| I commute into central London everyday on my 750SS. This is where I do probably 90% of my riding (bit sad isn't it). I've also done a couple of track days, the odd club ride out and a good few weekends away on the bike. I also don't own a car.
Perhaps, because I'm only riding a 750SS, I don't have the superbike power problem.
The problems as I see them are, in no particular order:
1. The state of the roads. Potholes, bumps, spills, gravel etc. All been mentioned above.
2. Car drivers who either a) aren't paying attention because they are on their phone, applying lipstick, reading a map etc b) pull out of a side street to make a right hand turn and block on coming traffic as they wait for a gap c) run red lights and d) change lanes without indicating.
3. Pedestrians who think they can cross the road anywhere they like, especially if they think the traffic has stopped moving (look out for that bike lane splitting!), or think they can cross at lights when the little man is "red."
4. Riding with the red mist. Relax, slow down, use your own indicators. You'll still arrive a long time before your mate in their car or on public transport. There's no need to ride like a ****.
5. Wear your protective gear. OK, so I don't _always_ wear my leather trousers and boots. Helmet, gloves and jacket 100% of the time though. But the number of times I see scooter riders in a t-shirt, flip flops and or shorts is frankly frightening. Even saw a GSX-R rider up the high street without a shirt on at all on Sunday.
Now all that's not to say that I'm never at fault or never ride that little bit too quick. But quite often any one of the above mentioned items come into play and create the danger.
PhillC
P.S. Oh and use your horn, a lot.  |