What I learned today...
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 7
From: San Angelo, TX
That said, I was blessed with a couple extra inches in height, maybe a few points less in common sense
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
What I've learned in my 50 years of riding is that a motorcycle is just looking for an opportunity to flop over on it's side!
Your (or my) two legs are the only things (with our brain of course) that prevents this from happening.
Paying close attention to your speed, the surface that you're riding on and where you intend to stop can dramatically decrease the likelihood that you will drop OR spill your bike.
In the last 30 years, I have "dropped" a motorcycle two times:
Once on wet grass (as I was lifting the bike off of the jiffy stand) and the last time on perfectly dry pavement (as I was again, lifting the bike off of the jiffy stand) and obviously got off-balance and allowed the weight of the bike to overpower me.
Both times, totally MY fault and due to my not paying close attention to the pavement or what I was doing!
Sand, dirt, wet grass, loose gravel, tar strips, painted cross walks and surfaces near service station islands and toll road booths provide excellent opportunities for us to experience gravity so always stay alert and especially so when you're on two wheelers!
Your (or my) two legs are the only things (with our brain of course) that prevents this from happening.
Paying close attention to your speed, the surface that you're riding on and where you intend to stop can dramatically decrease the likelihood that you will drop OR spill your bike.
In the last 30 years, I have "dropped" a motorcycle two times:
Once on wet grass (as I was lifting the bike off of the jiffy stand) and the last time on perfectly dry pavement (as I was again, lifting the bike off of the jiffy stand) and obviously got off-balance and allowed the weight of the bike to overpower me.
Both times, totally MY fault and due to my not paying close attention to the pavement or what I was doing!
Sand, dirt, wet grass, loose gravel, tar strips, painted cross walks and surfaces near service station islands and toll road booths provide excellent opportunities for us to experience gravity so always stay alert and especially so when you're on two wheelers!
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 7
From: San Angelo, TX
Well put good Sir! Keeping a simple like that in mind is the kind of thing that will help me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
If we're doing life lessons, the 3 cardinal rules I learned when I turned 60:
1) never pass a bathroom
2) never waste a hard-on
3) never trust a fart
In that order!
1) never pass a bathroom
2) never waste a hard-on
3) never trust a fart
In that order!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 1,442
From: Brentwood
I also think simple counter steering moves are not thought out and practiced. In a panic riders try to turn the bars away from danger which ends up turning the bike right into disaster. Please remember to push the right side of the bars to go right and left side to go left. The harder you push the harder you’ll turn. Practice this often, if you alternate back and forth and swerve inside you lane it helps keep your tires from getting a flat spot down the middle.
Be safe gents!
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 501
Likes: 150
From: Jersey
riding the bull
Or push one pull the other. There needs to be balance for the best control.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
One very valuable piece of information that I've learned , is when you come up to an incline and you have to stop , and you will .
Break as usual , when you are fully stopped , keep left foot on the ground ( or you'll fall over
) right foot on rear break . This leaves your right hand to work the throttle . When your ready to roll give yourself some throttle and release the rear brake , off you go .
I've ridden with many who have stalled their bikes not doing properly . Hope this helps
Break as usual , when you are fully stopped , keep left foot on the ground ( or you'll fall over
) right foot on rear break . This leaves your right hand to work the throttle . When your ready to roll give yourself some throttle and release the rear brake , off you go .I've ridden with many who have stalled their bikes not doing properly . Hope this helps
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Dress properly for the conditions you will be riding in.
There's not much worse than being freezing cold and wet and having to ride another 200 miles. It's not just no fun, it's dangerous for you and other road users as well.
If you don't know what the conditions are going to be like - assume the worst and dress accordingly. You can always take layers off later.
There's not much worse than being freezing cold and wet and having to ride another 200 miles. It's not just no fun, it's dangerous for you and other road users as well.
If you don't know what the conditions are going to be like - assume the worst and dress accordingly. You can always take layers off later.