July 8th, 2009, 08:50 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jerry
Location: California
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 Posts: 178
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What riding Skills do You Practice, and How Often?
For example:
Do you practice quick stops, or maybe just extreme slowing? At what speeds? Do you practice changing lanes in turns? Motorcycle lanes, or full lane changes? How about U-turns? What do you do to improve turning technique? For bonus points, describe a situation where your practiced skills saved your bacon... Not really looking for wheelie-stoppie practice, more along the lines of safety-first.... |
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July 9th, 2009, 03:30 AM | #2 |
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Name: Eric
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I am always practicing.Like a doctor Haha
Lately it has bin picking turn and braking points. As I get to a turn I spot a tree or where the guard rail starts . And use that is a turn point or a break point Then I wait till I get to that point to start my turn . I have bin going to the drag strip .My engine is down for mods so I am on my scooter . I have bin practicing launching as soon as the red light goes out. (Not at big intersections.)Got to watch for the Baltimore red runners. |
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July 9th, 2009, 03:54 AM | #3 |
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Name: Remy
Location: Moncton
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I ride everyday , that's how I practice :P
Actually I will swerved around manholes in town, using quick weight shifting to go around, and when I come out of parkings or in slow traffic I try to keep my feets on the bike the longest possible before I actually have to put one down..good for balance...and do the occasional hard braking for no reason practice, lol.
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July 9th, 2009, 04:12 AM | #4 |
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As part of my daily riding I practice quick stops and tigjt turns such as doing a u turn in the middle of the street with no cars coming.
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July 9th, 2009, 06:33 AM | #5 |
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Name: Dave
Location: Michigan
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Well, daily riding is practice. A few times ive been out to the Same parking lot that i took my MSF class. Its in the parking lot behind a Community College. They have Painted things on the ground, and im able to Remember MOST of the MSF exercises that i once did there last Oct.08'
Like the 'S' u-turn thing... sharp low speed turning, going into a Curve then standing the bike 'Up' b4 you come to a Hard Stop. I had a guy, whom just got on his nice yellow Suzuki after his class (had his books n stuff in his backpack) , as he saw me doing these exerises.. he asked me "Are you practicing your MSF things?" I told him yes, but i took the class last year... im just here messing around! he replies: "Cool, i do sometimes too! lol. Well see ya Bro." |
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July 9th, 2009, 07:41 AM | #6 |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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about once or twice a month i practice going as fast as i can.
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July 9th, 2009, 10:02 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Zach
Location: Upstate NY
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Yamaha R6 (street), GSXR 750 (track) and a Harley FXDB Posts: 140
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I guess I go through those daily in traffic or back roads.
Riding the friction zone going as slow as I can on main roads with lots of stop lights while being behind someone who is creeping up on the stop light. Quick stops because people love to pull out in front of me. I get to practice that at least once a month. U-turns on a narrow road because there is the "S" turn with a 15mph posted and another easier 15mph posted almost immediately after - good times right there. It's is fun to do a U-turn and do it over again. Changing lanes in turns...almost daily. Nothing too crazy though. Crazy is reserved for no traffic, 100% visibilty, and already checked the road moments. Manholes and potholes for the quick swerves. Start rolling from a stop already prepped for turns can be necassary too. Now for the bonus: Going straight on a main road and a side road comming up on my left. A truck pulls out. I start layin on my horn and doing some hard braking. It has happened a few times. First time got me with my rear wheel locking up but it has happened a few times since at that location and various other spots. I think I have the hang of it now. Most time on the road is relaxing and incident free. Just don't ever lose focus, they come out of nowhere. |
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July 9th, 2009, 10:10 AM | #8 |
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Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
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I would suggest putting the horn in the secondary category, and the hard braking and/or swerving in the primary category. First worry about how you're going to move, stop, or accelerate the bike to avoid or escape from the immediate danger, and only after you're confident that things are under control then feel free to blast the horn. I'm afraid that any instinct or reflex to go for the horn first costs a few feet and perhaps just a few tenths of a second that may end up to be critical, and quite often a horn blast is going to ineffective anyway.
I use the horn from time to time, certainly if I see someone start to swerve into my lane, and I'm sure there are other similar situations. Sometimes it can be quite effective, other times it's ignored and completely ineffective.
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July 9th, 2009, 10:19 AM | #9 |
Finally!
Name: Tony
Location: Central TX
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 Red 250R Posts: 420
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LOL, of course! As for me, my personal issues were with u-turns and take offs from slopes. Luckily I live in a neighborhood that's still under development so I can ride around the streets and safely practice u-turns and slow maneuvers. Also, our driveway is extremely steep which makes for some nice slope practice.
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July 9th, 2009, 11:03 AM | #10 |
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Name: Kim
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I actually go to a residential parking lot at one of the universities near by and practice many of the msf maneuvers, especially panic stopping, swerving and stopping, and simple things like taking off from a stop on a steep incline... every little bit helps
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July 9th, 2009, 11:18 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Zach
Location: Upstate NY
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I suppose I should have typed that in order of reaction. Brakes are first. The horn comes after.
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Previous rides: Ninja 650, Ninja 250, Goldwing and a Nightster |
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July 9th, 2009, 11:21 AM | #12 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Pat
Location: Barrie, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 338
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Every time I go out on the bike, I'm practicing something I've discovered or picked up from other riders.
Right now I'm experimenting with balanced braking vs. front braking based on the recent (and controversial) braking thread. Lots of opinions, only one real way to find out
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July 9th, 2009, 01:26 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: zail
Location: Bristol, UK
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 156
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Just started an Advanced Motorcycling course and as a result of that am practicing slow speed stuff and at the moment conecntrating on positioning and using gears more effectively to minimise braking and maximise effective acceleration.. I try to ride to work everyday which involves lots of slow speed traffic work in rush hour so I guess I'm practicing that all the time!
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July 10th, 2009, 04:42 PM | #14 |
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Name: Purspeed
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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U-Turns, U-Turns, U-turns.
Right to left or left to right swerves. Sometimes emergency brake and swerve.
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July 10th, 2009, 05:23 PM | #15 |
Future Hall of Famer
Name: rich
Location: Tacoma, WA
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Quick stops, u turns, turns and swerves. I use the msf course which is a 2 blocks away from my house.
Posted via Mobile Device |
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July 10th, 2009, 05:25 PM | #16 |
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Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
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I practice all of the above daily. I have been riding for 40 years--have had a license for 50. Plan to replace the horn on the Ninja--definitely wimpy. Used it once since I have had the bike--to no effect.
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July 10th, 2009, 06:57 PM | #17 |
2 Wheel Newb
Name: Scott
Location: Sacramento, CA
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Blog Entries: 1
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I practice starting my bike, wishing I had some gear and wishing the DMV would let me transfer the title of my bike over already.
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July 10th, 2009, 07:08 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
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Hi Scott! I wouldn't start it too many times without actually riding it; you may be surprised how quickly the battery can be drained past the point where it will be able to start the bike. Running it at idle will not appreciably charge the battery either; for the alternator to be providing enough extra juice to recharge, the engine needs to be running at normal operating RPMs. Motorcycle batteries tend to have much less reserve capacity than car batteries. Hope you get the title transferred soon.
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July 10th, 2009, 07:36 PM | #19 |
2 Wheel Newb
Name: Scott
Location: Sacramento, CA
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 218
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I've only had it a few days, and only started it about 3 times. Should be alright, me-thinks. Appreciate the advice though, so i'll stop starting it until I can actually ride it on the road legally and geared up = ) Will post when the bike is actually legally mine (hoping its Monday).
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"Always remember, your mind is like a parachute. It works best when not being eaten by zombies" -Someone |
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July 10th, 2009, 09:28 PM | #20 |
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Name: Greg
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buying parts and accessories as cheaply as possible
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July 10th, 2009, 09:35 PM | #21 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Quote:
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July 10th, 2009, 09:56 PM | #22 |
2 Wheel Newb
Name: Scott
Location: Sacramento, CA
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 250r Posts: 218
Blog Entries: 1
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hahaha. If i had a way to record that I would.
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"Always remember, your mind is like a parachute. It works best when not being eaten by zombies" -Someone |
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July 10th, 2009, 10:03 PM | #23 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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any digital camera in the "movie" mode can make a vid.
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July 10th, 2009, 10:39 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Dario
Location: Suffolk County, NY
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 (Sold), 2016 Z1000 Posts: 239
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I swerved around a 4ft long cat in the middle of the road today, does that count as practice?
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July 11th, 2009, 01:04 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jordan
Location: Calgary
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 ex250 Posts: 98
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Depends, were you trying to hit it or miss it?
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July 11th, 2009, 09:02 PM | #26 |
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Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
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July 13th, 2009, 12:00 AM | #27 |
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Name: Steve
Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI
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i've been practicing being smooth while riding. not just at speed on challenging roads, but smooth everything...from stop and go's to shifting, braking and turning.
another thing is enhancing my 'situational awareness' by doing the defensive 'what if'. not spending too much of my dollar's worth of attention on it, but enuff to recognize a possible threat and what i'll do IF.
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July 13th, 2009, 01:14 PM | #28 |
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I practice not crashing everytime I ride. It takes a lot but I think it's worth it. It's more concentration than skills, although some skill is involved.
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July 13th, 2009, 01:17 PM | #29 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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how's that working out for you in the short time you've been riding? You do know crashing is a part of riding and everyone crashes. If you haven't you're just not normal.
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July 13th, 2009, 01:55 PM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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It's funny you should bring that up. I was at a pub yesterday with a bunch of riders from Daytona Sport Riders and the guy next to me asked me what I was riding and how long I've been riding. I told him I had my son's GSXR 1000 and I've been riding for over 40 years. He told me he started riding at 35 and started racing at 37 (he was 45 now). The discussion of crashing came up and I told him I had crashed many times. I said that you crash in practice to see how fast you can take a certain section of a track. I then said I have never crashed in a race. He told me he had crashed too many times in races and had too many broken bones. I told him you are better off finishing than crashing so he needs to change his strategy.
The same rational applies to the street. You're better off getting to where you are going than crashing. Slow down a little and last longer.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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July 13th, 2009, 02:02 PM | #31 |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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i tell my endurance teamates the same thing.... if you're going to crash, do it during practice.
sometimes crashing is imporant as a racer. when you haven't crashed in a while you start to become scared of it. once you have a little get off and realize it wasn't so bad, then you can loose some of that fear and pick up the pace a little. all thats for nothing if you do it during a race though
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