Should I do a Bikesafe course?

Sullivan6d · Post by **Sullivan6d** » Apr 29th, '07, 09:18

As I stated in my original post the reason I was considering a bikesafe course is because I can sometimes get flustered in road riding i.e. when I hit heavy traffic, safe breaking etc. I have locked my back wheel up on one occasion and thanks to discussing bike skills at length with my b/f I knew what to do but it still sh*t me up and the thought of it happening again can make me nervous of breaking at high speed i.e. national speed limit.

I love riding my bike and I can get a real buzz especially going round bends but I am not interested in getting my knee down. My b/f did Ron Haslam school last year and he loved it but thats because he loves getting his knee down and throwing the bike around whereas the thought of going round a bend holding my bike at a 30 degree angle puts the jitters up me to be honest. I am sure if I went to something like Ron Haslam I would be wasting my money and angering the instructors cos I just don't think I would be willing to go very far over thus slowing down at corners and then slowing everyone else down - no ta!

At the end of the day I am not going to do track riding, even if I did do Ron Haslam, or buy a track bike and all of my riding is going to be on the road in various weather conditions. I don't think I am a bad rider and I certainly don't see myself as 'starting out' but I do admit and feel I could improve my road riding and be able to handle my bike better if some t*at did decide to turn in front of me and I was heading straight for his/her passenger side door. Of course I have been in situations before where some idiot has almost knocked me off but I haven't had a very serious one...yet.

I think I will do the bikesafe course but I do appreciate all of your opinions.

Shiv

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Apr 29th, '07, 09:33

I once read this thing, find a nice straight, safe piece of road, and just ride along at say 20mph or whatever, and brake, (obviously best if you have slightly warm tyres!) and keep braking and braking, and you begin to realise exactly how hard to brake with each brake before you reach the limit of each brake, you will be surprised how hard you can brake with the front.
But I guess you cant teach what to do if some twat pulls out, theres talking about it, then there is actually doing it, I know I brake like f*ck and hope for the best and try not to target fixation on anything, always look to where you want to go!

jimbo#9 · Post by **jimbo#9** » Apr 29th, '07, 09:40

i was just typing...if you have enough confidance,
ever considered going some where quite n "testing" your braking abilities?
i.e.
go fair fast n trie stopping with just the back wheel..
then front..

i occasionally do this and have found i can lock my back wheel up at above 60 n still hold on..
same with the front.. but when heavy front bracking the back jumps up.. have to find a happy medium..

i can now also control a front wheel skid.. around the 40 mark..

one day these skills could do you a favour..

just go carefull where you practise..

jimbo#9 · Post by **jimbo#9** » Apr 29th, '07, 09:59

also just note..
ovo the conditions at the time will be a major factor in stopping distances.
and if you practise skiding left, if the real live senario plays you right ya no better off..

bike safe....

Mike Daytona600 · Post by **Mike Daytona600** » May 1st, '07, 19:24

I see you say you've been riding for three years and have had the SV for two of them. Not being funny but maybe the bike is too big for your experinece. That's the problem with direct access.

I started riding on a moped when I was 16, got a 125 when I was 17, a 250 at 18, a 400 at 19, a 500 at 20 and my first 600 at around 22. Although the reason for the steps was due to insurance and the cost of bikes, I found that going up like this was was good because the next bike wasn't a major jump from the last. When I eventualy got to 600 although it was a lot different to the 500, it was loads different to the 125.

I'm not saying you need to go up in so many steps, like already said mine was due to money, but it might be worth you getting someting a little smaller for a year or two.

I know you only go as fast as your right wrist will let you but it's also about the physical size, v twins have a lot of engine braking which can make a difference.

Hope this helps