Can I get some riding tips?

[sacred]

Hey guys.
Saw this forum and everyone seems to be pretty cool and helpful.

I have a few questions.
I've only done my CBT and I'm probably looking to do my theory in the middle of January and my A2 sometime toward the end of January.

I've been riding a Honda CBR125. I do like the bike, but I haven't had any lessons since I did my CBT and feel I need to get a little expert advice.

I came of my bike about a month ago in the rain. Car in front of me broke sharply at a roundabout and I think I was't paying full attention because I didn't break until quite late and then broke too hard, causing a skid and sending me over the side as I tried to correct it.
I must admit it shook me up a little and the bike (and myself) had a few scrapes. Took me about 2 weeks to muster enough courage to get back on and take it to the garage for a full check up and service.

Do you guys have any tips about breaking in the rain? I know the standard procedure from the CBT but wondered if there was more that would make it more efficient/safe. Obviously, I know I need to allow a bigger stopping distance. Are there any do's and dont's?

I'm a little shakey about emergency breaking and leaning into corners now just in case it happens again. So help would really be appreciated.

Another question I have is about filtering. Is it legal to filter through the middle of lanes (between middle lane and overtaking lane) given the traffic is slow? I do it all the time in traffic but wondered if I'd be penalised in my test for doing so?

I'm going to have a couple of intensive lessons with my cousin who's a police riding trainer, which will help alot. But I'd like to be in a decent enough riding state before I get there.

Id really appreciate any advice you guys can offer, even if I haven't asked a direct question about it. I wouldn't mind some random bits of advice. I need all the help I can get.

-greg

[mooserx]

in the rain, keep it smooth no harsh/sharp movements on brakes or bars, i use slightly more rear than front brake but that works for me, you'll be fine leant over on a bend as long as you don't grab a handful of front or stomp on the rear brake or give it a fistful of throttle ultimately the key is smoothness. just be aware of grids/manhole covers and large painted signs on the floor.

and remember because a bike tyre is profiled you can't aquaplane like in a car, grip is still adequate to get leant right over but it depends on your confidence.

don't filter on your test my instructor told me it was an advanced technique so it's a no-no, the lessons with your cousin sound like a good idea, just beware that you don't get to far ahead of yourself you gotta walk before you can run grasshopper.
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TL1000r-handful.

[steppen22]

There's no advantage to filtering during the test: you multiply the chances of making an error and you'll spend more time on the road.

It's better to stick in traffic, hence minimising the risk of doing anything stupid and also wasting test time! Remember, when your 40 minutes is up, the examiner probably has to get back to the centre for the next candidate. If you can spend 5-10 minutes of your terst looking at a cars backside, you're laughing.

Havey traffic is a godsend for the test.

Practiswetaying in traffic safely.
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no regrets, no retreat, no apology.
I've made mistakes in the past, and I apologise for FUCK ALL.

[cicatrez]

Like you said. when you hit the back of the car, you wasn't fully paying attention. Try not to lose concentration, read the road ahead and anticipate one of the teenage mutant ninja turtles jumping up out the drains.
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'02 Honda City Fly

[bikedemon99]

ONLY IF YOUR UPRIGHT 50% front 50% back in the rain but easy on them, if you snap at them your on your ribs, as your slowing to almost stopped ease off the front, it would be good if you knew a sensible rider you could go out with and Im sure there are plenty of guys from here in your area, buy motorcycle roadcraft the police motorcycle handbook as it has a lot a brilliant advice and info, I read my copy over and over, good luck
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Ride safe

[m0l0t0v]

Best advice on breaking? Find somewhere either off road (tarmac for obvious reason but I mean off-road as in no other people use that section, like abandoned airfields or something) and practice braking.

Find stuff to make certain distances. And get used to braking. Hard. As funny as it sounds try and look for places where the tarmac is grippier and/or less grippier so you can feel at what levels you can use the brakes at. Make sure you are sitting properly balanced as I can guarantee that if you are and you lock the front you will slide with no problems as I have done countless times (through trying to be silly and doing stoppies though ) Best use of the lever is obviously getting used to the initial bite of the breaks and gradually tightening the lever. It's not a question of just slamming on them. It's a case of moving the lever back in a smooth way but quickly. Use engine braking too and pull the clutch in at the latest moment you can. If you do stall, don't worry. Just do as you're told to do so

Obviously as you have stated yourself leave more of a distance than usual. And make sure with long vehicles(with lorries and buses, etc) that you can see their mirrors. :p:

Filtering is entirely and perfectly legal. Legally wise they say not to do 20mph more than the traffic you are filtering (and obviously not over the limit). However, it is utterly pointless to do it on the test. Just sit and wait behind the traffic.

Leaning in the wet? I know the feeling. I used to be shit scared of doing so. Then I got overtaken by a guy on a Hayabusa when I was on the Hornet 6 and I thought "Fuck me I'm a wimp" So I gradually learnt to lean more and more. But never do it harshly. Just gradually lean more and more and you can sometimes feel the rear wheel starting to slide if you do lean a lot. Idea is you get used to that feeling so when it does happen when you are riding you don't panic and fuck up. I'm leaning into corners now with having the rear wheel slide and at first I used to panic, close the throttle and brake. Which is one of the worst things you can do. It's all about being smooth and keeping the throttle on .

Best advice for riding in the wet? Being smooth

Best lessons you can get that don't involve a riding instructor (or even a friend) is just to go off on a ride on your own and get purposely lost. I learnt more on those rides than any other ride It's also more fun.

Best of luck dude!
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'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
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