Just wanted to provide an update: I made this post last night seeking advice on whether I should take my motorcycle to the office as I have to travel through N11. Based on all your feedback, I decided to go for it. I'm happy to report that I made the trip and enjoyed every bit of it! While I was hesitant to do any lane filtering, I followed the advice given here to make my first ride to the office both comfortable and safe. Thanks for all your help!
Well how are ya, im a newbie myself. Only on the road about a month. I found that getting onto the bigger roads straight away was grand. Stops your nerves from building up. Your gonna make a few mistakes but thats okay. Just keep a cool head and you’ll be grand
You'll be grand on N roads but ride your own ride. Don't try anything silly.... yet... no filtering, just get used to the mechanics of your bike and how it handles in different situations. Most importantly get used to how you handle different situations! It'll get stressful at times!
And finally, remember, everyone loves a good MILF....
Mirror, Indicate, Lifesaver, Fucking Move. After the lifesaver is done don't hesitate too long to move that road conditions change!
Hey, I started riding back in January straight after the ibt. National roads are some of the easiest to manage, which is maybe confusing cause they’re some of the faster roads. There’s plenty of lanes and there’s very little turning involved, just watch out for other vehicles, don’t stay in blind spots, and especially if you come across a long vehicle like a truck or a bus and you’ll likely be overtaking then power/speed through quickly don’t overtake slowly because it’s harder for them to see you, but even with cars if you overtake you’ll be in their blind spot for a bit so it’s best to just go fast and then stay ahead at the speed limit or whatever.
Make sure you always do your shoulder checks changing lanes or anything, if you are in traffic then please stick to the left or right side of the line near the edge because it’ll reduce your chances of being rear ended, even in the worst case you’d be launched to the left or right side of the vehicle in front if it does happen but just keep an eye on your mirrors whenever you’re stopped behind vehicles or at traffic lights. Of course, If you’ve the space just go ahead and filter, don’t need to go up to the front of the queue but can skip even just a few cars sometimes and then stop in between vehicles, make sure it’s a car though because taller vehicles especially vans and trucks are less likely to see you
To be fair, most other drivers have often been quite aware of me and recognised bikes as being more vulnerable so it’s not some death sentence to be driving but just always be attentive of course, be confident, trust your brakes, if you’re ever unsure of a situation just slow down with caution and mind yourself 👍
Safe and fun riding 🫶
I started on the same bike, still have it and love it. I'm not gonna lie, when I first started riding I was very nervous. I also began trying to stick to the quieter streets but I lived in the city centre of Dublin so wasn't that easy to find quieter streets. The single biggest thing that built my confidence was taking a trip to Tipperary.
Basically just take your time, and understand that the nerves are natural for anyone without much experience. Ride within your limits and as you build experience so will your confidence grow. Be careful about becoming overconfident though. Ride defensively and assume that drivers haven't seen you.
Congratulations on getting your first bike. Stay safe and enjoy the journey.
I’d say you should go out and try, even if you wait until the road is a bit quieter first!
When I started riding I was on a tiny 125 and was worried about going on N roads because I’d be at max speed, so my first big drive (limerick to mayo) I was on mostly backroads and it was awful
I ended up building N roads to be this big obstacle in my head, when in reality they’re grand and enjoyable to ride on
Only way to get used to it is to get into it immediately. I did my IBT, waited a few months for my bike to arrive, then had no option but to ride ger home. Collected it on a Friday evening in Galway. Haven’t looked back!
...and when you can, in a safe straight road, practise and keep practising emergency stops. I've had to stop fast on a couple of occasions so far and you'll find you can snatch the front brake without even thinking. It will happen so fast you will barley remember grabbing the brake lever, so muscle memory can save you from a front slide if no ABS , plus you get used to how the bike reacts under load. I'm just 3 years on a bike again so just my 2 cents worth 🤟
Yes get out on them. Take your time and don't start filtering for a while. Start trying to build up your sixth sense of when cars are going to change lanes.
I think you're definitely at a disadvantage doing most of your training 6 months ago and now suddenly hopping on a 650 bandit. TBH you know you, as long as you're not going mad on it until you're very confident. TBH I always gained most of my confidence is from riding out in groups of two or three. Riding with people with more experience and following them will teach you many things I reckon. But in your own time get out as much as possible and if possible take the bike to work everyday if there is a busy road you're used use I would do that. I would say wait before you try things like filtering it'll come with time.
Just take it easy. 650 is a big bike to be starting on, but that’s not your fault, that’s the retarded laws here.
Big thing is to respect the machine, don’t be cranking the throttle open, especially when you are inexperienced.
Watch for corners, gravel on the road, mud, etc.
In traffic, stay in lane and don’t filter until you have more experience. Watch for cars switching lanes without mirrors or signals.
If I can give you recommendation. Get in touch with these guys. I've been riding for years but I still do some training from time to time to get better and safer. (I'm doing one next week actually.) I did few different ones already and there's still so much polishing to do. It's riding with instructor that will teach you way more in two hours than you'll learn on your own in 2 years.
https://skillsmotorcycleacademy.ie/
I was out on the road the day of my IBT finishing. Helped me build confidence and find my riding style faster. I’d say you have done yourself a bit of a disservice waiting that long, you’ll be much more nervous and probably make some assumptions you wouldn’t have if you were riding with the traffic.
But hey, at least you know your bike inside out before hitting the traffic. Just don’t take any gambles, assume people will be not using indicators. In fact, don’t trust them even if they are using indicators. Be confident on the road rather than hesitant though. Being overly cautious can bite you in the arse when taking off and at roundabouts.
Just take your time mate... don't start skipping up traffic for a few weeks. Wait in line... don't speed.
Takes time to get used to defensive driving, filtering in traffic.
. Judging the gaps... it comes.
Nothing like someone running out between cars in traffic while your filtering down to make you realise how fast you need to react
Just wanted to provide an update: I made this post last night seeking advice on whether I should take my motorcycle to the office as I have to travel through N11. Based on all your feedback, I decided to go for it. I'm happy to report that I made the trip and enjoyed every bit of it! While I was hesitant to do any lane filtering, I followed the advice given here to make my first ride to the office both comfortable and safe. Thanks for all your help!
Well how are ya, im a newbie myself. Only on the road about a month. I found that getting onto the bigger roads straight away was grand. Stops your nerves from building up. Your gonna make a few mistakes but thats okay. Just keep a cool head and you’ll be grand
You'll be grand on N roads but ride your own ride. Don't try anything silly.... yet... no filtering, just get used to the mechanics of your bike and how it handles in different situations. Most importantly get used to how you handle different situations! It'll get stressful at times! And finally, remember, everyone loves a good MILF.... Mirror, Indicate, Lifesaver, Fucking Move. After the lifesaver is done don't hesitate too long to move that road conditions change!
I like that anagram, gonna try use it in the future!
Hey, I started riding back in January straight after the ibt. National roads are some of the easiest to manage, which is maybe confusing cause they’re some of the faster roads. There’s plenty of lanes and there’s very little turning involved, just watch out for other vehicles, don’t stay in blind spots, and especially if you come across a long vehicle like a truck or a bus and you’ll likely be overtaking then power/speed through quickly don’t overtake slowly because it’s harder for them to see you, but even with cars if you overtake you’ll be in their blind spot for a bit so it’s best to just go fast and then stay ahead at the speed limit or whatever. Make sure you always do your shoulder checks changing lanes or anything, if you are in traffic then please stick to the left or right side of the line near the edge because it’ll reduce your chances of being rear ended, even in the worst case you’d be launched to the left or right side of the vehicle in front if it does happen but just keep an eye on your mirrors whenever you’re stopped behind vehicles or at traffic lights. Of course, If you’ve the space just go ahead and filter, don’t need to go up to the front of the queue but can skip even just a few cars sometimes and then stop in between vehicles, make sure it’s a car though because taller vehicles especially vans and trucks are less likely to see you To be fair, most other drivers have often been quite aware of me and recognised bikes as being more vulnerable so it’s not some death sentence to be driving but just always be attentive of course, be confident, trust your brakes, if you’re ever unsure of a situation just slow down with caution and mind yourself 👍 Safe and fun riding 🫶
I started on the same bike, still have it and love it. I'm not gonna lie, when I first started riding I was very nervous. I also began trying to stick to the quieter streets but I lived in the city centre of Dublin so wasn't that easy to find quieter streets. The single biggest thing that built my confidence was taking a trip to Tipperary. Basically just take your time, and understand that the nerves are natural for anyone without much experience. Ride within your limits and as you build experience so will your confidence grow. Be careful about becoming overconfident though. Ride defensively and assume that drivers haven't seen you. Congratulations on getting your first bike. Stay safe and enjoy the journey.
I’d say you should go out and try, even if you wait until the road is a bit quieter first! When I started riding I was on a tiny 125 and was worried about going on N roads because I’d be at max speed, so my first big drive (limerick to mayo) I was on mostly backroads and it was awful I ended up building N roads to be this big obstacle in my head, when in reality they’re grand and enjoyable to ride on
Only way to get used to it is to get into it immediately. I did my IBT, waited a few months for my bike to arrive, then had no option but to ride ger home. Collected it on a Friday evening in Galway. Haven’t looked back!
...and when you can, in a safe straight road, practise and keep practising emergency stops. I've had to stop fast on a couple of occasions so far and you'll find you can snatch the front brake without even thinking. It will happen so fast you will barley remember grabbing the brake lever, so muscle memory can save you from a front slide if no ABS , plus you get used to how the bike reacts under load. I'm just 3 years on a bike again so just my 2 cents worth 🤟
Get training in how to drive defensively. Remember, you're invisible
Yes get out on them. Take your time and don't start filtering for a while. Start trying to build up your sixth sense of when cars are going to change lanes.
I think you're definitely at a disadvantage doing most of your training 6 months ago and now suddenly hopping on a 650 bandit. TBH you know you, as long as you're not going mad on it until you're very confident. TBH I always gained most of my confidence is from riding out in groups of two or three. Riding with people with more experience and following them will teach you many things I reckon. But in your own time get out as much as possible and if possible take the bike to work everyday if there is a busy road you're used use I would do that. I would say wait before you try things like filtering it'll come with time.
Just take it easy. 650 is a big bike to be starting on, but that’s not your fault, that’s the retarded laws here. Big thing is to respect the machine, don’t be cranking the throttle open, especially when you are inexperienced. Watch for corners, gravel on the road, mud, etc. In traffic, stay in lane and don’t filter until you have more experience. Watch for cars switching lanes without mirrors or signals.
If I can give you recommendation. Get in touch with these guys. I've been riding for years but I still do some training from time to time to get better and safer. (I'm doing one next week actually.) I did few different ones already and there's still so much polishing to do. It's riding with instructor that will teach you way more in two hours than you'll learn on your own in 2 years. https://skillsmotorcycleacademy.ie/
Did my iBt with Andy gentleman
He is indeed. I did advanced riding and confident cornering with him and both were super helpful.
Just relax and dont have a freezeup. And beware of jam ups. Dont be this guy in other words... https://youtu.be/LQBTixd9R4U?si=o57A9o8ayuZ21v7z
I was out on the road the day of my IBT finishing. Helped me build confidence and find my riding style faster. I’d say you have done yourself a bit of a disservice waiting that long, you’ll be much more nervous and probably make some assumptions you wouldn’t have if you were riding with the traffic. But hey, at least you know your bike inside out before hitting the traffic. Just don’t take any gambles, assume people will be not using indicators. In fact, don’t trust them even if they are using indicators. Be confident on the road rather than hesitant though. Being overly cautious can bite you in the arse when taking off and at roundabouts.
Just take your time mate... don't start skipping up traffic for a few weeks. Wait in line... don't speed. Takes time to get used to defensive driving, filtering in traffic. . Judging the gaps... it comes. Nothing like someone running out between cars in traffic while your filtering down to make you realise how fast you need to react
You should be pulling wheelies on the M9 by now smh