CORNERING, URBAN RIDING, OVERTAKING AND PLANNING FOR JUNCTIONS
Some good advice here and, as usual, it is one thing to know the theory, another to apply it in the everyday riding world.
As a member of IAM, RoSPA and DIAmond advanced riding techniques, LEARN2RIDE MC TRAINING is more than happy to cover the principles here with any LEARN2RIDE pupils during post test training.
http://www.maxrider.co.uk/corneringclinic.htm
NOTE: the Overtaking Clips from Maxrider are very short so here is another recommended video by Mike Waite (the official high-quality dvd is available from LEARN2RIDE MC Training FREE OF CHARGE to all pupils)
http://www.mikewaite.co.uk/video/free-video-extracts/overtaking-high/
ACTIVE STEERING/ COUNTERSTEERING
A slow- in, fast-out approach is not only a safer, but quicker way to ride.
First, start by assessing the corner, getting into the correct position, then setting your speed and gear.
The next point is to get the bike to turn- this is where Active Steering comes in:
“Turn Fast And Late”.
It allows you to hold position until the view of the bend beyond the corner opens up and then you can turn quickly and smoothly onto the correct line and drive the bike out of the bend.
“In like a lamb, out like a lion.” as the saying goes.
It also prevents you from turning in too early and running wide as a result -as this disturbing video illustrates (RIP to the rider)
WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT!
(VIDEO USED WITH REPSECT FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATING OTHERS)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW5yOyy89i4
REMEMBER!
“NEVER PUT YOUR BIKE WHERE YOUR MIND OR EYES HAVE NOT BEEN FIRST!”
(Taken from the IAM book, ‘How To Be A Better Rider’ and RIDE magazine).
I.M.S.A.F.E. RIDER CHECKS
These checks are usually used by airline pilots but can just as readily be used by bikers on a rideout.
I.M.S.A.F.E.
I – Illnesses. Do you have any illnesses, a cold, or severe allergies that would inhibit your decision-making capabilities or observational skills? If you do, you probably should not be riding.
M – Medications. Are you taking any prescription or non-prescription medications?
S – Stress. Are you under any kind of stress? Did you just lose your job, are you going through a divorce, do you have an extremely sick child? If so, you should not be riding, as your mind will not be focused on the tasks at hand.
A – Alcohol. How long has it been since you had your last drink? Remember an eight-hour bottle-to-throttle rule.
F – Fatigue. Were you up early, worked all day and now you’re planning a five-hour rideout at 0630am? Were you awake all night, thinking about that important meeting with that client/ bank manager/ examiner that you have to meet tomorrow? Are you really as sharp as you could be?
E – Emotions/Eating. Are you mad because you just had a fight with someone? When was the last time you ate? If you are planning a five-hour rideout, plan to be on the road by 11am and you haven’t had anything to eat or drink since 7am watch out! The combination of being low on hydration and having low blood-sugar levels can set you up for extremely poor performance.
Your Skills (THINK Motorcycle Academy)
Riding skills
The best motorcyclists ride defensively so they are less likely to have crashes. We all see examples of bad driving from time to time and motorcyclists are vulnerable to these mistakes. Riders with good defensive skills ride like they expect a problem every second. They are in control, so they enjoy more relaxed riding.
Make sure you:
- Anticipate the actions of motorists.
- Are alert and observant. Important when you are negotiating junctions or roundabouts; and when you need to look out for other vulnerable road users – children, pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders.
- Ride at a speed that will enable you to slow down and stop in good time. The unexpected can happen. Ride according to the conditions: slow down if it’s wet, foggy or icy.
- Position yourself in the best place. Usually the middle of the lane. But take up your road position in good time before turning right or left, showing others what you aim to do.
- Overtake safely. Can you see hazards? Is there a bend or a junction? Can you overtake without speeding up or swerving too much? Take a ‘lifesaver’ glance over your shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres when you need to know where other drivers are and what they are doing.
- Are seen. Dipped headlights, even in good daylight, can help you to be seen. Motorcycles built and sold after 2002 always have dipped headlights on, but does yours?
- Don’t act aggressively. Sometimes other drivers will wind you up. But if you act aggressively you may have to pay the penalty.
However tempted you are, don’t race on public roads. Save it for the race-track. If you want to know more, read the Driving Standards Agency’s publication Motorcycle Riding: The Essential Skills available at www.tsoshop.co.uk. You can also take advanced training with different schemes available to suit your needs. (See the Your Training section)
Expect the unexpected
A summer day and a relatively quiet rural B-road is bliss for a biker, but be warned, trouble can be just around the next corner, so expect the unexpected. Every year bikes get faster and sharper but their owners don’t necessarily increase their skills at the same rate. So it makes sense that every year you need to be sharper, more aware and at the top of your game every time you pull on your leathers and hit the starter button.
Does any of this sound familiar?
- I often find that corners suddenly tighten up on me.
- I sometimes find I only just get away with overtaking manoeuvres.
- When I ride with my mates, I seem to have to thrash my bike to keep up.
- People are always pulling out on me and forcing me to take avoiding action.
- I worry about how secure my bike is, even when it’s locked up.
- As soon as it rains all my confidence disappears.
A different approach
They’re all common complaints, and it’s easy to blame most of them on outside influences. In fact they’re mostly problems that can be solved with a different approach. For example, corners don’t suddenly tighten up – if it’s tighter than you thought it’s because you didn’t think and pick up the clues early enough to assess what was coming up.
Similarly, when people pull out in front of you, it’s often not because they haven’t seen you, but because you were going a lot faster than they expected – the average car driver has no concept whatsoever of the performance of a modern bike. Putting the emphasis on yourself to avoid trouble rather than relying on others to avoid you is the first step towards getting more out of your bike, and staying safe. The second step is improving your riding skills.
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