How can I learn to ride like this?

Peter posted this link in another thread. It shows a cop on a Harley
doing nifty things through a maze of witches hats:



It would be nice to be able to ride a little bit like that.

[1] Is there anywhere in Sydney where this type of skill is taught?

[2] Can this skill be learned without a significant risk of dropping
and damaging my shiny new bike?


=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

Aye, it's a very nice bike of riding.

How much is "a little bit like that", and how much effort are you
prepared to put in?

Yup! The basic technique that that cop used is taught to all new
motorbike riders in NSW.

Of course, most folk, once they get their licence forget about good bike
handling and just want to blaze up and down their favourite roads. :-|

The basic technique can be learned, at low speed without too much risk
of falling over.

After that, if you want/need to try to do that kind of stuff at slightly
higher speed....<shrug> it's up to you.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Perhaps see if any of the trials clubs are running "Try Trials" days.
The basic skills might be easier to pick up there and would be a bit
transferable.

The glib answer is "Start 25 years ago."

Did you notice he didn't look at his tachometer once? Just saying.....


Moike

 

Not sure how you are defining 'basic techinique'.

I would call what that cop was doing as 'advanced technique'.

Would you call what he was doing 'low speeed'? I would.

To me it still ooks like I'd drop my pride and joy if I tried that
stuff. the mere thought of tacking it scares the bejaysus out of me.
Call me a wooss.

=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

Oh yeah, they'd laugh themeslves senseless if i turned up with the
cruiser.

I too would not be looking at the tachowhen doing that, you shit
stirring mongrel.

=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

The basic technique, as taught at MOST (pre-provisional) courses is to
slip the clutch, keep engine revs around 2000 to provide some
gyroscopic stability, and use back brakes to control speed - around
walking pace. This seems to work fine with bikes that have transverse
mounted engines (flywheels and moving parts longitudinal) with wet
clutches, but is a bit problematic with longitudinal mounted engines
with dry clutches. Your V twin should work well, but my boxer, whilst
it works up to a point, needs a bit of care, and clutch slipping is
really not on.

As a late bloomer on motorcycles. I found practice with the MOST
layouts using tennis balls cut in half as markers, to be of immense
benefit in the getting of confidence department. I used a KLR650 at
that time, and it had no problems with the suggested technique. YMMV
of course, just a suggestion.

I note that the Harley riding cop was not into the clutch slipping
technique at all, but I would bet that he started there when he was a
learner.

 

On 07/28/11 10:31 AM, GWD wrote:

Rats! I wish you hadn't told me that. Now I'll worry if I have to do
a slow, tight U-turn on the BMW.

The mechanical bits that you describe are indeed what is taught to
pre-learners and pre-provisional riders in NSW, but you missed out on
the steering and balance of the motorcycle...... just a minor oversight,
obviously.

Tennis balls, cut in half? What heresy? Empty beer cans are the
pukka bikie things to use, with a wee bit of water in them if it's windy.

Yup! I'd also hazard a guess that he is one of the local instructor
riders in whatever jurisdiction he is in.

He's obviously worked quite hard at getting good at it.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

I guess I'm talking extended practice sessions rather than once off U
turns. Anyway, I am not an expert on BMW clutches, I just find the
sight of white smoke coming out of the clutch area a bit alarming.

Yes an oversight. As always I bow to the experienced.

He certainly has. It inspires me to get back to tennis balls and
unused car parks.

 

It is Peter Tippett to you Gerry Binder.

I bet he has done more than 0.0001% of his riding around them as well;-)

Practice control. :-D
(insert self)

Yes, maybe even some that supply bikes.

Yes.
See above.

I love you Gerry Binder!

 

Heh I had forgotten your earlier post, and assumed it was a throttle
lock joke..

 

[major snippage]

The pills, Peter. Don't forget the pills.

=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

Well, I'd like to vastly improve my non-existent low-speed tight
manouvering skills. I'd be perpered to put in the effort if I could
be sure I wouldn't drop my bike in the process.

Are there courses (for those who already have full licenses), or would
I need to be rich enough to hire a personal trainer? I suppose I
should be able to just teach myself by practicing, but my paranoia
tends to make me think that this would be the course of action most
likely result in me dropping the bike. :-(

=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

thanks George. Yes, I might just have to do some practice. Any ideas
where I might find a suitable practice area up here?

Yep. He probably learned before became paralysed by fear. :-(

=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

Found this:
http://www.stayupright.com.au/practice.htm

 

Shopping centre car park in the middle of the night ??

 

Gerry, I don't do pills but in your case it would explain a lot...
Good luck with it and don't forget the love!

 

Gerry, I can really relate to what you're saying about fear. At my second
'remedial' lesson (the loooong path to getting my Ls) I was so paralysed by
fear that I simply couldn't make the bike move at all (let's not even
mention the first remedial lesson). It took a different - and very
understanding - instructor to get me, in that second lesson, to inch the
bike forward (well, 'inch' might be a bit optimistic!) at all.

The same fear paralysed me just a few weeks ago, when I found myself
incapable of test-riding the demo Sportie at the Harley shop. After 5 years
and about 150,000 road kilometres, mind you...

Stay Upright has some very good and patient instructors available for
one-to-one instruction - and if you cough up some extras cash, you'll be
able to hire one of their bikes for the experience. Yes, it's an expensive
option - but just one lesson would probably be enough of a confidence
booster to be more than worthwhile.

betty the fearful

 

Well, that explains it I guess...

=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

Yes, I'll have to look around. But locked barriers and security
guards come to mind.


=================

Onya bike

Gerry

 

Fear does some bad things.

DM mentioned that too. I was wondering what was taught by thoses
schools. Sounds like they have what I need. I will also need to to
do a cornering and braking course as well. So I guess I'll just bite
he bullet and do it,

They have mid-sized cruisers? (Just jesting)


=================

Onya bike

Gerry