Seven Tips to Become a Better, Faster and Safer Motorcycle Rider 

You packed in more life saving, technical and smart advice on riding skills in ten minutes than any RU-vid video I have ever seen. The title made me think you were going to encourage dangerous riding but you did the opposite. Even after 42 years of riding, you made me realise I need to improve several skills. The temptation of keeping up with risk takers on a group ride can be so hard to resist. Good on you for discouraging people from this practice. Oh, I just subscribed. Thanks for your wise words.

"The guy that's going faster may not be a better rider than you. He just might be willing to take more risk than you are willing to take"

Instructor in the Marines once told me “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast”. Have always applied it to my riding and it’s always done me well in being fast and safe.

The old racing adage “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast” is something to apply to both riding and driving.

Real talk...he's not only giving riding tips, these are life lessons and some philosophy mixed in there as well. Great stuff!

"You know when the first motorcycle race took place?" Me: um...1890s some- "The moment the second motorcycle was built." Me: oh, right...

I'm a new rider and have been riding exactly one year on September 25th 2021 I started with this channel and at times I rewatch the videos over and over again. The importance of how these are presented cannot be overstated. This channel saves lives and makes better riders. Thank you.

I am a brand new rider. I passed my test just last week. I have watched about 2 hrs 30 mins of your videos today. I already feel like i have earned some riding time and experience just from these videos. I have started riding at 32 after driving for 13 years and i feel like i am an experienced road user. My excitement of learning to ride a motorbike is somewhat overshadowed by sincere worry of lack of motorcycle experience. The first thing i am going to do when i ride next is go to a very quiet road and practice some of the advice you offer in these videos. Thanks so much. If only more people could see these videos i feel the road would be a much safer place!

This is one of the best riding instructional videos I have ever seen because it was presented in a clear and common sense manner where anyone could understand the message. Thank you for adding some tips to my long experience level, you are never too old or know enough to not learn more.

Great video, i am a very defensive rider. In slovenia most of the drivers are texting whilst driving, at worst drunk, don't indicate at roundabouts and are generally unaware of other road users, just like the 1950's and the Police do nothing, just respond to the accident when it happens and clear the mess. So.... as a bike rider you have to compensate for their loss of attention. I agree 100% with CC that normally bike riders are better with safe, fluent and precisely controlled braking and acceleration after cornering. But for better safety, anticipate. Anticipate for a potential accident waiting to happen is really crucial to survival on a motorcycle in particuler these days when texting is FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAT ANY THING ELSE. Hopefully i have made my point. How many people have died using a phone these days...impossible 30 years ago.Hopefully things will change for the better. Smooth is safe, smooth is faster, just watch for the pillocks. Thats my contibution hope it saves your life and your pillion you have taken responsibilitiy for. Cheers G

Slow hands and looking farther ahead. That really struck me hard and I'm very guilty of not doing it. Fantastic vid, DP!

Loved this. I recently passed my test and know I still have lots to learn. Sensible advice like this is great. So much is NOT covered in the training. The tip that most speaks to me: ride within your comfort zone. Skill and confidence comes gradually through experience.

People always talk about gravel or dirt mid corner, the fact is its not the gravel that gets you, its YOUR REACTION to the gravel that has you eating pavement. I learned recently to grab the tank hard with my knees/legs when cornering, and it completely removed all the weight from my hands, leaving no weight and leaving me completely relaxed on the handlebars (especially while cornering) and gravel, or no gravel, frost heaves etc etc, didn't make any difference Midcorner, because I was relaxed and didn't overreact to it.

It is so true, I just completed my riders course. The one thing that the instructors kept drilling into us was to keep looking up. Too many riders don't keep their head up and instead they keep looking down. As you mentioned if you keep looking ahead then you will be able to react better. Keep your head up not down at the ground.

As a novice rider still on my P plate, this vid is absolute GOLD! Not only was his advice rock solid, but he had a fun, engaging style of tuition and the little clips inbetween added nicely to the importance of that topic. So well done and thoroughly enjoyable. Thankyou! 👍

Forget yammynoob. You’re the one I’m recommending to all my customers! Thank you for the videos!

I have my own rule of thumb: Never accelerate where you cant see. This goes for blind turns, night riding in countryside, or where might have giant pot holes, oil, gravel etc... knowing how people live where you are riding also helps to expect pot holes(poor city), oils(people using old cars), turns that often have accident or traffic stops., etc...

I'm happy you hit upon the "risk" element of people who are "fast" on the street. I've ridden with people whose risk assessment was nearly completely opposite of mine, and while they were indeed faster than me, they were riding at a pace that single patch of gravel on the other side of a blind corner or a car over the double yellow would have been a catastrophe. I'm just not comfortable riding on the ragged edge like that.

I wish people would talk like this about just driving cars as well. So helpful to the progression of a rider. Keep up the great videos!

Excellent video. Here's a tip to add. Although signal lights can accurately tell you a vehicle is turning they can also mislead you at times. Always watch the front tire of a vehicle. Once it turns you have a bit of time to react.

Love the 'Capri Sun' analogy. Use it every time I ride, to remind myself to relax, something I have trouble doing. Thanks!

watching more and more videos since i took my moto driving license and used to be very confused since i always tried to be as fast as possible.Used to wonder why i dont achieve my goal.This video made me understand a couple of things.Really thank you. One more subscriber for you.

"Simple" but mind-blowing! As a new rider I was full of doubts... You made my day, sir! 🙏🏻

great video along with the trail braking video. I am daily rider here in jakarta Indonesia where the streets are flooded with motorcyclists. And on some weekends like to go for a 100-120 km ride to the mountain side. I just trying to improve my ability to be able to handle the corners on the mountain road so found your video very useful. Still need to improve my trail braking technique though. Thanks

Good tips. During my first track day I felt I was hanging off the handlebars because I was trying to come off the bike so much. Then I remembered a video I watched that reinforced what you mention here, easy on the controls.

Who knows a pro rider sharing his secrets of becoming a better driver so brilliantly and encouraging as David does? Fantastic stuff, please keep up with it. Thank you for making and sharing.

Thank you, Sir, for taking time out of your day to share your experience and knowledge so that I may be safer when I ride. :)

I'm only a third of the way through your tutorial and already find it amazing. There's an add break now so I'm back for the rest. Will comment again when it's finished.

Greeting from Argentina, I am kind of a newbie biker with only 3'000 Kms experience. having said so, i found this video, not only fun and useful, but also very educative. many thanks for having putting it together. FF

excellent - thank you! and for making me realize that ive been handling corners the right way, and just because its not how others do it, i will no longer feel badly about that.

Thank you so much. I've just returned to riding after a ten year gap - I will take away your 'slow hands' and 'look ahead' messages and treasure them!

You keep me learning more and more everyday. I love riding so much that I dont want to get complacent and want to keep riding into my elder years

I'm just learning to ride, and these videos have been so incredibly valuable. Thank you so much!

Should be required viewing for every new rider - excellent video, cheers from across the pond!

Superb info. thorough, to the point, no bs, just pure value. Thanks a bunch and ride safe!

Like my riding instructor said to me when I was learning, "You can always go slower into a corner and come out faster."

I'm getting old but I still drive so fast that I try to find ALL video's and books ike this online to help me. ... I do have to say, that I more or less already do everything that was mentioned in this video ... and most of all, looking ahead and letting my peripheral vision deal with the stuff up close. One other thing I do alot once my tires and brakes have come to proper heat range is ...I practice my panic stops. I will get the bike up to about 150 or more and then I pick a crack or a painted line on the road ahead and as soon as I hit that mark, I apply the most force I dare to practice max stopping power. This type of training cannot be completed in one day, you have to slowly work yourself up to max braking by getting to know your bike and your tires. When you change brand or style of tire, this is even more important that you learn the new limits of your new tires. Even if you read that you have been putting way too much air pressure in your tires and now you have gone from 36 down to 32 ...take your bike out and re-learn your new limits, changes in tire pressure make changes in stopping distance. Even though I have an old 99 750 SRAD, I have replaced the front brakes with 4 pot instead of 6 pot calipers, I have installed stainless steel brake lines and I use the best brakes I can find that are not racing brakes, racing brakes have to be hot to work their best, and I put on the highest traction tires for my driving style. Pirelli Corsa's all around. I have been using SuperCorsa's for 5 years, but I just can't get my money's worth out of them because the center wears so much quicker and it's a bit of a battle waiting to get them to temperature before I start dragging my knee.... and also ... I'm 63 ... hehe, don't want to ht a knee too hard, it hurts to replace them....lol

Great tips, Dave! Love tip 3: If you want to go faster...DON'T want to go faster! Well done!

Thanks a bunch for this amazing video. I came back to riding a bike after 15 years and believe me I was struggling, shattered my confidence. Started feeling I must learn all over again, this video helped me get the basics right. Feel confident.

awesome thank you - visualising is key... also - wisdom onboard and now heading out on my speed triple to ride fast and safe x

A no nonsense video, Thanks CanyonChasers . Been riding motorbikes since 1981 and I'll never stop learning

#8 Don't ride on the same roads as oncoming yellow Porsches

This is an inspirational video to keep people who absolutely should not be riding bikes motivated..to go slowly, safely and not kill themselves.

Group riding, I avoid it at all costs. I'll go for a ride with one other person, maybe two. But never more than that. I did one group ride and I regret ever doing it. There are way too many riders out there who feel it is their appointed duty to let everyone know that they are "The Rider" and that they will defend the title at any cost. As for my riding style now, slow and steady. I'm not in any hurry to get anywhere. I'll get there when I get there. Besides, why not enjoy the ride instead of zipping through it?

"Simple" but mind-blowing! As a new rider I was full of doubts... You made my day, sir!

Absolutely Amazing!! As if I've been riding wrong all along Thank you

What a gift to riders this video is. Since when didn't a motorbike video deserve an EMMY award - especially one that helps to save lives ! thanks guys.

Nice, probably the best tips on riding technique on YT. Good job!

Needed this after being passed in the twisties this morning all to find out they’re experienced track riders glad I kept my own pace and rode my own ride. I’ve learned my lesson!

How could anyone give this a thumbs down? it's accurate helpful and explained in a way that makes sense, good job!

I have been training and mentoring myself and others for years and this piece of information is not something one learns over night. Invaluable and spot on, thank you for sharing and making us all push our bar for technique and keeping us all a little bit safer!

This was a really great video, thank you for making it. I definitely made those mistakes at some point and learned through the scares, noticing my anxiety, riding fast badly etc. I need to keep hearing these things as I was really tense and wanted to grip the bars when I last went out, but braking early has saved me on more than one occasion where the corner suddenly tightens or like when a van decided to overtake a cyclist on a blind corner last week and I was wide enough to avoid my end. Did a police rider course in the uk and they said much the same with corner positioning, vision etc. - literally life saving advice thank you !

great video.. I've been riding for 10 years now.. with a few achievements I (intentionally) don't want to mention here :) BUT you DO TALK about GREAT tips for ride improvements & techniques for all levels of riders, beginners to advanced to learn. Kudos braw

Very awesome vid. Thanks for all the great tips! LOVED the film visuals 😂👍🏻🤟🏻

Great vid. My biggest takeaways for my own riding are to let the corner come to me, use brakes light, long & early, delay the apex, and look ahead, not down. Also, it's not about getting my butt out of the seat, but keeping my head on the inside of the turn. Can't wait to get my Ducati 748 back in riding shape. Most of my time is spend on an old Honda CM400 which is a very different (and much easier) riding experience. Watching this while I get the supersport into the mechanic :)

Eloquently presented, extremely informative and wisely spoken. thanks for sharing an incredible clip!

“Faster” Me wanting to get a grom: yes very fast😂

I know I'm not a fast rider. At least I can see, according to this video (and the trail braking video) that I am doing the right things already. It's such a great help to know that I must continue those things and perfect them, not change them

Damn this is the most relatable and useful video i have seeen yet on youtube 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

First time I've viewed your content and I think it's great. I'm 58 years old, been riding for about 40, and I really believe that because riding is a skill I will always need training. I know I'm not as fast as I used to think I was (!!??) but I still need to sharpen up. Thanks - I love this stuff.

East Canyon - as seen on Yamaha 'Motorcycles for Life' promotion video. Add Utah Motorcycle Campus. We have it good here. I am going to try this trail braking next time at the track. Seems spooky. Thank you for the explanation. Ride on.

I just discovered this channel today and after spending many many years riding dirt bikes, at the ripe old age of 60 I decided to purchase a adventure bike and do a little bit of road riding. My greatest concern with riding on the road was always the risks involved. Your videos have been the best thing that I have found on RU-vid for being a safe rider on the road. Thank you

Perfect video for refreshing our riding techniques! Thumbs up!

why would anyone give you a thumbs down?!! your video is spot on right and if anybody takes anything away from this video is they need to pay attention to what you are saying, you are saving lives. Thank you for such a fine educational video.

Phantastic tips. "Slow hands make fast riders."

Perfect. "Visual lead" and "slow hands" what a combo.

excellent! the best advice you gave is to looooook waaaaaay ahead! if necessary, look through the car in front of you... another thing you touched on - legs, and even more importantly feet, really help us control the motorcycle through turns. consciously push down with your inside foot when turning - it makes a huge difference. thanks for posting.

Can you do a video on trail braking and rear brake use?

Video saved, channel subscribed! There is so much excellent advice packed into this video. I've been riding 23 years, but there's always something to brush up on. The last point reminded me of what my first riding instructor taught, which is to look ahead at the car in front of the car that is in front of me, when riding in traffic. If they show their brake lights, then I know what the car in front of me is going to do before they do it, and that extra time can be crucial. Thanks for the great, memorable tips!

Excellent video , this well help me on my next trackday !

Best advices and explanation how to ride ever! There are so much dull videos about driving skills, but this is excellent. Thanks

I would suggest making a video about not hanging off the bike And why it’s not good to do that I know you touched on it briefly but going into more detail would but great emphasis on this

9:01 gave me PTSD from that same thing happening to me back in April. I'm glad i know what I did wrong and I'll always do my best never to let it happen again, improving on my riding techniques, while always remembering it did, every time I ride. Great video.

Target fixation and how not to do it. I have not seen anyone talking about it or at least not dedicating an episode on how and why... it happens and how to prevent it.

Thanks, finally a video that explains 'line' in a way I can understand. I find myself turning in too early and hitting the 'incorrect' apex and then having to readjust thereby messing the whole turn up. I now understand its ok to keep to the outside during a turn then hitting the 'correct' apex and nailing the exit. So good.

Top class !

Watched it to the end and bloody great training/advice video. Thank you. I loved it. The most difficult pat for me at now over 60 and riding again is the stopping at slow speeds. Just can't get my head around it when I'm only on tip toes as I can't flat foot. I've seen other vids but they don't really inspire me. You don't use gimmicks or white boards or even cams whilst you ride. It's a real skill you have to just advise with verbal communication and really sorry for the constant comments but I am serious and enjoyed listening to you a lot.

Number 8: Watching your vanishing point. If it moves closer, the turn is tightening up, farther and it is opening up and allows more throttle. And you will see an idiot in your lane or cops and such sooner. Guys who cross the center lines don't realize that holding your lane is part of the challenge and a HUGE safety factor! Who cares if you can get thru the bends quicker when you kill a bicyclist or hit a possum? ( the possum maybe)

Been riding a long time. But he gives clear instructions. I’m still learning. He’s a good tutor.

All great, life saving tips. I ride long distances in Indonesia where conditions can be very unpredictable, so if I may add tip #8 for those who want to adventure ride in so-called developing countries and have never left North America or Western Europe, never assume that conditions will be the same for very long - even on a stretch of road you just rode down earlier in the day, much less yesterday. Besides the unbelievable things that other people do on the road, here you can go from wide, smooth two lane trunk roads to very deep gravel washboard (or worse) just around what seems like an innocent sweeping curve. My favorite was barrelling down a new section that was a short cut (as advertised by signs) along a desolate coast, an alternative to a longer route in East Java. It was dusk, I was tired after 2000 km and wanted to get a hotel room rather than camp. There were no street lights yet but it was a great surface- until I found my self flying in the dark off the end of the asphalt and landing on gravel and potholes. Somehow I stayed upright on a 650 Versys with 17inch wheels, but was certainly chastened! So there it is - never assume anything unless you see it.

One of the best riding videos on safety I have seen

Thankyou! Hope you recognise you could be saving many riders with this sort of video!

1) Tires is the biggest change. Had a shit stock couple of dunlops. Took a solid 10minutes to warm them up. They lost heat in seconds. Regardless of psi the edge of the tire would always chip away when riding fast. Horrible contact patch when leaned over. Michelin Pilot powers (not that dual compound shit) changed everything. The dual compound is ok, but the tire heats unevenly imo. Edit: if you have to ride even 10miles highway to get to the vehical-less twisties - go dual compound. The single will eat the center patch if you're bike isn't leaned constantly. 2) Learn to ride only in the left 1/3rd of the lane. I see a ton of bikers always hit the middle of the lane especially at stop lights. Fucking dumb. You can't get away with that shit in August heat with the oil and random re-taring / graveling of country roads. 3) Set the sag & rebound on your suspension correctly. This will save your life if you do something stupid. Obv. don't do something stupid. 4) Fuck the ego. Not worth your life.

I have watched this video many, times and it seems each time I pick up something mew or refresh. Excelent information, thank you so very much. Ride safe

It's okay to brake while turning?

Great info! I’d not heard anyone else talking about the early braking before and I’m currently binge watching motorcycle skills. This was very useful. Thanks from the uk😊

Haha...Cliche but truth...To finish first, you first have to finish.

Good stuff, please do the other videos you suggested - may save lots of lives

Great video with brilliant information in there, you spoke a bit about body position & not hanging off the bike & that is what I am searching the net for how to position my body without hanging off, how much & where do I move my upper body to assist the bike in the corner or should I just stay inline with the bike & not bother moving at all. An informative video would be good.

Fully approve that! After 5000km of bike riding I definitvely start to feel what "feels" good and not so good, and you summarized it pretty well!

I’ve been riding for over twenty years and this is one the best videos I’ve ever seen. Kudos!

I don't do track days, just love riding all over, to work and abroad for long trips. Got a zzr 1400 (zx 14 Kawa) and every second must be fun but safe. All your tips are entirely reflected in the advanced motorcycling I am undertaking here in the UK. And I can definitely tell that by being more careful and planning ahead I have way more fun with more safe speeds all over. Likes your vid so now have just suscribed. Keep them coming.

One of the best video i've seen recently explaining how to lean and more about racing...

Excellent videos. I’ve binge watched them, and learned a lot.

Your comments are so simple, and natural. Thank you for sharing your life experiences. They are so easy to follow. I will follow your advices. I will like to see more about tight u turns. That’s my greatest fear. I think I need more practice.

Wasn't expecting the information to be this good. Worth watching

Good stuff! I always teach “Don’t look where you are going... look where you want to go!!”

I am a rookie biker. This video made me realise that now I am moving forward in right direction. Feeling the ride and progressing.

Thank you. I have only been riding for a few years and this is information I have heard but, this is an excellent refresh.

Thanks so much. As a starter rider I appreciate the information. Solid and safe. Much bette than some of the trash talk out there on the net. Cheers.