Novice Observations

[hume]

The first observation I would like to make is everyone is comfortable with 40mph+. Even those on L plates.
Without using iron grippers to increase my grip strength my hands begin to pain me and my clutch control gradually gets worse over time.
Using the rear break and clutch when corner feels off to me (at least on my bike). I do lean at roughly at a 20 degree angle.
Overtaking slow moving vehicles is something I have a mental block on. I've done it once but not since.

An experienced rider at work suggested going to track on novice days. He said "That's where you really get to learn how to ride."

What I want to know is will a track allow me to use a bigger bike than a 125cc and would they allow me to do 70mph+?

[linuxyeti]

No need to do a track ride, just ride, even my daughter on her 50 can get it to 40+ mph, and , she's been practising (on private land) on her Keeway that she can ride in a few weeks, and again has got above 40mph in a relatively restricted space.

First thing, relax, loosen your grip, relax your shoulders, etc It will come with time, find a car park or other open ground, where you can practice chucking your bike about !
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[stinkwheel]

Your backside, knees and feet are for keeping you on the bike. Your hands and arms are for working the controls. Your legs are used to taking your weight, your arms are not so don't ask them to.

You shouldn't be using the brakes or the clutch in a corner. You should have done any slowing down before you go into the corner and be on a stable and steady neutral throttle as you go round it so you aren't upsetting the balance either to the front or the rear. As you see the exit, accelerate out.

I really think you need some lessons with a proper instructor to get the basics down, not a track day. And a lot more miles.

But as above, first thing stop death-gripping the handlebars. loosen up, flap your elbows a bit. Look where you want to go.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[hume]

Linuxyeti, I think you misunderstand. I can do 40mph, but I'm not comfortable doing it on 30mph roads. Two weeks ago I could barely do 25mph consistently. Now 30-34mph is ok.
I use my bike to commute to work. There are no dual carriageways or A roads for me to practice on.

In order for me to be truly comfortable doing 40mph and above I would need to know what 70mph feels like. What are my reactions times and whether I can (from a mental perspective) handle those speeds.

[linuxyeti]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[WD Forte]

What bike?
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[hume]

Some of the advice on this thread has been sound. Although I would like to document the frustration that led me to start this thread. When I would set off from work. I would have a bike overtake me and disappear. Usually he would turn right and me left. But as I got halfway through my journey I would be overtaken by several bike who were using the same route as myself.
Three different groups of riders would overtake me and I wouldn't be able to catch up with any of them.

I was nervous about straddling lanes and picking up my speed over short distances.

Today was the first day I was able to keep up with the first group of riders I encountered going my way. I followed an A license rider as he moved between built up traffic. The confidence to do this has been lacking and I feel the familiarity of the journey I take to and from work helps me push the envelope as it were and try new things without being overly cautious.

In strong winds as today I notice if I keep my visor down I don't hear the wind as much which raises my level of anxiety, especially when accompanied by crosswinds forcing the bike to veer into the adjacent lane.

[Andy_Pagin]

Old saying: 'ride your own ride', concentrate on improving your skills at your own pace and stop worrying about trying to keep up with total strangers who may be way more experienced and/or reckless than yourself.
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the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[BTTD]

You're not going to keep up with someone who's been filtering for years If you've just started riding. More importantly, don't try.
It takes time to get comfortable with speed and understand how a bike behaves. Some people just seem to get it, everyone else puts their time in.
Give it a few months, and if it still seems crap get a 1:1 session with a decent instructor who will be able to spot your bad practices.
Track day sessions won't get you more comfortable on a commute.

[Pete.]

Absolutely, don't try to ride like a seasoned biker. Their ease of progress might be incomprehensible to you but they have the experience (and experiences) to risk-assess every point of their journey and adjust their speed, safety gap, road position to suit. They'll 'see' - often unconsciously - likely hazards that you won't be aware of. Mostly they are relaxed and completely in tune with their bike so they can devote all their attention to reading the road and the surrounding traffic.

It takes many thousands of miles to achieve this. You're learning so do it at your own rate, not someone else's.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Bhud]

Regular commuters do crash while filtering, and then it's all a blame game. You need not only machine control but also to be able to anticipate hazards. Err on the side of caution. If you can't see around an object, be ready in case there is something there, e.g. a pedestrian you can't see who is crossing the road in front of that car. Psychology also plays a big part. Pride comes before a fall: a lot of teenagers, L-platers etc. will filter and take risks ("there was nothing there the last few times, why should there be anything there now?") to prove a point. Let these types win the race. Similarly, the guy on the (stereotyping here, but stereotypes do help sometimes) Harley/GS who rides in the oncoming lane so that oncoming traffic has to change lane positioning to give him space to filter. Don't feel you have to do the same, or anything where you don't feel safe. You will find the occasional frustrated driver who deliberately blocks your path because he thinks you shouldn't jump the queue, or the guy late for work who doesn't check his mirror or indicator, but pulls out in front of you. Patience and keeping a cool head are important.

Anticipating all of these situations is on your head. If someone is filtering in front of you, you can take the opportunity to get in his wake, but at the same time you should anticipate the changing traffic situation and keep yourself safe. Ideally, filtering should not be about risk attitudes but anticipating potential and developing hazards and being safe.