[BISQ]

NOT PRACTICING!! (braking, emergency manoevers, etc)

Target fixation

Not understanding countersteering

Not making smooth inputs to the controls

Ridng over their heads

Not learning about MSF-skills and traffic awareness

[The CyberPoet]

Pushing other riders to go your (my) speed, or visa-versa, when riding together. That's the one mistake I make too frequently (I ride rather fast on the interstates), often because I don't realize their physical limitations (such as poor night vision).

Not urinating frequently enough (leads to kidney stones because of the vibrational nature of motorcycles). Once you've had one, you learn that lesson well.

Not drinking enough fluids because riding is a fairly non-taxing event; just breathing robs you of substancial liquids on a motorcycle at speed.

The others covered the traditional ones.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

Going fast to early, kinda like running before learning how to walk.
The rest of the guys have touch base on the most frequent one like Cyber said.

I have a question, what foot do you put down first? I have always put the left foot down first. It could be because I dominate on the left. I dunno!

[The CyberPoet]

I have a question, what foot do you put down first? I have always put the left foot down first. It could be because I dominate on the left. I dunno!

The one closest to the ground...
It's highly dependent on the slope of the ground.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[ThAzKat]

I have a question, what foot do you put down first? I have always put the left foot down first. It could be because I dominate on the left. I dunno!

The one closest to the ground...
It's highly dependent on the slope of the ground.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[BISQ]

I have a question, what foot do you put down first? I have always put the left foot down first. It could be because I dominate on the left. I dunno!

Hmm. Sometimes right, sometimes left, sometimes both. I'm not sure if I favor one or the other.

[SlipKid]

I have a question, what foot do you put down first? I have always put the left foot down first. It could be because I dominate on the left. I dunno!

I typically put down the left, so as to keep the rear brake covered. Especially if I need to have a hand free to fiddle with something, raise my visor, etc.

[WildKat]

Yup, always the left , not sure if its just force of habit..im right handed though, so who knows..i think it really depends on if Im sitting there with it in gear or in neutral.. if its in neutral..my right foot is down so I can put it in gear when the light changes and hit it.

[dark169]

Being in a higher gear then you should be.
Attempting to lose speed after you start a turn.
Keeping up with better riders pushing it too far.

[1BlueKat]

leaving turn signals on

I do that a lot.

Lane postioning, I move around in the lane most all the time. I move to where I can see as far down the road as I can. And, by constantly moving, cagers are always looking at me to see what I am doing or going to do. But that is what is comfortable to me.

[soccersteve]

something i do a lot that you may concieve as squidly....

when my buds and i all ride, we generally park close to the place we're going. sometimes if we go to the movies, we park front row in the XXXed off sections. sometimes on the sidewalk. but if we park on the sidewalk, i generally run it by the security guard or at least someone who looks important or has access to a tow truck number..

[Mojoe]

relying on the rear brake

Sorry, but I don't get it. Considerring that the rear brake accounts for 30-40% of your stopping power, you most certainly should rely on it. This is not the first time on this and the other forum that someone mentions ..or insinuates that you should not rely on the rear brake. At the gap, I think I will make a challenge. Who can stop in the shortest distance from a set speed without locking the brakes. I think when some of you riders who shy away from using the rear brake see just how much farther it takes for you to stop than someone who is confident in their use of the rear brake, you will make it an intention to work on it.


as for what I think is the most common mistake? there are so many different mistakes that can be made...and that I see made, that it is hard to pick just one. But the one that probably irritates me the most is hearing someone give the wrong advice to someone. I have seen it on forums and in real life way too often. No offense paperairplane, but your answer in my opinion is a good example. Drop your bike some day and snap off the front brake lever and you will know what I am talking about. It can happen, because i did it and had to drive over 200 miles with 3 givi hardcases loaded with gear and a passenger on back with only a rear brake. Right through Montreal in heavy traffic at that.
Telling someone not to rely on the rear brake in my opinion is bad advice. Sorry, not trying to be insulting or anything, but that is just how I feel. It is there for a reason.

[ThAzKat]

I am sure we all are or were guilty of all of the above at one time or other!!! I know I am!!!!

[ProZac]

Not sure about the MSF course in the US but here in Canada part of the training is to teach you to keep your rear brake covered if at all possible when you are stopped. If you put both feet down or the right foot down it's points against you.

[Crackshot]

*cough* not that _I_ ever did this....


but breaking while turning. BAD idea.