Riding
Ability
Know your own ability - Your best friend telling you exactly how he managed to get his bike at X MPH round a bend isn't going to get around it. Remember experience only comes with miles under the belt.
Bends
Try going into bends slower than usual at first and practice coming out quicker. Most bikes are set up so that optimum balance is when the rider is sitting comfortably and the engine is 'pulling'. Staying in control whilst braking into bends requires a great deal of skill as it upsets the normal characteristics of the bike. Make sure you are in the right gear and at the right speed on approach.
Target fixation
The bike goes where you look. e.g.If you find you’re unsettled on a left hand bend and start to drift, try as hard as you can not to look to the offside or any opposing traffic, look to the nearside verge. Generally the bike will be better than you and hopefully will come back in.
Road types
Take note of the road you're on. As most people use them including tourists. Main trunk roads have everything signposted, as most people use them. A single warning sign, will indicate a hazard, however this hazard may not be that severe. On an unclassified country road used infrequently and mainly by locals a single warning sign will mean a lot more. Appreciate there will be differences and read the road.
Observations
The farther ahead you look the longer you have to react. Most road users see things but do not relate it to how it will affect them. There is no good seeing it and doing nothing. Most things on the road affect you, so plan how to deal with them. Get some instruction; you'll be amazed at how much information there is if you know what you're looking for.
