Quote: I've noticed we have members whose first bike is an America or a Speedmaster. I learned on a 3hp mini-bike so the idea of a 120mph 'learner' is a little shocking to me. Since the rest of us have a bazillion years experience combined, I thought a thread like would help turn newbies into oldbies. What's your best Save A$$ advice? I have three:
1.Practice,practice,practice- And I don't mean slow and gentle either! An emergency situation is not the place to discover the limits of performance. Go to a mall parking lot (when it's closed) and find out how hard you can brake before the wheel locks up. Find out how hard you can accelerate from a dead stop. Try it in the rain too. You don't have to go crazy, but you need to find this stuff out.
2.Let the cagers know you're watching them- It's amazing the effect turning your head and staring at the guy waiting to make a left in front of you has. Also turning around and looking at the car pulling up behind you at a stoplight. Like a little kid who realizes daddy's watching, they behave a little better.
3.Keep one eye on the mirror while braking. Braking a little harder and a little later also reduces your chance of being rear-ended.
I'm one of those running before walking types, I'm afraid. And these tips are fantastic, all of them, thanks to all of you. One problem in the UK (tis where I am) is that it's almost impossible to find empty parking lots that aren't gated off after-hours. (I think it might be a liability issue.) You don't know how lucky you 'mericans are with your vast parking lots and wide roads! It's going to be my first bike-travel destination!
