RIDING TIP: Number Three Mistake Experienced Riders Make

TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDING

This month we continue to look at the elements that make up the five mistakes experienced riders make.  Overestimating riding abilities is number three.  How do you know if you’re overestimating your riding abilities?  We hear this statement quite often at events.   “I took the Basic RiderCourse.  I know how to ride.  I don’t need any more lessons.”

Hmmm.  This might just be a clue.  And a great opportunity to perform a self assessment.  When it comes to riding, any beneficial self assessment will consider two elements:  where is my skill level and how much risk do I accept when riding?  The net result is what we call our risk offset.

WHERE IS MY SKILL LEVEL?

Often times we’ll use our peer group to determine our skill level.  For example, one might say, “Well, I’m faster than Bob and Frank, but slower than Nancy.  I guess I’m an above average rider.”  Unfortunately, this isn’t a great way to determine where your skill level actually exists.   What if the overall riding ability of the group is poor?  Exhibits a poor risk offset?

Research shows that when it comes to sports or anything that utilizes motor skill development we tend to be optimistic in our assessment in our skill levels.  This can be dangerous when motorcycling as we may end up lacking the appropriate skill for a particular scenario.

Quantitative analysis is a great way to determine your motorcycling skill level.  When we perform our Motor Officer Training, we’ll use the following elements to determine skill proficiency:

• How many G’s is a rider developing when braking at 40mph?  What distance does it take them to stop?
• Can a rider perform a high speed corner, from a designated entry and exit point, within an established time range?
• In what distance can a motorcyclist perform a low speed u-turn maneuver? 24 feet? 20 feet? 18 feet?  Less?
• In what distance can a rider swerve to avoid an obstacle from 25mph? 40mph?

Understanding how you stack up against the stopwatch and measuring stick is one of the best ways to determine your performance level.  Where can you do that?  In training of course!

HOW MUCH RISK AM I ACCEPTING?

Part of the assessment is to determine how much risk you are accepting when riding.  Are you wearing proper protective gear?  Are you riding without impairment, including that from prescription drugs?  What is your mental state when riding?  Are you maximizing your time and space?  Do you have a strategy when riding?  Do you ever feel like you are riding over your head?  Do you have “pucker moments” on the motorcycle?  How fast do I travel on public roads?

These are some initial questions one might ask themselves to determine how much risk they’re accepting.

RISK OFFSET

Riders who perform well have enough skill to manage the risks they are taking.  Risk offset is the difference between the risks you take and the skills you possess.  Good risk offset is when your skill exceeds the risk you are accepting.  Bad risk offset is when the risk you accept exceeds the skill you possess.  Maybe the most fraught position is when riders are accepting the same amount of risk as their skill level; there is no margin for error at that point.

Are you ready to perform a self assessment?  Will you decide to create a positive risk offset?  Tell me what you think will help you create a positive risk offset:  Bill@MotorcycleTraining.com

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Bill Seltzer has been a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach since 2003 and a Total Control Advanced Riding Instructor since 2011.  He currently serves as the Marketing Director for TEAM Arizona and is a member of the Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Planning committee.  Have questions or comments about the article?  Email him: Bill@MotorcycleTraining.com