How SKILLED Motorcycle Riders Drive in Traffic LIKE A PRO

[@yammienoob]

Don’t miss our gear giveaway! You have just 5 days to enter to win @ shop.yammienoob.co

[@OskarGibson]

Lane splitting and filtering and getting to the front of lights is actively encouraged and the standard that is taught in the UK where I got my license.

[@andy60460]

Love it !

[@t.fidler5895]

In central europe is a great area. You can but if something goes wrong, most likley people on motorbikes will take the blame

[@kgsuperbikes7614]

Best tip I ever got, and a lot of what you said means the same, is ride defensively as if you were invisible (using high viz of course)!

[@riderramblings]

You are very correct about this. See *Invisibility Training for Motorcyclists* for what is probably the best video on the subject.

[@kgsuperbikes7614]

@@riderramblings I will definitely check it out, didn't know there was this video you mentioned. Thanks!

[@neilmckenzie1989]

4:31 when others say ‘sit in 1st gear to enable a quicker getaway’ it isn’t to display some superhuman skill, it is to have the ABILITY to get away quickly if you see or hear something happening behind you! If you aren’t in 1st gear then you will have lost that opportunity to escape in the 1-2 seconds it’ll take you to put it in first and go!

[@diamondsword2796]

Just wanted to say, I'm new to riding, and watching your videos have been really effective at educating me on everything motorcycle related, whether that be buying accessories, or riding on a track

[@SiteUnscene]

I grew up in Austin and surrounding areas and right now, especially, is a scary time to ride around here. There are so many new people here that have no idea where they are or where they’re going. And we suddenly have an influx of people who simply should never drive.

[@brandonv1727]

I don't lane filter because i have 2 wide cruiser motorcycles and I live in a town with a population of around 3,500 people, so not too much traffic. When I am first at a red light I turn my eyes to my mirrors when I have no one behind me. Then if I see someone approaching from the distance, I will let off the rear brake for about a second, then reapply the brake to try and grab the person's attention that I am stopped. Once I get a couple cars or, a big truck or SUV behind me I move most of my attention forward. I also do the same thing when a vehicle is in front of me stopped but I leave about 10 feet of space in front of me for a buffer, and keep in the right side of the lane. I keep in the right side of the lane to move to the shoulder or a parking space if I see someone behind me isn't slowing down.

[@nkass3887]

This is why in the UK most intersections are being replaced with roundabouts, reduces accidents massively.

[@Nameonly67]

Texas would disagree, nobody knows how yielding works here they don't even slow down, hell naw they are slamming their shit around em at 50mph and cutting everyone off

[@jnh8381]

I used to cover brake 100% of time but I found that it put a lot of strain on my wrist especially when at faster speeds and thus more throttle and more wrist bending for longer periods of times. My hands would go numb. Now I only cover brakes when in more dangerous zones, like heavier street traffic, intersections, or just when things looks like I might have to brake. I don't cover normally and that helped a ton with hand / wrist pains

[@riderramblings]

Very good video Yammie. There is one "trick" I think you missed and that is _observation._ It is probably the hardest to learn and to teach. When riding in traffic you must be 110% aware of the vehicles, pedestrians, road furniture, road surface, weather etc. around you. You should be able to pick up the little nuances (some people call it a 6th sense) that give you clues to what someone is about to do. Not only must to watch where you're going but you must watch everyone and everything around you. Watch for driver's head movement, vehicles' position in their lane, position on the front wheels, people/animals about to step into the road, the rainbow flash of a patch of oil on a wet road, and on and on and on. This takes time to learn

[@runflat5153]

Can't agree more, well said

[@davidbreen4353]

very true! idrove Taxi for 20 years, and i can pretty much tell when a driver is going to do something stupid. they did it all the time, and i can pick up on how they are driving that causes me to take actions knowing they are about to screw up my day.

[@jeffturkey7709]

It's a fun trick on a road trip telling the driver that that car is about to change lanes and it does.

[@alvaromenendez4139]

Thats' the old but right way of riding. Just ride and feel like you are invisible.

[@jordanturner7917]

Vehicles have body language. And if their windows aren't tinted then you can combine the body language of the vehicle and the body language of the driver or even passengers.

[@edmondpecotjr.8888]

I agree intersections are the most dangerous part of a motorcycle ride that's why I just close my eyes and twist the throttle every time I come to one

[@arrilocknewmoon9620]

I've done the math, the more time I spend on the road the more likely I will be in an accident Thats why I run 3 digit speeds constantly, get outa the danger zone as fast as I can!

[@jeffturkey7709]

Love all of the tips. Cannot fault any of them. Well done vid Yammie The two things I can add is to give yourself a bit of a buffer. DO NOT TAILGATE. most of the time I beat the crazy people through traffic from sitting back about half a second more and observing what's going on in all lanes. It massively helps seeing danger incoming. The only other thing is if you are the only person at the lights or the first person in that lane. Look how far back the next car is and watch it slow down. Not constantly alternate between it and the lights. I have been rear ended. What saved me from being crushed by the car in front is the foot on rear brake. And keep your hands on the bars. It stops the car or truck rolling over the rear wheel.

[@TELE_GRAM_ME_Yammie_noob.]

☝️☝️hit me up

[@derekgargan5080]

In Europe we avoid intersections by using roundabouts, I know Americans have problems about that, but the only danger comes from one direction and usually by just slowing on the approach there is no need to stop.

[@moolis]

Always anticipate for stupid on the road. For example if someone is about to pull out, slow down so you can stop in time. Don’t expect them to yield for you even though they should. Or if a vehicle looks like they’re about to change lanes, observe first before riding ahead; there are idiots who can’t make up their minds.

[@tshadow6]

I might have posted this before, but I will repeat it. I wear a bright yellow mesh jacket paired with a yellow helmet. The reception desk at my former office could see me from a quarter mile. My office was on the second floor with lots of windows. Hi viz saves more lives than loud pipes.

[@fokhueme]

@Yammie Noob good video. Maybe you should do an in-depth analysis of the graduated motorcycle licensing system here in Australia because everything you spoke about is covered and taught including how lane filtering is legal for fully licensed riders. Best advice I received while doing my training to obtain my license was to ride like everyone is going to try and potentially kill you and to always, ALWAYS, perform head checks and set your brakes and never ever speed.

[@rogerelwynjones1366]

Here in the UK we call head checks “life savers”, with good reason. Ride safely.

[@JMoroccoMisterBoy]

Tks. much.

[@onscreenmoper]

I'd personally color coordinate my outfit and not choose a different color helmet, gloves, jacket, etc than my bike (given the bike isn't something dark to begin with). My thinking is that your advice basically does what camouflage does: breaks up your silhouette and makes you harder to distinguish. Not a good thing. We humans are great at pattern recognition. A rider who can easily be recognized as a motorcycle rider is a good thing, because it means you're being recognized at all. The stereotypical street rider look is something a lot of people can recognize and register in their mind, a jumbled mess of colors and materials on a bike, less so. Just my philosophy, everybody is free to ride their own ride.

[@oraqol]

Been riding for years, but just started riding in a new city, very congested and no one follows the traffic laws, incredibly dangerous. This video is great, thank you for the life saving tips. Now I understand why all the other riders lane split and filter, which was illegal in my hometown.

[@XenoJoker]

From me, I always wear my trusty hero 8 and my brightest bag. When people say "I didn't see you." I just show the cops the footage and move on with my day.

[@mamayaya100]

One advice I would like to add is to try to always be in the left/right (preferably left) side of the lane. Doing this will allow for better visibility to other car drivers so that they can notice you in their side mirrors. Some car drivers just dont pay attention to their rear view mirror or the car might just dont have it (trucks, vans etc) or have it dirty/obstacled. Moreover, sometimes there is debris lying in the middle of the lane and cars dont even have to swerve to avoid it unlike motorcycle riders sticking to the middle If you are riding closer to the sides you have better chances to avoid such obstacles, and if something is lying closer to the sides you might notice cars in front of you swerving and you will have more time to react

[@Zyzogg]

A key point about speeding that everybody seems to miss, a small object at a long distance moving very fast will make no impression on a driver about to pull out. A motorcycle going 80mph a quarter of a mile away will not register to a driver about to turn into that lane. The car driver will say he never even saw the motorcycle coming and he is telling the truth. It is just an eye brain human physiology thing that we have to account for.

[@Prepare2Survive]

Motorcycles are easily seen in intersections. The problem is most people's brains driving cars don't recognize what their eyes are seeing when it comes to bikes because their main focus of their brain is other cars and not bikes. So when someone says " I didn't see the guy on the bike " that's probably not true. They probably saw them, but their brain just didn't recognize what it was seeing. Usually it's because the person is in a hurry and they aren't giving their brain enough time to process what their eyes are seeing.

[@Prepare2Survive]

@Jose Curtis If their head is up and facing towards you their eyeballs are " seeing " you, but their brain might not be processing that image so they can recognize what they are looking towards. In other words, they see you, but their brain might not recognize what you are.

[@Andytheevien]

Have you thought about buying the BreakFree helmet light. Make ME feel safer anyway.

[@howiepiper178]

Most of the problem is people on cell phones

[@Prepare2Survive]

@@howiepiper178 I think that's one of the issues, but I think what's even more common is people are in too much of a hurry and they aren't looking twice like they should be.

[@Prepare2Survive]

@@Andytheevien I wear a HIVIZ jacket instead. I don't think there's room on the back of my LS2 Valiant 2 helmet for one of those lights because my chin bar flips all the way back.

[@muzzaball]

Wow, I am surprised by this video. You are a true ambassador for motorcycle riding. Everything that you have said has merit and you pushing safe and sensible riding is to be commended. In Australia, we call it defensive riding - whereby you picture the worst case scenario from every other road user to anticipate their stupid moves. We also refer to the bubble, where you and your bike are surrounded by a distance bubble, and you move that bubble around to keep away from the other vehicles, such as cresting a hill and moving your bubble away from the centre, in case the other vehicle veers over towards you. Well done mate, excellent vid, cheers.

[@cartire801]

Absolutly loved the quips about the hi-res jacket. Really made me laugh. Keep up the good work Sir 😀.

[@TELE_GRAM_ME_Yammie_noob.]

☝️☝️hit me up

[@jkasta3547]

The problem in my country is that there are no proper lanes, and nobody has lane discipline or is even aware of the existence of such a thing. So the only way to survive is to weave around like a madman or public transport. I have tried many times to follow traffic rules but in a place where 95% of the people don't follow it just makes it more dangerous for those following it.

[@jeremycox8261]

I know right. You are probably a better rider because the only one trying to keep you alive is you

[@jkasta3547]

@@jeremycox8261 True

[@jayhafe]

YN: “Don’t speed” Also YN: “let’s let a teenager do massive street pulls on a turbo ‘busa!” I love this channel.

[@MrBinkz]

"Do what I say, not what I do"

[@dgphi]

Don't speed in traffic.

[@ChiliConCarnage]

Yeah, because content creation and teaching new riders is the same thing. ;)

[@jayhafe]

@@ChiliConCarnage I understand the context. I’m just poking a little fun.

[@jayhafe]

@@Motodidakt I’m well aware. I wasn’t crapping on Yam. Just breaking balls.

[@keithahlstrom176]

The problem with filtering at the light is there has been little to no explanation to car drivers the what, why and how’s of it - even the benefits they get out of it.

[@phildivalerio]

Great advice on all points.

[@_ChainDriven]

Best tip I’ve ever had is: Ride like you’re invisible i.e. don’t ever anticipate another vehicle or pedestrian has seen you. I’ve expanded this to also include: Ride like you’re barely visible i.e. don’t sit in blind spots, place yourself where it is nearly impossible to have 11:36 not seen you. Flash brake lights (as you said) etc. Also, if you don’t want fluorescent clothing, have a bright helmet. Which is what I do. Bonus Tips: i was taught this on my lessons, use speed and agility to get away from other cars as they pose the greatest hazard on the road.

[@theodorecalkins4212]

Rule #1 YOU ARE INVISIBLE! Ignore all other rules, but never forget #1

[@ZeroKitsunei]

I live in Austin and I never filter. Every time i've done it, it has yielded nothing but negative results. People in trucks and Mustangs trying to block me or run me off the road. And traffic is stopped at a light mind you. So there is no reason for them to try and put their car closer to the car next to them. Would love to do it more, but a lot of people would have to get a lot cooler before I did.

[@minisniper99]

i used to live in cedar park and people would just block you on purpose

[@ZeroKitsunei]

Then nothing has changed.

[@Neeko90]

Sorry to hear that. In norway its a dream, most cars in traffic pull to the side on two lane roads to open the middle for motorcyclists. We are spoiled over here

[@THELANKANCOMRADE]

Once it’s made legal you’d have every reason to do so.

[@paulvanaarde5778]

Great video s. I am an old biker 63, and started when i was 16..GREAT advise to new bikers.

[@OneTwoFive0]

I always lane filter and always try to overtake every car, as counter intuitive as it sounds I’m actually safer compared when I first started riding and waited behind cars. Like you said someone tried merging into me and I have to get out of my lane on the edge of the road. It’s much safer to be in front of all cars!

[@slothmarathonpromotions2470]

Agreed. Better to stay just slightly faster than cars otherwise they will change lanes right into you, especially on highways. Then you don’t have to worry about cars coming up into your blind spots as much too.

[@YamyHaw]

I find the tip about going to the front of a stoplight a bit tricky. Getting ahead of all the cars will add safety, but you may feel pressured to take off as soon as it turns green, and that could cause you to meet someone running the light.

[@Partnerthedog]

Look both ways first Geez we are devolving quickly

[@bedmac2]

Couldn't agree more. I definitely try to give it a beat before I take off and look both ways first.

[@LK-dn2ms]

check first?

[@PaintballMagazine]

Roundabouts! You need more of them 😂

[@nealpomerantz2431]

I always learn something from your videos. Thank you.

[@bedmac2]

Thanks for commenting on the ridiculous notion of keeping your bike in gear at a stop with the idea you'll be able to sense and react to an impending rear-end collision. Always thought that was a false hope right there.

[@East_TX_LCR]

Yam said hi vis, I'll take that as a blatant LED under glow endorsement 😂😂 Thanks 👍

[@girthquake9655]

Thank you for making this video. I'm sure it will save someone's life.

[@neelsahay5227]

i wanna note that these tips also very much apply to bicycles.

[@andreasioannou3627]

Nice Speedmaster, great advice too!

[@andyzman4387]

You're right about the intersections they scare the crap out of me. I also try my best not to ride during rush hour because all those people in their cars are on their phones trying to get home and they don't pay attention. Also you're right speeding is super dangerous on regular streets what you forgot to mention is the people in the cars are expecting you to be at the speed limit when they glance over they're thinking you're going 30 like the rest of the cars when you're really going 60 and they pull out and then kaboom. They might be pulling out in front of you but it's not really their fault because they expected to have time to pull out. That's what she said LOL

[@maxvonk1027]

Thats why I love roun-a-bouts :D

[@ralkros681]

Final tip: Take the backroads. I recently got into an accident, the one time I did not take the backroads someone pulled out cutting across two lanes in front of me.

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Deer though

[@TheFistytheCLown]

Great video Yammie. Here in San Francisco bay area covering brakes and tapping rear break on throttle chop is key. I can't imagine you folks that get hassled for lane splitting and filtering. Wonder if we will see a national filter / splitting low?

[@FullXThrottle]

New bikes front brake have a clicking noise when you slightly pull it. That is the brake light activating. You can do this without actually braking when down shifting to let ppl know your slowing down

[@Magicinstalls]

As far as being seen, and tapping your brakes, you never mentioned Clearwater lights. They are very bright and improve your visibility drastically. Plus the Billy brake automatically pulses the brake light for you coming to a stop.

[@josephabraham9081]

Thanks for the tips yam... I will use then when i get my license

[@eamonshields2754]

Awesome stuff

[@halfboltedon9162]

Making progress I heard to it referred as “be a salmon and always be moving upstream”

[@steve00alt70]

In the UK roads are too narrow to filter so best to stop near the centre line on the right. And wearing hi viz is much better than not wearing it even if drivers dont register hi viz.

[@modafoto]

The brake tapping is a great advice 😊

[@iallso1]

An alternative to hi-vis gear might be to have reflective detailing on your bike or luggage and auxiliary lights. A few months back I was riding some way behind a bike with reflective detailing on both panniers at the rear, they were obvious from half a mile away, too the point that I mistook the bike for a police bike. As it happens, when I did close up on the rear of the bike I realised the reflective strips were advertising a motorcycle training school, and recognised the rider.

[@czwinerman0714]

Great video! Honest and righ

[@FeatherleszBiped]

It never fails to amaze me how filtering and splitting are illegal in the us

[@539-s3e]

Not California. I feel sorry for the other states because it’s like doing the Trench Run and exercising a privilage at the same time. 539

[@gandalf5895]

'don't become a statistic' got me 🤣🤣 bro, you've made my day

[@steven95N]

How did saying a commonly used phrase "Get you" ?

[@willchilds5414]

Killed it my dude! Great video! 🙌

[@TELE_GRAM_ME_Yammie_noob.]

☝️☝️hit me up

[@powamoto]

Great job bro you got to teach the kiddos

[@saintryan4]

I'm not sure about the whole "tap the break" thing. I'm pretty capable of putting enough force on my rear break, without actuating it but still activating the rear light. I guess tapping might arouse a driver's attention yes, but it's an added measure to smooth riding. Just, learn where your rear light, lights up without also applying braking.

[@dgphi]

There is typically an adjuster for the microswitch that turns on the rear brake light. It's an easy adjustment to change how soon the brake light turns on when you push the brake lever.

[@armanrgun47]

@@dgphi yep, usually you just have to turn a screw. you want the light to turn on a bit before the brake starts biting

[@iallso1]

Ryan that is exactly what Yammie was implying, activating the brake light, but not everyone has your level of finesse to find the point where the lights come on without engaging the brake.

[@captainamerica954]

Just want to point out no matter what you wear while riding cagers will never see you I had a 93 gmc suburban nicknamed the magic school bus that was bright orange super shiny chrome fully built supercharged 350 with the exhaust cut behind the headers and a sound system that set off car alarms for atleast 3 city blocks multiple times I had ppl cut me off jump out in front of me or swerve into my lane and the excuse was always "I didn't see you" had a cop from my hometown witness me lock em up hit my train horns then punch it to jump lanes to avoid someone pulling out with maybe 2 car lengths between us in a 45 mph zone he pulled the car over I stopped thinking I was in trouble cuz I roasted the tires when I punched it as I walk up he's laying into her about jumping in front she said "I didn't see him" he completely lost it on her "how tf could you not see him I saw him 2 miles away from the far side of the parking lot it's a giant orange bus if you didn't see him theres no way you couldn't hear him" ended up getting her for wreckless driving and impounded her car it felt like instant karma watching her smug grin melt away thinking she was gonna get off free after she almost caused me to wreck and flipped me off for it as she started crying when he told her she wasn't driving away 😂

[@theodoreheckaman2640]

Lights where I live are short, whenever I try to sift through the light turns green and it’s harder to find a lane in the middle of the traffic than it is to stay in the back

[@UnluckyLunkhead]

Other road users can and will anticipate your vehicle turning up at a certain time according to the speed limit for that road. They will perform manoeuvres based on that anticipation. If you are travelling at a speed that means you turn up twice as quickly, while they are in the middle of that manoeuvre, you may anticipate having a firm encounter. When that happens don't blame them, blame yourself for inappropriate speed and lack of anticipation of other road users.

[@rayutwenty-four6753]

Nice moonwatch Yammie👍🏼

[@Justin-co9sw]

Lane filtering in San Diego, CA happily and safely 😎

[@Lu-xd2mi]

Lane split, filtering and other similar maneuvers are legal in Europe.

[@undeadpolo5796]

Riding with my buddies in a group on a trail for the first time and for whatever reason the wanted to race thru the turns. They issue was they left too much space between the group and the bikes in the back got cut off by cars and got stuck behind them. Group ride turned into friends being a mile or 2 up the road having to pull over and wait for the rest.

[@matthewdemaso]

YCRS... the two fingers on the break always was worth way more than the cost of the course for me

[@TheKawasakiBros]

im here in houston and i lane filter allday. passed a troioper once while doing it. he gave me a "are you for real?" lol but didnt pull me over.

[@nufinul]

That was so great!

[@johncadogan9450]

Good advice.

[@cezarmartins3489]

That's the good shit, amigo yam

[@neilalexanderclothing8824]

Nice advice yami👌👍 It may seem like common sense but for beginners, this is big help. Nwy this is a must Skills for pros and season riders. I miss my bike back home in the Philippines, cancelled my plans I buying a new bike here in the United Kingdom. Miss riding though 😕

[@rowdybroomstick6394]

They should just install transformer wing's on motorcycles that way they can just take flight over intersections🤣

[@4b11t9]

As a new rider, this will get your hurt. This is for experienced riders.

[@Jenuin]

I’m a human pylon LoL 😂 so they see me LoL and I have bunny 🐰 ears on my helmet ⛑️ hahahhhha 😅

[@MrKillervincent]

Yep I was always brought up as ("treat everyone as a total idiot" that doesn't know how to ride) from my Dad in the UK, sometimes I love to filter and get through the traffic but here in the uk the roads are much smaller, and sometimes its MUCH safer to just sit behind the car in front and tap the brakes so your tail brake lights flash (any notice on a motorcycle is more safe(also why I like to to do the wavey wavey on the road), Cars dont slow down as fast as bikes off throttle as bikes have more engine breaking and a lot of car drivers dont know or understand this as they have never ridden a bike so flash that brake when you're stopped, it just may save your life 👍 (I've ridden all year as a commuter for 8 years now) and you will never stop learning

[@S1k18]

I just have no exhaust so they hear me coming😂 it yes every time I put on my helmet I believe every cager is out to kill me and I try to pay attention to what they might do

[@lphyxsius]

Is it me or this, dare I say, the only sensible video yammie noob did?

[@Yopops215]

As much as california is nutty and weird. Im glad lane splitting/filtering is no big deal here

[@janpieter3093]

Speeding is good only if you brake before the speed camera and after speed up again

[@JMoroccoMisterBoy]

Tks. much.

[@chaseweeks2708]

Covering the brake is a surefire way to piss off the MSF instructor.

[@iallso1]

With regard to being seen, and I have a hi-vis rain jacket, there is an argument for wearing black. Car drivers are familiar with looking out for cars, cars tend to be a block of single colour. If a motorcyclist on their bike, a relatively small object, then breaks yhat shape up by wearing multiple colours, it can act as camouflage to the car driver. Wearing one block of colour, and black is the colour of the majority if motorcycle gear, may actually make the bike more visible to motorists.

[@cgsmotovlog6894]

and if you going too wide In turn, just knee down.

[@TheKawasakiBros]

wait no speeeing? should of bought a grom then cuz im sending it!!! sorry yammie love you man

[@Gojo_is_hot]

Great vid

[@iowajojo]

I live in LA, I split lanes and get out of everyone’s way, but I don’t flip people off…

[@bedmac2]

I ride in LA, split all the time. Drivers here are used to it and are generally helpful as we engage in this practice, often pulling way out of the way. Unfortunately there are splitters in LA who will immediately rev-bomb a car if they can't get through to demand they give them more space to split. Even I hate those guys.

[@ginogina4589]

I wear hi-viz helmet. and jacket. No guarantees but def is super noticeable.

[@georgerodriguez4572]

What about if you have a heavy Harley bagger, and you can’t split lanes.?

[@THEGEEK2001]

Hi Vis also in UK is super emthpasised

[@Ph0enix7373]

I make progress through traffic even in a car, i get bored and less alert if I am not actively trying to navigate through traffic

[@Darthdemersus]

Good video ty

[@SpineChylz]

10:08 Cover your **BRAKE** (not break)

[@waltsmith6515]

Got rear-ended, car doing 60 + was at intersection

[@larrylong4407]

You need a darker marker?

[@ConteMontecristo]

Amen!

[@franktaylor7978]

I don't understand what is Filtering vs lane-splitting. quite frankly I dont' think anyone else does either. In california we lane-split. it works. everyone should be doing it. Most of the world does it.

[@russelljohnson4527]

Remember that everyone is trying to kill you and you're invisible. That's how you get this old.

[@vader5454]

“Tap the rear” - that’s what she said

[@krummdiddlyumptious1784]

Ride like you’re invisible 😎