Handling on different road surfaces

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi peeps,

Another Q for all you experienced riders to answer:

What should we newbies be watching out for in terms of different road surfaces in relation to cornering and handling of the bike?

I know obviously to look out for gravel and loose chippings etc. But I mean more like that red tarmac they put in some places, and on my way to work in Llandaff, I come off junction 34 past Castell Mynach and on one of the bends, there is yellow tarmac - it is safe to corner with gusto or take it easy on this type of surface?

Also, the other thing that gets me on that road is where the road's been teared up in the past by the utilities companies and they've filled in with a line of tarmac down the centre. Now I tend to try and avoid those bits for example.

Anyway, just thought you chaps and chapesses would have some informed info for us newbies 

[Pope]

the 'yellow' tarmac like the stuff outside Terrys is shellgrip

As long as it isn't broken up into a million pieces then it's grippy enough to get a kneedown in the wet with 

If a road has just been re-surfaced and is shiny dark black then it's not as grippy as it looks! 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Its funny,I have been riding on the road for many years,and I am very particular with checking tyre pressure.Even riding different bikes in the shop,if we have put new tyres on etc within two weeks i check tyre pressures.most bikes we service are running low tyre pressure.Check your pressure,build up confidence,do a Bike safe coarse.Enjoy motorcycling.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Where exactly do you find out about a bike safe course. I don't have any big issues with the roads as I tend to take it easy at moment, at least till I've got enough miles under my belt, and the only close shaves have been white van man on roundabout but I have a drive surface thats from the bowels of hell and I'd like to learn more about bike handling in that department. any ideas?

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Where exactly do you find out about a bike safe course. I don't have any big issues with the roads as I tend to take it easy at moment, at least till I've got enough miles under my belt, and the only close shaves have been white van man on roundabout but I have a drive surface thats from the bowels of hell and I'd like to learn more about bike handling in that department. any ideas?

You can find out about Bikesafe here: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Some councils are subsidising the course too.

Tris

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Where exactly do you find out about a bike safe course. I don't have any big issues with the roads as I tend to take it easy at moment, at least till I've got enough miles under my belt, and the only close shaves have been white van man on roundabout but I have a drive surface thats from the bowels of hell and I'd like to learn more about bike handling in that department. any ideas?

You can find out about Bikesafe here: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

Some councils are subsidising the course too.

Tris

Oh wow that's amazing info - massive thanks!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Done the Bike Safe weekend a couple of years back, in Portishead. It was real fun. You have radios but they are 1 way so you can only hear him.
 The unnerving bit was seeing a Police bike in your rear view mirrors for so long.
The good bits were when the PC had to have words with car drivers. One cut up the leading bike, took it in turns to lead, so the PC shot off. When we caught him up, we had to stick to the speed limit, he was really tearing a strip off the driver. The poor lass on the mobile won't forget it either.
They also gave us an opportunity to try out our handling skills by doing 3 circles, chicane and another 3 circles the other way - Harleys and pure sports bike suffered.
Then there was the "cups of tea"  in the evenings.