Forum

[taper]

Hi ALL just to put my experience forward,I had not road a motor cyle since the late sixties/early seventies until purchasing my bullet last year,and what a difference in car drivers attitude to bike riders ,it seems like every body wants to push you out of the way ,i think that advanced driver or not the key is to be aware at all times what or who is around you and re act as quickly as possible,to say i was a bit hesitant on my first foray into the traffic on two wheels after such a long time would be an understatement but(excuse the pun)it really is like riding a bike it all comes back very quickly,so slow steve dont ponder to much on what you were told to do differently just remain alert and enjoy yourself
and keep safe.

[Dennis C]

It was my intention not to join in this thread, BUT. I was an advanced riding instructor for over 20 years (retired 4 years ago), I instructed new instructors, I am also still an approved Police Bikesafe instructor, For these qualifications I had to be retested every three years by a Police Class One examiner and frankly some of the advice given so far is rather iffy. ----- Ed Lazda says,---- "I would say that if you are "told" to do something that you think is wrong, then nod and smile and decide not to do it when you've finished the training." Sorry but if you think it is wrong you probably misunderstood, quiz the instructor until you understand the reason. ----- Madmike says, "Wow.Steve, how long have you been riding? How often do you ride? You need more confidence I think. Where are you located? I ask because perhaps some on here could ride with you to help build confidence. If you are near Leicestershire I would be only too pleased to help." sorry Mike your intentions are good but unless you or the others are qualified it's a bit like the blind leading the blind, and the poor guy will end up with other peoples bad habits as well as his own. ----- taper says, "so slow Steve don't ponder to much on what you were told to do differently", Steve ponder on it until you understand it.----- Riggers says, "with training you move from Unconciously imcompetant, to conciously incompetant, to conciously competant, to unconsciously competent." ---- That is absolutely correct Riggers.---- Some of us think that because we may have been riding since Noah was a Lad we know it all, if that applies to you go and take a refresher course and see how much you riding can be improved because when you ride better you will also enjoy your riding so much more than you do now I will guarantee it.

[SlowSteve]

Hello all.

Sorry for the long absence - the reasons for which include, but are not limited to, shark fishing in Tanzania and an exploding robot arm but also sadly DIY and looking after my young lad............. Anyway, someone asked how it's getting on, so I thought I would give an update.

I came to the conclusion that my brain wouldn't let me focus on 20 things at once I needed to fix, and still ride safely, so instead I just focused on a few at a time, based on which i thought were the biggest risk - so things like the lfe savers at the right point first...... let a few settling in for a week, and then on to the next few. Seems to have worked well......... I am booked in for another 2 refresher lessons over the next week......another to check how I'm doing, and a second to cover riding in rubbish conditions - I do a good number of miles down country lanes at night, and also through the city at night......................
I'm expecting some problems, which I will fix. I know I'll finish the sessions a little dis-spirited, and also, although I won't want to admit it, with a bit of a grump..."How dare the guy say I have issues.... I'm the best rider ever" etc etc..... but when it settles in I know it makes for a safer ride....................................... After a bit more thinking, I also realised that if I was a single man, then I almost certainly would never have put myself through this, but I'm married with a little boy - if I have to spend a few hours feeling like a bit of a prat in order to always make it home to my family, then so be it.

[neddy]

many years ago someone told me you never stop learning, i now know this to be true, so you just carry on with what you what to achieve, pick out the good bits and good luck Slowsteve