How do I change my riding style!

[nick.h]

I dont think that i always ride to my limits, but apparently from what mates have told me, i do.

Maybe its because i ride a 50cc (geared) i have the feeling that i need to push it (not literally) ever where i go.

Anyway this does usually lead to moments where i shit myself. Probably a moment in every 3 rides.

Suppose my crash record isnt to bad, 4 crashes, 3 drops and been hit once in 11 months of riding basically every day. I've got no long lasting damage to myself, only scars. But the bike is struggling to survive until i can do my test. The back wheel has been 'off' since i was hit in september, also has very little thread on it. From my latest crash, last week, the bars took a hard hit, so now the front wheel is slightly off. The batteries dead, no side fairings, slightly bent frame.

The bikes a money pit, so im not wasting anything on it, when (if) i pass my test it will rot in my garage. If i dont pass my test, i'm royally screwed.

I put this down to my riding style, but how can i change it, i know that when i go to do my test in feb its going to be hard because i dont know how to ride, properly. I mean i didnt even know that your meant to do a lifesaver if your turning right. Argh how am i going to learn how to ride again on a two day course.

Nick
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[doggone]

When you get a biger bike you'll have to learn more restraint.

[dainesefreak]

[mrchips]

Don't worry, everyone rides like a cock on thier 50.
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Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[nick.h]

Does it change though, when i start riding a bigger bike?
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[Whosthedaddy]

The power and way its delivered means that you dont have to cane it to make it go when you're on a bigger bike
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Groove]

Are these moments:

1. "whoa, didnt no that was going to happen. Could have been dangerous"

2. "Holy shit, im so lucky!"

I got the number 1 a few times when going round twistys . Most scariest was not judging a left hand corner right and so very nearly hit an on coming white van. This was my 2nd or 3rd day riding, barly leaning (After passing test, had no experience before training)

About 2 weeks later, overtaking about 4-5 cars down the bypass for some clio to randomly swerve as i was going past Mirrors where about an inch apart . I was just about on the other side of the middle white line.

I put most of my 'mistakes' down to inexperience. Such as not making enough decent observations.
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|| Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk

[IronMaiden]

[Stevie GooGs]

I thought when i had my 125 a 600 would be great just be able to comfortably sit at 70Mph but i find myself pushing the bike hard on a lot of roads. I found the best way to slow myself down was to put one hand on the tank or on my leg and cruise it works for me. It really all depends on what bike you go for, my bike is not the most sporty but do get tempted to rev it hard at times. If you want to slow yourself down, look at some of the pictures of high speed bike crashes.
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Current: 2019 Yamaha T7 -> 2015 KTM Superduke R | 2000 Yamaha R1 Past -> 2009 KTM 990 SM -> 2005 kawasaki ZX10r -> 2000 Honda CBR 600 FY -> 2002 Honda XLV 125 Varadero
Bike Pics! -> My Photography Website

[stinkwheel]

Pass your test then get yourself on some rideouts with some more experienced riders, tell them before hand that you are looking for tips, stop every so often and do a wee critique of the last stretch of road. Discuss what you did and why, if you noticed them doing something unexpected, ask why.

Chances are that the most important skill you are lacking is in planning ahead. You are probably not looking far enough ahead on the road to anticipate changes in road conditions and other drivers behaviour.

One thing to consider is doing a running commentary as you ride along, this is something they do with police drivers. Along the lines of: Corner coming up, roads wet, some gravel on the apex. Oncoming lorry, could be a car behind it so watch for an early overtake. Junction coming up on left with car approaching, has the guy seen me? Type of thing. Say it out loud in your helmet.
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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.

[Wave2k]

Dont ride like there is nothing to lose, ull learn that when you crash and it hurts REALLY bad.
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[bazza]

[shorty]

[skida]

[jonnay]

[nick.h]

[TOM M]

[fast_tzr]

Okay out of those crashes/drops I'd say only number 2 was unlucky and difficult to avoid. I'm only 14 and here in Spain the test is practically nothing, it is simply a basic theory and thats it. No thoughts as to how to ride or anything. You just need to do basically what stinkwheel said, expect everything that could happen, to happen. So when you're riding down the road and theres a car waiting to pull out, expect him to pull out in front of you. If you go round a blind bend expect there to be a car on the wrong side of the road, you'll then be better prepared for it if it does happen. Just take it easy and practise emergency stops, braking mid corner(careful with that though) etc. and you'll become better.

[judderman3000]

i beast my little 50 geared bike because i havnt got the power to do anything else and have to get my kick going round corners rather than going fast, i think it will change on a bigger bike with the ability to go faster, but at the moment im taking corners that my dad takes at 20 at 45 so just ride safe an we'll be on our way to bigger bikes soon enough
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Judd - Hornet 600 (restricted) Micron Can, Belly Pan, Custom rear end, Single seat cowl, need to sort front end out e.g. headlights and USD forks...

[skida]

Well said fast_tzr. Whenever anyone passes their test or gets a new bike there is a period of learning and gaining experience. If you push too hard during this period there is an increased risk of an accident.

I too recommend regular practising of emergency stops (where it is safe to do so) as every rider can benefit from learning how to brake safely. I bet not many actually do this (and I don't mean practising stoppies). If the first time you do an emergency stop (after your test) is when you need to, what chance do you think there is of pulling it off without pain or drama?

[Type_Mo]

I always pushed my typhoon 50 / 70 100% of the time. When i got a 125 i only pushed it about 50% of the time i was on it.
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- Typhoon ?0 - Yamaha DT125R - Aprilia SR125 - Yamaha DT125R - Honda Hornet 600 -

[stinkwheel]

[bish777]

I had a severe case of the wobblies for the first few weeks then the odd off up to a year after starting to ride.

Its simply a case of get out and ride! Thats how you gain experience.
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GSXR1100J

[fast_tzr]

[stinkwheel]

So you practiced it then? Bet the bike sat itself back up and made a beeline for the outside of the corner.
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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.