More Secrets of a Road Tester - State of Mind

[@james.shafiei]

Thanks for this video. I have this argument with other motorcyclists and even people that don’t ride all the time. I’ve been riding for 15 years now, 100km/day on the busiest freeway in my state come rain, hail or shine and I’m yet to drop a bike. I’m not saying I’m the greatest commuter ever, I’ve definitely had my fair share of luck, but I don’t buy the whole “there was nothing I could do about it” way of thinking that so many riders see to have. I believe that you’re responsible for your own safety, just as you said, and the minute you shift that responsibility onto others is the minute you’re going to have a bad time. I’m really enjoying this “Secrets of a Road Tester” series - thanks very much!

[@mayukhsharma8465]

100km a day is a lot of commute and puts a lot of strain on the body.

[@james.shafiei]

@@mayukhsharma8465 halved my commute time though. 35-45 minutes via motorcycle, 1:15-1:35 via car. About 2 hours by public transport. That’s a lot more time spent at home with the family!

[@mayukhsharma8465]

@@james.shafiei yes i agree on that bikes are the fastest and the best way to commute unless it starts raining lol. But still 100 km a day is huge if you ride a sports bike rip those wrists and back lol. Im sure you are used to it now. I did a small trip on my sportsbike of 100 km the last 20 km felt like never-ending miles lol. Ride safe mate.

[@james.shafiei]

@@mayukhsharma8465 it’s not bad once you strengthen your core and use proper posture. Not really any weight on your wrists unless you’re tired and no longer using your knees to hold yourself up. I commute on an S1000RR and I prefer sports bikes because I can filter through traffic easier and I believe the manoeuvrability that comes with the acceleration and braking makes riding safer. I often go on 400-500km day trips on sports bikes with friends and the biggest pain is generally your hand cramping from lack of cruise control on the highway, not much pain from the wrist or knees really. If I spend a couple of weeks off the bike the first week back is tiring, but otherwise I reckon sports bikes are the way to go.

[@AngelSapundzhiev]

@@james.shafiei thanks for sharing your experience on a full on sports bike. I ride a naked, similar mileage like you, I find it best of all worlds, especially with a screen attached on colder days.

[@TheJmebe]

Absolutely spot on.. A phrase I heard many years back (from a Police rider possibly) that has stuck with me is - Always be able to stop in the space you can see to be clear. ...eg leading up to blind bends, cars waiting at T junctions etc. This approach saved me just yesterday. Had a day off, nice weather, out for a gentle ride. 30 limit in a village came up to a sharp right hand bend, blind because of a buildings on the inside. Just as I turned in, there was a huge lorry on my side of the road. No where to go, but I was able to stop in the bend because I had consciously applied the above.

[@kramnam4716]

yep! same on cars ! that’s the space you’re going to stop in!

[@rodintoulouse3054]

Thank you very much. Not only for the content, but also for your delivery. You come across as someone genuine who really cares about each one of us. Would have loved to have met you when I was living in the UK

[@northrider8628]

Just my 2 cents, if some one does do something stupid like start to pull out in front of you as a example. Let it go and keep on about your day. It will not be easy for most rider's to do... but it is way better than letting it take up rent in your head 🤠😁

[@timothymills733]

Great tips, and I particularly like you highlighting the idea that "who is in the wrong not mattering." I have always had the philosophy that anything that happens to me on a bike is my responsibility, and ultimately my fault if it goes wrong. It keeps me in the right mindset, and it has the added benefit of keeping me calm, and not getting angry at other road users, because I am in control of the outcome no matter what they do.

[@adamgoodsell4170]

Wise words indeed.😄👍

[@marcusgeorge1825]

This is one of the best videos, at the best time I think I’ve ever watched! Having also been riding for 35 years, with a chunk in the mid to late 90’s racing in the Australian Superbike Series, I could not agree with you anymore on this one. Thank you for taking the time to put this together! 👍😎🇦🇺

[@neilmackinnon3371]

The advice about staying calm is absolutely key, and that includes with other road users. I have noticed a degree of aggression towards me from some car drivers when overtaking (a distinct jink towards the white lines) and I am not fast, I am a 62 year old guy on a VStrom 650. Some people coming out of lockdown are in a terrible hurry, don't get angry with them, just tut, roll your eyes, let them get on with it and do not return their aggression or anger with some of your own.

[@DB-so8zc]

Spot on! Biking involves a lot of mental acuity and if you're not in the proper state of mind don't ride. Great vid. Cheers from the US!

[@CurtisBrandt]

This series is great!

[@SimmJimm]

I like the bit about preparing for the ride. I have a little 'routine' I do before going out for a ride and I'm never rushing to get ready. Take my time, get my kit out, clean my visor and just take things easy. Helps to get your head in the right thinking space so you are concentrating on what's going on around you. And definitely do not trust anyone....my golden rule is prepare for them to do the most stupid thing....then you are ready...if they don't do it, happy days. Lot of good tips in these videos. Thanks!!

[@davidelizabeth4933]

More valuable tips. Thanks, Neevesy! ❤❤

[@dungbeetle.]

4:00 One of the main reasons I ride. You're forced to forget about everything else and just concentrate on riding. Focussing on just one thing you enjoy without interruption can be very theraputic. I always feel much more at ease afterwards.

[@AngelSapundzhiev]

Being in great shape is extremely overlooked by many motorcyclists out there and it is actually a vital part of being able to ride all types of bikes, sadly most overweight dudes just settle for cruisers... and get fatter! 😁

[@brianperry]

Cruisers...Yuk!!!

[@stephengarrison4974]

Excellent advice. Both installments are super helpful reminders. I’m a big fan of your channel. Bought a KTM 890 Duke R after your review. Nice machine for Western North Carolina. Struggled with the choice of buying an Aprilia 1100 Tuono. Came down to dealer location. Now that you’ve reviewed the new 660 Aprilia’s I think they’d be a great bike here. But no Dealers.

[@cpuuk]

Riding is a solo activity, even when you're in a group.

[@multitaskchef]

Thanks for the wisdom. Yes! i plan my rides out. Just looking to enjoy the roads & twisties.

[@sedulousdabbler5468]

I agree with everything you say apart from the opening comment. You are not in control of your own destiny. I went to an RTC when a boy in a tractor had pushed the tines of the forklift on his tractor through a hedge, decapitating the passenger in a passing car. The driver of that car was not in control of his own or his wife's destiny. Excellent advice. Thank you.

[@Jaffa1951]

I've recently started training for my Advanced Rider test. There's a few acronyms to learn, and P.O.W.D.E.R.Y is one of them. The Y stands for yourself ( make sure you're in the right frame of mind to ride a bike )

[@faffynuck7710]

Brilliant series as lessons for new and reminders for old.

[@blipco5]

"I'm actually a little bit jealous he's at the beginning of his motorcycling career". Yes.

[@Inspire196]

This is a really good video with lots of sensible advice!

[@tonebonetones]

A timely video. Can't argue with any of the points put across.

[@rayryder4940]

Love this. Beautiful reminders

[@paddychopper1973]

Sound advice and is some of the ethos used by AIM, Rospa and other trainers. Spot on fella!

[@theonlyredspecial]

Fantastic content and im still buying the ipad mcn too, Been buying the MCN for decades!

[@NudaMan]

That’s why I ride my 2003 Aprilia RSV MILLE Everyday since I bought it last may/June, only had 1,200 miles on it and now is at 15.8k miles 👌🏾 I love this motorcycle to death and it always makes me laugh in excitement when I’m riding it lol

[@AngelSapundzhiev]

Aprilia has that effect on people, it’s an amazing brand that makes amazing machines! I did the same last year - I bought one at 2,200 miles and now at 10,000 miles, I am more and more in love with it!

[@jimmarshall807]

Loving these videos, lots of wisdom in them

[@space.youtube]

"you're in control of your own destiny" On the roads? Well that's the lie we tell ourselves till reason, responsibility and age catch up. Then quietly, the balance swings from participation to appreciation for the next generation of participants, and their wonderful new machines. Regardless of your love of motorcycling, enjoy it first and foremost.

[@jjnewman65]

The brilliant Neevesy ❤

[@percusski]

Gear stuff.. so many road testers on KZbin don't seem to have anywhere near the experience of this guy 👌

[@terryjoslin2660]

Great to watch good tips 👍

[@stephenpenniket9976]

Those Bikertek parts look very well engineered. Maybe I should upgrade now before I start thinking about full systems and ECU flashes. I have new riding boots, helmet gloves and leather pants and jacket and investing in yourself before the bike does seem like a good idea. I don't want to crash and end up a paraplegic and be thinking if only I had gotten my spine strengthened and a new pelvis beforehand I wouldn't be in this wheelchair the rest of my life. Preventive maintenance after all is about fixing things before they break!

[@gerrydrummond3287]

😂

[@brianperry]

I've been riding for 57 years....which means I'm at the end of my motorcycling journey. I realise my reactions aren't as they once were so act accordingly. My advice to riders starting their motorcycle journey is treat all Cagers..(car drivers).... as possible assassins. They drive in a continuous state of oblivion and distractions ....Remember, it doesn't matter whose fault it was if you're dead.

[@TheBobstephenson]

Another bike death just yesterday here in Hull. Rider error looks like. Makes me very sad, as just a few hours advanced training with rospa, iam, etc would I’m sure help a lot. I train riders in advanced motorcycle skill, and the people we see on our courses are people that really are safe overall. It’s the younger riders, on more powerful bikes we need to see. However, most rospa, iam riders, with their hi viz, pipe and slippers approach I’m sure actually put people off. We need to make advanced riding more appealing.

[@stevelawrie9115]

Totally agree. Don't be that guy on a motorcycle.

[@mrdoodle8748]

Agree that frame of mind is an extremely important part of riding, riding with a distracted mind is a recipe for disaster.

[@SouthwestBlue1]

Sound advice.

[@claretbuck1882]

Top advice 👌🏻

[@kramnam4716]

so true! last ride out i was a while, left the problems at home.. came back.. empty house! result!

[@nokneedownian8521]

I've noticed the lack of use of indicators from car drivers on roundabouts has got worse. They been used to empty roads and now roads are busier they've forgotten some of the etiquette

[@JPWest020]

Are there any particular exercises (work out) you can do to help you’re fitness on a motorcycle?

[@dancingkids5158]

Anything that makes your core muscles stronger is good for just about anything. On the bike this translates to less stress on the upper body.

[@ubergregmoto]

Anything that works the abs, back, shoulders, triceps, and quads. This article has decent exercises: motorbikewriter.com/exercises-fitter-rider/

[@mrsilbo6499]

You talk so much sense, Neevesey. When you say 'leave your worries, problems & stress' at home, does that mean riding solo, without the Mrs? 😉

[@BrettJoy]

So true! Very zen like 🙌

[@dancingkids5158]

Gareth's helmet is beautiful. Neevesy's even more so.

[@riderramblings]

Some of us ride every day and are still gagging to get on the bike every day, multiple times a day!

[@Bikeadelic]

I don’t turn my engine off at lights because my bike is a bit old and there’s always a chance it won’t start easily again.

[@bhok1971]

Plus it costs more fuel to restart then to run it 20sec

[@mohba01]

sometimes life is more erotic than you think - motorcycles.

[@petar-boshnakov]

So hard to explain to people that everything is out there to get them. No! They are like "I have the right of way". Sure, to hospital with that thinking..

[@MS-sk7kw]

Where is you camera mounted for the riding clips? I cant find it lol 😂

[@andrewsoldan6050]

weed calms you down. Statistically most accident occur in transition stage, just after being noob so watch out for that.

[@helenforeman5219]

Not sure, I hate ridding staggered. Ride your own line, not a compromised line. Place yourself so you have the best view and away from danger. Just leave a bigger gap between bikes. Don’t ride staggered then shorten gaps. That’s how group accidents happen

[@mickbrown8249]

Be dead by NOW after k2 750 inc mods @ 18yrs Capetown 75' ..still alive 🌞👍

[@veeken777]

So no smoking reefer madness and women