Riding Technics

[Lazydog]

While new to the forum I am not new to riding, just a little rusty.

Back in the day, when I was young, I didn't give much thought to riding or technics used when riding. As most young people I jumped on and let her fly. Having a motorcycle accident is the farthest thing from you mind. But since starting again and having taken the MSP I have put some thought into my riding and how I want to present myself on the road today. What I would like to do is explain how I ride and why I do the things I do. While I am not trying to tell anyone how they should ride I am looking for some feed back as to what others think about the technics I use while out on the road. Hopefully if I am missing the bigger picture someone could make the light bulb go off.


First thing is stop signs. When stopped I like to chose the spot in the lane for the direction I plan on travelling. Left for left turns, Center for going straight and right for right hand turns.

Cruising. I like to use the whole lane when cruising. Shifting from spot to spot so that I make myself visible. Never staying in one position too long.

Following traffic. Again I like to shift from spot to spot so the guy in front of me see I am still there. If there is oncoming traffic I like to shift to the yellow line so that they can see that I am following and not be blind for oncoming traffic.

Intersections. I like to shift to the white line before the intersection to allow for any waiting traffic there to the right side know I am following the car in front of me. Just before reaching the intersection I then shift back out to the yellow line to allow for any traffic that isn't at the intersection enough room to stop without myself becoming part of that stop.

Being Followed. I like to use only the center and right side of the lane so that the car behind me can see around me and will hopefully see any issue ahead that might cause me to stop so he has time to stop. At intersection is the only place I ride to the yellow line when being followed and I do the above maneuver. I believe this will also give them enough room to get around me when passing.

Stopping. I hit the rear break about 3 to 4 times before applying both breaks. I am thinking about getting some sort of flasher to do this for me. Blink 3 or 4 time before becoming solid.

Mirrors. I am constantly checking these things along with checking left and right sides of me. Even when stopped. Never know when the guy coming up behind you isn't going to see you are stopped.

Well there it is. If I am missing something pleas let me know or if one of these technics is wrong or dangerous. I'm just looking to live another day when out there.

[Tbakko]

Originally Posted by Lazydog

Cursing. I like to use the whole lane when cursing. Shifting from spot to spot so that I make myself visible. Never staying in one position too long.

Myself, I can curse from any position on the lane, and have.

[trikebubble]

Quote: First thing is stop signs. When stopped I like to chose the spot in the lane for the direction I plan on travelling. Left for left turns, Center for going straight and right for right hand turns.

I never sit in the center of my lane at an intersection. Look down ,that is where the majority of oil from cars tends to be.
For me, If alone i sit in the left hand side of my lane, unless turning right. Then I sit to the right.

I rarely ever ride the center of a lane, only if there is an obstacle or danger in the left or right hand portion of my lane.

This is just the way I ride. You do make some good points though.

[Lazydog]

Originally Posted by Tbakko

Myself, I can curse from any position on the lane, and have.

Yeah, I guess that is possible everywhere.

Note to self: Proof read before posting.

[2WheelFun]

Good points by all so far!

Also...you may want to check out the Ride Like Pro III DVD as it can help with safety.

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

[luvda6R]

First thing is stop signs. When stopped I like to chose the spot in the lane for the direction I plan on travelling. Left for left turns, Center for going straight and right for right hand turns.

Usually I stay away from the center just because of the oil build-up. Unless I'm taking a right I stay to the left part of the lane mostly, I guess just by habit and I feel like I can see more of everything around me.

Cruising. I like to use the whole lane when cruising. Shifting from spot to spot so that I make myself visible. Never staying in one position too long.

Pretty much do the same, unless I notice a lot of oil build-up in the center of the lane and I'll stay away from that area. I usually don't though because I'm not riding in heavily populated areas much, so I use the part of the lane that I think allows people to see me the most and where I'm reducing risk of collision based on where I see the most hazards.

Following traffic. Again I like to shift from spot to spot so the guy in front of me see I am still there. If there is oncoming traffic I like to shift to the yellow line so that they can see that I am following and not be blind for oncoming traffic.

Mostly do the same...I feel like the left part of the lane is where I can see the most. I sometimes shift to the right if I see oncoming traffic wanting to turn left and I am following a car....I tighten up to the car in front of me just for a second and IMO it makes it very hard for the oncoming car to cut me off because the car in front is blocking them. I generally move around too increase the chances of people noticing me.

Being Followed. I like to use only the center and right side of the lane so that the car behind me can see around me and will hopefully see any issue ahead that might cause me to stop so he has time to stop. At intersection is the only place I ride to the yellow line when being followed and I do the above maneuver. I believe this will also give them enough room to get around me when passing.

I usually am in the left part of the lane, mainly because if I'm being followed closely there's a 95% chance that there's also a car in front of me. So, the left part of the lane is where I feel all parties can see me the most, and I can see the most myself.

Stopping. I hit the rear break about 3 to 4 times before applying both breaks. I am thinking about getting some sort of flasher to do this for me. Blink 3 or 4 time before becoming solid.

Haven't thought of doing the flashing thing, but may start doing it esp. if the car behind is close.

Mirrors. I am constantly checking these things along with checking left and right sides of me. Even when stopped. Never know when the guy coming up behind you isn't going to see you are stopped.

I'm usually checking my mirrors as much a possible - though it's tough when there is a lot going on because they're hard to get a quick glance at and I have to move my body to see anything. I try to use them as much as I can, and at a stop also.

[ispeed77]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

I never sit in the center of my lane at an intersection. Look down ,that is where the majority of oil from cars tends to be.
For me, If alone i sit in the left hand side of my lane, unless turning right. Then I sit to the right.

I rarely ever ride the center of a lane, only if there is an obstacle or danger in the left or right hand portion of my lane.

This is just the way I ride. You do make some good points though.

i am just going to agree with Carlo and say that there are a few options out there for break light modulation. i am not familiar with any of them, but i am sure you could find them quickly by doing a search.

[RampRat]

Originally Posted by whistle clean

Good points by all so far!

Also...you may want to check out the Ride Like Pro III DVD as it can help with safety.

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

Whare have I seen this before

[ispeed77]

Originally Posted by RampRat

Whare have I seen this before

what's this ? a new instructional video ? i have never heard of this one before, maybe it is good.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by RampRat

Whare have I seen this before
What's this ? a new instructional video ? i have never heard of this one before, maybe it is good.

What - you mean there's an instructional video for motorcyclists?
Oh pray tell - why hasn't someone told us about this??

[forest1000]

If you want to turn your brake light on sooner you could just adjust the back brake switch height (if you have it). Shorten the stroke required to turn it on.

I kind of consider a flashing brakelight to be an electrical fault and feel that some people might ignore it.

I echo the words of the others. Stay away from the centre of the lane at all costs and manhole covers.

I generally ride in the position that is closest to the centre line/lane divider to block as much of the lane as possible. At intersections I try to take up as much space as possible including putting my right foot down to block cagers from sliding up on me.

[Lazydog]

Originally Posted by whistle clean

Good points by all so far!

Also...you may want to check out the Ride Like Pro III DVD as it can help with safety.

Thnx for the link. I'll check this one out.

[Lazydog]

Originally Posted by trikebubble

I never sit in the center of my lane at an intersection. Look down ,that is where the majority of oil from cars tends to be.
For me, If alone i sit in the left hand side of my lane, unless turning right. Then I sit to the right.

I don't have this problem where I am riding in the country. I understand that this could be an issue in the cities or heavily traveled roadways.

This is just the way I ride. You do make some good points though.

Thnx

[hot_shoe_cv]

Most of these replies seem to be regarding town or hight traffic areas. Since most of my riding tends to be highway or low traffic areas, here's a couple of things to keep in mind: curves... the rider should be on the outside of a curve when entering it to have the maximum vision around the curve for disabled vehicles, live stock, etc. This means that on a right hand curve he needs to be on the left side of the lane near the yellow line if it is a 2 lane road. Conversely in a left hand curve he needs to be at the far right side until reaching the apex and then begin a return to the middle of the lane. Oil is never a problem here so I tend to ride in the center of whatever lane is appropriate to provide maximum escape room for any situation.

Counter steering wasn't mentioned as far as I can see and certainly should be a matter of habit or reflex especially in high speed cornering as well as looking thru the corner or curve. The eyes should be on a point at the end of the curve where one wants to be instead of on the edge of the road where he is. The bike tends to go where the rider is looking.

[1400pilot]

out here in the flatlands I always try and ride in the lefthand portion of the lane close to the centerline, because of deer and other critters, gives a guy just a few more seconds after seeing them in the ditch to move into the incoming lane if the need arises, and if the oncoming lane is unoccupied, which usually out here it is.

[Lazydog]

Originally Posted by hot_shoe_cv

Counter steering wasn't mentioned as far as I can see and certainly should be a matter of habit or reflex especially in high speed cornering as well as looking thru the corner or curve. The eyes should be on a point at the end of the curve where one wants to be instead of on the edge of the road where he is. The bike tends to go where the rider is looking.

Yes, I follow this as it was told in the MSP class I took. And that looking is the real kicker. I have already tried it without looking, while at MSP training, and you aren't going to make it. Amazing how that works.

[Ken]

Ride Like a Pro III - highly recommended! Watch this DVD and try some of the exercises. Before you know it, you'll be doing slow speed maneuvers you never thought possible. And then you can master them with a passenger. When your friends are doing k-turns in the road to turn around, you'll be doing a 180 in 3/4 of the road

Also for books - Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough, Twist of the Wrist by Keith Code, and Sport Riding Techniques by Kenny Roberts - are my personal favorites.

I also stay out of the middle of the lane due to oil, water, and coolant. I also tend to stay away from the right side of the lane due to debris, stones, cracked pavement, low shoulders, etc. but eh, I'm in NY

At stop signs and red lights, I tend to do the opposite. I stop at the left side of the lane to make right turns, and the right side of the lane to make left turns. It give me more maneuvering room, requires less force and lowers the angle - especially on slow right hand turns - the beginner's nemesis.

Slow - Look - Lean - Roll

Good write up though - always a good idea to step back and examine your technique. I've picked up bad habits at certain times (not sure how/why), and they are removed by doing just what you are doing. Good work!