G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Riding Skills (Safety, Tips and Techniques) » Tips for beginners! » Archive through November 02, 2007 « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Manomako
Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 02:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

ok guys, here's a chance to show off your skills! can you all give one or two riding techniques that will help a beginner biker? such as: curve braking, throttle jockeying, balance, swerving, even emergency supplies that you should always have in your saddlebags.
i know you all have some great tips, so show them off!
thanks,
dave
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dudeman
Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Manomako:

1. I recommend you take a motorcycle rider safety course.
2. Read "Proficient Motorcycling", by David Hough. Then read his follow-up book, "More Proficient Motorcycling".

That's a good start.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Shotgun
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 12:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Have a cell phone, 1st aid kit, tire repair it, and all your protective gear. Each and every time out.
Techniques? Rider safety course. Then another. Go to your favorite empty parking lot and practice swerves, stops, turning, weaving, etc.
Before you put somebody on the back, get 3000 miles or a full season on the bike.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hans
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 03:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If you have that faint feeling that something is wrong: Something *is* wrong.
Unlock your brake disc, or put gas money in the pocket of your riding gear or open the petcock or ....
Hans
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bomber
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 04:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

really hard to discuss this stuff on the net -- watch a bunch of riders bench racing -- hands in motion constantly (like pilots) --

also difficult is definition of terms -- throttle jockeying, for instance, is a new verb for me ;-}

also, define beginner? I've been riding since, well, kaf, er, a while now, and I'm learning more now than ever before

I always carry my bike-specific toolkit (though I rarely need it these days) couple of fuses, cell phone, and a spare bandana

if it's a really nice day, mebbe a book to read while having a cuppa joe outside someplace
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jlnance
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 06:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Any visable mark on the road is an opportunity to practice your swerving skills.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bigdaddy
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 07:22 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Never hit the cows -- probably should avoid hitting singular bovine units too -- but, never hit the cows.


G2
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buellistic
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 09:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

On you left handlebar there is a passing
lamp switch ... The way to us this SAFETY
SWITCH is to ride with your LOW BEAM on ...
When you see a car on the side of the road that may or may not pull out in front of you, start pressing and releasing this switch ... The low beam will remain on and the high beam will flash !!!

THIS HAS SAVED MY "ARSE" many, many times ...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Scott_in_nh
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What everyone said above and don't ride with your fast friends and if you do, do not chase them!
These are the same types of people that take their friends to the top of the mountain their 1st time skiing!
Besides hazards jumping out in front of you (cars, kids, animals, etc.) carrying to much speed into a corner and going wide has to be one of the most common crashes and easiest ways to die....
Of course if you have considerate, mature riding friends who will slow down and take time to show you a smooth way to ride, by all means go riding with them, though I would still avoid group outings of more than 1 or 2 bikes, but maybe that's just me....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Manomako
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 03:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

good stuff, keep it coming! i'd like to know more about what people carry with them "just in case". i just put some vinyl gloves (just as thin as latex but stronger) in my saddlebags so in case i have to do a fix i dont get my hands too dirty...might be on my way to pick up a date!hahaha how bout a multi tool, 5/8 box wrench in case you have a dirty plug, map...anybody have any ingenious ideas on carrying spare oil? maybe just 1/2 quart? i saw in the hardware store the other day some small oil spouts that you screw onto the oil container so you dont have to carry a big a$$ funnel around.
d
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Henrik
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 09:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What makes the most difference in riding for me - when I remember : )

1) Keep your speed at a level where panic doesn't set in (Keith Code)

2) Breathe ... and smile - you'll note that when you pick up the pace you may tend to hold your breath, which in turn may make you tense up and cause death grip on the bars

3) Look up and broaden your view - riding your front wheel is no good.

4) Look through the turn (goes along with looking up)

When I forget, I usually realize it's because I'm riding faster than I should.

Oh, and I bring a ton of tools, but my favorites are - mini ratchet toolkit, small visegrip plier, Leatherman multitool. And I usually get nitrile gloves since they're supposed to stand up to chemicals better at least than latex.

Ride safe

Henrik
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Charlieboy6649
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 11:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

To add to what Scott said, if your going to ride that fast, practice an emergency stop that fast. It might change your mind about riding fast.

I love to ask that question when people brag about going 150 etc. I ask if they've ever swerved or stopped that fast??? Usually gets em thinking.

The MSF is introducing a new course sometime next year. It's called the SERC. Skills Enhancement Rider Course. I've ridden it and it is exactly what a lot of riders have been asking for! It's still under evaluation but I'm lovin it!!!

It's for anyone who'd like enhanced skills or would like a step between BRC/ERC and a full trackschool. There is no prerequisite for BRC or ERC. It is simply awesome... Looking forward to its introduction.

As for my tip to beginners: time and space. Give yourself plenty whether your going 25 in traffic, or 85 on the freeway. A space cushion is your best bet to avoiding an accident.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Xbrad9r
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 05:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

as far as judging speed...keep looking far ahead thru the end of the curve as Henrik mentioned. if the end of visible road is getting closer, back off on your speed and if the end is moving away from you, you can pick up your speed...next time you ride try it and you will see how much smoother you will enter and exit curves by using that rule of thumb.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Xbrad9r
Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 05:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

also in an emergency or quick swerve...don't just lean actually press down firmly on the bar on the side you are leaning toward and see how much easier it is to manuever in that direction.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Doz
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 10:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A great tip I learned from Rod Pink; steer with your butt. Weight on right cheek to go right, same for left. combined with typical counter steering makes for very smooth cornering. As for equip. I use the harley bare essentials; a cell phone, a credit card and a gun.(just kidding about the gun).
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

2000m2
Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 08:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

At intersections, cars will hurt you.
In corners/curves, you will hurt yourself.
There are 2 types of riders: those that have dumped a bike and those that will.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Interest
Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 01:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You unconsciously steer in the direction that you look. You see that cow in the pasture on the right? You may not have noticed yourself drifting right as well.

I watched a gal dump her harley by side-swiping a curb because she had her head turned.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Marty12s
Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 08:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

another thing i havn't seen mentioned is to try and stay on the throttle in the turn. try and set your speed before you lean and stay on it. don't nessesarily accelerate. but try not to decelerate either. obviously s happens and sometimes you'll have to do one or the other. but as a fairly new rider experimenting i've found that speeding up or slowing down can push you wide in a turn.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steve899
Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 11:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Look through the corner, you go where you are looking. That was a big one for me in the begining.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Crashm1
Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 03:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Look where you want to go, fast guys use slow inputs with authority. What I mean by that is watch the on board cameras during a car or bike race, the fast guys use decisive, quick, smooth inputs to start the turn and then use small corrections to maintain the desired line and are amazingly gentle with the throttle. No professional racer is harsh with the controls. Listen to Rossi or Mladin when they start adding throttle, the RPMs positivily creep till the bike is starting to get upright again, then the Rs build progressively faster. My goal is always to be smooth even if it means going slower sometimes. Practice some technique on every ride whether it be braking drills or countersteering or getting body position set early. You revert to your level of training in an emergency so train hard. Remember }DON"T PANIC}
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Snooker
Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 08:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Do your feet touch the ground? Yeah I'm gonna piss someone off here....but you NEED to touch the ground with more than your toes when learning to ride.

Leave the balerina balancing on yer toes act to the experienced guys....or go by some 5" spike heals, and wear them for a few months to work....it might strengthen your ankles....or it my help get your butt kicked....but if it don't kill ya, it's sure to make you stronger...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buellinachinashop
Posted on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 07:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm a total nooberoo, but one thing I can suggest that has saved my @ss so far is to leave more than 2 seconds of room between you and the car in front of you. I'd say 3-4 for me right now is fine. All the downshifting and braking takes time to get a feeling for, leave yourself room to stop and/or maneuver.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Diablobrian
Posted on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 08:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That comes back to the idea of always having an escape route.

Never get into a situation where there is only one direction you can go.

If you find yourself in such a situation get out of there quickly as you
can safely do so.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Buellinachinashop
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 11:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Take the Rider's Edge course at a local HD dealer.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steve899
Posted on Sunday, July 01, 2007 - 11:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Practice , any of the skills mentioned here only come with practice, I used to ride my favorite 10 mile stretch of road 5 or 6 times back and forth, it really does help.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bad_karma
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 12:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ride, ride, ride. Look where you want to go. Be smooth don't add to the problems. Rider skills courses, read. When in doubt trust your bike. You will fall, it is not the end.
Joe
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jackbequick
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 08:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"..Look where you want to go..."

That is one of the most important pieces of advice for new riders. Keep your head up let the road come to you, you'll be in the spot you were looking at when it get there.

Don't pick a spot and watch it come to you, that is turn fixation and it is one of the major contributors to newbie bikers running off the road and falling off of motorcycles.

Were it not for my life long struggle with avoiding turn fixation, I may have been the Champion of the world! :>)

Jack
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Djkaplan
Posted on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 04:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Watch out for cars.

ALL of them.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jflaig
Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 02:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Beginner or not, get educated. There are some great tips/advice here, but we can all learn more through formal education. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), and the Harley Rider's Edge, both offer this formal education. They will usually help with your insurance costs after completion. You can learn even after years of riding. As we tell our kids, get educated.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Pgsus
Posted on Friday, November 02, 2007 - 08:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I agree with you will end up where you are looking.
In difficult situations try to look at where you will escape or end up stopping NOT!! at what you are trying to avoid ( wait till you are safe then do the sight seeing, sounds easier than it is ).
Getting the right balance of counter steering ,footpeg leverage and body movement that suits you for cornering is another. Everybody is different so work out S L O W L Y what works for you, and I reinforce what has been said especially one thing at a time.
A bike ride should be an enjoyable experience and ride to survive not die to impress.
« Previous Next »

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration