Showing Tag: "skills" (Show all posts)

Building motorcycle skills

Posted by Mike James on Friday, March 8, 2019, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

To be competent in any endeavor requires the development of specific skills, and motorcycle riding is no different. Of course, a lot of the skills needed for competent motorcycle riding can simply be obtained through conscientious practice. However, the skills needed to become proficient in motorcycle racing may require professional help. There are a number of areas that a motorcycle rider should develop skill whether they are doing it on their own or with a trainer.

Crucial motorcycle skills ...

Group motorbike riding

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, January 12, 2018, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

While group motorbike ride-outs can be a fun leisure activity, safety should always be the rider’s first priority.

Passing

Before passing a vehicle, ensure there is ample space and visibility. Keep an eye out for debris in the road, excessive wind, and other vehicles’ mirrors to avoid hitting them. Motorcyclists should always pass in the centre of the lane to avoid other vehicles’ blind spots.

Appoint a Road Captain

This person should direct the group of bikers and organise the trip. They ...

Braking on a motorcycle

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, December 9, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Many of us start riding bicycles as youngsters and are either taught, or quickly learn that heavy use of the front brakes can either result in the front wheel skidding out of control, or grip so harshly that you end up being tossed over the handlebars. From this often stems a fear around the use of the front brakes on a bicycle, which will often naturally follow through to motorcycle braking.

Before I get into braking techniques, the most important aspect of a motorcyclists dependency on the b...

How to corner at speed on a motorbike

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, December 8, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Get an idea about the nature of the corner

While riding the motorcycle, it is better to look to the far in front and if any corner seems to be ahead, the bike rider should try to guess that type of that corner. If there is any signboard, it should be read carefully and even if there is none, it is better to have a view of the corner, as far as possible. If the corner is not clearly visible from a distance, the rider will just see that the road seems to vanish at a distance. If the outer and i...

Riding your motorcycle in the rain

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Unfortunately, rain is unavoidable and while you’ll probably never relish the opportunity to go out on your bike when it’s hammering down, it’s not something you should be scared of.

And if you are fearful of it, it’s something that you should really work on because, as we mentioned, you’re going to have to do it at some point – that’s one of the downsides of riding a motorbike in the UK. The good news is that it’s not difficult; in fact it’s not even that different from ridi...

Riding your motorcycle downhill

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Here are a few safety tips to help you stay in control of your motorcycle while riding downhill.

Distribute your weight

As you approach the top of the hill, slide back on the seat to place more of your weight at the back of the bike. This will help you maintain balance and lessen the weight on the handlebars, which will improve your steering. Reduce your speed. Just as when you are riding in a car, the force of gravity will increase your speed on the back end of a slope, meaning you won’t nee...

Dealing with road rage

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, September 30, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

We’ve all seen videos and heard stories from riders about a road-rage incident that ended up in the rider’s favour, with the wayward car driver getting well-deserved karma in some nasty form. But the reality is that those outcomes are by far the exception rather than the rule. Any road-rage incident you get into on your motorcycle against another vehicle is much more likely to turn out not in your favour. Here I have some common-sense techniques to help you reduce the chances of getting i...

Riding your motorcycle in a group

Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, September 29, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding with a group of friends gives you a chance to explore new routes, gain experience and make new friends. Before you head out on the road there are a few things you should think about to make sure your trip is as enjoyable and safe as possible.

Organising the group

It’s unlikely that everyone in your group will have the same level of experience and ability. Danger tends to arise when less experienced riders feel they have to ride faster or above their ability to keep up with the group, s...

Starting your motorcycle uphill

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Stopping on an uphill slope and then getting going again can be tricky, particularly for riders with insufficient inseam length to make solid contact with the ground. Here are some tips to help you handle these situations.

Evaluate your options

When you see that you must stop on a hill, identify an approach that is clear of significant debris or surface contamination that may cause your foot or tires to slip. Avoid vehicle drippings, sand, gravel and slick surfaces. You also want to stop so yo...

Off-road motorbike riding

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

A key skill every Adventure Rider should acquire is the ability to ride confidently off-road. Large Adventure Motorcycles can be difficult to manage in the dirt because of their weight and bulk. You can get away with a lack of dirt riding skills on small dirt bikes, but an Adventure Bike can hurt you if you don’t know what you are doing.

Often times, riders try to learn on their own with only a few dirt riding tips from a friend. This kind of trial and error approach can cause a lot of anxie...

Riding your motorbike at night

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding your motorcycle at night is completely different than riding it during the day. Some motorcyclists enjoy the isolation of riding at night. Others hate it for the loss of visibility and vision, and will avoid it at all costs. Sooner or later, you’re bound to find yourself on your bike during the night time, so its important to know what unique hazards you must deal with when the sun goes down.

Riding a motorcycle after dark can be an great experience for some. You can focus on the ride...

Riding your motorcycle in large cities

Posted by Howard Trott on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Checking your skills are ready for city roads

The good news is BikeSafe holds regular rider skills days in some UK cities for motorbikes above 125cc which will give you an assessment on your current abilities and provide advice to help make your riding safer and more enjoyable.

To help new riders of smaller engined motorbikes, BikeSafe also runs ScooterSafe courses, especially aimed at moped and scooter riders.

Make sure your bike matches your needs and your ability

Motorbikes vary in design and ...

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part three)

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, July 1, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

When you put your feet down at a stop, you want to be sure that whatever shoes you're wearing will grip the road securely, not slip and slide and make you feel like you're going to drop the bike. That's another reason why we recommend motorcycle-specific boots, but any good non-slip shoe is better than a slippery-bottomed (but sick-looking) trainer. Before you get mad, keep in mind that not all shoes have equal grip on all surfaces. Some shoes might be perfect for a polished wood gym floor, b...

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part two)

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, July 1, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Motorcycles are powered one of three ways: chain-driven, belt-driven, or shaft-driven. Shaft- and belt-driven bikes require less frequent maintenance than chain-driven ones. Most cruisers are belt-driven, while most sport bikes are chain-driven. BMW isn't the only company that makes shaft-driven bikes, but they're the most common bikes on which you'll find the system.

Why does this matter? When you're riding a bike, that chain or belt or shaft is what keeps your bike moving. There isn't a lot ...

Motorcycle Safety

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Whether it's a quick trip to the corner shop for a few things, or a two-week touring trip with friends, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure your motorcycle riding is safe and enjoyable.

It would be nice if the road was always smooth, and without bumps, but those bumps, potholes, breakdowns, lost riding moments and more are out there. The best way to avoid trouble from these instances is to be prepared. You can also improve your own safety, as well as that of your passengers and mot...

Motorcycle training Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire.

Posted by Howard Trott on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

All of us at Spartan Motorcycle Couriers are advanced motorcycle riders. We are qualified motorcycle trainers, so in the near future will be running CBT ( Compulsory Basic Training ) courses, DAS ( Direct Access Scheme ) courses, and a post test training course to sharpen and enhance your riding skills.

Our experience and knowledge is second to none and along with fantastic tuition, you can pass your motorcycle tests with sustainable life skills, greater safety and genuine road-craft. We will...
Continue reading ...

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part three )

Posted by Howard Trott on Sunday, November 27, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Riding on wet roads

Wet roads reduce tyre grip. Give yourself plenty of time and room for slowing down and stopping. Keep well back from other vehicles. On a wet road, you should allow at least double the braking distance for a dry road.

After a spell of dry weather, rain on the road can make the surface even more slippery. Take extra care, especially when cornering. Be aware that different road surfaces might affect the grip of your tyres.

Brakes

As well as reducing tyre grip water can also redu...
Continue reading ...

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part two )

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, November 19, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

Keep your battery in good condition. In cold weather an electric starter places big demands on the battery.

Lights

Always keep your lights and indicators clean and check for faulty bulbs. Dirty lights can seriously reduce - how far you can see - how well other people can see you and your signals.

Weather and vision

The biggest single danger to any rider is being unable to see properly. You won't be able to make the right decisions if you can't see the road clearly.

Rain

Heavy rain on your visor or ...
Continue reading ...

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part one )

Posted by Howard Trott on Monday, October 24, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

The weather in the British Isles is varied and uncertain. You can expect to encounter virtually all weather conditions at some time. The weather presents particular hazards for the motorcyclist.

You need to think about how you're going to - protect yourself from the elements - adapt your riding to suit the conditions.

Your motorcycle

Whatever the weather, make sure your motorcycle is in good condition and regularly checked and serviced. Contending with the elements can be difficult but having to...
Continue reading ...

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part six )

Posted by Howard Trott on Saturday, October 22, 2016, In : Motorcycle Riding Skills

To rejoin the motorway

Don't pull straight out onto the carriageway. Use the hard shoulder as an acceleration lane to build up speed before joining the left-hand lane when there's a gap.

Roadworks

Accidents can often happen at roadworks when drivers fail to observe simple rules of safety. So - reduce speed in good time when warned by the advance warning signs or flashing signals - Get into the lane indicated for use by your motorcycle in good time - Obey all speed limits - Keep the correct separ...
Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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 ...
Continue reading ...

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,...
Continue reading ...

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...
Continue reading ...

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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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...
Continue reading ...

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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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,...
Continue reading ...

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Showing Tag: "skills" (Show all posts)

Building motorcycle skills

Group motorbike riding

Braking on a motorcycle

How to corner at speed on a motorbike

Riding your motorcycle in the rain

Riding your motorcycle downhill

Dealing with road rage

Riding your motorcycle in a group

Starting your motorcycle uphill

Off-road motorbike riding

Riding your motorbike at night

Riding your motorcycle in large cities

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part three)

Tips for first-time motorcycle riders (part two)

Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle training Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire.

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part three )

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part two )

Riding your motorcycle in bad weather ( part one )

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part six )

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part five )

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part four )

Riding a motorcycle on motorways (part three)

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part two )

Riding a motorcycle on motorways ( part one )

Defensive motorcycle riding ( part three )

Defensive motorcycle riding ( part two )

Defensive motorcycle riding ( part one )

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