Road-craft 'skills'.

**Katman** · 4th November 2008, 09:58

Train yourself to concentrate the whole time that you're riding. You cannot expect to react to a situation instantaneously if it takes even a fraction of a second to kick start your brain back into action.

**Swoop** · 4th November 2008, 10:08

Originally Posted by Sable

When lanesplitting be very careful even if it seems like there's plenty of room because sometimes maggots like to pull out slightly to block your progress.

Deliberate blocking can earn a cager "penalty points".

**Bass** · 4th November 2008, 14:26

Despite the fact that you have excellent brakes, it is VERY likely that the car in front of you can stop a good deal quicker than you can, simply because it has a LOT more rubber on the road. This is actually supported by comparative testing which you can look up if you doubt me.
Further, it probably has ABS which means that Joe Anybody can get close to maximum braking effort with no special skills.
Bear this in mind when picking your following distance and keep updating your possible escape routes.

**swbarnett** · 4th November 2008, 18:18

Originally Posted by Katman

Learn the difference between 'fun' and 'enjoyment'.

If you want 'fun' on a motorcycle buy a dirt bike.

Speak for yourself.

You can have fun on a road bike without putting yourself or anyone else in any danger. Fun does not have to be reckless.

**Katman** · 4th November 2008, 18:28

Originally Posted by swbarnett

Speak for yourself.

You can have fun on a road bike without putting yourself or anyone else in any danger. Fun does not have to be reckless.

Riding a motorcycle on the road isn't a game.

**swbarnett** · 4th November 2008, 18:41

Originally Posted by Katman

Riding a motorcycle on the road isn't a game.

It doesn't have to be a game to be fun.

For some of us riding is a passion and we spend every moment we're on the road on a bike (I sold the car a few months ago).

A balance must be struck between living and surviving. If we remove ALL risk from life we stop living.

I agree with most of what you say but sometimes you take the surviving a little too far for my liking.

**Ixion** · 4th November 2008, 18:44

Look out! The fun police are coming !

**Katman** · 4th November 2008, 18:44

Originally Posted by swbarnett

It doesn't have to be a game to be fun.

For some of us riding is a passion and we spend every moment we're on the road on a bike (I sold the car a few months ago).

A balance must be struck between living and surviving. If we remove ALL risk from life we stop living.

I agree with most of what you say but sometimes you take the surviving a little too far for my liking.

Like I said, there's a distinct difference between 'fun' and 'enjoyment'.

**Ixion** · 4th November 2008, 18:47

Originally Posted by Katman

Like I said, there's a distinct difference between 'fun' and 'enjoyment'.

'Twere a sad spirit that could strike that distinction .

**Katman** · 4th November 2008, 18:49

Originally Posted by Ixion

'Twere a sad spirit that could strike that distinction .

Fun is what you have in a playground.

**Lilly2w** · 4th November 2008, 19:11

Just want to say Thanks guys, this is why i joined this site, as a learner you often don't know what advice you should be asking for or weather you are on the right track, been thinking a lot latley about the realities of my new passion... (nothing to put me of so far tho!)

**Winston001** · 4th November 2008, 22:57

Hmmmm......clearly you haven't heard of the BDOTGNZA then....

Originally Posted by Lilly2wheels

Just want to say - Thanks guys, this is why I joined this site, as a learner you often don't know what advice you should be asking for or whether you are on the right track, I've been thinking a lot lately about the realities of my new passion... (nothing to put me off so far though!)

Spelling and grammar corrected as above. HTH.

**howdamnhard** · 4th November 2008, 23:44

Great advice Ixion,I employed all of the above to avoid 3 potential accidents today.Was one of those unusual days.
At intersections I always check behind me while stopped for fast approaching cages.I ensure I'm in gear and have an escape route to dive into and flash my brake lights .

**Boob Johnson** · 6th November 2008, 15:30

Katman on road riding...

Originally Posted by Katman

Like I said, there's a distinct difference between 'fun' and 'enjoyment'.

Originally Posted by Ixion

'Twere a sad spirit that could strike that distinction.

If you were ever unsure why you have been met with so much resistance Katman, then there it is. Humans will never be drones, you seem to take this to the extreme & people will react to you accordingly.

I think most will agree with whatever skills & experience you (and the other 10,000 experienced motorcyclists around) can pass down but you loose respect from some when you have unrealistic expectations like you do, it just comes across as being a bit loopy.