First ride on the Varadero 125

[turningCircle]

...and I tell you what - it's not bad this riding lark is it!?

Came off the bike at the end of my ride grinning from ear to ear. Took her out for a spin around the country roads in North Wales, seemed to remember my lifesavers, indication and general control. That said, my gear changing was utter sh*te. (Practise makes perfect I suppose).

Anyone who says you can't have fun on a 125 doesn't know how to have fun That said; when I pass my DAS - i'm fairly sure the 125 will seem like a pedal bike compared to a 600!

As you know, motorcycling is a constant process of self-learning and development and I have my first post-ride question!

My police motorcycling handbook (and my instructor) says that lane position should generally be positon 3 on a straight road (ie, just left of centre road markings), when cornering to the left, this position should be exaggerated (almost to the centre line), and when taking a right corner, position should move to 1 to gain greatest visibility around the bends in both situations.

However, if you've ever ridden on country roads, you'll know that oncoming vehicles often pass over onto your side of the road. So, my question (particularly directed towards rural riders), do you have any tips on road positioning?

At the moment, I'm just adjusting my positioning based on the road conditions and trying to stay slightly right of the centre of my lane.

As I am a Loser rider; I could do with any tips you could give!

[Scootaloo]

[arry]

[Taught2BCauti...]

My method is to adjust my position so that I can see the maximum distance ahead, and to adjust my speed so that I can safely react within that distance.

There's plenty of 'Advanced Cornering' videos on YouTube
____________________
Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Snowdonia Rider]

Where in North Wales are you?
____________________
I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider

[turningCircle]

[Snowdonia Rider]

[Rogerborg]

Great to hear that you're enjoying it.

Don't sweat Roadcraft too much; we've seen videos of coppers putting themselves unnecessarily in danger while riding to The Holy System.

And you're quite right that you need to anticipate vehicles crossing to your side of the road. To the point where if they take your leg off, the Court of Appeals can overturn their liability and your payout.

So, sure, move to the right on the approach to a left hander to see a bit further around it, but don't feel that you have to hold that position all the way around. If in doubt, middle of your lane (or as far over as you want) and slow down.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Beehive Bedlam]

I'd throw the motorcycling police handbook in the bin and learn my own style.

[sidewinder]

The positions 1/2/3 are just for guidance.always ride to the road type conditions etc.i travel country roads everyday and usually find I'm in position 2 most often..
____________________
"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[gbrand42]

[Beehive Bedlam]

[Old Git Racing]

Nice to see your enthusiasm, glad you are enjoying it.

Tips for rural road riding -

Use hedges, walls etc to get a view of where the road goes in front of you. Look as far as you can see and don't just concentrate on the 50 yards in front of your bike.

Use the vanishing point principle if you don't know the road. Look at the road coming up in front of you, see where the road disappears, if this point is coming towards you, slow down. If its remaining at a constant distance proceed with a neutral throttle, if its going away from you accelerate.

Be aware that around the next corner there might be a tractor, a horse rider, shit on the road. If this happens look where you need to go, not where you think you will end up if you crash. Don't grab the brakes, squeeze them on progressively so you can still steer the bike.

Look after your bike, maintain it and make sure everything works like it should, then if you need it to do something it will. Wear the best gear you can afford.

OGR
____________________
2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[XBIKER]

Just take it easy to begin with, middle of the road and take it from there. Don't try to go flying into a bend knee out and rear end hanging off the saddle (ball bearing in the ear as my old boss used to say!) as that will probably only teach you how to fall off. Yes you will learn that too but steady as she goes until you gain the neccessary experience.
Confidence will build as you get better then over-confidence will push you back a little before you move on up some more.

You do get the 1 / 2 / 3 road positions as well as the 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 positions and probably someone advocating 6 / 7 as well!
No-one showed me any of that when I started but I soon learned that the best position is the one where you are in control.

The Varadero is a great little bike and very agile on country roads but as has been mentioned, look out for cows, sheep, horses, CHICKENS? yeah and of course all the various makes of manure.

Keep it between the hedges...............

[1198]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[1198]

[turningCircle]

[Stewie]

Honda Varadero XL 125, a great little big bike, the main thing is to relax, if your riding all tensed up that will translate through the bike .
+1 for the Police roadcraft book, ride safe and have fun .

[1198]