Great video 👏👏👏. I only came back to riding in 2019 and I feel that I’m not the same rider that I was, then I was out a couple of weeks ago and unbeknown to me there was a off duty police rider behind me. I had spotted someone behind but only as an observation of my surroundings anyway I pulled in for a drink and so did this guy we got chatting as you do and I said about how I don’t think I’m very good. He then told me what he does as a job and said that there was nothing wrong with my riding obviously no one is perfect but he said I was safe. Which made my day. Your absolutely correct people think bikes are all about speed and chicken lines. 🤣😂🤣
Good video. I’m a police trained rider (I was a traffic cop in the UK in a very distant previous life). I already had a full UK licence, after taking a course with the RAC/ACU, and thought I was a pretty fair rider. My “Local” motorcycle course disabused me of that notion. I looked back at the level of knowledge and machine control I had before the course and wondered how I’d stayed alive. This continued through my Standard and Advanced courses. I learned things there that I still use decades later. The most useful one is observation. Seeing something early, then analysing it (what could happen?), before coming up with a plan (what can I do about it?). The earlier you see something (good road positioning and keeping your head on a swivel), the more time you have to react. If you get it right, you’ll suddenly find you’re getting home earlier, and that your ride has smoothed right out. It’s definitely worth investing in some good training - it’ll make you’re A-to-B much quicker than that carbon-fibre end can will…
At one point back in the 90's I did some advanced training with a Thames Valley Police motorcyclist. His criticism of my riding was that I was using my brakes too much when I could have used engine braking. He was blissfully unaware of the fact that I was using my brakes so that he , following me, knew I was slowing down. I gave up on advanced training after that, as it just seemed wrong. Later did my IAM with a brilliant guy training me, and everyone I rode with would remark how much smoother my riding was. Been riding 44 years, and I agree with you completely. Ride safely and never bow to peer pressure, and enjoy every mile.
Totally agree with your views, when I did my aim my first instructor owned 5 bikes and did track days . After a couple of lessons they told me I was very safe but not fast enough, I didn’t and never have wanted to drive that fast , so I asked and got another instructor and passed my course , 30 years later been driving bikes 53 years I go at my own pace and let the the racers go by , it’s upto them , I prefer steady and safe and forward and all round perception and vision. Good vlog 😊👍👍👍🤪
Excellent video with well made points being put across. I’ve recently returned to riding after 38 years and definitely ride more defensively than I ever did when younger.
My Cooked Dinner... WTF??? I hear you say. This was a very simple, but very meaningful phrase that was said to me early on in my motorcycling days. The bloke who said it qualified it by saying that on ride outs with the gang of bikers that we used to hang about with, he wasn't the fastest, he didn't make the most overtakes, and generally he was in the back of the pack when we got to our destination, but the object of the exercise was to enjoy the ride out, then go home to a lovely cooked dinner. So yeah, My Cooked Dinner has lived in my memory.
I’ve been riding for over 30 years and for me it’s all about safety and a “risk and reward” mentality. If I don’t think the reward for any takeover/filter is worth it I won’t do it. I’ve been overtaken many times by other bikes who take what I regard a risky manoeuvre only to pull up behind them at the next set of traffic lights or roundabout. Each to their own 🤙
A great video grounded in absolute common sense, many riders could benefit from some self reflection about how they ride and why they ride the way they do.
Just turned 60 years and new to riding. Passed my DAS in Feb. Not a fast rider, top priority is to get home safely in one piece. Sometimes I wonder if I’m a slow rider because I want to be safe or just a bit chicken and need to build my skills and confidence more. 😄
Hah I remember they closed the M40, pushed us all down B roads full of traffic and potholes. Two IAM riders went past me as we filtered in the long near standstill traffic. The choices of when to filter in the oncoming lane, the non-existent gaps they had to duck into by failed pre-planning, overtaking on right hand junctions from the left with high hedges… I saw it all, albeit making slower, steadier progress further back. Got to the very end of the long diversion, and there they were only two cars ahead... All the risks they’d taken, the poor decisions, had got them absolutely nowhere. I then overtook them as we joined the motorway.
Yesterday I was behind a moderately quick biker I met briefly before an unplanned 10 mile ride together... We were both riding litre nakeds, (mine the least powerful). I held back at times to avoid undertaking or crossing solid lines.....On other occasions I seized approprate passing opportunities. We arrived at our next destination together ! Different bikers, different machines, different riding styles....same end result. Kudos loss to me ?....🤔..........Maybe ! Thanks for another good & thought provoking vid 👍🏍
I am a returning rider 700 miles in after 31 years away. However I am an advanced car driver and apply all the same logic on my bike and feel safe while riding. I have started to filter and overtake where safe to do so, lots more opportunities on a Bike than a car. Always weighing up the safety of the manoeuvre as priority. I was filtering the other day past stationary traffic and another bike followed faster and caught up. Up ahead was double white lines so I pulled into a gap before them leaving space for the other rider. He just carried on on the wrong side of the lines. Something I would not do even though you could see safely. Riding is for the enjoyment and yes sometimes I go faster than I should but only for short periods in appropriate places. I have yet to join a group ride as I am not sure how I feel about everyone else around me and their levels of skill. I will eventually :)
Wise words. Couldn't have explained better. I have been riding for a while, since 2008 but that is in India. Moved to UK in 2018 and just had my DAS license done last year. Your videos have been helpful in the process. Have never been that rider that always wants to go fast. Have I made mistakes while riding? Absolutely, but I have learned from them. 🙂 Enjoy the ride, don't worry about other riders on how fast they can go.
I'm a new rider having passed last October, although a different discipline from driving a car I have the benefit of 35 years road craft. My perception of what makes a good rider isn't how fast or slow we go, it is the ability to anticipate many different scenarios and to be able to react accordingly and quickly to those situations, with appropriate road positioning, while riding with finesse and consistency. Far from perfect, but considering my inexperience I believe I'm a confident rider, anf take great pride in the skill of riding (and driving), with the mindset of constant improvement, and that I don't want to harm myself, or others, and also I don't want to damage my bike! Since November last year I have ridden nearly 4,000 miles mainly on my first bike a Honda VFR800, a Honda Africa Twin, and five other bikes including a CB1000R thanks to the local Honda dealer!
Riding is a learning curve that in reality should never cease in an upward trajectory,should it flatten to the horizontal,which means you think you've arrived and are the best you can possibly be.Such a situation to find yourself in is a trap,simply because there's always something to learn. Thanks for another thought provoking video.
I often think about this. You know I occasionally say about being riders overtaking and going considerably faster than me. I often feel I could be faster through bends but it's what I'm comfortable with and I'm always wary of the view and in particular road surfaces nowadays. I went away with two other experienced riders last year and there were a number of times where they pulled away and left me behind. I did feel the pressure to keep up but ultimately I wasn't comfortable with some of the overtakes, filtering and speeds they were doing so I just let them get on with it.
Yeah, I always ride well within my comfort zones, and even though I may ride fast, there are always times where I feel the road surface could be greasy or something doesn't feel quite right, so I ride slower than I may otherwise do. Instinct plays a big part in survival, so you should always trust your gut feelings. If it doesn't feel right, proceed cautiously - you'll be surprised how many times you'll see a reason why that is relevant. It may even be that you've picked up a slow puncture without realising it, in which case your bike will try to kill you if you ignore the feelings of instability.
I passed my test in 2018 age 50, I’d been riding off-road all my life and I think 50 is a good age to ride, you have patience and you don’t have that death inducing rush of blood youngsters have, my instructor told me I’m not teaching you to pass your test but I’m teaching you to stay alive!!!! He gave a good analogy about bends, he said imagine someone has built a wall just to the bend overnight, you must be able to stop within that distance you can see, I see loads of more “experienced riders overtaking with crossroads ahead and the like, my instructor Mike was a big guy and he looked me in the eye and very forcefully said while poking me in the chest, “never ever overtake when there’s a junction or a crossroads ahead “!! that type of training stays with you and I can still hear his voice when I’m riding to this day 😂
Completely agree. It’s about appropriate speed for the situation and everybody has their interpretation of that. Unfortunately when you realise your speed is inappropriate, it might be too late. Training helps ensure that doesn’t happen.
I passed my test in March... Went to the lake district.. 2 up with full painiers and topbox.... Coming back on the m6.. Standing traffic so I filtered at about 15mph.... A sports bike came up behind me... I was aware he was there... After a while.. He starts beeping his horn.. There were no gaps 🙄.... When there was a slight gap he swerved round me and proceeded at about 40mph... Tbh I wouldn't feel safe doing that speed.... You wouldn't be able to stop if someone decided to change lanes 🙄
My first bike in 1975 was an RD200 and I was always slower than others and still am the same today 😂 A few years ago, on a trip to Spain a guy was taking the P out of me for being an old slow rider. The next day he trashed his bike and was lucky to still be alive. Need I say more 😂😂
Great video, point well made. I've done my IAM and I'm now training for Masters, so I must be doing something right, but I'm always the one who gets left behind by my mates on a group ride. As you say, it depends whether success is measured by who gets there first or who gets there safely.
After a ride and parking up my bike, if I can honestly say I am better than I was last ride I am happy but I understand that I am not as good as I could be
This is not a dig but, just something I thought about as you were discussing the FJR rider. Are you (and we) becoming too risk adverse? And, is that a good thing for us as humans? I ride an FJR like the rider you commented upon in the video, I never overtake at Junctions (like you). I was a Despatch Rider (DR) in London in my youth and didn't, in general, overtake at junctions when dispatching. Planning a route through the traffic tended to make you faster than the other DRs. I was watching a documentary about the Outriders from the "Met" (SEG) and was intrigued to find that the motorcade travels quite slowly but at a steady speed. I spend way too much time pondering the imponderables.
@riderramblings thanks for the comment, yes, i was thinking briefly the other day that maybe we are too sanitised. In many areas of life its likely true that we are. But getting older and seeing the consequences of poor decisions certainly makes me more risk averse. I dont see any positives in being involved in a road collision. But i guess there is a balance to be had or perhaps we wouldnt do anything in life! All the best
Getting myself and my machine back home unscathed and having enjoyed the experience is the best riding in my opinion but I’ve never been the fastest in my peer group 😂
Riding is a life long learning pursuit, if that's your mentality you're a good rider. If one day you wake up and decide I've made it I'm now a good rider, you've just downgraded yourself back down to a shit rider. There are so many various subcategories to the discipline of riding a motorcycle, from slow speed maneuvers to railing corners, to riding in low grip conditions, to navigating the perils of the daily commute, the list just goes on. They all inform each other but there is no one rider on earth that's perfected them all.
Thank you for this fantastic video. I am not sure this request is too technical, but similar to this video could you do a video on “riding to your bike capacity?”.. there are so many videos about road craft but similar to this video often riders have generalised views of what you should do with a bike, cornering, advanced lines, trail braking etc.. but all bike are different, whether you have a GS, or a Tuono or a Triumph scrambler or a retro.. often you see riders riding a custom and pushing corners like they are on a Moto GP; what are the main assets you are going to take into consideration when deciding how to handle that bike? Basically ride a bike not only to your capability but also to her capability (this second part is not often discussed)
thank you for your comments, much appreciated. An interesting idea and one i will indeed consider. You are right of course, horses for courses was the phrase? Some bikes do most things, but not necessarily well or everything! All the best.
quite right, sadly there is only so much that can be taught at CBT level and only so much you can remember in one go. Many have suggested that a CBT should be over 2 days but there is much opposition on grounds of cost and practicalities. Many schools including where I work offer extra training on L plates but very few people are interested. Its a shame but that's how it is. Ride safe
I'll take your word on your ability as a rider, but I must commend you for the attitude and process that you employ in your decisions. I can't disagree with anything you said and hope in fact to borrow some of it 👍
I’ve just had a new Enfield classic 350 for my retirement but I haven’t rode for over 40 years, had my first go did 24 miles but if I’m honest it scared me for the first 10 miles. I definitely need some help as I don’t consider myself any good at the moment. Can I ask your advice please, should I sign up for my local police course or should I do something else first? I do have good road sense as I’ve been on bikes for 11 years 40 years ago and have always driven a car also have driven trams a number of years. But my road sense tells me I need help . I always watch your videos more than once as your advice is very helpful thankyou 👍🏍️
@MsDenver2 thanks for watching and congrats on the new bike. So any training is good, and Bikesafe is great. But if you haven't ridden for 40 years i think it would be better to go to a school who offers flexible training/refresher courses to bring your skill levels back in to a test standard which then allows you to build further. Bikesafe/enhanced/advanced courses should then work well for you. One area to be confident in is slow speed control as it well help a lot with junctions and general slower traffic situations. I hope this helps but if i can help further please get in touch. All the best.
@@MotorcyclePWR thankyou for your advice the refresher course sounds good and a more intense course after that , I will get in touch with my local refresher course thanks👍🏍️
Nice video yet again, thank you. I think the most over-used and misinterpreted expression in advanced motorcycle training is “making progress”. Over 40 years ago, I was an advanced (Gold Level) instructor with the old “Star Rider” training scheme. “Motorcycle Roadcraft” was our bible, and we taught what is now the IPSGA system. Using this system correctly can be a daunting experience, and pupils had a natural tendency to slow down, in order to fit in all the required observations and possible manoeuvres at any hazard. We always stressed that the system should not slow you down, as it was designed for use at normal road speeds. Therefore, we expected pupils to “make progress” while using it. If the speed limit was 60 and it was safe to do so, we expected them to ride at that speed while using the system with confidence. Nowadays, “making progress” is too often interpreted as taking every possible overtaking opportunity, filtering at all costs, accelerating as hard as possible out of every speed limit, and inappropriately filling lanes at junctions. There seems to be much less emphasis on anticipation, awareness and defensive positioning. So I was very happy to see your video, and also all the supportive comments on here.
That's an interesting comment. Where do you see that change of attitude to "making progress" these days? Is it in the training community or the general motorcycling media.
I’ve certainly seen the attitude that “making progress” is what advanced riding is all about. I’m currently training for my advanced test with the IAM. I was out for a ride recently with another associate and an observer. We were taking it in turns leading, and at one point the other associate overtook a car at a crossroads. Not something I would ever feel comfortable doing. During the debrief afterwards however, the observer congratulated the other rider for “making good progress” and “getting the overtake in”. I’m certainly not an expert, but to my way of thinking, advanced riding and the IPSGA system is a process of dynamic risk assessment, with the rider trying to “make progress” as quickly, but as safely as possible.
@jimkendall500 thanks for your comments. I agree with your interpretation of advanced riding. Overtaking at any junction is something I regard as a complete no no, the exception being if the car to be overtaken is definitely past the point that it could turn (considering speed and position) plus the view of the junction reveals that it is clear. But across or on the approach to any junction is asking for trouble. If in doubt, leave it out! All the best with your advanced.
@josephlarmor550 thank you for your comments. "making progress" certainly provokes many a discussion and opinion for sure! I think that "making progress" is a natural by product of using careful observations, good anticipation and flexible use of the system. It doesn't need to be complicated, as your speed should be appropriate for your ability, the road conditions and the purpose of the journey. I can see why new riders using the System could slow down as they are thinking more about the new way of riding. However, once that develops and becomes second nature, progress returns naturally alongside the new found way of systemised riding. An emphasis on speed without developing everything else or pushing the progress before a student rider is ready is counter productive and even dangerous in my opinion. All the best.
@@John900C Well I experienced it particularly when I took some IAM training on my return to motorcycling after a long gap of many years. A phrase used was that “good riders take every overtaking opportunity”. Failure to do so was seen as “failing to make progress”. I was also criticised for not accelerating hard enough out of speed limits, to the point where I wondered if a wheelie was required. I rode to what I considered was a safe, advanced level according to the principles learnt as an instructor 30 years previously, but I was told that my riding “lacked sparkle”. I decided that I preferred lacking sparkle to trying to pass every vehicle in front of me, and did not return.
I have question about positioning when approaching brows of hills, blind summits and the like. Is it best to use a nearside or central position? thank you
Phil will have his own views, but many years ago I had a police video and the guy described his position as "Picking daisies" i. e. Keep to the nearside in case a large (or any) vehicle straddles the centre line(s).
What concerns you about blind summits? If you're concerned about oncoming traffic offsiding on your side of the road,P1/nearside,is your answer. If you're concerned about something stoppped in the blind area it's P2/middle of your lane But the truth is to always expect the unexpected and ride accordingly.
@stufirewalker Thank you for your question, and thank you to the viewers who have provided answers already, of which I am in agreement! Road width depends on how far to the left you may wish to position, but what is always in mind is a vehicle travelling at speed overtaking a cyclist for example. guitarplayerwannabee picking daisies, yes, that would be Mike Waite ex police motorcycle instructor. People have said that if you position left, what about a parked vehicle or pedestrian, wont you collide? As @aps-pictures9335 rightly says, approach speed is key, if you can stop safely in the distance that you can see to be clear then its ok. This would be the case on any brow/blind summit regardless of the position you used. Thanks to all for your contributions.
I would be unlikely to watch, If I didn't think you were a pretty darn good rider. I've occasionally watched a few I thought were terrible riders. 🙂Ride your own ride. Most who ride or drive around thinking how good they are have no clue other people on the road are thinking WAFI.
Great video 👏👏👏. I only came back to riding in 2019 and I feel that I’m not the same rider that I was, then I was out a couple of weeks ago and unbeknown to me there was a off duty police rider behind me. I had spotted someone behind but only as an observation of my surroundings anyway I pulled in for a drink and so did this guy we got chatting as you do and I said about how I don’t think I’m very good. He then told me what he does as a job and said that there was nothing wrong with my riding obviously no one is perfect but he said I was safe. Which made my day. Your absolutely correct people think bikes are all about speed and chicken lines. 🤣😂🤣
Good video.
I’m a police trained rider (I was a traffic cop in the UK in a very distant previous life). I already had a full UK licence, after taking a course with the RAC/ACU, and thought I was a pretty fair rider. My “Local” motorcycle course disabused me of that notion. I looked back at the level of knowledge and machine control I had before the course and wondered how I’d stayed alive. This continued through my Standard and Advanced courses. I learned things there that I still use decades later. The most useful one is observation. Seeing something early, then analysing it (what could happen?), before coming up with a plan (what can I do about it?). The earlier you see something (good road positioning and keeping your head on a swivel), the more time you have to react. If you get it right, you’ll suddenly find you’re getting home earlier, and that your ride has smoothed right out. It’s definitely worth investing in some good training - it’ll make you’re A-to-B much quicker than that carbon-fibre end can will…
At one point back in the 90's I did some advanced training with a Thames Valley Police motorcyclist. His criticism of my riding was that I was using my brakes too much when I could have used engine braking. He was blissfully unaware of the fact that I was using my brakes so that he , following me, knew I was slowing down. I gave up on advanced training after that, as it just seemed wrong. Later did my IAM with a brilliant guy training me, and everyone I rode with would remark how much smoother my riding was.
Been riding 44 years, and I agree with you completely. Ride safely and never bow to peer pressure, and enjoy every mile.
Totally agree with your views, when I did my aim my first instructor owned 5 bikes and did track days . After a couple of lessons they told me I was very safe but not fast enough, I didn’t and never have wanted to drive that fast , so I asked and got another instructor and passed my course , 30 years later been driving bikes 53 years I go at my own pace and let the the racers go by , it’s upto them , I prefer steady and safe and forward and all round perception and vision. Good vlog 😊👍👍👍🤪
Excellent video with well made points being put across. I’ve recently returned to riding after 38 years and definitely ride more defensively than I ever did when younger.
My Cooked Dinner...
WTF??? I hear you say.
This was a very simple, but very meaningful phrase that was said to me early on in my motorcycling days.
The bloke who said it qualified it by saying that on ride outs with the gang of bikers that we used to hang about with, he wasn't the fastest, he didn't make the most overtakes, and generally he was in the back of the pack when we got to our destination, but the object of the exercise was to enjoy the ride out, then go home to a lovely cooked dinner.
So yeah, My Cooked Dinner has lived in my memory.
I’ve been riding for over 30 years and for me it’s all about safety and a “risk and reward” mentality. If I don’t think the reward for any takeover/filter is worth it I won’t do it. I’ve been overtaken many times by other bikes who take what I regard a risky manoeuvre only to pull up behind them at the next set of traffic lights or roundabout. Each to their own 🤙
Many thanks for more great advice put over in a clear and logical basis
A great video grounded in absolute common sense, many riders could benefit from some self reflection about how they ride and why they ride the way they do.
Just turned 60 years and new to riding. Passed my DAS in Feb. Not a fast rider, top priority is to get home safely in one piece. Sometimes I wonder if I’m a slow rider because I want to be safe or just a bit chicken and need to build my skills and confidence more. 😄
Hah I remember they closed the M40, pushed us all down B roads full of traffic and potholes. Two IAM riders went past me as we filtered in the long near standstill traffic. The choices of when to filter in the oncoming lane, the non-existent gaps they had to duck into by failed pre-planning, overtaking on right hand junctions from the left with high hedges… I saw it all, albeit making slower, steadier progress further back. Got to the very end of the long diversion, and there they were only two cars ahead... All the risks they’d taken, the poor decisions, had got them absolutely nowhere. I then overtook them as we joined the motorway.
The IMA way of progressing regardless is both dangerous and incredibly risky.
Yesterday I was behind a moderately quick biker I met briefly before an unplanned 10 mile ride together... We were both riding litre nakeds, (mine the least powerful).
I held back at times to avoid undertaking or crossing solid lines.....On other occasions I seized approprate passing opportunities. We arrived at our next destination together !
Different bikers, different machines, different riding styles....same end result. Kudos loss to me ?....🤔..........Maybe !
Thanks for another good & thought provoking vid 👍🏍
I am a returning rider 700 miles in after 31 years away. However I am an advanced car driver and apply all the same logic on my bike and feel safe while riding. I have started to filter and overtake where safe to do so, lots more opportunities on a Bike than a car. Always weighing up the safety of the manoeuvre as priority.
I was filtering the other day past stationary traffic and another bike followed faster and caught up. Up ahead was double white lines so I pulled into a gap before them leaving space for the other rider. He just carried on on the wrong side of the lines. Something I would not do even though you could see safely.
Riding is for the enjoyment and yes sometimes I go faster than I should but only for short periods in appropriate places.
I have yet to join a group ride as I am not sure how I feel about everyone else around me and their levels of skill. I will eventually :)
Wise words. Couldn't have explained better. I have been riding for a while, since 2008 but that is in India. Moved to UK in 2018 and just had my DAS license done last year. Your videos have been helpful in the process.
Have never been that rider that always wants to go fast. Have I made mistakes while riding? Absolutely, but I have learned from them. 🙂
Enjoy the ride, don't worry about other riders on how fast they can go.
I'm a new rider having passed last October, although a different discipline from driving a car I have the benefit of 35 years road craft. My perception of what makes a good rider isn't how fast or slow we go, it is the ability to anticipate many different scenarios and to be able to react accordingly and quickly to those situations, with appropriate road positioning, while riding with finesse and consistency. Far from perfect, but considering my inexperience I believe I'm a confident rider, anf take great pride in the skill of riding (and driving), with the mindset of constant improvement, and that I don't want to harm myself, or others, and also I don't want to damage my bike! Since November last year I have ridden nearly 4,000 miles mainly on my first bike a Honda VFR800, a Honda Africa Twin, and five other bikes including a CB1000R thanks to the local Honda dealer!
Riding is a learning curve that in reality should never cease in an upward trajectory,should it flatten to the horizontal,which means you think you've arrived and are the best you can possibly be.Such a situation to find yourself in is a trap,simply because there's always something to learn.
Thanks for another thought provoking video.
Having just passed my enhanced rider scheme after 30 odd years of riding I have realised that I’m only average…..but I’m enjoying riding slower
I often think about this. You know I occasionally say about being riders overtaking and going considerably faster than me. I often feel I could be faster through bends but it's what I'm comfortable with and I'm always wary of the view and in particular road surfaces nowadays. I went away with two other experienced riders last year and there were a number of times where they pulled away and left me behind. I did feel the pressure to keep up but ultimately I wasn't comfortable with some of the overtakes, filtering and speeds they were doing so I just let them get on with it.
Yeah, I always ride well within my comfort zones, and even though I may ride fast, there are always times where I feel the road surface could be greasy or something doesn't feel quite right, so I ride slower than I may otherwise do. Instinct plays a big part in survival, so you should always trust your gut feelings. If it doesn't feel right, proceed cautiously - you'll be surprised how many times you'll see a reason why that is relevant. It may even be that you've picked up a slow puncture without realising it, in which case your bike will try to kill you if you ignore the feelings of instability.
I passed my test in 2018 age 50, I’d been riding off-road all my life and I think 50 is a good age to ride, you have patience and you don’t have that death inducing rush of blood youngsters have, my instructor told me I’m not teaching you to pass your test but I’m teaching you to stay alive!!!! He gave a good analogy about bends, he said imagine someone has built a wall just to the bend overnight, you must be able to stop within that distance you can see, I see loads of more “experienced riders overtaking with crossroads ahead and the like, my instructor Mike was a big guy and he looked me in the eye and very forcefully said while poking me in the chest, “never ever overtake when there’s a junction or a crossroads ahead “!! that type of training stays with you and I can still hear his voice when I’m riding to this day 😂
Very very wise words !
Completely agree. It’s about appropriate speed for the situation and everybody has their interpretation of that. Unfortunately when you realise your speed is inappropriate, it might be too late. Training helps ensure that doesn’t happen.
I passed my test in March... Went to the lake district.. 2 up with full painiers and topbox.... Coming back on the m6.. Standing traffic so I filtered at about 15mph.... A sports bike came up behind me... I was aware he was there... After a while.. He starts beeping his horn..
There were no gaps 🙄.... When there was a slight gap he swerved round me and proceeded at about 40mph... Tbh I wouldn't feel safe doing that speed.... You wouldn't be able to stop if someone decided to change lanes 🙄
My first bike in 1975 was an RD200 and I was always slower than others and still am the same today 😂
A few years ago, on a trip to Spain a guy was taking the P out of me for being an old slow rider. The next day he trashed his bike and was lucky to still be alive. Need I say more 😂😂
Thanks for this chat. I needed it. Thanks v much
Great video, point well made. I've done my IAM and I'm now training for Masters, so I must be doing something right, but I'm always the one who gets left behind by my mates on a group ride. As you say, it depends whether success is measured by who gets there first or who gets there safely.
i wish you well with your masters, all the best
@@MotorcyclePWR thanks. It's early days and I need to put in plenty of effort to make the grade.
Great spot on advice👌👍👍
well said - and so hard to put in practice for some reason ..
After a ride and parking up my bike, if I can honestly say I am better than I was last ride I am happy but I understand that I am not as good as I could be
I think thats a mantra that applies to most things in life, and gives a good attitude towards being a better human in general.
Excellent video
Thanks, another great video
This is not a dig but, just something I thought about as you were discussing the FJR rider. Are you (and we) becoming too risk adverse? And, is that a good thing for us as humans?
I ride an FJR like the rider you commented upon in the video, I never overtake at Junctions (like you). I was a Despatch Rider (DR) in London in my youth and didn't, in general, overtake at junctions when dispatching. Planning a route through the traffic tended to make you faster than the other DRs.
I was watching a documentary about the Outriders from the "Met" (SEG) and was intrigued to find that the motorcade travels quite slowly but at a steady speed.
I spend way too much time pondering the imponderables.
@riderramblings thanks for the comment, yes, i was thinking briefly the other day that maybe we are too sanitised. In many areas of life its likely true that we are. But getting older and seeing the consequences of poor decisions certainly makes me more risk averse. I dont see any positives in being involved in a road collision. But i guess there is a balance to be had or perhaps we wouldnt do anything in life! All the best
Getting myself and my machine back home unscathed and having enjoyed the experience is the best riding in my opinion but I’ve never been the fastest in my peer group 😂
Riding is a life long learning pursuit, if that's your mentality you're a good rider. If one day you wake up and decide I've made it I'm now a good rider, you've just downgraded yourself back down to a shit rider. There are so many various subcategories to the discipline of riding a motorcycle, from slow speed maneuvers to railing corners, to riding in low grip conditions, to navigating the perils of the daily commute, the list just goes on. They all inform each other but there is no one rider on earth that's perfected them all.
There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are not many old, bold pilots.
Thank you for this fantastic video. I am not sure this request is too technical, but similar to this video could you do a video on “riding to your bike capacity?”.. there are so many videos about road craft but similar to this video often riders have generalised views of what you should do with a bike, cornering, advanced lines, trail braking etc.. but all bike are different, whether you have a GS, or a Tuono or a Triumph scrambler or a retro.. often you see riders riding a custom and pushing corners like they are on a Moto GP; what are the main assets you are going to take into consideration when deciding how to handle that bike? Basically ride a bike not only to your capability but also to her capability (this second part is not often discussed)
thank you for your comments, much appreciated. An interesting idea and one i will indeed consider. You are right of course, horses for courses was the phrase? Some bikes do most things, but not necessarily well or everything! All the best.
Us riders, especially young ones need these concepts broken down and explained at CBT level.
quite right, sadly there is only so much that can be taught at CBT level and only so much you can remember in one go. Many have suggested that a CBT should be over 2 days but there is much opposition on grounds of cost and practicalities.
Many schools including where I work offer extra training on L plates but very few people are interested. Its a shame but that's how it is. Ride safe
I'll take your word on your ability as a rider, but I must commend you for the attitude and process that you employ in your decisions. I can't disagree with anything you said and hope in fact to borrow some of it 👍
I’ve just had a new Enfield classic 350 for my retirement but I haven’t rode for over 40 years, had my first go did 24 miles but if I’m honest it scared me for the first 10 miles. I definitely need some help as I don’t consider myself any good at the moment. Can I ask your advice please, should I sign up for my local police course or should I do something else first? I do have good road sense as I’ve been on bikes for 11 years 40 years ago and have always driven a car also have driven trams a number of years. But my road sense tells me I need help . I always watch your videos more than once as your advice is very helpful thankyou 👍🏍️
@MsDenver2 thanks for watching and congrats on the new bike. So any training is good, and Bikesafe is great. But if you haven't ridden for 40 years i think it would be better to go to a school who offers flexible training/refresher courses to bring your skill levels back in to a test standard which then allows you to build further. Bikesafe/enhanced/advanced courses should then work well for you.
One area to be confident in is slow speed control as it well help a lot with junctions and general slower traffic situations.
I hope this helps but if i can help further please get in touch. All the best.
@@MotorcyclePWR thankyou for your advice the refresher course sounds good and a more intense course after that , I will get in touch with my local refresher course thanks👍🏍️
A better rider is one who knows enough to know that he doesn't know enough
Even more so of today everyone is in a rush, better to get home safe and sound.
For me, the difference between my good rides and bad rides is far too high. Only when the variance is reduced will I consider myself an alright rider.
My paranoia on this topic has stopped me attending group rides at a local club. I just need to suck it up and get it done...
The key takeaway from words used in this video is ‘Risk assessment’
Nice video yet again, thank you. I think the most over-used and misinterpreted expression in advanced motorcycle training is “making progress”.
Over 40 years ago, I was an advanced (Gold Level) instructor with the old “Star Rider” training scheme. “Motorcycle Roadcraft” was our bible, and we taught what is now the IPSGA system. Using this system correctly can be a daunting experience, and pupils had a natural tendency to slow down, in order to fit in all the required observations and possible manoeuvres at any hazard. We always stressed that the system should not slow you down, as it was designed for use at normal road speeds. Therefore, we expected pupils to “make progress” while using it. If the speed limit was 60 and it was safe to do so, we expected them to ride at that speed while using the system with confidence.
Nowadays, “making progress” is too often interpreted as taking every possible overtaking opportunity, filtering at all costs, accelerating as hard as possible out of every speed limit, and inappropriately filling lanes at junctions. There seems to be much less emphasis on anticipation, awareness and defensive positioning.
So I was very happy to see your video, and also all the supportive comments on here.
That's an interesting comment. Where do you see that change of attitude to "making progress" these days? Is it in the training community or the general motorcycling media.
I’ve certainly seen the attitude that “making progress” is what advanced riding is all about.
I’m currently training for my advanced test with the IAM. I was out for a ride recently with another associate and an observer. We were taking it in turns leading, and at one point the other associate overtook a car at a crossroads. Not something I would ever feel comfortable doing.
During the debrief afterwards however, the observer congratulated the other rider for “making good progress” and “getting the overtake in”.
I’m certainly not an expert, but to my way of thinking, advanced riding and the IPSGA system is a process of dynamic risk assessment, with the rider trying to “make progress” as quickly, but as safely as possible.
@jimkendall500 thanks for your comments. I agree with your interpretation of advanced riding. Overtaking at any junction is something I regard as a complete no no, the exception being if the car to be overtaken is definitely past the point that it could turn (considering speed and position) plus the view of the junction reveals that it is clear. But across or on the approach to any junction is asking for trouble. If in doubt, leave it out! All the best with your advanced.
@josephlarmor550 thank you for your comments. "making progress" certainly provokes many a discussion and opinion for sure!
I think that "making progress" is a natural by product of using careful observations, good anticipation and flexible use of the system. It doesn't need to be complicated, as your speed should be appropriate for your ability, the road conditions and the purpose of the journey.
I can see why new riders using the System could slow down as they are thinking more about the new way of riding. However, once that develops and becomes second nature, progress returns naturally alongside the new found way of systemised riding. An emphasis on speed without developing everything else or pushing the progress before a student rider is ready is counter productive and even dangerous in my opinion.
All the best.
@@John900C Well I experienced it particularly when I took some IAM training on my return to motorcycling after a long gap of many years. A phrase used was that “good riders take every overtaking opportunity”. Failure to do so was seen as “failing to make progress”. I was also criticised for not accelerating hard enough out of speed limits, to the point where I wondered if a wheelie was required. I rode to what I considered was a safe, advanced level according to the principles learnt as an instructor 30 years previously, but I was told that my riding “lacked sparkle”. I decided that I preferred lacking sparkle to trying to pass every vehicle in front of me, and did not return.
I have question about positioning when approaching brows of hills, blind summits and the like. Is it best to use a nearside or central position? thank you
Go with near side, position for safety. Check that the near side is not full of debris though or the dreaded pot holes.
Not who you asked I know, but nearside, slowing as vision reduces and ready to stop in distance you can see.
Phil will have his own views, but many years ago I had a police video and the guy described his position as "Picking daisies" i. e. Keep to the nearside in case a large (or any) vehicle straddles the centre line(s).
What concerns you about blind summits?
If you're concerned about oncoming traffic offsiding on your side of the road,P1/nearside,is your answer.
If you're concerned about something stoppped in the blind area it's P2/middle of your lane
But the truth is to always expect the unexpected and ride accordingly.
@stufirewalker Thank you for your question, and thank you to the viewers who have provided answers already, of which I am in agreement! Road width depends on how far to the left you may wish to position, but what is always in mind is a vehicle travelling at speed overtaking a cyclist for example.
guitarplayerwannabee picking daisies, yes, that would be Mike Waite ex police motorcycle instructor.
People have said that if you position left, what about a parked vehicle or pedestrian, wont you collide? As @aps-pictures9335 rightly says, approach speed is key, if you can stop safely in the distance that you can see to be clear then its ok. This would be the case on any brow/blind summit regardless of the position you used.
Thanks to all for your contributions.
Be water, my friend
I would be unlikely to watch, If I didn't think you were a pretty darn good rider. I've occasionally watched a few I thought were terrible riders. 🙂Ride your own ride. Most who ride or drive around thinking how good they are have no clue other people on the road are thinking WAFI.
That behaviour of that FJR 1300 rider just sounded like me. I even ride one 😂