Page 5 of 5 FirstFirst ... 345
Results 61 to 63 of 63

Thread: Regarding the Basic Handling Test

  1. #61
    Join Date
    9th April 2006 - 14:09
    Bike
    1995 Suzuki Volty (TU250)
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    2,120
    Blog Entries
    18
    These are all very good questions, editrix. I suggest two things to help you to continue to learn:
    1) Stick around here, read lots of posts and ask lots of questions (as you've been doing)
    2) Go on the next RRRS course. That stands for "Ride right, ride safe." It's a bunch of experienced riders who take you for a whole day of training in exactly the techniques you have asked about - and it only costs $50 for the day. Fantastic value! The Stranger will be along shortly to tell you when the next one is being held.

    Quote Originally Posted by editrix View Post
    Tricia, since you've kindly (and foolishly ) given me carte blanche to pick your brains -- could you tell me what kind of real-life road situations the cone weave, slow ride, etc are meant to mimic?
    Actually you will find you use the slow-speed stuff all the time when you are in traffic, when you're parking or when you're weaving amongst pedestrians leaving a concert because you parked right outside the gate

    Slow speed riding is a very useful skill, and one people seem reluctant to practise for themselves. Everyone wants to ride fast! So by testing this skill, they are making sure you have complete control of your bike.

    Quote Originally Posted by editrix View Post
    And could you give me technique tips for what you do if you're blatting down the road at the hoon-speed of 70 kph and you suddenly see a pothole or bit of wood on the road? How do you swerve around an object at the last moment while going fast (well, fast to me) without going into the ditch?
    The technique is called counter-steering. I won't explain it here because there are some good threads about it already. Look it up on here, or even google it to see advice and diagrams. It is an excellent technique to practise and one they teach on the RRRS course.

    Quote Originally Posted by editrix View Post
    With an L plate, I can't go above 70, but all the roads around me have a speed limit of 100. Other than my L plate, is there anything I can do to let car drivers know that I am NOT going to go faster just to make them happy, so they'll have to pass me? Should I ride way over on the left hand side?
    Do not ride way over the left hand side. Maintain your place on the road, and do it with confidence! And as soon as you feel comfortable to do so, ignore the 70kph rule. You will be much safer going the same speed as the rest of the traffic.

    Quote Originally Posted by editrix View Post
    Finally, why does every single person in the North Island decide to take their car/tractor/bike/ute/lorry out for a drive on the afternoon that I decide to practice my bike skills on a quiet country road? Cripes, I've never seen so much traffic on that road in my life!
    Yay for summer holidays! Is there a large car park anywhere near you where you can practise? University campuses are excellent for this (Unitec is great) or the parking lots for large office blocks when everyone is on holiday (there are some good ones around the Albany area).

    Good luck!
    There is no such thing as bad weather; only inappropriate clothing!

  2. #62
    Join Date
    9th April 2006 - 14:09
    Bike
    1995 Suzuki Volty (TU250)
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    2,120
    Blog Entries
    18
    Ooops sorry, just noticed your location. That means that neither my suggested off-road riding areas or the RRRS course is relevant to you. I will leave them there though, in case they are useful for some newbie Aucklanders.

    I'm sure someone local can advise you where to practise, and if you have a local mentor who will be able to give you some counter-steering tips.

    Crikey I'm not normally that Auckland-centric. I must be slipping.
    There is no such thing as bad weather; only inappropriate clothing!

  3. #63
    Join Date
    6th December 2005 - 21:14
    Bike
    2005, Yamaha FZ1
    Location
    Orewa, Whangaparaoa
    Posts
    342
    Quote Originally Posted by editrix View Post
    Tricia, since you've kindly (and foolishly ) given me carte blanche to pick your brains -- could you tell me what kind of real-life road situations the cone weave, slow ride, etc are meant to mimic?

    (The slow ride mimics riding in slow traffic, to avoid you having to keep stopping and putting your foot down, after a while this becomes tiring. Also being able to judge your arrival at an intersection or roundabout, so that the gap is there at the same time, makes for smoother riding. When I used to commute to auckland city on my bike, I could ride the entire way, through about 16 sets of lights, motorway, 50 k zones, and not put my foot down once!)

    And could you give me technique tips for what you do if you're blatting down the road at the hoon-speed of 70 kph and you suddenly see a pothole or bit of wood on the road?

    (You should have seen it from way back, if you were using good scanning techniques.How do you swerve around an object at the last moment while going fast (well, fast to me) without going into the ditch? As said before you should have seen it from way back, however if you haven't don't look at it, cos the bike goes exactly where you look, or you can countersteer your way around it with a quick push pull on the handlebar. This is something that you should have practised first though. An excellent technique to have in your repertoire.)

    With an L plate, I can't go above 70, but all the roads around me have a speed limit of 100. Other than my L plate, is there anything I can do to let car drivers know that I am NOT going to go faster just to make them happy, so they'll have to pass me? Should I ride way over on the left hand side?


    (Riding over on the left side, is defenitely not the best place to be, cos they will squeeze by you, and then you don't have any safety bubble room left.Maintain a command positiion on the road, so that you have room in front, behind, to the left and to the right
    When you do your restricted test you will be expected to ride on a piece of road at 100k.)

    Finally, why does every single person in the North Island decide to take their car/tractor/bike/ute/lorry out for a drive on the afternoon that I decide to practice my bike skills on a quiet country road? Cripes, I've never seen so much traffic on that road in my life!
    (Always the way.)
    Remember, that GOOD QUALITY TRAINING stays with you forever. It doesn't get sold with your bike, or expire with your rego. It stays with you FOREVER..

    It's not the message that is DELIVERED, but the message that is RECEIVED that is important.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •