Starting out/born again - the hints and tips thread

[Noggin]

In all honesty, I think the absolute best thing to do is some riding with an instructor or a friend that knows how

I learnt my skills with a couple of mates that really taught me how to ride well on the road. (And a fair bit of instruction on track, but that doesn’t always translate!!)

After almost chucking a mates CB1000 and myself over a low wall and down a ravine last autumn due to forgetting that I’d barely ridden for five years and being a little too enthusiastic whilst lacking the level of skill I’d had before the shoulder incident, I would love to find someone here to just ride with a bit to build the skill levels back up

But, since they don’t seem to ride like we do (and most have Harleys!), I’ll have to go south to catch up with a couple of mates to help next summer and in the mean time, try and keep a lid on the ‘enthusiasm’ even when a hot hatch is being a Dick behind me and in the past I would have left him standing!!!

[Horse]

while leaning the bike to the right, flipping the stand down before I came to a halt & just leaning it over onto the stand without putting my feet down...

I used to do that (without the skiddy bit before) but stopped when I realised that, sooner or later, it would go wrong.


Edit:

[wheelnut]

Find somewhere quiet and practice full bore e-stops. From all speeds.

[Trinity765]

I did IAM which improved my riding. It gave me something to work on and think about rather than practicing dangerous things (like badly planned overtakes). IAM/ROSPA are pretty much the same in my book. I have been out with a few independent advanced instructors from police to track day instructors (all road riding) and in doing so have picked up so many tips and tricks and stops me getting into any "sloppy" habits. I have also tried to keep challenging myself and have spent a lot of time with adventure riders and although I haven't done any official off roading, I am pretty confident in most conditions and on all kinds of roads. It's been an incredible journey and I enjoy it as much today as I ever have.

Most of all have fun - I am sure you will

[KungFooBob]

Learn to wheelie as soon as possible, they're really cool.

[Cousin Jack]

I had a bike at 17, a full licence at 18, and a car at 19. Next time I rode a bike was age 58.

Surprisingly clutch control almost perfect from the off, changing feet (old Brit bike = gear on right) was pretty easy, however the old bike was up-for -down and that took a long while to master.

I didn't take any training before I started. With hindsight I should have. 1 day with Spin sorted out my major issue (hairpin bends.

[Horse]

Find somewhere quiet and practice full bore e-stops. From all speeds.

http://revtothelimit.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8131

[wheelnut]

Always Stop With The Bike Upright.

On thing I do find quite handy is that if you put in a touch of counter steering just as you stop it can help nudge the bike in the direction you want to put your foot down.

[Horse]

Always Stop With The Bike Upright.

On thing I do find quite handy is that if you put in a touch of counter steering just as you stop it can help nudge the bike in the direction you want to put your foot down.

Yup, works well. We called it the 'Betty Boothroyd' technique (work that one out!). Used to demo it by riding towards the trainee, then have them indicate which foot to put down.

Most riders are unaware of this. It's probably another "I lean" type action, accidentallypressing the bar.

Many riders don't even try, they'll put down the foot whichever way the bike wobbles, stop when it wobbles the way they wan (not necessarily where they want) or put both feet down.

[Cousin Jack]

Always Stop With The Bike Upright.

On thing I do find quite handy is that if you put in a touch of counter steering just as you stop it can help nudge the bike in the direction you want to put your foot down.

Yup, works well. We called it the 'Betty Boothroyd' technique (work that one out!). Used to demo it by riding towards the trainee, then have them indicate which foot to put down.

Most riders are unaware of this. It's probably another "I lean" type action, accidentallypressing the bar.

Many riders don't even try, they'll put down the foot whichever way the bike wobbles, stop when it wobbles the way they wan (not necessarily where they want) or put both feet down.

When I tried riding a TALL adventure bike it was decide in advance and slide off the seat that side. Touching down whilst sitting was not an option. I decided that whilst I could ride fine, riding in traffic where I might have to stop suddenly was just an accident waiting to happen. The penalty of short legs!

[tricol]

I guess I fit the bill perfectly. Riding/learning around 17-20, then back at it when I was 38. My slow speed stuff has probably gone. Certainly my last few attempted u-turns didn't go well, as in I had to keep the foot out. A terrible turning circle didn't help. I'd love to give my MOD1 another go, see if I still can.

As for general riding craft, I think I'm pretty good. But I'm sure better more knowledgeable riders could find fault pretty quickly.

[ZRX61]

I had a bike at 17, a full licence at 18, and a car at 19. Next time I rode a bike was age 58.

Surprisingly clutch control almost perfect from the off, changing feet (old Brit bike = gear on right) was pretty easy, however the old bike was up-for -down and that took a long while to master.

I didn't take any training before I started. With hindsight I should have. 1 day with Spin sorted out my major issue (hairpin bends.

In Cornwall, they really mean it when they put one of those black/white chevron "sharp bend" signs along a road...

[Cousin Jack]

I was ok with most bends in the UK. The Ardennes and the Alps caused me grief.

One of my pet hates is over-signed roads. After 57 warnings before easy bends, the real hairpin causes real problems. In Austria a hairpin bend sign really means it, some parts of the US too

[Scootabout]

I think low speed drops are quite likely when you're new and maybe even being re-born. So perhaps add to Horse's first point on his checklist the need to practise the triple combo of keeping revs up, clutch biting point and rear brake.

[Rockburner]

Don't buy a nice new bike until you've stopped dropping your current 2nd hand bargain.

[Horse]

I think low speed drops are quite likely when you're new and maybe even being re-born.

But not inevitable

So perhaps add to Horse's first point on his checklist the need to practise the triple combo of

1. keeping revs up,
2. clutch biting point
3. rear brake.

1. Sitting in neutral, gradually open the throttle above tickover. At some point it will feel 'livelier'. That's the minimum you need to maintain. Typically 2k. Get used to the noise and feel.
2. Sit in first, gradually ease out the clutch. At the point that revs fall and the bike starts to move forwards. Squeeze in just enough to let the revs rise. Repeat.*
3. Gently

For all controls, think soft silky words: ease and squeeze press - not harsh words: drop grab stomp

* ideally with your fingers still curled**

** Adjust controls where you can to suit you. eg Can you still reach and use the clutch on full right lock? I used roll bars back slightly in the clamps to ease reach..

[Cousin Jack]

Yes, a low speed drop is quite likely.

Another tip, dont buy a new new bike. You WILL drop it, and the first scratch on your P&J hurts. DAMHIKT.

[Pirahna]

Learn to wheelie as soon as possible, they're really cool.

If that's not your thing buy something with a shaft drive, then it can't wheelie.

[gremlin]

My advice to these whipper-snappers is: Forget trying to be fast, try to be smooth. Fast will follow.


(Says me, plodding along at glacial speed. But hey, smoooooth glacial speed.)

[Scootabout]

What's that paradox again? Slow = smooth. Smooth = fast.