Bend Assessment - ROSPA motorcycle test footage

[svengalie]

nice

[glenben92]

That really was some smooth and controlled, but confident riding.

[advancedbiker]

@glenben92 Thanks, It all comes down to planning and forward observation

[JakubGajdusek]

shit comment, boring

[laurieparkour]

getting the view round bends is all very well but he skims quite close across the front of a few minor exits. I dont see why everyone reckons this riders road positioning is so great, looks far too mechanical to me.

[dragoneyes001]

want an easy example? ever see a passenger who didn't hold on when the driver takes off flip off the back of a bike? same thing will happen if you use your back break vs the front when hit from behind.

[dragoneyes001]

the physics of being hit from behind are pretty simple the greater mass will continue to move in its original trajectory after moving the lesser mass out of its way (your bike wont stop the car) gravity works (you will end up on the ground) if you don't follow the bike the car will run over you!

the rear break compresses the swing arm shock allowing the front to rise if your hit in the back which gives you a backwards rotation as the bike is knocked forward your foot on the break increases it.

[dragoneyes001]

you go on a rant about low speed turning when I'm talking stops at intersections not exactly the same situation is it?

the rear break when you get hit from behind (the most likely time you will get hit there is at a stop) will drop you off the bike and under the car which will still be moving forward after knocking your bike out from under you.

with the front break on you'll follow the bike instead of dropping off the back of it. yes there's the potential of hitting or being hit by another car.

[dragoneyes001]

by the way you don't ride in the rain much do you?

using your gears and throttle to slow down even at low speeds is far better than using the rear break when the roads are wet. the front break is less likely to lock up than the rear is unless your incapable of applying it with care that's why the two finger rule exists your not as likely to crank on the break leaver as hard only using two fingers. after 30+ years riding with less accidents in that time than far too many have in their first yr.

[dragoneyes001]

when you stop at an intersection your better off using your front brake and not your rear because if a car hits you from behind your rear break will help flip you off the back of the bike where the front actually works in your favor to stay on the bike

the forks compress bringing the center of gravity down instead of the bike front lifting from the swing arm compressing.

needless to say your hands are on the handle bars also helping.

[dragoneyes001]

as was said you use the foot that's appropriate to the terrain if the slope is away use the upper foot to plant for a stop leaning the bike towards the top of the slope (barely) your front break accounts for 80% of your breaking power in adverse conditions your rear break should be ignored because its far more likely to lock up and end in a slide its better to use the gears to slow the rear and front break to slow the bike when its raining

[zuss10r]

Crap!! Go back to riding school. Using the rear brake lowers the CoG, the chain pull compressing the shock. Next time you are stationary, keep your foot on the brake and release the clutch until it starts to bite, and the rear will 'sit'. This is why you always use the rear brake for low speed manouvering and coming to a complete halt. More bikes have been dropped in car parks when a rider uses the front brake while turning at slow speed, than probably anywhere else!

[paneurobrian2]

Right foot down is OK, depending. Most were taught the left foot down "Hendon Shuffle", but I think I'm correct in saying that at Hendon they are now shown the right foot down as an option. Just consider riding a bike with a fairly tall seat like a Pan and coming to an uphill junction with the camber falling away steeply to the left - you won't reach the ground, you may stumble. In this case the front brake is anchored and pullaways are taught with front not rear - tricky to practice but clever.

[bable666]

raynkars comment is interesting about a safer left foot down and quite valid,unfortunately this was before we changed from right foot gearchange to the foreign left foot system.Obviously when you stop and put the bike in neutral for a prolonged stop you need to be ready for the off ,hence now you have to put your right foot down.

[raynkar]

Quick comment on which foot to put down. I have always taught the left foot, both on m/cycles and for cycle proficiency, So that if you slipped, you would fall towards to pavement (UK roads) and not into oncoming traffic. Plus it means you will then dismount towards the kerb, when getting off (not to mention the stand is on this side too on UK bikes)

[glamourLex]

actually theres no right or wrong foot to put down when you stop ALTHOUGH generally the Left foot is the accepted best choice as then you have your right foot holding the rear brake

[advancedbiker]

Remember for Roadcraft to be effective in its use, it must be flexible to be practicable, if that makes sense. There is no right or wrong way for the foot.

[andaliteuk]

actually i was told that putting the right foot down in a test would result in a minor for loss of control, except where stationary and changing into first gear/checking you are in first gear/changing to neutral.

right foot should always be up in the "safety" position - covering the back brake when stationary unless changing gear, or putting side stand down/dismounting the motorcycle. this allows you to use the throttle without needing the front brake which would hinder use of the throttle.

[Agbrooks89]

:14... You are supposed to put your right foot down at a stop sign, not your left.

[glamourLex]

thats not actually correct

[peteblakemore]

"...right foot down at a stop sign, not your left"

Why's that then? I always thought it was best to put left foot down to have back brake covered too, but I'm sure there're times when putting the right foot down would be better (bit of petrol on floor on left side at pumps perhaps). Can't think why putting the right foot down at every stop sign would be right though.

[chrisacrawley]

Having been out with the IAM on Saturday I was taught that there is only one way to stop and that is with the left foot down, the reason being that I was told that when I come to a full stop it should be on the back brake only. No front brake at all to avoid the front 'dipping' as I stop and upsetting the balance of the bike. Therefore it's left foot down and right foot on the back brake bringing the bike to a full stop. Advancedbiker, what are your views on stopping on the back brake only?

[adtompsk]

Great example of how to ride smoothly through the twisties. Greg rides fantastically imo.

[charlespoxon123]

A really helpful video! Keep it up.

[hornetobiker]

This has become one of my flagship vids for bends. Watching this rider through AB's eyes/lens is an inspiration.

[coconutJo]

Another great video - thanks very much for posting this.

[S748e]

Nice smooth ride.

[46vale4ever]

Nice ride but Id like to see bending on wet road

and slippy white road markings...

[hornetobiker]

Any painted surfaces in bends in wet? NO! AVOID or brake to avoid if safe.

Painted surfaces in bends in dry? Only if you are relatively straight. Not worth the risk, especially with cats eyes.

[pjw77uk1]

That was a sweet ride from Greg. I couldn't spot any faults on those bends. Good observation and planning displayed. I bet Greg was well pleased with a Gold.

[advancedbiker]

The good thing about ROSPA is that the tests are graded, Bronze, Silver and Gold. To retain your grade you are retested after three years.

[advancedbiker]

Although this was only a couple of minutes from the test, he was awarded GOLD....

Nigel