Speed management

Speed management is crucial for skilful riders as riding conditions constantly change. Practicing good speed management significantly reduces your risks of crashing.

You should ride to the conditions and never exceed the posted speed limits. Maintaining a 3-second crash avoidance space gives you enough time to react if something unexpected happens.

Additionally, you should maintain at least 6 seconds of vision ahead and slow down if vision is reduced in situations like blind turnes, crests, busy intersections, or bad weather.

Sharpening observation skills

Traffic and road situations change constantly. That’s why skilful riders are always observing their surroundings.

You can apply good observation with the ‘12, 6, 3’ principle:

• Look 12 seconds ahead to scan your surroundings, observe potential hazards and plan your path
• Maintain at least 6 seconds of vision of the road ahead to give you time to perceive hazards and take action
• Keep a 3 second survival space to give you time to respond and stop if required, to avoid a crash.

Good observation is more than just ‘seeing’, it’s actively scanning for potential hazards and perceiving situations as something that may require action. Doing this can significantly reduce the risk of a crash. Keep your eyes moving, check one area for a few seconds then move your eyes to another area.

Position on the road

Riders should constantly evaluate the road environment to balance space, surface and sight, in order to find the safest road position.

Space: Create buffers between you and potential hazards to increase safety. Constantly adjust your position to maintain space around you.

Surface: Be cautious of road surfaces including paint, oil, water, sand and gravel. Generally, the right wheel track of the lane offers the best surface.

Sight: Maintain a good road position to see and be seen by other motorists. Avoid blind spots and balance maximising space from hazards with the quality of the road surface and the importance of visibility.

Cornering

Cornering requires careful approach and road positioning. You should brake before entering turns, not while riding through them. Managing your speed ensures maximum tire grip and allows for acceleration out of the curve.

For a low-risk line, start your turn wide to improve vision, buffer the head-on zone, and finish the turn tight to ensure correct speed and room for errors. To navigate a series of turnes, link them together by exiting each curve tight, preparing for the next.

Observing the vanishing point helps anticipate changes in the curve. Being aware of road camber helps determine the right speed and lean angle for the curve. Positive camber supports riding, whereas negative camber can work against the rider.

Mastering braking techniques

Correct braking involves two stages, set up and squeeze, and are then gently and gradually released to maintain stability of the motorcycle. Two-stage braking improves braking effectiveness, reduces skidding and provides better control. While harsh or excessive braking may cause skidding, particularly on wet, gravel, or slippery roads.

In emergency situations, close the throttle, apply both brakes with a two-stage approach and pull the clutch just before stopping. Practicing emergency braking in a safe area can help hone skills and prepare for unexpected situations. By mastering braking techniques, experienced riders can ensure safer and more controlled rides.