Honest opinion of your Ability

[bikesnbones]

I was listening to a programme on the radio today, where a survey carried out showed that most drivers think of themselves as skilled and way above the average standard.

I reckon us riders have a far more realistic view of ourselves.

Me ?

I'm reasonably quick and safe on roads I know, but on roads I don't know, I am often all over the place.

I've done advanced rider training, but I never got this "vanishing point" thing, and my bend assessment leaves a lot to be desired.

R/Handers are OK (ish), but L/Handers are a real weakness for me and I often find myself tucking into the nearside for fear of drifting out onto the wrong side.

Having said all that, I am safe in that I never take stupid risks, but my lack of ability on twisty roads, does often spoil my enjoyment of a nice ride.

I've been riding continuously for 31 years so what's my excuse ?

Well, one could be that I was weened on the ill handling shopping trolleys of the 80's that didn't go around corners, and most of my bikes have been bulky sports tourers, and cruisers.

My R1200S is my first ever sports bike, and it's laughing at me.

There you are, I've been honest.

What about you.

[Twinspark]

I find it a mystery.

The 11S has upped my confidence significantly - and I believe I can hold my own with a good proportion of riders these days - and often pass sports bikes, whilst 2-up on the BMW.

Before I got the 11S, I was a fairly poor road rider - although, mysteriously, I was quicker on my R100RT than on my Honda VFR800.

But in a car, I'm ultra confident and find I'm quicker than 99% of other road users - which is incredibly frustrating.

[slparry]

Next year on the 10th June will be my 40th concurrent year of riding. Ive done at least 800,000 miles plus over the 40 years on the whole I'm happy enough with my riding. Not marvellous as a car driver though as I get too frustrated but the cars now on a Sorn as I don't use it anymore

[Dai wiskers]

To be honest not as good as i was 30 or so years ago when i was dispatching
Now i spend to much time worrying about other road users and crap road markings/surfacing etc

[Gromit]

I'm friggin' useless.

[Boxered]

Well I'm definitely slower than I was when I was in my 20's, but I'm a much safer rider now, I'm not fast nor slow and I'm quite happy with that. Having said that, I'm still acutely aware that I have room to improve, and I'm not talking about racetrack speed.

Steve

[cornishflat]

Certainly not as mad as I was. Its junctions that scare me when I see cars waiting to turn, had too many moments with them. If I can see through a corner I,d say I,m as quick or close to what I was although modern suspension/tyres play a big part in that. To be honest high speed has never done it for me its always been cornering. When I only had a bike and rode everywhere my biggest attribute was the wet...pretty quick in the wet I was.
A couple months ago a guy on a Triumph 955 came by and I tagged on the back.... you know the game..... and I have say when we got past straight to jail I bottled it. There was just too much traffic, junctions etc and my mind was more on that than the dabble so I backed off with one of those "what was that all about" moments. Mind you he was bloody quick, too quick for me, and the Triumph impressed.

[Hayden]

crap on the road, some what better on a track.....after I`ve figured out where it all goes, its less important having poor eyesight on track...

[boxerscott]

For me, C- plenty room for improvement, could do better, pay more attention....sounding like one of my better school reports that made it home

[Herb]

I am not experienced on the track, but on the road consider myself pretty good.

I have been riding for 24 years (crikey), and started with good habits as my mum sent me on a RoSPA course which lasted 8 weeks, 4 hours every Sunday. I still have the green enamel badge. I have continued with the training on and off ever since.

The main guy I ride with is an instructor, so I get regular feedback, which hopefully stops too many bad habits creeping in.

Areas for improvement, corner entry. Once I am in the corner I read it well, but on occasion struggle to judge the approach speed. It's a long time problem that I have not been able to address to my own satisfaction yet.

I am often pulled up for being over conservative on overtakes and missing opportunities, but to be honest I am happy being conservative.

My biggest problem is practice. I really need to get out more.

[slparry]

I'm with you Jim, I'd much rather be accused of being conservative regarding overtakes than foolhardy... conservative is unlikely to get you killed

[ned1]

Been ridding a long time,
Some years ago I was overtaken by five police riders training on the same bike as me K100rs
but there was no way I could match them so I joined the IAM and never looked back

fast .......... 7/10
safe........... Hopefully, over the top sometimes
Best bit...... Twisty A roads
Fear ..........Other road users, seen the whites of there eyes and they have still pulled out in front of me.

Ned

[cornishflat]

Been ridding a long time,
Some years ago I was overtaken by five police riders training on the same bike as me K100rs
but there was no way I could match them so I joined the IAM and never looked back

fast .......... 7/10
safe........... Hopefully, over the top sometimes
Best bit...... Twisty A roads
Fear ..........Other road users, seen the whites of there eyes and they have still pulled out in front of me.

Ned

Fear....well worded ned. I think we sing from a similar hymn book

[Gibson335]

Started schoolboy scrambling in 62 or 63 - I think this greatly helped with balance and general feel for mechanised progress. Driving cars since 1970. Huge mileages over the years (56,000 business miles in 1990 alone). I think it's all about hazard perception - the more experienced you become, the further ahead you're looking and the more potential disasters you register and consciously or unconsciously ride to avert. Having seen so many T-bone incidents (particularly in central London) I dress to make myself highly visible - the recent upgrade to HID lights fits well with that philosophy. I tend not to take chances nowadays on roads I don't know well. I KNOW my reactions must be slower than they were - on long straights I'm still quite keen in investigating the dusty side of the speedo but I ride defensively most of the time (still got a clean licence and - touch wood - haven't been off since 1969). Still get a huge buzz from riding, but have come to terms with the fact that I'll never be another Sammy Miller, Geoff Duke, Ago or Rossi. Pretty much the most enjoyment you can have with your clothes on...

[wotmeworry]

Awesome