Ran into an old-timer the other day outside Blockbuster Video. Said he's been riding for 40+ years. I told him I am a newbie and proceeded to regale me with stories and advice. These are the pointers he gave me:

- never put both feet on the ground when stopped. Only one foot on the ground at all times.
- don't crawl to a stop. Ride to the stopping point, then when the bike is about to tip, put your foot down.
- learn how to fall. Learn the performance limits of your bike before Murphy hits.
- You can always tell an experienced rider by how he takes his turns.

Since talking with him a couple weeks ago I keep wondering what else I need to know about riding properly.

Can you guys fill me in?

Thanks,
Albany

 

If the road is wet be real careful about putting your foot down on a wet painted road strip/line. Your foot can shoot out from under you and you'll mess your whole day up. Don't ask me how I know.

Hack

 

I know a guy that brags about only putting 1 foot doen EVERYTIME he stops, WOWOWOWOW, that's cool, NOT - he also is in the ride and wreck scene course affiliation where you go real fast and skip on a plank of siding - to leran how his bike will fall. SMART!

Seriously, why would you only put one foot down, sometimes I can see. But when it's windy, no, or it's not comforatable always, not always pave condusive. Is this supposed to be a safety technique in case you need to get outta the eay real fast or what.

I have been riding for 35 yrs. and that is not something I would teach someone else. I know, with all the serious posting crap, maybe I should start a poll.

 

I rarely put both feet down....but then again, I brake to a complete stop with the rear......strange things happen when you use the front brake while moving slowly

 

Did he give any reason for not putting both feet down at a stop? I usually only put down one but sometimes 2, especially if I'm gonna be sitting for awhile, like waiting for a train.

Not sure what he means about don't crawl to a stop. He said to ride to the stop and then put your foot down. I agree with that though, it's not a good idea to put your foot down before you stop, hard on your boots too. I always ride till the bike is about to tip and then put my foot out, I can't think of any other way to stop on a motorcycle, so I don't get what he is saying.

Sounds like he may be one of those guys that has 1 year of experience 40 times.

Things I would reccommend:
Don't ride the grease strip, (the dark strip down the center of each traffic lane) grease and road debris collect there.

Pick the part of the lane where you are most visible to the cages that have the most chance of hitting you. These would be the ones most likely to change lanes into you or pull out in front of you.

Not sure about the learn how to fall thing either. Does he mean the practice of a controlled fall to keep from hitting something. If so, I don't agree with that either. Crashing to avoid a crash doesn't make any sense and you can stop faster and control where you are going better with 2 wheels on the ground than while sliding on your but.

If you are out and it starts to rain, especially if it hasn't rained in the area for awhile, get off the road for awhile. The first several minutes of a rain bring the oils and grease in the road to the surface and make the roads very slick. After a while the rain will wash most of that stuff off and riding will be safer.

Get the Ride Like a Pro DVD and watch it and practice.

I think those tips are more useful than his.

 

That will cost you a rolling stop violation now in California - BOTH FEET MUST BE ON THE GROUND when coming to a complete stop.... Been there done that been riding 35+ years...

 

Lord Albany
quote:"Ran into an old-timer the other day outside Blockbuster Video. Said he's been riding for 40+ years.://quote

Well, I guess it's official now.
Since I've been riding over 40 years also. I'm an old timer!! lol
I have heard rumors that at some point you become an old timer,
I just never thought it would happen to me.

So, can I start calling riders in their twentys, young whipper snappers? lol
I wouldn't dream of it!
chappy

 

I use the term "old-timer" endearingly and with utmost respect.

I am the paduwan. Old-timers are the Jedi Masters.

 

Take what people say at face value. If you have seen him ride and know his actual experience then take his advice. I have not been riding for 40 years yet but I try to do what is comfortable for me. I mostly put both feet down when I stop, because sometimes my bike may lean more in either direction depending on the road condition where I stopped. Do what feels good for you. I try to leave the bike in gear when at a redlight so that I might have a chance to get out of the way of a rear end collision.I like to just assume that a car will pull out in front of me when they are on a side street. I watch their wheels for movement indicating they mightpull out in front ofyou. I do not trust looking at their face because they still might notSEE you even though they are looking at you. You are on a M/C and most people did not learn to lookout for cars, trucksAND M/C's.

 

Lord Albony that avitar is KICK ***!!![sm=icon_rock.gif]hehehehe...