
When asked, the majority of people think they are a good rider. The problem is that we suck at measuring our own abilities. This is so common that two researchers named Dunning and Kruger created the Dunning–Kruger effect that describes…
When asked, the majority of people think they are a good rider. The problem is that we suck at measuring our own abilities. This is so common that two researchers named Dunning and Kruger created the Dunning–Kruger effect that describes…
This article was originally published in Motorcyclist Magazine. Their names are infamous; Pordoi, Sella, Gavia, Gardena, and of course Stelvio. These are just a few of the mountain passes that snake up and over the mighty Italian Alps and jagged…
Here is a list of the top 10 things riders need to know (but often don’t): 1. Traction management and direction control are directly affected by load transferring to the tires. 2. Timing of deceleration, braking, countersteering and acceleration directly…
The RITZ article on knee dragging is one of the most viewed posts on the website. I can understand why. Dragging a knee is a measure of sport riding accomplishment for many. Nothing says “sport bike hero” better than fully…
Most riders sit pretty much upright in the saddle. There’s nothing wrong with that, however they are not utilizing a simple tool that helps the motorcycle turn, engages the rider in the “dance” between human and machine and increases ground…
What is Throttle Blipping? To execute smooth downshifts it is important to match the engine speed with the road speed. You can do this by slowly easing out the clutch (after you apply the brakes, please). But sometimes a rapid…
This episode is on trailbraking. What is it, what are the benefits and how do you do it? Sometimes delaying your braking can be a useful tool. Trail braking is a technique that is done by continuing to brake beyond…
Getting your motorcycle stopped in time to avoid a collision is one of the most important skills you can have. But, simply being able to apply maximum brake force isn’t enough (even if you have modern ABS). Here is an…
At the request of the district manager for the Northeast Region, I booked several dates during mid-to-late winter of 2018. One event was held at Wilkins Harley-Davidson, located in South Barre, Vermont. As with each of the talk, around 100…
This is a clear demonstration of the consequences of not having proper braking skills. Take a look and then I’ll give you my opinion. I’ll wait. A shocking number of riders in this video’s original version blamed everything but the…
Guest writer Paul Duval shares his thoughtful observations about performance cornering based on electronic data gathering. Corner speed. It is the holy grail of motorcycle road racing and track day riding alike. Knee down and railing, carving the corners like…
I always thought pledges were a crock until I learned the potential benefit in encouraging behavior change, risk awareness and a quest for greater proficiency. The point of signing this pledge is four-fold. First, it is a way to help…
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE ENERGICA REVIEW, CLICK HERE. SORRY FOR THE MESS UP. There is nothing like video to help demonstrate cornering techniques. Ride along with me as I explain cornering and the nuances of managing a downhill turn,…
Here’s a video of me commenting while following an average rider through a twisty road. I point out the rider’s body position, cornering lines and throttle timing, and comment on how he could do better. Notice his mid-corner adjustments. This…
Note: This article pertains to all types of riders. So, please read on. What happens to sport bike riders when they get old? Most people think of sport bike riders as young men in their 20’s or 30’s. A lot…
Here is another installment of “Videos Lessons” where we pull from the seemingly never ending supply of rider videos from which we can learn. Even though these are 2 very slow speed crashes, the injuries could have been serious. I…
Here is another video that I’m pretty sure demonstrates how we humans don’t want to admit when we screw up. See the video of the poor guy who sideswiped a big truck on his R6. The problem that he says the…
Guest contributor Ed Conde shares his experiences about how track days have helped his street riding. The Next Level I came to riding late. I did not begin riding until I was pushing 50. I tried to make up for…
It was a long and cold winter here in the Northeast, but at the first Tony’s Track Days event of the year at the beginning of May, we were given clear skies and ideal temperatures. Last year, I worked hard…
A “cornering line” is the path you follow around a corner. Riding a narrow, single-track vehicle means we are able to select the left, center or right positions within the lane. The “basic” cornering line starts by entering the turn…