Use your brain before your skill!! However, have the skill to deal with anything you may come across on the street. Take more formal, in-person training and practice, experiment and play around....this is supposed to be fun ya know. MotoJitsu.com

_”You always have to anticipate stupid, because stupid is everywhere.”_ Spoken like a true philosopher.

The other road users are probably trying to figure out what you're trying to communicate with all your hand gestures when you're recording a video.

Man, i JUST bought my first real motorcycle, a 2023 Honda Rebel, and i have been binge watching all your videos. I have already started to practice the things you talk about such as lane position, keeping the bike in gear while stopped, learning to take off from a stop quickly and other things that i am starting to just make a habit out of from the start. So thank you for all you videos man, you've been an AMAZING help to me and just helped me feel more comfortable AND SAFE while on the roads.

I've been riding for 3 years now and I've practiced most of your tips and tricks the entire time. I've avoided countless dangerous encounters bc of your videos. Just wanted to thank you. Just bought a 2022 mt07, bc I mainly ride in the city. I also see that you've purchased one as well. Great bike and I'm still learning. Keep up the dope videos.

"if you are worried about saving money, you wouldn't have a bike to begin with" No truer words have ever been spoken

I live in the country in Michigan and had the rare opportunity to go for a winter ride two weeks ago. I practiced panic breaking after my tires warmed up and then tight u-turns in a church parking lot. No more then 5 min down the road I come up over a hill and see 5 deer running from the field onto the road right in front. I was able to check my six, position myself towards the side of the road and stop with 15 feet to spare. I only have around 8,ooo miles down in two years so I wouldn't say I'm an expert but I've had some close calls with animals in the past including turkey and dogs already. Always expect everything and Shut Up and Practice!

The problem with staying far left or right is …..drivers do not know what you are doing or why and they pull up right next to you and take up the rest of your lane . I have had this happen to me multiple times and road rage is not my thing .

That's great advice! I'm getting my license soon and looking forward to getting on the road. Keep those great tips coming.

Thank you Motojitsu! Been watching you for a while and finally started my motorcycle saftey course and I did great thanks to your educational videos and it was my first time on a bike! I finish the course tomorrow! I'm out in Camarillo and am so stoked to evetually cruise san diego!

Hi! Just got my permit and started doing my research for new riders and came across ur videos! They are so helpful!!! Thank you sharing ur knowledge and experience!!!! Mad respect for u homie!!!❤❤😊

"Cover your controls", he says, gesturing with both hands off the handlebar 😂

bro had a bad day making this video lol

I’m just getting back into motorcycling after 8 years off. This channel has been incredible help. Keep these videos going and the test drives you do are awesome but please don’t hesitate to bring up both the bad and good. I can’t stand KZfaq channels where every motorcycle they test ride is perfect and awesome.

I tell you what, I always ride on the left side of my lane (almost where I would be driving a car) and it's saved me many times from dogs running out, deer and even cars pulling out from the right! Excellent video my Brother 💯 Thanks for what you do!!!

I just finished a 3 day CHP motorcycle training course and I learned a lot of skills. Keep up these great videos.

Thank you for all this great content. Let’s see your riding gear. I’ve ridden for over 30 years and never had an accident bc of the things you teach.

Love your channel! Can’t wait to get my first bike. Keep up the great content.

Tough love. I’m sure some people felt attacked but I completely agree with your tips. I like that you Just cut through the BS. I’ve been riding 5 yrs and Made me want to go practice 😊

Excellent, great advice. I always try and stop behind and to the right (UK) where they can see me via the drivers side mirror. (Sometimes drivers load up the rear with luggage/stuff and obstruct the drivers central rear view mirror) Thanks again.

some lights are 3-4 mins, i aint holding the clutch for that long

I absolutely love how judge mental you are the great part about it is that you're absolutely right I never understood the keeping your bike in neutral at a light I am with you. It absolutely makes no sense at all and yes, intersections are the worst. I look at it like everyone's trying to kill me. Everyone's on the phone nobody's paying attention this video you put up great information hopefully people pay attention go out and practice. Learn how to use the motorcycle not just ride but learn how to use the motorcycle keep putting out the videos brother I love it.

I actually learned to do the opposite from what you are trying to explain. There is really nothing wrong with doing this, because you want the driver of the car in front of you to see that you are there. If you are off to the side like that, you are not in view of his rear view mirror and he may think that no one is there. So he decides to back up to make an extreme turn(This happened to me) such as taking a short cut through a store lot to bypass traffic. If that driver does not see you in his mirror, he may not bother looking anywhere else and side mirrors have blind spots and guess what? You're in it! Stay in the center, so he can see you! If you are afraid of getting sandwiched between cars(not likely) just keep your distance from the car in front of you and if you happen to see a car speeding up behind you, you can react and clear the car in front of you. As for me, I enjoy putting the bike in neutral and relaxing my hands. Another cause of accidents? Fatigue! While I am sure it happens, getting hit from behind is not likely and if it does, the car should already be in its stopping point and the impact will not kill you. Granted, if their brakes went out, then oh well. Shit happens. Bottom line though, each of the 3 riding lanes within a lane has it's advantages and disadvantages. Experience will tell you when to be in which lane. The most important thing to do, is be aware of your surroundings and consider all that could happen. Even consider the unexpected.

Hi, I just passed my written exam for my Class M License and there were many questions that pertained to which part of the lane you should be in when coming to a stop, being passed by another vehicle, coming up into a turn lane, etc. The answers were all to stay in the center of the lane to discourage car drivers from trying to share your lane or squeeze in-between you and the car beside you, and it was the same in the training courses. But every motorcycle video I see like this says to NOT stay in the center and to be on one side or the other. I see the reasoning behind both, and I think context matters for lane positioning, but I find it confusing as a new rider that the road manual and written exam says to do one thing but a bunch of experienced riders say to do the opposite.

this is SOOO helpful my brotha……i drive commercially for a living, and I swear THOSE are THE EXACT SAME SAFTY principles we are taught👍🏿👌🏿👏🏿👏🏿👊🏿 …….EXCELLENT!!!!!!

Great video and sound advice: as ever. But for those of us riding in traffic in the far more densely populated UK & European cities, much of this isn't feasible. I often/usually have to stop dead-centre behind cars as there's traffic flying past you one side, and towards you the other with hardly room to get a cigarette paper through, let alone plan an escape route. I mean, three vehicles at a traffic light?!!? I only see that maybe 5.00 am Sunday morning!!

Love your videos I recently started riding again after many years out of the game been practicing braking again just to refresh my brain I drive big rigs for a living and all the stuff I see on a daily basis is crazy how people just don't pay attention anymore alot of the skills I put in practice while driving the truck helped tremendously I git a bmw s1000r myself love the bike and all the technology keep up the good videos

Driving a car around Pacific Beach never looked like this to me before, thanks for the motorcycle safety wisdom and encouragement to ride in this city.

Thank you for giving me the facts on - 1st gear clutch in - vs - neutral - at stop lights. I always wanted to know that. And for the other pointers in this video. 👍

Love your thorough explanations. The repetition really helps drive home your points. You're a skilled teacher.

Thanks to your channel, I don't do either of these. I'm glad I found your channel when I started riding. And I live in New Orleans, the most dangerous city for motorcycles in the US. My motorcycle is my only mode of transportation because I don't have a lot of money. And New Orleans drivers are completely of the mindset of "Never Let em Guess your next move. " LOL I have ridden 700 miles so far and plan to take the intermediate course later this year. 🤠

Counter argument to "saving fuel" on 2:45, trying to save gas actually teaches a lot, safe intrinsically and fun to try and beat your own records constantly.

Clutches in a fluid “bath” take indefinite amounts of time to go bad. Especially when considering the horsepower you’re generally applying. Clutch cable, maybe. But wearing out a new age “wet clutch”, nah…. Good points all around. Keep up the great content 🤙🏻

Really appreciate you and your channel. Just changed jobs so need to travel into the city on one of the busiest roads in Perth, Australia 🇦🇺. I've been riding for a long time but all I can say is since I'm following you watching your posts my awareness increased always ready for what may happen, so thank you. About to start practicing stops, swerves and tight turns. Cheers to you!

Always good advice here, thanks.

Great video and commentary wrt how to stay alert, focused, and defensive when riding and ready to use the skills and tools you have at any time. If you aren't anticipating your next move continuously while also watching what is happening around you, you are at risk of being a casualty. There is so much to motorcycle riding that many people don't understand. It's inherently risky but you can reduce the probability of a mishap if you are informed and confident in your riding ability. It doesn't take the fun of riding, it actually enhances it because riding this way becomes part of your DNA (e.g. always on guard, ready, and positioning yourself to reduce the risk of a mishap). I've been riding since I was 16 and I'm now 61. My first bike was a new 1980 Kawasaki KZ650. I couldn't even ride it home as I had never rode a motorcycle. I went to the mountains (SoCal) every day and slowly but surely learned to ride the bike and gain confidence with practice. I know ride a 2022 Kawasaki Z900RS (50th Anniversary Edition) and a 2012 BMW K1600 GTL (two up with my wife most of the time). Stay aware and have fun out there!

Excellent advice. 100% spot on.

Great advice and curious where you are riding in this video I like the scenery.

your vids are great Moto, we really need revision at regular intervals, driving and riding it keeps things in front of mind

Thank you for your knowledge and willingness to share! I have to say your communication skills are awesome! You don’t stutter and you don’t use filler words like, ahhh,ummmm. And your microphone is also very clear with no wind interference. Great job all the way around. 👍

Good information video. Man, San Diego streets have gotten really bad, cracks, potholes. 😮

Thanks, I am experiencing pain because about 4cweeks ago I let down my guard for just a second or two and that stupid that you are talking about got me. So yes people always expect stupid, it is always the first time when an accident happens.

Great informative video,I knew within 10 seconds you were riding in Pacific Beach. I love that place.

Pacific Beach 🤘🏽 Yes, these rules MUST be applied when riding there, especially in the summer months! My office is offof Olney Street. Stay safe!

This stuff is so true. And it seems so obvious to me. Even when i'm in a car the 2nd and 3rd ones you talk about I do that. I think the issue is the mentality of people thinking it won't happen to them. Wrong way to think.

I ride a CB500X in Vietnam and your advice makes perfect sense. There are plenty of people riding and driving here who do the stupidest things.

When you referenced martial arts you got my attention. I practice tight turns and some swerving but im the only one i know who douse. I belive in practicing. Ill check out more of youre videos

Thx amigo......I'm in the Philippines and it's not a matter "if" but "when".....I follow these rules

Great advice!

Good tips to know out there my friend. But i do like to sit in neutral at stoplights so i can relax a little. If i was worried about getting sandwiched i wouldn’t be out there at all

offense and defense baby. Thanks so much for this, these videos are really helping prep me for my upcoming safety course and riding in general!

Sometimes things just go beyond your control. October 2022, I was lane splitting and running around 37mph. As I was passing a full-sized 4X4 (during rush hour traffic) and coming to the drivers door to front fender of the truck, a car shot across changing lanes and I unfortunately could not stop in time. Blanked out and woke up on the ground having to be transported to the hospital where I stayed for about 2 weeks. I am all for keeping an eye out and riding defensibly of course, but the way this guy changed lanes,,,, he didn't even maneuver his vehicle to a spot where he might spot me and I hope that I would have then been able to spot him and slow down. I watch and applaud all Motojitsu videos for learning more and riding better, but there is always an "X" factor to the ride.

The clutch explanation is spot on. I'd rather wear it down and replace it than buy a new motorcycle or worst pay hospital bills.

Good stuff. Rehearse the basics and stay alert!

Thanks boss.. great advice.

Thanks for emphasizing this, so many bikers are oblivious, Im always in look for stupid mode.

Одно из лучших видео на ютуб! Добрый день! Благодарю вас за вашу работу, благодаря которой многие мотоциклисты смогут более безопасно ездить по дорогам каждый день. Здоровья вам и вашей семье! Удачи и берегите себя!🙏 One of the best videos on KZfaq! Good afternoon! Thank you for your work, thanks to which many motorcyclists will be able to ride more safely on the roads every day. Health to you and your family! Good luck and take care of yourself!🙏

Riding down the road two tires blow off a truck and head right at me and my bike on the other side of the street. I got out of the way just on time. These tires were for a semi. You never know what shit will come your way. Randomly. Being prepared and always vigilant will help.

Rider’s zanshin. Love your work, mate. Sending respect from Australia.✊🏻

Awesome video!

Good tips!

Scary incident. I pulled behind a car making a right hand turn in an intersection and a kid started to walk on the cross walk so the driver put his car in reverse and back up maybe 5 ft or so. Luckily I had about an 8-10 ft space otherwise he would of backed into me.

In the UK our advanced training encourages riders to select N as if his from behind you will roll back over the seat and rev the engine and release clutch sending bike forward so its and bit controversial.

Really good advice particularly in this world of tech where car drives spend so much time texting when driving.

ANOTHER WINNER! Thanks for the fundamentals refresher. Always important! Gotta go (practice STOPPING) 🎉❤

Thinking ahead, saved my life last weekend. Little voice in my head was ... motoj. Stupid IS everyware. Some times it's between my ears. Thank You.

Holding the clutch in doesn't wear out the clutch, the plates aren't in contact.

I learned some safety tips after watching your videos. Thanks a lot

Yeah that happened with me, I was heading home after work going up a hill and there was this large SUV in front of me so I tried to stay far behind them. I was riding my Grom home from work because its a 8 mile round trip and cheers to 110MPG, anyways, there was a car I could see down he road that was going to make a left (his left my right). I tried to get very left and very right and slowed down because I just knew this person was going to gas it after the suv in front of me passed him and of course they did. I was ready, and it was not a problem because I expected stupid. Works great every time!

One thing I would also do when stopped behind a vehicle like that black truck is to pump your brakes when you see a car coming as this flashing light may alert them also if for some reason they focused on the black truck. Kind of like having to hang a red flag on a piece of lumber hanging out the end of the trunk by a few feet..

With the clutch pulled in the springs that apply pressure to the clutch disks are compressed and the rotational energy of the crankshaft can not be transferred to the rest of the drive train. Motorcycles don't have a traditional Throw-out Bearing, just a long rod that pushes against the spring carrier to compress the springs and so there is little or no friction. Clutch plates bathed in oil that are not under compression by the springs can not heat or wear because there is essentially no friction between clutch plates. The only downside of holding in the clutch is the strain on the clutch cable and they will break (usually at the lever end) and I have had this happen to me more than once in my riding career. A clutch cable braking while being held in will cause your bike to lurch forward and you may end up dropping the bike (if you're lucky) or you may wheelie right into traffic if you've been revving the engine. One other thing, replacing clutch plates is surprisingly easy to do and cheap for most bikes (usually less than $200) but I don't know about BMW's or KTM's.

On the first point: this is a good idea, even in a car. I got in the habit of leaving a cushion when I started driving a bus. I was taught to leave enough space that you can turn and get out if someone without brakes were to come in behind you

Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🏍️ Common City Riding Mistakes - Avoid stopping directly behind a car in the middle. - Leave an escape path by positioning to the left or right. - Parking directly behind a vehicle can lead to dangerous situations. 01:11 🏍️ Keeping the Bike in Gear - Keeping the bike in gear provides a quicker escape route in emergencies. - Arguments against this practice are often based on misconceptions. - Prioritize safety over potential minor wear on the clutch. 04:42 🏍️ Vigilance at Intersections - Riders should not assume that everyone will follow traffic laws. - Always cover controls and look both ways when approaching intersections. - Anticipate unpredictable actions of other road users. 06:13 🏍️ Situation Awareness at Stoplights - Maintain readiness at stoplights by keeping the bike in gear. - Avoid complacency and be prepared to react swiftly. - Always pay attention to changing traffic signals and movements. 08:07 🏍️ Avoiding Blind Spots and Improving Judgment - Riders should position themselves to avoid blind spots and potential hazards. - Good judgment and skill are both essential for safe riding. - Regular practice and ongoing improvement are crucial for a well-rounded rider.

Ayo you are in San Diego! Im getting my first bike soon and Im gonna be riding around over there a bunch! Id love to one day accidentally meet you haha. Im new to this channel so I probably wouldnt know its you. And id probably be too excited talking with another biker to care

Thought you would of been riding longer then 10 years. I've been since 2003. First bike was graduation present in 03. Cbr f4i. Was a wild bike for a beginner

Are those mirrors road legal? just asking because I want that on my bike as well.

Great video and advice. I really learned a lot. I do need to practice more but im also a naturally defensive driver as im a cyclist as well. Btw, what motorcycle were you riding?

The clutch thing works for me, thanks dude

Those gloves look good, do they offer protection and what brand are they? Great vid

In uk when pulling behind cars was told the middle I can see why as if you go right or left the car behind you thinks your giving them the road to overtake so bit of catch 22 here lol 😂 but first gear always makes perfect sense thanks

I sometimes put my bike in neutral at stop lights. I mainly only do it after long periods of riding, but it’s because my hands/wrists need a break from riding a super sport on the street for extended periods of time….nothing to do with clutch wear.

A bike has a wet clutch and is designed to be in gear with the clutch engaged. From the course I took they said to never drive down the centre when coming to a stop because cars leak in that zone, and also place your bike in a place where you can escape. They also recommended doing shoulder checks for cars behind because so many people here do not pay attention and rear end you. Some people stop with the clutch in and do not show they have the brake on, thus the guy behind you thinks you are moving. Always be aware of your surrounds because cars will take the opportunity to get around you. I was told I needed to ride like I am indivisible to everyone else, because I am. A big thing is blind spots, see that with scooters all the time and then they get mad when the car moves into them. There is no formal training course for scooters and a kid at age 14 can get a scooter and ride on the road.

8:35 "Anticipate stupid". Well said. On the road, it's important to assume everyone is incompetent.

I stop at an angle in my lane when I'm at a light to escape left or right while keeping an eye on my mirrors. Always!

Although I agree with everything in this video, I’m just commenting about the neutral at a stop thing. If there is a stack of cars behind me stopped, I accept the risk of putting my bike in neutral and “relaxing”. Even if it’s just for 30 seconds. Let’s me change to the next song, check the phone GPS, check notifications(I didn’t say text, I said check the notifications). Right/wrong, eh. Calculated risk.

As a new rider i can confirm that my left hand is indeed too weak to hold the clutch for 4 minute stop lights. I need to rest it. At least once the vehical behind me is completely stopped.

People that worry about wearing out the clutch by staying in gear while stopped are wearing out their shifting mechanism by shifting into neutral all the time.🤣

Thank you!!

Yoooo! I ride my dual sport commuting into Pacific Beach every day! You ride by a couple of my murals in PB! Small world!

As a truck driver, I f'n hate when riders ride next to my tires. The pressure of a blown tire can push a car around. The cap weighs like 50lbs. I blow a tire next to a rider and it will be a bad f'n day

Thank you!

Great points

Intersections yes...super dangerous. Always be aware 100% ALL OF THE TIME

I love the way this guy expresses his riding skills like a martial artist, thanks for making me a better rider.

"always have to anticipate stupid" I like that. As a new rider that's something I keep in mind always.

Keep up the good work 👍

Really good tip

I have been rear ended on a scooter, so I always look back and stay in first gear. I understand that the idea is to avoid being boxed in, but often you don't have a choice. Left car is going left, Right car is going right, and you are going straight.

Even in a car, the clutch is a fair swap for your life and safety. Even in the friction zone if you have to. On a steep slope, it’s better and faster and I’d happily take the criticism. Never had any clutch issues either

Great video. Thanks for repeating your self 1000 times.