Dear friends. I am always keen to improve my riding style and reduce risk.

I have learned much from reading commentary on this site and riding with and talking to site members

I saw this youtube video courtesy of RoadcraftNottingham.

It's not about riding Harleys, but riding motorbikes in general. It goes for about 16 mins but makes good sense so give yourself some time to view it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvsaN3Tc9c

You may want to add your own useful instructional riding videos

He is quite cautious but he would be a pain in the ass to follow, "Oh, he`s gona overtake, er nope he changed his mind hes gona turn left,,, Dow! hes gona overtake again"

What is he talking about if you want to go for your "advanced", do they have different licences over there?

He makes some good points but I certainly dont agree with travelling in what he calls the "sump line" IMO asking for trouble, cars dont dump oil in tyres track lines and air-conditioners certainly dont drop water in tyre tracks. have a look next time you pull up at lights etc. on a summer day, water and shit everywhere in the "sump line" He makes mention of this but still say its a silly place to be. Cars disperse gravel and other debris from the tyre track lines and throw it either out to the side or smack into the middle of the road, or sump line. Just my opinion and from experience from tossing a BMW 1200 end for end after hitting oil in the "sump line" Im staying in the tyre tracks. Each to their own.

+1 some good tips there 

Haven't watched it but based on Binnsey's comments I agree with him on the position on the road. I would never ride in the "sump line" - generally the RH wheel track, moving slightly to the centre of the road if coming up behind a car so that you are visible in both car mirrors (Side and central), have a clear view ahead and in the event of a sudden brake by the car - you are not going to plough straight into the back of them.

No science or education to my view - just my seat of the pants view of the world.

Philthy

Right hand wheel track for me and when pulling up slightly on an angle for a quick escape if needed.

Hi all...One common mistake I often see is riders using 4 fingers for the clutch and front brake.Very dangerous habit.

I'd recommend the book 'Twist of the Wrist II' by Keith Code.

Hi all...If you use 4 fingers to operate the clutch and front brake it leaves you with a very poor grip of the handlebars.If you use 2 fingers to operate clutch and front brake,It leaves two fingers and a thumb to have a sound grip of the handlebars while operating the clutch and brake

If you watch a bit of motorcycle racing,Pay attention to these guys.They are the experts,Not the guys at stay uprite.

I'd think a full grip just adds the levers to stability control - it should make no difference at all - unlike a two finger stop which means fingers can be in the way and the force of your grip becomes flimsy.
Trained, professional racers spend shitload of cash on their brakes and clutches so they are setup to perfection for them while the guys at stay uprite (presuming its a riding course) deal with everyday people, with everyday bikes, under everyday conditions.
I'd be more interested to know how professional bike racers cover their clutch/brake on their everyday bike and why.

Hi all...Bonkers,You adjust your clutch and brake so your levers don't come all the way in to touch your grip fingers.This way you ALLWAYS have a solid grip of the bars.I bet my left nut the the likes of Chad Reed,Stoner Rossi ect ect ride this way allways off the track.Its habit and good habit at that.

Here is something to to try,You will need a friend to help.Sit on your bike with your hands on the bars.Have your 4 fingers lightly on the brake lever,Get your friend to pull your hand off the bars.Now try with 2 fingers lightly on the brake and the other 2 gripped to the bars.Tell us which way was harder to pull your hands off the bars ???

Professional racers may well two finger it on and off the track (I have no idea) but I presume it would be to reenforce muscle memory for when they are on the track and their personal bikes would be set up for it.

I used to ride an R1 (among others) and I found the 2 finger method worked just fine - mainly because I rode like a fuckwit and the brakes were fantastic. When moving to a Harley the last thing I'd tell a rider is to two finger brake and clutch - especially not a new rider.

As for sitting on a bike a checking the best grip. Get your friend to yank at your hands with your two fingers off grip, vs all four fingers and thumb on the grip, which is where they will be resting 99.9% of the time except when braking. Even when braking I'd say the four finger method holds tighter and gives way better lever control. The two finger method can give the ability to quickly roll on the throttle again if need be - something learned over time and bike dependent - certainly not something to teach new riders.

Both methods are a matter of opinion and situation being implied to imperfect, real world situations. To each their own.

What pro racers do on a track with race bikes isn't necessarily comparable to normal blokes riding street bikes on the street. For Harleys with upgraded clutches and stiffer clutch springs, you'd struggle to pull the clutch in with two fingers on a decent ride anyway.

Right or wrong, I use the two finger method Oneball describes, although only on the brake. Sometimes out on a country road I'll leave all fingers off the lever, but mostly around the suburbs and local roads, I leave two fingers on the brake.

I think my Dad might have told me to do it many many years ago, theory being that if needed, I'm squeezing the brake more quickly than if I have to get my fingers off the grip and on the lever.

Just noticed my avatar on the left, looks like I sometimes only have one finger on there too!!  

Hi all...Ok I mite have shot the gun on saying the guys at stay uprite arer not experts.I wonder how they ride normally,???If that's what they teach its what they teach,There must be some reasoning behind it.Maybee its a bit complicated for beginers,and gets them all a bit un-coordinated.

Bonkers,I never said to keep your fingers on the brake and clutch levers at all times,I meant, to use 2 fingers to operate the clutch and brake and then put those 2 finger back around the grips when not operating the brake or clutch.If you think a thumb curled around a handgrip with 4 finger lightly on the brake or clutch is a more solid grip than having a thumb and 2 fingers around the handgrip and 2 finger lightly on the clutch and brake then there is no point talking about it anymore.For me,Maximum grip at all times is of utmost importance rideing motorcycles,being prepared for the unexpected.

All I can say is you dont see talented riders using 4 fingers operating clutch and brakes.There has to be some merit to it.

When talking about the sump line, there is usually a lot less crap on the road where the cars can just drive along, compared to at intersections where the traffic stops and any oil or coolant can drop onto the road.

and remember "SWIFT" Start Wide Intend to Finish Tight.

I ride my dirt bike with two fingers on brake and clutch, but I find if I'm going down hill I need four fingers on the brake to pull up the train. Again though if I'm just cruising I use one or two fingers, I guess it depends on the situation. I was taught to cover with four but that's a habit I kind of pay off, although if I start stressing out I find it comes back to me with me noticing.

In the end, however you best control your bike is what matters. If I had someone run into me and they said they only had two fingers on the brakes because that's the proper way I would loose my shit and vice versa, people just need to do whatever works, not what's in a textbook.

Always two fingers on the brake for me- pointer finger and pussy finger

the best way to improve your riding is by riding. I know that sounds obvious but its true, also try and do a few small group rides if possible and sit back and watch. You can learn a lot about what to do and what not to do by doing this.

Road position is dictated by the road conditions at the time. Because of changing road conditions your road position will be also constantly changing.

Basically, if I'm riding down a country road without any traffic in front or behind my best position would be most likely the left wheel track. When in regular city traffic I would be riding in the right wheel track with an occasional move across to the left and back to gain the attention of the vehicle in front (just to let them know I'm still around).

Would I ride on the 'Sump Hump'? Yes! But when it is called for and that would be on a wet road. The hump is usually higher than the wheel tracks and dries quicker, or sooner, giving me some dry, or less flooded road under my rubber. Having said that, I always avoid the sump hump at intersections. This is where you would typically find the largest build up on oil and grease on the road.