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

RST - new leather

For the last couple of years I've been meaning to get a leather riding jacket.........I've constantly put it off.

About 6 weeks ago I came across an RST Pro-Series leather jacket with some very good features.....the price was right too - bugger it......I took the plunge.

I've been riding with the jacket everyday since....commuting, longer weekend stints.....VERY cold conditions. The leather is supple and took no time to break in.....the helmet hump on the back took a little getting used to - now I don't even notice it.

With the versatile configuration and the different layering options, the jacket has proven itself to be very comfortable, very warm......

The thermal liner (pulled back in the photo) is keeping my core warm in these 2C mornings.....

You can also see the high level of protection on offer - the CE back protector came with the jacket - it fits so well you can't even feel it......doesn't restrict movement or mobility on or off the bike....

Another great "bonus" feature is this wind stopper vest.



This comes as a free genuine RST accessory and can be used under any jacket.....you could even use it for other outdoor activities like cycling or hiking...



I've been using this, along with the thermal liner for the cold morning commute....the jacket is an all season setup with perforated leather for summer conditions......without this wind stopper layer underneath my core temperature would plummet rather quickly.

As you can see - it is a sport cut which can be zipped to leather pants at the waist.


Although you can't see in this photo - along the length of both arms and around the chest and back is a light reflective strip making me very visible at night....

I must say - I don't know why it took me so bloody long to get a leather jacket.......now I've ridden with one, the comfort, the way it holds your body position on the bike, the added safety....I don't think I could ride in a textile jacket again....unless of course it's raining.....then back to the trusty old RST Touring gear......





\BitSar

Slack........again

Life has been busy of late......

Other than commuting and weekend errands I've had no time for real weekend blats......it is getting to me.

I do have a post about the Kriega gear in the pipes.....I've had a tailbag for over 4 years and it's still going strong. 

I need to get out for a decent ride soon.......I can tell..........I'm riding everywhere like my head is on fire....

\BitSar

--needs release........

Cold

Winter is kicking in.......big time.

Now - for the European, Canadian and North American readers I might sound a little soft........but bugger me - it was bloody cold this morning! Australian's don't like it cold........

Just as I was heading out the door ........outside it was the coldest temperature recorded for the day....2.4C - that's about 36F.....


Not only was this the coldest temperature for the day.....it's currently the coldest recorded temperature for Melbourne this year.....


Great......



I hadn't got far down the road until I realised that the "fog" on my ugly-fish riding glasses was not fog......it was ice.....bah! I took the first side street....took them off and stuffed them in my pocket.......hitched my neck-sock over my mouth and nose like a balaclava......keep going...

Then my hands started to freeze......literally. My fingers were like dead, white, blocks of wood - no feeling - minimal use for clutch and front brake.........bugger.

Over the years of winter riding and commuting you learn little tricks to keep your hands warm, mobile and tactile......

Of course you could always just pony
up the dough and get heated hand grips......but for the majority of the Australian winter they are really not NEEDED.....they are NICE....but not essential.

My little "keep warm trick" is to stuff my hands under the seat - into the gap above the trellis-frame......onto a nice, warm, rear cylinder head.......

ahhhhhh - that's better!

The only downside? I do get some strange looks from Cagers when I'm stopped at a set of traffic lights, slumped forward over the tank......giving the Ape a hug.......

But hell..........who cares what Cagers think......for that matter.....I'm not sure Cagers do think.....

\BitSar
--hugging his Ape

Sequence shot

A little while ago I got a new mobile phone.........these days phones are so much more than a communication device - in fact......making phone calls is somewhat of a secondary function.

So anyway - there is a feature on the phone camera to take a small burst photo and stitch a sequence shot together based on selected frames......I had to give it a go.

This is not the best example.....but you get the idea.

\BitSar

Details, details, details

A lot of people think I'm crazy, as a daily commuter rider, why keep my bike so clean?
Why bother with weekly to fortnightly washes and detailing - it's madness!

Once I explain the why most people understand, then they want to know HOW! How do I keep her showroom shiny?

The Why?

1. I find it cathartic/relaxing - but mostly I just enjoy spending time tinkering and pampering my Ape.
2. It forces me to run my hand over every surface of the machine, performing a visual inspection as I go for any problems.
3. I will notice issues more readily - if last week I cleaned that oily smear and this week it is back then it's time to investigate.
4. Detailing stands as a reminder to check tyre pressure, chain tension and chain lubrication
5. I am one OCD, anal retentive sonofabitch about keeping it clean!

Soooooo........once the why is out of the way and people begin to understand things, they want to know how.

The How?

1. Don't wash her hot! If you must ride to a car-wash, as I do, take the shortest path, early in the morning when it's cool. Don't let her get too hot - if she is - let her cool before washing.
2. Give her a good wash. Get all of the base grime off. I use a pressure spray. **IMPORTANT** From a distance! With no direct high-pressure water hitting the bike, especially around the instrument cluster, headlight surround, wiring loom or connectors. 
3. Then detailing begins. I use Plexus - a plastic polish (silicone based) which serves two primary functions.
1. It impregnates the plastics which conditions them, helping them to remain supple and less prone to cracking and the effects of heat.
2. It leaves a silicone barrier on all surfaces, both plastics and metals, which helps to keep the bike cleaner for longer by inhibiting things from sticking!

A quick tyre check, chain inspection and lube if necessary and the job's done. Usually all complete by ~8:30 on a Saturday morning - leaving plenty of time to get out and ride.

Before - the poor thing.......dirty Ape

The detailing....Yellow rag for engine parts and dirty stuff, Blue rag for plastics and body work, Pink rag for final buffing and polishing.........(I told you I was OCD)

The results.......a showroom shiny Ape

\BitSar --keeping it clean

Reunion

This Saturday was the 10th Anniversary of the launch of NetRider........an Australian based motorcycling community site with members from all over the World.

So!.........it was decided to use the Saturday morning practice session as a get together......a Reunion of Misfits......

This is only one such event which was held over the weekend......many other States held their own Reunions on the same day to mark the occasion.......there sure are a lot of NetRiders out there.

We couldn't forget to run the practice course.........for some reason it ended up happening like this......

It was a great day out, a great excuse to catch up with mates and to reconnect with many NetRiders I haven't seen for a while......

Thanks guys......Motorcyclists really are the best kind of people.

\BitSar