how would you rate your riding skills ?

Originally Posted by K

I just 'do stuff' and it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
That's why I don't generally like to give advice to others about riding, or ways to improve - cos I don't actually know what I'm doing, I just kinda 'do it'.

That the best advice there. If you're thinking about what you're doing, to me, you're not in the zone yet. When you do things naturally and without thinking, like breathing, you can focus more on other things like traffic and other hazards.

Zen. I'm almost there, most of the time, but sometimes things just aren't working right. Maybe I'm too cold, some 'teen in a Glanza tailgating me in town traffic or the village idiot decided to blast onto the road from a side street without looking just in front of me. This can make you react in two different ways, either making you angry or just say I'm better than this and let it pass. Ninety times out of hundred I manage to do the latter. This makes me a better rider.

Given that I've only done 500-ish miles on the SV so far, and probably twice as much in my scooter days, I think I have pretty good road-sense, which makes me safe. I'm certainly not the fastest but I do always leave myself enough margin of error to get out of trouble quickly. My weak point is slow control (which seems to be many other peoples) but this should improve as I become more confident at handling the SV and also come into situations where using slow control arises (such as filtering).

Theres still a long way to go to catch up to how well my dad (30+ years riding experiance) can ride..

Matt

Bring relaxed is the key, but also analysing what you and other road users are doing constantly.

One of the biggest faults with a lot of riders, IMO, is road positioning.

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

I'm a riding God.

Rossi himself couldn't keep up with me.

I'm also safer than a cotton wool wrapped, armour plated, bullet proof police class 1 rider.

Same here!!!

I put above average but after 12 years riding, including 6 as a courier , I still make the occasional silly mistake! See avatar!!

qualified observer with the IAM but still need to improve. im not the fastest as id rather tootle along the back roads at a constant speed as opposed to tearing up to a corner, braking hard and wobbling round corner. i have done a few track days and been the slowest on the track but had a great time. im an oldie and a single parent, this is always on my mind when i go out. what if i do something silly what would happen to my kids. i would like to think if i have an accident it will be more to do with another idiot on the road as opposed to my riding.

I would say my overall riding was average. My machine control I would say is a little above average, but it takes more than just machine control to be safe.

Originally Posted by Warren

how do you think you compare to other riders out there - and why ?

I try not to do that at all times. The few times I have, someone has come to a sticky end.

Originally Posted by Warren

what makes you so safe compared to others ?

Nothing. I'm still just as vulnerable as the next guy/girl.

Originally Posted by Warren

think about slow speed control, use of acceleration, use of clutch and gears, observation skills, positioning in different circumstances, lane discipline, use of signals, cornering, overtaking, smoothness, and the ability to make progress (I'm sure there are some on here that i have missed)

Honestly:
Slow speed - I surprised Sid Squid at Soho by saying we were actually taught it before being allowed out on the road on an ER5. I have no problems moving around slow enough that the speedo thinks I'm stationary.
Acceleration - Sometimes inappropriate, esp with lemmings in the way. Mood denotes amount of grip on the throttle.
Clutch/Gears - I've posted before about antic's with a clutch, and it hasn't done me wrong yet. Minimal use of the clutch to prevent wear, but do slip the clutch when needed. Gears, could do with some work, esp remembering to get a slightly lower gear to keep more revs mid bend.
Observation - Mood dependant. If I'm hooning around, 110% observation. If I'm bimbling, I have been known to look at the scenery rather than the road (which has caused me to run wide - luckily with no ill effects other than a brown stain)
Positioning - I always try to be equidistant from perceived dangers, however, this ties in with observation.
Lane Discipline - All areas covered in tarmac (and some without tarmac) are fair game when I'm pushing hard. When I'm not pushing hard, I stick strictly to where I should be.
Signals - could be better. Signals are often compromised for observation, which isn't great, but could be worse.
Cornering - just managing to put vanishing point theory to use, don't always remember, but it helps a lot. Also gear selection for corners needs work.
Overtaking - Hesitant. If I think it will be close, I don't do it. Undertaking on dual carriageways, sometimes a little dangerous if I'm in a rush.
Smoothness - When in a rush, everything clicks, might not be 100% smooth, but it seems like it at the time. When concentrating on being smooth, it feels VERY good, and make good progress, safely. When really not ar*ed, well, not ar*ed.
Ability to make progress - filtering isn't an issue, I have no problems being close to other vehicles. All other aspects, see above
Filtering - If I'm in a rush, borderline suicidal. If I'm not in a rush, fluid. I just don't think about it being suicidal at the time, and most of my filtering is dual carriageway, where there aren't any side roads etc. Risk analysis here. However, if I meet another biker & I'm in a rush, I'll sit behind them happily until we're past the traffic.
Other - About the only other aspect of my riding would be that I'm more than happy to put my bike in a position to stop traffic for another biker to move. I do this regularly coming away from the local dealership (bad junction) & did it in London to allow Paul (svstreetfighter) to get out into a gap. Obviously don't do this if I think there's a chance of me getting hit. It's something I took from my DAS instructors riding, and wearing high-vis 90% of the time, I exploit fully.

Originally Posted by Warren

what can you think of in your everyday riding that needs improving and working on ?

Everything mentioned above. I make a point that when I'm out on a weekend & not commuting, the first 10-15miles I re-teach myself how to ride & get out of the commuter mindset. Then depending on mood, either hoon around, or have a nice sedate bimble.

Everything mentioned above that's even slightly negative, is all stuff I'm actively working on every time I'm on the bike (pretty much). There are days when it goes out the window though. I don't see why I need to pay for IAM/Bikesafe to be told I need to work on the same things that I already know about. When I'm happy with my riding, I'll pay for a course to see if someone else sees it the same as me.

Originally Posted by Warren

how would you rate your riding skills ??

idiotic

i picked above avarage.......... ?

considering i have not been riding that long, i need a bit more confidance on bends.

I would honestly say above average in the dry, however well below average in the wet. I used to be an all year round all weather rider, but as soon as I passed my car test I started being a bit pickier when I rode my bike. Prime example was yesterday. I have had my biking gear for well over 5 years now and I’ve been saving up for a long time to buy all new all singing all dancing gear. Went to Hein Gericke and purchased An Arai Viper GT Haslam Rep lid, Alpinestar GP-Plus Gloves, Arlen Ness Race 1-Piece, Alpinestar Back Protector and Alpinestar Supertech race boots. Now 5 years a go I would have been in the door in the new gear and straight out regardless, but due to yesterdays slight drizzle I stayed in and played on my X-BOX! How sad! Due to this pickiness in riding my wet weather skills have dropped substantially. Now when I’m out in the wet the bike is stood up most of the time and I seem to loose either the front or back end. I am appalled with myself for letting this happen and I'm looking into wet weather training sometime.

Absolutely brilliant IMHO but there are a few proviso's...

There is no one else on the road;

I have practised every bend several times before;

There are no police;

No cameras;

And the road surface is made of that spongey play area stuff.

Otherwise might just scrape through as average!

Mind you, I can at least brag very very small chicken strips - though not sure how I managed it as I had my eyes closed at the time!

[rictus01]

I'm loving this, keep it up guys, but more interesting would be how others think you ride

Cheers Mark.