Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - The psychology of motorcycling

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)

- Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-questions-dont-fit-anywhere/)

- - The psychology of motorcycling - getting the brain in gear! (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-questions-dont-fit-anywhere/psychology-motorcycling-getting-brain-gear-51770)

Using the rear brake

Thanks guys,

So far I've hardly been using my rear brake at all. As a newbie rider, I'm still trying to work out what the difference is between front and back brakes and the rules for using them, both singly and together.

Also I'm not sure if my rear brake pedal is currently in the best position for my foot, as at present my foot naturally rests just underneath it and sometimes gets caught when I go to use it...:(

I have a feeling that not using the rear brake was what contributed to my off on the steep downward slope the other day? I was using only the front brake to control my speed (I was going very slowly at that point) - should I maybe have been using the rear one for more control??

Definitely need to practise more rear brake action, as you guys say...
Jeanie :mchappy:

Absolutely you should, as Mickey stated, slow control is all about the rear brake (well, not all, but a heck of a lot).

Using the front brake causes the front forks to compress, which in turn changes the balance of the bike, making it harder to control at slow speeds. Then when you release the front brake the forks spring back up, causing more loss of balance.

When you are travelling at speed the front brake does most of the braking (used with a mixture of rear brake too), but slow speed control should be all about the rear brake.

A good technique to practice is to simply ride in a straight line as slow as possible, try and keep your engine revs constant, at a little over tickover, then use the rear brake to control your speed, slipping the clutch a little to avoid the engine stalling as required. With practice you should be able to ride comfortably at walking pace in a nice straight line.

Pleased you've taken it on and come out top side, glad to be of help. Can't fault Mickey and steves advice, rear brake is best for slow control, and if you want to go really slow you have to slip the clutch whilst controlling the throttle, easy! The fact you've done what you've done tells me you'll soon have it sussed. If you're not confident/happy with what's happening, stop and re-assess, as Corporal Jones always said "Don't panic!" If you get in to riding fast I recommend stomping on the back brake a fraction before hitting the front whilst gritting teeth and buttocks, but it all comes with practice and experience. Keep on keeping on
You ought to look at your back brake, there's usually a bolt to adjust the position of the pedal + the brake rod adjustment so as you can get it in the best position (under your foot) so you can use it easily and automatically with minimal delay between thought and action, all controls should be set for easy (thoughtless) use.

Rear brake practise

Hey thanks for this rear brake enlightenment, guys! :thumbup1:

I'm going to adjust the rear brake position on my bike this weekend and then do some practice somewhere quiet to practise low-speed braking as you suggest.

As a newbie rider, I'm finding generally that I'm ok when the bike's moving at speed; it's when I'm going slow that it all gets to be more of a challenge. I think so far I've been missing the help that a rear brake can give you at low speed, and have a feeling that using the rear brake a lot more will "unlock" my ability to control the bike when going more slowly. Also, I've been shying away from roads that involve hill stops/starts, as I think maybe I need to master the rear brake use in order to help with those too??

Jeanie :mchappy:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanied1 (Post 299150)

Hey guys,

So after getting my now-beloved Suzuki Marauder just over a week ago, I've been getting out on my local suburban roads as much as I can, to build up my riding skills and confidence. It's been going really well - yesterday I even braved a 30-minute ride in late-afternoon traffic, which did wonders for my confidence: I've been really feeling like I'm getting the hang of this! :D

BUT! Today, with the sun shining and a great afternoon for riding, I got out on the road on my bike and my brain just turned to mush! Everything was clunky and I was suddenly really conscious of everything I was doing. I was more hesitant at junctions and stuck to going round the block, as opposed to the bigger circuit of the suburbs I've been doing. Basically my brain was just completely not in gear (let alone the bike!). In the end, I just rode the bike back into the garage, dispirited that after progressing so well I was suddenly really crap again. :(

Is this normal?? Are there some days when it just doesn't come together in the brain department? Is this a newbie thing? Or do all motorcyclists have "off days" (I don't mean falling off the bike, psychologically "off"!). And is there anything you can do to overcome this mental block - or did I do the right thing by just giving up and coming home? :confused1:

I'm quickly realising that motorcycling is 10 per cent operating the bike and 90 per cent a state of mind!! (feel free to dispute those figures, it's just a newbie's perspective...)

Jeanie :mchappy:

Hi Jeanie, I was so glad to read about your 'off days' . I try to explain this to my husband who has ridden for 30 years and he looks at me blankly ! I noticed you posted that comment in July 2010, may i ask how you are going now ? I rode in my teens and have just started again, about to go for my restricted license but had a real off day last weekend (having two harleys pass me at around 160 k's in a notorious black spot didn't help) I'm thinking i need a bit more time. Any advice you can offer ? I am absolutely loving riding again and want to eliminate these negative days!!! Jen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanied1 (Post 299150)

or did I do the right thing by just giving up and coming home? :confused1:

A lesser rider wouldn't have had the presence of mind to make the call to stop and call it a day.

This is extremely important and full credit to you for recognising this and stopping. Accidents happen when you are not fully concentrating on your riding and when emotions are clouding judgement.

Never fight the urge to stop, afterall it's not a race, motorcycling should be enjoyed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg&Jen (Post 313381)

Hey Jen,

Thanks for your post! Don't worry about the "off days" - I've discovered that these can happen to even the most experienced of riders, it's all just a state of mind! Some days it all comes together, and then other days it seems like the world's a bit off-kilter and it's all a real effort, eh?!

I got my L-plates in July and next weekend - exactly 5 months on - I'll be taking my full test. My mantra as a newbie rider has been practise, practise, practise - the more time I spend on the bike, the more comfortable and competent I become (notwithstanding those blasted off days, of course!).

The main thing is, I LOVE riding and even though I would say it still doesn't come "naturally" at the moment (I have to concentrate really hard sometimes!), the good days of riding far, far outweigh the bad. And you're always learning from those mistakes and blips, so in the end it all adds up to you being a better all-round rider, I think. I've learnt not to dwell on things and get despondent - just get back on the bike and ride!

I really hope I pass my test next weekend, as a lot of it is just confidence - and that sure would be a confidence boost!

Meantime...practice, practice, and more practice for me before next Sunday !!

Jeanie :mchappy:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanied1 (Post 314751)

- I've discovered that these can happen to even the most experienced of riders, it's all just a state of mind!

Too right, 18 years riding from the North Cape to the Western Desert and a couple of weeks back I end up face down in a car park due to forgetting the disc lock (which I use every day) after work :blushing:

Best of luck with the test, you know you can do it :thumbup1:

Andy

I've not been riding long, maybe about 18 months, and have had this once or twice. There's seemingly no explanation, but I just told my riding buddy that my head wasn't in the right place and needed to go at a more sedate pace. I guess that we ride in all sorts of conditions and states of mind and knowing how your mind and body reacts in all of them is all part of the continuous learning process. I've since learnt that eating the right stuff at the right times before a long ride and staying hydrated make an enormous difference to being comfortable and alert on the bike.