3 Common Rider Instincts that Seem Right...BUT ARE NOT!

[@MCrider]

If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide. - The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you. - The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills. In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more. By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills. www.MCrider.com/Member

[@walkin64]

I'm trying to join as a member, but when I click on Paypal, it said "dangerous site". I marked it to safe in my browser, but Paypal will not load. Is there a way to simply pay with my credit card? I love the videos and learn a lot, and would love to be able to use more of this training! Thank you!

[@michaelroach1119]

I started riding a dirt bike 50 years ago. became a motorcycle cop and went through a 2 week Motor School. Also completed a 2 week Motor Officer Instructor Course. The tips you are providing, are the same tips I was taught. Those tips have saved my life on several occasions. Thank you for providing accurate information. Not everyone does.

[@zorroonmilkavitch1840]

I think learning to ride in the dirt is Optimum I learned to ride in the dirt we are able to let the motorcycle go through its paces and really understand the Dynamics of a motorcycle hence once you get on the road your skills are that much more acute

[@oceanbytez847]

@@zorroonmilkavitch1840 i agree. If you learn in the worst conditions then riding in ideal ones is that much easier and you are familiar with bad conditions and the corrective actions needed to succeed.

[@ken2tou]

Same here. Been riding since 67. I thought street riders were nuts. Necessity when stationed in Hawaii (1973-77) made me get my first street bike. There is much more to consider, but I find riding to be a lifestyle I love and hope to continue for the rest of my life. Great advice MCrider. 🇺🇸

[@ZombiePotatoSalad]

The wise man knows there is always more to learn.

[@EeezyNoow]

. . . and there's always more to lean.

[@HighOctane-wo6cm]

absolutely .. i been riding since 1977 and know to stay humble on one or you will be dead quick “ its not if it happens, its when will it happen ?

[@ricardotclarke]

Leaning is scary sometimes, I remember one day I was riding with my GF and went too hot in a corner due the shadows effects on the road that made me think the bend was not as sharp as it was, at that moment I remembered that somewhere I read, lean the motorcycle all the way if needed, if the handlebars are not hitting the ground you can still lean further (and risk a low side) or go wide (and risk a head on collision); first and only time I scrapped the footpegs with a passenger... Nothing bad happened, I got scared and had to stop after the curve, but we were safe and sound... Tires DO have more traction than what one thinks! Great memory now! Thanks for people like you that saved me that day

[@barny325]

Did you throw the trottle a little while leaning or was the speed enough? Did you hit the Clutch?

[@ricardotclarke]

@@barny325 kept the throttle as it was

[@barny325]

@@ricardotclarke Thank you Mister!

[@jamesray8771]

Yeah first time.. I drag my exhaust I felt the same.. Now I do it all the time.. and really dont think the bike is that far leaned over .. But it is

[@megwell]

I used to try and lean as much as I could as a personal challenge. Hit some loose sand one time and almost dumped my bike. Ever since I'm overly paranoid trying to hit that corner at a 10 degree angle...lol Good tires do help though

[@HRIDigital]

Your advice about options and possible outcomes when running wide i.e. better to lean, is brilliant. It had never occurred to me that a crash from leaning too much is far less severe than a crash from over-shooting the bend.

[@sh839c]

Me Either. Very good advice.

[@cardiojim]

It’s easier to lean the bike down counter steering. Practice 👍

[@RideOnTwo]

40 years riding a motorcycle and I still find useful information from your videos. Even if it is just confirming that what I'm doing is the right thing it helps me be a safer rider and keeps my confidence up! Thanks for always looking out for us. Ride Safe!

[@daveg.4862]

50 years of riding, when you hear the truth you know it. Thanks Kevin for these videos, I'm still learning & listening.

[@boscomoroz326]

I hate to be the contrarian, but leaning is not how you turn, leaning is a part of it, but leaning in itself is not the answer. Pushing with the hand in the direction you wish to turn is how you turn, if you are about to cross the center in a right hand turn, push with your right hand, the harder you push the sharper it will turn. Leaning alone will not do this. Steering should be done only with one hand, the inside hand in the turn. I absolutely agree with your other two points.

[@kevincole6569]

@@boscomoroz326 very true; the statements about leaning the motorcycle more should have included some explanation about counter-steering which causes the lean. The way it was stated could be very confusing and cause some folks to think they have to lean their bodies in order to lean the bike more. This is a common mistake made by not just beginners, but experienced riders who have had no formal training. A quick look at Keith Code's "No BS bike" video is the best way to grasp this concept. (BS = body steering).

[@scotsguy422]

@@kevincole6569 Agree with what you say there bud, perhaps MC could make more use of simple animated diagrams when he's talking, to emphasise the point. In fairness to him, he's actually discussing three topics in a summarised form, so I guess discussing counter steering is for another day! As for lean angle, yes, it's amazing how many "riders" are afraid to push the bike over that extra few degrees and I've seen it time and again - wrong lines, not enough lean, panic braking and another bike sliding down the road. I developed my own understanding of the principle over 40 years ago and used a "tilt" or "tip" style - tilting the front end or tipping it into a corner seemed to help my perception of how to both lean and get round those corners. I've had loads of bikes over the years and never come off... get the line and lean angle right. Takes a lot of concentraion all the time I know, but that's ne reason why I like biking, as well as the raw power and speed :-)

[@davidharris5795]

I'm a re-entry rider after a 30 year hiatus, and I appreciate these videos very much. Just finished a CHP sponsered training class and I'm in the process of getting my skills back. Strange being in a class with students my grandchildrens age, and instructors younger than my kids.

[@Nobody-dc8dp]

Keep your bike in high RPMs and low gears, if you want to help keep the bike stable; like the instructor said, "you have 2 gyro stablizers underneath the bike" and people forget about centrifugal force from the high RPM of the tires; that suck the bike to the road. Which allows a rider to lean into a turn and almost touch the ground. Compression braking is another good practice for helping to keep up those high RPMs, when coming to a stop; to become even more stablized, if possible sliding may occur.

[@stevenblair8624]

David Harris practice to build muscle memory using the good advice this channel furnished.

[@m.mccready9976]

Once more, your words to the wise are appreciated. ""Happy is the man who gains wisdom, And the man who gains understanding."

[@richardeldridge9711]

On a regular ride, one particularly sharp corner has had me bluffed. Two days ago I mastered it. Leaned more, lightly scraped a peg and guess what?, the motorcycle didn’t slide out from under me! My machine is far more capable than I am! I had never considered the idea that leaning offers a shorter fall and a likely slide if things go wrong. Compared to a high side with 300kgs of machine chasing you it’s a much better option. Thanks Kevin. Great advice as usual.

[@soap6939]

Definitely way better than going wide and taking a semi to the face, too.

[@donaldlingenfelter8944]

This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I've been practicing daily even when it's cold out. I'm getting better but my cornering is still terrible. Thank you for taking time to make these

[@joeshmoe7967]

You may want to consider selling the bike. Or find an instructor. Motorcycling is not for everyone.

[@jesterd14]

I got back into riding after a 35-year hiatus, my last bike was a KZ400, but my bike now is a 2008 Ultra Classic because that was what I always wanted. I took the BRC course, but I was also a truck driver for 9 years. Here is what we were trained to do. Aim high in steering, take all the road that is in front of you. Get the big picture, be aware of what is around you at all times. Keep your eyes moving, Means check your mirrors constantly, so you can see what is coming up behind you. Leave yourself an out, adjust following distance so that you do not have to hit the brakes hard, and leave enough room ahead of you at stops so you do not have to back up. Make sure they see you, that means if you are not sure, get their attention. Sometimes I will flip my brights off and on or hit the horn button. Using those skills I learned as a truck driver kept me accident-free for over a million miles. I use them when I ride too. There's also an old truck drivers wisdom, "You can go down 1,000 hills too slow, but only one too fast." Now I use that to remind me of proper speed before I get into a curve.

[@jamesfleming5849]

jesterd14-Totally in agreement with you.Truck driver trainer ironically makes for a much better motorcyclist. I say ironic because it's tough for most people to wrap their head around something that huge being applicable to something as small as a motorcycle.Even a huge motorcycle is a mosquitoe to a rig.The problem is we are truck drivers.Even our own management thinks we can't figure out how to use an elevator.That's if we can even get in the building.We are forever locked out of our own places of work. Also to your point you cant drive 11 hours a day and not know a thing or two about locomotion in a vehicle.150,000 miles a year in a truck translates well to a motorcycle.But if you are still in doubt you can always ask your management .One out of 3 people in our industry's management are absolute experts at all things attached to wheels.(LOL).Its more like all of them.

[@brucecharles8603]

You're using the Smith System sir. 30 years in trucking here, and 20 on a bike. I have trained new truck drivers, and the 5 Smith System keys are the basis of smart defensive driving. The system works well with trucks, motorcycles, or any vehicle for that matter.

[@michaelscott356]

Agreed: Being ANY kind of driver for a living makes one a better operator of any type of vehicle. You DO appear to be quoting the "Smith System" (which I'd never heard of), but its first "commandment"... Aim high in steering... is poorly conceived. What Mr Smith MEANT to say, and should have used, was FOCUS FAR... or maybe LOOK LONG! (Go Deep... Almost ANYTHING would have been better!) High (especially given the incidence of impaired driving) is not a word we want associated with vehicle operation at all. The concept that Smith was attempting to convey was that of "situational awareness", which is a critical component of every modern driver training program. This skill involves three things: 1. LOOKING AROUND - Be aware of what's happening in every direction; ahead, behind and beside your vehicle 2. LOOK FAR AHEAD - Looking all around is important, but seeing WHAT IS and what is HAPPENING as far up the road as possible is CRITICAL, because THAT'S where you're going to BE in minutes (or possibly seconds, depending on YOUR speed and/or the speed of those in front of you) 3. ESCAPE ROUTES - While doing all your "circumference" and "long-distance" looking around, be constantly (even if subconsciously) determining WHERE you COULD re-direct your vehicle... IF you had to. "Look around... Think ahead"

[@praveensaxena6478]

Wisely put. Couldn't be clearer

[@davidklementis5913]

Never drove trucks, but grew up with truckers. Did many ride alongs as a teen listening to their advise while they were driving, thought about becoming a driver and studied the manuals. Life changes and I never went that route. The experience was invaluable though. I have mad respect for you all! Love "You can go down 1,000 hills too slow, but only one too fast". I prefer to go into a curve slow, then pour the power on once line of sight and road are clear.

[@MrJruta]

Kevin. I’m an old Paramedic.. new rider. You, Sir are a God amongst instructors! Thank you for teaching us all! Saving lives

[@artwebb6939]

I've low sided in curves three times I can think of, not a single one of those was attributable to my motorcycle being leaned over too far, every single time it was a panic brake on my part Proper practice and training is helping me resolve this issue

[@MCrider]

Thanks for sharing Art. Panic braking in the corner will get you real quick.

[@pilotnelson4507]

PANIC is part of the 4-F's of survival: Fight, Flight, Feed and the last F, Fornicate (survival of the species). When we go into Fight mode we make a fist, instinctively, to protect our fingers. If we are "covering" the front brake, it is easy to snatch it closed (fear reaction), and down we go! Ooops. Many training programs, and even more not well informed riders, suggest to "cover" the front brake at ALL times in case we need to use it. It is okay to cover the front brake, after we have made a conscious decision to PROPERLY use the front brake with progressively increasing/decreasing pressure. BTW, don't feel "pressured" to practice this technique of proper front brake use. "What we practice, we make habit. What we make habit, we do in an emergency--Pilot"

[@mrfelix2510]

A 60% weight transfer to the rear tire will help. Get your braking done before you enter the corner, then give it a little throttle before entering the corner, this will help you to get your front suspension back keeping the bike from wanting to low side due to the forks being too compressed, set your body position, then lean into the corner. Try not to focus looking too much on the immediate corner but rather focus on looking ahead and through the corner. This will actually help you from learning too much or too little. When you get around half way into the corner start getting back on the throttle a little more, this will put the weight to the back tire and you will get a more stable feeling. A little more throttle can be added as you exit the corner. On a sportbike with a much wider contact patch than most cruisers and a softer rubber compound, you can add a lot more throttle upon exiting the corner and you can wheelie your way out. [Just saying:-) ]

[@artwebb6939]

@@mrfelix2510 yeah that was another contributing factor, Target fixation I had also recently switched from a Ninja 500R to a Suzuki Savage Basically it was just a series of bad decisions on my part

[@scottnicholson1236]

I found that riding my bike is a forced lesson in relaxation. If im not loose than my ability to put the bike where it needs to be is far to limited. For me turning the bike is much harder when I'm tense. Thanx for the vids kevin, i always learn something new from them.

[@homefront3162]

Agreed... Relaxed but alert is the way to go

[@bigguy1843]

I’m been riding only 2 weeks and this guy give me so much confidence

[@mikereed412]

Love your videos. Been riding for 30 years and can’t believe how much I learn from them. How about a series of videos on the difference of riding with a passenger?

[@966Mako]

Ride relaxed, look ahead, when cornering, trust your bike.

[@rogerabutcher8479]

Greetings Mr.Kevin, Thank you so very much for your dedication to teaching motorcycle safety. I would like to share an experience with you and this community. I was riding two up, one clear warm day in Lancaster P.A. and eyeing up the long sweeping banked curve that lay ahead of us. Now please keep in mind, I’m a city boy and just loving all the open road, cows, farms and county living. I started into this turn at the right speed, angle and care, but being a city boy had no idea how slick corn dust was as it was being blown into the farmers silo. My rear tire lost traction 3 times in this turn but God was looking out for me this day. I managed to stay upright and learned a valuable lesson, corn husk dust acts like dinosaur snot. Please be careful my friends.

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

Travelling on an unfamiliar road with tight curves, watch ahead for the "pattern" of the utility poles, they'll give you a clue as to how tight a corner ahead is ... 😎👍☘

[@jamesransom3]

Peter Fitzpatrick right up until they dont

[@Iceaxehikes]

This is concise knowledge. I only ride on dirt due to where I live. The gyroscopic effect; and the scary wobble on gravel, are real. Relaxing is the way. The "death grip" screws everything up.

[@petersattler3454]

I have been riding for 56 years and still find these videos informative. There is always something to learn. I must say however that I have ridden some bikes which did not exactly instil confidence in the rider, particularly some of the early Japanese super bikes where frame flexing was a real problem, very scary.

[@williamsimmons152]

Peter Sattler indeed...the Kawasaki 500 triple.... straight ahead or nothin.

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

A track training day solves all these issues. Cost me $500 but my life and motorcycle was worth that investment. Also improved riding enjoyment.

[@MCrider]

Track days carry a lot of value for sure.

[@almorgan3792]

Love the way you speak...clearly, at a calm pace. One of the best instructional videos I've seen so far- thanks!

[@sean8470]

I agree the calm approach is so welcomed these days keep up the great work kevin!

[@wolfemanbog4176]

5 years on a motorcycle and i am learning more and more everyday thank you

[@ralphf8951]

Thanks, these lessons should be mandatory for new riders. Great job teaching!

[@Jimbob-zn6bl]

Great tips! Been riding for 41 years! Always looking ahead, and watching for everything because you are invisible to 99% of the time to all! 😬

[@mrfelix2510]

That other 1% I think they're trying to hit you. Lol

[@soap6939]

@@mrfelix2510 They jelly

[@carolbutler1698]

That's why loud pipes , save lives😉👍

[@addisonwilliamsjr4450]

Kevin I went from 10 years of riding PCX 150's in Thailand to buying a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 over here (I rode a KZ900 in the 70's though). Your tips have been invaluable to me in adapting to this big beautiful bike. Everything you say is spot on for me... afraid of leaning, getting off the throttle, etc. I must say though that I am amazed at the counter-intuitive issue of pushing left to go right. My brother is a Harley rider for the past 20 years, and he told me about pushing on the inside handlebar which automatically leans your bike. I finally tried it and OMG!!! I could not believe it. I spent the next 3 days on curvy country roads practicing that totally incredible sensation that goes counter to what I had expected, being a physics major in college. Your videos may well save my life one day, if they have not done so already. We really appreciate your contribution to biker knowledge and safety. I salute you, my friend!

[@usablellc6735]

TO your point about the motorcycle not needing the rider to stay upright at highway speeds... There is a horrific KZbin out there that shows a rider being thrown from his bike when a spare tires breaks off of a truck ahead of him. I doubt the rider survived but the scene was caught by another rider with a GO PRO and it showed the bike continuing on course for a few seconds as the rider tumbled into the traffic. I really love it when you bring the physics involved into your discussions... two large gyroscopes tells the story, one I'd never heard before but it makes so much sense. So much of what's out there these days is based on opinion. Thanks for presenting the facts and backing them up with the science.

[@SoloPilot6]

If he was properly armored up, he probably just got a few days of bed rest.

[@marka1712]

Staying loose and looking through the turn are the most valuable lessons I’ve learned. It still amazes me how much better a curve goes when I look through it versus watching the road in front of me. Thanks for what you do brother.

[@robtoma5650]

Hi Kevin, I’m one of those older guys you spoke of that took a twenty one years break from riding, and just wanted to say your videos have really helped me get my seat back. I’ve been riding my new Harley since April 20th, and have put 3500 miles on it since then. I was exactly as you described in a prior video, nervous, tense, and probably darn lucky I didn’t hurt myself after such a long break even though I had over 100k miles on two Harleys back in the 90’s. Thankfully I now feel myself once again begin comfortable on my machine, and much of it I owe to you. Your videos have help me refresh my skills, and taught me a few new things along the way! Thanks for doing what you do, and many safe miles to you sir.

[@R-Will]

I paused the vid and opened my bible to Proverbs as soon as you quoted the Word. Thank you so much! GOD first!

[@lushanyue8761]

That means in the corner, you should prefer to slide in the low side than go wide if a accident is inevitable. Good advise.

[@garthhowe297]

This was a good reminder ... I'm heading out today for my final training, and test for my full M license. When I am riding, I spend a lot of time telling myself "Look where you want to go". I'm amazed how effective this simple technique is. Thanks Kevin!

[@jacobmckee5862]

Good luck on your test! It's much easier than you think it is.

[@MCrider]

Awesome garth, best of luck today!

[@garthhowe297]

@@MCrider I learned a few things at training, and passed my "M" road test with good marks. Phew!

[@benstabile8493]

I ran wide on a tightening sweeper X-Mas eve (morning of). Normally lean angles don't make me tense up. But with the cold I think I was afraid the tires wouldn't hold. In retrospect I would have been better off low-siding. Instead I hit a little mud at the side of the road, spun 180* and slammed into horse fencing. Needless to say, that was a wrong reaction (tensing up instead of leaning harder) on my part. Fortunately, no lasting bodily injury or serious bike damage. If I hadn't been fully geared-up, it could have been much worse.

[@2goridefree]

40 years of riding and the part about flapping your arms is fantastic advice. THANK YOU! I was off bikes for 12 years after cancer and lost that feel on gravel. Great information!

[@timluther5171]

Good video Kevin. I rode a lot when I was young and usually well above the speed limit. When you ride like that you either learn to watch for hazzards well ahead, or you just don't usually survive. It's been 30 years since I sold my last bike and now that I'm retired just bought another that I should be picking up in a few days. Your videos are great for a guy like me who's just getting back into it.

[@scottjones5455]

Easy does it. I did the same thing a couple years ago. Bought a 1980 cx500 and rode it for 6 months and saw a 1996 BMW R1100RT for sale on Craigslist. It felt like a beast at first and was honestly scary for a while. I ride very safely though except on occasion when I find myself alone on the open road I'll blow out the carbon a bit. Have fun Tim.

[@timluther5171]

Thanks Scott. I just picked the bike up yesterday and I think it's going to be alright once I get used to it. It was pretty obvious to me on my ride home though that it's long overdue for a real good tune up. This one's a bit big to restart on (a '88 Suzuki Katana 1100) but anything smaller would feel too small for my wife and I after a short time, since my last bike 30 years back was a beautiful Honda CB1100F that I owned for 6 years.

[@jakeintellectual8095]

Excellent advice about cornering. It IS a natural instinct not to lean too much.

[@maenadone8254]

Hi Kevin I'm a fairly new rider...only three years so far but have put over 60,000 miles on my bike since I got it in 2015. I have a 2000 honda hadow sabre with 92,000 mi. I enjoy mc rider and have learned something here that changed and bettered my riding immensely......counter steering. Before I started using counter steering I would often end up taking a turn too wide having based my turn on leaning the bike. That no longer happens. I no longer have that fear I'm not going to make the curve and am usually pleased at the ease which I confidentially make those turn while riding in the part of the lane I choose. Thanks for making my riding more enjoyable and safe. And in praise of my bike...in all those miles I have had no mechanical issues. Having to do usual maintenance. Of tires.. Brakes...fluids. Thanks again Kevin 😍

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

For ya'll that have tension problems. Instead hanging tight on the hand grips, just hug the tank with your thighs.

[@LaEscuelaDelEncanto]

cedrick samaniego ,good advice

[@michaelscott356]

Gently! 😁

[@davidklementis5913]

This is the one thing I've been working on and reminding myself to do lately. Had to take a break from riding for a few years and am finding myself more tense then when I had to stop. Getting better, but still working on it. Thanks

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

@@davidklementis5913 Responsibilities is my only why I haven't been riding as much. I can't wait until I'm a little bit more stable in my worries that linger in my mind. I can totally understand what you're going through

[@robkcra]

Thank you Kevin. Your comments about cornering are of particular interest to me due to an experience I had on a truly tortuous road of genuine hairpin turns over a very long stretch of paved highway, being the Shoreline Hwy between Leggett, CA and Fort Bragg, CA. I have done this ride twice, once on a KLR and once on a Super Tenere, both heavily laden for touring. I found myself constantly riding too wide in the tightest of the many hairpin switchbacks, praying that there was no traffic coming. I felt that if I slowed down any further I would fall over and if I sped up I would overshoot even more. So as I have spent inordinate amounts of time since then thinking my way through those corners again, I am trying to determine if the typical practice of leaning into a corner should apply here (as I was indeed attempting to do) or whether the off-road technique of leaning to the outside in order to increase the size of the contact patch would be better suited? Anyway, I would be so grateful for your correction if my thinking is stinking! Thanks again.....from BC.

[@JamesWarrior]

I've been riding for more than 50 years and I believe your comments are the wisest and best advice I've ever been given. Thank you.

[@jgunther3398]

If you're going to go too wide, remember -- push on the inside handlebar. Practice it.

[@WildBill33]

J miller, May I add this to your comment? 100 % correct. As YOU already know this, many people do not realize they are actually “turning the bars away” from the direction they want to turn when at road speed. Back in the ‘80s sometime MSF started teaching “Push right, Go right” to un-teach a technique they had been using. I thought Kevin was going to mention this when he talked about sitting on two gyros 2:30-2:45. What you said is on page 9 MSF rider handbook. Thanks, you just saved someone a getoff.

[@jgunther3398]

@@WildBill33 Thanks. I probably said it because I too thought it was coming up and it didn't.

[@Bushkangaroo59.]

Countersteering.

[@davidprice2882]

New to riding here, three years in. THANK YOU Kevin for doing this. I’ve really enjoyed and learned from your consistently truthful advice!

[@rebelthrukansas0]

I enjoy these videos, after 20 years of highway and off road riding I still find something new. Trail braking on curves is something I think everyone needs to learn, I can’t count how many times it’s saved me from either a car crossing the center or turning on a curve. Finding the sweet spot of your bike on curves is also a life saver, a cruiser with crash bars when the foot pads grind that is the limit because the crash bar is only an inch away from the pavement and if it connects you can’t save the curve.

[@brandypender9788]

Great video Kevin, thanks for this great information. This is exactly what I needed to hear today, headed to the NC mountains in a few hours. Have a great weekend!

[@MCrider]

Have a good ride Brandy!

[@MegaPOOHPOO]

Normally we never listen to advice but when it comes to motorcycles be safe

[@bodieb1233]

Kevin, of ALL the many suggestions you have and what you teach many of us I personally have found a real difference with one. Look at where you want to go..... As simple as I thought this was or is. The difference is immediately apparent whan one does this. Out of all you have and continue to explain to us this is my favorite. The bike does go where you're looking to.Great job as always......

[@benjamincs1]

For me it's important to emphasise - as you do - that all of these errors are natural things to do. For many of them, it's not a matter of getting rid of them, but adding something extra. With looking further ahead, for example, it isn't about stopping looking close in front, but adding in scans up the road.

[@tommylynn5620]

Just because we’ve ridin a motorcycle sense we were teenagers that doesn’t mean we can’t learn proper techniques in riding to make us better riders and safer riders . Thank you Kevin for your videos and your time to help us learn the safest way to ride .

[@haris525]

As I new rider. I ran into issue number two. Took a wide turn, got scared and hit the brakes but body tightened up and I whiskey throttled. Thankfully I was going very slow but if I was wearing my gear I would have had a broken neck. Your advice is spot on. Thank you!

[@phillpalleschi1308]

All true and helpful comments, thank you. One technique to practice practice practice is counter steering. You are absolutely correct in the grip available in a m.c. tire. However, you will never utilize it if you cant increase the lean angle of the bike. Body position and counter steering is something i practice ever time i ride. The hope is that i will have that muscle memory reflex to help me in a time of need. Rather than having to think of it, i will react instinctively. Not there yet, but getting better. As always, thank you for the great video. Ride safe all.

[@garyhalsey7693]

I passed my test finally on May 20th this year, here in the UK, 29 years after I first threw my leg over a motorcycle!! The cornering is the one thing I have yet to get a handle on. I am riding a Yamaha 600 Fazer and I know deep in my heart that my tyres will grip, but my head says "What the hell are you doing?!". Consequently I am a lot slower in corners than the bike can probably handle, I suppose it will come with time on the road, but it sure is embarrassing cornering like Miss Daisy!! I used your videos to supplement my lessons, I think your channel is awesome Kevin!! Keep 'em coming, I know I will always be able to learn something from your videos, no matter how long I ride!!

[@lucyferina]

I don't know how many times I have heard "I had no choice but to drop it" when you should never go for that first.

[@CaptainSwoop]

As a dinosaur, learner rider I found this video extremely helpful. To have the fundamental physics involved, explained in a gentle, intelligent, understandable way is commendable. "Knowledge is power" ... while also being satisfying and encouraging. You don't know me ... but you helped me ... and that's nice. Thanks from Australia.

[@regiscalmes]

I have seen most of McRiders videos: this is my N°1 video. Thank you so much. Greetings from Paris-France.

[@drumsnbass]

This was my first year hitting tar snakes in 💯 degree plus weather. I just let the bike do what it does. It’s a strange feeling.

[@snakerstran9101]

A properly applied seal is more of a distraction then a real problem. You do have to keep an eye for bad workmanship. If some jackass slathers on a foot and a half wide tar snake to seal a half inch crack it can become dangerous. Beware the wide tar snakes.

[@TalklikeAPirate]

They are horred here in Northeast PA. The heat softens them and Hold On !

[@TomFromYoutube]

Does it make your tires slip or something?

[@stopglobalswarming]

Tom it’s like a giant rat glue-paper

[@chrissmith7669]

Very well explained. Getting back on after 10 years and am watching all the videos to not be a danger to myself or others.

[@redwolf4802]

Great video thx. I made the exact mistakes your talking about last weekend. Put my bike in the ditch because I made a few mistakes(my own fault) I didn’t look thru the corner and took it too wide and didn’t lean enough and over braked. I just started riding again after 25 yrs and still relearning again. Can’t ty enough for your videos. My bike came away from the ditch with only a few very minor scratches and a few bruises for myself. My ego hurt more than anything. Plz keep up the informative and amazing videos.

[@snakerstran9101]

A big tool for corners are the yellow speed limit signs (a temporary slow down speed). I've ridden in a good portion of the US and found those numbers to be accurate and well assigned for that spot. You don't necessarily have to follow the speed to the tee, but learn to pay attention to those numbers to help "read the corner" and adjust.

[@MrJeffinLodi]

Our rule of thumb on corning speed is 2X posted Plus 10

[@NoWay-xu1ie]

You always have great advise. As a retired MSF instructor. Had to give it up because of knee issues. But something i thought about about when teaching was if students had the opportunity like I had starting out riding a Honda 90 and progressing through numerous dirt bikes Before I done much street riding. It was always nice when doing class introduction when you had people that said they had done some off rode riding. Long story short i wish new riders would start on a small bike. But we know that doesn't happen very often.

[@andrerobichaud]

Thank for taking the time to post this video. I am a newcomber to riding a bike and your advice is priceless. Probably the best I've seen so far on the Tube. I am convinced your have save many of your reader's lives! Keep it up bro!

[@cronobactersakazakii5133]

The lesser words you use to expose ideas, the better it is understood. And you are good at it ;-) and this for something that is a big part of our life : riding !

[@Joodster]

I have often said that the skills I learned in the MSF courses kept me alive and unharmed in several situations! It even made me a better driver in my car because I'm more likely to do a head check, scan ahead, etc. in addition to using the mirrors. Thanks for your efforts to provide riders with the tools and skills they need to enjoy having their knees in the breeze safely. My favorite advice from the instructor: Expect the other driver/rider to do something stupid and have a plan.

[@ralphwaters8905]

Those were 3 great tips for the road. I see a lot of newbies having issues in low-speed cornering (like parking lots) because they don't fully understand the relationship between accel/decel and lean angle. e.g. Using the front brake in a very low speed corner is a common newbie cause for literally "falling into" trouble!

[@randallbates8891]

As a 15yo learning to drive in 1962 my WWII fighter pilot dad gave be the best advice that serves me well today. LOOK AS FAR AHEAD AS YOU CAN!! Makes sense huh...The faster you go the further ahead you HAVE to look.. While not seeing the enemy fighter plane soon enough is a tad more dangerous than a M/C rider not seeing the wire shelf that just fell off the truck 1/2 mile ahead, but not by much..Death could happen in either.. Your advice is the best I've heard in awhile..

[@FeedScrn]

I like what you said- about when on a gravel or dirt road - to not tense up. Seems legit.

[@miked730]

Many thanks Kevin, been riding here in the UK for over 50 years and found your information invaluable. I had to get rid of my fireblade 5 years ago because of carpal tunnel syndrome problems. This summer I thought I'd get a maxi scooter as I figured it might take the weight off my wrists which I'm pleased to say it does. I had a lot of problems adapting to the riding style particularly at very low speeds, I followed your tips, did a bit of practise and wow what a difference now I'm a MCrider junkie I thought I knew it all, what a mistake!

[@hypurpadre2288]

good advice for sure. In particular, the comments on running wide in a turn if you come in too hot or it is a decreasing radius or has debris to avoid. A motorcycle has much more cornering capability than the average rider thinks if you just lean it more. Do not panic and bale out if running wide ! You will not find a soft place to land once you leave the pavement wide ! Tough it out and lean it. And when you have made the turn and the road straightens out, you will be very happy you did !!!!

[@mattheweastel129]

Brilliant explanation about your options for cornering. A low side crash, if it even happens, will be much easier to walk away from

[@migueljonz3901]

You got yourself a subscriber! Even though I've been riding over 40 yrs, I'll always take good advise!

[@garymanning8920]

Its great to hear someone talk about the way I learned to ride 50 years ago. Be educared, practiced and prepared..thats the sumnary here and how I teach too. Thanks

[@markserainidis1058]

Thank you Mr, you have opened my mind that little more when rideing, 11 years rideing....

[@tdplumer]

Great tip toward cultivating sound mindset. Thanks, Kevin.

[@kyfishslayer6520]

Just wanted to say thank you. I'm a new rider and I'm having problems with turning from a stop. Starting to get a little discouraged. This video cleared some things up for me. Now I just need to put it to practice.

[@rvk2136]

I am legally Blind in right eye first i feel hesitate to ride motorcycle but after seen your eye story you become my inspiration to ride motorcycle.

[@SMKreitzer1968]

Me too, only my left eye. Right eye ain't perfect either, been riding my whole life, from trail bikes as a kid to street bikes. You ride within your ability/vision, and when I ride, that's what I do, not other distractions.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

I took the MSF ARC class a couple weeks ago and one of the instructors is legally blind in one eye. I think he said that even with correction, it's like 20/200 or something similar. He's a relatively old rider that's logged many tens of thousands of miles, so it's definitely possible, it's just going to take a lot more effort and probably a bit less speed.

[@MCrider]

Thanks for posting Raghavan. It can be done, it just requires more turning of your head to see what is around you. In my case I still have peripheral vision so that helps. Best of luck to you friend, let me know if I can help.

[@rvk2136]

@@MCrider Sir i too have peripheral vision like you

[@jerryhubbard4461]

Very good information. I ride a Heritage Softail. It did not take me very long to find out that this bike is horrible for curves, especially in the mountains. It is so low to the ground, you must watch your speed and read the road ahead.

[@crazycarl2455]

Fred severerns told us 60 years ago ,when you think you have mastered your bike is when you're in trouble. He died in Joplin Missouri on black cat road going to work by trying to beat a railroad crossing. Rip fred

[@6CylSuccessVideos]

What a terrific lesson! I have had this issue for years!

[@tomfelts8980]

I've been rideing senice I was a kid ,and thanks for the tips ,I've learned something today.

[@martywittenburg8174]

This thing about leaning the bike in is so so true. He says you're either pushing the bike out of the way which is a potential live saver. I did that once unconsciously, can't remember, but I came out fine. Or the tyres may just hold traction and get you through. Don't underestimate those tyres. They're designed to hold traction to the very edge. Any Bike I know can be angled down to the point of the footrests scratching the tarmac. However, pulling such a maneuver and more importantly, regaining control afterwards, good luck.

[@ZippoVarga]

As always Kevin, very easy to understand precautions and cautions. Zip~

[@Whabligone]

very good advice, had a cornering experience with my RT1100 once, Misjudged the corner and went in at a speed higher than my nerves could handle, but . . . kept my line came hell or high water . . . heard my wife yelling at one stage and just squeezing me a little bit more than normal . . . and made it through save and sound and with something to talk about for months to come.

[@davidbrandt6925]

Thank you Kevin! You are by far my favorite motorcycle instructor. I've been riding since the 1970s. So scary what i did not know until recently. The bike is in for scheduled maintenance. Can't wait to get it back so i can practice!

[@MCrider]

Thanks David, what kind of motorcycle do you ride?

[@davidbrandt6925]

@@MCrider you're welcome Kevin! I have a 2002 Triumph Sprint. Love it!

[@davidbrandt6925]

@@MCrider by the way, great quote from Proverbs!

[@motorradmike]

Excellent video, Kevin. I remember taking Keith Code’s Superbike Riding School some years ago, and his emphasis of using “chicken wings” with our arms as you described to relieve tightening up from tension. Relax.

[@rocketmanmike1813]

Thanks Kevin, I have been riding for 30+ years and never thought that the lean was the safest bet when in trouble when in a corner. You know I think you are right, I should take some training courses, I absolutely don't know everything and I was just humbled, thanks for opening my eyes Kevin....

[@Alexslashslash]

Thanks Kevin! Wish you were here when I started riding bikes but since discovering your channel you've helped evolve my riding positively. Thank you, you are well appreciated here.

[@arthurkaras6383]

Hi Kevin Getting back into riding after 20 years. Did a short refresher course, and am finding your videos very useful. I never did a single course or gave it much thought when I first rode a bike. Just jumped on and off I went! At 55 I’m a little more cautious, if only a little 😁, and am trying to educate myself as much as possible. A bit scary at first but boy, every ride is putting a big smile on my face

[@MrTurnone]

I highly recommend starting out riding dirt before you ever hit the street. I know a lot of people don't have that luxury but it will stick with you your whole life and make you a far better street rider. You haven't lived until you take an XR650R or big bore KTM at 80+ shredding a sandy desert road...exhilarating to say the least. Also, you must counter steer, there is no way around that, and too much lean angle is not good either. You wouldn't believe how many old timers look at you like you're nuts when you try and explain counter steering...unbelievable...just my 10 cents worth

[@rmcalhoun4543]

So true. I got my first bike at 12 a Yamaha 125 street. My dad absolutely wouldn't let me ride it on the street until I was licensed. I could ride however on a long dirt/gravel driveway. I think it trained me to respect the bike more.

[@robertstinnett4266]

Thank you so much for what you do. I hope everyone is paying attention to these wise words.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Well Kevin, you right on again. The first time I ever road a motorcycle bigger that a Suzuki 80 I nearly wrecked by not leaning the bike enough. Fortunately I just lightly bounced off of a curb and didn't go down or hurt the bike. Very close call. I learned my lesson, lean the bike. Keep up the good work.

[@JohnWedderburn]

I took a break from bikes for about 14 years and then got back into riding. During the time when I was not riding bikes I learnt to drive trucks and this has totally helped my riding. Truck driving absolutely requires you to look far ahead, given the much greater weight and longer braking distance. When I started riding again I found myself using the same scanning method as I do when driving a truck and defending my safe distance between me and vehicles ahead.

[@judgedredd49]

You said it right about viewing obstacles or potential dangers up the road and being able to do so and of not following the vehicle the vehicle in front, being fixated on its rear end and brake light. Many an incident or collision is caused by the lack of clear vision in front and also peripherally due to Tailgating, being far too close to the vehicle in front. By moving back to a safer following on position one opens up the whole road scene and makes observations easier. You can see more and just as important other road users can see you more so it's a win win situation The road is cleared and dangers are avoided before they become directly in front of one and creates a surprise that requires immediate action to avoid.

[@kimharbison5277]

One thing I remember reading that can lead to problems taking a corner that needs to be learned is, no matter how far you lean the bike over keep your head level. If you allow your head to lean at the same angle as the bike it tends to throw off your equilibrium (your inner ear). Which in turn can cause mental confusion, as your eye is telling you one thing but your equilibrium is telling you something else. Not good in a cornering situation ESPECIALLY if you're running a little hot into it.

[@markrumfola9833]

I always learn something. Thank you sir.

[@cyclechillers1857]

Hi @Mark Rumfola - join us at the forum if you need more information or resources. Have fun!

[@doublecutter]

Thank you for the intellectual knowledge that may yet help me to not worry about leaning my GL1800 too far. After seventeen years on a Honda VT100, I got very comfortable in most situations. This new-to-me Wing is tall and heavy, and it just "feels" like I'll lose traction of I lean it too far. I live in a semi rural area, and the roads aren't exactly pristine. It's more my fear of sand and pebbles and other unknowns that freak me out and keep me from keeping my eyes pointed through the turn, than a fear of losing the contact patch. Maybe, as someone above posted, I need a track day.

[@jenniferclarke3622]

When I started riding earlier this year, my body was so tense, from my clenched jaw right down to my feet. I was riding a scooter - no tank to grab hold of. Over time, it slackened off a bit as I gained more confidence. I transitioned to a motorbike after a few months and found that the presence of a tank makes a huge difference. It just seems so much more natural.

[@wollywolly2734]

When you get to the point of relaxed ride you enjoy the ride so much more but always be super aware

[@DavidWing]

Great video Kevin! I was riding a few weeks back and was taking a turn maybe a little hotter than I normally take it and realized that I was going to go wide and end up off the pavement. Thankfully training like this kicked in and I leaned it over some more to the point where I dragged my peg. I made the curve but was seriously anxious about it but knew the right thing to do. So after making the curve, I also knew that I needed to get my excitement under control and be a little more strategic about entering curves and getting back to the basics. We all get excited to be out for a weekend ride through the hills but you have to stick with those basics...glad this lesson for me did not end up with a busted ankle and/or a wrecked bike!

[@harleycrasher8396]

I been skipping this video. Finally watched. Well worth my time. Your words of wisdom and safety spot on. Thought it was going to be a how to video. Good job friend. Learn something every day.

[@smileswelchsermons]

This is all good, but the best part was the Proverb at the beginning. Thank you, Kevin.