Andy I reckon you and I about the same vintage. When I got my bike license a great many years ago a wise old bike cop told me you have the license which is good now forget everything they told you. He gave me three bits of advice that I honestly believe have saved me over and over. 1 always be moving 5k faster than traffic. The problems then come to you from the front not the back. 2 never ever sit in a blind spot. The first rule helps with that. Lastly he said never sit behind a car in queued traffic. Always sit between them. This is many years before lane filtering. I think we all get on it a bit when the road conditions suit but that’s a choice.

Totally agree, I ride a motorcycle to crack on, why would I want to sit in a line of cars like the rest of them, I want an open road in front of me , and like you thats what keeps me alive , after 45 years on two wheels. Good on yer, best from Mallorca, Spain.

Speed needs to be appropriate for the road conditions, you can control what's in front of you, behind you is a different story. Having been a motorcycle instructor and done a couple of advanced riding courses I can safely say I'm still a dickhead on a bike with three points on my licence. But I'm an older and more experienced dickhead... 🧐🤣

Inappropriate speed is bad, but i agree that there is a time and a place for having fun

Agreed, the only things l would add is that reaction times get longer as one gets older so learn to accept that and to savour other pleasures of the ride. Traffic is heavier and the standard of driving has gone down perhaps as a result of distractions of 'devices' but also the miasmic effect of 'if lm driving at or below the speed limit everything must be ok' and 'my vehicle is packed with safety devices so l'll be ok'.

Here in the UK the government and local councils are using potholes to slowdown road users..

Yeah, you're on top of all this mate. I was driving old paddock bombs around when I was 12, go-karts at 7 and my bike license at 18. I didn't really bother getting a car license officially till I was 28, for work. Since then, it's been cars, vans, trucks, cars and bikes. I like feeling comfortable around machines. Even flew a light plane and a glider a bit, and 1 time as a passenger in a Winjeel ex RAAF trainer pulling G's in aerobatic moves. I am not big on being a passenger in an aircraft, I am not in the pointy end of though. All of that does set the tone very much in life, you are so right.

Andy, I am totally with you on this. Given the right and safe conditions, I ride just slight faster than the traffic too and I am a firm believer that I want to be in control of what is coming my way. As you said, if you are slow then someone behind you will decide your fate and that's the same exact principle that makes me firmly believe road CYCLING is a very dangerous past time. Btw, I am in Malaysia so your principle is valid here as well. cheers!

Agreed with everything you said I ride exactly the way you do. I have been riding 42 years and whilst the process of obtaining a motorcycle licence has improved the same cannot be said for car drivers here in the U.K. The driving test here in the U.K. is not an assessment of your driving skills it’s a test about passing the test. I remember a quote from one of you earlier videos where you stated your dad told you “ The bastards are trying to kill you” that rings true here also. The authorities bombarding the media that speed kills has created a really dangerous situation here in the U.K. we now have car driver driving too slowly on 60 mph (100 km). I was on a ride out 2 weeks ago was riding around 50- 55 mph when I encountered a sharp bend, I slowed down for the bend and accelerated out when I encountered someone driving less than 30 mph I had to slam on the brakes and almost hit them. SPEED DOES NOT KILL, POOR DRIVING AND A LACK OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DOES.

I agree moving through traffic is the was to go. When doing this I believe that you need to be able to picture the options the driver/rider in front of you has. This being a 6th sense that sometimes pays off when said driver/rider does something unexpected. I grew up in a similar way to you and it was always a race. Andy you are right that doesn't go away but do it all the time and sooner or later you have to pay the piper. Be it a fine, a trip to hospital or worse. Risk is part of living and part of the reason we ride. A little squirt now and then keeps you feeling alive.

So true Andy and I agree with your comments 💯 when I’m riding in the bush at a fair pace, I concentrate 110% . Your more likely to crash when your not completely concentrating and focused or riding beyond your skill level whilst trying to keep up with a better rider.

A month ago I was rear ended while on my bike. The car behind me failed to brake at the correct time for a speed breaker and hit me while I was on the speed breaker. I suffered a dislocated shoulder. I usually ride a bit faster than the traffic, but on that day I was with the traffic. If I had accelerated, I would have been alone at the speed breaker.

I remember doing a defensive driving course some years ago (John Bowe driving), and the trainer noted that yes inattention which is roughly the same as distraction was a significant factor, but worse still was driver or rider attitude as being the primary factor for crashes (not accidents). Certainly, environmental factors play a part (eg weather, animals etc), road conditions, other drivers and even skill levels. However, it’s in accurate to claim that speed is the sole issue. Rather speed is just one aspect relevant to all the other factors. So the key in the end asides what you mention about trying to get ahead of traffic is about riding to the all the relevant conditions. In my limited bike riding experience being attentive to all these contributing factors makes good sense. I ride within my limitations and being mindful of everything else. I don’t need to ride fast though like any of us do on occasions enjoy the feeling of giving it the beans.

I've been pulled over for speeding twice in Tasmania something like 102/80 around Cygnet on a public holiday and 75/60 around Forth another trip after just getting off the boat, both times I was on my own and done by unmarked HWP oncoming which is kindof impossible to dodge. Cops were cool both times and gave me an official warning no fine no points. Funny enough I've lived in Melbourne for more than 20 years and never been pulled over for speeding and never had a speeding ticket from a camera either, but Tassie with its 'more relaxed' attitude to speeding has got me twice. I think I am 'more relaxed' down there too.

As you said yourself,there are times and places.Stay safe.All the best.

We all know the arguments. Speed Kills. The truth is stopping suddenly is the killer. If you hit a stationary object at 30mph you you stand a bloody good chance of death. Agree with you 100% the lack of attention of some drivers, usually playing with a phone or radio has to be the greater cause of motorcyclist accidents.

I agree with you completely Andy, in a car, I don't mind going the speed limit, but on a bike? I always felt as though I was just asking for it, caged into a group of cars. The risks mount quickly. I would prefer to skip past them, and have as much room as I wanted, without any threats from behind or beside me. It seemed to work out too. I'm clocking around 64 on my clock, so it does take a bit of nous, I think?

I gave up being a motorcycle courier, after I found myself leisurely lane splitting across a lane of bridge traffic in Melbourne's peak hour at 125 KPH. It seemed normal, and I suddenly realised I had become complacent, and would quickly become dead. Then again, I got pinged in a 60 zone at 63 KPH, and that just made me lose all respect for the whole thing.

I must admit, once in a while I like to put on a few punk rock tracks and open her up a bit! Who wants to be waiting... "Fugazi -waiting room" dose the job...

I'm generally a +5(mph) guy, but I will crank it up a bit to get away from traffic and knots of vehicles. On two lane I will pass pretty aggressively and routinely touch 80 or so. Don't want to dawdle in the opposing lane.

sounds about right mate, ride quick ride safe! cheers! :)

Agreed andy. As an all yr biker here in the UK. Ya have to be on ya toes constantly. So many others driving and riding without due care but moastly attention. We are all venerable individuals. Speed cameras are q good and bad thing in my opinion. Pros are they keep speeds down in towns and villages. Cons are expensive qnd some times placed in places not realy needed if the owner of the vehicle acts accordingly and not like Stirling moss or sena.

Thanks Mate!

It's not speed but inappropriate speed that's the issue. If you get caught doing twice the posted limit in a built up area don't start crying about it. However, 20- 25mph (UK) on deserted roads maybe perfectly safe to do. I've seen far more accidents in busy traffic where cars have turned off without indicating or pulled out without looking so it's not all about the speed. As an advanced rider and a biker for over 40 years I make progress where I deem safe to do so. Observation and forward planning are the key, not just riding slow. Stay safe out there.

Do you mean distracted? Like moto viewing. 😝

Andy, you said something in this video that caused my hard of hearing old ears tp perk up. So it is possible, I misheard or maybe you guys have different terms for things, so I may be full od shit on this one. Did I hear you say that in your youth, you held a Speedway racing license? That is impressive, to me. Small world, my son raced Speedway from his mid teens through most of his adult life. Still racing vintage bikes (uprights) in his 50s and sponsoring up and coming riders.

Wouldn’t it be great to see some of that revenue raised by speeding infringements fund better driver/rider training pre granting a licence.

Well this video comes right when i have recently found ive been caugth by radar over 20km in a 60km zone with the result of a almost 400us dolar fine... Been riding for 27 years by now and in my defense all i can say is that the Fotograf thay profs my violation shows of course myself and my bike but besides that and more important in my consideration .. Noboy elese, the road clean as a whistle, no other rider no other car or vehicles. That should be taken in considerstion i tink, but i know it wont. Cheers Andy good one!

I agree with you on that one. 👍

well put Andy and I'm in total agreement

Just not in the residential areas

Sounds like a good excuse to me 😉 This is how I see it - all traffic is a system that works pretty well if everyone follows certain rules .. traffic rules are mandatory for all road users to prevent tragic accidents on the roads .. to save lives .. but now there is someone who thinks the road rules don't apply to him .. just because he don't like them or because his ego won't fit into these rules .. but the thing is he's not alone on the road .. there are many people out there who simply have no idea that there is a speeding a**hole nearby. Heck, I've had so many close calls when I start to make a turn and suddenly there's a motorcycle approaching from behind at cosmic speed to pass me at the last moment .. these guys would have been dead for sure if they hadn't noticed in time .. but try to notice such a small and fast thing. I myself am both a truck driver and a motorcyclist, and with my 48 years of accident-free driving experience, I can definitely say that speeding is BAD and SELFISH! ✌

You know mate? I would imagine a lot of those deaths might be attributable to mainland blow ins, not knowing the fantastic roads you have there?