Good riding habits.

[toymachine]

Hey Guys'n Gals... basically, i'm looking to start off right and drill in 'good' riding habits early before I develop my own not-so-good ones.

Looking for advice even on the more basic level...

Corners:

I've found i've got a fair bit of engine breaking on the bike, and have been using that a fair bit to set myself up speed wise, even downshifting to get a bit more - this is very much a hangover from my cage driving... brakes more secondary (and only on the straight beforehand if possible), turning in with a constant bit of throttle then accelerating out of the second half of the corner.

Also, if I find mid corner i'm in too high a gear, is it safe to downshift or is liable to stuff me up?

If someone could lay out a bit of a 'process' they've developed for approaching corners it'd be much appreciated...

Intersections/stops:

Should I be aiming to get myself into first as i'm rolling up and just about to stop? I've found I tend to be slow enough for the engine to be struggling as i'm finding my way down the gears to try get first in time...

I generally sit there resting on one foot also...

So, what's a good system for approaching intersections/stops etc?


All I can think of at the moment but feel free to offer advice in other areas... i've only ridden 3 times so far, and each one was in the dark, so i'm sure i'll be finding more areas i'm not so sure of the best approach.

[Jantar]

Congratulations on asking the right questions early.

I would recommend that you get a mentor from your area to help you along. See http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=mentors for details.

[Fub@r]

In corners you need to gauge your speed and suitable gear. Keep it smooth. Dont accelerate hard in a corner or kick it down too hard as back might step out. Sudden changes in power especially when wet might might life a bit too interesting.

[Kyle]

Im no rider training instructor, but over the years i have learned a thing or two. As for corners your on the right track there, better to go in under gentle power then to coast into it. Using engine braking to setup the corner is good practice, as you lessen the risk of being under powered and drifting wide in the corner. You can change down mid corner so long as you keep it smooth, but its not really recomended as backing off the power during gear change will make the bike stand up. Likewise for braking mid corner, especially the front brakes. My only crash i braked on a corner that tightened when i wouldve been better to lean into it even more.

As for intersections i personally dont bother getting into first before coming to a stop, usally plenty of time for that while your waiting for the lights etc.
Keep in mind that bikes can stop alot faster then cars, i always check my mirrors for the cars behind me when coming to a stop, just incase they havnt seen me, because riders being nailed from behind is actully quite common.
One foot down seems to be fine, but watch out for strong wind and trucks backwash, as it can blow you over.

other dangers ive found is how slippery a road gets after a light rain, it brings the oil to the surface but not enough to wash it away. And lastly a parking tip, take care if you have to put the stand down on dirt/grass, ive seen it many times where the bike appears stable and a few minutes later the stand sinks in far enough that the bike tips over, nothing worse then smashing up your bike when your not even on it!

hope that helps abit, and good to see another person getting into bikes

[McJim]

I was full of the same questions as you - some of them have been answered with experience but I'm off to the Ride Right ride Safe course with my Mentor (who is an instructor at the course) tomorrow.

I'll let you know how I get on but I've heard a lot of experienced riders rave about it on the forums. I definately think a Mentor is a great idea - if you can find someone who has been on bikes for a decade or more and is still intact then the chances are they have been using good practices.

[gijoe1313]

This is good stuff, I've been trying to practise the techniques and advice in "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough (ordered from Amazon.com). It's good to hear the same stuff and queries I've had coming through here! More advice from other experienced riders please!

[toymachine]

This is good stuff, I've been trying to practise the techniques and advice in "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough (ordered from Amazon.com). It's good to hear the same stuff and queries I've had coming through here! More advice from other experienced riders please!

Mmm, could make a sticky of it if enough people posted.

Just had my first scenic drive blat, got to nod a few other riders going past which was a bit of a highlight Awesome fun, way more then when it was my regular hoon route in my cage.

[gijoe1313]

Aye Toymachine, its a blast is it not? I find myself deliberately taking longer routes back home now - and I never did that in my cage!

[Two Smoker]

Welcome toy machine, good questions... I find being in a gear that gives you good acceleration when you need it helps... On your bike it will probably be 4th gear... When slowing for intersections just go down the gears, and slip it into 1st about 5-10 metres from the intersection. This is good practice because if the light goes green, you are in a good gear to take off, and not stuffing around trying to find a new gear and have poor revs...

I wouldnt be changing down mid corner unless your downshifts are quite smooth... It is possible to do, and i do it regularly on the road and track...

Keep in mind that bikes can stop alot faster then cars

All your points except for this one were good, it is common thought that bikes can stop faster than cars... But sadly its bollocks and they cant...

[Black Bandit]

Hey Toymachine, good choice in botor mike there!

Cornering is a tough one to master and I'm also learning the art. As far as changing down while in a corner - I've not had a problem provided I'm not leaning over heaps. Don't think the Bandit has enough of a torque bite to cause any drama - likely more of an issue on a bigger bike. And anything below 6-7 thou revs will be fine. As always though - depends on the time and place (wet roads etc. )

For intersections I tend to try and slow gradually ahead of time and snick down through the gearbox as the revs drop. Hardly ever need to get all the way to 1st though - usually just clutch it as I coast to a stop and bang down the last 2 or 3 gears quickly before reaching a complete stop.

Good to see another Bandit out west - we have great roads out here! Introduced myself to old Scenic Dr last week - sure is an interesting stretch of road.

[toymachine]

I take it yours is black too ?

Yeah it's a great bit of road!

[Motu]

it is common thought that bikes can stop faster than cars... But sadly its bollocks and they cant...

I don't know where people got this idea from - just because your bike can do a stoppie doesn't mean it can stop in time.Bikes can stop pretty good in a straight line on a good dry surface - but try an emergency manoevour while fully on the brakes.....

[Fub@r]

Mmm, could make a sticky of it if enough people posted.

Just had my first scenic drive blat, got to nod a few other riders going past which was a bit of a highlight Awesome fun, way more then when it was my regular hoon route in my cage.

It wasnt for me following you..............having to dodge stones etc

My first time on a nice windy road and I loved it! Even if I was on the Ginny

[Jantar]

I don't know where people got this idea from - just because your bike can do a stoppie doesn't mean it can stop in time.Bikes can stop pretty good in a straight line on a good dry surface - but try an emergency manoevour while fully on the brakes.....

In fact, if you are doing a stoppie, your stopping distance will be increased considerably. Some bikes can stop in a shorter distance than some cars, but even then, its only with an experienced rider on board, in a straight line and on a smooth dry surface..

The best tests I have seen for bikes was an R6 with diablos stopping at 0.98 G, mosr bikes can only hope for a decelleration of 0.5 - 0.8 G. The best production cars can also stop at around 0.9 G, but again that is with a very experienced driver onboard. However even an inexperienced driver will manage 0.6 G.

So yes, some bikes can stop shorter than some cars, but unless you are very experienced, and on a perfect surface, then expect that your stopping distance will be greater than that mum in her SUV.

[Kyle]

hmm, i was talking about bikes on the road (no stoppies or production race cars involved) perhaps i am used to sport bikes but i am certain i could out brake any road legal car in a straight line. I agree that you dont want to be braking and doing evasive manouvers at the same time but the point i was trying to make was.. light goes red when im say 15 meters from it, i could stop no problem, but mum in her 1500kg Suv up my backside would have no chance of shedding all that momentum in time, point being check behind you before stopping quickly.