A good teacher drops "gold nuggets" now and then for his students. That's how I feel when I learn something I had never heard before. I'm 70, and if I can keep learning safety tips, I'll be riding at 80 or more. Big Thanks, Kevin.
A big reason (at least here in southern California) to not right dead-smack in the middle of a lane is that's where all the oil & other drippings from cars winds up and it never gets washed away, making that lane position VERY dangerous.
I developed a habit to drag the rear brake just about every time I pull from the stop. I feel like it helps stabilize the bike and helps me take off smoother.
Anticipation is everything. I think you posted a video saying that car drivers just aren't looking for motorcycles- so they don't see them. I can attest to that! Had a guy who I was right on top of pull straight out in front of me while turning into a parking lot. It happens all the time and simply blows my mind when it does!
I like riding a little left of center too but it wears out the right side of my Michelin pilot road 5's. So now I ride in the middle on top of the "hump" most of the time. Always interesting and informative, thanks!
As usual, TOP NOTCH vid!! The Southern Blue Ridge of Virginia where I live doesn't have many big towns, but we have miles of country roads, so the deer advice was spot on. Thanks brother and stay safe😎🙏
Excellent ride along video and great tips about lane position and starting on a hill. One thing I do when there is a long straight away in a passing zone with oncoming traffic, is that I always move to LP-3 (the outside of the road), so any potential car that I can't see that is wanting to pass will have a better chance of seeing me (and me them) and decide not to pass.
The part where you are going uphill and making a right turn has always been a big of a struggle for me since my stroke back in April. Your videos have been so helpful to me in getting back on my bike and riding again.
Things I learnt from this video: 1. There is no 'right' answer. 2. Adaptability is key, and good observation is essential to that. 3. DFW roads are apparently recycled from bits of other road all glued together with tar.
I enjoy your videos and I'm glad I am here to learn not to try to catch you making a mistake. Thanks for good information without the arrogants that many with your experience express. Oh yea, I have 50+ years of motorcycle riding under my belt and I am still learning.
I personally enjoyed this video. I drive just like you. I drive in the left rut unless a condition comes that I take the right. It’s feeling, watching conditions and calculating. Default back to the left rut.
Really appreciated your covering this topic! Call me paranoid, but I find myself defaulting a tad right of center so I can see (and be seen by) cars behind the first oncoming car sooner if they start peaking around to pass. I'm constantly moving between lane positions.
@@MCrider thanks Kevin for your reply. This year I fulfilled a 20 year dream, I did 5100 miles in 3 weeks. From Pennsylvania to Cherryville ,NC. Up to blowing rock, out to Robbinsville NC. Did the tail of the dragon, then out too Sturgis, SD. Mount Rushmore,Crazy Horse,Custer State Park then back to Pennsylvania. The bike handled perfectly. Thanks for all the great riding tips over the years.
Hi Kevin.🙋♂️ There's nothing in this video to complain about!😭😉 At least not by anyone with some sense & a bit of experience. SteveSelwald beat me to the traffic light comment. (Dang it!😂) I typically find left of center to be the smoothest line and easier on the bones. It also affords me the ability to use as much of my aging eyesight as possible to see not only my line of travel but the on coming traffic and my left side mirror all at the same time. A quick attention shift to the right side mirror and my situational awareness is updated for the next couple of moments. It's been a long time since I've been to Texas but my lasting impression is that the tar snakes nearer the centerline are flatter. Someone told me it's because most of the mice & rats get eaten by the ones closest to the outside edge.😁 (IDK🤷🏻♂️) Have a Great Day. 😁🙋♂️ From the Squid that likes you.😂
I ride either a BMW K75, R1150RS, or R1200C when I come to a complete stop, hill or otherwise, I put the MC in neutral, (all of my MC's idle fine, I do not sit at a stop, and rev the engine), I hold the bike on the hill with the front brake, when the light turns green, I squeeze the clutch, go to first gear, and as I add throttle I release the front brake. I do not have to 'feel' the brake release. The instant the MC pulls I completely release the front brake, and continue to accelerate. This past weekend I was on some very, very steep mountains in Western Virginia, and Eastern KY, those mountains will absolutely test your ability to start on a hill..
I rented a special Harley and it was a great feature. I use just my thumb and index for throttle and rest of fingers on front brake. I have trouble with balancing those Harley’s and the wide floorboards and so I just use the front break gently and roll on throttle and gently let off front brake. On my personal Triumph, the rear brake trick works great. And no, I’ve never had trouble using the front break, gently at slow speeds while straight ahead. On the slow speed turns, never any front brake
Thanks for your continued excellence in reminding us how we should ride in order to return to our families and enjoy another day riding! P.s. How does the Indian compare to the GoldWing? I've always wanted a GoldWing but that new bike of yours is beautiful!
Excellent tips. Thank you. I think I see back, shoulder and elbow protection. Are those armored jeans or do you have something like Bohn Armor under-layering those jeans?
See and be seen…….ALWAYS WEAR AN ALL WHITE CRASH HELMET…..these are the most visible from distance in all weathers…that’s why police forces and military outriders are issued with this colour……try it for yourself. Get a good one Arai or Shoei….best white ….and one of your pals in a fabulous custom painted lid to stand slightly too far away to be seen , then drive /walk towards them and see for yourself…👍🚀
Most bikers say ride left to be noticed but in reality alot just think they are a badass, and try to show there authority. As a biker for probably longer than most have been alive, I Don't move in my car when I see a dude on a cruiser. I stay center where i belong. No helmet, leather vest, beard blowing in the wind trying to make eye contact while riding on the yellow line. Being right doesn't matter if you are dead. Drop the ego and stay safe fam.
I ride to the left of center and my wife, who rides in front of me so I can protect her, rides to the right of center. Most of our roads have a ripple effect in the center of the lanes.
I try to pay attention on a two lane road if the on coming traffic has a passing zone. I will cheat over to the right just in case a car tries to jump out to pass. I am extra aware if there is a line of cars coming the other way. It can be hard to see a car, let alone a motorcycle when trying to pass a large vehicle. Moving to the right lets them see me easier and also gives me a better escape path. I have never heard anyone give this advice, but it has put a few cars back into their lane that was thinking about passing with me coming the other way.
Excellent advise! I was enjoying a ride one evening near sunset with my bride to be. We were heading west and admiring Gods beautiful skyline as we rode the straight 2 lane highway. I had looked away briefly to admire the view...looked back to see a car heading straight for us in our lane!!! He moved left just in time to pass us on the shoulder. He was passing a line of cars at 75ish mph. We were split second from sure death. I’m being honest here,...I didn’t have time to react, and if I did, we would have collided on the shoulder. Things happen fast. I thank God He saved us. I always try to reconstruct what happened and why. Also how can I prevent future occurrences. I now use my high beams in the day time (especially on 2 lanes with passing opportunities) and watch for that oncoming line of traffic where passing cars jump out while I move to the right of the lane and again... WATCH for those passers. I let my guard down that day. God gave me another day to ride and go on to marry that woman who still loves to ride!!
Hi, I have a question not related to your video. I have gotten used to using both breaks when I come to a stop. However I use the rear rather than the front break to slow down. I feel that it settles the motorcycle down for more stable breaking. Is this a good strategy? I ride a Honda Rebel 500 2019 with abs.
Kevin, with the greatest of respect, I am an old fart just like you except I’m about 10 years older. I am now a widower and am riding to try and keep my mind sane. Please help me. I need your recommendation for a gauntlet type weatherproof glove that is solid and good value. Please help.
my opinion which doesn't mean anything but left of center puts you closer to a drunk driver or a left hand turner or a car passing another car i like staying as far away as i can so "it depends"
Denny Tuma don’t forget the countless Texters who tend to drift over the line. I use all of the lane as needed and many good points have been shared on best lane positions and why.
To beak the monotony and get road hypnotized, I switch lane positions frequently to compensate for oncoming traffic, open roads, bushes on side of road, night riding and road conditions.
A good teacher drops "gold nuggets" now and then for his students. That's how I feel when I learn something I had never heard before. I'm 70, and if I can keep learning safety tips, I'll be riding at 80 or more. Big Thanks, Kevin.
A big reason (at least here in southern California) to not right dead-smack in the middle of a lane is that's where all the oil & other drippings from cars winds up and it never gets washed away, making that lane position VERY dangerous.
My thoughts exactly, middle is where all the oil, fluids and rubber ends up.
How many exhausts on cars exit center? 😂 The reality is most roads are peaked and exhaust and oil are off center exactly where you ride.
it's not the exhaust that's in the middle. It's the engine, diff and transmission that can leak.@@OriginalFallofMind
"See and be seen." A mantra to take to heart.
Doesn't matter where you are, a person staring at phone doesn't care if you ride a couple inches left or right.
I developed a habit to drag the rear brake just about every time I pull from the stop. I feel like it helps stabilize the bike and helps me take off smoother.
espically when turning from a stop
Here’s one of many situations where proper use of rear brake & friction zone apply in the real world, not just parking lot exercises…
Anticipation is everything.
I think you posted a video saying that car drivers just aren't looking for motorcycles- so they don't see them. I can attest to that! Had a guy who I was right on top of pull straight out in front of me while turning into a parking lot. It happens all the time and simply blows my mind when it does!
Haven't finished watching the video yet but have to get on here and say that I love the runway race with the jet. Very Top Gun! 🤣🤣👍👍👍👍
👍🏻 He won but in my defense they have a 25 MPH speed limit on the road. 😉
I like riding a little left of center too but it wears out the right side of my Michelin pilot road 5's. So now I ride in the middle on top of the "hump" most of the time. Always interesting and informative, thanks!
As usual, TOP NOTCH vid!! The Southern Blue Ridge of Virginia where I live doesn't have many big towns, but we have miles of country roads, so the deer advice was spot on. Thanks brother and stay safe😎🙏
Excellent ride along video and great tips about lane position and starting on a hill. One thing I do when there is a long straight away in a passing zone with oncoming traffic, is that I always move to LP-3 (the outside of the road), so any potential car that I can't see that is wanting to pass will have a better chance of seeing me (and me them) and decide not to pass.
The part where you are going uphill and making a right turn has always been a big of a struggle for me since my stroke back in April. Your videos have been so helpful to me in getting back on my bike and riding again.
I didn’t know about the stroke Keith. Sorry to hear that.
I’ve only been riding full time for a couple of months now and that is something I’ve do as well.
@@grounded7362 I can see that, that’s for the tip.
Things I learnt from this video:
1. There is no 'right' answer.
2. Adaptability is key, and good observation is essential to that.
3. DFW roads are apparently recycled from bits of other road all glued together with tar.
I enjoy your videos and I'm glad I am here to learn not to try to catch you making a mistake. Thanks for good information without the arrogants that many with your experience express. Oh yea, I have 50+ years of motorcycle riding under my belt and I am still learning.
Why yes, To see and be seen is a necessary riding mantra
I personally enjoyed this video. I drive just like you. I drive in the left rut unless a condition comes that I take the right. It’s feeling, watching conditions and calculating. Default back to the left rut.
Thanks Kevin. Great tips as always.
My pleasure
Really appreciated your covering this topic! Call me paranoid, but I find myself defaulting a tad right of center so I can see (and be seen by) cars behind the first oncoming car sooner if they start peaking around to pass. I'm constantly moving between lane positions.
Great tips as always Kevin. Thanks for doing what you do.
Thanks for that. My habit is to ride on the right side, and move as I need to depending on circumstances at the time.
Your tips are always thoughtful, well explained and useful done in your calming and reassuring way. Thank you 🙏 from a new rider! God Bless you.
Much better to be seen than viewed.
I think I “see” what you did there. ( Funeral Viewing?) 😉
From Spain. Thanks
The riding teaching videos are great.
Glad you like them!
How did you get such good footage of you riding? Its like you had a drone flying beside you.
Good job Kevin!
Kevin I was wounding if you ever did a video on pulling a trailer with a motorcycle?
No I haven’t. I am not a big fan of pulling a trailer on a bike but I know many riders who do.
@@MCrider thanks Kevin for your reply. This year I fulfilled a 20 year dream, I did 5100 miles in 3 weeks. From Pennsylvania to Cherryville ,NC. Up to blowing rock, out to Robbinsville NC. Did the tail of the dragon, then out too Sturgis, SD. Mount Rushmore,Crazy Horse,Custer State Park then back to Pennsylvania. The bike handled perfectly. Thanks for all the great riding tips over the years.
Hi Kevin.🙋♂️ There's nothing in this video to complain about!😭😉 At least not by anyone with some sense & a bit of experience. SteveSelwald beat me to the traffic light comment. (Dang it!😂)
I typically find left of center to be the smoothest line and easier on the bones. It also affords me the ability to use as much of my aging eyesight as possible to see not only my line of travel but the on coming traffic and my left side mirror all at the same time. A quick attention shift to the right side mirror and my situational awareness is updated for the next couple of moments.
It's been a long time since I've been to Texas but my lasting impression is that the tar snakes nearer the centerline are flatter. Someone told me it's because most of the mice & rats get eaten by the ones closest to the outside edge.😁 (IDK🤷🏻♂️)
Have a Great Day. 😁🙋♂️
From the Squid that likes you.😂
I ride either a BMW K75, R1150RS, or R1200C when I come to a complete stop, hill or otherwise, I put the MC in neutral, (all of my MC's idle fine, I do not sit at a stop, and rev the engine), I hold the bike on the hill with the front brake, when the light turns green, I squeeze the clutch, go to first gear, and as I add throttle I release the front brake. I do not have to 'feel' the brake release. The instant the MC pulls I completely release the front brake, and continue to accelerate. This past weekend I was on some very, very steep mountains in Western Virginia, and Eastern KY, those mountains will absolutely test your ability to start on a hill..
Thanks for the good educative video
Greetings from the PPRC great advice. Texas looks flat as a pancake, just the way I remember the DFW area.🇺🇸🇨🇱
Great video; great advice!
Thank you!
Good tips.
Really enjoy the "hill hold" on the BMW. 😉
indian
I have had it on some bikes but with the proper technique it is not a needed feature.
indian challenger
I rented a special Harley and it was a great feature. I use just my thumb and index for throttle and rest of fingers on front brake. I have trouble with balancing those Harley’s and the wide floorboards and so I just use the front break gently and roll on throttle and gently let off front brake. On my personal Triumph, the rear brake trick works great. And no, I’ve never had trouble using the front break, gently at slow speeds while straight ahead. On the slow speed turns, never any front brake
Thanks for your continued excellence in reminding us how we should ride in order to return to our families and enjoy another day riding!
P.s. How does the Indian compare to the GoldWing? I've always wanted a GoldWing but that new bike of yours is beautiful!
Excellent tips. Thank you. I think I see back, shoulder and elbow protection. Are those armored jeans or do you have something like Bohn Armor under-layering those jeans?
See and be seen…….ALWAYS WEAR AN ALL WHITE CRASH HELMET…..these are the most visible from distance in all weathers…that’s why police forces and military outriders are issued with this colour……try it for yourself. Get a good one Arai or Shoei….best white ….and one of your pals in a fabulous custom painted lid to stand slightly too far away to be seen , then drive /walk towards them and see for yourself…👍🚀
Growing up on the hill country of San Francisco taking off on hills was second nature.
Most bikers say ride left to be noticed but in reality alot just think they are a badass, and try to show there authority. As a biker for probably longer than most have been alive, I Don't move in my car when I see a dude on a cruiser. I stay center where i belong. No helmet, leather vest, beard blowing in the wind trying to make eye contact while riding on the yellow line. Being right doesn't matter if you are dead. Drop the ego and stay safe fam.
Hey Kevin, cool jacket. Can you give us some info on it?
I ride to the left of center and my wife, who rides in front of me so I can protect her, rides to the right of center. Most of our roads have a ripple effect in the center of the lanes.
I try to pay attention on a two lane road if the on coming traffic has a passing zone. I will cheat over to the right just in case a car tries to jump out to pass. I am extra aware if there is a line of cars coming the other way. It can be hard to see a car, let alone a motorcycle when trying to pass a large vehicle. Moving to the right lets them see me easier and also gives me a better escape path. I have never heard anyone give this advice, but it has put a few cars back into their lane that was thinking about passing with me coming the other way.
I also move to the right of center in passing zones for the same reason.
Excellent advise! I was enjoying a ride one evening near sunset with my bride to be. We were heading west and admiring Gods beautiful skyline as we rode the straight 2 lane highway. I had looked away briefly to admire the view...looked back to see a car heading straight for us in our lane!!! He moved left just in time to pass us on the shoulder. He was passing a line of cars at 75ish mph. We were split second from sure death. I’m being honest here,...I didn’t have time to react, and if I did, we would have collided on the shoulder. Things happen fast. I thank God He saved us.
I always try to reconstruct what happened and why. Also how can I prevent future occurrences. I now use my high beams in the day time (especially on 2 lanes with passing opportunities) and watch for that oncoming line of traffic where passing cars jump out while I move to the right of the lane and again... WATCH for those passers.
I let my guard down that day. God gave me another day to ride and go on to marry that woman who still loves to ride!!
Hi, I have a question not related to your video.
I have gotten used to using both breaks when I come to a stop. However I use the rear rather than the front break to slow down. I feel that it settles the motorcycle down for more stable breaking. Is this a good strategy? I ride a Honda Rebel 500 2019 with abs.
The tar-snakes in your area are abundant.
Yes they are...TX heat.
@@MCrider oppressive isn't it, but the taxes and politics are ok.
Do you choose not to ride along the tar snakes?
Only if in a corner and I have a clear path.
Kevin, with the greatest of respect, I am an old fart just like you except I’m about 10 years older. I am now a widower and am riding to try and keep my mind sane. Please help me. I need your recommendation for a gauntlet type weatherproof glove that is solid and good value. Please help.
my opinion which doesn't mean anything but left of center puts you closer to a drunk driver or a left hand turner or a car passing another car i like staying as far away as i can so "it depends"
But I think you are less visible in that position...I will default to the position where I can see better and move over as needed.
Denny Tuma don’t forget the countless Texters who tend to drift over the line. I use all of the lane as needed and many good points have been shared on best lane positions and why.
@@jhask64 they're worse than drunk drivers
I ride just left of the center
nothing to disagree with, I talk about " to see and to be seen" all the time
😎👍
I thought you were going to race that airplane
To beak the monotony and get road hypnotized, I switch lane positions frequently to compensate for oncoming traffic, open roads, bushes on side of road, night riding and road conditions.