h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

thanks for the input guys, keep forgetting the small global differences!

you say tomato....

Now I've learned something. I'd never heard 'figure of eight'.

According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, though, in that case the correct plural is 'figures of eight'.

Entry: LOW SPEED MOTORCYCLE CONTROL - A87797362
Author: Freewayriding - U14998677


'Page turner' link

Welcome to h2g2 Freewayriding! You must be feeling right at home now, we only reserve this level of pernicktyness for our regular writing crew

And figures of eight does sound better to me - after some sleep! Thanks Dmitri

Lanzababy

Anytime.

She's right, FWR. You should see what we do to each other.

Bangs heads on wall...what have I let myself in for?

I should just point out that we have a special biker smiley for our biker friends. as so < biker > without the spaces.

Feel free to use it

I have been following this thread, and Entry fairly closely.

I find both the subject and approach very well done, there are a few small points (and links) that can easily be handled by the Sub-Editor.

The only point I have not seen adequately responded to by our Researchers is Icy North's point in Post 14.

Sorry, Freewayriding, we are an important website, and can not just take someone's credentials at their own word.

That said let me quickly reply that I have seen sufficient evidence that everything we have read here is true and correct.

As no one else has stepped forward, I will offer a bit of my own background and opinion on this subject.

I have already stated that I am not a biker, that is not to say that I have never been on a motorbike under controlled conditions. I do have thousands of miles experience driving both a two-seat sports car and a ten wheel lorry (both with a clutch).

I understand every point in the Entry, and see absolutely nothing unsafe or ill-advised. I agree with and endorse every concept.

If anyone would like to offer a contrary opinion this would be a good time to post it

I will get off my high now - good will to all!



F S

I don't know anything about motorbikes. I don't even know where the controls are. So are they always in the same place? Does this entry need to take into account different controls on different bikes?

"Note, this Entry presumes knowledge of your motorcycles controls and safe practice based on UK riding . Although the techniques in this Entry may be used worldwide and by riders of mixed ability, it is recommended that any new rider seek professional training."

All valid points, can I just say that this is not meant as a definative Instruction manual merely 'good free advice ' for those struggling to control a bike in slow speed situations. Over in England all new riders have to legally complete Compulsory Basic Training, one of the Modules is motorcycle controls, where they are, what they do and what to look out for. ( can't comment on elsewhere in the world!). A large part of the off-road element should be dedicated to low speed control and the ATB happy that the student has mastered this before being allowed to venture out onto the public highways.

I fully understand the implications if this entry contains inaccurate information and maybe, due to the previously mentioned concerns I should've written about something else a bit safer/easier ? Within the multitude of Entries on here some do cover some contentious material and I presume the authors have been vetted in the same way? for example the recent cycling advice, I dont ride bicycles (thats what engines were invented for) but presume these tips wouldn't kill me if I chose to follow the advice,not knowing how to propell, steer or brake a pedal cycle in traffic or headwinds... think it's all relative to the experience of the author and the fears of the reader.

I will be guided by you fine folk, thanks again for your guidance and support.

ride safe

FWR

Both daughters said the hardest part of their CBT was the handling of the bike during slow , and took them a while to sort it out.

Actually, the only time VV dropped her bike was in making a slow, as she thought, safe, U-turn - Her prized namesake (virago) was on its side and she unable to pick it up! A kind neighbour came out and helped her!

Please have them read this entry would be interesting to have their thoughts...
bet she looked down and grabbed her front brake!! go on a fiver!

I don't think so. She was just going too slow.

I asked by she didn't use her feet, and she said - 'I forgot'

OK, since you didn't answer my question in posting 28, I've looked it up. Some bikes seem to have the rear brake controlled by the left foot while others have it controlled by the right foot. Is that correct?

Does this mean that your section on left bends and right bends needs to be changed?

My apologies!

Didin't realize it was a direct question aimed at me, still very new to this site and am blundering my way around the pitfalls and minutae of editorial bits...

If we are going into the realms of scooters, mopeds, pre-unit vintage bikes, classic Americans and custom bikes where the controls are fitted differently depending on the designers whims or bespoke machines catering for disabled riders, I will of course ammend the Entry.

What usually happerns when a student ( very very occasionally) arrives on a machine with different controls, the Instructor should take time to have a ride and get used to how the machine haddles, any differences can then be worked into the lessons. I have myself taught disabled riders who have majorly modified machines, principles the same just have to adapt your lesson plan to cover semi auto clutches, handlebar mounted rea brake and gear levers.. the list would be infinate on bespoke bikes.

A quick answer would be scooters, (modern or vintage) the rear brake takes the job of the clutch as they're auto or semi auto, turning and control principles are the same ( reins on a horse for that one!), pre unit and vintage bikes again would have to be assessed and the Instructor adapts to the likes of left hand gear levers, right hand throttle advance retard controls.ad infinitum.

Would appear this attempt of mine has really been aimed at modern motorcycles, fitted with standard clutch, brake, gear and throttle controls, not scooters, classics or bespoke machines..I will ammend my feeble scribblings again.

Think using 'motorcycle' in the title would've been a big clue, but that you for pointing the way Gnomon!

have ammended the leader

'thank' you even.. before my typing gets trashed!

lol,thanks lil,

have put a sentence into my poor little effort reminding folk they are in fact on two wheels and need to remember to put left foot down, thanks for pointing out yet another obvious omission!

It's looking good

The charm and wit of the original writing still remains!


I've just noticed that el D dropped you a message, too!

I know he has a HUGE bike!

Thanks for putting in the note explaining the controls, Freewayriding.

I think, though, that it detracts from the original opening of the Entry - instead of reading about Cozmo, we're now reading about the position of the controls. The Cozmo opening was a good one which grabbed the reader's attention, so we need to keep it that way. I'd prefer that the note about controls was moved to a footnote or just positioned in the section where it becomes relevant - where you're talking about left and right bends.

If you don't know how to put in a footnote, just put [Sub-editor: please convert this to a footnote] in the entry and the sub-editor will do that later.

thanks!