Another couple of tips to go along with some of these (otherwise, you have a good set of tips for people to learn from). When checking alleys and parking lots for cars, use your eyes instead of turning your head. Your eyes can move faster than your neck can turn. This also helps prevent you from swaying in the direction you're looking because (for some reason) your body wants to follow where you're looking with your head. Happens in cars too. Along with checking for cars, if you see one waiting to get onto a road, watch their wheels, you'll see the wheels turn before you see the car moving. If you're slowing down for a red light (or any other stop) and you're engine braking, you still want to hit you brake light so people know that you're slowing down. You should be using your brakes in tandem with your engine anyway, but I've seen a few of you refusing to do it... Lane position is important. Always be on the left or right of whatever lane you're in, never the center. A few reasons include: Oil and drippings from cars can cause slides. You can get out of trouble if you're further to the side of cars in front of you instead of directly behind them (at least that's how I understand it, that might not be a thing). It's easier to see what's behind you in your mirrors when you're not blocking the view. And above all, it doesn't matter if a car driver is being an asshole, you will NOT win against a car. Much like a car against a semi, don't take the chance. You have every right to your portion of the road, but they're bigger and heavier than you (there's actually a law for boats, the bigger boat has the right of way).
Hey! I just wanted to say, I have a Moto Morini, which is a European Bike, and ALL European Bikes have something called a "Passing Flasher".. Its basically a brights button that you push to indicate that you're passing. I use it EVERYTIME I see someone turning left, I flash them 2 or 3 times. Cars definitely see you before turning left into your lane! IMO they should be on ALL bikes... Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this. I see many modern bikes in the US have this feature as well. Just be aware of flashing your brights, because sometimes other motorists might interpret this as you're giving them the right of way and turn in front of you as a result. Ride safe!
@InstructorCory You know, I am a bit worried about that, but I figure at the very least they see me and have to make a conscious decision as opposed to blindly pulling out in front of me. Thanks!
I feel like you still treat yourself like a car IF you can relatively safely. Like the SUV in the parking lot in the beginning. Helmet was still forward but the bike stayed true.
Point your nose where you want to go, keep your eyes moving, use your peripheral vision to gain information and have good situational awareness of the world around you
Yes absolutely! Try scootching yourself up in the seat, closer to the gas tank, lean your chest forward a little, get some bend in your elbows and forearms parallel to the ground. Keep you arms nice and relaxed and little to no weight on your hands and bars. This should allow you much easier control and more finesse on the throttle and clutch as you're doing slow speed maneuvers. Let me know if it helps!
Do the best you can. If there's minimal space to the right or left, you can gain more time/options by increasing your space cushion/following distance ahead of you.
Great refresher, and that's a sweet graphic on the tank.
Thanks for watching
Another couple of tips to go along with some of these (otherwise, you have a good set of tips for people to learn from).
When checking alleys and parking lots for cars, use your eyes instead of turning your head. Your eyes can move faster than your neck can turn. This also helps prevent you from swaying in the direction you're looking because (for some reason) your body wants to follow where you're looking with your head. Happens in cars too.
Along with checking for cars, if you see one waiting to get onto a road, watch their wheels, you'll see the wheels turn before you see the car moving.
If you're slowing down for a red light (or any other stop) and you're engine braking, you still want to hit you brake light so people know that you're slowing down. You should be using your brakes in tandem with your engine anyway, but I've seen a few of you refusing to do it...
Lane position is important. Always be on the left or right of whatever lane you're in, never the center. A few reasons include:
Oil and drippings from cars can cause slides.
You can get out of trouble if you're further to the side of cars in front of you instead of directly behind them (at least that's how I understand it, that might not be a thing).
It's easier to see what's behind you in your mirrors when you're not blocking the view.
And above all, it doesn't matter if a car driver is being an asshole, you will NOT win against a car. Much like a car against a semi, don't take the chance. You have every right to your portion of the road, but they're bigger and heavier than you (there's actually a law for boats, the bigger boat has the right of way).
Thanks for sharing
Hey! I just wanted to say, I have a Moto Morini, which is a European Bike, and ALL European Bikes have something called a "Passing Flasher".. Its basically a brights button that you push to indicate that you're passing. I use it EVERYTIME I see someone turning left, I flash them 2 or 3 times. Cars definitely see you before turning left into your lane! IMO they should be on ALL bikes... Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this. I see many modern bikes in the US have this feature as well. Just be aware of flashing your brights, because sometimes other motorists might interpret this as you're giving them the right of way and turn in front of you as a result. Ride safe!
@InstructorCory You know, I am a bit worried about that, but I figure at the very least they see me and have to make a conscious decision as opposed to blindly pulling out in front of me. Thanks!
I feel like you still treat yourself like a car IF you can relatively safely. Like the SUV in the parking lot in the beginning. Helmet was still forward but the bike stayed true.
Point your nose where you want to go, keep your eyes moving, use your peripheral vision to gain information and have good situational awareness of the world around you
Any tips for throttle control? struggling with constantly rolling the throttle on and off at slow speeds
Yes absolutely! Try scootching yourself up in the seat, closer to the gas tank, lean your chest forward a little, get some bend in your elbows and forearms parallel to the ground. Keep you arms nice and relaxed and little to no weight on your hands and bars. This should allow you much easier control and more finesse on the throttle and clutch as you're doing slow speed maneuvers. Let me know if it helps!
I do try to stop off to one side of my lane when in que but the UK roads are too narrow to do it at times.
Do the best you can. If there's minimal space to the right or left, you can gain more time/options by increasing your space cushion/following distance ahead of you.
Thanks Cory🏍️👍
No problem 👍
Beginner tips and you're babbling about food...
Thanks for watching