I don't mean to thread hi-jack here, but I just wanted to say that I ordered this book and read it cover to cover (some sections three or four times), and it really helped me out a lot! I don't have anyone else to ride with, so it's just me out there trying to figure things out.
I was really having trouble taking corners fast--not super fast, just at least as fast I as I could take the same corner in my car--and there was a section in the book that talked about gyroscopic balance, tire contact patch, center of mass and so on, and it really helped me learn to trust that my bike will not fall over in a turn. For me there was an angle at which I was leaning where I felt like if I were to lean anymore I was going to fall. After reading the cornering section of the book, I went out and just told myself, I'm going to go around this corner at 20 mph and I'm going to lean past that point--and if I fall, I fall. So, around I went, and I leaned, and I got that same feeling you get when a plane takes off and your stomach drops (impending doom, I believe it's called), and then I was still leaning, cornering, and then I came out of the turn...and I was still on my bike, and it was still on the pavement, and we were still riding! Hooray! We didn't fall! It was a revelation. I just had to get past that point. Now, I just lean right past it, no problem. Have yet to meet a corner I didn't like. :) The book also helped me with tight turns. There is a intersection in town where I need to turn right, almost a U-turn, and it's 2 lanes, and it was all I could do to make that turn and not find myself in the passenger seat of the vehicle in the next lane. In the book, he said something about lifting your butt off the seat and standing on the outside peg while countersteering. Let the bike lean under you. Another revelation! I can U-turn all day now! I can U-turn in my one car driveway. Well, almost. ;) This book, along with some YouTube videos that let me watch some of the techniques he mentions in slow motion, has really increased my knowledge of riding and my confidence on the bike. I have already noticed how much better I am and how much more comfortable I feel on the bike since I started riding. I also feel more prepared for situations I have yet to encounter like wet pavement or gravel roads. I never would have even thought to look for a book about riding techniques. Thanks for recommending it! On Wednesday, August 14, 2013 10:13:34 AM UTC-5, Allen wrote: > > And I can't stress reading a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" it is under > $10 new from amazon. They did a 2nd edition that has color pictures as > well, and he did a second book for more advanced riders called mastering > the ride. > > http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1889540536/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376492959&sr=1-2&keywords=proficient+motorcycling > > > > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to nighthawk_lovers+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
