Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

That's exactly what I was looking for. The closer track to London(apart Silverstone, too expensive) and a mini track in London...:) I checked the Rainsford rd roundabouts and the connected surrounding with google view and it seems great... also very easy to reach from where I live. And not leaves, dead animals and a good lateral view too!!

I will report back, thank you. I first need to heal the tendons... So far I rode randomly outside London and making the missus get not too frustrated, scared etc about the whole... I worked mainly on the softness of the machine control... which it's still important and sometime not so easy.

Can't wait...

Smoothness is good. Try staying a gear higher and just roll off the throttle, very gentle on the brakes. Keep the ball of your inside foot on the peg when turning and well away from the rear brake. You really don't need bother with the rear brake at all - it's just a distraction in the dry. Have fun!

Rear brake has always been the most useless function on bikes...

sounds interesting so had a look. what is it specifically that this rider does wrong, is it easy to spot? im curious. thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1q2tKnZt9E

Looks like he just lays it down, loses grip on the edge of the tyre maybe caught the pegs/fairing. At least he just let it go rather than stand it up and high side it.

Looks like a cold paddock hill at Brands? Difficult to say really - just looks like he went in a bit hot and leant on the front a bit too much. Cold Tyres, bit dirty off line, that sort of thing.

It's certainly a steep downhill - if it is paddock, you want to be hard on the gas there going down the hill, looks like he was just too deep on a closed throttle.

He leaned.

Except on a vintage Vespa which goes deep sea diving when you use the front one.

On the Triumph I trail brake on the rear when cornering, to get the weight where it needs to be for a nice exit.

Vespa vintage and every Triumph is a vintage are a word apart. But for movies and photography are great.

Rear brake is also good for high speed stabilising.

As well as for stabilising the bike's balance, rear brake use is essential for filtering, and for braking in the wet. Using rear brake the rest of the time keeps you ready and in tune, so that wet weather braking comes easily and naturally.

Using rear brake the rest of the time keeps you ready and in tune

This is very true, and I must keep it in mind. I always used the same advise on the front brakes instead.

And for gently putting down wheelies :)

Don't know about gently but it has saved a few of my hambfisted efforts from disaster over the years. Usually at the cost of new fork seals... ;)

Honestly though - for a first track day, as long as it's dry, you're almost better off removing the rear brake lever altogether. If you're using the front brake properly, it doesn't do anything and makes it very easy to lock up the rear when you least expect it.

I got an advisory on my rear brake pads in my recent MOT, made a conscious effort to monitor my rear brake usage and I use it a lot.
I also dab the rear brake when I'm engine braking to alert the cagers behind me I'm slowing.

Had a great ride out in LA with @Jung yesterday.

Rode the Mullholland Snake and other parts north of the Pacific Coast Highway. Lots of fun even on the oil tanker I'm currently riding...

The SUPERtanker - that thing needs a rudder, not handlebars. Most amusing watching you plow through traffic on it.

Safe ride up to Monterey today!

Any pictures?

Have fun boys.

Agreed, I only ever really touch my rear brake for slow speed stuff in traffic

Alas no - we pretty much didn't stop, @Soul was on a tight schedule to get back down to Venice for sunset.

...besides you'd need a panoramic camera to get that bike in the same shot! :)

Cheeky.

Just got to Monterey; nearly 8 hours on the bike. Ouch.

Highway 1 is the most beautiful road I've ever ridden though...

1 Attachment

That's spectacular! Any more?

The 1 is pretty special. Honestly my favourite bit of it is North of SF. It's an almost unbroken length of absolute win for hundreds of miles up to Oregon.

8hrs is a good schlep though. Mrs Soul must be very understanding! ;)

Clearly you've not ridden pillion on those bikes, it's a massive leather armchair. Looks like a lovely road, we had to finish our trip in SF and missed the 1. Heard so much good stuff about it, would love to back and ride it.