All I can say, without seeing him ride myself, is that it's entirely possible to be advanced/experienced enough to defend the claim he made about processing far enough ahead. Sometimes these things can seem dangerous to others who lack the same level of experience (and there's quite a step up from Local Obs to National Obs). I've ridden with Police riders who sometimes look the same (and probably look a bit like hooligans when not on a Police bike - but the ride the same way as at work). BUT your comments no 2) and 4) are a little bit worrying.
my observing does not stick to speed limits in Nationals, my mantra is to observe people’s real ride and go from there. What’s the point of people completely changing their ride for a few hours, which I can see through straight away anyway. Real coaching for real road riding.
Interesting read. I have been lucky enough to ride with several ROSPA and Police trained motorcyclists, both on ride outs and on Euro tours over past years. Loads of roadcraft to be observed with competent, smooth riders. But by far the most dangerous person I have encountered was a qualified advanced rider who took his road positioning to extremes. Think, using the full width of the road to see ahead in traffic, but not considering that you have moved so far over to be nearly in the gutter (on a road nearly wide enough for four cars!..., and fairly straight..) that the person you are following (me using drop off system) cannot see you in their mirrors. Absolute nutter. Also stopping suddenly for a toilet break on a steep gradient in the lake district with sudden braking and no indicators just after an overtake.. you just never knew what was coming next. Advanced training does not stop people being fucktards.
1 and 3 not great either One thing that used to annoy me in group rides, riders who thought that I should leave a gap for them. Erm, no. Ride your ride and plan ahead.
@Phill748 While your mate sounds dangerous (I also wouldn't ride with him), don't miss the chance to get some input from an instructor who's an ex-police motorcyclist with an attitude you like. These guys (police or ex-police instructors) have a wealth of experience and can be an invaluable fresh set of eyes on your riding.
I was on a ride thru the forum abroad a few years ago and there was a cop rider on that doing exactly the same. He couldn't keep up, which I found both amusing and an incentive to just go faster and I tend to do the same when pace picks up TBh as the guys I 'learnt' with did that and it helps a lot in distance view. But you have to be aware other users aren't expecting to see you on their side, especially on a straight road!
I have also seen a ROSPA rider fall off due to taking the “taught” road position instead of reading the road surface. Put himself in the gravel at the left side of the road, ready for a right hander. Low side was the result. Not connected to above..There has been a lot of gravel on the roads, I assume due to all the extra rain we have had here this year. Riding at less than ten tenths has paid dividends with couple of very small slides, which would have been something more if pushing on.
My observers comments when in the back lanes was "you like your bends don't you " before reminding me of the limits
One of my pet hates is other riders following into an overtake and forcing the rider ahead, be it me or another rider, to have to compromise their road position to accommodate them in the gap on the return to the left side of the road. Also serves to p*ss off the driver of vehicle you've just overtaken if they have to brake, or even lift off, to make room.
Maybe I’m one of those people guys. I overtake and purposely pull left (if safe) to allow any following bike to pull in too. It allows two at a time overtakes and means traffic is dealt with quicker. A habit I learned from my old Hants riding days. Noted
We advise riders to never take someone else's overtake, there’s nowhere to go if it all goes shit shaped and you could take out the other rider. It bugs me that people are happy to leave a safe gap between them and the vehicle in front but then chop straight in after an overtake with a gap of about 6 feet. Your engine misses a beat and the vehicle you just overtook, smacks you up the arse. Andy
My gsxr packed in just after an overtake in the Lake district. Luckily nobody behind was being silly, I had time to pull to the side of the road as the engine cut out... So stuff like this can happen. The problem was some corrosion in the main fuse holder under the fairing on the left side, this on a low miles K8! Non runner until contacts and fuze blades were cleaned. The most bizarre breakdown ever.
Question. Country road, 10 cars in front of you, all following a tractor. A. Do you twist the bastard and go for it B. Pretend you're a car and join the queue C. Do you're makeup D. Pull in, have a smoke E. Scroll through the rider aid options F. Scrolled, found race mode and gun it G. Wife's turn to cook, its a takeaway H. Better slow down, I'm getting old I. I'm dangerous dave, go for it J. Anything with J is just gay K. Try remembering basic maths M. I need new gloves N. I see a little gap O. You missed L
Especially 'D'. Once upon a time I'd have gone for 'A', but there was a guy on the Biker's Ward collided with some implement behind a tractor - plough, or similar - had his leg amputated after it refused to heal.
Passed A license June 2015, passed IAM test August 2021. To get a first pass you have to get top marks in each competency. 1.5 hour ride in my case with no mistakes, examined by a police rider. This includes town riding, dual carriageways, motorways, A & B roads and single track complete with moss, mud and gravel, and slow manoeuvring. As I said give it a go, challenging but fun and you come out the other end a better and safer rider.
