Learning to ride a motorcycle

[Ditto]

I think the last few posts reminded me why I stuck to 4 wheels from the outset! I do 2 wheels off road on a mountain bike, but I think the skills are quite different.

[foofighterjim]

I think the last few posts reminded me why I stuck to 4 wheels from the outset! I do 2 wheels off road on a mountain bike, but I think the skills are quite different.

 

You'd be surprised, you'd be used to the sensation of the front and rear slipping away from where you intended, it's important not to tense up when this happens.

 

As for the advice of avoiding ironworks, paint or tar banding, that is just as good advice in the dry as it is in the wet, it just becomes second nature, you want to keep the surface under the tyre as consistent as possible (as long as it is safe to be there of course).

[nicholab]

I went round a corner this weekend and the back slipped a bit. My instructor said relax the bike will cope!

 

I now have a test on the 24th Nov.

[Ditto]

You'd be surprised, you'd be used to the sensation of the front and rear slipping away from where you intended, it's important not to tense up when this happens.

 

As for the advice of avoiding ironworks, paint or tar banding, that is just as good advice in the dry as it is in the wet, it just becomes second nature, you want to keep the surface under the tyre as consistent as possible (as long as it is safe to be there of course).

Perhaps there is some overlap, but I guess on the road you don't worry about being too steep downhill, too much front braking and disappearing over the top - and I don't have one of those fancy dropper posts either! Steering in sand is a skill in it's own right too - fundamentally don't try to steer in the traditional sense. I guess you skip that unless a foray on to the beaches

 

But I agree, controlling weight shifting is important.

[foofighterjim]

Perhaps there is some overlap, but I guess on the road you don't worry about being too steep downhill, too much front braking and disappearing over the top

 

It can still happen (particularly if you don't have ABS), that's why you should predominately use your rear brake when going downhill, on a motorbike you are much less likely to go over the top but if you exceed the limit of grip you could easily find yourself low siding it, which is not much fun either.

[nicholab]

I also struggle with the life saver and right and left turns I want to look back the other way afterwards. But I should be looking where I am going and open the throttle. It feels like I am riding into the path of traffic.

[foofighterjim]

Life saver should be about 2-3 seconds before the manoeuvre (giving you time to react if something unexpected is there), you should then be free to concentrate on negotiating the hazard and accelerating out of it. If you are feeling too close to oncoming traffic, consider your position, knock you speed back 1-2 mph (to give yourself more time) and make sure you are in correct gear. Don't over think things, there is a lot to remember to do until it becomes habit.

[Andrew_C]

a lot to remember to do until it becomes habit.

And then you do more training, and they tell you to get rid of those "habits" and think about everything you are doing!

[nicholab]

And then you do more training, and they tell you to get rid of those "habits" and think about everything you are doing!

 

Apparently my new instructor said I was doing to much looking and not knowing what the i was looking at.

 

Also I should stop putting the side stand down with engine running.

[Andrew_C]

Also I should stop putting the side stand down with engine running.

He's not wrong!

[Dos_Box]

Spend some money on decent gloves. Summer and winter.

You'll thank me about the winter ones, trust me!

[nicholab]

Spend some money on decent gloves. Summer and winter.

You'll thank me about the winter ones, trust me!

 

What handle bar phone mount do you use?

[Cat_Jam148]

I use the Quadlock on my bike Motorcycle - Quad Lock® UK - Official Store (quadlockcase.co.uk)

 

Works well enough - decided to spring for the vibration dampener

[Dos_Box]

What handle bar phone mount do you use?

 

Sadly, I had to give up biking years before smartphones became a thing. Not looked into it yet, but if it's anything like my Android Auto setup, you'll be able to use a suitable helmet freindly bluetooth headset to control a phone remotely.

[Garacesh]

Look out for manhole covers, slippy road surfaces, those annoying metal studs by crossings etc.

The only time I dropped my old Triumph Bonnie was on a wet ironwork. Luckily no damage to me or bike as it was barely walking pace but a good lesson learned!

 

Yup, wet ironworks was the reason I came off the first time I did, because my wheels locked and I couldn't stop in time.

(Some decided he was going to overtake a bus and didn't indicate or anything.. Car in front of me slams on its brakes, I do the same, wet manhole cover, you figure out the rest)

 

What handle bar phone mount do you use?

Before I got an actual satnav, I used a RAM Mount as per @bushby's recommendations. Doing 70 down big ol' A-roads and it didn't even budge in the slightest.

In fact, I'm actually still using the actual part that mounts the phone-holder to the handlebar from the RAM mount. The satnav mount was pretty much the same and the ball joint was the same size, so I figured why bother swapping them?

Edited October 24, 2022 by Garacesh

[Andrew_C]

Has anyone tried a 'Beeline'? They look clever, but...

[Chris_Cook]

I've got a beeline. I like the idea of it, but it takes effort to understand what its trying to say. Last time I used it, it told me about the turnings too late as well (as I went past the junction), but it is good at re-directing you. The compass mode also looks like it could be fun if your on a random drive and want to find your own route but still have a pointer to where you need to end up.

 

I don't tend to do many journeys where I don't know the route though, so it doesn't get much use.

[Bompalompalomp]

I've got one too. I use it as my main satnav if I don't need to be there fast, otherwise I stick maps on my earbud. I tend to misread it every now and then, but the app is quite nice for recording rides out.

[nicholab]

Got my test date on the 24th Nov and my instructor said I was much improved on my lesson I just had! Did a country road and hit 60mph plus rolling off the speed at the right place. Or did better turn off from 70mph on to a slip road.

[nicholab]

I passed my Motorcycle test I now got my Category A!

[Cat_Jam148]

I passed my Motorcycle test I now got my Category A!

 

Congrats mate, well done!

 

Bet you can't wait to take that Tiger 800 out

 

Take it easy out there

[Ditto]

I passed my Motorcycle test I now got my Category A!

Genuinely pleased for you, especially in the light of your 'other' recent posts. It just shows with training and time, you can master almost anything

Edited November 25, 2022 by Ditto

[nicholab]

Genuinely pleased for you, especially in the light of your 'other' recent posts. It just shows with training and time, you can master almost anything

 

Feels like achieving in some pointless area that not worth it should have had private lessons in something IT related.