What have you learnt?

Was thinking about this this morning and thought it would make a useful thread.

What is the most important or useful tip you have learnt in motorcycling?

For me, it is to not focus on the edge of the road/circuit when cornering. Our eyes will always take us to that very spot and damn near run us off the road. I have adapted to fixing on a centre line.

 

I've learnt to ALWAYS expect car drivers to act like a dick! ...if they don't then that's a bonus.

 

I learnt not to hit cars head on, it hurts and t-cut won't fix your bike afterwards!

 

I would say there is still an element of target fixation if you're focusing on a centre line on the road......I've always been taught too look as far ahead as possible at the corners 'vanishing point' and using a hedge line or trees to determine if the road is going to open out or tighten up. This may be what you mean but wasn't sure about your use of the word 'centre line'

The best tip I've ever heard ......again related to cornering, is how a gentle nudge or push on the handle bar can help the bike tip into the corner with such ease, some people, especially if you're new to riding really struggle with steering/cornering the bike, myself included when I was new to riding.

Once I'd learnt this very simple technique, my riding changed and it inspired confidence

 

Yep, very valid point and tons easier than trying to 'manhandle' the bike into a lean.

 

Best track tips for me.

Don’t micro manage your riding (relax) it’s fun

Don’t get hung up on dragging you knee, when it comes it comes, use it as a tool not as a hindrance

Smoothness is the key

There is no trophy at the end of a track day, take it easy

 

So basically vanishing point and counter steering?

 

Things ive learnt about moped riders in London.

L platers have no regard for their own life and will attempt to cut you up at the first opportunity
T-Max riders will blind you with acid and/or mug you(also quite impressive off the lights)
Vespa riders have nice shoes and bright socks

 

Horse shit and trodden roadkill do not provide a decent road surface at lean

 

Same here but not limited to car drivers.
Treat everyone as I'd they are out to get you and to preempt what you can't see

 

I've only just learnt that despite adhering to practised road craft for the last 40 miles that if the twat in the chippy overfries my spam fritter it ends up resembling Katie Prices clunge

 

Never having experienced the treat, I'm just wondering whether I'd be licking, biting or chewing MY fritters.

 

Kin ell that’s a poor effort

 

I've learnt you will never learn enough to know everything. The very second you believe you have, hang up the helmet because you're going to kill yourself.

 

That looks absolutely atrocious.

 

Get the bike stood up, and the brakes on, is a useful skill round here

 

Yes - the CBT only delivery boys give precisely zero fucks about any kind of roadcraft or indeed even manners. There’s filtering, and then there’s that crazy shit.

That’s why insurance policies specifically exclude delivery riders!

 

Jeez, I occasionally 'fast filter' but generally stick to the same 'filter lane', but I try to keep my actions so they are predictable to other road users. Deliveroo and the like weave like mad men across all lanes, have zero etiquette and as you said give zero fucks.

Have had a few run ins with them and always won just on insults, once made one cry when I said he looked like Mr Beans ugly brother

 

I'm not as fast as I think

Rob

 

Rubber on the tarmac, shiny side up. Every time I get on my bike I become invisible to all other road users and last but not least, every day is a day in the classroom.