7 Worst Riding Mistakes Beginner Riders Make (Fix Them Now!)

Summary

In this video, the instructor addresses common mistakes made by beginner riders that lead to crashes. Key mistakes include failing to close the throttle while braking, snatching the front brake, overusing the rear brake, and improper clutch use. The instructor demonstrates how to fix these issues with specific techniques, such as adjusting the throttle grip, using smooth braking, and avoiding unnecessary clutch pulls. The importance of good throttle control and learning proper braking habits is emphasized to improve safety and prevent accidents, ensuring new riders ride confidently and safely.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always close the throttle completely before braking to avoid a lowside accident.
• 😀 Pulling in the clutch during braking can lead to problems like rear wheel lock-up or highside crashes; instead, use a specific throttle grip technique.
• 😀 The correct throttle grip helps prevent whiskey throttle by naturally closing the throttle when the rider is thrown back.
• 😀 Developing a correct body posture while accelerating and braking helps you maintain better control and improves braking efficiency.
• 😀 Practice the throttle and brake coordination on a safe stretch of road to develop muscle memory for smooth, controlled riding.
• 😀 Never snatch the front brake; apply it gradually to allow proper weight transfer and avoid front tire skid or lowside accidents.
• 😀 Using only the rear brake results in significantly longer stopping distances; always rely on the front brake for most of your stopping power.
• 😀 Avoid dragging the rear brake, which leads to overheating and excessive wear; only cover the rear brake when needed.
• 😀 Do not overuse the clutch; use it only when necessary to avoid developing bad habits, especially in situations like turns or sudden slowdowns.
• 😀 Smooth throttle control is crucial to avoid sudden bike movements, such as highside crashes, wheelies, or skids. Treat the throttle like a dial, not a switch.

Q & A

What is the first major mistake beginner riders make according to the video?

The first major mistake is trying to brake quickly while failing to close the throttle completely. This can lead to a lowside crash due to loss of traction.

Why does failing to close the throttle while braking cause problems?

When the throttle isn't closed, the engine continues to power the rear wheel, which can make the bike harder to stop quickly, especially during emergency braking, leading to longer stopping distances.

What is the solution to avoid the problem of not closing the throttle completely?

The solution is to adopt a specific throttle grip where the wrist is flat, forcing the throttle to close when reaching for the front brake. This helps prevent the throttle from being accidentally left open.

What is 'Whiskey throttle' and how can it be prevented?

'Whiskey throttle' occurs when a rider grabs the throttle too forcefully, causing the bike to accelerate uncontrollably. The specific throttle grip discussed in the video, with a flat wrist, helps to prevent this by naturally closing the throttle when the rider is thrown back.

How does body positioning affect throttle control and braking?

Leaning forward when accelerating counters the body being thrown back, and leaning back while braking helps to naturally close the throttle. This body movement improves both acceleration and braking by helping to control the throttle smoothly.

What exercise is recommended to develop muscle memory for throttle and front brake control?

The exercise involves finding an empty stretch of road, putting the bike in first gear, and practicing short, controlled accelerations and decelerations. The rider should focus on using the front brake and throttle without touching the rear brake or clutch.

What is the consequence of snatching the front brake too quickly?

Snatching the front brake too quickly causes the front tire to lose grip, which can lead to a lowside crash. The proper technique is to apply the brake gradually, allowing the tire to load with weight progressively, ensuring better traction.

Why do some riders avoid using the front brake entirely?

Some riders avoid using the front brake out of fear of flipping over the handlebars or skidding the front tire. However, this is a mistake because the front brake provides more than 90% of the bike's stopping power, and relying solely on the rear brake results in much longer stopping distances.

What problem arises from constantly dragging the rear brake?

Dragging the rear brake causes it to overheat and wear out quickly, as the rider is unintentionally applying the brake even when it's not needed.

Why do new riders tend to overuse the clutch, and what is the recommended approach?

New riders often overuse the clutch because they are trained in slow-speed exercises where it's necessary to prevent stalling. However, over time, it's important to use the clutch only when necessary, rather than in every situation.

What is the danger of using a twitchy throttle on a motorcycle?

A twitchy throttle, where the rider makes abrupt, jerky throttle movements, can cause the bike to lose traction or suddenly regain it, resulting in either a skid (lowside) or a violent motion (highside) that can throw the rider off.

What is the key to smooth throttle control?

The key to smooth throttle control is rolling on and off the throttle smoothly, like turning a dial, rather than flicking it abruptly. This helps maintain better control of the bike’s power and prevents sudden, uncontrollable movements.