MOTORCYCLE MASTERCLASS 19

[@hombre17246]

Hi Dale, came across you channel by chance recently, now am a fan. I am a 72 year old biker whose been riding professionally & for pleasure since aged 16. You may be amused to learn that now when riding my 1200RT in the mountains near my home on the Costa Brava, I find myself saying, “what would Dale do here?” Just shows we’re never too old to learn. Keep up the good work. I look forward to the next video. Regards, Trevor

[@seaflyfisher]

Hello Trevor and welcome to the channel - great that you're finding this stuff useful - you've probably sussed out that the 11 original videos were designed to be practical stay alive riding but I then met up with Neil from the Back2TheBike channel and was giving him some advice on polishing up his riding with a view to doing his IAM test - because we live so far apart - he sends me rides that hes videoed and I can do a riding assessment for him by email - we've met up twice now in Wiltshire and are just putting our recent journeys together on video so watch this space - stay safe my friend - Dale

[@GaryJacko149]

Hi Dale, nice demo on propper planned "legal" overtaking. No rush, no panic, landing point known before you commit.i did my IAM a few years ago, And I found it was one of the hardest things to crack, planning overtakes without just nailing it past someone. Now I enjoy coming across some traffic and picking them off one by one without them hardly noticing and no disruption to them. Great instructive set of videos too. 👍

[@seaflyfisher]

69gjacko - thanks very much and congratulations on passing your IAM test - it sounds like you're enjoying your bike which is what it's all about especially in this weather - stay safe my friend and enjoy the sunshine :D

[@johnpresland1537]

Dale - an extremely useful video - thank you very much. You and Neil working together is so useful

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi John - thanks very much - don't take any fashion advice from him regarding jackets :o)

[@richardsherwin3259]

Good one Dale. This is a great clip that needs more than one watch. Love the ‘staying out whilst the view opens up’ for another overtake 👌). Excellent stuff 🏍👑

[@seaflyfisher]

You'll get square eyes Richard. :D

[@lazosopenmic]

Thank you for your efforts with helping us. I am about to take my test and your uploads are a great help. Your riding and commentary is much to aspire to.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi Larry - that's very kind of you to say so - it's always good to hear such positive comments and to know that what I post is useful to you guys - when you do your test, keep it smooth and flowing and keep looking for anything that might affect your ride - please let me know how you get on and I hope the weather behaves for you.

[@Back2TheBike]

Great stuff Dale, simply explained. Your overtakes seem much calmer than mine, less stressful! I like the rear-facing cam, works well, shows what the mirror sees. Thanks for the fashion tips too ;-) These poor subscribers don't know what's about to hit them with all these new camera angles from the Hants to Wiltshire Ride.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hello Lad - I was magnificent wasn't I :o) all down to planning/observation and moving from following to O/T - hope all is good with you - speak to you soon - DB

[@kevinmobile]

Neil, I felt your pre-stress so much I read your second sentence to "I like the fear-racing cam,..". It will be called that from now on after Dr. Spooner!

[@Back2TheBike]

Kevin Viney love it. Is that what they call a Freudian slip?

[@kevinmobile]

It might be but while Sigmund thought our verbal stumblings are said to unveil our unconscious desires it's probably wise to stop there as we are the wrong side of the nine o'clock watershed... Interestingly (now we are straying from biking) while Freud may be as famous as Darwin, many modern-day psychologists, linguists and neuroscientists think that he was wrong about almost everything!

[@Back2TheBike]

Kevin Viney must ask Dale about this next time I see him ...

[@bashonabike]

Watched all your master class video's (and Neil's B2B) several times now. I am only at associate level of my IAM journey but your teaching has helped me without a doubt. Just wondered if you and Neil will ride again (now that his health has improved) as I would love to see the video's and banter. Stay safe

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi Paul - and thanks for taking the time to comment and give us your thoughts, it's always great to hear from any of you guys that follow the channel and I would definitely suggest that you stick with mine for fashion advice rather than Captain Dayglos. Speaking of young Neil, we had planned to meet up now, but of course our plans were scuppered by the current situation - we will be doing some more videos together when it's possible and I've got a very different project that I was planning to do just before all this kicked off which I'd like to pick up as and when too - don't forget to let us know how you get on with your test when you do it - stay safe out there and thanks again for getting in touch - Dale

[@davidgoddard5423]

No worries Dale. I'll promote your channel more actively to my club in the meantime. Many thanks for all of your invaluable tips. Safe & enjoyable biking to us all!

[@ianmills35]

Thanks again for another brilliant video, I will be practicing what you preach on my next ride out, lots to take away from that one. Thanks again for taking the time to do these, kind regards Ian.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hello young man - thanks very much - I'm out in the morning myself to have a wing round the countryside - I was out with Neil the other day and we've got so much editing to do - I did a few hours yesterday and the same again today to start knocking a hole in it - have fun - DB

[@ianmills35]

seaflyfisher Thank you, I will look forward to that video. Enjoy the ride, hope the weather down there is as good as it is here up in Scotland 👍

[@andrewbloomer306]

As always, very informative. I always find that overtaking sorts the men out from the boys! On acceleration sense - I personally agree with you about whether to show a brake light to following traffic when slowing, but the IAM (in my experience) tends to prefer that you show a brakelight (part of info phase) to following traffic and when I did my Masters last year I didn't show a brake light and was marked down by the examiner so it's something I always teach now if they are slowing by 20mph+ but when I ride by myself I generally don't bother showing a brakelight unless I have another vehicle right up my ar*e. Look forward to your next videos with Neil.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi Andrew - thanks for that - Neil and I were having the conversation the other day about O/T and acceleration sense so I thought that I'd put some on for him - we met up again recently and he did some very tidy and well planned overtaking during our tour of Wiltshire - apparently the IAM want you to demonstrate - acceleration sense and also something they call three stage braking, into limits - not sure theres skill in braking into a lower limit but hey - i'm old school - and yes - you're right - O/T definitely sorts out the riders - I've seen plenty of reasonable riders that can't crack the overtakes - its a skill all of its own isn't it - hope all is good with you - cheers - Dale

[@andrewbloomer306]

All good here in the NW other than it's too damned hot to go out on the bike during the day to be honest - never thought I'd hear myself saying that in the UK!!!!

[@Glasshousebc]

At the smooth convention, giving the keynote speech on smoothness 😎 Great video Dale... I too like to live life on the edge... fuel light on 🤙

[@seaflyfisher]

Ah - hello you tinker - its about time you put some footage up of this motorised bear dodging you do on here - hope all is good with you - the Benelli always has a fuel light on - its got a tank the same size as the Appreciation Society for that jacket that Neil wears :o) - we met up for a day last Wednesday touring Hampshire and Wiltshire - great day out in literally tarmac melting weather and a very civilised pub lunch at The Mayfly at Stockbridge

[@Glasshousebc]

seaflyfisher 😆 the closest I’ve got is the ‘trailer’ I played with the other week. Stay well mate.

[@Bazza47]

This was probably the best video I've seen covering overtakes Dale. Thanks for putting the time and effort into doing it. Personally I much prefer how you add the commentary in after the ride compared with those who do it in real time as it allows you to explain things better IMO. Cheers Ade

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi Adrian - this one's a bit of a mix of live commentary and added afterwards - I do like live commentary and it's much quicker to edit but sometimes as you say it's easier to explain things literally in slow time when you can run anything a bit complicated in slow motion thanks to the wonders of video editing - glad you found the O/T stuff interesting - it's one of the biggest stumbling blocks there is and you often find riders that are otherwise very competent but can't crack the overtakes usually through not planning and/or positioning in the right places.

[@Bazza47]

seaflyfisher Yes, I find overtakes one of the most difficult things to do, especially when practising for the advanced test where you've got to remain legal as well as safe. Practice practice and more practice!

[@seaflyfisher]

More demanding doing this within the speed limit - sharper right hand bends are better bets where you can take advantage of a cars limitations of speed and acceleration as they leave

[@robbiewhelan]

brilliant Dale , i love the rear facing cam.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hello Rob - yes its useful isn't it - handy for showing what control you have over other traffic

[@robbiewhelan]

yes puts a different perspective on things, i try to take ur sensible advice and not be a hooligan (much)

[@mikeroberts]

Nice video explaining acceleration sense and demo some nice calm controlled overtakes. I use acceleration sense a lot in my own riding but I also use the brakes a fair bit more than you. Having ridden big 4 cylinder machines for more years than I care to think about, they don't slow much, if at all, in 5th and 6th on a closed throttle. The Pan 1300 was the worst culprit and the 1400GTR is not much better. I ride many machines for review tests and the different amount on natural engine braking offered by different engine configurations is something people have to build into their Roadcraft style of riding. Bikes like the Triumph Triples offer plenty of natural engine braking, all the way to the Bavarian flat twins that throw an anchor out the back when you shut the throttle. I'll try and do a video showing those 60 to 30 and 60 to 40 times in 5th and 6th on the GTR over the next couple of weeks.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hello Mike - thankyou - Neil needs all the help he can get - have you seen his jacket ?? - yes I've ridden the Pan and the GTR as well as the odd BM and they're all so different - the Benelli is so unique - it pops and bangs and farts but its so precise and most definitely a real drivers bike - not necessarily the easiest bike in the world to ride but well worth the effort of learning it - incredible machine - be interested to see your acceleration sense videos - Neil and I had another riding day recently so we're just putting some more dual perspective rides together again - cheers - Dale

[@mikeroberts]

Here it is :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJDZg4SQiLJ-nMk

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Very interesting thanks for that I get the procedure for the roll off now which I really need to practice as I have the bad habit of using the deceleration engine braking by gear change and clutch control when slowing .Just one question though Neil mentioned in his videos about letting the traffic behind know your slowing by blipping the brake light on. Is this only if traffic is very close?

[@Back2TheBike]

From my side Andi I've stopped flickering the brake light when slowing, and now only use brakes when I have to.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

So no warnings to traffic behind then, right I can do that [ jams on front brake] Thanks Neil for clarifying :D

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi Andi - glad you found it useful - I've got to be honest - I don't do all this flashing brake lights at other drivers as you can see - I think that if you position and control the following traffic in plenty of time like this, you shouldn't need it - if they get too close I think I'd be powering up to leave rather than flashing lights at them - I've heard a lot of people say that acceleration sense takes too long and that you should always use braking but you can see on here that its 6 or 7 seconds from 60 to 40 and usually only round the 8 to 10 second mark from 60 to 30 - its long enough for following traffic to realise that you're slowing and join in but not too long that its going to annoy them - if you rely on braking, they'll suddenly end up closer to you and you're still slowing down when you might need to be taking evasive action - lots of the comments on Neils channel suggest stuff like this - I use that time to watch the mirrors, suss out the road ahead, other traffic and anything else that I might have to deal with - its much gentler on your bike - if you get dapping the brakes wrong you could upset the balance - and - most importantly - its very smooth and controlled to make sure that those two little patches of rubber stay put - you do all your gear changing in one hit straight to the gear that you want so you're ready to deal with whatever comes next - I think that sometimes some riders overthink things instead of keeping it simple - keep it simple - close the throttle - lose speed - change gear - pick up the drive - three things to do instead of half a dozen - good luck with the practice - DB

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Thanks for the response and explanation I can see the methodology behind it, I must try it out as for me its one thing to read and another to do and practice.I can understand keeping balance and not upsetting it as I have done a few off road courses [and suffered the consequences of sharp braking] so fully understand where your coming from here. I do try to maintain the envelope around myself and will berate myself if I dont do enough mirror checks or scanning ahead reading the traffic or other hazards. Much to learn do I have :D EDIT OOH one other thing I picked up which I found nice was when you stayed out at the left corner but still had a safety door between the bike and car should there be oncoming traffic .Something for me to take note of too thanks.

[@seaflyfisher]

Neil mate - no-one is going to miss that jacket :o)

[@stevejackson3507]

Thanks for another interesting video that clears up a lot of questions I had since your previous video's with Neil. Is it okay in your opinion to use the full width of the road to straighten a series of bends if it is obvious that the oncoming lane is clear.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi Steve - using the whole road isn't something that I do personally for several reasons - unless you're well up in three figures I can't see that you'd ever need to - its a racing line technique taught to the Emergency Service riders and drivers for high speed stability - on your own bike it looks awful and other drivers will take a very dim view of it which gives us a bad name - if you're driving is something like it and you look like you know what you're doing you will get far more respect and road courtesy from other drivers - I think it looks far tidier to use all of your own lane and good positioning draws attention for all the right reasons - some of the Advanced Riding Schools do teach it so its a personal choice whether you like it or decide to use it but at normal road speed I think it looks sloppy and unnecessary . If you decide to use it, be very careful - if you hit something/somebody concealed in one of the blind spots - you're the one that's going to have to explain what you were doing there. Stay safe - DB

[@stevejackson3507]

Thanks for taking the time to give such an informed opinion. Steve

[@seaflyfisher]

Welcome Steve - be a sad old place if we can't help each other out :o)

[@tinkertime7165]

seaflyfisher, that is a great explanation and the principles can be applied to other techniques. I have thought that some techniques taught by IAM require some use of common sense when to apply. One in particular is positioning nearside to extend the view on a RH bend. I was taught to really stay out there (driving a car). Now, if the road is wide and the speed is relatively low with plenty of visibility then what are you really gaining? It actually takes more mental effort. I’m talking driving here, and in my honest opinion I think it too easy for us to follow ‘the letter of the law’ instead of developing an active thought process. You are convincing me I am on the right track and I thank you. My riding now is also improving and I am learning more than I thought possible. Thumbs up!

[@davidgoddard5423]

Very useful indeed thanks Dale.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi David - thanks for that - I'm trying to do some of the things that people ask me about regularly and I think that with a lot of these things, a practical demonstration is usually the best way to explain them - its always good practice for me to keep my standard something like it too

[@davidgoddard5423]

Yep Seaflyfisher, your video demonstrations compliment observed rides such as I had during my IAM training very nicely - the live commentary & edited-in comments are invaluable. Your MM 10 Group Ride video prepared me for my first IAM group rideout last Wednesday - no I'm not a man of leisure, I had to take the day off! A cheeky quick Q. follows: Would you be willing to speak at one of our monthly IAM Clubnights?

[@seaflyfisher]

Hiya - group riding can be a nightmare and really not a lot of fun if you're not all singing off the same hymn sheet so good for you for researching it first - as for your IAM Clubnights - is it you that lives Southampton/Portsmouth way - I'd better warn you that I've never been in or taken ROSPA - IAM or anything else like that - I was in the Tufty Club years ago but thats about it - we'll have to get together for a coffee sometime and tell me what you'd like me to do and see if we can jack something up - cheers - Dale

[@davidgoddard5423]

Hi Dale, It would be amazing if we could host you at one of our clubnights and would be a great advertisement for your youtube channel. I'm a member of CCAM, www.c-cam.org.uk & we meet at Gupshill Manor, Tewkesbury on Tuesdays at 7:30pm. Our next three meets are on 17th July, 21st August & 18th September. Its probably a little further that you anticipated going but I'd happily book a room for you in a place such as www.oldenglishinns.co.uk/our-locations/the-bell-hotel-tewkesbury . You could chill there after the evening & enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading home the next morning. I think you could give a very interesting talk/presentation embedded with your natural humor & wit on all things relating to motorcycling safety/making progress from your unique standpoint and experience. The audience would range from full licence holders having an intro to IAM training, associate members (such as Neil) undergoing observed rides, full members who have passed the advanced test, local observers, national observers & sometimes our examiner shows up. Whilst the IAM has certain guidelines on safe riding, based on the acronym IPSGA, there is plenty of scope for friendly disagreement and discussion within the IAM framework. An alternate viewpoint from outside the IAM is always welcome. Our club has in the past hosted speakers from motorcycle safety training organisations, the IAM young person's ambassador, blood bikes & a chain oiler manufacturer. Last month, one of our own gave a presentation on group rides! Any insights on how to set up a motorcycling KZbin channel, the equipment you need, any challenges you overcame and how your videos could complement observed rides (as I think they do) as part of an all-round training package would be invaluable. Is a visit to the Cotswolds something you would consider? I would happily take a day off before 27th July (holidaying & changing jobs after then) to discuss in your patch at a coffee outlet of your choice. Look forward to hearing from you! David G.

[@seaflyfisher]

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you David - but sadly I must decline - I've been checking out all the options for mates living in your area but its not looking very likely - if I can do it on any of your dates I'll get back to you pronto - cheers - Dale

[@TheDervMan]

Great demo, I’ve not yet been through your other videos yet but do any cover bend assessment/vanishing points?

[@seaflyfisher]

DervMan - hello again - yes there's usually a bit of everything in all of them but number 5 is specifically about getting round the bendy bits safely - also - I've tried to cover a fair bit on cornering with the stuff I've done with Neil who used to over position for England so 11 covers some as well - have fun - Dale

[@Back2TheBike]

It's true, I did. And still do, quite blatantly. It's a bit like golf Dervman, why get round in the least number of shots when you can hit the ball all over the course and discover parts the stars never get to visit? And get more shots for your money too. Ha.

[@tinkertime7165]

seaflyfisher. What is over-positioning? I have heard it mentioned servers times but not sure what it is. I think it may be where you are too ‘swoopy’ and could straighten out a series of bends??

[@seaflyfisher]

@@tinkertime7165 Hi Ant, Neil was the king of overpositioning and it means that you hold your position into and round the bend for too long - on the way down towards any bend you decide on a course and an entry point based on safety initially with the benefits of the best view and presenting the bike to be seen. You need to start setting up for the next bend when you leave the current one so at some point, that big wide course that you've selected loses its usefulness and potentially, could cause you problems. Taking traffic out of the equation for a minute, a straight line is the quickest route between two points so we want to go from the exit point of one bend, straight to the entry point of the next. Going into a left hand bend the ideal position and entry point would be out on the crown of the road and you could hold that position all the way round to leave on the crown of the road, but if the next bend is a right hander, you've just over positioned. On the way round, at some point you will get view of the road ahead and at this point you can pick your exit point for this bend, the entry point for the next one, and start to straighten your course away from the crown and straight to the next entry point. This is the shortest route, and the straighter course allows you to bring the bike more upright and in turn, carry speed. When you reach the point of being able to see to the right hand bend, you need to alter course for all the usual reasons - if you stay on the crown, you're approaching a right hand bend with the dangers of oncoming traffic. If you stay on the crown, you've reduced your view into the right hand bend by being wrongly positioned. By staying on the crown, you've travelled further than you need to and come away from that ideal straighter course. By overpositioning you've successfully shot yourself in the foot for safety, view and presenting the bike. You have also successfully made yourself slower. The ideal course in a perfect world for a left hand bend,is the quarter of the biggest circle that you can draw from the crown at entry to the crown at exit alongside the nearside kerb in the apex area - the bigger the circle you're travelling, the more upright we can keep the bike, the more stable it is and the more speed we can carry. The chances are that, on the road, we won't be able to achieve that perfect big circle course, but we can do our best to get as close as possible to it. Hope that makes sense to you, but as soon as the view you have is no good to you any more and there's a better one to be had, it's time to move.

[@tinkertime7165]

seaflyfisher, perfect. And this takes some practise! Very well explained. I had my second observed ride yesterday and this was discussed. I was over positioning. Not by much but the comment was made to ‘get into position earlier’. That would be where I was exiting the first bend and not changing my line early enough for the second. I think it really was coming down to me not looking far enough up the road. I was still ‘dealing’ with the bend I was on and then ‘oh, another bend, the other direction’ best move then. Of course it’s not noticeable if you are on say a double apex bend or two right handers one after the other. If my forward observation improves I think this will also.

[@HepcatHarley]

You get a good extra sound channel off a rear facing camera. I was getting stereo-mono-stereo repeat during this video but that didn't detract from the enjoyment too much. At least you didn't rabbit on like Neil does (Hi Neil :) I fitted a rear cam to the Harley this weekend...ooooh the sound, lovely. On a side note, do you use constant throttle gear changes? I'd like some info on the application of them if possible.

[@seaflyfisher]

Hello Lad - good to hear from you - I need to check my audio settings on the front camera - I have a 3 Black Edition which I've put on the back now and a new 4 Black Edition 4k on the front but when I was editing I noticed the mono audio on the recording - the back camera is right alongside the pipe and sounds fantastic - as for your gear changing question - no I don't use constant throttle - the Benelli's plenty fast just ridden normally and handles so well you don't have to slow down for much so it tends to carry a lot of speed - there's nothing trick like ABS or assisted anything and it doesn't need it - ridden well it sounds beautiful :o)

[@Back2TheBike]

Hepcat Harley .... and our next song is dedicated to SeaFlyFisher and Lord Hepcat ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYC2pJh_Zs2UpZo

[@seaflyfisher]

@@Back2TheBike- Zorst by BOSE :D

[@Beans672]

Thanks a lot for the upload. Any chance you can do a rush hour video rather than a Sunday ride? I find that it's harder to be "good" in the rush hour

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi BB - we don't really do rush hour in the New Forest, the nearest thing to it would be when the ice cream van turns up on the Ornamental Drive - all joking apart, it doesn't make particularly good or interesting viewing just trolling along in heavy traffic - Neil and i did some through Devizes, which i think is on MMC 16, but personally, once you've covered the basics of being in traffic, I think most of it is a bit like watching paint dry - if you've watched some of my other videos you'll know that i'm not a huge fan of filtering or riding in a way that's going to anger other motorists - if it's safe and all moving I tend to run with the flow of traffic - one of my main reasons for doing this channel was to promote good practice and safe motorcycling which is what I try to demonstrate - I'm glad that you liked the video and found it useful - stay safe out there - Dale

[@robquince3076]

Very useful vid👍as I'm a newbie

[@seaflyfisher]

Hi Rob and welcome - newbie or advanced newbie ? glad you found this useful either way - my first eleven videos are basic "how to stay alive" stuff but I've recently met Neil from Back2TheBike whose looking to take his IAM Test so these last few have been done with/for him - I don't like the word advanced particularly but these are a little more progressive than the first ones and hopefully demonstrate how to plan, how to improve your positioning and observation to keep you safer - stay safe - regards - Dale

[@robquince3076]

seaflyfisher hi ye an older newbie I past my mod 1 for months ago and I'm loving it. I'm 55 And a single parent so I don't get as much time as I would like but make the most of the time I do get. I'm thinking of giving it a bit longer then bike safe course and then next year the iam. I'm glued to your uploads there a big help so cheers👍

[@seaflyfisher]

Good for you - best hobby ever isn't it, especially with this weather - the Bike Safe courses are very good and you'll learn a lot from them - excellent that you're enjoying the videos - I try and put a bit of all sorts in there with some nice roads - good coffee and food stops and hopefully some helpful riding advice - enjoy your motor and stay safe - cheers - Dale

[@learn2rideVIDEOS]

Bang tidy

[@seaflyfisher]

Hello Lad - thanks very much - hope all is good with you and the motorcycling public is keeping you busy :D

[@C...G...]

:-)

[@seaflyfisher]

Glad you liked it :D

[@C...G...]

seaflyfisher magnificent! :-D

[@solomonstemplers]

great vid. just one stip. you don't need to to move over the the centre line for passing cyclists. just me.

[@seaflyfisher]

solomonstemplers - Hi and glad you enjoyed the video - there's a few reasons I use the offside lane for overtaking cyclists - firstly it's safer for me - the further away from potential danger I am the better - I was driving over the Forest one morning and saw a girl crash a road bike when her gears slipped - I was going to say come off but that's the point, she didn't - because she was clipped onto the pedals, her and the bike stayed attached, bouncing across the road and they ended up in the offside lane - it's also safer for them for the same reason - if I get it wrong or have a mechanical failure I've got a bigger safety margin - it's a bit of road courtesy and good practice that can only up our reputation and if you cycle, walk or work on the road and have traffic passing you at sixty miles an hour - would you prefer them four feet away or ten ? It keeps you and them safer - for me that's a no brainer - thanks for your comments and keep watching - Neil and I managed to get a days riding in recently in Wiltshire on some amazing roads and incredible scenery