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> Rider education and constantly practicing is key. It also helps you enjoy motorcycling more too. I don't think many non-motorcyclists get this aspect of ridi

> Rider education and constantly practicing is key. It also helps you enjoy motorcycling more too. I don't think many non-motorcyclists get this aspect of riding, ie. that the activity itself is one to be honed and reflected on, and that treating it this way makes the mere act of transporting yourself from one place to another (which is essentially dead time for many car drivers) a keen and vital part of life.

ok_dad 4y ago
That's an interesting thought: the less you ride the worse you are, so you absolutely have to ride often to maintain your safety profile. I imagine one of the least safe things might be an experienced rider not being able to ride for a while, and not taking that into account. I'm less angry at my neighbors with loud bikes riding all the time, thanks to your comment, because at least they are staying safer than if they just did it once a month or something (and I do like my neighbors, aside from 5am VROOM-VROOM noises).
- Jcampuzano2 4y ago
  Riding a lot absolutely helps get better, but there is also such a thing as deliberate practice for uncommon situations. Riding 100000 miles straight is very different from riding 10000 miles in twisty turns, around sharp corners, practicing your emergency-braking, etc. Even if its just 5 minutes or so doing these a week, it makes you a vastly better rider. Every time I have to take extended time away from riding for some reason, I always immediately start off with a parking lot session of riding around, getting back into the groove. It doesn't take very long for it all to come back with just a bit of deliberate practice. But there are what we call weekend warriors, and many, especially in the US store away their bike for half the year as well. There are many riders who barely put more than even a couple thousand miles a year on their bikes. And these are some of the most dangerous riders to be around, especially if they have an ego.
- aussiesnack 4y ago
  This is definitely the case. I don't trust myself when I've had a few weeks off the bike until I've done some proper practise again. The biggest obvious drop-off is attention - mind-wandering is verboten when riding, and creeps back if you're not used to maintaining concentration. Specific skills like front-brake control also need maintenance, and can always improve, whatever the experience level, as they're pretty subtle. A fortiori for reading the road and driver behaviour. > I'm less angry at my neighbors with loud bikes riding all the time Well that's pleasantly tolerant. The consideration should work both ways, but the nature of some of the motorcyclist population doesn't always lend itself that way unfortunately.
  - _carbyau_ 4y ago
    > mind-wandering is verboten when riding This is what I like about commuting by motorbike, even in a city. You are forced to stop thinking about work on the way home. You have to be present and mindful. A version of meditation or mindfulness in a sense. And it doesn't matter what bike you have.
    - thot_experiment 4y ago
      absolutely true, same reason I ride brakeless

ok_dad 4y ago

That's an interesting thought: the less you ride the worse you are, so you absolutely have to ride often to maintain your safety profile. I imagine one of the least safe things might be an experienced rider not being able to ride for a while, and not taking that into account. I'm less angry at my neighbors with loud bikes riding all the time, thanks to your comment, because at least they are staying safer than if they just did it once a month or something (and I do like my neighbors, aside from 5am VROOM-VROOM noises).

Jcampuzano2 4y ago
Riding a lot absolutely helps get better, but there is also such a thing as deliberate practice for uncommon situations. Riding 100000 miles straight is very different from riding 10000 miles in twisty turns, around sharp corners, practicing your emergency-braking, etc. Even if its just 5 minutes or so doing these a week, it makes you a vastly better rider. Every time I have to take extended time away from riding for some reason, I always immediately start off with a parking lot session of riding around, getting back into the groove. It doesn't take very long for it all to come back with just a bit of deliberate practice. But there are what we call weekend warriors, and many, especially in the US store away their bike for half the year as well. There are many riders who barely put more than even a couple thousand miles a year on their bikes. And these are some of the most dangerous riders to be around, especially if they have an ego.
aussiesnack 4y ago
This is definitely the case. I don't trust myself when I've had a few weeks off the bike until I've done some proper practise again. The biggest obvious drop-off is attention - mind-wandering is verboten when riding, and creeps back if you're not used to maintaining concentration. Specific skills like front-brake control also need maintenance, and can always improve, whatever the experience level, as they're pretty subtle. A fortiori for reading the road and driver behaviour. > I'm less angry at my neighbors with loud bikes riding all the time Well that's pleasantly tolerant. The consideration should work both ways, but the nature of some of the motorcyclist population doesn't always lend itself that way unfortunately.
- _carbyau_ 4y ago
  > mind-wandering is verboten when riding This is what I like about commuting by motorbike, even in a city. You are forced to stop thinking about work on the way home. You have to be present and mindful. A version of meditation or mindfulness in a sense. And it doesn't matter what bike you have.
  - thot_experiment 4y ago
    absolutely true, same reason I ride brakeless