Originally Posted by Nomadmax

Give it a try. Set out a couple of cones 60 feet apart. Approach at 30mph without covering the clutch or either brake. Use the first cone as your cue to brake and do so while your head and eyes are straight ahead and the second orange cone at the 60' mark in the bottom of your cone of vision. Measure the distance from the cone to the front tire.

Repeat the exercise but at the moment you brake look down at a spot short of the cone at the 60' mark (head up, eyes looking down with the central cone of vision focused on the spot). In just about every case you will find stopping distances to be shorter. A bonus is that with your central vision focused in front, you can clearly see any oil, gravel, debris, stutter bumps (that could engauge ABS) or anything else that might compromise maximum braking that could otherwise be steered (slightly) around. You can still see the cone but you are not focused on it, much like you would want to do if you were trying not to rear end a car. I think we agree that you don't want to look at the car (or whatever else you don't want to hit).

When I started this thread I knew a couple things. I knew there are some skilled riders here because you can sometimes tell by what people type. I also knew that we wouldn't all agree as to what constitutes skilled riding but that's ok because I don't know what I don't know. ANY discourse between like minded riders who strive to totally master the connection between man and machine is great in my opinion; whether we agree or not;-)

Originally Posted by zeus33

When you ride with dope smokers never follow them. They tend to forget things like doing up their helmet strap. When they realize it they might stand on both brakes and make an emergency stop in the middle of the highway to do it up. If you're not watching you'll rear end them, they don't check their mirrors, too stoopid. I know this, I was unfortunate enough to ride with a doper in the past. Best advice is to ride straight, and avoid the dopers and drinkers.

Originally Posted by skully1200

Good advice, but you've got it backwards. Don't want to confuse anyone. When swerving, avoiding, evading, etc. remember push right, go right. Push left, go left.

Originally Posted by Xube

Was I speeding, Occifer? Oh, 10 mph? Really, Dude?

Originally Posted by SixSpeed

Don't lock your elbows (depends on your bars as to whether it's even possible or not). If you hit a bump the shock can move your body and cause you to swerve unintentionally.