How to keep up on a small bike

[Maha]

In that case you had better ride safe.

Yes, as Ratti has outed, DDM did make a mistake and owned it on the night in the face of a very angry rant which in itself took kahuna's, but any discussion of why the cock-up was made or what improvements could be made get shouted down. Perhaps people will look at Maha's post as he is not an L-plater, however personally I see the mirrors technique can work but need some supporting actions as well.

There should be plenty of grammar and spelling in there to have a go at so that the message can be avoided - enjoy.

I must point out that, the reason the 'check your mirror' system failed on our ride was, because all you need is one not to do it, and it wont work...and thats what happened.
The L's Angels ride rules have been culled to five only...they are clear and concise. I found that to many 'instuctions' and people don't hear you, all they want to do is ride thier bike.
We have found the best safety policy is to ride in smaller groups ie: 20 bikes gets split into three groups.

Yes the mirror technique can work, and it should work, but more often than not, it doesn't.
If I am leading a group of 7-8 bikes and we are closing in on a turn, I will slow the ride down until the TEC is in sight then preceed all together, or, if I get to a turn without the group, I will pull over to the left and wait, it only takes 20-30 seconds at most, no drama and never fails.

[Ratti]

GDOBSSOR, you are not a problem, you are the reason WHY I choose to run these rides every year.

Riders who fail to follow simple instructions in a small group are a problem - every year.

[Howie]

Absolutely fair enough there!

I think I might know you. You rode a blue and white GSXR750G over the takas a lot in about 1987?

Yep you probably do know me, but it was a GSXR750F, and I probably spent less time than a lot of people back then on the takas as I liked the back roads even back then.

And some bold opinions of what you thought of the group ...

No Bolder than your comments to a leaner rider without even being there at all

Why ... ??? they used to call it common courtesy ... and you were talking to a member on the ride you knew from another ride.

Really? I didn't see any concern in the group about them missing a couple of riders so why would I raise it?

But really it was not your ride ... and not your problem.

The problem I have is not what happened on the ride, but the comments on this forum aimed at the OP (learner rider?)of this thread who raised an issue he saw on the ride.

Perhaps the group leader didn't realize you weren't on his ride.

I'm fairly sure he would of realised I wasn't on his ride as I parked in a different area of the carpark, The bike I was on is a dual purpose bike that is fairly distinctive, so he would of remembered seeing the bike at the ride meeting point.

[MSTRS:Me]

...(funny how often you come across conflicting advice, there's plenty of experienced riders out there that aren't even aware of techniques as basic as counter steering.)

...

Oh god - that subject is almost as touchy as the DangerousBastard/MyCockIsSoaked one.
There's a ACC dvd out there with Aaron Slight on it claiming countersteering is a myth - "you just lean and the bike goes round" - yet EVERY single experiment done with experienced riders on a bike with locked steering ended with the riders going straight off the track at the first corner.

Is that proof that not every experienced rider has a complete understanding of how the whole shebang works?

[Maha]

GDOBSSOR, you are not a problem, you are the reason WHY I choose to run these rides every year.

Riders who fail to follow simple instructions in a small group are a problem - every year.

What some fail to realise Ratti is, there is alot of preperation that goes into organising a 'properly run' group ride, even regular ones. On one particular ride, I had said where the first coffee stop was, and the first group took it upon themselves to stop somewhere else. Now, normally if we have 24-25 bikes on an away tour, I would phone ahead and let the Cafe owners know that we are coming, lucky for me (and the Cafe owner) on this occassion, I did not do that.

Lunch and Breakfasts stop are always set in stone.
And as YT pointed out earlier, if something goes tits up on a group ride, who is the finger pointed at?
If the clear instuctions are not to your liking, then the time leave that ride is before it even starts.

[Howie]

I would consider myself an 'outsider' to the group, and a friend of mine on her ER would be an 'outsider' I am not picking a 'fight' but to say 30yrs experience, track clerk etc etc, is trying to give an impression your opinion carries 'weight'... I've ridden all my adult life (39 yrs) and have done training etc,,,, so does my opinion carry as much, or more? In MY opinion, I am NOT a Qualified Instructor, Mentor, or any type of formal training to impart knowledge, so My opinion has no more weight than any other person's.

My comments on my experiences in motorcycling were just meant as a way to introduce myself as I don't comment much in this forum.

[Katman]

The problem I have is not what happened on the ride, but the comments on this forum aimed at the OP (learner rider?)of this thread who raised an issue he saw on the ride.

Well actually the issue regarding the ride was that of a system failure.

Instead of making the thread about that, the OP started a thread encouraging learner riders to try harder to keep up.

He's rightly being flamed for it.

[MSTRS:Me]

Well actually the issue regarding the ride was that of a system failure.

Instead of making the thread about that, the OP started a thread encouraging learner riders to try harder to keep up.

He's rightly being flamed for it.

Exactly.

[GrayWolf]

The op seemed to be hinting at the learners that split up the pack because they are not comfortable enough to keep an acceptable speed on the rd, we've all seen them. I won't ride with them but am happy to offer my dr650 and a paddock until you feel confident before getting back on the rd.

DDM, you need to pull your head in, you went on a group ride with people you don't know, you didn't do what was asked of you (and it seems you discussed this at length on that thread before the ride) and you copped some abuse for it, so what, deal with it.

As far as learners taking advice from experienced riders, what defines an experienced rider, 50 years experience doesn't mean much if they only ride sunny weekends on motorways - if you display an L plate expect everyone who doesn't display an L to claim they have advice. My advice is research, ask more people, check forums and YouTube, read a book. (funny how often you come across conflicting advice, there's plenty of experienced riders out there that aren't even aware of techniques as basic as counter steering.)

Actually, start with the book.
Keith Code's A twist of the wrist 2
Still by far the best single reference source I have found on the subject.

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

Not a bad book by any means... I would suggest the DEFINITIVE book to read is the Uk Police, Motorcycle Roadcraft manual. That and it's car oriented Roadcraft Manual, are probably the MOST definitive books and are the ones used as the basis for most advanced driving/riding schools. They are NOT track oriented, but purely 'road skills' for the rider/driver....

track days may allow you to explore the bike and your riding skill, roadcraft is the 'mental science' or approach to using the road itself correctly.

[Howie]

Well actually the issue regarding the ride was that of a system failure.

Instead of making the thread about that, the OP started a thread encouraging learner riders to try harder to keep up.

He's rightly being flamed for it.

That is a very good way of putting it. So the OP started a thread about what they thought was the a way to solve the system failure (possibly without seeing it as a system failure) and got flamed for it instead of the thread being diverted to finding a good solution to the issue.

There are a couple of posts buried in here mentioning ways of removing the potential for the system failure happening. So although the OP method may not be the correct one. If the ride organiser's look through the thread maybe a slightly different ride format can be used in the future so all the riders get to have an enjoyable ride without the need to feel any undue pressure or embarrassment. Everyones riding is at different levels even so called experienced riders.

[MSTRS:Me]

aka The Zone. When all factors combine to create the perfect riding experience. For THAT rider.

[Katman]

aka The Zone. When all factors combine to create the perfect riding experience. For THAT rider.

aka....

[_Shrek_]

could be a new skidmark........well, thats what we will see at the corner before we pick him up off the road.

don't give skidders a bad name

Ok Mr troll, time to go buy a life, I got more than 10 years riding big bikes in the states and Europe, so dont presume to tell me about safer, you are just jumping on the band wagon... Troll

a hole 10 years less than 12 may be! don't mean shit where safer is concerned sonny, ps Trev an't the troll I am

you just cant speak to people like that.

O yes we can..... I ran a Wensday night nana ride in CHCH for a season.... for the learners or slow what ever you wanted, & you did obey the rules or got told to push off or shut up & listen, end of story sonny

but carry on this is entertaining

[Dragon]

Seems everyone has a different idea what i meant with the original post and it wasn't specifically about this ride sigh i give up i have pmd anyone who i wanted ti clear things up with important just going to ignore anything that has been said that isn't constructive

[DrDarkMatter]

I unreservedly apologize to everyone here for my out bursts, no excuse just lost the plot.