It’s weird most people think they’re cool because they can ride fast and shit. I’m think I’m cool because I can ride super slow around obstacles with out putting my feet down or dropping the bike. Thanks to videos like this I’ve gotten even better.
Yes. All that low speed push pull, leaning the bike not yourself and ESPECIALLY using the clutch so the bike isn't fighting you and you can really throw it around quickly like a big bicycle is what you wind up using to avoid accidents. Known too many guys who loved twisting the throttle and doing wheelies and stuff but never really learned how to fully control the motorcycle, so a car hood comes out in front of them or some other unexpected thing eventually and they can't avoid it because all they know to do is grab the breaks. There's hundreds of videos on here of that. I always recommend taking a riding course for people just getting into or back into bikes so they have a full arsenal of skills beyond just shifting in the powerband and cutting a nice apex through a curve.
I was lucky enough to get into one of Harley's classes where the instructor was a retried motor cop as well Basically everything that came out of their mouth was identical to what these videos have been saying lol
After watching the Ride Like a Pro Video and practicing all of the exercises in order multiple times, I have gained a lot of skill and confidence. Still, about 1/3 of my riding time is done in empty parking lots; dips, U-turns and circles. I am able to make slow speed maneuvers that riders I know that have more years riding than me cannot do.
Started riding 17 months ago. Began watching your videos on RUclips and learned more than I thought possible from a video. I’ll be 61 next month. Thank you Jerry
I thought I knew how to ride pretty good till I saw your videos. I’ve been riding on instinct for decades but not skill. I have learned a lot from your videos. The friction zone use the rear brake turn your head keep eyes up where you want to go don’t look down at the ground. Thank you very much for your videos. God Bless you for helping people ride safer and enjoy motorcycling even more by honing their skills.
I've been riding motorcycles in one form or another since the age of twelve or 60 years. I probably dropped my road bike three or four times, and wrecked a few dirt bikes in my time. I find your riding pro videos interesting and at times you put things I do automatically into words. Anyway, whether you're a novice or an expert you can always learn from others. Thx...
Love these videos. Bought "Ride Like a Pro" and it was the best teaching thing we ever did. We did all the lessons. I watch a lot of UTube vids also but the lessons on Ride Like a Pro were excellent. We still practice in parking lots and try to get better every year. But it was the PRO vid that taught us how important practice is.
motor man I got videos went to a driving motorcycle 🏍 College training Got my license started with a super wide glide ride for a year Moved up to weigh Harley Davidson heritage I’m so having so much fun now that I know The basic skills with your help videos thank you you are a bad ass trainer PS. I am 57 years old wind therapy on my motorcycle is awesome everybody should ride love it
This was a great video. I started riding at 15. I'm 64 now. I have dropped my bike all the ways you have mentioned, when I first started out. I thought I knew everything. Then I started watching your videos. I learned that I could lean my bike over further. I don't duck walk when I turn my bike around anymore. I like showing my friends what I can do now. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks for the videos!!
None of us are as good of a rider as we think we are. All of us have areas of riding that we can improve at. My dad use to say that as soon as you think you know EVERYTHING about ANYTHING, your about to learn the hard way that you can always learn SOMETHING more about EVERYTHING. Sounds like some Yogi Berra-ism mind twister, but the longer I go through life, the more I am shown that my dad was right. Stay humble and always be dedicated to improving your riding skills.
after 46 years on motorcycles, street for 38 years next month... I'm finally starting to work on my fear of right hand slow turns.. into my practices about 2 months now, almost got the pegs on my k1600 down now on BOTH sides! Thanks for the confidence boosters and techniques Jerry! You're a world of help to even the most seasoned riders!
Thank you so much for this safety information, Jerry! I just bought my first Harley and feared dropping it. I will be checking out as many of your videos as possible. 💜
you just naught a garbage dead weight did you buy it just to be woke? Congratulations you like slave labor in Thailand. Also racism isn't "Cool" it's disgusting and that's what DEI Is.
6:41 I remember the one tip that you gave about practicing the friction zone while stationary. Holding the rear brake, turning your head and handlebars, and then letting the clutch in and out. I like that one, it's like a good practice thing to do to get the rust off the muscles and coordination.
Thanks for posting. I just started riding a bmw 1250 gs and found the hardest part about any ride is starting from a dead stop. Haven't dropped the bike (since I knew enough to start facing forward before turning) but I've killed it a dozen times releasing the clutch too quickly. Back the school parking lot I go.
This guy knows his stuff and is one of the better instructional videos I have found! I’m a new rider and learning a lot on these. He just corrected a mistake I was making today which will help my turns greatly!
I have a BMW K 1200 LT, moving from Yamaha Wild Star 1600 and in 12 months. I droped this bike more than all In my life (57 YO), I understood that I couldn't make mistakes that were allowed without major issues with others. So, I tried to understand why it happened, and correct those mistakes. I saw and I keep searching all the RUclips movies about this subject, this one including, and this search is helping me a lot. I didn't drop my bike during the last 5 months. Of course this was happening with bike in a very low speed, by doing mistakes also mentioned on this movie. So, now I keep training... training, to improve. Thanks for your video.
Just moving up to a bigger bike and watched this video to refresh my memory so I don't do something dumb like break hard with the wheel cut hard. Thanks for all you do.
I’ve been watching your videos and I bought your video course about three years ago. I know I’m a better rider because your voice is always in my head and my helmet while I’m riding and I don’t make the doofus mistakes that I did before. Your tip on inflating, the front tire on my Harley to 40 pounds of pressure made a world of difference in my control the bike. Thank you motor man! You are the very best!
I bought your video over a Decade ago. Everybody can learn something and improve in some area from watching that and implimenting the techniques shown. Your wife was a great ambassador on the VTX forums.
When I got my motorcycle license over 40 years ago in Canada I was taught coming to a stop the same way, both feet down. Now they teach 1 stop with bike in first gear 2 left foot down and right foot on rear brake holding the bike in place. If you put both feet down the examiner will fail you on the road test
Yep, that's me Jerry. Old Shaky Britches u-turning!! 'Fast duck-walking' on the 180's, trembling the whole time! Solid reminders for me. Bike's in the shop but soon as I get it back, I'm back in the saddle practicing circles again. Thanks much for the info!!!
I always appreciate happening on to your videos. You can’t mention the ride like a pro course enough. If you’ve been riding as long as myself This course changes everything you thought you knew and how you once did things before landing on the course. The tips are pure gold even for the most seasoned rider. Even when I got interested in I got interested in riding smaller cc scooters as a challenge these tips made me king of the road. Goldwings VTX1800 Vento50 Honda Helix Honda Reflex then back up to Vulcan800 didn’t matter the lessons are the same. Where you look is where you go , Don’t drag your foot and many many great pieces of straight forward advice. Any biker worth his meddle knows and respects the MOTORMAN.👍🏼👍🏼🤝
Just got a bike again after not riding for 20+ years (hubby too), an 800 Vulcan Classic. Made a stop with a right turn and failed to use the friction zone. I ended up crossing over the double yellow line and thankfully, there was no other traffic. After watching some of your videos, husband and I are going to get the flatter cones and head to a parking lot to practice.
Hi, Jerry. Just want to take a quick moment to say "thank you" for your labor of love. Even though I've been riding for decades, I enjoy watching your vids religiously. You can't program your brain too much with the right software to help you enjoy riding to the max. And thanks to your able assistant and better half for contributing to your labor of love.
Hey, Motor Man. Frank Brown here... Part of My duties as a SPO, was to monitor traffic on an outdated bridge. And I noticed something one day. You've probably seen Bird's (Especially Sea Gulls) when they "play" on the air currents, and as they drift along, they look left to Go left, and vice versa. And I thought ; " THAT'S how Motor Man teaches turning a Bike ! Look Left to Go Left ! I've been riding since the '50's, and I'm Amazed at what I didn't know until I saw your videos. Thanks Loads ! I watch You practically Every Day, and You're Phenomenal ! Your Wife is an Amazement as Well. Thank You BOTH so much. Stay on the air !🥇😎
Every single video of yours has me in tears. "Down goes the motorcycle". You are a pure comedic genius and at the same time remind me of an Infantryman Drill Sgt.
Great tips here, thanks. The "riding the clutch through the friction zone" concept made more sense to me once I was told that it was ok due to the fact that bike clutches operate wet, in oil and are therefore completely different than car clutches which operate dry, speaking from the mechanical aspect. Also fascinating how the increased engine rpm momentum acts like a gyroscope to help keep the bike upright, as the spinning wheels do at higher speeds.
The increased engine speed DOES NOT create a gyroscopic affect. That's an old wife's tale. Prove it to yourself by holding the bike up without the kickstand and revving the engine. Then let go and see if the bike falls over.
Great video. Had the good fortune to get instruction from a Denver Highway Patrol teacher back in the early 90's. Same points you made (as if they would be different). Used to operate the live TV camera bikes for sporting events including the Olympics. Had to be able to do U-Turns and tight circles with a cameraman standing up on the back passenger pegs. Even got him to lean to the outside of the turn to get as tight as possible. Hard to explain to people that leaning far over is your friend and keeps the turning circle small. Again, great video and thanks for sharing.
Reriding after 10 yrs. had GW and Valk before. Took first two MSF courses way back when. Your videos are a Godsend!! Give me so much confidence and huge more enjoyment. Thanks Motor man!
One time I laid my bike down when it was brand new was coming out of the gas station and a friend in front of me started to take off and then decided to stop to let the cars pass...I was already in motion with the bars turned to the right and grabbed my front brake, the bike and I went down...embarrassing yes, but I learned what not to do and your video describes my experience perfectly...thanks for sharing, wish I'd watch it before I dropped it!
Thank you for this. I am a 130 pound woman and husband loves his road glide so much he wanted me to have one. Going up from a Dyna to the road glide, I quickly found out that stopping smoothly is the biggest challenge, and how you described it here is exactly what works for me (one foot on the rear brake and other foot down only just doesn't work for me due to the extra weight)!
After 3 yrs and still can't pull up, turn or whatever he is having trouble with perhaps he should stop riding before he seriously hurts himself. Great tips.
Went from a sport bike 636 to Honda shadow and I almost dropped my bike the other day taking a turn from a stop. On the sport bike the shifting is nice and quick and I never used the friction zone. I’m glad I found your videos, this information is going to help me out a lot. You’re the man!
I haven't got a geared motorbike yet but I am learning so much just by watching your videos. This in particular was important about using the front break while turning. I only ride a bicycle and I never use the front brake unless it's an emergency full stop and I will use both with the same pressure. Grazie mile! By the way, you remind me of Robert De Niro with your witty sense of humor.
Take your bike to an empty parking lot, like a school on a weekend, and practice! As soon as I discovered Jerry, I spent a several hours working on, "slow racing", u-turns in two parking spaces, low speed circles, etc. Know your bike! It's a lot like playing a musical instrument, you will never know everything and you're never so good that you don't need to practice any longer. I see so many, "tough guys" on their tricked out Harley's who duck-walk the bike everywhere they go because they haven't a clue how to maneuver it at low speeds.
Really good video..but I must say when you heavy load your tour Pac your ultra is very top heavy then add a Pack on top of it...I have a RG w/tour pac.& Super glide both 04's , over 500,000 miles on them,been riding since 1974.One thing I'd like to stress if you have a passenger warn them to never take there feet off their pegs or boards esp. In hairy situations or ur stopping ,they will unbalance you and that near call might turn into a accident. Excellent video. Only dropped my scooter twice 1) hard road to soft gravel ( gentle lay down) and when I was pushed off the road. (Knock on wood) Ill keep watching love new to me tips. One other thing I'm old school my buddies ride next to me my lady behind.. Leaning against a women with one hand on her leg a thrill I will never give up. Besides someone has to take pictures of were we go I can't cause my eyes track left to right sight seeing can get you killed another reason I don't use cruise when the bike slows down time to get off and rest. Also I got rid of those floor board .. Forward controls allow you faster reaction time to put you feet down and its more comfortable with legs stretch out.
I’ve been riding for 18 years. My MSF course never said a word about preloading the throttle and the friction zone in the clutch. It wasn’t until last summer that I learned about these from Motorman’s videos and a few other videos by motorcycle police officers. I was one of those guys who would ride a mile down the road looking for a parking lot to turn around in rather than attempt a U turn. Well, after practicing and practicing these techniques, I can now comfortably do U turns. A habit I’ve developed: the first place I go when I’m out for a ride is a local parking lot, where I spend 10 minutes practicing my slow speed control. I think this coordination of the brake, throttle and clutch is something that isn’t intuitive and needs constant practice to keep the skill fresh in our minds. I’ll never stop practicing these techniques. I don’t find practicing a burden, but enjoyable and rewarding. And it gives me confidence and control for the rest of my day.
Motorcycle riding is the most compliant Coronavirus strategy 1) Use gloves 2) Your face is behind a clear plastic barrier 3) You speak thru an intercom 4) You keep more than 6 feet away from others 🤪🤪
Nevertheless in Belgium the use of motorcycle is forbidden... Assuming that it is more dangerous than other transport media; I already ride motorcycle for more than 30 years making more or less 10.000 kms a year without any accident. Riding a bycicle is not forbidden... where is the error???
You are absolutely correct, I have used all of these techniques over the many years I have been riding learned through errors I've made but once you figure it out you can ride any motorcycle without dropping your bike . Great video!
I dropped mine while practicing in a parking lot at slow speed, does that count? 😁 Great video and excellent info for beginners like me. Friction zone!!!
In Austria, where I‘ve got my license, you‘d fail the final exam, should you take off from standing, without your right foot on the rear brake. The inspector wants you to change your feet on the ground from right to left after putting the bike in gear, so that you’d really always take off with your right foot on the rear brake and to train to not use the front break at slow speeds. I love your videos Jerry and even though I don’t ride a heavy American bike, I‘m doing 2 days intensive training every year at the season‘s opening.
I bought and practiced with your videos and it's a great feeling being able to roll up to a bike meet without dropping it or worrying about dropping it. I also used to plan my rides to avoid certain, streets, intersections, turns, etc due to fear of dropping it. I still practice weekly but I have so much more confidence. Thanks!
Great videos dude, thanks.. I dropped my bike last summer in the Smoky Mountains.. My girlfriend was on the back, she tried to get her foot on the ground before she fell off but while she did that she cracked her ankle and tore her ACL.. I didn't feel embarrassed, I felt guilty and terrible because she is my responsibility on my bike and I failed her.. She is completely healed and back riding again.. After I seen this video it inspired me to practice my U turns and I thank you for that.. Once we get our license I think a lot of us forget what got us to where we are at, PRACTICE!! Thank you again Jerry!
Your videos help me to understand what I've been doing wrong. I love your videos over anyone else that puts out motorcycle riding videos. Thank you for what you do!
Your video took me back to the 90’s for motorcycle school to get my license.. That was a great reminder. Your voice is so soothing to listen too. Great job! I’ll look forward to watching your videos. When I took the class at DMACC, I was able to lay the bike on it’s side and have the peg scrap the ground going through the sweet spot in a turn! Only one that could!! Need to get my bike up and running and enjoy my Harley. There’s nothing like a Harley between your legs!
Great video Jerry! I especially like how well your voice comes through over the mellow sound of your bike and there’s no wind noise. I would really like to know how you do it.
As always good information Jerry, I was always taught to only put my left foot down your right foot is for the rear brake once in a while after I stop completely I put my right foot down but usually because the wind is pushing me around.
I always find it easier to complete the stop with the rear brake and put my left foot down only. There are exceptions, but this is generally the rule for me.
I totally agree, clutch control is essential to staying shiny side up. Every moto-cross pro has exceptional clutch control and it translates to the street more-so than any other part of riding.
I’m so glad I found your channel I am mediately subscribed I’ve already done all of the knucklehead things you already talk about so you’re going to save my life!!! Thank you
I've been wanting to ride a motorcycle for the past 50+ years, but life took me other ways. I finally had the chance and bought one (Honda Shadow 750) at age 67. I watched a bunch of videos on RUclips, studied and passed the course written exam with 100%, but when I got to the course training I eventually froze up and failed the test. I dropped the training bike (250cc) once and then Fear took over. Even after I had earned and executed the drills, I got irrationally nervous leading up to the road test. My mind was racing, trying to remember what I'd learned, but with every mistake I made dealing with sharp turns, winding turns, quick stops, swerves, my confidence totally collapsed. I failed the test and it was no surprise. I've never driven my Honda and now I expect I'll just sell it and call it a day. Pretty embarrassed and disappointed by my failure - but I feel like riding is not for me.
Rode my little beginner 450 lb bike 4 years back in the early 2000's. Had kids and sold it. 15 years later I took a coworkers 800 lb cruiser for a test ride. Next day rode a Vulcan Nomad bagger, 750 lb. I was very careful with it staying on neighborhood roads. It was big, very big for not being on a bike since my light bike for 15 years. Thought I'd get ise to it and bought it. 50 mile ride home and I was facing downhill looking at my >90° angle into my downslope driveway. Started easing it left into the driveway and did exactly the #1 reason, handlebars turned and I was on the front brake. Immediately I'm rolling across the ground with my bike laying on its side 2 feet from my 50 mile destination home. Had been refreshing my motorcycle knowledge with MCRider vids and found this channel. Haven't dropped it since. I do exactly as recommended here, both brakes until almost stopped and then rear only to complete the stop
Jerry, your videos are really invaluable. Just listening to you explain things is so inspiring and insightful. Can't wait for the next clear day I'm going to try your slow speed maneuvers. Thank you so much.
Years ago after riding all day with the last half hour in stop and go traffic, I returned home hot and tired, circled my back yard getting ready to park the bike and I had the front wheel turned full lock right. At about 2 MPH I grabbed the front brake and BINGO! Bike goes down, I roll out to the right, pop up and look around to make sure no one saw me and curse myself for my stupidity. Lesson learned.
Back when I was about 25 I was riding my sportster one evening, had a smoke going (cigarette). Took my left hand off the bike and hit a series of small bumps at the same moment. I was sliding down the street on my butt before I took another breath. Hurt my right ankle pretty good and a bit of road rash. Hard lesson to learn. I go out and practice the stuff shown in Jerry's videos these days. I am fresh back to riding after 20 years out of the saddle. I realized I needed more skills to be a better rider. Jerry, a heart felt thanks for all you do for us. Thanks to your wife also. :) Cheers and stay well everyone!
I honestly think veteran riders that start riding the big heavy baggers are the ones that run into problems ..them bikes are sooooo heavy.. great presentation
WOW Jerry! I watched many of your videos late last night because I want to build my confidence as a newer rider, So today I went across the street to the college parking structure and practiced the 3 essentials (Head and eyes; Clutch/throttle and rear break control) while not 100%mastered I could tell in about 10-15 minutes a HUGE difference!!! I was working on U turns and that still needs some work but I ll get it! Hell, It I was 20 years younger, I'd become a Motor officer!!! Thanks a million for your video's!!!
You are one of the best teachers there ever was! I mean that too. I could sit and watch your videos all day long and not get tired of them. That takes real skill to do that on your end. They're not only enjoyable , theyre so informative. I just. Want you to know just how great you are with your wisdom and its quite obvious just how much you enjoy this. Real Confidence.
Jerry- I love your videos. I was surprised to see the first intersection that you came up to (7:10) was named Kitten Trail. Back in 1980 I used to date a girl that lived on Kitten Trail. I nicknamed her Kitten. In 1982 I used to ride my Yamaha 750 Seca down that DIRT road. I married that girl and we left Florida in 1985 when I joined the Air Force. We live in the Carolinas now and I currently ride a Multistrada. BTW, I still call her Kit.
Awesome. Thank you, Jerry. I was using he brakes completely wrong and went down at a stop yesterday. Going to a parking lot today so i can put things in place. It's going to take a while to get my confidence up... but putting your teachings in place will get me there!
I have been riding for 40+ years. I have taught motorcycle licensing for two decades. Haven't had an accident in 30+years but I just laid my bike down and broke my ankle in the process two months ago. Was out with friends riding and we got to an area where the road was closed ahead. Could see cars ahead of us trying to turn around but we were wide open so I signaled behind me for u-turn and went to do a friction control u-turn on the street just like you were showing in the video. After falling, immediately knowing I had broke my ankle and wondering (WTF? I haven't laid down a bike or much less had an accident since I was a stupid teenager!) and looking at the area with my friends who was riding with me, there was a little strip of moss that had grown up in the expansion crack and and it was just enough to spin out my back tire even at low speed and using friction control plus being leaned and I went right over. My friends helped me pick my bike up and I rode it home broken ankle and all. Probably not the smartest thing and definitely wasn't the most pleasant but I wasn't about to leave my bike on the side of the road either.
I laid mine down when I was just BARELY, I do mean Barely, touching my front brake and didn't see the Black Plastic inner fender laying right in the road at an intersection. I've been riding since 1968 and not been down for decades...This kind of thing can happen to anyone so don't feel too badly JARED. Very sorry you got hurt and I feel even luckier now. I still look at the scraping marks on the Chrome Goldwing Engine Protector BARS and it reminds me to keep an eye out for black plastic inner fenders in my path....Can you even ever imagine such a thing? It is about as absurd as your MOSS....Yeah, I've seen plenty of MOSS so I get it Jared, Believe me. I do get that one.
Great video. I learned a long time ago about the clutch and throttle. Lived on a mountain top in Colorado and there was over 120 turns with several hair pin turns to get up to my house. It took a while to figure out how to do some of those really tight turns without the fear of dropping the bike. The clutch was the absolute answer especially riding two up.
I don't know how it looks in the US, but here, in the UK if you can't do a U-turn or a figure of 8 without putting your feet on the ground, you won't pass your licence test, so they actually teach you all that friction zone stuff and slow speed maneuvers.
@@tomekkruk6147 same here. Unfortunately, most take their license test using a small 125cc or 250cc borrowed motorcycle. I believe you should have to test on the bike you want to ride. I personally took my test on a BMW R1100S. The proctor looked at me as if I was crazy. This was in 2004. I passed first time, but I put a lot of practice in to be sure that I did.
I never I had a problem dropping my motorcycle. I just got a serious accident in Daytona Beach 2 1/2 weeks ago in the rain and someone in front of me slammed on their brakes and I lock my breaks up and the bike kicked to the left and went down . Six broken ribs and several hematomas but I survived the crash at 40 miles an hour. This Accident has put a serious hurting on me. I’ve been riding for 41 years and this is my first mishap. I’ve learned a lesson never ride in rush-hour traffic in the rain .
I wish you a speedy recovery my friend & hope you’re able to heal totally & fully. I went down august of last year. I had a car that did a pretend stop in the median & then jumped right out in front of me. I knew instantly & instinctively that brakes were gonna be of no use in this particular scenario & tried to swerve to avoid the collision, would of been a success too, except only now does the dumb bitch finally see what she has done & Hits her brakes causing me to slam into her anyway. The end result was a broken & dislocated right ankle & every bone in my right foot shattered requiring me to wear an external fixator for months & have four surgeries. I’m just thankful that this negligent driver was in a car I was able to fly over after the collision. Had she been in a SUV there is not a doubt in my mind I would of been injured beyond repair or dead, since I wouldn’t of been able to clear the height of a SUV after the initial impact & would of slammed into the side of it. I’ve always been a super athletic in shape person, my muscles have muscles. Now I’m never going to be able to have races with my son, go on jogs with him etc....The mental anguish of losing a lot of my dexterity & athleticism that I took great pride in has been just as bad if not harder than my actual physical recovery. In my mind I’m still the man I’ve always been but in my body that is no longer the case. Such a tough pill to swallow mentally. I’ve been riding motor bikes since I was 5yrs old. I’m not trying to brag at all. I’m just stating facts to any young person who may read this. I’ve put 50,000 plus miles on numerous bikes. These accidents can happen to anyone & your skill set & safety rating will play a lot less of a factor than you might like to think. Stay Safe Brothers & sisters
When I learned to ride (in the UK) I had an instructor who constantly drilled low speed manoeuvre, using all of the techniques you have illustrated in your videos. I feel extremely fortunate in this respect, I discovered very quickly that not everyone gets this kind of training.
I use the friction zone.. all the time at low speed and learning this has helped me alot !! on my Goldwing the rear brake, also works the front brake and I drag me rear brake so much getting better at the low speed.. I can crawl it pretty good.. can't lean more than 1/2 way, but getting there.
I have two Wings, a 1000 and a 1200. The 1200 has that linked brake thing and I just can't get used to it! Like you said, I was taught to drag the rear brake for slow manoeuvres and that just doesn't work if one of the front discs is also dragging.
Gosh Motorman this was one of your best vlogs to date IMHO. Trust me I have watched many of your videos/Vlogs. Thanks so much learned a lot from you guys.
Great information! Makes sense as to why I damn near went off the road taking a left turn. I let clutch out the entire way before the tour was complete.
I've been riding for over 40 years. I watch your videos and listen to the techniques you give. It's made me a smarter,safer rider period. Don't think just because you've been riding for years that you can't learn anything. You're fooling yourself thinking that. Never be afraid to learn. The life you save may be your own.
Just when you think it’ll never happen to you, it will, from such simple things as turning into your driveway to backing up. I’ve seen a lot of people drop their bike from just forgetting to put their kickstand down. Lol! Most anyone can jump on a bike and ride, its learning how to stop in a hurry is the key.
I just want to say that I really appreciate your videos. Just moved up from a 950 vstar to a ultra limited. Wow, what a difference. All of the little mistakes I made on the 950 became drops on the ultra. I found your videos and learned quite a lot. Thank you!
It’s weird most people think they’re cool because they can ride fast and shit. I’m think I’m cool because I can ride super slow around obstacles with out putting my feet down or dropping the bike. Thanks to videos like this I’ve gotten even better.
For me it’s having never dropped while rolling (ya, parking 0 kph drops twice...).
Safe and fun!
For me it’s no going into the ditch and make it home safely fuck what other people think
What you don't see is that they are one in the same.
Well it looks alot more badass to see a bike cracked wide open screaming then it is seeing one doing like 10 mph
Yes. All that low speed push pull, leaning the bike not yourself and ESPECIALLY using the clutch so the bike isn't fighting you and you can really throw it around quickly like a big bicycle is what you wind up using to avoid accidents. Known too many guys who loved twisting the throttle and doing wheelies and stuff but never really learned how to fully control the motorcycle, so a car hood comes out in front of them or some other unexpected thing eventually and they can't avoid it because all they know to do is grab the breaks. There's hundreds of videos on here of that. I always recommend taking a riding course for people just getting into or back into bikes so they have a full arsenal of skills beyond just shifting in the powerband and cutting a nice apex through a curve.
no matter how much I ride or how long i have ridden I always come back to watch these just to keep sharp and be a survivor
right because it becomes muscle memory but we want to remember the techniques to continuously apply and strengthen those skills and teach others
6
I swear 💯
yes the brain is a muscle after all. we are bound to forget something.
I come back here for the laughs. Jerry has a wicked sense of humor along with the pearls of wisdom.
I played alot of money to go to Harley's riding academy. Ironically I think I learned more from Jerry's videos free on youtube 😅 thanks Jerry.
Harley riding academy are just bunch of money grabber ZlONIST, learn to ride bike yourself
I started by myself then went to abate and finished but I still watch these videos to see what areas I can improve in
I was lucky enough to get into one of Harley's classes where the instructor was a retried motor cop as well
Basically everything that came out of their mouth was identical to what these videos have been saying lol
@Doc Holliday68 I loved my riding instructors when I took my class at HD. They paid for my class when I got my bike too so no extra money from me.
I agree with you. I never had training. Thanks to Jerry I now can practice techniques to stay safe
After watching the Ride Like a Pro Video and practicing all of the exercises in order multiple times, I have gained a lot of skill and confidence. Still, about 1/3 of my riding time is done in empty parking lots; dips, U-turns and circles. I am able to make slow speed maneuvers that riders I know that have more years riding than me cannot do.
Glad to know I've helped.
Wow. So impressive
Wow.. I am so impressed
How often do you drop it in a parking lot and how do you practice? Maybe any advice how to start "parking lot training" :))
Started riding 17 months ago. Began watching your videos on RUclips and learned more than I thought possible from a video. I’ll be 61 next month. Thank you Jerry
Your welcome. Now imagine if you purchase my Ride Like a Pro video which has 2 hours of detailed instruction for a mere 20 bucks. ridelikeapro.com
I thought I knew how to ride pretty good till I saw your videos. I’ve been riding on instinct for decades but not skill. I have learned a lot from your videos. The friction zone use the rear brake turn your head keep eyes up where you want to go don’t look down at the ground. Thank you very much for your videos. God Bless you for helping people ride safer and enjoy motorcycling even more by honing their skills.
I
I've been riding motorcycles in one form or another since the age of twelve or 60 years. I probably dropped my road bike three or four times, and wrecked a few dirt bikes in my time. I find your riding pro videos interesting and at times you put things I do automatically into words. Anyway, whether you're a novice or an expert you can always learn from others. Thx...
You wrecked because you’re stupid
You sure are awesome. 44 years old just bought my first bike and this is helping
With my new ADV top heavy bike, and being now 60, I am humbled and appreciate your content.
Love these videos. Bought "Ride Like a Pro" and it was the best teaching thing we ever did. We did all the lessons. I watch a lot of UTube vids also but the lessons on Ride Like a Pro were excellent. We still practice in parking lots and try to get better every year. But it was the PRO vid that taught us how important practice is.
I am from India, bought a brand new Royal enfield classic. I watched your videos sir, they really helped me especially in an intersection
motor man I got videos went to a driving motorcycle 🏍 College training Got my license started with a super wide glide ride for a year
Moved up to weigh Harley Davidson heritage I’m so having so much fun now that I know The basic skills with your help videos thank you you are a bad ass trainer
PS. I am 57 years old wind therapy on my motorcycle is awesome everybody should ride love it
This was a great video. I started riding at 15. I'm 64 now. I have dropped my bike all the ways you have mentioned, when I first started out. I thought I knew everything. Then I started watching your videos. I learned that I could lean my bike over further. I don't duck walk when I turn my bike around anymore. I like showing my friends what I can do now. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks for the videos!!
64 here too! Keep the rubber side down.
Lack of knowledge! Best description ever
None of us are as good of a rider as we think we are. All of us have areas of riding that we can improve at.
My dad use to say that as soon as you think you know EVERYTHING about ANYTHING, your about to learn the hard way that you can always learn SOMETHING more about EVERYTHING.
Sounds like some Yogi Berra-ism mind twister, but the longer I go through life, the more I am shown that my dad was right.
Stay humble and always be dedicated to improving your riding skills.
Nothing better than fatherly advise.
Sounds like a wise man .
You both are right.
Always keep a humble students mind. Cocky know it all’s are always the ones who fall the hardest.
Amen brother!
after 46 years on motorcycles, street for 38 years next month... I'm finally starting to work on my fear of right hand slow turns.. into my practices about 2 months now, almost got the pegs on my k1600 down now on BOTH sides! Thanks for the confidence boosters and techniques Jerry! You're a world of help to even the most seasoned riders!
Thank you so much for this safety information, Jerry! I just bought my first Harley and feared dropping it. I will be checking out as many of your videos as possible. 💜
you just naught a garbage dead weight did you buy it just to be woke? Congratulations you like slave labor in Thailand. Also racism isn't "Cool" it's disgusting and that's what DEI Is.
6:41 I remember the one tip that you gave about practicing the friction zone while stationary. Holding the rear brake, turning your head and handlebars, and then letting the clutch in and out. I like that one, it's like a good practice thing to do to get the rust off the muscles and coordination.
Great tips! Thanks! I just dropped my bike twice the other day doing EXACTLY the first scenario lol
Thanks for posting. I just started riding a bmw 1250 gs and found the hardest part about any ride is starting from a dead stop. Haven't dropped the bike (since I knew enough to start facing forward before turning) but I've killed it a dozen times releasing the clutch too quickly. Back the school parking lot I go.
Man are you stupid
This guy knows his stuff and is one of the better instructional videos I have found! I’m a new rider and learning a lot on these. He just corrected a mistake I was making today which will help my turns greatly!
I have a BMW K 1200 LT, moving from Yamaha Wild Star 1600 and in 12 months. I droped this bike more than all In my life (57 YO), I understood that I couldn't make mistakes that were allowed without major issues with others. So, I tried to understand why it happened, and correct those mistakes. I saw and I keep searching all the RUclips movies about this subject, this one including, and this search is helping me a lot. I didn't drop my bike during the last 5 months. Of course this was happening with bike in a very low speed, by doing mistakes also mentioned on this movie. So, now I keep training... training, to improve. Thanks for your video.
probably one of the most relaxing instructional videos I've ever watched
Just moving up to a bigger bike and watched this video to refresh my memory so I don't do something dumb like break hard with the wheel cut hard. Thanks for all you do.
Also started rideing at 20 yrs old, now at 75yrs old. Consider myself to be in good shape!
Great info, been riding 40 plus years and I still learn things from your tips!
I’ve been watching your videos and I bought your video course about three years ago. I know I’m a better rider because your voice is always in my head and my helmet while I’m riding and I don’t make the doofus mistakes that I did before. Your tip on inflating, the front tire on my Harley to 40 pounds of pressure made a world of difference in my control the bike. Thank you motor man! You are the very best!
Doofus is as doofus does
I bought your video over a Decade ago. Everybody can learn something and improve in some area from watching that and implimenting the techniques shown. Your wife was a great ambassador on the VTX forums.
When I got my motorcycle license over 40 years ago in Canada I was taught coming to a stop the same way, both feet down. Now they teach
1 stop with bike in first gear
2 left foot down and right foot on rear brake holding the bike in place. If you put both feet down the examiner will fail you on the road test
Thank you so very much for sharing your wealth of knowledge. Your generosity is not taken for granted.
Yep, that's me Jerry. Old Shaky Britches u-turning!! 'Fast duck-walking' on the 180's, trembling the whole time! Solid reminders for me. Bike's in the shop but soon as I get it back, I'm back in the saddle practicing circles again. Thanks much for the info!!!
I always appreciate happening on to your videos. You can’t mention the ride like a pro course enough. If you’ve been riding as long as myself This course changes everything you thought you knew and how you once did things before landing on the course. The tips are pure gold even for the most seasoned rider. Even when I got interested in I got interested in riding smaller cc scooters as a challenge these tips made me king of the road. Goldwings VTX1800 Vento50 Honda Helix Honda Reflex then back up to Vulcan800 didn’t matter the lessons are the same. Where you look is where you go , Don’t drag your foot and many many great pieces of straight forward advice. Any biker worth his meddle knows and respects the MOTORMAN.👍🏼👍🏼🤝
Thank you.
Just got a bike again after not riding for 20+ years (hubby too), an 800 Vulcan Classic. Made a stop with a right turn and failed to use the friction zone. I ended up crossing over the double yellow line and thankfully, there was no other traffic. After watching some of your videos, husband and I are going to get the flatter cones and head to a parking lot to practice.
Hi, Jerry. Just want to take a quick moment to say "thank you" for your labor of love. Even though I've been riding for decades, I enjoy watching your vids religiously. You can't program your brain too much with the right software to help you enjoy riding to the max. And thanks to your able assistant and better half for contributing to your labor of love.
thank you, we appreciate it.
@@motorman857 Thank you a lot! I have a question. Why don't you use turn signals? or your motorcycle has not appropriate lamp
Hi, Jerry, just wanted to do some gay ass kissing to make myself look like a total asshole…
Hey, Motor Man. Frank Brown here... Part of My duties as a SPO, was to monitor traffic on an outdated bridge. And I noticed something one day. You've probably seen Bird's (Especially Sea Gulls) when they "play" on the air currents, and as they drift along, they look left to Go left, and vice versa. And I thought ; " THAT'S how Motor Man teaches turning a Bike ! Look Left to Go Left ! I've been riding since the '50's, and I'm Amazed at what I didn't know until I saw your videos. Thanks Loads ! I watch You practically Every Day, and You're Phenomenal ! Your Wife is an Amazement as Well. Thank You BOTH so much. Stay on the air !🥇😎
Amazing that you put these YT videos out for free. Thank you!
You are suppose to subscribe, that's how he makes a few bucks
@@akaitsmedre Oh. Didn't know. That's cool. Thanks for letting me know.
Every single video of yours has me in tears.
"Down goes the motorcycle".
You are a pure comedic genius and at the same time remind me of an Infantryman Drill Sgt.
Great tips here, thanks. The "riding the clutch through the friction zone" concept made more sense to me once I was told that it was ok due to the fact that bike clutches operate wet, in oil and are therefore completely different than car clutches which operate dry, speaking from the mechanical aspect. Also fascinating how the increased engine rpm momentum acts like a gyroscope to help keep the bike upright, as the spinning wheels do at higher speeds.
The increased engine speed DOES NOT create a gyroscopic affect. That's an old wife's tale. Prove it to yourself by holding the bike up without the kickstand and revving the engine. Then let go and see if the bike falls over.
My dad was a T.O.the last 7 years of his career. I learned to ride from the best. These videos will make riders stay safe and ride better. We'll done.
Great video. Had the good fortune to get instruction from a Denver Highway Patrol teacher back in the early 90's. Same points you made (as if they would be different). Used to operate the live TV camera bikes for sporting events including the Olympics. Had to be able to do U-Turns and tight circles with a cameraman standing up on the back passenger pegs. Even got him to lean to the outside of the turn to get as tight as possible. Hard to explain to people that leaning far over is your friend and keeps the turning circle small.
Again, great video and thanks for sharing.
Reriding after 10 yrs. had GW and Valk before. Took first two MSF courses way back when. Your videos are a Godsend!! Give me so much confidence and huge more enjoyment. Thanks Motor man!
One time I laid my bike down when it was brand new was coming out of the gas station and a friend in front of me started to take off and then decided to stop to let the cars pass...I was already in motion with the bars turned to the right and grabbed my front brake, the bike and I went down...embarrassing yes, but I learned what not to do and your video describes my experience perfectly...thanks for sharing, wish I'd watch it before I dropped it!
@@@🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤
Thank you for this. I am a 130 pound woman and husband loves his road glide so much he wanted me to have one. Going up from a Dyna to the road glide, I quickly found out that stopping smoothly is the biggest challenge, and how you described it here is exactly what works for me (one foot on the rear brake and other foot down only just doesn't work for me due to the extra weight)!
After 3 yrs and still can't pull up, turn or whatever he is having trouble with perhaps he should stop riding before he seriously hurts himself. Great tips.
Went from a sport bike 636 to Honda shadow and I almost dropped my bike the other day taking a turn from a stop. On the sport bike the shifting is nice and quick and I never used the friction zone. I’m glad I found your videos, this information is going to help me out a lot. You’re the man!
I really like this "ride along" style!
Thank you for another great informative video.
Gay
I haven't got a geared motorbike yet but I am learning so much just by watching your videos. This in particular was important about using the front break while turning. I only ride a bicycle and I never use the front brake unless it's an emergency full stop and I will use both with the same pressure. Grazie mile! By the way, you remind me of Robert De Niro with your witty sense of humor.
Take your bike to an empty parking lot, like a school on a weekend, and practice! As soon as I discovered Jerry, I spent a several hours working on, "slow racing", u-turns in two parking spaces, low speed circles, etc. Know your bike! It's a lot like playing a musical instrument, you will never know everything and you're never so good that you don't need to practice any longer. I see so many, "tough guys" on their tricked out Harley's who duck-walk the bike everywhere they go because they haven't a clue how to maneuver it at low speeds.
Really good video..but I must say when you heavy load your tour Pac your ultra is very top heavy then add a Pack on top of it...I have a RG w/tour pac.& Super glide both 04's , over
500,000 miles on them,been riding since 1974.One thing I'd like to stress if you have a passenger warn them to never take there feet off their pegs or boards esp. In hairy situations or ur stopping ,they will unbalance you and that near call might turn into a accident.
Excellent video.
Only dropped my scooter twice 1) hard road to soft gravel ( gentle lay down) and when I was pushed off the road. (Knock on wood)
Ill keep watching love new to me tips.
One other thing I'm old school my buddies ride next to me my lady behind.. Leaning against a women with one hand on her leg a thrill I will never give up. Besides someone has to take pictures of were we go I can't cause my eyes track left to right sight seeing can get you killed another reason I don't use cruise when the bike slows down time to get off and rest.
Also I got rid of those floor board .. Forward controls allow you faster reaction time to put you feet down and its more comfortable with legs stretch out.
I’ve been riding for 18 years. My MSF course never said a word about preloading the throttle and the friction zone in the clutch. It wasn’t until last summer that I learned about these from Motorman’s videos and a few other videos by motorcycle police officers. I was one of those guys who would ride a mile down the road looking for a parking lot to turn around in rather than attempt a U turn. Well, after practicing and practicing these techniques, I can now comfortably do U turns. A habit I’ve developed: the first place I go when I’m out for a ride is a local parking lot, where I spend 10 minutes practicing my slow speed control. I think this coordination of the brake, throttle and clutch is something that isn’t intuitive and needs constant practice to keep the skill fresh in our minds. I’ll never stop practicing these techniques. I don’t find practicing a burden, but enjoyable and rewarding. And it gives me confidence and control for the rest of my day.
Motorcycle riding is the most compliant Coronavirus strategy
1) Use gloves
2) Your face is behind a clear plastic barrier
3) You speak thru an intercom
4) You keep more than 6 feet away from others
🤪🤪
Nevertheless in Belgium the use of motorcycle is forbidden... Assuming that it is more dangerous than other transport media; I already ride motorcycle for more than 30 years making more or less 10.000 kms a year without any accident. Riding a bycicle is not forbidden... where is the error???
🤪🤪😜😛😝😝🤪😝😛😜🤪😝😋
@@ericverdin4130 belgium sounds like nazi germany.
@@888WulfDog888 they cooperated closely back in the day.
It’s definitely what kept me sane during lockdown👍🏽
I'm 78 been riding since I was 12 can learn something new everyday I've learned a lot just watching Jerry
You are absolutely correct, I have used all of these techniques over the many years I have been riding learned through errors I've made but once you figure it out you can ride any motorcycle without dropping your bike . Great video!
thanks, that was a nice ride along. I'm in 2 ft of snow and cant wait for spring.
I dropped mine while practicing in a parking lot at slow speed, does that count? 😁 Great video and excellent info for beginners like me. Friction zone!!!
This, like all of them, is a great lesson. I never dropped my bike, largely because of lessons from Jerry such as this. Have a great day!
Hope that’s a about to change braggart
In Austria, where I‘ve got my license, you‘d fail the final exam, should you take off from standing, without your right foot on the rear brake. The inspector wants you to change your feet on the ground from right to left after putting the bike in gear, so that you’d really always take off with your right foot on the rear brake and to train to not use the front break at slow speeds. I love your videos Jerry and even though I don’t ride a heavy American bike, I‘m doing 2 days intensive training every year at the season‘s opening.
I bought and practiced with your videos and it's a great feeling being able to roll up to a bike meet without dropping it or worrying about dropping it. I also used to plan my rides to avoid certain, streets, intersections, turns, etc due to fear of dropping it. I still practice weekly but I have so much more confidence. Thanks!
Me too brother and it’s Hell when I’m a hill and needing to take a hard right or left These videos have definitely helped my confidence
Great videos dude, thanks.. I dropped my bike last summer in the Smoky Mountains.. My girlfriend was on the back, she tried to get her foot on the ground before she fell off but while she did that she cracked her ankle and tore her ACL.. I didn't feel embarrassed, I felt guilty and terrible because she is my responsibility on my bike and I failed her.. She is completely healed and back riding again.. After I seen this video it inspired me to practice my U turns and I thank you for that.. Once we get our license I think a lot of us forget what got us to where we are at, PRACTICE!! Thank you again Jerry!
You give sage advice. I grew up in Florida and really enjoyed the scenery while you talked.
Thanks!
Your videos help me to understand what I've been doing wrong. I love your videos over anyone else that puts out motorcycle riding videos. Thank you for what you do!
Your video took me back to the 90’s for motorcycle school to get my license.. That was a great reminder. Your voice is so soothing to listen too. Great job! I’ll look forward to watching your videos. When I took the class at DMACC, I was able to lay the bike on it’s side and have the peg scrap the ground going through the sweet spot in a turn! Only one that could!! Need to get my bike up and running and enjoy my Harley. There’s nothing like a Harley between your legs!
Great video Jerry! I especially like how well your voice comes through over the mellow sound of your bike and there’s no wind noise. I would really like to know how you do it.
You are truly a BOSS, your advice is like a Bible of Motorcycle Riding. God Bless. Thanks a Ton.
As always good information Jerry, I was always taught to only put my left foot down your right foot is for the rear brake once in a while after I stop completely I put my right foot down but usually because the wind is pushing me around.
I always find it easier to complete the stop with the rear brake and put my left foot down only. There are exceptions, but this is generally the rule for me.
Feels like I would drop my bike but it’s pretty heavy.
I totally agree, clutch control is essential to staying shiny side up. Every moto-cross pro has exceptional clutch control and it translates to the street more-so than any other part of riding.
I’m so glad I found your channel I am mediately subscribed I’ve already done all of the knucklehead things you already talk about so you’re going to save my life!!! Thank you
Welcome aboard!
I've been wanting to ride a motorcycle for the past 50+ years, but life took me other ways. I finally had the chance and bought one (Honda Shadow 750) at age 67. I watched a bunch of videos on RUclips, studied and passed the course written exam with 100%, but when I got to the course training I eventually froze up and failed the test. I dropped the training bike (250cc) once and then Fear took over. Even after I had earned and executed the drills, I got irrationally nervous leading up to the road test. My mind was racing, trying to remember what I'd learned, but with every mistake I made dealing with sharp turns, winding turns, quick stops, swerves, my confidence totally collapsed. I failed the test and it was no surprise. I've never driven my Honda and now I expect I'll just sell it and call it a day. Pretty embarrassed and disappointed by my failure - but I feel like riding is not for me.
Rode my little beginner 450 lb bike 4 years back in the early 2000's. Had kids and sold it. 15 years later I took a coworkers 800 lb cruiser for a test ride. Next day rode a Vulcan Nomad bagger, 750 lb. I was very careful with it staying on neighborhood roads. It was big, very big for not being on a bike since my light bike for 15 years. Thought I'd get ise to it and bought it.
50 mile ride home and I was facing downhill looking at my >90° angle into my downslope driveway. Started easing it left into the driveway and did exactly the #1 reason, handlebars turned and I was on the front brake. Immediately I'm rolling across the ground with my bike laying on its side 2 feet from my 50 mile destination home.
Had been refreshing my motorcycle knowledge with MCRider vids and found this channel. Haven't dropped it since. I do exactly as recommended here, both brakes until almost stopped and then rear only to complete the stop
I can't wait for spring. Want to get my bike out and practice your lessons.
Hey Jerry, good to see you, I took your class in Florida 10 years ago, it was a great time. You have mad skills dude.
Thank you.
Jerry, your videos are really invaluable. Just listening to you explain things is so inspiring and insightful. Can't wait for the next clear day I'm going to try your slow speed maneuvers. Thank you so much.
Years ago after riding all day with the last half hour in stop and go traffic, I returned home hot and tired, circled my back yard getting ready to park the bike and I had the front wheel turned full lock right. At about 2 MPH I grabbed the front brake and BINGO! Bike goes down, I roll out to the right, pop up and look around to make sure no one saw me and curse myself for my stupidity. Lesson learned.
Back when I was about 25 I was riding my sportster one evening, had a smoke going (cigarette). Took my left hand off the bike and hit a series of small bumps at the same moment. I was sliding down the street on my butt before I took another breath. Hurt my right ankle pretty good and a bit of road rash. Hard lesson to learn. I go out and practice the stuff shown in Jerry's videos these days. I am fresh back to riding after 20 years out of the saddle. I realized I needed more skills to be a better rider. Jerry, a heart felt thanks for all you do for us. Thanks to your wife also. :) Cheers and stay well everyone!
It's reassuring to hear at places like Bike Week if you drop your bike everyone helps instead of pointing and laughing and throwing beer cans at you
Yeah, no need to feel embarrassed. People all make mistakes, and if someone hasn’t then they are fortunate but not better than someone else.
I honestly think veteran riders that start riding the big heavy baggers are the ones that run into problems ..them bikes are sooooo heavy.. great presentation
the cut scene of the god father was awesome, brought a smile and laugh.
😂😂
Hahahahaha
Same
Cannot get the horses head out of my mind....
That's when I hit subscribe
Thanks Jerry. I’m gonna practice doing this because I’ve dropped my bike twice and now I know why.
WOW Jerry! I watched many of your videos late last night because I want to build my confidence as a newer rider, So today I went across the street to the college parking structure and practiced the 3 essentials (Head and eyes; Clutch/throttle and rear break control) while not 100%mastered I could tell in about 10-15 minutes a HUGE difference!!! I was working on U turns and that still needs some work but I ll get it! Hell, It I was 20 years younger, I'd become a Motor officer!!! Thanks a million for your video's!!!
Please don't break your rear.
You are one of the best teachers there ever was! I mean that too. I could sit and watch your videos all day long and not get tired of them. That takes real skill to do that on your end. They're not only enjoyable , theyre so informative. I just. Want you to know just how great you are with your wisdom and its quite obvious just how much you enjoy this. Real Confidence.
Sounds like you want to sleep with the washed up old tool
Jerry- I love your videos. I was surprised to see the first intersection that you came up to (7:10) was named Kitten Trail. Back in 1980 I used to date a girl that lived on Kitten Trail. I nicknamed her Kitten. In 1982 I used to ride my Yamaha 750 Seca down that DIRT road. I married that girl and we left Florida in 1985 when I joined the Air Force. We live in the Carolinas now and I currently ride a Multistrada. BTW, I still call her Kit.
Back in 77 I was in a band that practiced in a garage on Kitten trail. It was hell driving down that street back then. It sure has changed.
@@motorman857 Now we need another video.Tell us something about the band Days! Is that how you wound up in Florida?
Cool story Rick, glad she was a keeper. 👍🏻
Awesome. Thank you, Jerry. I was using he brakes completely wrong and went down at a stop yesterday. Going to a parking lot today so i can put things in place. It's going to take a while to get my confidence up... but putting your teachings in place will get me there!
I have been riding for 40+ years. I have taught motorcycle licensing for two decades. Haven't had an accident in 30+years but I just laid my bike down and broke my ankle in the process two months ago. Was out with friends riding and we got to an area where the road was closed ahead. Could see cars ahead of us trying to turn around but we were wide open so I signaled behind me for u-turn and went to do a friction control u-turn on the street just like you were showing in the video. After falling, immediately knowing I had broke my ankle and wondering (WTF? I haven't laid down a bike or much less had an accident since I was a stupid teenager!) and looking at the area with my friends who was riding with me, there was a little strip of moss that had grown up in the expansion crack and and it was just enough to spin out my back tire even at low speed and using friction control plus being leaned and I went right over. My friends helped me pick my bike up and I rode it home broken ankle and all. Probably not the smartest thing and definitely wasn't the most pleasant but I wasn't about to leave my bike on the side of the road either.
I laid mine down when I was just BARELY, I do mean Barely, touching my front brake and didn't see the Black Plastic inner fender laying right in the road at an intersection. I've been riding since 1968 and not been down for decades...This kind of thing can happen to anyone so don't feel too badly JARED.
Very sorry you got hurt and I feel even luckier now. I still look at the scraping marks on the Chrome Goldwing Engine Protector BARS and it reminds me to keep an eye out for black plastic inner fenders in my path....Can you even ever imagine such a thing? It is about as absurd as your MOSS....Yeah, I've seen plenty of MOSS so I get it Jared, Believe me. I do get that one.
Great video. I learned a long time ago about the clutch and throttle. Lived on a mountain top in Colorado and there was over 120 turns with several hair pin turns to get up to my house. It took a while to figure out how to do some of those really tight turns without the fear of dropping the bike. The clutch was the absolute answer especially riding two up.
I don't know how it looks in the US, but here, in the UK if you can't do a U-turn or a figure of 8 without putting your feet on the ground, you won't pass your licence test, so they actually teach you all that friction zone stuff and slow speed maneuvers.
@@tomekkruk6147 same here. Unfortunately, most take their license test using a small 125cc or 250cc borrowed motorcycle. I believe you should have to test on the bike you want to ride. I personally took my test on a BMW R1100S. The proctor looked at me as if I was crazy. This was in 2004. I passed first time, but I put a lot of practice in to be sure that I did.
I never I had a problem dropping my motorcycle. I just got a serious accident in Daytona Beach 2 1/2 weeks ago in the rain and someone in front of me slammed on their brakes and I lock my breaks up and the bike kicked to the left and went down . Six broken ribs and several hematomas but I survived the crash at 40 miles an hour. This Accident has put a serious hurting on me. I’ve been riding for 41 years and this is my first mishap. I’ve learned a lesson never ride in rush-hour traffic in the rain .
I wish you a speedy recovery my friend & hope you’re able to heal totally & fully. I went down august of last year. I had a car that did a pretend stop in the median & then jumped right out in front of me. I knew instantly & instinctively that brakes were gonna be of no use in this particular scenario & tried to swerve to avoid the collision, would of been a success too, except only now does the dumb bitch finally see what she has done & Hits her brakes causing me to slam into her anyway. The end result was a broken & dislocated right ankle & every bone in my right foot shattered requiring me to wear an external fixator for months & have four surgeries. I’m just thankful that this negligent driver was in a car I was able to fly over after the collision. Had she been in a SUV there is not a doubt in my mind I would of been injured beyond repair or dead, since I wouldn’t of been able to clear the height of a SUV after the initial impact & would of slammed into the side of it. I’ve always been a super athletic in shape person, my muscles have muscles. Now I’m never going to be able to have races with my son, go on jogs with him etc....The mental anguish of losing a lot of my dexterity & athleticism that I took great pride in has been just as bad if not harder than my actual physical recovery. In my mind I’m still the man I’ve always been but in my body that is no longer the case. Such a tough pill to swallow mentally. I’ve been riding motor bikes since I was 5yrs old. I’m not trying to brag at all. I’m just stating facts to any young person who may read this. I’ve put 50,000 plus miles on numerous bikes. These accidents can happen to anyone & your skill set & safety rating will play a lot less of a factor than you might like to think.
Stay Safe Brothers & sisters
When I learned to ride (in the UK) I had an instructor who constantly drilled low speed manoeuvre, using all of the techniques you have illustrated in your videos. I feel extremely fortunate in this respect, I discovered very quickly that not everyone gets this kind of training.
Thanks for sharing!
Low-speed manoeuvring on any class of motorcycle is part of the compulsory training for a motorcycle licence in Europe.
I use the friction zone.. all the time at low speed and learning this has helped me alot !!
on my Goldwing the rear brake, also works the front brake and I drag me rear brake so much
getting better at the low speed.. I can crawl it pretty good.. can't lean more than 1/2 way, but getting there.
I have two Wings, a 1000 and a 1200. The 1200 has that linked brake thing and I just can't get used to it! Like you said, I was taught to drag the rear brake for slow manoeuvres and that just doesn't work if one of the front discs is also dragging.
Love your videos my riding brother…my son is learning to ride but I told him to watch your videos first before I start teaching him.
Gosh Motorman this was one of your best vlogs to date IMHO. Trust me I have watched many of your videos/Vlogs. Thanks so much learned a lot from you guys.
You're welcome.
Great information! Makes sense as to why I damn near went off the road taking a left turn. I let clutch out the entire way before the tour was complete.
Stupid
Great video. I feel like I'm getting pointers just watching you ride.
I've been riding for over 40 years. I watch your videos and listen to the techniques you give. It's made me a smarter,safer rider period. Don't think just because you've been riding for years that you can't learn anything. You're fooling yourself thinking that. Never be afraid to learn. The life you save may be your own.
Just when you think it’ll never happen to you, it will, from such simple things as turning into your driveway to backing up. I’ve seen a lot of people drop their bike from just forgetting to put their kickstand down. Lol! Most anyone can jump on a bike and ride, its learning how to stop in a hurry is the key.
An emergency stop on a bagger is really hard to do. The bigger the bike the harder it is to stop.
@@hondaguy425able I hear ya! All that weight shifts to the front wheel.
Good video. Thank you. Where can I buy the video Tide Like a Pro. I would like to have the actual video not some e thing. Thanks.
ridelikeapro.com
Glad I found your channel! Does that blinking green light ever go off?
steve ross 5 months later and I was wondering the same thing.
These techniques are the same for a bicycle. I like it. So true
I just want to say that I really appreciate your videos. Just moved up from a 950 vstar to a ultra limited. Wow, what a difference. All of the little mistakes I made on the 950 became drops on the ultra. I found your videos and learned quite a lot. Thank you!
Thank you for naming the Friction Zone. I knew what it was but I didn’t know what to call it when trying to teach my kids. My grandkids will benefit.
“Your instincts are wrong when you’re on a motorcycle”
*VERY true words*
Luckily my instincts are HORRIBLE.
zrxgrim I have conflicted feelings about that haha
@@ron_grimes I always say, go R push R go L push L..that's how you live to ride another day.
@@jangles55 talk to me
@@jerryhullinger3712 What you want to talk about Jerry?