Chicken Strips

[Big Phil]

I was in the pub last night with a few mates and the discussion went onto the subject of chicken strips.

Simon, one of the guys there is a fairly new rider and he isn't confident enough yet to really lean over.

Steve, who is a very experienced rider, was saying he should push it and try to lean more. I was against this as I believe that you should only do what you are confident doing and in time you will get more confident and therefore be able to lean more.

It turned into a bit of an argument. Steve reckons that if you dont try, you will never learn. He wants Simon to go out on a ride out with him and a couple of others. I didn't agree as I think that can be dangerous as people try to keep up with other bikes and go beyond their limits. Simon is big enough & ugly enough to look after himself so what he does is his own business.

I am an experienced rider but I can still remember what it was like when it was all new and what it is like to be put under pressure like that.

Do you agree with me or am I being too cautious?

 

[Biker Mike]

See if your mate Steve still wants to do it if he and Simon swap bikes first and no penalties for a dropped bike...
 
He's wrong to suggest Simon push it until he's ready to.
Mike

[BORN AGAIN BIKER]

  Only a Muppet would put pressure on an inexperienced rider to push themselves beyond there comfort zone. We all arrive at our own level of competence over different time scales.
This sounds like a classic "a bloke in the pub said" 

Graham     

[Rev Ken]

I wonder what Steve would say if when trying to follow him the new rider wraps himself around a tree? (Which is entirely possible as if he panicked in a corner and tried to brake half way round...... following another rider into a corner instead of riding for yourself is ALWAYS dangerous even for more experienced riders!)

[Josiah]

Hmmm

I think I don't want to ride with your mate Steve, drink with him yes, it should prove entertaining , but ride no never

Josiah

[MilkyBarKid]

Originally Posted by Biker Mike

See if your mate Steve still wants to do it if he and Simon swap bikes first and no penalties for a dropped bike...

 

I whole heartily agree with BM and would go further to suggest that you advise your mate to get professional training before listening to well meaning but inexperience instructors. 

Cornering is not only about getting the right technique but also gaining confidence, learning to read the road, positioning for the numerous variables (drain cover anyone?) and physically knowing how to control the bike.............. something that an advanced trainer has actually thought about not just learnt by doing it!

I learnt to ride with these guys http://www.motorcycleacademy.com/

I cannot recommend these guys highly enough http://www.i2imca.com/About.asp

Done some of this too http://www.iam.org.uk/riders  and this http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/

These guys are also highly recommended http://www.phoenixtrainingonline.co.uk/centre-amesbury.asp

and these guys too http://www.rapidtraining.co.uk/



If your mate thinks he can't afford it remind him how expensive a crash is!  (which is more likely to happen if trying to emulate someone more experienced who by definition has more confidence and hence will do things differently)

If he wants to learn a bit more without doing formal training then may I suggest he tries Keith Codes "twist of the wrist" you can find the video on youtube...............its very informative.

Hope that helps

MBK


PS I am not on commission but just believe passionately in training

[riles]

Originally Posted by Big Phil

I was in the pub last night with a few mates and the discussion went onto the subject of chicken strips.

Do they come with chips?
Goes to prove: Beer & Bikes don't mix.......

[Nuff]

Simon will lean more and more as he get more and more used to it. Riding with experienced riders is good, it will enable him to push himself and his limits, but only if he rides FOR HIMSELF. You ride for you and your bike, if you ride for the guy/girl in front you'll come off. I chased my ex down a road we both knew well once, I was scraping pegs, she was pulling away in the corners. If I'd been riding at her pace, I would've crashed. No two ways about it.

[johnstg2]

I agree with all of the above. No-one should be pushed beyond their comfort zone. He'll get there in his own time, and even if he never gets his knee down, as long as he enjoys riding within his capabilities that's the most important thing.

[Sixties Lad]

For goodness sake don't get a complex about chicken strips......who cares. Blokes always try to compare the size of something, the lack of something, or excess of something. Be yourself, ride to your own comfort level.