LB Community Forums / Help & Information / Mentoring

Winter Commuting -> Advice Needed

kml_uk — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:31:12 GMT

I passed my test in April and have put about 7k miles on my bike since then and in the last month after my office moved from the city to heathrow, I've started commuting about 20 miles each way through the west end, A4 and M4 and as we approach the winter, I've started planning for additions to my kit that I'll need.

So far, I've got (does or could any one recommend any cracking products for the below?)

Thermals (top and bottom)
Winter Gloves
Balaclava
New Waterproof Boots (my Sidi Vertigo's don't work in the wet!)

The big question though, is do I invest in a textile suit? I currently wear my leathers when ever I'm on the bike, with a water proof shell over it when its pissing it down? Has anyone here got an Aerostich suit? My 'arl fella lives in the states and was telling me that they rave about them over there?

If anyone else has ANY advice for winter commuting, I'd happily take it on board!

Cheers!!;)

Downhill corners

driesie — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:34:46 GMT

This one kept me awake a bit last night.
On the A233, approaching Westerham, there's a sequence of corners on a downhill, with no straight bits to speak off until your at the bottom.
The couple of times I have been there, it's caught me out because you can't really tell it's going to be downhill for a bit until you're through the first corner. I haven't had the confidence to carry through speed because you can't see through the corners, and I'm always worried about a slower car being there, but at the same time, I have never dared to apply brake or shift down because the bike isn't really upright much until your down the hill, so a couple of times I have gone in a bit a panic mode and not done anything, relying on the very little engine braking (not much good as I'm usually in a gear too high, so accelerating a little on the downhill instead of slowing) and "see what happens".

Is it just confidence, or what does one do in such a situation?

a bit of a medical query

blueeyebabe — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:02:31 GMT

According to NHS description carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness, tingling and pain in the thumb and fingers of one or both hands. It is caused by pressure on the nerve that passes into the hand. This can cause pain, which may become prolonged and intense, making it difficult to grip things. so I have got it but before I started riding, it was not affecting me too much.

Has anyone else been affected by it? I realize that as a learner I probably grip accelerator and clutch too much, but I consciously try not to and wiggle my fingers at any opportunity as this appears to be relieving the numbness. I am concerned that it probably affects my riding. Has anyone got any ideas what to do, apart from the surgery?

Thanks

request for stunting mentor

Mamady — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:01:33 GMT

Hi all,

I got my license a couple months ago, and ive been riding round on a fazer 600 that i bought, but its kinda lonely riding alone, and i dont have anyone to call an ambulance if/when i come off trying to pull a wheelie or something :P

Does anyone fancy mentoring me on how to do wheelies? Ive done many small power wheelies by accident, but i just dont seem to have the confidence (or the venue!!) to pull them off for real :crying: Im particularly interested in learning to clutch wheelie.

The more i ride, the more i experience and gain confidence, but I think some tips and experienced help would accelerate this a lot.

So any volunteers?

I wouldnt mind just meeting up with some others who practice this stuff occasionally, but ive noticed you cant really ask about 'where' because it seems to be hush hush due to the legality of it.

I cant really do daytime weekdays as i work... but evenings or weekends would be great.

BTW, im located in Camden Town, so i guess it would be easier to meet up with people in north london, but i dont mind travelling a bit.

If your around camden and go for rideouts regularly, gimme a buzz! :)

Thanks for the confidence boost

EddieH — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:31:21 GMT

Having just returned to biking, after a 30+ year gap, I had lost most of my confidence, especially in cornering. I have spent a lot of time reading other posts on this forum and realised that I was not alone in this fear. I followed the links to guidance on riding and read, and re-read, all the advice about countersteering etc. and how it can be used in cornering. I went out and started to use the technique, albeit in a tentative way, but now I am looking forward to corners, as opposed to fearing each and every one. I have a long way to go before I become a fully proficient rider again, but your advice and guidance have made me enjoy biking again....I really was beginning to think I would be better off selling the bike and sticking to cars only, but your input has enabled me to 'grow some balls' and master the bike and corners, not the other way round. Thanks to all, especially the links below.

http://londonbikers.com/article.aspx?section=2&id=3691&rewrite=1

http://www.sportrider.com/motorcycle_riding/techniques/index.html

Books to help your riding

demonbiker — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:34:44 GMT

I have a few books that may be of use to those going for a test or wanting to do further training

DSA guide to compulsory basic training - free if you collect it

Old car Roadcraft book -Free if you collect it

Motorcycling manual DSA Driving /riding skills- £5

Motorcycle Roadcraft - the police bible!! -£5

If they are any use to anyone give me a shout or their going on Fleabay!

Riding in strong wind

g0rg — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:04:40 GMT

Quite often on open motorway stretches and descending into the Chervell valley on M40 I experience very strong side winds with gusts that move the bike off the course. Sometimes it is quite scary; last year I've been riding home in bad rain and high wind, and a gust moved me into the nearside lane almost directly into the path of a lorry.

Could the good people on the forum consider sharing their experience/tips on riding in high winds?

Machine control day?

jimc — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:12:46 GMT

Just a punt (it's late...)

Is there any mileage in convening an LB machine control day? This wouldn't be wheelie school - the absolute opposite, this would be for slow control etc. We'd need at least one qualified instructor, several advanced observers and a sensible venue. I'd could do with the practice myself, and it would be a good confidence booster for L platers.

Note, I'm just providing the idea!

Peg and bar weighting

Gixerphil — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:50:50 GMT

Hi All, prob need some professional track tuition to get this properly sorted but though I could start here with the racers amongst you.

I'm having a problem weighting the various controls / parts of the bike, once at about knee down lean and beyond. I understand you should use your outside leg to lock you into the tank and keep weight off your bent inside arm so as not to restrict movement on the front of the bike.

Now this is fine until I get a fair way over, then try as might, I can't stop the inside peg loading up and a load of weight going through my inside arm, to support my body mass which is now low and off that side of the bike.

Any tips or tricks on how to get locked in better on the outside leg? Is it a case of building up core strength more to utilise leg and torso muscles more? Are there specific exercises anybody knows to help do this?

Any help tips very welcome as I feel this is starting to hold me back a bit, as I'm not letting the bike work well enough under me.

Wearing your full gear - Always - Really?

megamale — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:27:21 GMT

Hi everyone,

I am a new rider, passed my exam about a month ago and bought myself a secondhand Yammy Thundercat and it's been great so far. I consider myself pretty consentious and, especially on a motorbike, quite risk averse (for now).

I've read everywhere to always wear your full kit, helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, gloves, etc. I am already doing that. But it is starting to be a pain when I need to go to places where I need to look a bit more smart (clubbing, barbeques at boss's house, brunches, private galleries...).

I live very central, and if I need to travel from say, Angel to Earl's court I will never be doing more than 30mph. Actually, I'd consider myself lucky if I ever even reach that. I've been faster than that in skates and with not much more protection than a plastic helmet. Even fell a few times with only minor scuffs.

Now for these trips I was contemplating to just get there in a mesh jacket and a helmet. That, rationally, I think would be acceptable given the route.

What do you guys/gals do? Do you really "always" wear full gear and carry smarter clothes (when you need them)in a separate bag? Do you take the car/bus? Make excuses and don't go?

Enfield

DucatiChick — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:00:15 GMT

Just wondering if any LBer is familiar with the Enfield test area. I've had a look at the routes but don't know the area. If anyone is from around there or familiar with the area and wouldn't mind giving up a few hours this weekend to guide me that would be really helpful in calming my nerves before the big day. Thanks

Can you help?

Day Release — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:51:25 GMT

I ve seen 2 threads about mentoring and i don't know if any of the advance riders are still doing it but I need help. As you all probably know i just bought a CBR400 and I'm having problem riding it, specially with bends and corners. I also need advice with handling the bike( i drop it 2x already) and the maintainance. I've been out trying to do it on my own but I'm really scared. So if any body can help me out pls. Mentor will need to be flexible with time.

Formal post-test training

Benelli Boy — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:18:22 GMT

Someone I know and love has 3 or 4 yrs riding experience, and in that time has done approx 5 or 6k miles per year. It's been mostly short commutes (45mins each way - which means about a 300yd journey in Central London :)), but they've also done half a dozen trips to Europe and bike tours to Wales, Cornwall, Yorks, etc.

They've never been confident on corners or roundabouts, and have always been (what I consider to be) a fairly slow rider, but that's never been a particular problem. Before a long trip in Europe last yr, they did a Bikesafe (2nd time) and seemed to get a lot of help from the police there and seemed to be more confident on corners and all seemed to be going OK.

However, somewhere on that trip, they managed to lose confidence altogether, and now they mentally freeze up at the thought of going on a motorway (and are still pretty much out of shape on corners).

I don't want this situation to continue (because I really enjoy my bike holidays, and the person in question is my wife, and I don't plan on leaving her behind), so I'm looking for any recommendations of companies who do further training.

I suppose I'm looking for 1-to-1 training for her, so that she can have a day focused on the specifics that she isn't confident on. I think that there's a certain amount of skill she needs to learn (my theory is that she's afraid to lean it over, but what do I know?), but I think that the main thing is that she needs to regain confidence to be able to do the things that she's been able to do before but which she now freezes up on.

Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation please? Any recommendations for training? Anyone who gives a discount for LB-ers perhaps?

Riding help

johnp — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 06:26:43 GMT

Sherrie was going to organise a ride for advance riders to take out novice and anyone else who wanted help and tips on there riding. In which 1 advance rider would take 2 others out to help them.

Now as Sherrie isn`t doing this now, i asked if myself and Gina would do and she was fine with it, so here goes.

I need a list of advance riders who are prepeared to help out and a list of riders who wish to have help. So please let us know.

Advance riders:-

johnp, richm, DemonBiker, Broady, Andrew&7

Riders:-

Saffa Neeks, Trisckie, M-Daytona, Slarty, ChunkyMonkry, garret, Mooney, Shewolf, Westie, Trsckie, Nim, in4thethirlls, wills, Redster

Ultimate Rider Training for Surrey and Middlesex

PJ — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:39:19 GMT

A very good friend of mine has a training school in Ashford Middlesex (next door to Jack Lilley's). Not only does he teach CBT and DAS he is also a qualified Instructor with California Superbike School. The company has an exceptionally high pass rate and comes highly recommended.

Details:-

Mark Sheppard

Ultimate Rider Training

Enterprise House, 1st Floor, Ashford Road, Ashford, Middlesex, TW15 1XG

01784 421910

07852 270377

If you call him just say that PJ recommended you. (No i'm not on commission, its just so he knows where the enquiry came from)

NEED A MENTOR

blob36 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:46:09 GMT

Ive just passed my CBT i am in the proccess of buying a bike would like some guidances on the roads someone to watch over me and direct me and to be a safe rider

Understeer

Steve... — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:27:37 GMT

Out today having a bit of fun, dry road, hot tyres, everything looked perect. On a couple of corners I had a bit of underseer, doesn't usually happen but the frront pushed wide, not by much and I was far enough from the edge of the road for it not to matter but would like to understand what caused it.

I know tensing up on the bars will do it but I was very loose, make a point now of staying loose on the bars. The road surface was clean, no gravel or sand that I could see but it was worn, not new tarmac if that makes a difference.

Any comments or suggestions ?

Oh for the love of jesus, not another one

solamanda — Sun, 11 May 2008 10:22:21 GMT

Yes, I'm sure you've seen posts like this all over the web, how do I get my knee down?

Before anyone jumps on me from their high horse, I'm not an idiot rider but a daily commuter. From racing downhill MTBs and training I run the practise of learning the limits of the machine so if I ever find myself needing to use it, I won't freak out! Also, my knee sliders look too new :P

Anyhow, I've been riding a while and have practised hanging off with just my textile gear on. Recently got some leathers and sliders. I tried to get touch down yesterday but no luck.

I'm doing it on a large very wide motorway under pass roundabout so there is lots of room if needs be. I am getting tyre wear to within a few mm of the edge of the rear tyre so my cornering speed can't be too slow, (50mph)?

I've watched many an instruction video. I'll try to explain my body position...

Foot sitting with the end of the boot on the edge of the peg and twisted sideways. Knee out and down. My arse about half off the seat. Head well away from the bike, fully to the side of the fairing screen and looking up at the corner exit. Left knee planted in the tank and pressing down on the peg to retain grip. Right elbow as far out as possible.

I think my foot positioning is wrong. I see the racers keep their feet inline with the peg but they have a much sticker tyre/tarmac combination and more skill :w00t:

I've seen some of the 'amuter' instruction videos mention putting your foot on the end of the peg but don't show the exact position. I assumed you must tilt sideways abit to get the knee out further?

Thanks for reading such a long post :hehe:

Arnie, Need a mentor?

Jetstream — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:49:51 GMT

PM me if you want to take up the genuine offer.

slow cornering

DucatiChick — Sun, 18 May 2008 12:15:37 GMT

Hi all

I've just joined this site but my message hasn't come through on the Newbies list yet.

I recently attempted my CBT with Think Bike in Richmond and couldn't manage to get the hang of the slow cornering and holding the clutch to maintain the bite.

I'm really keen to get through my CBT but didn't feel that the instructor I had at Think Bike was fully supportive / patient enough.

I'm from North London and don't particularly want to go back down to Richmond again so could anyone recommend a training centre where they will spend quality time on getting my manoeuvres right. Ideally I could really do with a one to one full day session, if this exists.

Thanks

Cornering confidence

cbrbiker — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:01:13 GMT

Hi guys. I've got a bit of a confidence issue with my cornering and am hoping someone may be able to help. :)

Bit of history:

Been riding since 1999. Started on ZXR400, then moved on to CBR600F.
Bought band new CBR600RR in 2003.
Got first knee down in 2004 (roundie surfing).
Had an off late 2004 on a roundie. Not knee down, but hanging off a bit. Suspect a diesel patch.
Got bike re-sprayed in Gibernau Movistar rep colours and added a few blingy bits.
Got confidence back and knee down re-commenced.
Had an off in July 2005 due to just being way too cocky with the knee down (can only think I pushed past the edge of the tyre). Low side.
Mate fixed bike up to be roadworthy, sold early 2006 and bought current 929 'Blade.
Cornering confidence is now not what it used to be. Got mortgage now and have been starting to think more about leaving the other half alone if things go particularly bad.

All this plays on my mind when I approach a corner and I find myself backing off too much and then rolling on more as I exit the corner.

I'd love to get myself on a CSS day or something, but there's no way I can afford that with the mortgage.

Any advice gratefully received. :)

Thanks for listening/reading. :)

DAS mentoring?

5150 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:58:58 GMT

Hiya, all....

I've got my DAS with Metropolis in Vauxhall coming up between July 19 and 23, and I get to borrow one of their 125 bikes for a couple of evenings as part of the course.

Would anyone be interested in maybe coming out for a ride with me on one or both of those evenings? I'd like to get as much practice in as I can before my test, but it'd be really helpful if I had someone along to point things out if I do anything wrong.

I'll be storing the bike in Beckenham, if that helps with localness....

Of course, it goes without saying that there will be pints gratefully bought for anyone that fancies it, once we're off the bikes. ;)

Ithangyew!

Cornering on ride outs at reasonable speed

Hels — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:39:02 GMT

I would like to get some tips on cornering when doing a reasonable speed. Most of my riding takes place in London, and at slow speed my control on the bike is generally fine. I am also ok on cornering in town, when the speed limit is 30 mph. However, on country lanes and ride outs I have realised I am crap at cornering when doing 50 / 60 / national speed limit. I find I get nervous if approaching a corner at that speed (especially tight corners when I can't see what's coming the other way) and either come onto the corner too late or too early, or counter lean (which i learnt from a supermoto riding friend) instead of leaning into the bend. It's better if I can follow someone's line, but I do tend to slow right down when approaching tight corners on narrow lanes.

I ride a Hornet, it's a great bike, so i can't blame anything apart from poor cornering skills.

Any tips?

Soth West London Mechanics

oxuk — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:16:06 GMT

I live in brixton, and my motorcycle's (Honda CBR 125) electrics are going funny, you see for some reason the battery wouldn't charge, and that is a brand new one!!

Could some-one please recomend a place that will not charge me an arm and a leg for the job and are good and reliable!!!???

Cheers!!

Mentoring

SheWoolf — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 23:10:27 GMT

lights?

558 — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:22:49 GMT

I'm not sure if this is the best place but here goes...

Preparing for my theory test at the moment and reading through the questions there is talk of using Hazard and Parking lights. Took my scoot back to the dealer earlier, while i was walking around i noticed that larger bikes have Parking lights and some have Hazards.

I have neither? :crazy:

Is this normal?

mock Theory test site

garret — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:55:37 GMT

studying for my theory test I came across this site which offers the test questions in random groups of 50, just like you need 'em.
Thing only thing is that if you look closely, they are not worded exactly the same, this is so that they don't breach copyright I believe.

Check it out though! - [url=http://www.2pass.co.uk/theorytest.php?test=ukbike]http://www.2pass.co.uk/theorytest.php?test=ukbike[/url]

CBT acheived, next steps

Yurtle the turtle — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:45:55 GMT

Hi all,

Finally got my CBT last week. The instructor suggested that it may be worth my while going down the restricted route rather than the DAS route (which I have orignally booked on) for my test as he feels that I am more likely at the moment to pass on a 125 rather than a 500cc bike.

However, he said that once passed on the restricted that I would be limited to a 125 for two years. Is this correct? What is the legal definition for "Restricted bikes"... I do have the literature, but I thought the instructors had to be up-to-date with the legal stuff. Any suggestions?

Mentoring

SV55 — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:08:19 GMT

does it ever happen????

I read lots of threads from people asking for help and others offering it but never hear about any taking place.

North London Motorcycle Training

cliveaid — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:26:23 GMT

Well I've got my Theory Test under my belt (already have the CBT) and now want to do a DAS. I've been having a look around the t'internet at various training centres and wondered if anyone had had any dealings with North London Motorcycle Training in Edgware. They seem reasonably priced and are not that far from where I live so they tick 2 of my boxes. The 3rd and most crucial box to tick is what are they like?

I'd be grateful for any opinions. :)

Here's the linky for them
http://www.northlondon-mct.co.uk/index.shtml

Engine Braking

Yamrider — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:22:18 GMT

Hi there,

I've noticed that in my riding sometimes on aproach to corners, if I can judge my speed right, that I don't always need to use the brakes; simply shifting down a gear engages the engine braking and that is enough to slow me down and be in the right gear for accelerating out of the corner.

What I'm wondering is if this is generally a bad practice that is frowned upon in terms of taking your test? Is it something that you should avoid as it places uneccessary wear and tear on your clutch, destabalises the bike etc...

I appriciate that there are times when the combination of correct gear and engine braking can be usefull, for example down-hill; but I figured that if it was an otherwise bad technique, I should weed it out before it becomes a bad habit.

What do you more experienced riders think?

Cheers, H :o)

when do you use the indicators?

Panagiotis — Sun, 04 May 2008 10:41:03 GMT

Being on a bike means that we change direction all the time. Especially in town, the number of time you nip in and out of traffic overtaking is a lot.

Do you use your indicators in every instance including the above?
Isnt it a waste of time? By the time you have indicated you are changing direction again and it is another thing to concentrate on and not your surroundings.

So should we indicate only in major changes of directions or all the time?

Help with the basics

lessismore — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:08:58 GMT

I have been enjoying myself practicing on my new bike over the weekends but I've found that slow speed turns and roundabouts are still giving me problems. I have found that the dynamics of the MT-03 are, not suprisingly, quite different from my scooter and I would be grateful for some pointers on throttle and clutch control for slow speed riding.

I tend to be pulling the clutch in as I go into slow corners (junctions etc.) in first or second gear. On the scooter I can trail a bit of brake into corners without any consequences but I'm nervous about doing this on the bike in case it stands up and runs wide. I also find that the relative bulk and high centre of gravity makes the bike feel like it is falling in a bit mid-corner on 90 degree turns. Added to this is a perception (real or not?) that the fueling on the MT is lumpy when picking up from low revs. This makes it feel a bit jerky as I put the power down out of slow corners. I have tried riding round slow corners under power but I tend to feel more under control with the clutch in- is this okay? Any recommendations for excercises to try to improve myself and my confidence? Thanks :)

North London DAS

Franko — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:15:22 GMT

Hi there,

Thanks everyone for all your patience on Elads Confidence Builder Ride out on Sunday. It was a great day - great to meet a bunch of likemindeds and really good pratice for my upcoming DAS...

I wanted to ask if anyone can reccommend any good webistes with tips for the test, route maps and so on.

Im probably taking it with Eastside Riders in early May. Theyre based around Leyton/ Hackney so I guess the test courses would be around there. Any ideas?

roadcraft

Bluestar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:43:43 GMT

for anyone who fancies a good read...roadcraft for motorcyclists, used as pre read for police motorcycle courses is currently available on play.com for £12.

well worth a read for those hints on cornering etc

Ride Outs

TUONTRIS — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:21:26 GMT

Just after some advice on ride outs. I've had very little experience with ride outs and wondering what is the etiquette when you guys go out riding? I don't consider myself a lunatic or even that quick, mainly because i've got very little reference to other riders. Been on 3 ride outs 1 of which was with about 25 riders very varying abilities. Really want to know what type of distances to leave between me and the rider in front and about overtaking other riders in the group without causing offence.

vanishing points

curtis — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:26:07 GMT

after the bikesafe course today and the instructor going over it i was wondering if any1 could explain it in any more detail, any good literature on it??

Mentoring - next 5 days or so

demonbiker — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:41:54 GMT

Im off work for the next few days- till next Thursday, so if anyone has some time and wants some help - give me a shout. ;)

Enhanced Rider Scheme

OrangeSpoon — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:58:45 GMT

i was wondering if anyone had found any useful info on this new scheme?

the magazine you get after passing DAS mentioned it and i have found various references to this new scheme on the net but no concrete info or main site (even on DVLA site)

it sounds interesting

cheers

Putney SW15

DrBolus — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:23:42 GMT

Just got back on a bike after years, and could do with some advice.

All my bad old habits are making an appearance, leaving feet down, forgetting over shoulder checks, probably many others I am not even aware of.

If anyone is based around here and does not mind helping an old twat get back into the swing of things can you let me know.

DrBolus