A riders' guide

Here it is.

1 – Think before you ride.

Every single morning before the commute, and for that matter any weekend blat too, I employ a process of getting myself and the bike ready. 

It is the same ritual every time and it centres me – I engage with what I am about to do.

This is a common training technique which shifts focus and consciousness to the task at hand.

2 – Take command

You are riding a motorcycle – you are exposed, you are at risk. Be proactive and choose your risk as much as possible. 

Don't be complacent and let the risk choose you.

3 – Have “brain space”

If you set off and identify that you are not riding well, not seeing things play out like usual or think there is something “not right with the bike”......chances are something is not right with you.

The bike is very likely to be behaving exactly the same as yesterday – but if it feels different today then something is different – that something is more than likely you.

Learn to identify these “yips” and counter them accordingly. This may mean stopping.

NB** baring mental "yips" check the basics like tyre pressure, chain tension, throttle and clutch lines/cables. 

4- Radar and intuition

To be proficient you need to be able NOT to think about what the bike is doing and how you are controlling it.

The bike should be controlled via telepathy. You think, the bike does.

Believe me after years of MTB and Road race cycling – the bike is an extension of the body.

Control leads to having ample capacity to scan the environment for cagers, pedestrians, cyclists and other riders alike. 

Being in control of your bike is relatively easy.

Contemplating the actions of others and reacting appropriately is a skill unto its' own.

5 – Don't

Don't be timid.

Don't allow yourself to hesitate – indecision takes time, when you need to make a choice time is not always on your side.

Most of all – don't be a victim.

6 – Everything else

Filtering, splitting, cagers and traffic.

Weekend blats, touring, overnighters and tomfoolery.

Everything else is the reason to ride all the time – do it safely.

Be engaged in the process and enjoy.

Footnote:

If you are not a target – you will less likely become a victim.

This does not mean be aggressive – it means be in control – as much as possible.

\BitSar
--getting on with it and "riding" it out

To clutch or not to clutch

I've been meaning to post about clutchless shifting - both in general and on the Ape.

Firstly - I am a big advocate of clutchless shifting, especially when you've got the hammer down and really want to crack on some power and speed. Clutchless shifting under this scenario does not upset the power train as much as using the clutch would - hence, smoother and faster acceleration. Game on.

Secondly - clutchless shifting, especially on the Ape (I have found) also hones your clutched shifting technique giving seamless clutched changes without issue. I've found the "throw" between gears on the Ape is a little longer than other bikes, using a clutchless "type" technique, even when using the clutch makes clutched shifting very smooth indeed.

So. What is the clutchless shifting technique? It is all very simple.

Firstly - load the gear shifter with your toe.


Do this while in gear and when you still have power on - you will feel resistance through the shifter.


Keep this positive pressure applied on the lever.











Next - give the throttle a momentary close.


You will not need to fully close the throttle - nowhere near it infact. Just a roll-off.


Make sure to keep the same amount of positive pressure on the shift lever throughout this throttle action - bang - the shift happens smoothly and cleanly.....done!


What is actually occurring in the transmission is that the clutch "dogs" which are engaged via torque and hold the gear position are momentarily released when you back off power, this allows the sequential gear box to slide into the next gear. Simple!


So do you clutch or no-clutch?

\BitSar

Rain Mode

I was watching the radar closely last night while sitting at the office...............bloody hell.............a nice fat band of rain on the way.....

I thought I'd pick a gap and try to get home...............I didn't have my wet gear today......this morning was hot and sunny......but you know Melbourne.......very unstable weather.

Turns out I left at precisely the WRONG moment......my gap had become a large sweeping front of rain, wind and lightning which obediently followed me all the way home.....

I don't actually mind riding in the rain.......the only thing I don't like about it is it makes the bike bloody filthy. 

In the past I used to avoid riding in the rain like the plague.....these days I just select "Rain Mode".........both on bike and in mind.........relax and get on with it. 

After riding in bad conditions over the years you learn to adjust your style accordingly.......cornering with less lean angle......using more engine braking and less active braking.........increasing your buffer from all four corners.....being SMOOTH.......all techniques which will help to keep the rubber road side down......

Riding in the rain isn't all the bad.......just select Rain Mode ---> Both on Bike and in Mind.

\BitSar

--Dried out now.......last night I swear I thought I was a Duck.......

Anti-SMIDSY campaign

Unfortunately I had a great SMIDSY this morning...............I can't believe how some people react when they've committed the SMIDSY sin......

I was waiting to turn right through a busy CBD intersection, I had a large queue of cars behind me also wanting to turn right.......

The on-coming traffic was very heavy, so much so that the intersection was barely clear........

The lights turn from green to amber......I creep forward, stand the bike up and balance her through rear brake, throttle and clutch manipulation......rocking, rocking, rocking.....

I see a woman in a Silver Astra hatchback entering the intersection.......no intention of stopping......I'm still balancing and edging forward VERY slowly as I rock the bike......I catch her eye to eye.......she SMILES!? and waves......the lights turn from amber to red......the bonnet lifts......she's on the gas...........slams on through intersection.....running the red.......

Shaking my head and thinking what hope do we have I continue my LEGAL turn through the intersection......live to fight, and ride, another day.......

What really gets me about this is the driver attitude........She clearly saw me and had time to smile and wave.....as if to say "I know, I'm sorry I'm performing a potentially deadly manoeuvre..........I'm sorry you might not get home tonight to see the Missus.......but I've REALLY got to make this light.....you understand, right?"

Wrong.......

The silver lining to my rant?..........................Over the last couple of years a prominent Law firm, Maurice Blackburn, have been campaigning against the SMIDSY killer........

Each year I buy a couple of T-Shirts for myself and fellow riding buddies.....all proceeds go to supporting riders and their families with Pro-Bono legal fees etc.......

Maurice Blackburn are also doing a fantastic job with some very simple, effective and meaningful ad instalments in response the recent almost fraudulent TAC campaign.......

C'mon guys........stop the SMIDSY

\BitSar

Practice, practice, practice..........

About 2 years ago I came across a forum thread offering new riders a chance to practice basic bike skills in a controlled environment...........at the time I'd been road riding for about 12 months so I thought a bit of a refresher might not be such a bad idea......

Since that day - way back when - I've been attending these Saturday Practice sessions frequently and infrequently as life dictates.......

I hadn't been for quite a while so yesterday morning......having no ride plans for the day.....I decided to head back down to the old stomping ground to catch up with some mates and to see the new guys and gals ride the course......

These sessions really are a community service........they are so important to many new riders.........there are two Guru riders who organise and run the sessions......every Saturday.....they do this for the love of riding and to teach new riders how to be safe.......they give their time, experience and wise words every weekend and ask nothing in return........very special indeed.

There is much more to motorcycling than just the ride.......of course......riding is the fun part, it is why we all do it.......but the most important part of being a rider is the people..........I have worked in numerous industries and met many people over the years and I can honestly say that riders are some of the best people I have ever met........

I'll continue to attend these practice sessions well into the future..........I'll still run the course from time to time to keep up low speed skills, although being a commuter I get lots of practice with slow speed technical riding........as any rider knows......it is much HARDER to ride well SLOWLY then it is to go fast......

But mostly......I'll keep going to see my mates........meet the new guys and gals entering into the Moto community and to see all the smiling faces........

You guys are great.

\BitSar

Protest Rally

Melbourne CBD was briefly transformed into Motorcycle Central this afternoon when like minded riders congregated to express their displeasure with the finger pointing SMIDSY attitude rife amongst many motorists.

As all riders know........Sorry Mate I Didn't See You.........is a red rag to a bull.........for any cagers reading this.....don't do it......if you do......don't say SMIDSY.........just a heads up.......

The Victorian State Government along with TAC are eluding to legislation which will make it mandatory for all motorcyclists to be legally required to wear hi-viz clothing and display a forward facing number plate.....these two laws, according to the decision makers, will prevent SMIDSY's and keep riders safe........hhhmmmmm.,.........okay then?

There was a large turnout - everyone was very well behaved.......they stood quietly.....listened intently......and parked politely.......after everything was said and done a Protest Rally departed A'Beckett Street for laps of Melbourne CBD in attempt to be seen and heard by the public.......yes......riders are out there on the roads.......please look for us.....no more SMIDSY.......

No right (only wrong) turn

Part of this blog is unfortunately reserved for rages at cagers............this post falls into that category...

On the commute this morning - I was waiting at a 4-way intersection to turn right. I was the first vehicle in the queue.

A truck approaches in the oncoming lane and is indicating to turn right......fine, no problem......HOWEVER! I notice behind him a woman in a POS Suzuki 4X4 is up his ass and planning on pushing through the intersection......

Now, I have a dilemma......

The lights turn from green to amber, the truck advances, I creep forward...........knowing full well that I have a queue of cagers behind me and a dormant threat of a 4X4 ready to punch through the intersection......

Sure enough - the lights turn from amber to red (I've waited as long as I can) and said 4X4 hammers through the intersection ........luckily I have anticipated this and swung out left, then right - under her.......the cage behind me is not so lucky.......they come nose to nose (no impact) in the middle of a busy CBD intersection ........horns blasting in accusation...........

Bugger it......quick shift into 2nd.....GTFO.......have a good life guys............

\Bangs head on wall..........

Splitting (with a) difference

I had a sting in my tail while riding home last night.........you know that mood you get in sometimes? You just want to put the hammer down.........and.....I did.

Traffic was pretty heavy by the time I got away from the office - no problem.......just carve it up with the Split......I was having a ball, moving through the 60km/h traffic @~0.80c.....not being too much of a larrikin - just having fun.

As I approached point B on the Map - for some reason my "Spidey Senses" kicked in and told me to back off......I did - and lucky too!

The traffic had slowed and I was in filtering mode rather than full-blown splitting.......as I moved through point B above I filtered slowly and smoothly past two Police patrol cars - one in each lane travelling abreast.

I saw them as I approached and my instant thought was the Akra's......no baffles......quick shift into 3rd gear.....constant throttle.....no load on engine, less compression........chug, chug, chug - past........phew....

I continued to filter on through whilst checking the mirrors......no "Blues and Twos".......in the clear.....

The traffic starts moving again and I signal right and slipped into the flow......I wait till point C - feeling like I'm in the clear then GTFO..........hammer time all the way home from there =D

Fun times indeed...........

\I like Sport mode (especially more so with the aid of the FatDuc)

First warm morning - Get a ride in before work..........Surely!

And don't call me Shirley..................

Woke up nice and early today - one of those natural wake ups @ ~5:30am, bright eyed, mind alert body ready to go..............excellent.

Completed the morning pushbike ride of ~20kms......nothing too extreme just a sprint to get the blood pumping.

It was 7:00am, I had showered and eaten and didn't have a meeting at the office until 9:15 so what the hell - morning ride!

Traffic was pretty abysmal to be honest - bloody Burnley and Domain tunnel closure in Melbourne so ALL the industrial and commuting traffic was on auxillary roads - but hey just more "Mobile Twisties" to carve up for the split eh?

First

I'm new to this - I don't know if I'll like it.......................

FIRST
The first post - this is Genesis 

printf("Hello world \n");

...........only kidding........

HISTORY:
First rode a MOTO at age of 6, it was a PW50 - it was amazing
Cycling for > 15 years - MTB and Road - still ride road to this day

BIKES:

Learner = Honda VTR250

Teacher = Kawasaki Er6n Factory Full

Current = Aprilia Shiver 750

INF:

I am a commuter, weekend scratcher and try to complete a multi-day tour at least once per year. 

I ride minimum 6 days per week - rain or shine.........I wouldn't have it any other way.

As a commuter I am greatly dependant on my bike - treat her right and she treats me right - I love my Ape.

BLOG:

Herein you shall find my rants at Cagers, day to day riding observations, thoughts on roadcraft, the plod and inconsiderate road usage etc....

However - my key is to record (mostly for my own indulgence) the rides that make me smile...........the ones that you relive a day later sipping on a beer while you recount that set of twisties which opened up to fast sweepers just when the tires were nice and sticky......

That is riding - and that is why I love it......

\BitSar

My Ape:

Previous Bikes: