View Full Version : 101 things I wish I'd known before I started riding...
the_lone_wolf
17-02-07, 10:35 PM
It started several years ago, i saw/heard an SV650, yellow curvey iirc, and then and there decided one day i was going to have one. at the time i was a student who already had a car so couldn't afford it, plus my parents hit the roof and told me i would kill myself
step forward 6 years or so, been on the road pretty much since i turned seventeen, the fact that on my birthday instead of a shindig i had a driving lesson shows how much i love all things internal combustion (or how sad i am perhaps?). now after almost 6 incident free years behind the wheel i've got a decent job and have the cash to get my bike license and get going on two wheels. what's more, my parents were right (as ever) - if i'd have got a bike years ago i would have crashed and burned within minutes:smt120
the thing is, i'm a bit green when it comes to motorcycles, not having any family members to coach me from a young age, i know how everything works but haven't had any real experience, so want to know what is says in the title of the thread, if you could do it over what would you most like to know before you got involved?
oh, and hi btw:cool: outside the interweb i'm just mark (the same mark who kitesurfs if anyone was wondering;))
The Basket
17-02-07, 10:45 PM
Buy the best kit you can afford from the cheapest place you can find.
Hein Gericke are good and cheapish.
Suzukis and neglect don't mix.
Never buy Italian:p
Back Protector...always always wear....
Biker Biggles
17-02-07, 10:46 PM
If you crash a car it tends to cost money,but on a bike you get hurt.You need a slightly different mindset to allow for this.Assume everything on the road is there to kill you.
northwind
17-02-07, 11:29 PM
If you're going to wear protecetive gear, get hip armour. More exposed than your shoulders and more useful in day to day life :) I was wearing all my armoured textiles when I fractured my hip- no hip armour or pockets for same. I'd have bounced otherwise :)
If you're going to wear protecetive gear, get hip armour. More exposed than your shoulders and more useful in day to day life :) I was wearing all my armoured textiles when I fractured my hip- no hip armour or pockets for same. I'd have bounced otherwise :)
And do you want to enlighten us how you did that then??? Well you have said before but its still funny.
The main thing probably is never ride the motorcycle without leathers on (or the very least textile motorcycle gear). See Bigape's 'always wear your leathers' thread in the photo section.
As BB said you're very vunerable on a motorcycle. Take things easy at first.
Oh, you never stop learning. ;)
Remember to always, always, have fun.
northwind
17-02-07, 11:47 PM
And do you want to enlighten us how you did that then??? Well you have said before but its still funny.
It turns out to be a wee bit more complicated than first thought :) But since TSM asks, I slipped on a patch of ice in my driveway, on my way to the garage. So don't do that.
Remember to always, always, have fun.
I could not have put it better myself, but wear decent protective kit just in case of an unforseen moment.
squirrel_hunter
17-02-07, 11:48 PM
Crashing is expensive.
Crashing is expensive.
Realy..:eek:.. Darn if i had known that i would not have crashed my bike so often.
the_lone_wolf
17-02-07, 11:53 PM
thanks for all the tips guys, having taken part in a few lairy sports in my short time i appreciate the value of decent protective gear, and certainly won't be taking any chances where i might be meeting asphalt at a rate of knots:)
squirrel_hunter
17-02-07, 11:58 PM
Realy..:eek:.. Darn if i had known that i would not have crashed my bike so often.
What I meant was if I knew how much it would have cost I would have slowed down, or bought a set of tool alot sooner than I did ;)
Itching 2 go
18-02-07, 09:30 AM
and one day soon TSM will add something usefull to this thread:smt019
1. Always wear the best protective gear you can afford and never ride in jeans and trainers!
2. Always have fun when you ride!
3. Craching is expensive, dont crach!
4. Buy a small but decent collection of tools as you will no doubt need them for either crash repair or modifications!
5. When riding stay out of the curb! its more dangerous there than on the other side of the road;)
6. Use the whole road, if it has tarmac it can be riden on to your advantage.
7. Don't disregard road markings, but use them in your favour!
8. When filtering and you see a gap apperaing in stationary traffic, it might be someone letting someone out of a concealed entrance. take a look before taking the gap!
9. Not everyone is out to get you, but they do seem to be so just be careful when playing with other road users.
10. Try not to get road rage, someone cuts you up?:smt097 who cares, wait for a second and you'll just glide past them in triumph!!!
11. Be gentle and sensative with the controls, treat the bike like a sexy lady:smt060 caress the throttle as if it were 'her' go faster and noise nob and squeeze the brakes as if they were her boobies. That way you wont lock up on the brakes or spit your self off due to excessive throttle. un less of corse your a muppet in the bedroom;)
12. Don't be afraid to ask for help or tips on riding, just make sure you ask the right people and not some hotshot rookie who thinks he's the next rossi!!!
13.
14.
15.
.....
101. HAVE FUN!
There are so many tips and trinkets that everyone has that you can't possibly remember them all, nor are all of them valid. Some times you have to sift the bull crap from the truth, but eventually you will find some decent advise.
Just enjoy riding and don't become a hooligan too soon, wait till you can control the bike first:)
Biker Biggles
18-02-07, 09:32 AM
If I'd known in advance how much things were going to cost,I'd have bought them on Ebay in advance when they were cheaper.I would also have got the lottery numbers.;)
Alpinestarhero
18-02-07, 09:34 AM
Buy a decent helmet. It goes without saying that you should get an approved one, but spending a bit more on a quality helmet means you get comfort and quietness thrown in too..
Matt
Alpinestarhero
18-02-07, 09:37 AM
8. When filtering and you see a gap apperaing in stationary traffic, it might be someone letting someone out of a concealed entrance. take a look before taking the gap!
I'd like to add; when filtering at first, dont feel pressured to go faster when there is a seemingly more confident motorcyclist behind you, and dont be encouraged to keep up with those who are in front.
Also, look out for places to pull over and stop ahead, just incase a big lorry comes along or you just want a rest. Better to stop a few times and make it alive, than try and rush through and wind up in hospital...
Matt
Warthog
18-02-07, 10:18 AM
Couple of things I noticed are:
1: If I am 50/50 about the safety of an overtake, just don't bother, you'll overtake them at a better and safer oppertunity, and I have NEVER regretted not overtaking.
2: Everytime I feel myself doing something slightly too dangerous, I give myself a good mental wrist-slapping, and ride calmer so that I can ride again another day.
3: I always have an escape route in mind. Example: coming up in middle lane to a car following a lorry in the slow lane. It isn't indicating, but I just know that sometimes cars pull out to overtake lorries. I therefore am checking my right mirror for any cars in the fast lane without even having the intention of changing lanes. It's just to know that if he does suddenly pull out, I already know what evasive manouvre I can do.
Have fun!
fizzwheel
18-02-07, 10:45 AM
Look where you want to go, not at what you are about to crash into.
Stuff like checking tyre pressures and chain tension are called "Daily Checks" for a good reason.
Grabbing a handful of front brake when you've gone into a corner to fast is the quickest way to require a change of underpants.
Always expect the unexpected.
Sid Squid
18-02-07, 10:47 AM
Don't be paranoid, enjoy biking the way you want to.
arenalife
18-02-07, 12:06 PM
Remember you're controlling the bike, not the other way round. It's not like a car where you can sit and go with the flow, you've got to be on top of it all the time.
northwind
18-02-07, 02:16 PM
REMEMBER TO TAKE OFF YOUR DISC BRAKE LOCK! PS, bent Galfer rear disc for sale :)
And also (never done this myself) but if you're riding in shoes or boots with laces, make sure they're tucked in and can't get caught around, for example, the footpegs- makes it a mite difficult to put your foot down.
When you buy your first bike take your total budget, get the best protective gear you can afford (not always the most expensive - do some research - people here can help you a lot) and buy your bike out of the change, not the other way around.
I've known people ride brand new R1's and complain they don't have the cash for leathers / gloves / boots.
Treat the bike with respect and enjoy.
wyrdness
18-02-07, 03:41 PM
Fit decent tyres. I've had a number of moments when I think that I'd have come off if I hadn't been using Pilot Powers. That extra bit of grip can make the difference between sliding down the road and thinking 'that was a lucky escape'. They might be more expensive, but I'd rather pay that than pay to fix a broken bike.
Dicky Ticker
18-02-07, 03:52 PM
If when you are "Going down" Crash landing in fields or verges is much softer than tarmac and always let go from the bike Sliding along with 200kgs of bike on top of you is not to be recommended.Wearing "Dayglo" or reflective clothing at night does not make you a pussy
Ride to your limitations not other peoples
Supervox
18-02-07, 04:59 PM
As BB posted earlier, assume that everything else on the road is trying to kill you !! :(
Always wear your proper kit - even for a run to the local shop
Even if you don't have any at the moment - you will find new friends that ride bikes - DO NOT be pressured into trying to keep up with them on a rideout - if they're riding faster than you feel happy going - let them go !!
Learn from your mistakes (hopefully painless & cheap ones)
Never be afraid to ask questions here on the forum - no matter what our memory's tell us we were ALL newbies at one time or another & knew nothing from nothing !!And don't forget to enjoy yourself - it's what it's about after all :)
oldjack
18-02-07, 05:10 PM
Look out for diesel patches, you don't even notice it in a car but on a bike its deadly, there's lots of it about with the rise in diesel use.
Prepare to be frozen stiff in winter, you'll learn what works best for you, winter riding is different, its a challenge but it gives you a buzz for different reasons to summer riding.
Prepare to boil in summer.........
Prepare to spend a lot on goodies, many of which will be consigned to the garage shelf, but you had to try 'em.
As everybody else says, it hurts to have even a minor shunt on a bike, so you need to assume everybody on the road is trying to kill you.
Be prepared to get road rage a lot, at that b*stard who just tried to kill you !
Don't be put off, its 100X better than driving a car, you will be grinning from ear to ear when you filter to the front of that enormous traffic queue you used to wait in for hours !
Never share a room with Scoobs
northwind
18-02-07, 07:56 PM
And in that vein, never camp beside Blue Flame at the annual rideout.
And in that vein, never camp beside Blue Flame at the annual rideout.
How loud was he?
While we were around the fire we could not figure out where the noise was comming from.
northwind
18-02-07, 08:04 PM
It was coming from all around us, that's why. Echoing off mountains, and occasionally going right round the world and hitting us twice. Ever wonder why Rock doesn't post much here anymore? It's because one particularily focused snore started vibrations in her head which built up over time and killed her.
Alarm it Lock it up all the time really really well:)
... its addictive. Be warned if you let it - it will consume your spare time and money.
the_lone_wolf
18-02-07, 08:51 PM
... its addictive. Be warned if you let it - it will consume your spare time and money.
as someone who'se spent many thousands of pounds on kites... yes... kites.... i know how expensive hobbies can get;)
northwind
18-02-07, 08:54 PM
as someone who'se spent many thousands of pounds on kites... yes... kites.... i know how expensive hobbies can get
I spent only tuppence for paper and strings, myself.
weazelz
18-02-07, 10:17 PM
don't fall off
Buy a yellow one.:D
And a paddock stand.
A couple of tips, in order of how useful I find them (some of them written in the exact words of my DAS instructor, cheers Nigel for the constant reminders :thumbsup:):
If it's not an instinct, don't do it. If you have to even think about it, it's not right.
When you're sat behind someone, waiting for that moment to overtake, and you see it, pause for thought, then see point 1.
Hitting the front brake too hard coming in to a bend makes you find out what tarmac tastes like. See point 7.
In like a pussy cat, out like a tiger.
Use the vanishing point theory. Look at where the left side of the road meets the right. That's the vanishing point. If that point comes towards you, slow down. If it moves away from you, open the throttle. If it moves right, you move right or you get to milk the cows. If it moves left, don't even think about what happens if you don't move left, just bloody move!
Ride for yourself, not for your mates, and never for work. It's better to arrive late than not to arrive at all.
Tarmac doesn't taste nice.
northwind
19-02-07, 12:33 AM
If it's not an instinct, don't do it. If you have to even think about it, it's not right.
...and sometimes, if it is an instinct, don't do it either :) Since that's what causes target fixation, panic braking, running out of the outside of a corner when you could have got round by leaning further.
...and sometimes, if it is an instinct, don't do it either :) Since that's what causes target fixation, panic braking, running out of the outside of a corner when you could have got round by leaning further.
Can I point out number 2 to you in my list ;)
Some good tips so far
Ive learnt mainly
1. Its addictive
2. Its expensive (buy stuff all the time)
3. Its one of the biggest thrills you could have
4. Take heed of the instinct tip - Ive had target fixation, panic braking the lot and it takes thought and concentration to stop you doing what you think is natural. Just push it over further and hope for the best!
Ceri JC
19-02-07, 10:09 AM
If you're going to wear protecetive gear, get hip armour. More exposed than your shoulders and more useful in day to day life :) I was wearing all my armoured textiles when I fractured my hip- no hip armour or pockets for same. I'd have bounced otherwise :)
A second vote for this.
Recently crashed at 60mph, my hip hit the ground first. Thin (don't even notice it's there) Hiprotec armour meant that I escaped with very mild bruising. I think I'd be looking at a fracture had I not had it there.
-------------------------------------
Other "wish I'd known" things:
Frank Thomas "Aquaguard" boots aren't waterproof.
Joe Rocket have excellent customer service, but their textiles appear to be made from tissue paper and their zips from cream cheese.
Hein Gericke Cruise textile suits crash well and really are waterproof.
Spada 406 oversuits do their job really well.
Contact lenses are vastly better than glasses for riding.
Listening to mp3s makes me ride like a tw@.
Altberg boots are absolutely superb and crash far better than they look like they would.
The best tool for getting spark plugs out of a K4 SV is the one suzuki provide with the bike. It feels cheap, but works better than Halfords professional plug sockets.
Home servicing really isn't that hard and it makes sense to learn how to do it ASAP.
It's better to tempt fate and buy in spares ahead of time (helps spread the cost too), than wait weeks for Suzuki's parts dept. to get you such "hard to find" bits as indicators. Thereby significantly reducing the time you're off the road.
Metzeler Z6 tyres are vastly superior to the OE Dunlops.
21QUEST
19-02-07, 11:27 AM
The throttle is the most important control on the bike.
It's your friend- Make it your business to be able to to use it it well. Works three ways- more, less and maintainance. Smooth transistion between all three is the aim. I'm still working on that :smile:
Still have loads more to learn after more than ten years riding.
Ben
Dave The Rave
19-02-07, 12:15 PM
I learnt so far:
1) I can lean the bike more than I though was possible (still looking upright to others I presume)
2) Mud, stones, diesel, manhole covers etc are always at the most inconvenient place on the road
3) Manhole cover are slippery when wet and so is the bl00dy white paint on the road!
4) Get something to clean your visor when you are riding: as it gets mucky very quickly indeed.
5) I love filtering and you will too!
6) Check your tyre pressure 2x a week as it effects you handling BADLY.
CoolGirl
19-02-07, 07:06 PM
a bit more counterintuity - if a pedestrian runs out in front of you, aim for them.
If you hit them, they'll break your fall so you won't end up eating tarmac and breaking yourself and the bike so much.
ArtyLady
19-02-07, 10:54 PM
Crash landing in fields or verges is much softer than tarmac
And he should know ;)
I wish I'd known that there were so many un-bike aware drivers :mad:
and
how bad it feels when youre off the road :(
I know I'm only a newbie but I think I should share my newly aquired knowledge:
Always visit the LOO before putting your gear on! Nature always seems to bl00dy call AFTER you've gone through the whole process of getting it all on :D :D :D
Mobile batteries go flat quickest when it's dark, wet and cold.
Ceri JC
20-02-07, 09:31 AM
Never believe the AA when they say, "we'll ring if we're going to be late." :mad:
jonboy99
20-02-07, 10:54 AM
It turns out to be a wee bit more complicated than first thought :) But since TSM asks, I slipped on a patch of ice in my driveway, on my way to the garage. So don't do that.
And you fractured your hip?? Ever got checked out for osteoporosis?
Very good points about target fixation, panic braking and running out of corners when you should have leaned further. I found myself doing all three at one particular corner at a track day last year and had to give myself a good talking to! I snapped out of it by making myself look ahead to the next corner. You're never too old to learn!
Oldie
northwind
20-02-07, 07:17 PM
Ever got checked out for osteoporosis?
Well, that's the "more complicated" part :smt087
wyrdness
21-02-07, 12:04 AM
a bit more counterintuity - if a pedestrian runs out in front of you, aim for them.
If you hit them, they'll break your fall so you won't end up eating tarmac and breaking yourself and the bike so much.
I always do that. If you don't hit them then it might teach them a lesson in crossing the road safely :smt077
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