Motorcycle Skills Improvements Resolutions

[bluninja]

Well have any of you made any? Umpteen threads on how poor driving skills are, apart from the poster, so what resolutions have you made? What areas of improvement are you focusing on?

[bluninja]

I will be working on my braking technique this year as well as a few others.

Specifically I want to make better use of the rear brake both for stopping quickly, and for trail braking to stabilise during cornering. I brake from speed almost exclusively with the front brake, using the rear brake during slow speed manoeuvring and to hold the bike on a slope.

A recent long pillion trip showed I wasn't as comfortable or smooth as I could be. My wife has said she wants to get back on pillion this year so I guess I may get some regular practice.

[98tls]

Keeping both wheels on the ground has been rewarding,ive still got my licence.Had an unfortunate run of luck there for awhile.As for the rear brake its there for decoration in my opinion.

[BMWST?]

Keeping both wheels on the ground has been rewarding,ive still got my licence.Had an unfortunate run of luck there for awhile.As for the rear brake its there for decoration in my opinion.

not so on my old gspd/With soft suspension,longish travel,light damping,and shaft drive i have been known to apply back brake and hold the throttle so they are balanced.In this way i can slow down without losing ground clearance or changing the attitude of the bike(much).Its prolly all in my head but i do it sometimes.
I would prolly do the same on a "normal" bike if i had suspicions re the surface if i was entering a corner slightly to fast

[R650R]

New Years resolutions are so last year, but I voted pillion... As in to find a new one of the female variety

[98tls]

New Years resolutions are so last year, but I voted pillion... As in to find a new one of the female variety

Fuck that your confusing riding with riding.

[caspernz]

Fuck that your confusing riding with riding.

Nah, the perfect pillion generally has "inflate to 35psi" stencilled somewhere... much like a tyre

[Blackbird]

Passed my practical and theory exams as an IAM Observer in 2013 and 2014 will be a mix of keeping trying to lift my own standard and mentoring others who want to join IAM and pass the Advanced Roadcraft Test. The more you learn, the more you realise how much there is to learn

[98tls]

Nah, the perfect pillion generally has "inflate to 35psi" stencilled somewhere... much like a tyre

Must be a North isle thing mate,down here the perfect pillon fucks off inside when we depart with promises of a cold beer and lit bbq when we return.

[98tls]

Passed my practical and theory exams as an IAM Observer in 2013 and 2014 will be a mix of keeping trying to lift my own standard and mentoring others who want to join IAM and pass the Advanced Roadcraft Test. The more you learn, the more you realise how much there is to learn

For the benefit of us older folk can you explain what IAM is and why you observe it?

[cheshirecat]

Think I'll just focus in not letting my bike fall/blown over whilst stationary

[Gremlin]

For the benefit of us older folk can you explain what IAM is and why you observe it?

Pretty sure Blackbird is older than you IAM is Institute of Advanced Motorists, a system of driving/riding established in the UK and a few countries worldwide have it. Draws a distinction between experienced and advanced and the belief is that roadcraft is based on continual incremental improvement based on a systematic approach.

I'm slightly behind Blackbird in the process, I'm a trainee Observer, so I'll be working towards gaining full Observer status and taking on some of the load, bring associates through the system and working with them through to the advanced test.

Got no need to go any faster, and I think I've had a fair amount of experience with pillions... wait, what was that about finding one? Yeah, I'd go with one of those. Mine are all temporary for the day for a purpose type

[Berries]

I think I will try not to die this year, same as in all the other years since I started to ride.

[Blackbird]

For the benefit of us older folk can you explain what IAM is and why you observe it?

Gremlin has given a good overview. The basis of assessment is the UK Police Roadcraft manual. Potential new IAM members are assessed against the criteria, simply to find out their current strengths and improvement areas. If they then wish to join IAM, they are allocated a qualified Observer (coach) to mentor them to the standard required to take the Advanced Test. It's hard to generalise but this typically takes anything between 6 months and 2 years based on a rider's initial level of skill.

On passing the Advanced Test, a rider may elect to train as an Observer, which can take up to another year to pass all the training modules and then pass the practical and theory tests. It's hugely demanding and when I joined nearly 3 years ago after over 40 years of riding experience, there was a fair bit of ego damage during the initial assessment. However, the benefit has been enormous. Best thing I've ever done.

Demand for coaching from riders of all ages and all types of bike is strong and currently, the waiting lists have been closed in some regions until more Associates pass their Advanced Test and also increase the number of Observers.

Oh, and Gremlin was almost certainly right about me being older than you - I'm 66, proving you can teach an old dog new tricks

[R650R]

Nah, the perfect pillion generally has "inflate to 35psi" stencilled somewhere... much like a tyre

Jesus you must have a good set of lungs, 35 psi! Take you on the next rocky road ride. Knew it wouldn't be long before someone said something like that LOL