oldhway
2 Wheeled Troubador
Riding to work today I noticed some of the habits I have developed that make day to day motorcycling more enjoyable.
I pulled up to the post office to get the mail for the store. Found a parking spot that had the bike pointed very slightly uphill and the side to side fairly flat so the lean angle on the side stand was good. Where did I learn that parking technique?
Put the bike in neutral and eased out the clutch with the front brake covered just in case the little green light was lying. When did I learn that?
As I put the bike on the side stand, I pulled gently backward against the stand to be sure it was fully deployed so the bike wouldn't fall over. When did I start doing that?
Came out, put the mail in the saddle bags, hopped on the bike and put it in gear, side stand up, and covered the front brake before starting it. Then eased out the clutch, rolled on the throttle, and released the front brake simultaneously while I rode away. Was able to do this because I had picked a parking spot that would allow me to ride straight out. What experiences had taught me all this minutiae that made getting in and out so easy?
For those of us who commute on our bikes, there are little things we have learned over the years that make bike commuting far more practical and enjoyable. New riders who take a safety course learn all the stuff about being safe, but they don't always learn the stuff that makes it easier. Most of the stuff above was probably learned by either dropping a bike on it's side or huffing and puffing to move it around in a parking space. And that's only parking. Think of all the stuff you do everyday that makes riding more enjoyable.
So how about we share some of those little things we have learned over the years that make riding more fun and practical. Great info for new riders and I'll bet some eye openers and ah ha moments for us veterans as well.
So what have you learned over the years, and why?
I pulled up to the post office to get the mail for the store. Found a parking spot that had the bike pointed very slightly uphill and the side to side fairly flat so the lean angle on the side stand was good. Where did I learn that parking technique?
Put the bike in neutral and eased out the clutch with the front brake covered just in case the little green light was lying. When did I learn that?
As I put the bike on the side stand, I pulled gently backward against the stand to be sure it was fully deployed so the bike wouldn't fall over. When did I start doing that?
Came out, put the mail in the saddle bags, hopped on the bike and put it in gear, side stand up, and covered the front brake before starting it. Then eased out the clutch, rolled on the throttle, and released the front brake simultaneously while I rode away. Was able to do this because I had picked a parking spot that would allow me to ride straight out. What experiences had taught me all this minutiae that made getting in and out so easy?
For those of us who commute on our bikes, there are little things we have learned over the years that make bike commuting far more practical and enjoyable. New riders who take a safety course learn all the stuff about being safe, but they don't always learn the stuff that makes it easier. Most of the stuff above was probably learned by either dropping a bike on it's side or huffing and puffing to move it around in a parking space. And that's only parking. Think of all the stuff you do everyday that makes riding more enjoyable.
So how about we share some of those little things we have learned over the years that make riding more fun and practical. Great info for new riders and I'll bet some eye openers and ah ha moments for us veterans as well.
So what have you learned over the years, and why?