I knew I'd find a learner bike in your bike listing.