On paved roads, ride either slightly left or slightly right of the center of the lane. That dark spot in the center of the lane is oil, grease, anti-freeze, and God only knows what else. It offers poor traction, especially when freshly wet.
This was mentioned earlier but I think it is important enough to repeat: If you find yourself entering a curve too fast (already leaned over), don't panic and don't jump on the brakes... make yourself LEAN more. The rounded tires on sportbikes will lean r-e-a-l-l-y far. In the worst scenario, leaning too far will result in a low-side crash which is a much better event than a high-side crash. Yes, it is possible to brake while leaning through a turn but it is a dangerous habit for a new rider to develop because it tends to encourage more braking rather than more lean. Improper braking while leaned over can bite hard with a high-side crash. Set up each curve by braking before entering it. Then, apply a little gas and lean into the curve. It is better to be on the gas, at least slightly, when leaned over than to coast through a turn. The bike will be more stable when the rear wheel is "pushing" and the throttle can help make fine mid-turn corrections. And, as also mentioned previously, focus on WHERE you intend to go. Not on the road a few feet ahead of you, nor on the car or bike a few feet ahead of you. It is okay to glance quickly at the immediate front for sand, oil, obstacles, etc. but keep your focus on where you want to go and the bike WILL miraculously go there! One way to check the amount of lean you are using is to look at your rear tire. So-called "Chicken Stripes" will tell you if you are near the tire's lean limit (see arrows in the pic). If they are an inch or more wide, you have a lot of lean angle remaining that you are not using. If they are very narrow (or non-existant), you are near (or at) your lean limits.
Go e-a-s-y at first on wet roads. Motorcycles, like cars, will hydroplane--wherein the tires are riding on top of the water rather than cutting through it to the pavement. It is obviously dangerous when your tires are not in contact with the road. If you feel like you are floating, you probably are. Slow down and/or make very gentle changes in speed. {I once rode 600 miles in the month of January from Nashville to Kansas City. About 200 of those miles were on iced-over roads. It was the most tedious thing I have ever done. Solid ice allows approximately zero lean angle. Most of the time I was holding my breath to keep from upsetting the bike's balance. Talk about having to plan ahead to slow down--it was wholly idiotic and like walking a tightwire. The only thing that kept me upright was abject terror, frequent coffee stops, years of experience, and the gyro effect of the wheels turning.}
A few years back, I made a simple 1" X 2" aluminum plate that I had engraved, polished, and mounted on the handlebars of several of my bikes. It read "THINK".
There's much more but you'll probably agree that I've raved enough. Good luck!
This was mentioned earlier but I think it is important enough to repeat: If you find yourself entering a curve too fast (already leaned over), don't panic and don't jump on the brakes... make yourself LEAN more. The rounded tires on sportbikes will lean r-e-a-l-l-y far. In the worst scenario, leaning too far will result in a low-side crash which is a much better event than a high-side crash. Yes, it is possible to brake while leaning through a turn but it is a dangerous habit for a new rider to develop because it tends to encourage more braking rather than more lean. Improper braking while leaned over can bite hard with a high-side crash. Set up each curve by braking before entering it. Then, apply a little gas and lean into the curve. It is better to be on the gas, at least slightly, when leaned over than to coast through a turn. The bike will be more stable when the rear wheel is "pushing" and the throttle can help make fine mid-turn corrections. And, as also mentioned previously, focus on WHERE you intend to go. Not on the road a few feet ahead of you, nor on the car or bike a few feet ahead of you. It is okay to glance quickly at the immediate front for sand, oil, obstacles, etc. but keep your focus on where you want to go and the bike WILL miraculously go there! One way to check the amount of lean you are using is to look at your rear tire. So-called "Chicken Stripes" will tell you if you are near the tire's lean limit (see arrows in the pic). If they are an inch or more wide, you have a lot of lean angle remaining that you are not using. If they are very narrow (or non-existant), you are near (or at) your lean limits.
Go e-a-s-y at first on wet roads. Motorcycles, like cars, will hydroplane--wherein the tires are riding on top of the water rather than cutting through it to the pavement. It is obviously dangerous when your tires are not in contact with the road. If you feel like you are floating, you probably are. Slow down and/or make very gentle changes in speed. {I once rode 600 miles in the month of January from Nashville to Kansas City. About 200 of those miles were on iced-over roads. It was the most tedious thing I have ever done. Solid ice allows approximately zero lean angle. Most of the time I was holding my breath to keep from upsetting the bike's balance. Talk about having to plan ahead to slow down--it was wholly idiotic and like walking a tightwire. The only thing that kept me upright was abject terror, frequent coffee stops, years of experience, and the gyro effect of the wheels turning.}
A few years back, I made a simple 1" X 2" aluminum plate that I had engraved, polished, and mounted on the handlebars of several of my bikes. It read "THINK".
There's much more but you'll probably agree that I've raved enough. Good luck!
