Triumphrat

steelcap · 07-23-2006

As a new rider I am aware that my riding skills aren't as good as they could be (but I'm pleased with my riding ability, given the short time I've been riding)
Before I got my bike I took the MSF course and found it to be a great learning experience.
I'm very fortunate to live in SoCal where we have great weather and access to some great roads. I commute daily (60 miles round trip) on mostly freeway, although one or 2 days a week I switch to taking Coast Highway instead for variety. At the weekends I try to get out into the mountains east of San Diego for some fun in the twisties.
I've clocked up 2500 miles in 6 weeks.

So to get to my question, apart from just keep riding, riding, riding, are there any resources (books, dvds, training) to get me from beginner to intermediate rider?
Any tips that the more experienced riders can offer?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

07-23-2006

I found David Hough's 'Proficient Motorcycling' extremely useful, and 20k miles after returning to riding I still re-read (at least some of) it every spring.

Jimi_X · 07-23-2006

Along with book learning comes riding experience. Documentation can tell you the correct way to do things. Only experience/time riding a motorcycle makes it a complete learning process.
While developing your skills try to find some "paved back roads" to ride on. This gives you more control of the situation. Not that you are ever alone. There is always some nimrod just around the next turn, with you in his/her crosshairs. Unfortunately, that is how you live to be an experienced rider.
I am 51yrs. old and have been riding since I was 14. I have been down 3 times. ALL were my fault,...failure to anticipate the unknown,...Anyway, thats what I call it.
It does no good to put the blame anywhere else (except for insurance purposes) because you are the "china doll" in the bull ring. If you are not aware of just how fragile your situation is on a motorcycle,...you will find out!
I don't want to discourage you, just make you aware.
I cannot stop riding. It will be part of my life until I can live here no more. The sound, the smells, the freedom, the accelleration, leaning into the twisties..............Anyway, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. As long as you know your limitations and the limitations of your machine, you will be on a soap-box like me in 37yrs. Good Luck!
Tony

[ This message was edited by: Jimi_X on 2006-07-23 13:49 ]

Silverado57 · 07-23-2006

Mark, I found that riding with other people was a great learning experience. When you're in a group of experienced riders you start to push yourself and your bike, within the limits of safety of course.
Good luck!

slapdash · 07-23-2006

Mark -

You may want to concentrate on one skill at a time and master it completely (or to your satisfaction) then move on to the next skill. Prioritizing which skills to start with may be difficult, but going fast should be last.
--
Dennis

SCbonneville · 07-23-2006

Mark, all of the above suggestions are good ones and will help you out in your quest to "be a better rider"...

One suggestion I have is to remember to ALWAYS ride within your limits and to "ride your own ride". By that I mean not getting sucked into riding "over your head" and faster than you're comfortable with when riding with more expierenced riders...

I was VERY fortunate to meet up with another Bonnie rider, who happens to be an MSF instructor and a VERY excellent rider, as a "riding buddy' here in SC. We have become great friends and do a lot of riding together. He has been an excellent mentor and teacher. My riding has improver imensely with his help. I would suggest you find someone who's riding style/skills/habits you respect and ask them to help you along. Believe me, that will be one of the best compliments you can give someone.

Also, have you considered a track based school? I'd love to do the Kevin Swantz school, or a similar one.. The cost is holding me back at this time as I'm on a pretty tight budget. But I've heard that they really improve your street riding too....

Ride safe.. Tom

black-bonnie · 07-23-2006

Do what cops do and practice a decent amount of low speed moves like U turns both ways. Slow weaving, etc.

You can order the CD: Ride Like a Pro III by Jerry Palladino who is a bike cop.

http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.za/lifest..._tips/main.asp

Has a good section on how to do tight U turns that helped me.

Like all those are saying here, learn own your own and learn from others.

vitabrew · 07-23-2006

Total Control by Lee Parks, great book!
Total Control

bgaz · 07-23-2006

All very good suggestions here!

I would say, do practice how fast you can stop the bike in a safe place, free of sand on the road and so on.
Work your way up to really hard stops, just so you know what the bike will do in an emergency.

The main thing I do is never ever assume someone in a car or truck is aware of me. I sort of expect them to pull out, change lanes, run over into my lane, not stop, etc.

One of the real risky times is wet roads. At times they can be almost as slick as ice. You should ride very gently when its wet out and be carefully with the front brake.

its been raining a lot lately, and i have been getting my wet road practice in!

One final word of warning, riding with others can be very dangerous, leave PLENTY of space, and never ride next to someone.

A local sports person was going to ride cross country on his harley, they made it about 30 miles, when it started to rain, some pulled over to put rain gear on and were run into by others...broke his leg all up in many places.

Total trip was the 30 miles plus the trip to the hospital...

Brett

black-bonnie · 07-23-2006

Like I told others on this forum, I've learned to just ride alone. One of my friends can ride circles around me. He's really good and has rode his whole life. I see that, but I also see how unsafe he is and the few close calls I had just riding with him. Other groups I rode in it was a free-fall-all. Obviously there are good groups out there but just the same, I'll ride alone.