I have made it known that I am very much new to riding. I have been riding around my yard, a nearby parking lot and in my neighborhood. I take my msf course this weekend. I keep hearing talk of "bad habits" that we're exposed after taking msf course. What exactly are these bad habits.
Bad habits
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The MSF course will probably clarify a lot of things. You might ask that question and ask for specific examples.
I just completed the course a few weeks ago. I am glad I took it and didn't try to learn from someone else. Lots of information to absorb in the class. Ask lots of questions.
I assume bad habits are things you get used to doing that are not the safest things to be doing, especially when you get into a pinch. THey may work most of the time, until something happens.
Even though I am a novice, I would offer a specific example--primarily using the rear brake to stop. They hammered that into us during the class. Always use both brakes, unless you are doing really low speed manuevres, where a light touch on the rear brakes is better than grabbing a handfull of front brake and falling over.
I have been doing a lot of reading online regarding safety and technique. There are a lot of folks who say they are afraid of using the front brake because they don't want to lock the front tire up and do a high-side or go over the bars. However, the rear brakes only supply so much stopping power. About 75% of braking power comes from the front brakes. If you are conditioning yourself to rely on the rear brakes, it will probably work most of the time, until you get into a panic stop situation and instincively rely on the rear brakes and can't stop in time. Then you might panic and grab a serious handful of front brake when you realize that your rear brake isn't stopping you fast enough. Then you do flip over the bars. Or you just forget or don't think about using the front brake and go veering into whatever it is you are trying to avoid.
I am the opposite. I am starting to use the front brake exclusively and am forgetting about the rear brake. I worked on some drills this past weekend trying to get a feel for how much braking power I get for each set and trying to remember to use both.
I just completed the course a few weeks ago. I am glad I took it and didn't try to learn from someone else. Lots of information to absorb in the class. Ask lots of questions.
I assume bad habits are things you get used to doing that are not the safest things to be doing, especially when you get into a pinch. THey may work most of the time, until something happens.
Even though I am a novice, I would offer a specific example--primarily using the rear brake to stop. They hammered that into us during the class. Always use both brakes, unless you are doing really low speed manuevres, where a light touch on the rear brakes is better than grabbing a handfull of front brake and falling over.
I have been doing a lot of reading online regarding safety and technique. There are a lot of folks who say they are afraid of using the front brake because they don't want to lock the front tire up and do a high-side or go over the bars. However, the rear brakes only supply so much stopping power. About 75% of braking power comes from the front brakes. If you are conditioning yourself to rely on the rear brakes, it will probably work most of the time, until you get into a panic stop situation and instincively rely on the rear brakes and can't stop in time. Then you might panic and grab a serious handful of front brake when you realize that your rear brake isn't stopping you fast enough. Then you do flip over the bars. Or you just forget or don't think about using the front brake and go veering into whatever it is you are trying to avoid.
I am the opposite. I am starting to use the front brake exclusively and am forgetting about the rear brake. I worked on some drills this past weekend trying to get a feel for how much braking power I get for each set and trying to remember to use both.
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Brake abuse is a good example of a bad habit. I will tell you that the 75% rule is a bit outdated though - modern disc-brake bikes can do 100%... and beyond.
These examples may be a bit more advanced in some cases than simply riding aroudn the yard and driveway, but some other things that folks can get into trouble with:
- Keep loose. Your entire torso, shoulders, arms, and grip should be relaxed at all times. Tensing up makes things worse in about 2 dozen different ways.
- Looking at the road just ahead of you, not looking far enough ahead of you. You are moving further down the line than the patch of tarmac in front of your tire. Looks where you want to go. If you want to go to the end of the block, look to the end of the block. Get the big picture. Look down, go down.
- Thinking your mirror gives you an idea of what's going on behind you. A mirror can only be trusted to tell you it's not safe, it can never be trusted to tell you that it IS safe. Check blind spots, be aware of what's happening behind you as well as in front.
Just a few examples. You may be doing them already and not realize it. Even if you're in a class you may be doing it but not realize it. Luckily your trainer knows how to spot it and coach you on it.
Don't over-do it on your own. It can also make you fearful of the bike because you encounter an issue that you cannot overcome entirely on your own, which will make you more anxious when you get to class and will give you mental blocks on some things.
These examples may be a bit more advanced in some cases than simply riding aroudn the yard and driveway, but some other things that folks can get into trouble with:
- Keep loose. Your entire torso, shoulders, arms, and grip should be relaxed at all times. Tensing up makes things worse in about 2 dozen different ways.
- Looking at the road just ahead of you, not looking far enough ahead of you. You are moving further down the line than the patch of tarmac in front of your tire. Looks where you want to go. If you want to go to the end of the block, look to the end of the block. Get the big picture. Look down, go down.
- Thinking your mirror gives you an idea of what's going on behind you. A mirror can only be trusted to tell you it's not safe, it can never be trusted to tell you that it IS safe. Check blind spots, be aware of what's happening behind you as well as in front.
Just a few examples. You may be doing them already and not realize it. Even if you're in a class you may be doing it but not realize it. Luckily your trainer knows how to spot it and coach you on it.
Don't over-do it on your own. It can also make you fearful of the bike because you encounter an issue that you cannot overcome entirely on your own, which will make you more anxious when you get to class and will give you mental blocks on some things.
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Definitely! Great advice here. Talking about grip in particular. People complain that their hands get numb and start talking about new grips, new bike, etc., etc., because it HAS to be the bike and not the rider. Loosen your death grip on the handlebars and it'll do wonders.
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Exactly.
FTR- I've never changed a set of grips unless they wore out or unless they were too slick to maintain good throttle control with a loose grip.
Usually if I replace a grip, I go back with a good waffle. I like waffles. Preferably with bacon.
Based on the emphasis they put on it at MSF, novice bad habits not yet mentioned might be:
- not shifting down through the gears and into to first as you come to a stop
- not leaning into turns/not using normal cornering technique
- sitting in neutral at stoplights
- not shifting down through the gears and into to first as you come to a stop
- not leaning into turns/not using normal cornering technique
- sitting in neutral at stoplights
I definitely have a death grip on the hande bars.....lol.....I'm slowly getting better though. I would imagine that at this point I'm not comfortable enough to focus all of my attention looking ahead at what's to come, which is exactly why I'm staying in the neighborhood and in the yard. I'm heading the advice I was given when I bought the bike. The salesman told me not to take it out on the roads until I could everything on the bike without thinking. That sounds like wise advice since all of your attention should be on the road ahead, cars etc.
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I don't have a CBR yet, but I'd think it'd be common sense to squeeze both every time... whenever I brake on my bicycle, I squeeze both. Or is it different with a motorcycle? And ABS..?
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You don't squeeze a rear brake, you step on it.
Bikes and motorcycles are pretty different, even though many concepts are similar.
Also, your front brake is on the right hand.
All shifting is on the left side of the body, all go/stops are on the right side of the body. Though it hasn't always been that way, standardization finally came along.
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my 2 habits i should get rid of even after taking the MSF course is:
1) neutral at lights when no car is to cushion the blow behind me
even then a truck will pile drive both of us to oblivion
2) Using both brakes simultaneously is a good habit based on the MSF program. I usually use back for subtle braking and slowing, where as my front is more for quick response braking. Though I should get used to both in case of emergencies.
1) neutral at lights when no car is to cushion the blow behind me
even then a truck will pile drive both of us to oblivion 2) Using both brakes simultaneously is a good habit based on the MSF program. I usually use back for subtle braking and slowing, where as my front is more for quick response braking. Though I should get used to both in case of emergencies.
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Car drivers have a tendency to stomp the (rear) brake pedal when they first get on a bike. They have to learn to squeeze the brake lever. Btw, bicycle brakes are usually backwards from motorcycles too. And don't get me started on countersteering! Try explaining that to a car diver.
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I tend to routinely still be braking as I start to lean the bike for curves. Mainly a tad of trail braking but still, that's robbing me of cohesion that I might need if something unexpected is just out of view around the corner. I've been trying to break myself of that habit for a year an a half. The road isn't a track and I shouldn't be riding that way.
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I think you are doing fine like that. Most beginners shouldn't brake while turning because it upsets the balance of the bike. The bike wants to stand up when you brake. As long as you counter that, you'll be ok. Of course you should never ride beyond the limits of your vision or your brakes. I like to imagine that there is a car stalled across both lanes just out of sight. Can I avoid it?
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Duck feet and bad foot placement the most common I see riders doing on the road.
2 habits i wound like to shake-
almost every pic shows me with my right pointer finger on the brake lever, its a dirtbike habit I suppose is instinctive, ive asked the coaches and they say it not a huge problem but does not need to be there on the straights, but it does help my transition into rolling off the gas into the braking area.
Another is the 'gyro' on my helmet lol,
I lead with my head well through turns, but its like my head stays level with the horizon... I must fix this.
2 habits i wound like to shake-
almost every pic shows me with my right pointer finger on the brake lever, its a dirtbike habit I suppose is instinctive, ive asked the coaches and they say it not a huge problem but does not need to be there on the straights, but it does help my transition into rolling off the gas into the braking area.
Another is the 'gyro' on my helmet lol,
I lead with my head well through turns, but its like my head stays level with the horizon... I must fix this.
My bad habit? As an enthusiastic manual car driver I heel-toe downshift into corners (when appropriate, anyway).
I did this once on my WeeBee by instinct and very nearly high-sided as, when the engine-brake kicked in the rear tire was on a slippery left turn arrow.
Even the basic handbooks say it, but it's true... don't downshift while cornering. Takes my old-ish bones a bit of retraining but I've not done it since!
I did this once on my WeeBee by instinct and very nearly high-sided as, when the engine-brake kicked in the rear tire was on a slippery left turn arrow.
Even the basic handbooks say it, but it's true... don't downshift while cornering. Takes my old-ish bones a bit of retraining but I've not done it since!
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I just passed my full motorcycle license test two days ago. The tester told me that it's not necessary to lane change as quickly as I do. He was trying to advise me to observe more, relax and try a different rhythm. I guess it's something to consider. I mean a person's got to adjust to the road conditions and traffic, and I can and I do, but I like to be quick and clean. The advice was coming from a man who rides a Goldwing, so...
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