RIDE SMART Q-RIDE LATEST NEWS

The figure 8 is all about control, balance, and vision at low speed. It teaches riders how to manage the bike smoothly without relying on speed.

Key points to focus on:

👀 Eyes up, head turned
Look where you want the bike to go. Your head leads the turn — the bike follows.

⚙️ Clutch control
Use the friction point to engage the engine to the rear wheel. This allows precise speed control and helps maintain balance.

✋ Steady throttle
Maintain a light, consistent throttle. Avoid chopping or rolling on and off aggressively.

🦶 Light rear brake
Use the rear brake to stabilise the bike and keep it settled through the turn.

🏍️ Lean the bike, not your body (bike in - body out)
Keep your body upright and allow the bike to lean underneath you.

🧘 Relax
Tension makes tight turns harder. Breathe, stay loose, and trust the bike.

✅ Mastering the figure 8 builds confidence for U-turns, intersections, and slow-speed riding in traffic.

Slow is smooth. Smooth is controlled. 👌🏍️

If you want to perfect your figure of 8 and get yourself fully prepared for your Q-Ride Course, you can book online or call the office to lock in a 1-on-1 or group training session.

Being able to stop safely at a precise spot—like a red light—is an essential skill for every rider. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1️⃣ Check your surroundings
Use your mirrors to make sure it’s safe before slowing down.

2️⃣ Use both brakes
Set up and squeeze your front and rear brakes smoothly.

3️⃣ Downshift to 1st gear
Control your speed and prepare to stop.

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📝 Rider Tip: Clutch Control When Downshifting

When slowing down and gearing down toward a stop (such as a red light), letting the clutch out briefly between downshifts is good practice for several important reasons:

✔ Keeps the motorcycle stable
Re-engaging the clutch between gears allows the engine speed to match the road speed of the lower gear. This creates smooth engine braking rather than a sudden jolt. Holding the clutch in while clicking down multiple gears can cause an abrupt shock when it’s finally released, unsettling the bike.

✔ You’re always in the correct gear
Releasing the clutch after each downshift ensures the bike is ready to accelerate instantly if traffic conditions change or you need to move out of danger. Coasting with the clutch pulled in may leave you in the wrong gear when you need to react quickly.

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If you want to perfect your braking and be fully prepared for your RE licence, you can book online or call the office to lock in a 1-on-1 or group training session.

📞 Ph: 3855 3777
🌐 Web: ridesmart.com.au

Slow riding is all about momentum. Just like a spinning top stays balanced when it’s moving, a motorcycle settles into its groove with a little drive behind it. Set the clutch in the friction zone, keep the throttle above idle, and use that rear brake to smooth things out. Master this, and slow riding goes from sketchy to silky smooth.
If you want to perfect your slow riding and get yourself fully prepared for your RE licence, you can book online or call the office to lock in a 1-on-1 or group training session.