Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part five )

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, September 11, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

End of motorway

There will be end of motorway signs at all exits. These mean that the road you're joining will have different rules. Remember to watch for any signs telling you what these are, particularly - speed limits - dual carriageway - two-way traffic - clearway - motorway link road - part-time traffic lights.

Speed when leaving motorway

After riding at motorway speeds for some time, your judgement of speed will almost certainly be affected, 40 or 45 mph seems more like 20 mph - adjust yo...
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Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part four )

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Overtaking

Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle you intend to overtake. Use the appropriate parts of the OSM/PSL routine. For example: Observation - Check behind you to verify the speed, course and position of the following traffic. Position - Position yourself so that you can see well past the vehicle in front. Speed - Make sure you're going fast enough or can accelerate quickly enough to overtake without blocking any vehicle coming up behind you. Look - Look ahead and behind to ...
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Tom Tom Rider Motorcycle Sat Nav

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, August 21, 2016 In : Motorcycle Accessories

Choosing a motorcycle sat nav can be daunting due to the amount on the market. Don't rush into buying the first sat nav you come across, shop around and find the one that best suits your needs. For instance, if you want one for cross country riding, choose a hard wearing motorcycle sat nav which can take a lot of vibration, that has a good handlebar mounting and a good size, highly visible screen.

Tom Tom Rider 2nd Edition

I've used a Tom Tom Rider 2nd Edition for years and is great for motorcy...
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Riding a motorcycle on motorways (part three)

Posted by Howard Trott on Thursday, August 18, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

On the motorway

Continually reassess the movement of the vehicles - directly ahead (in the near and far distance) - alongside you - behind you. At high speeds, situations change rapidly. Effective observation helps you prepare for any sudden developments.

For example, an increase in the number of vehicles ahead could mean that traffic is slowing down and bunching, or a flashing breakdown light will warn you to slow down until you're sure of what's happening. If you see serious congestion ahead,...
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Same day motorcycle courier delivery of jewellery

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, August 6, 2016 In : Security Motorcycle Courier

Had a call from a lady who needed a jewellery box containing valuable pieces of jewellery picking up from Cardiff then delivery to Bolton. The lady informed me that the items had been in the family for a long time and rather valuable. A relative had died and left her the items, she had no transport and needed them picking up and delivering to her. She didn't trust a normal courier and with us also running a security firm Spartan 24 Hour Security she knew the items would be in safe hands.

She w...
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Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part two )

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Speed limit signs

Signs which display a speed limit within a red ring indicate mandatory maximum speed limits. You must obey these signs, if you don't you risk prosecution. Black and white rectangular signs recommend maximum speed limits which you should observe.

Signals

Signals will warn of dangers ahead, such as - accidents - fog - icy roads.

Flashing amber lights

Look out for flashing amber lights and signs, either on the central reservation or overhead. These warn you of - lane closures - road...
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Short history of motorcycle couriers

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 In : Motorcycle Couriers

A motorcycle courier, also known as motorcycle messengers, or dispatch riders are couriers using a motorcycle or scooter to deliver consignments such as documents and small parcels. Motorcycle couriers are common in the major urban centres of Europe, South America, Asia and America.

At the end of the first world war in 1918, many British Army motorcycle dispatch riders of the Royal Corps of Signals were demobbed and found gaining employment difficult. As a result, they purchased military surpl...
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Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part one )

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

You must make sure your motorcycle is safe and in good working order. Motorways must not be used by - pedestrians - cyclists - horse riders - holders of provisional car and motorcycle licences.

In addition the following vehicles must not be used on a motorway - motorcycles under 50cc - certain slow moving vehicles with oversized loads, except with special permission - most invalid carriages - agricultural vehicles. Due to the demanding nature of motorways, make sure that - you have a thorough ...
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Same day motorcycle courier delivery of antique automation

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 In : Motorcycle Couriers

Had a call from a gentleman who needed an antique automation picking up from a dealer in Manchester and delivering to Northampton. Was informed the automation was an early 1900's Puss In Boots Cat and rather valuable. It was already well packed so all I had to do was transport it safely and quickly. The gentleman was in a hurry to get it but couldn't pick it up himself.

I got on my green automation and headed for Manchester. The traffic was congested but managed to weave my way through it. I d...
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Defensive motorcycle riding ( part three )

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, June 17, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Lighting conditions

In the dark, seeing hazards is more difficult. The clues are there, but you have to pick them out. Look for illuminated road signs, reflectors between white lines, the glow of vehicle headlights on buildings, trees and hedges indicating bends and junctions.

In the dark, it can be difficult to judge distances and speed from headlights, headlights on vehicles make it difficult to see pedestrians, cyclists and any vehicle with dim lights. Don't let shop and advertising lights d...
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Same day motorcycle courier delivery of documents

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, May 28, 2016 In : Motorcycle Couriers

A company in Warrington needed important documentation delivered to their main office in Glasgow. The documents needed to be delivered by 2pm. One of the company directors was flying overseas and didn't receive all the documents needed for the trip. The lady who called me sounded distraught, and by what she was telling me was the one who made the mistake, and had been told in no uncertain terms to sort it out.

Time to put on my Batman outfit, crank up the Batmobile and save the world. In my d...
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Defensive motorcycle riding ( part two )

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Approaching green traffic lights

Ask yourself - how long have they been on green ? - are there many vehicles already waiting at either side of the junction ? ( if there's a queue, the lights are probably about to change ) - do I have time to stop ? - can the vehicle behind me stop ? - if it's a large goods vehicle, it might need a greater distance to pull up.

Don't

Try to beat the traffic signals by accelerating or leave it until the last moment to brake - harsh braking causes skids.

Remember

Anot...
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Overnight motorcycle courier delivery of custom made electronic car parts

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, May 2, 2016 In : Motorcycle Couriers

A garage in London wanted custom car parts picking up from Manchester and taking to their workshop in London. The customer told me over the phone that it was an emergency and I could tell by his voice he was panicking. They were working on a custom car for a client and had been sent the wrong parts. The car needed to be finished by the following morning so time was running out. He had ordered the correct parts and needed them delivered in a matter of hours. I enjoy a challenge so assured him ...
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Defensive motorcycle riding ( part one )

Posted by Howard Trott on Thursday, April 28, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Defensive motorcycle riding is based on effective observation, good anticipation and control. It's about always questioning the actions of other road users and being prepared for the unexpected, so as not to be taken by surprise. Defensive motorcycle riding involves - awareness - planning - anticipating - staying in control and riding with - responsibility - care - consideration and courtesy. It means putting safety above all else. It's about having real concern, not only for your own safety,...
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Same day courier delivery of documents and computer discs

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, April 16, 2016 In : Motorcycle Couriers

Had a call from a company in Warrington who needed documents delivering to one of their branches in Bristol. I was told it was a few files and a sealed tray of computer discs. Looked out of my window and it was pouring with rain. Being a motorcycle courier you have to deliver consignments in all weathers, if you wear the right motorcycle riding gear bad weather is not a problem. Wearing motorcycle leathers in pouring rain is not advisable, the leather retains the water which makes the leather...

Learning to ride a motorcycle in the UK

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

The CBT Course (Compulsory Basic Training)

CBT is arranged so that you progress through a series of elements. You will only move onto the next element when your trainer is satisfied you have learn't the necessary theory, and demonstrated the practical skills to a safe basic level.

What are the elements ?

Element A - Introduction to CBT
Element B - Practical on-site training
Element C - Practical on-site riding
Element D - Practical on-road training
Element E - Practical on-road riding.

Within each el...
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