Calling all experienced riders. What are your 5 Golden Ruels of riding with regards to safe riding, not talking hi-viz clothing, don’t drink and ride type stuff but, never use ? brake in a corner type actions
1. Look further ahead, don't focus just in front of the bike. 2. When on open road keep line to left side of road when approaching right bends & towards the middle when approaching lefts, this will give you better vision through the corner. 3. Scrub your speed off before turning in, better to use slow in fast out method, if you do have to brake in a corner back brake is best, as back will 'ask' you to get off, the front will tell you! 4. Do not stare at hazards (target fixation) if you stare at the tree at the road side invariably you will end up riding at it. 5. Never ride above a speed that you're comfortable with when riding in a group, do not get dragged along by faster more experienced riders, if they are mates they will wait for you at junctions, if not just find out where they are ending up & tell them to get the brews in! What I would add is that all training is worthwhile, would suggest you google Bikesafe which is Hampshire Police rider training there may be other schemes nearer to home.
1. Treat every other road user as a potential threat - aggression or inattention can be equally deadly 2. If you can’t see another drivers eyes, they probably can’t see you. 3. Drains, manhole covers, tram lines and white lines are to be avoided, especially when wet. Ditto iridescence......it’s probably diesel. 4. Observe and anticipate. Mirrors are good, a turn of the head better. The lifesaver head turn did not get its name by accident. 5. Read the road and buy a copy of Roadcraft because you have felt the need to ask this question http://www.roadcraft.co.uk/
Point 4. Very true. Concentrate on where you want to go. Point 5. Hard to do sometimes but men find it easier than boys.(never could do it as a lad)
On point 5, yes I know, had to pick a couple of mates out of the hedge over the years as they got carried away following a quicker rider into a bend to then panic brake and go straight on!
"Once the throttle is cracked on, it is rolled on smoothly, evenly and constantly throughout the remainder of the turn"
1, don’t fall off 2, don’t hit anything 3, don’t get hit by anything 4, don’t get knicked 5, ride happy, If you manage to do all 5 you will have a long and enjoyable motorcycling life!
It's all been said really, but I'll add never filter either side of a truck unless you are certain you can overtake him in that manoeuvre. Often the driver won't see you. Check out Roadcraft Nottingham instruction videos on youtube. He's very good.
A good intro to basic motorbike safety is here It's corny as hell but the info and lessons are worth the watch
Adjust your speed so you can stop if needs be whilst going round tight/blind bends. Be extra vigilant if you overtake and there’s a junction ahead. A road joining from your right, the driver/rider pulling out may only look to their right as they’re pulling out. With regards to life savers/glances over your shoulder, don’t ride to close to the vehicle in front if your going to overtake. I know of someone who was behind a HGV, looked over his shoulder to see if it was ok to overtake and at that point the HGV had to hit his brakes. The motorcyclist ran into the back of the HGV and lost his life. It happens.
Make sure your in the right Gear (engine not clothing) coming to corners or junctions always be in a driving gear
The single most important rule for me is the life check. I was changing lane from 2 to 1, did my shoulder check, indicated, checked again (life check) as I started to move over and a BMW cam screaming up the inside lane, I managed to wrestle the bike back across the line just as it went past, if I hadn't done that I would have been pigeon paste on the M40
VERY true. Circa 1975 I am cracking along on an R90S when I see a car appear at a junction on rising ground maybe 600 metres ahead. We have a clear view of one another. I expect the car to pull out well agead of me but no........the closer I get the more I anticipate trouble and as I see the (yes!) little old lady’s head disappear behind the B pillar she pulls out with me 40 yds away having throttled back from ahem to maybe 55-60. With clutch and brake covered I just stayed behind her and saw the van driver coming the other way looking wild eyed as he slammed on the anchors. Sixth sense that day taught me ever after to ride alert and defensively. It has saved lives and laundry