Commentary ride on country roads : Advanced riding : (Motorcycle riding tips)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2024
- This one is to explain what I think when riding country roads. Most of this is common sense but if nothing else, you can have a nice ride with me. From a qualified UK advanced motorcycle instructor since 1984.
To learn more about riding commentary on a motorcycle, consider taking an advanced motorcycle training course.
If you appreciate my uploads and feel they help you, feel free to buy me a cuppa. Thanks. ☺
My Facebook link where I regularly post photos and short videos..
/ roadcraftnottingham
www.buymeacoffee.com/roadcraftnd
Leanna's TH-cam channel
/ @motorcyclelessonsuk
Timecodes
0:00 Introduction
1:02 Leanna's TH-cam channel
1:35 Safety over position
3:15 Which gear to select
3:58 Limit point
4:07 Why chevrons
4:48 Dangerous busy road
5:10 Straightlining
5:28 Haven't touched brakes, acceleration sense
6:10 Held position out
7:07 Faster speeds
7:40 Keep slightly open throttle on bend
8:30 Lifting head, looking for last bend
8:49 Looking over wall
9:15 Only position if advantage
9:50 Apex
10:40 Worn white line
11:05 Thoughts on overtake
11:20 Two gears down
13:05 Don't change down in order to brake.
Roadcraft Nottingham is a UK motorcycle school which was established in March 1989.
I am a fully qualified professional motorcycle instructor of 38 years and offer motorcycle riding tips and tips on riding a motorcycle for the first time all the way up to advanced riding.
Please remember to like, comment and subscribe for more riding tips and help with any aspect of riding.
My Facebook link where I regularly post photos and short videos..
/ roadcraftnottingham
Here's a link to Filtering or lane splitting tips
• How to filter on a mot...
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• Smoother riding with g...
Here's a link to how to assess bends or curves
• Limit points. How to j...
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• How to ride a motorcyc...
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how to ride a motorcycle for beginners
tips on riding a motorcycle
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I really like seeing demo rides like this, where someone who can actually ride in an advanced manner and isn't riding like a twat or a moron (AKA half of the riders in Devon, Dorset and Somerset). I always believe channels like your own will always have a place; even when I (hopefully and eventually) go to do my Master's accreditation, I will reinforce everything I learn and everything I am teaching to my associates with these basics
Thanks. Even when I get a move on I still apply these principles and enjoy myself just as much as someone who thinks they have to impress others.
Watching this videos from time to time is a great way to refresh and keep practicing safe riding. Thanks for uploading it!
So smooth and controlled. Inspirational stuff! I also like that instead of telling us to cover the brake to reduce reaction times, you advise the seemingly mind-blowing concept of slowing down to give yourself more time to stop! 😅
😂 Amazing isn't it? Lol.
Really enjoyable watching the Roadcraft system being used so seamlessly. I prefer the camera angle from behind the screen more than the side of the bike. It’s seems to better illustrate the differences between positions 1, 2 &3.
An old school friend spent some time with Yamaha while he was doing his degree, he had the job of doing the drawings for your front wheel. Once qualified he went to work for Honda in Germany doing lots of possibly less historic stuff, while riding a Ducati MHR 900.
Guess who has done the same Matlock run twice in the past 6 days! Sunny lovely weather so me and my friends run to one of the best biker meeting spots. When I rode today my experience from the last run made it feel a lot easier mostly knowing what is coming up and the limits of my Honda 125 PCX. The wind at 60mph+ was crazy but I held on firmly and got in the best position for the speed. Tucked in but not close to the steering column. By the way this is one of the best bikes I have ever owned and I have owned several. Will be looking for A1 and A2 soon! Just with covid, backlog, and time to learn its been difficult to get in.
Great tips and great to observe what your thinking/planning as you ride along. We all learn a lot. Thanks for uploading the vid
Fantastic control and ride. It's great to see you upload again. Cheers from Canada 👍
Thanks Ian, Just uploaded a new one. ☺
Great demo ride, thank you for taking the time to make it.
Thanks for watching.
I always like to check in with your channel as you demonstrate just how much satisfaction can be had from riding accurately to a system of bike control. Keep it up! 🏍👍
Thanks Duncan. I take great pride in always trying to improve my riding skills. I don't always get it right but it gets "righter" each time. ☺
Good to hear from you again!
Absolutely fantastic vidoes sir. Really helping me. Just picked up my first bike, your videos are very in depth and you cover little points that noone else does.
Thankyou. Just uploaded a new one. ☺
Great stuff,,like the part about worn lines indicating apex cutting.meanwhile over here on the Isle of man theirs more than a few riders could do with a few bike lessons (tt week.
Often ride around there..plus Staffordshire moorlands are on my doorstep...good vid👍
Great to see you again! Just finished the daily... errr... "commute/filtering" on my 701 Supermoto... Your videos are always a nice reality check. :D
😂 I just can't upload some of my rides 😉
Nice to see your vids 😃
Thanks.
It worth noting that a driver like the one you’re stuck behind in the end will often continue to do exactly as you’ve just shown: go well under the limit when you can’t overtake and speed up when you can.
I have to admit that I personally overtake them as soon as I get the chance, even if it means going over the limit for a brief period of time (yes I know, shame on me).
I'm actually with you on that but due to the nature of my channel.... 😉
I think too, that when behind a hesitant driver, you are more at risk of them doing something unusual, unplanned and or dangerous to you as a following motorcycle, and hence I to, often pass quickly, safely and comfortably to be out of harms way. The similar reason for passing an HGV on country roads as you can never see past them to be forewarned, and, only if it is safe to do so...
Very nice and smooth 👍
Cheers
The good old Via Gelia! I'm fortunately based only a couple of miles from it. A road of 2 parts - damp, blind, nadgery (with the most manhole covers I've ever seen) at the Cromford end. Opens up beautifully when you get to the NSL just after the crossroads...as you demonstrated...
Fantastic video mate
Cheers buddy. ☺
Welcome back Russ, i've missed theses ride outs with you. Subscribed and set all content for your misses too.
Cheers Si. ☺
Another set of great clear concise instructions from you, very helpful. Thank you!
Hi there another brilliant video, I have watched it a few times. My question is would you alter you position or speeds due to wind ( not rain) just wind, as I was riding over the moors near salt burn by sea yesterday with 40mph winds , I almost laid a chocolate egg. Any advice would be great only been riding 15 months full licence, thank you .
Always enjoy your commentary videos, more please
Thanks, I will do more. ☺
I.m self taught with help of magazine articles and vids etc. and I.m pleased to say I ride the same as yourself! The point about the Caterham is something I learned from experience looking across fields for oncoming traffic and cutting corners . There was an mx5 that was hidden and had a bit of a moment. But it's never too late to learn. Only recently I.ve started reacting to slow on the road surface as they Don.t put it there for fun. Prob did subconsciously but now it's on my radar. Another one I picked up from car instructor friend was overtaking. Is it safe/necessary/legal. So many bikers seem to have to overtake everything. The necessary bit is one that stops me now. Chill out. Be safe. 👍
Nice one Russ. The clever 360 camera really does distort your position hung down low. I found the 'following drone' shot to give a great representation of positioning. Lots of double with lines along there with few places to pass a slower vehicle.
Thanks Mike, Yes, watching it back originally I thought "why am I in p2?" But seeing the gopro footage, my bars are as close as possible to the white line. I have more footage going the other way with the 360 cam above my helmet but no commentary. I might just upload it anyway so people can just enjoy the ride.
@@RoadcraftNottingham that would be enjoyed indeed 😀
Another great video Russ with some good safety points, thanks for sharing - nice bike too!
Thanks. ☺
Nice.
Nice video. Yes always nice to watch and just remember how 🤔 you do it so good.
Thanks Guy.
@@RoadcraftNottingham always like the videos. Just waiting to get new bike first lol. Before I forget lol 😆
This is strangely relaxing😂
I'm pleased to hear it. Just uploaded a new one. ☺
Russ, superb video… and like one of the other commentators said, I too teach people to ride, but over here in 🇨🇦. I do introduce you as a resource (with the caveat - he’s in the UK, opposite side of the road, but the system of riding, and demo are worth taking onboard. )
No trail braking on our course either, simply taking zeros to hero’s (pure beginners) or ‘return to the bike’ students.
Stay well mate, good to see you again
Steve.
Thanks for the recommendations Steve, much appreciated. Happy teaching. ☺
Great vid and thank you for all your other videos. Always very insightful. Do you have a specific video on overtaking please? Also, not sure if you're wearing the C3 pro but if you are, how do you find it?
Hi, thanks. There's a couple of older uploads but search my friend's channel, Mike Roberts, he's got some interesting stuff. Love my C3 pro but everyones head shapes are different
@@RoadcraftNottingham Thank you. Will do.
Smooth👍
Great instruction. At no point would you be startled if you were a pillion. Glad to see you putting videos out again Russ! 👍🏼
Thanks Gav, Just uploaded a new one. ☺
Very good and interesting watch .👍cheers
Thanks
Best information for safe riding out there thanks for sharing your knowledge
Thanks. Just uploaded a new one. ☺
Smooth safe and progressive. Nice ride. Stay safe
Thankyou
glad to see you again, Ross... i quite like your style looking ahead. I do the same, and untill now always saved me. since 1991
Yet another great video Russ, I'm a week off my advanced test, just watching all I can from experts! Mind you, I did have the best coaches with the Roadcraft experts!!!!
Thanks Paul and good luck.
Nice work RN. 'If I was another rider'.... I wish you had another channel for that other rider ;-) . How to ride your motorcycle faster safely ! It would be a smash hit. And let's face it, it's what the community really needs. In fact, your commentary provides all the information. I started watching you when I was on a 125. Now I have a 600F and a Fireblade and your precious advice keeps me alive.
Thanks, I wish I could make that channel but, you know 😉 😂
Nice!
I generally do Apex bends ..long as can see obviously
Great to see another video bringing together all the aspects of riding safely in a rural area. I live in West Cumbria and can to relate to the farming dangers on roads, particularly tractors at this time of year on narrow roads. I have recently done a CBT course and bought a Honda CB125 F (new) which overall seems like a good bike although there was an issue with the head gasket leaking, which I guess was most likely due to overheating. Anyway I am an older man (50) and had ridden a 125 in my late teens, so was curious to find out whether I had remembered how to change gear properly. As a point of interest it took about a week to re learn the skill to a reasonable level of competence, so I guess I must have retained some of the "muscle memory" from all those years ago. I should add that I have been riding a 50cc scooter for nearly a year (automatic of course) so the gear changing and clutch was the main issue to address.
Welcome back to biking. I have 4 cb125f training bikes and they're excellent value and great to ride. May even do a review. ☺ Happy riding.
@@RoadcraftNottingham Thanks, yes I am enjoying my return to bikingand love the CB 125 F even though its just a very basic bike, easy to handle!
I absolutely love the via Gellia route up to Monyash, but it can be a deceptively dangerous stretch. To have such a clear run at it’s unusual.
At one point it was the 2nd most dangerous road in the UK. It's very deceptive. My fave. ☺
Great lessons on how to navigate the country roads. I think the 360 camera brings no value at all, in fact I think it takes away as the other camera angles are the ones that matter, in my opinion. Thanks again, great video
Agreed, it certainly doesn't add anything on this occasion. I also put it above my helmet which I think made it better. May upload that ride soon too but no commentary, just a ride.
@@RoadcraftNottingham Thanks
Quick question. Driver in front is doing 52 in a 60 so there is a little bit of extra progress to be made if the conditions are ok. Is it not reasonable to use the bike performance to make the overtake and then once safely past adjust back down to 60?
Thanks for an interesting video
Personally I would but not on lesson or test at 8mph is too slow to overtake. Stupid and hypocritical I know but rules are rules. ☺
@@RoadcraftNottingham is it illegal in UK to speed up over the speed limit temporally to overtake?
@@someonewithsomename it's illegal to break speed limits. That's it.
Just to double check are you using a 1-3 scale for road positioning (1 left position, 2 centre and 3 right position)? I've been taught recently by various people using a 1-5 scale so I was wondering why you kept saying position 3 for left hand bends which for me would mean middle of the lane. Thanks
Yes, 3 positions. Check my general positioning and common mistakes upload. Cheers.
Nice and smooth, untill camera off 😁 on my bike (ST1100) I don’t think about the gear but I look at the tachometer to see if the gear is right.
As you get to know your own bike more you can then "use the force" (feel) ☺
I ride with two very different life-long riders and though they have different riding styles both seem to come to a place where the bike always looks from behind like it is never unsettled and unless something is happening I almost never see a brake light from either of them.The best riders almost always look like nothing is going on. Steady as she goes.The point is it takes some very good planning and skill to look like nothing is going on ... Oddly both have Suzuki Boulevard C90s . I was a downhill ski racer as a young adult and I love the joy of finding a line in each unfolding situation on the road . The Austrians of the 1950's 60's and 70's always looked like they were doing nothing when finding an edge on a line . Have a look at Franz Klammer to see beauty in motion .. I always see that stability in your riding . It is a joy to see .. Yours Guy ...
Thanks for the great compliment. Franz Klammer is my era, I remember him, growing up.
Downhill skiing? That's just mad! Ski de fond was my limit 😂
@@RoadcraftNottingham I didn't say I was any good :) but I loved the beauty of using gravity and an edge for finding a line in a hillside of snow and ice .. A nice set of curves on the right back road feels very related to this old man ... As a young skier we were asked to "walk the hill." So you side stepped your way up to the top and saw every contour of the hill and how it was being changed by the racing .. All of it is relatable to the road and what you are trying to teach us here ... Good on ya :)
I agree with everything you said but it has to be done automatically otherwise how can you enjoy a ride if you have to keep thinking about all different things. You must have to develop it automatically
I understand what you mean.Things only become automatic... automatically. Until then you need to ride systematically until it happens. I have many drivers who tell me planning ahead comes natural as they've been driving years and you'd be amazed at just how much they're missing because they're assuming they're OK now.
Regarding enjoying a ride, as you may have heard me say in other uploads, to me, part of the fun of riding is that focus and anticipation. Thanks for your comment.
Bloomin eck! That coffee got to be good,
to spend the morning riding out to it esp at todays fuel prices! 😉 That aside some great advice as usual from the Jedi Bike master!
You seem to keep your head central when going around bends. What do you think of moving it to the right or left instead - to see more, and helping with the bend?
My heads attached to my body lol, so the amount I move it makes any advantage negligible if that makes sense. If I lose my view I simply slow down a little. I hope I understood your question correctly ☺
@@RoadcraftNottingham Like this ...
th-cam.com/video/qpiV00b7fuA/w-d-xo.html
Actually you should/would want to move your head to keep your eyes level to the road.
@@martinbakker7615 this is one of those things where it comes down to the question "are you in control of the bike" If it's having an adverse effect then it needs correcting. Although there's no harm in offering the suggestion just in case it's more comfortable for them.
I know someone that always sits very offset which could arguably affect the balance of the bike but his riding is excellent so I don't worry about it.
@@RoadcraftNottingham I think it has more to do with vision. The brain has an easier task with the eyes horizontal than at an angle. Look at gp riders hanging off their bikes, eyes ,as much as possible of course, horizontally.
Hi again. Love this bike - never heard of one before seeing this video! Love the dashboard - What are they like to ride in comparison to something like the k1200s?
It's a totally different beast, hard to explain. The gts has more character.
Not that anyone will care but I don't think you lose speed on a bend on a constant throttle due to drag ( @ 07:40) ; you lose speed with bike off the centre of the tyre due to the smaller circumference of the cambered tyre sidewall. Just a bit of nerdiness by me.
Good to see you uploading again.
Quote from the Roadcraft manual...
"Using the throttle on bends.... To get the best stability while cornering, you need to keep your speed constant. Do this by gently opening the throttle enough to compensate for the speed lost due to cornering forces, your aim is to maintain constant speed, not to increase it. Practice will help you judge how much to open the throttle for a steady speed "
This is page 111 of the latest Roadcraft. Of course, I'm open to being corrected here. ☺
... And I do care, I'm always looking for improvement so keep these comments coming. ☺ Yes, it would make sense that all of these are contributing factors, I think G forces also have a slight effect.
@@RoadcraftNottingham I have Googled my theory about tyre circumference differential leaning the bike compared to upright. Can't find a single reference to it. Either I will win a Nobel prize for physics or I am full of shit. However, I have just measured the distance between the top of my rear tyre to the edge of my chicken strips on my Africa Twin and it comes to 2.5 of Boris Johnson's British Inches. By my maths that makes the effective tyre radius on half-decent lean angle to 15.5 inches. Bear with me now as I might easily have messed this up:
Normal (upright) tyre radius on my AT =18 inches x pi (3.142ish) = 56.5 inch circumference.
AT tyre on lean 15.5" x pi = 48.7" circumference. Over 1 mile that = 1100ish revolutions upright per mile against 1300ish revolutions per mile leaning on a dream bend.
Rounding up that's getting towards 18%ish more revs on lean against upright to maintain same speed.
That difference is much more throttle than you need than to overcome drag.
Caveats: I failed Maths O level; can't find anyone else online stating same observations; my wife thinks I am a moron 🙃
Even so... I am booking my ticket to Oslo for next Nobel prize ceremony.
@@Motortriker that genuinely made me laugh, thankyou. Actually my very experienced friend in youtube, Mike Roberts, search him, agrees with you but I also couldn't find any proof of anything anywhere. Let me know if you do. ☺
@@RoadcraftNottingham that's why you're a good teacher: patience dealing with idiots 😉
I'd love to tag along for a ride at some point. I like to think I am learning every time I throw a leg over a bike. 👍
Your videos clarify or reinforce my ideas which aren't always in sync with some of the road safety organisations.
I have never understood why the manhole covers in the UK aren't tarmaced like they are in Germany, wouldn't have cost much in extra tarmac whne laying the raods and would help eliminate the slippery hazard.
That's too easy, the English designers are stupid! Actually, I have seen some in the past, there may be some actual reason.
I guess the iron studs on cross heres are even more slippery
I can only dream of one day being able to ride my motorcycle with this level of confidence. 👍
Thanks Gordon, constant practise over the past 40 years and I'm still learning, that's part of the fun. ☺
@@RoadcraftNottingham
Well your level of experience definitely shows on all your videos. I really enjoy your content as its the most concise and easy to understand stuff out there at the moment.
No Gordon, watching videos like this and using common sense will enable you to ride like this.
"To understand the road, first one has to BE the road"...Bruce Lee
"roads don't hit back... Oh hang on... They do!" 😂
I found your road positioning scary!
Being in 'Position 1' (over to the left) for right handers puts you too close to the hedge if you loose grip. Also the reverse being in 3 (nr the middle of the road) for left handers puts you close to oncoming traffic - in my opinion. lol.
In fact generally I dont like your road positioning at all, especially in the wet, and especially if one is going faster. - I tend to clip the corner apexes more - my reasoning is loosing grip in corners is a bigger concern than coming up on hazzards too quickly : pot holes, loose road surface, oil, drain covers, white lines, debris. I understand there is a trade off with line of sight.
02:55 yr already leaning in 'Position 1' for the right hander and going past a car park that could have put gravel on the road (you probably knew it was safe - but I would not have)....I'd prefer to be in '2', nearer the middle in case the grip started to fail.
I went over an unseen and flat dead fox (!) in 'position 3' on a left hand bend the other day ( avoiding a large puddle) and the back wheel stepped out and there I was in the middle of the road , where I don't like to be, trying to sort it out before a car came the other way!
On balance I prefer to clip the apexes more than you do as a trade off for less line of sight around the bends.
lol...
12:38 I would overtake the car doing 52 in a 60mph even if I had to do 65+mph - because it would give me a better view of the road and road surface ahead and not be stuck with an occluded view behind the car.Also going that slowly you might build up cars close behind for no good reason! My safety is my law - not always the Highway Code.. . lol. .my friend hit a step ladder following a car once! - too little time to react!...supposing you were getting unpleasantly squeesed between two lorries - unable to overtake without breaking the law (!), would you have turned off the road out of the way?
I will not compromise my safety just because of the Highway code -speed limits etc.
I'm 65 and ... was a motorcycle courier for 10 years...."Ohhhh...that's why!" haha.
Thanks for the feedback.
I understand your concerns but bear in mind I'm always reading the road surface and adjusting my speed and stopping distance accordingly. Like your fox example, my speed and road reading skills would have been such that I would never have ridden over it and that includes gravel. I always make sure I can stop in the distance I can see to be clear on my side of the road.
The overtake, yes, if this wasn't being uploaded I'd have done exactly the same thing as you but I won't do things like that on here like some other "educational videos" do as I don't consider many riders to be as experienced as I am to be able to read all of the conditions and that may lead to over confidence and them taking risks.
So in conclusion, positioning is for view provided that the road surface and oncoming traffic are safe.
"Safety, Stability, View" in that order.
Edit: To be honest, in this day and age with bad roads and extra traffic, I'd also argue that if you wanted to always stay in p2 as long as the road conditions are good, what's the harm?... But you wouldn't pass any advanced rider tests.
@@RoadcraftNottingham I disagree with Landed Zentry, being pos 1 gives you a clearer view round the bend, and possition 3- yes it does put you closer to on-coming traffic- but your are turning away from them rather than over-shooting and heading towards them !
@@RoadcraftNottingham Thank you - I was worried I was too agressive in my post-what do I know?
Right, indeed ...
Yes. Years ago a copper followed me and we later had a chat , I asked for his comments... he recommended I did Not take an advanced course - because I'd established a safe method of riding and maybe changing wouldnt do me any good.
Being 65years old - fitness is my main concern these days!
Hello I was just wondering when we'll you be doing a new video thank you
Just uploaded a new one. ☺
I did copied your old video about limit points and translated to portuguese a few years ago (linked your old video aswell) hope I saved a few people out here.
Great sensible video Russ... 6.15 often not covered in other yt riding vids , but really important holding postion till you see tarmac... I like that.
Thanks Graham
Looks like the bike is shaking you a bit around. Is that the roadsurface Or hard suspension? Or is it normal?
Which time code exactly?
@@RoadcraftNottingham for instance 9:00-9:20. But in almost every side view shot, it looks like you are getting shaken a bit
@@fruitafval yes, the camera is on a long stick that I'm sat on so the seat sponge mixed with the uneven road would have caused that effect. Well spotted.
Amazing video! When will you write your motorcycle riding technique book? You have almost 40 years knowledge, maybe could be good for you and for the readers! 👍🙏😃
Thanks, I just figured people would watch these instead
Poetry in motion
Awww, thankyou. ☺
I did my direct access with russ and his team a great Experience
Nice ride and good for beginers and i will say it good for us old ones to lol rsm
Cheers buddy. I tell my pupils to keep revisiting these uploads as the more experienced they become, the more they'll see in them.
At first I thought, oh thats a really good mic cant hear his engine and traffic noise, then I realised he's on the Zero
😂
Work? Work? Pull the other one
😂
"If I'm driving *leeeeeegally* " Well now, Russ, don't you *always* drive legally? :3 thanks for the vid chap, will check Leanna's channel too, cheers
What is your opinion of the bike? Shame the concept never took off....
It's a lovely bike albeit heavy. They were prohibitively expensive when they came out too. I did a review on it, have a search.
@@RoadcraftNottingham thanks. I'll try.
What is apexing a bend please ?
Google "apexing bend"
@@RoadcraftNottinghamoften one takes a late apex in lh/rh combination corners.
At first I thought, oh thats a really good mic cant hear his engine and traffic noise, then I realised he's on the Zero
😂 😂 😂