Do you watch Superbikes on TV and remember the good times you had on bikes when you were younger?
We know that riding is exhilarating, but don’t be blind to reality; the bikes you used to ride were slow, didn’t corner too well and quite often didn’t want to stop either.
Today’s bikes are technological masterpieces. They’re built using lighter materials, have very powerful engines, large radial tyres, disc brakes and are often fitted with traction control and anti-lock brakes.
Superbike riders vs. road riders
Even the expert Superbike riders get it wrong sometimes. They ride on the limit and are prepared for a fall. But remember, TV doesn’t show the agony the rider will be in the next day. Road riders can’t rely on the relative safety of a gravel trap, they’re more likely to hit a kerb, a wall, tree, lamppost, another vehicle…
Staying out of trouble
The best riders have developed a higher level of concentration than the average rider and are continually scanning around them for signs of possible danger. They don't wait for something to develop. Everything is planned; travelling at a safe speed with the bike in the right gear and in the safest position on the road.
You'll find most of these riders have taken defensive riding courses and are constantly developing these skills.
It's a sad fact, but riders returning to biking after a long period of time without training are more vulnerable and are likely to be involved in an accident in their first two weeks of riding.
Motorcyclists are 45 times more likely to be killed on the road than car drivers, and these figures are rising.
What can you do?
If you think training is boring, try to look at it as development. After all, if you were trying to improve your golf swing or your tennis game, you wouldn't think twice about taking lessons with a professional.
Don't learn the hard way - the school of hard knocks can be a very painful way to learn and in some cases you don't graduate.
Motorcyclists represent less than one per cent of all road traffic but suffer 18 per cent of deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
If it's a long time since you rode a bike, consider taking a basic training course. Talk to a professional trainer about advanced riding courses. They're all enthusiastic motorcyclists who are happy to pass on their knowledge.
Advanced training is available from various organisations. You can get information on these from the road safety officer at your local council or from the Yellow Pages.
