I need more training!
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Troy, Al
I need more training!
I had a close call today in lunch time traffic from stopped traffic at a green light. Riding with the wife on the back I locked up the rear brake, went into a slide, corrected that and almost high sided and ended up with my front tire past the vehicles in front of me rear bumper, me all up on the tank and my wife sitting in my seat while im looking at the vehicles trunk wondering if I was leaning on it. I got lucky, could have sucked the seat cushion up my rear but got lucky non the less. I would like to think that 25 years of on and off riding contributed to keeping the shiny side up but it did serve as a reality check. I am looking into the MSF Experienced Riders Course this summer as well as taking the Ride Like A Pro course out of Florida this fall or winter.
I like to think that I am observant and cautious when I ride but when stuff like this happens it seems that I dont have a chance to think at all, all you can do is react.
I like to think that I am observant and cautious when I ride but when stuff like this happens it seems that I dont have a chance to think at all, all you can do is react.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,945
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RE: I need more training!
We can all use more trainin', but sounds to me like ya handled the situation jest fine. \\;Didn't hit nobody, nuthin' bent an' ya know ya mighta done better. Beats the usual "I had to lay it down..."
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 496
Likes: 15
From: Windham, New Hampshire
RE: I need more training!
First glad you are both ok. Second I just bought and watched the Ride like a pro 5 video. The motorman know's his chit. \\; Great pointers and exercises on the video. If I lived in Florida I would def. take his class.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: In the wind
RE: I need more training!
I just wander why some people spend so much money on a bike they can't ride. Not say you can't ride but alot of people go to the safety course get thier license so they think they can ride. That is the reason for so many deaths on bikes people who have no reason on a bike in the 1st place. I have to say this sounds as if you were not doin your job and looking out for #1. I think many years of motocross riding makes me a better rider on the street I know how to watch why ahead to where Im gonna be and not just were I am. I thinks it is great so many people are getting into riding now. But at what cost? I enjoy my freedom form a helmet but so many people with out knowlage of how to ride are crashing and making it look bad for those of us who rode even when it was taboo to do so.
RE: I need more training!
You can never know enough about motorcycle safety...no matter what it is.
Motorcycle riders must have proper training at their basic level and then that training must be continuous and on going. Training should not stop after you attend a basic operatorâs course. According to a recent study on motorcycle accidents the three leading causes are:
1) Improper Braking 33.6%
2) Failure to take Evasive Action 26.7%
3) Curve Negotiation 12.8%
In these accidents, 49.2% reported rider error was present.
Braking is one of the most difficult skills for motorcyclists to master and one of the most critical. Even though technology has improved motorcycle design and braking enhancements, the same crash causes still occur. This is why accident avoidance exercises are of vital importance for overall safety. Braking techniques must be practiced to be permanent.
Get the http://ridelikeapro.com dvd it WILL help your perfect your handling skills.
Practice and master each and every exercise on the dvd..
Take rhe RLAP course. I have taken it three times. It is EXCELLENT!
Take the ERC course at least once every other year. I have taken it four times.
Ride Safe, Be Safe and keep your eyes on the horizon!
Glad to hear you are safe!
Motorcycle riders must have proper training at their basic level and then that training must be continuous and on going. Training should not stop after you attend a basic operatorâs course. According to a recent study on motorcycle accidents the three leading causes are:
1) Improper Braking 33.6%
2) Failure to take Evasive Action 26.7%
3) Curve Negotiation 12.8%
In these accidents, 49.2% reported rider error was present.
Braking is one of the most difficult skills for motorcyclists to master and one of the most critical. Even though technology has improved motorcycle design and braking enhancements, the same crash causes still occur. This is why accident avoidance exercises are of vital importance for overall safety. Braking techniques must be practiced to be permanent.
Get the http://ridelikeapro.com dvd it WILL help your perfect your handling skills.
Practice and master each and every exercise on the dvd..
Take rhe RLAP course. I have taken it three times. It is EXCELLENT!
Take the ERC course at least once every other year. I have taken it four times.
Ride Safe, Be Safe and keep your eyes on the horizon!
Glad to hear you are safe!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,972
Likes: 1
From: King William, VA.
RE: I need more training!
you will not live long enough to get to much training. the more you know the better it gets but you will never be a master. I suggest the begining or BRC course it is a must for proper training. You may have ridden for 50 years and this course will show you something and it sets very good basic skills that you may or may not have right.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Troy, Al
RE: I need more training!
vindyl - As much as I hate to admit it, your are right. I have to question my situational awareness. I believe I was looking in front of me and both sides of me instead of ahead of me and around me. The difference being in distance. I am still trying to figure out why I didnt notice that traffic was stopped in the miidle of the intersection earlier and why my reaction time was slow. My wife said I actually went from a skid to the right and then to the left, two different skids, I can only remember one but the line on the asphault from the rear tire shows she was correct. This is still only one part of the problem, I believe merlin is correct on the other part.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Troy, Al
RE: I need more training!
merlin - I believe you are right on my improper braking. My majority of riding was on an 83 Yamaha Venture Royale which had a linked brake. Since changing bikes I have only gotten around 1700 miles on this bike. The Electra Glide Standard doe not have a linked brake to the best of my knowledge. I think I had gotten out of the pratice of using the front brake effectively which is where 70 percent of my stopping power is. I need more pratice on emergency braking.
I had thought that I had made a mistake by not removing my foot from the brake pedal to allow me to regain traction and then reapply the brake. I went to the ride like a pro site and read some of his articles and found that I had done the right thing on maintaing the rear brake. If I had released it I would have high sided the bike for sure. He said you can steer with the rear tire locked but that if you release it to try to regain traction that you risk the chace of high siding the bike.
I am begining to think I am back to square one on the dynamics of a motorcycle in motion.
I had thought that I had made a mistake by not removing my foot from the brake pedal to allow me to regain traction and then reapply the brake. I went to the ride like a pro site and read some of his articles and found that I had done the right thing on maintaing the rear brake. If I had released it I would have high sided the bike for sure. He said you can steer with the rear tire locked but that if you release it to try to regain traction that you risk the chace of high siding the bike.
I am begining to think I am back to square one on the dynamics of a motorcycle in motion.