Little things I've learned from riding a while...

[HarleyDuke]

Counter-steering .............. absolutely fantastic. Greatest thing I ever learned. No more trying to wrestle the bike round bends just a nice smooth action....slow in, fast out. No real need for weight shift either.

[Fez]

First time poster, here's something I learned yesterday.

Semi trailers cut corners and do it progressively. If you're on the inside corner, with a semi coming the opposite way on an outside corner, pretend you only have half your lane. And take it slower than you usually would.

On a similar note; their wheels are big and scary. Don't look at the wheels.


Rider behind me closed his visor, thought he was going to have bits of gore flying at him :x

[bcathey]

Originally Posted by leikam

Tell your loved ones that you love them. Often.

Before you leave on EVERY outing, kiss your wife and kids like you will never see them again. Have a good life insurance policy in case you don't.

Grass clippings are another road hazard that is all around during the riding season, especially on Sat/Sun.

Look through the turn and trust your bike/tires. Then slow down for the next ones...If you are still struggling with this one you're not fast anyway. Don't be a poser. We can all tell you can't really ride it.

[Mig]

Great thread!
It's amazing how a routine commute or extensive riding in familiar areas can sometimes dull your awareness of unexpected situations.

1) Always assume you're invisible.
2) When taking a passenger for the first time, always fill them in on what you expect from them, regardless of whether they've ridden with others before... (even if it's just "Sit down, shut up, hold tight"... let them know.)
3) Never rely on other people's common sense. There are still plenty of cagers out there that believe motorcycles shouldn't be on the road, and if we get hurt it's because we "had it coming"... even if it's their fault.
4) The bigger vehicle gets the right of way - common ignorant cager misconception regarding their behavior with other cagers, but for our sake, let's play by their rules and not let their ignorance be our funeral.
5) Bar hopping while riding is a bad idea. Stay sharp, your lives can depend on it. I can show you a couple of friend's gravestones as examples.
6) In a safely manner, predict and practice less-comfortable riding situations. Avoiding road debris/potholes at different speeds and weather conditions, short-stopping in dry/wet pavement, etc.
It's best to not let the first time you execute these maneuvers be the time when failure isn't optional.
7) Know your limitations.

"Tell your loved ones that you love them. Often." +1

Many thanks to all that shared into this thread throughout the years, it is appreciated.

[Mig]

I like this one as well:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ho...ays/index.html

[Kefalas]

The best rule i think

[Kefalas]

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. --Aristotle