 Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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OP
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
When I was first lerning to ride my Velocette, Ed Kretz Jr (or maybe it was Sam Parriot, hard to remember that far back) said, "Don't think about falling. Always think about riding because you will end up doing what you are thinking about."
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 74
Member
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Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 74 |
Good post.
Best advice I can give is...
"Ride like you're invisible 'cause that's how you're treated. Those that can see you will try and kill you anyway."
2002 Bonneville America
1995 Speed Triple STC
1996 Speed Triple
1999 Daytona 1200 SE (2)
1998 Sprint Executive
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
That's along the lines of "Look where you want to go". I don't know why it works, but it definitely works. Try it sometime. There's a lot of manhole covers in the streets around here. Some of them are sunk a bit and will jar your teeth if you hit them. I use them for practise, and if I look at them long enough as I approach, I will hit them, no matter how hard I try not to. Same for making turns. If I look at the wrong line, I will follow it. Spooky! 
More flags
More fun!
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1 |
Things may not be as intuitive as they seem. Especially for new riders. After my close call at the Nor-East rally I've been concentrating on my braking and scanning ahead techniques. As a new rider it was my first experience with the rear brake locking. A real wakeup call to say the least. In situations where you have to react, a new rider like myself may fall back on reaction meant for a car. I stumped on the rear brake when I saw the other bikes stopping quickly in front of me like I would in a car. I locked them up and all most lost control of the bike instead of using more front and less rear my natural reaction after driving a car for many rears was to apply braking with my foot. Fortunately I realized what was happening and was able to release the brake and steer around everyone instead of sliding into them. However, releasing the brake is a dangerous situation because you can easily highside the bike and get flung off. The point of all this is that riding a bike requires different intuition that can only be gained with the proper practice and mind set. Now I make it a point on every ride to practice and concentrate on certain areas.
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
"Don't think about falling. Always think about riding because you will end up doing what you are thinking about."
I "try" to practice proper techniques regardless of speed. Sometimes it takes me a mile or two to get into the groove. A good example for me, would be last summer in Nelson. About four of us, including FriarJohn from here, with similar styles grouped together. After a few hours, I had confidence in what they were going to do and I suspect reciprocal. No close calls, plenty of aggressive corners, no cagers running us off the road, or us running them off the road. Well, I had one close call, but that was downshifting into a corner a moment toooo late and watching the outer bank approaching very quickly (target fixation). Like you said, I immediately thought about staying upright, and looked "through the corner". IMO these bikes are very forgiving, if you give them the opportunity. I do like to get my daily wits about me before going gonzo in the twisties.
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
Quote:
The point of all this is that riding a bike requires different intuition that can only be gained with the proper practice and mind set. Now I make it a point on every ride to practice and concentrate on certain areas.
Fishercat,
If I may add to your point I would say that new riders should ride within their comfort level and not try to keep up with experienced riders if they feel they are exceeding their own safety levels. One should stick to the pace one can handle, ignoring the challenge to "keep-up" sometimes.
I have been riding non-stop for 28 years (I probably skip 3-4 days a year due to extreme weather or ice) and yet, even though I consider myself a pretty fast rider, I still stick to the above rule, when riding with others (especially lunatics), they can wait.
We have a saying here that goes like this: "I go slow because I am in a hurry", meaning one gets there in one piece.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1 |
Bedouin,
I couldn't agree more. I was riding outside my comfort level most of the weekend. Not a good thing!! nearly cost me big time.
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Bedouin,
I couldn't agree more. I was riding outside my comfort level most of the weekend. Not a good thing!! nearly cost me big time.
Ron,
Oh how soon your comfort level will far exceed the meager pace we rolled that day! You are where I was three years ago. I'm still years behind where I want to be (and will always be) but rolling is how we get there. Glad you learned something back there! Was a pleasure riding with you.
re Greybeard's post, looking where you want to go is especially true when turning at low speed in a tight radii. Ifin ya look at the ground by your peg, down you will go. (or at least you’ll have to dab a bit)
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297 |
Quote:
Ron,
Oh how soon your comfort level will far exceed the meager pace we rolled that day! You are where I was three years ago. I'm still years behind where I want to be (and will always be) but rolling is how we get there. Glad you learned something back there! Was a pleasure riding with you.
re Greybeard's post, looking where you want to go is especially true when turning at low speed in a tight radii. Ifin ya look at the ground by your peg, down you will go. (or at least you’ll have to dab a bit)
Yeah, it is something. On the second day of the Georgia Rally '05, I was doing some things that I didn't know I could do. I still wasn't quite keeping up with the studs like Chy, Moe, Bonny, Dinq, Mike, and Backroads (and probably never will!), but I was getting along at a pretty good clip and was totally comfortable. On the first day, I was much stiffer going into the corners. Key is to look your way through the corner, countersteer, keep high RPMs, do your braking before you get to the corner, pick a good line, and trust it.
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 163
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 163 |
always remember, shiny side up, rubber side down
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Right of the yellow, left of the white. That works too!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,734 |
Practice SIPDE until it becomes an engrained habit. Scan - Look for potential hazards while you're riding. A good rule of thumb is 12 seconds in front of you, but also be aware of what's next to you, and behind you. Identify - mentally flag the potential hazards...Cars about to merge, potholes, pedestrians...anything that could cause a problem, and that includes cars approaching from behind. Predict - Is that pedestrian going to enter that crosswalk? Is that car going to pull out from the gas station into your lane? Predicting what might happen and being aware of a potential hazard is common safety sense. Decide - Decide what your course of action is going to be. Are you going to swerve left or right to avoid that pothole or patch of sand in the road? Execute - Complete your manuever to avoid the obstacle. Avoid target fixation, countersteer if it's necessary. Practicing SIPDE is much like the motto of "ride like you're invisible". Always be on the lookout for everybody trying to kill you, and have a plan of action ready. 
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,378
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,378 |
Quote:
"Ride like you're invisible 'cause that's how you're treated. Those that can see you will try and kill you anyway."
absolutly the # 1 IMO
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 163
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 163 |
i want to get a super loud horn on my bike ... i don't think the one on there people can even hear over their radios
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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OP
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
i want to get a super loud horn on my bike ... i don't think the one on there people can even hear over their radios
I had to change the horn after I put on the Epco pipes because it couldn't be heard anymore.  I have a replica claxon horn now. If you remove the rear peg hangers, it would be no problem at all to mount a compressor to the upper bolt hole and install airhorns.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 84
Member
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Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 84 |
I use to paraglide. One item we learned was "object fixation"... meaning what you stare at is what you'll hit. Doesn't matter if you're flying off a mountain or riding a bike it's a lesson that's best not learned first hand.
I believe that you should look where you want to go, don't focus on where your front wheel is, look out beyond it. In So Cal traffic it's also good to look out 4 cars or so.
My 2 cents, and I want the change.
Steve
bigsteve
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17 |
Wanted to Thank everyone on here who gave us Newbees advise Just got a 2003 Triumph Bonneville America with only 270 miles on it and will be using all your advice to use but first will be practicing my skills on the School Parking lot up north near Putnum in NY lol ****** its getting cold lol but want to get my skills ready for the spring
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Let us know when you are ready for the road. Plenty of us semi-local to you!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17 |
Sounds good to me I will check out your web site on msn and join  thanks for the invite just might ask you guys for some advice on the bike and where to get it serviced ..matter of fact lol any info will be helpful lol lol
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Feel free to PM me or drop me an e-mail with specifics.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999 |
spoke with a 70 year old gentleman yesterday who was riding a 2005 t-100. he was big on reading and practicing technique, but he said his favorite quote was 'advanced riders use advanced judgement to avoid using advanced techniques'. makes sense that proper judgement should preclude all other "actions".
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
my Dad always said"dont ever think you know more than that bike, because you never will, and if you think you do, she will show you real quick, you dont!!" also he said"stay in the middle" and by that he meant that if you stay close to the line, your in the guy in front of you's mirror and the guy commin at you knows your there and if something is going to happen at a stop light you have somewhere to move to. always look for the way out of a jam at intersections. white helmets stay seen, any other color disappears. my old man was pretty smart, funny i didnt realize that when i was a teen hahahahahahahaha
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 34
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 34 |
What Newt said. The way I first heard it was when on my first bike at 21--"Don't ever think you're getting good on a bike 'cause that's when it will show you different."
Be ready for another pre-learned response by your reflexes when a peg or footboard drags too. Ride your own pace.Be safe. Bob.
cell phone to left ear gets swift kick in the rear(reebock to buttock)
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 485
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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There are curves in Florida to practice on?
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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OP
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
I've seen a few on the way to Daytona, but most are intersections.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
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Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
Alright youse guys, this is not the Florida bashing thread. Dwight would start THAT one! and yes, there are curves here, they just don't go up and down, dang it! I asked for a pocket digital camera for Christmas so I can carry the sucker everywhere. I will post some pics of my favorite sweepers that we have down here. I believe you would be pleasantly surprised!
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
i want to get a super loud horn on my bike ... i don't think the one on there people can even hear over their radios
I want this horn.
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 999 |
Quote:
When I was first lerning to ride my Velocette, Ed Kretz Jr (or maybe it was Sam Parriot, hard to remember that far back) said, "Don't think about falling. Always think about riding because you will end up doing what you are thinking about."
I think for me this one does it
“There are drunk riders. There are old riders. There are NO old, drunk riders.â€Â
The invisible One 
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
FJ, I met a guy who has (what sounds like) that exact same horn mounted to the roof rack of his Jeep Liberty. That combimed with the 4 lights (that we call "deer jackin lights" in Vermont) make for a formidable presence on the road!
Edit: Watching a few more vids, found this one.
Last edited by bennybmn; 11/26/2005 10:24 AM.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 386
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 386 |
Looks like I'm a little late to this post, but here goes. The most important thing to remember is not to become complacent. Always be vigilant and even though you are comfortable with who you are riding with and their abilities, DON'T FOLLOW TOO CLOSE. I learned this lesson very much the hard way. I ride with my buddy Vito often. He is okay for a Sprint ST guy. He likes to go fast and I often end up riding much faster with him than I would by myself. Because I trust him, I sometimes follow him a little closer than I normally would. Are you starting to get the picture. We are coming up on an intersection that is the one BEFORE we were supposed to turn. I looked to the right to make sure no one was coming out of that intersection when Vito turned. I ended up hitting the side of him and lost control of the front wheel. Despite my best efforts, I went down. Some pretty nasty road rash on my knee, but the Joe Rocket jacket, padded gloves and the full face helmet took the worst of it.
I have done almost 15,000 incident free miles in the last 2 years on Speedy, but one momentary lapse of concentration is what got me. In retrospect it could have been worse. I will not replace the clutch lever housing which is scratched a little. That will be a good reminder.
Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should just get used to that fact and relax
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 999 |
Quote:
Quote:
i want to get a super loud horn on my bike ... i don't think the one on there people can even hear over their radios
I want this horn.
Yea this would do it
The invisible One
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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OP
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
The really sad thing about the stock horn is that, after I got the Epcos, I had to shut off the engine to see if it was working.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 371 Likes: 2
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 371 Likes: 2 |
IO was told to go to rider training session by one of my friends. I had been riding for years, knew everything etc etc etc. But I went and now I tell everyone to do it. New riders in Australia have to do a training course and I fully support it
A dog, a bike, a ute,
Now in the deep south.. Newcastle.
Cold winters, cold rain
Come on summer
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 999 |
bit of advice - when travelling pack spare keys!!
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Re: Best single bit of advice I ever heard
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Second that, I've placed an extra key in my other pocket for years, bike or pickup. What a quick way to ruin an otherwise fine day on the road. I don't wear suspenders AND a belt however 
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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