Where is everyone #5

If you are new…

Go to a big parking lot and do the figure 8s. Learn the friction zone of the clutch. Takes about 15-30 minutes. You will know because all of a sudden, you will be able to slow down to walking speed and do everything without “feeling” like the bike is going to fall over. That’ll come to you and the brain will burn that knowledge into your default setting. You can be sick as hell, or drunk off your arse, but will not drop a bike…

…and can easily pass any motorcycle test.

You will see people who have been riding for years foot dragging at slower speeds, duck walking the bike in turns, and drop their bike trying to park or at a red light. They never took the time to burn the friction zone to memory. Not hard to do, but no one wants to appear silly doing donuts in a parking lot. So they drop their bike in traffic.

 

When my wife took the course, she came home and showed me a few tricks.
Biggest one for me was slow parking lot maneuvers. Slightly dragging the rear brake and feathering the clutch. It keeps the bike upright and gives supreme control. Thats how the police are able to do some of the slow speed maneuvers that shouldn't be possible on a big bike. Any idiot can ride a bike fast, it's the slow speed control that can save your arse.
That and riding like you are invisible and everyone is out to kill you..

Those nighthawks are sweet. I've ridden a 450, a 550, and owned an 84 750s at one time. The 750 I bought not running. The oil pump/starter chain snapped. I had to overhaul the bottom end and split the cases to replace the chain. The charisma of that engine made it so choice to ride.

 

Only issue is Its halfway across the country. Might have to take a trip out to haul it back. Its had some recent work too, new tires and brakes for sure. I've seen it a few times and it is dang near mint.

 

There's a massive parking lot down the road from my house. Easy enough to get the bike there to ride around in the evenings. I'd love to take a rider's course but with the amount of work going on I don't really have the time. This is the first Saturday I've had off in a few weeks.

 

I like it…!!!

 

The riding course is great! Even so, I still recommend the figure 8 in the parking lot. It’s you setting your muscle memory at YOUR pace. Like I said, it doesn’t take long and suddenly…

CLICK!

You’re there. It’s like riding a bicycle for the very first time and learning how to balance. It suddenly clicks in the brain and you got it for life.

 

Also "look where you want to go" The hands follow the eyes , if you look down you'll go down. This is true at slow and hiway speeds. If you see a something in the road , look at a way around it don't focus on the object.

 

You are correct on looking “out there” I’ve told new riders in the past when going around a curve, don’t look down right in front of the bike, look out there….

 

I'm fairly confident I have the look where you want to go figured out. Thread the needle pretty good with the mountain bike on high speed trails. I'm definitely going to do some playing in the parking lot before I go out on the road.