Personal riding preferences?

[Bret SD]

Mounting
I like to mount up on my Valk from the right side and get off on the left, dunno if it's a thing or not but that's been my go-to method forever.

Shifting
Do you like to use more RPM or torque? I like to use some torque, though I'll hammer the RPM's when accelerating super hard.

Braking
When braking I favor the rear and supplement with the front, I also use downshifting quite often.

Leaning
I like to lean the bike every chance I get (as much as possible) so long as pavement is dry and clean, accelerating out of a hard lean is great fun for me.

Aggression
I find myself riding too aggressively at times and have to talk myself into slowing down.

What are your preferences.. habits?

[Serk]

Mounting
If possible and convenient on and off from the left, since that's how I was taught to get on and off horses and the tradition comes over to iron horses for me.

Shifting
I like to shift to the highest gear possible and just lope along, that's why I ride a torque monster. Obviously if I need to accelerate hard I go down in gears.

Braking
80% of the stopping power is in the front, so I primarily use front brakes with a little rear. I've developed a (bad?) habit of dragging a little rear brake in sharp curves sometimes. I used to use engine braking a lot until someone pointed out, would you rather have wear and tear on very expensive, hard to replace parts, or on relatively inexpensive, easy to replace parts? That made sense to me so I try to use brake pads more than engine braking now.

Leaning
Even as straight as most roads are around me, if ya' wanna turn, ya' gotta lean, so over we go.

Aggression
It's a rare ride I don't hit triple digits. Ya' know those buttheads ya' see weaving through traffic, getting angry at the idiot doing only 80 in the passing lane, passing in the no passing zone, etc?  Yeah..... that's usually me. It's not smart, but it's what I enjoy. It's kinda strange, from spending over a decade commuting in rush hour traffic across the D/FW Metromess, I've actually grown to enjoy the challenge of riding in heavy city traffic. Facing death reminds me that I'm alive.

Here's an odd one - do you have a preference for left or right hand curves? I can't explain why, but I'm more comfortable on left hand curves.

[Bret SD]

I definitely have a preference for left hand curves, I'm right handed but play hockey left handed so that may offer a clue. If riding a skateboard (rarely) I'm right foot forward, or goofy foot in surfer terminology.

I'm glad you fessed up to aggressive riding, now I won't be shy to share some of my more idiotic moments. 

[Jess from VA]

Here's an odd one - do you have a preference for left or right hand curves? I can't explain why, but I'm more comfortable on left hand curves.

I posted on this a long time ago.  I've taught MSF, and a good number of others.

I and most everyone I know and taught does much better in left turns than right.  Especially the tightest possible turns.  I can do tight rights fine, but if I can set it up for a left, that's what I do.  I could never understand why.  It has nothing to do with right/left dominant.  

Last time, a couple guys came on and said they prefer rights.  But I think the clear majority prefer lefts.

(It's my only leftist thing)

Every time I take off, I promise myself to take it easy and enjoy the ride.  But nearly every time I ride, I end up doing some hooligan sh!t because it's so damn fun (and the Valk so accommodating).  I do my best not to frighten or anger the civilians, but left lane squatters are fair game.  

Remember that Gary Cooper movie Friendly Persuasion (great movie)?   And he traded for that horse that wouldn't be passed?  Well, I'm not that bad, and some idiots are just dangerously bad drivers (and you let them go), but every once in a while, I won't be passed either (especially by straight pipe Hogs).  

Slow thy buggy down Jess.

[scooperhsd]

MOunting - whenever possible - mount / dismount on the left. However, in the garage I park in, I have to mount / dismount on the right

SHifting - whatever feels good. Sometimes I wrap it out, and sometimes I lazy and just lope around.

Braking - At least 80% of my braking force is front wheel, with just enough rear to keep the ends from swapping. Been that way ever since my first MSF Advanced riding course. Do my best to avoid locking the rear wheel accidently (all too easy to do).

Leaning - of course you have to lean a motorcycle to get it to turn .
Sub - prefer right hand turns.

Aggression - I'm quick off the line (in any vehicle capable) and quick up to the speed limit (maybe 5-10 mph above). I will row the gears (even in an automatic) to get the best performance necessary. I'm not necessarily the fastest driver / rider around, but I'm  not generally the slowest either. I tend to stay close to the speed limit (I have this aversion to giving any of my hard earned money to government for traffic offenses that are avoidable).

I do my best to avoid aggressive drivers. I'm mature enough that I don't have anything left to prove .

[cookiedough]

I wonder unless over 6 ft tall how most can easily get on the cycle from the right side vs. left?   I only have 30 inch inseam and have tried the right side but find it very very difficult to do vs. the normal left side on/off.  Part of my problem is my legs are not that flexible and even now find it difficult to lift my right leg over the seat the past 1 year or so.  I think my hips are going out or strength in legs already, not sure, but if I stand for long times or do more walking or up steps,  my legs feel weaker than they should especially my right leg like near dead weight at times if tired.

I power shift down all the time do not use brakes much slowing down,  but usually just putz along pissing people in cages behind me slowing down in 5th gear to say 30 mph then downshift 2 gears all at once not raising rpms up much.  I doubt that does much damage to the gearing/tranny on our Valks?

Yes,  for some odd reason left hand turns are easier than right hand turns, no idea why though.

I replaced my brake pads on the Valk around 38K miles 1st time replaced and had near 1/2 front brake pads left and 1/3rd left at most rear brake pads OEM from 2001 but I use rear brake pads lately more so but try to get in habit of using both front/rear combined when coming to a stop.  I bet most other Valk riders go thru brake pads 2-3x's more so than I do braking much much harder.

I coast to stops as well in my cage all the time not using brakes much until the very end, just slowing down sooner than most would really ticks the people off behind me tailgating me. 

[Oss]

The valk I have to get on from the right the bmw when in the garage on the left because its next to the other wall  But otherwise I get on the right side

Braking in 2nd gear or 1st mostly rear otherwise almost all front brake

In parking lot only the rear brake with some throttle

I ride in the Bronx which has the cross bronx (95) expressway, major deegan (87) and bronx river parkway  as well as local streets and serious potholes to avoid.  The first two roads have trucks, livery cabs and idiots and normal drivers  I cant say that I have but if I was to say that I split lanes its only if traffic is stopped or crawling

On a road I know like the back of my hand I will do what feels good, maybe 20-30 over the limit could have happened on daily occasion.  But if I dont know a road, like at Inzane, I am the slowest rider pretty much and that is ok.  I dont bounce well and until a few weeks ago had vision handicaps

[Jess from VA]

Anyone wants to see objective evidence of front and rear brake use, pay attention to your pad replacement.

My rears last forever.

If you're doing two rear pad sets for every front, you're doing it wrong.  (even with twin fronts)

I never trail brake.  I pick my speed (and gear) into corners, and power through.   

[da prez]

  Left side mount as the right hip was replaced and it is not as easy.  If I have the room , I like to ride hard and fast. Been at it a long time and it is still a thrill.
  Love the twisties and do well in both turns. 
  Add nine accidents on the road and I still love to ride. The last three were rear end hits.

                                         da prez

[msb]

  Add nine accidents on the road and I still love to ride. The last three were rear end hits.

                                      

OUCH!!! 9...wow...good for you sticking with it   I am knocking on wood as I type this...almost 47 years of riding and I've been fortunate to never have had an accident on a street/road bike. Laid some dirt bikes down of course and had some close calls over the years, especially in my pre-meeting-the-Mrs years (I call that my Thank Heavens I Survived Period), Probably because I've always lived in small towns and have never ridden around a city on a regular basis or to work.

Mount & dismount from the Left

Not a huge speed demon anymore, so I just go through the gears easily ...with just the odd "get on 'er" every once in a while for an adrenalin rush. I wouldn't call my riding style as agressive at all anymore...after all these years I'm happy to be still riding so much and I want it to last as long as possilbe

There's plenty of leaning up here. I'm pretty equal with Left or Right turns...I'm sorta semi- ambidextrous with both my feet and hands...not sure if that has anything to do with it. I actually enjoy riding the flat plains on our longer rides out of BC...nice to just put the feet up on the highway pegs and leisurely cruise on down the road

I tend to use my back brake more to slow me down just as I hit a sharp curve, otherwise I typically use both equally


Great post topic btw Bret

[Jess from VA]

I enjoy mounting.

I also like riding motorcycles.   

[Beardo]

Nothing much to add, just wanted to say...the riding posts have been nice to see around here lately. After a year of elections and covid, it’s great to see everyone back to talking about the thing we have in common, not what separates us.

And 2. Bret...a southern Californian who plays hockey 

[Valkorado]

Varies depending on the day, two up or solo and any wild hairs that sprout.  

Been known to redline thru the gears, or to just put up a sail and let the breeze blow me around.  

I like rackin' thru the gears in the mountain twisties, especially at a clip -- and "jakeing" it into the tighter curves. I prefer that grunt of dropping a gear, and the confident snap and feedback.  So, torque in the twists and big revs in between.  That gets me into the corners with a smoother line and out of them quicker.  Sometimes I'll do a quick brake tap going in, more as a "brake check" than a speed bleed.

Fun to tool thru town on the local boulevards and display the bike's low speed prowess to the orange and black clad tourists chowing down on the outside restaurant balconies.  Sometimes when the traffic light timing is just right, I'll do the 0 - limit burst before they can ID what they just saw, then just putt by like an old geezer going fishin'.  The local cops probably don't like it, but I think they are impressed with how quickly I can adjust my rapidly accelerating bike's momentum to the acceptable legal trolling limit.

These bikes are a big hoot, and they're surprisingly flickable for old behemoth dinosaurs.

I'm trying to focus more on smelling roses and acting my age, but I do get bored with all that pretty fast and I gotta let 'er rip fairly consistently!  We are riding on six, after all.  Dragons like to ROAR!

[pais]

I never saw John Wayne mount a horse from the left side. I'm not going against The Duke.
I usually find myself shifting w/RPM's
I tend to use the rear in parking lots and as I come to a stop. Otherwise it's the front for stopping power.
Leaning is where I have become very conservative    I enjoy the twisties, I just don't charge into them anymore. There is a stretch of road I drive everyday of my life. It has nice grade and S curve to it. I love the trip up and down it on the Valk! The left peg touches more often than the right.
Not much of an aggressive rider anymore. On the bypass around Kent. I like to feel triple digits on occasion. Around town I like to be out ahead of traffic. Not to be aggressive just to be safe. No desire to be surrounded by cages unless there is no choice.

[hubcapsc]

I'm almost certain I pretty much never touch the back brake
unless I also touch the front. Many's the time I touch the front
and not the back...

-Mike "rides in gravel..."

[..]

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-braking-tips/

It's worth reading because we all need to keep learning.

[Bret SD]

Here's an odd one - do you have a preference for left or right hand curves? I can't explain why, but I'm more comfortable on left hand curves.

I posted on this a long time ago.  I've taught MSF, and a good number of others.

I and most everyone I know and taught does much better in left turns than right.  Especially the tightest possible turns.  I can do tight rights fine, but if I can set it up for a left, that's what I do.  I could never understand why.  It has nothing to do with right/left dominant. 

Last time, a couple guys came on and said they prefer rights.  But I think the clear majority prefer lefts.

(It's my only leftist thing)

Every time I take off, I promise myself to take it easy and enjoy the ride.  But nearly every time I ride, I end up doing some hooligan sh!t because it's so damn fun (and the Valk so accommodating).  I do my best not to frighten or anger the civilians, but left lane squatters are fair game. 

Remember that Gary Cooper movie Friendly Persuasion (great movie)?   And he traded for that horse that wouldn't be passed?  Well, I'm not that bad, and some idiots are just dangerously bad drivers (and you let them go), but every once in a while, I won't be passed either (especially by straight pipe Hogs).   

Slow thy buggy down Jess.

Jess, sorry to hear you have leftist tendencies too.. well, one anyway 

As far as left/right turning goes I can think of hockey again, when skating backwards and circling I've always felt more comfortable going left and crossing over. My skill level is just slightly better on the left side when doing that, comfort level on the left is way higher when I haven't skated for extended periods of time.. like now 

[Bret SD]

MOunting - whenever possible - mount / dismount on the left. However, in the garage I park in, I have to mount / dismount on the right

SHifting - whatever feels good. Sometimes I wrap it out, and sometimes I lazy and just lope around.

Braking - At least 80% of my braking force is front wheel, with just enough rear to keep the ends from swapping. Been that way ever since my first MSF Advanced riding course. Do my best to avoid locking the rear wheel accidently (all too easy to do).

Leaning - of course you have to lean a motorcycle to get it to turn .
Sub - prefer right hand turns.

Aggression - I'm quick off the line (in any vehicle capable) and quick up to the speed limit (maybe 5-10 mph above). I will row the gears (even in an automatic) to get the best performance necessary. I'm not necessarily the fastest driver / rider around, but I'm  not generally the slowest either. I tend to stay close to the speed limit (I have this aversion to giving any of my hard earned money to government for traffic offenses that are avoidable).

I do my best to avoid aggressive drivers. I'm mature enough that I don't have anything left to prove .

I think I like getting on from the right because I can grab some brake and get my inner calf across the seat, then sliding onto the beast feels awesome. From there I plant the left foot, straighten the left leg and simultaneously push with inner thigh.. pull on the handlebars and boom! Kickstand up and I'm rockin! 

Leaning harder than I have to is fun on occasion, and I take a more aggressive line even in a 90 degree turn. There's something about the feeling when I hit the accelerator and she pops up and shoots out of the hole.. it's just a torque-gasm for me 

[Bret SD]

I wonder unless over 6 ft tall how most can easily get on the cycle from the right side vs. left?   I only have 30 inch inseam and have tried the right side but find it very very difficult to do vs. the normal left side on/off.  Part of my problem is my legs are not that flexible and even now find it difficult to lift my right leg over the seat the past 1 year or so.  I think my hips are going out or strength in legs already, not sure, but if I stand for long times or do more walking or up steps,  my legs feel weaker than they should especially my right leg like near dead weight at times if tired.

I power shift down all the time do not use brakes much slowing down,  but usually just putz along pissing people in cages behind me slowing down in 5th gear to say 30 mph then downshift 2 gears all at once not raising rpms up much.  I doubt that does much damage to the gearing/tranny on our Valks?

Yes,  for some odd reason left hand turns are easier than right hand turns, no idea why though.

I replaced my brake pads on the Valk around 38K miles 1st time replaced and had near 1/2 front brake pads left and 1/3rd left at most rear brake pads OEM from 2001 but I use rear brake pads lately more so but try to get in habit of using both front/rear combined when coming to a stop.  I bet most other Valk riders go thru brake pads 2-3x's more so than I do braking much much harder.

I coast to stops as well in my cage all the time not using brakes much until the very end, just slowing down sooner than most would really ticks the people off behind me tailgating me. 

I'm 6' 2" with long legs so I think your point is a big one, also I can easily lift my knee up very high from martial art training for a looong time.. hip flexors get very strong doing that. Someone with a shorter inseam and limited flexibility would have a very difficult time getting on from the right side I would think.

I'm gonna talk more on braking later in the thread responses.

[Bret SD]

The valk I have to get on from the right the bmw when in the garage on the left because its next to the other wall  But otherwise I get on the right side

Braking in 2nd gear or 1st mostly rear otherwise almost all front brake

In parking lot only the rear brake with some throttle

I ride in the Bronx which has the cross bronx (95) expressway, major deegan (87) and bronx river parkway  as well as local streets and serious potholes to avoid.  The first two roads have trucks, livery cabs and idiots and normal drivers  I cant say that I have but if I was to say that I split lanes its only if traffic is stopped or crawling

On a road I know like the back of my hand I will do what feels good, maybe 20-30 over the limit could have happened on daily occasion.  But if I dont know a road, like at Inzane, I am the slowest rider pretty much and that is ok.  I dont bounce well and until a few weeks ago had vision handicaps

Riding in the Bronx would be different for me, I can imagine the foolishness of drivers on choked roads with potholes would be challenging.

Here cagers are getting more aggressive after a nice traffic respite for the last year, some of the imbeciles shoot in and out of lanes on a full freeway, working hard to get nowhere and putting lives in danger. Overall I get a fairly wide berth due to the Valk's size and the way I ride, I'm respectful but sometimes lose patience and shoot around slow drivers.. it cracks me up when they beep at me, horn beeping is one of the most impotent things you can do 

[Bret SD]

  Add nine accidents on the road and I still love to ride. The last three were rear end hits.

                                     

OUCH!!! 9...wow...good for you sticking with it  I am knocking on wood as I type this...almost 47 years of riding and I've been fortunate to never have had an accident on a street/road bike. Laid some dirt bikes down of course and had some close calls over the years, especially in my pre-meeting-the-Mrs years (I call that my Thank Heavens I Survived Period), Probably because I've always lived in small towns and have never ridden around a city on a regular basis or to work.

Mount & dismount from the Left

Not a huge speed demon anymore, so I just go through the gears easily ...with just the odd "get on 'er" every once in a while for an adrenalin rush. I wouldn't call my riding style as agressive at all anymore...after all these years I'm happy to be still riding so much and I want it to last as long as possilbe

There's plenty of leaning up here. I'm pretty equal with Left or Right turns...I'm sorta semi- ambidextrous with both my feet and hands...not sure if that has anything to do with it. I actually enjoy riding the flat plains on our longer rides out of BC...nice to just put the feet up on the highway pegs and leisurely cruise on down the road

I tend to use my back brake more to slow me down just as I hit a sharp curve, otherwise I typically use both equally


Great post topic btw Bret

Thanks Mike! I'm tired of all the bickering and trying to break away from it, we're all venting frustration and dealing with the BS. It's nice to just go and ride.

My aggression is off and on, sometimes I'm as mellow as a mouse, other times I'm a lion roaring around in a controlled, yet aggressive way.. it's hard to explain. At 62 yo I still have a very strong spirit and sometimes have to let out a little pent up venom 

[Bret SD]

Nothing much to add, just wanted to say...the riding posts have been nice to see around here lately. After a year of elections and covid, it’s great to see everyone back to talking about the thing we have in common, not what separates us.

And 2. Bret...a southern Californian who plays hockey 

Haha, grew up in Chicago and played a lot into HS.. ice hockey has my heart  It's always been my favorite sport.

[Bret SD]

Varies depending on the day, two up or solo and any wild hairs that sprout. 

Been known to redline thru the gears, or to just put up a sail and let the breeze blow me around. 

I like rackin' thru the gears in the mountain twisties, especially at a clip -- and "jakeing" it into the tighter curves. I prefer that grunt of dropping a gear, and the confident snap and feedback.  So, torque in the twists and big revs in between.  That gets me into the corners with a smoother line and out of them quicker.  Sometimes I'll do a quick brake tap going in, more as a "brake check" than a speed bleed.

Fun to tool thru town on the local boulevards and display the bike's low speed prowess to the orange and black clad tourists chowing down on the outside restaurant balconies.  Sometimes when the traffic light timing is just right, I'll do the 0 - limit burst before they can ID what they just saw, then just putt by like an old geezer going fishin'.  The local cops probably don't like it, but I think they are impressed with how quickly I can adjust my rapidly accelerating bike's momentum to the acceptable legal trolling limit.

These bikes are a big hoot, and they're surprisingly flickable for old behemoth dinosaurs.

I'm trying to focus more on smelling roses and acting my age, but I do get bored with all that pretty fast and I gotta let 'er rip fairly consistently!  We are riding on six, after all.  Dragons like to ROAR!

Seth I'm with you on how you handle the twisties, braking isn't front and center for me either, I like to let the flat six do the talking 

I do the fast takeoff sometimes to just around the speed limit, not long ago a cop watched me do it and didn't do anything. 

I love my dinosaur!    People compliment it all the time when I park it near the beach for a run, younger people love it as well as some who aren't so young.

[Bret SD]

I never saw John Wayne mount a horse from the left side. I'm not going against The Duke.
I usually find myself shifting w/RPM's
I tend to use the rear in parking lots and as I come to a stop. Otherwise it's the front for stopping power.
Leaning is where I have become very conservative    I enjoy the twisties, I just don't charge into them anymore. There is a stretch of road I drive everyday of my life. It has nice grade and S curve to it. I love the trip up and down it on the Valk! The left peg touches more often than the right.
Not much of an aggressive rider anymore. On the bypass around Kent. I like to feel triple digits on occasion. Around town I like to be out ahead of traffic. Not to be aggressive just to be safe. No desire to be surrounded by cages unless there is no choice.

When on twisties I like to pick my lines and go smooth.. smooth is fast and over aggressive gets people hurt. I'm aggressive but not to the point of stupid, I like the feeling of the bike singing under me as I smile through the curves  

[F6Dave]

We all know that leaning too much on a Valkyrie can scrape some low hanging parts.  Not long after I bought my first one, I discovered that hanging off to the inside of a curve, sport bike style, actually buys you a bit of ground clearance.  It looks kind of dumb on a Valk, but can make a twisty road more fun.

[Bret SD]

I'm almost certain I pretty much never touch the back brake
unless I also touch the front. Many's the time I touch the front
and not the back...

-Mike "rides in gravel..."

Mike I'm going to talk more on braking, using the rear brake gently has some good utility for me but the front is still king.

[Valkorado]

I never saw John Wayne mount a horse from the left side. I'm not going against The Duke.
I usually find myself shifting w/RPM's
I tend to use the rear in parking lots and as I come to a stop. Otherwise it's the front for stopping power.
Leaning is where I have become very conservative    I enjoy the twisties, I just don't charge into them anymore. There is a stretch of road I drive everyday of my life. It has nice grade and S curve to it. I love the trip up and down it on the Valk! The left peg touches more often than the right.
Not much of an aggressive rider anymore. On the bypass around Kent. I like to feel triple digits on occasion. Around town I like to be out ahead of traffic. Not to be aggressive just to be safe. No desire to be surrounded by cages unless there is no choice.

When on twisties I like to pick my lines and and go smooth.. smooth is fast and over aggressive gets people hurt. I'm aggressive but not to the point of stupid, I like the feeling of the bike singing under me as I smile through the curves  

I've discovered that a quality LIGHT TRUCK tire sure enhances overall handling and L-R transitions in the twists.    

Darkside debate in 5, 4, 3...

[Valkorado]

I'm almost certain I pretty much never touch the back brake
unless I also touch the front. Many's the time I touch the front
and not the back...

-Mike "rides in gravel..."

Mike I'm going to talk more on braking, using the rear brake gently has some good utility for me but the front is still king.

This, in twists anyway.  Gently, like a butterfly's wing.  Can't even say it's actually braking, more feeling.  That brake check I mentioned -- just to make sure they're still there. 

[Bret SD]

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-braking-tips/

It's worth reading because we all need to keep learning.

Thanks for the link, I should explain more on how I use the brakes.. when stopping or slowing for traffic lights or stop signs I use the rear sparingly to slow my inertia, I like to coast into stops without too much momentum. As I near the stop I'll apply light rear brakes and Stage 1 fronts. I use Stage 2 fronts for a short yellow light or situations requiring a little firmer braking.
I've used Stage 3 in situations where it was required and had no problems, the rear brakes I use simultaneously and feel very controlled. To date I haven't felt any loss of control in braking.

I think we have to have a feel for weight, inertia, road conditions, temps and other variables. To date I haven't had to do a full power stop in regular road conditions. Occasionally I'll practice hard braking and tight turning in a parking lot, it's important to cement those skills with training. In that way it's like combat or similar situations where you automatically do what you've trained to do, there is no time to think in some situations, only reaction.

Somebody mentioned brake wear, I had a rear caliper hanging and replaced the disk and pads last year, the fronts and rear are lasting a long time as wear I can track is minimal at best.

Having said all that, I still have much to learn and don't claim to be an ace rider.. every time out is an opportunity to learn new things. I also need to practice hard braking and tight turns more often. 

[0leman]

Being that I am bit over 6'2"  (was 6'4" at one time and legs haven't shrunk) don't have issues lifting right leg over the seat/back rest.  Maybe have gotten on on the right a couple of times in the nearly 50 years of riding.  Yeah I am still flexible and do stretch legs muscles to keep them limber.

since live in a town of 20K and it takes me less than 10 minutes to get out to the open road, no need to show folks at lights whose the fastest.  Though have played with several idiots in jacked up 4X4's why motorcycles can put them in the places.

I do prefer left hand curves to right, think it is that I can see the curve better.  Plus right hand curves where I live are kind of blind and sometimes have gravel from the edges thrown on them (makes for getting blood circulating when tires start to move around).    So far haven't felt the need to scrap anything on the curves with my Valk, did a lot of it when was younger on lighter bikes.  Had a Honda 450 that replace the foot pegs more than once.  

Not really aggressive type driver.   Have a set speed, usually about 5 over the speed limit.  If someone is dogging it in front of me will move around them.  If someone wants to go faster try to help them get around me.   Don't care to get to where going first.  Have noticed that Valk, when passing someone, tends to go from speed limit to 90 plus mph in a hurry.  

I start out with the idea of where I am going.  That plays on how I ride.  If going for a distance ride, usually over 200 miles, then tend to push it a bit.  If just going to smell the roses ride, then tend to not  ride my usual 5 over the speed limit.   Just sit back and enjoy the country side.  

Glad I do ride in an area devoid of heavy traffic like some of you folks who posted below.  Really dislike riding bumper to bumper.  

[..]

We all know that leaning too much on a Valkyrie can scrape some low hanging parts.  Not long after I bought my first one, I discovered that hanging off to the inside of a curve, sport bike style, actually buys you a bit of ground clearance.  It looks kind of dumb on a Valk, but can make a twisty road more fun.

Even just rolling weight off the butt cheek on the outside of the curve and leaning can mean the same speed around a curve but with less lean and avoiding scrapes.

It is a shame to see riders pushing the bike down while trying to stay upright with their torso.

Some have a hold over habit from dirt bike riding.

[Bret SD]

I've discovered that a quality LIGHT TRUCK tire sure enhances overall handling and L-R transitions in the twists.

Yes! I feel VERY confident in turns and rear brakes are much more 'sticky' feeling since going DS.

This, in twists anyway.  Gently, like a butterfly's wing.  Can't even say it's actually braking, more feeling.  That brake check I mentioned -- just to make sure they're still there.

That's it! That's the feeling I get too, and it's feather light or not at all, the motor helps me feel 'stuck' to the road.

[Valkorado]

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-braking-tips/

It's worth reading because we all need to keep learning.

Thanks for the link, I should explain more on how I use the brakes.. when stopping or slowing for traffic lights or stop signs I use the rear sparingly to slow my inertia, I like to coast into stops without too much momentum. As I near the stop I'll apply light rear brakes and Stage 1 fronts. I use Stage 2 fronts for a short yellow light or situations requiring a little firmer braking.
I've used Stage 3 in situations where it was required and had no problems, the rear brakes I use simultaneously and feel very controlled. To date I haven't felt any loss of control in braking.

I think we have to have a feel for weight, inertia, road conditions, temps and other variables. To date I haven't had to do a full power stop in regular road conditions. Occasionally I'll practice hard braking and tight turning in a parking lot, it's important to cement those skills with training. In that way it's like combat or similar situations where you automatically do what you've trained to do, there is no time to think in some situations, only reaction.

Somebody mentioned brake wear, I had a rear caliper hanging and replaced the disk and pads last year, the fronts and rear are lasting a long time as wear I can track is minimal at best.

Having said all that, I still have much to learn and don't claim to be an ace rider.. every time out is an opportunity to learn new things. I also need to practice hard braking and tight turns more often.  

Forgot to mention, there's a helluva lot to say about road familiarity.  Not to say that's the end all -- you can zip around a familiar blind corner and there's a brand new pothole in your track, or a deer or black bear (yep, been there but thankfully not in my track).  Still, if you are very familiar with the layout, corner radius, etc. it's a wholly different thing than aggressively attacking unfamiliar territory.

I am sometimes crazy but I'm no fool.  

I enjoy riding  Hwy. 92 aggressively, and several other windy stretches around these parts...  I pretty much know what to expect.  I have never ridden the Tail Of The Dragon.  Guaranteed, my first time thru I wouldn't make Killboy's top 10 Dragon photographs!  I've seen the pictures of the riders who try!  

I'm not the most skilled rider in the world by any means.  I try to remember that, and not bite off more than I can chew.  I let the rockets and Diavels fly right on by...

BTW, Britman mentioned avoiding scrapes.  Some live for scraping.  Some avoid them only because it gets expen$ive replacing pegs.  Me, I avoid them because I find that noIse/feerling UNNERVING AS HELL, especially two up!  

Removed a set of peg lowers for that reason, and the "problem" pretty much went away.

I'll tell grinders it's because we're in drought, and I don't want to ignite any forest fires with the sparks.  

[hubcapsc]

I'm sure my lack of peg grinding has to do with me not being the fastest. I think
it also has to do with stiff suspension... 440 Progressives on the back, Progressive
springs up front...

-Mike

[Valkorado]

I'm sure my lack of peg grinding has to do with me not being the fastest. I think
it also has to do with stiff suspension... 440 Progressives on the back, Progressive
springs up front...

-Mike

I've got the 440's with heavy duty springs too.  I also noticed a good (reduced scraping) benefit from the two ply sidewalls on the Zeetex tire.  Still leans very well, just doesn't "remind" me anymore!

[old2soon]

Mounting
     Every M/C I've ever ridden leaned left on the side stand. So right leg up and over. Just seems more
  Natural to me anywho.
Shifting.
     I've been known to launch Hard for no other reason than I CAN. Depends on my frame of mind But I've hit the chip more than a few times. Also been known to just go easy on Phatt Ghurl. Sides-rippin thru the gears Is STILL a Rush.
Braking.
      Front brake lever when I Ride IS covered 98+% of the time. Does Not take me long to get the rear working either as It's just a pivot away.
Leaning
       Left Is easier fer me. Might have something to do from when I raced cars. All that space on the right while turning left. When I was motocrossig in Japan we had a flat track and a motocross course to practice on. Forced myself to go around the flat track to the right cuz motocrossind had left and right turns and jumps and what not.
Aggression
       Been known to be when and if needed. BUT I try hard while on Phatt Ghurl to NOT argue with cages or 18 wheelers. You Will LOSE. I do Not have too travel far for "country ridin"! NOT a fan of Large Metro areas But I have ridden in them-CAREFULLY. I Still LOVE To RIDE. But also Try Very Hard to Not become a STATISTIC.
          ?DaPrez-Ross-as most of you Are Aware IS my Blood. One of his 9 incidents and one of the 3 rear enders was Me taggin him-A TRUE aw SH T moment. And I'll leave That There but if he chooses to illucidate I'm good with it. RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

As far as left/right turning goes I can think of hockey again, when skating backwards and circling I've always felt more comfortable going left and crossing over.

I have not roller or ice skated in 40 or more years.  I was very decent at both, growing up on a MI island with a half mile of ice in winter.  And the girls liked to roller skate, so I did that too (same deal with bowling, which I have always hated).

I'd have to be seriously drunk to do any backward skating today.  And pride goeth before the fall.   

[0leman]

Grew up with a left handed father who had been retrained to use his right hand, some thing the folks did back then.  Anyway he felt one should be able to most every thing  with both hands.  Got to learn to use tools with both hands, shoot guns with both hands, etc.  This said, still prefer left hand curves.   As I said above the right hand curves are hard to see around.

As far as scrapping pegs, I have been using '65 series  DS tires on Valk.  I have followed Art (he use to have a Valkryie) around curves where he  was almost scarping pegs  and not even being close to rubbing anything.  Think it is the tire size that makes some difference and shock settings.

AND do use the front brake mostly.  I seem to just use my little finger on slowing down normally for stop signs and lights..    Add a couple more fingers when really need to stop in a hurry.  Back Brake comes in the last few yards of normal stopping.  I have replaced the back brake pads once in the 90K miles I have ridden her.   Fronts a couple of times.

[Bret SD]

Mounting
     Every M/C I've ever ridden leaned left on the side stand. So right leg up and over. Just seems more
  Natural to me anywho.
Shifting.
     I've been known to launch Hard for no other reason than I CAN. Depends on my frame of mind But I've hit the chip more than a few times. Also been known to just go easy on Phatt Ghurl. Sides-rippin thru the gears Is STILL a Rush.
Braking.
      Front brake lever when I Ride IS covered 98+% of the time. Does Not take me long to get the rear working either as It's just a pivot away.
Leaning
       Left Is easier fer me. Might have something to do from when I raced cars. All that space on the right while turning left. When I was motocrossig in Japan we had a flat track and a motocross course to practice on. Forced myself to go around the flat track to the right cuz motocrossind had left and right turns and jumps and what not.
Aggression
       Been known to be when and if needed. BUT I try hard while on Phatt Ghurl to NOT argue with cages or 18 wheelers. You Will LOSE. I do Not have too travel far for "country ridin"! NOT a fan of Large Metro areas But I have ridden in them-CAREFULLY. I Still LOVE To RIDE. But also Try Very Hard to Not become a STATISTIC.
          ?DaPrez-Ross-as most of you Are Aware IS my Blood. One of his 9 incidents and one of the 3 rear enders was Me taggin him-A TRUE aw SH T moment. And I'll leave That There but if he chooses to illucidate I'm good with it. RIDE SAFE.

I hear you on riding in high traffic Dennis, cagers here are becoming more aggressive as we come out of medical prison.

BTW, you gotta be in damn good shape with strength and some serious durability both mental and physical to race motocross. A buddy of mine in the 80's when I lived in Pismo Beach raced sprint cars, the ones without the big airfoil.. 700+ HP in that little car made for some cool entertainment.

[Bret SD]

As far as left/right turning goes I can think of hockey again, when skating backwards and circling I've always felt more comfortable going left and crossing over.

I have not roller or ice skated in 40 or more years.  I was very decent at both, growing up on a MI island with a half mile of ice in winter.  And the girls liked to roller skate, so I did that too (same deal with bowling, which I have always hated).

I'd have to be seriously drunk to do any backward skating today.  And pride goeth before the fall.   

Last time I went, which was several years ago, it took me about half an hour to become really comfortable on the ice again. Wearing those crappy rental skates really sucked but I ended up doing pretty well on them, I had the guy bring me all the ones in my size so I could inspect the blades and I picked the best ones.