i used to drive spiritly, so I apply the same concept, always apply load on tyres during corner and never close throttle.

approaching corner, depending on speed, drop gear /+ front brake + maintain throttle (just dont close throttle). shift the load onto front tyre as you lean.

once you going back to straight angle/exit corner, slowly increase open throttle and here you can use rear brake to pull you in if you feel like 'understeer'. alternatively reduce your throttle play.

just my 2cent, still learning and apply those steps. But one thing for sure, dont use rear brake for primary braking.

Ok, I see where the confusion stems from. I understand front brakes are where most of the stopping power of the bike comes from.

Hahah and thanks for pointing it out. Let me clarify, I'm trying to say I've been exclusively using the front brakes only which is not the best way to stop the bike. Did not touch the rear brakes AT ALL.

What I meant was, I'm working/practicing towards learning how to use both front and rear brakes together which is a challenge to do right and something I'm learning as I'm told that's a skill that can help better control the bike and stop faster.

Even now, I'm only starting to keep the bike in gear with throttle while I'm taking turns. I used to have this bad habit of pulling the clutch during turns to smoothen out the engine braking which is dangerous as I'm told.

Loads to learn but I'm practicing as much as I can.

This post has been edited by JPlaSMaY666: Feb 26 2025, 05:57 PM

Like you, I actually tried to use rear brake also, but just last week my rear skidded because I was panicking to exit the lane and applied the rear brake in a turn.

I don't think I will ever try to use the rear brake much anymore... that introduces a complexity that I think I cannot handle in emergency situations.

Yea, that was one of the main concerns I had when it comes to using the back brakes. But touch wood, haven't skidded yet. Must be due to me riding like an old man. Hahah

I do notice using the rear brakes allowed me to control the bike better during slower maneuvers..especially important during lane splitting.

During lane splitting, yes I'm using rear brake often together with throttle (on kapcai), as it help to balance back the bike during slow speed. Which I learnt it on titi.

Yea, using the rear brakes on the titi really made a difference for me. Don't touch the front brakes, tap rear brakes, eyes forward all the way... crossed it without issue.

But reality is, riding on the road is different from riding in the driving school.

As it is, I just recently started lane-splitting and gosh, it's quite stressful when you're already going 60kmh between cars while all the kapchais are behind forming a bee line. I find myself shifting to the side to allow them to clear before I continue to lane-split.

I don't think my bike width or clearance is the issue, it's my confidence but utilizing the rear brakes have helped me to better predict and control the bike so hopefully, I'll be able to continue honing my skills without any incident..

Actually the titi test and what you learn from it is very applicable to real world riding. In time you will appreciate it. There is a reason it is part of the test.

Now do it with 1 hand (left) with only clutch control and no throttle. Low speed 5kmh.

After that do the same for the figure 8. Left hand only, no throttle.

Next do the same with right hand only, standing up. 10-15kmh. Same drills...as slow as you can get.

Left Hand, feathering clutch with no throttle is what I've been doing for slow speed maneuvers. With the added rear brakes. Still not confident whenever I have to let one hand off the handlebars for whatever reason. Hahah

For figure 8s, I've never used the throttle, only clutch, but with both hands on the handlebars la.

Never really tried standing up while riding except when I'm going over a particularly sharp bump. But will add that to my retinue of practice the next time I hit my usual 'open spot' for practice.

Thanks for the pointers!

Entering my 4th month of commuting on my bike. Have more or less acclimatized to riding on highways and motorcycle lanes with a more confidence than when I first started.

Some stuff things I would like to ask the sifus here though

- Each time I get on the bike, I still get that little uneasy feeling for absolutely no reason at all. I had these feelings when I first started commuting on the bike but I thought it was just greenhorn jitters but 4 months in with regular commutes 3 or 4 times a week, I still get that feeling albeit it's a lot lesser then when I started. Is this normal?

- While lane filtering/lane splitting, I could be going between 55kmh and 65kmh amidst slow or stopped cars but there will be speeding kapchais overtaking me and whizzing through, cutting dangerously. I do give way as soon as I notice people speeding and coming up fast behind me while lane splitting/lane filtering but these bikers will 'shoot the gap' no matter how tight the space is without allowing me to cut into the left or right lane. Am I doing something wrong? Am I going too slow? How fast is too fast to lane filter/lane split?

- Going on the motorcycle lane, I noticed some riders tend to cut during tight turns or through tunnels when it's clearly dangerous. It's quite unnerving especially when you're managing the turns and another bike just cuts into your lane forcing you to brake. I do ride based on traffic flow and I don't think I'm going too slow as I tend to overtake quite a bit especially when there are other bikes going slower than 60 - 70kmh. Is this something you guys faced as well when it comes to using the motorcycle lane?

- for some people yes. possible ur still intimidated by the bike/ bikelife and may need time to get used to it. ive been riding for over 20 years and i still get jitters sometimes when i go on my long trips. just ride and not think too much about it

- no... theyre just impatient assholes. also they dont know if ur gonna move aside to give them space hence the cutting. go at whatever speed ur comfortable with.

- yup.... again, impatient assholes. tbh sometimes im doing the cutting on my big versys but i try to do it when no bikes nearby. if there is a bike in front of me before the corner, i tend to slow down and be behind him.


the usual advice is "always be aware of ur surroundings", but never exactly what to be aware of...... for me itll be...
- never expect people to do what they are supposed to do... instead expect them to do what they arent supposed to do. this applies to ALL vehicles.... even pedestrians (eg: THIS IDIOT)
so always slow down at crossings, even traffic lights and ur light is green and have a look before twisting the throttle again.

- when riding in traffic, my main fear is not cars switching lanes (though i still keep an eye out for them), but its the kapchais just switching lanes without looking. too many close calls. so whenever i see a kapchai on the next lane over, i try to be more aware of them.

kinda have to learn to read the body/vehicle language of other road users. and even then, can still get it wrong.

its ok to slow down.... and putting ur leg down while riding in traffic is ok... and of course... no need to be paling kedepan at traffic lights. ive recently started stopping at the line since police in kl has started fining people who stop in front of the traffic light line....might as well make it a habit now rather than struggling to get used to it when enforcement becomes more serious.... its the right thing to do anyway.

This post has been edited by mADmAN: Mar 25 2025, 12:06 PM

your bike got "P"?

yes that feeling is normal. you'll get over it after some times, tbh I also feel that sometimes even after 2 years of riding.
what you are riding can kill you in split second how to not feel uneasy

you aren't in the wrong if someone cut you over while lane splitting even when you are already running 60 kmh. any faster than that are just risking for accident in case some dumb cars suddenly changing lane without giving signal.

yeah rule of thumb dont try to pass others at corners in public road. especially tight motorcycle lane. some kapcai can get away with it because they are small but don't try it if you are on a big bike.

This post has been edited by Patent: Mar 26 2025, 06:11 AM

For clarification, I do signal whenever I'm making space which is why it makes me even more perplexed these people can't wait 2 or 3 seconds for me to move away for them to overtake.

Hahah, this one I have to agree. Head on a swivel and anticipate what people are going to do. It's really gotten me prepped before most of my close calls.

And I do take it slow and ride my own ride. One thing I've come to understand, never bother following most kapchais because they'll just speed up and I'll be left going at a pace that's uncomfortable for me. No issues with stopping at traffic light lines because it gives me a chance to have a breather between my commutes. I've not run a red light except once when a car did not stop and it was either I move away or turn into tomato paste on the road.. yes, driver was on the phone.

Takde boss, no 'P'... I do have an 'L' on my bike though.

Have been taking my sweet time with the 'mandatory' bike school hours because I felt I could learn so much more and faster having 'real world 'experience. Will however be taking my final 3 hours of classes this Sunday and hopefully book myself for the exams in a week or 2. Doakan saya, kawans kawans

Thanks for sharing. Glad this feeling is normal. I hope I can shake this off with time or at the very least, not have to compose myself for a second or 2 before kicking gears and moving.

I'm very aware riding on the public road is anticipating dumb things people do and trying to work around it. Just annoying each time I'm approaching a corner, I'll be keeping an eye out on my side mirrors to check if there are 'Street Rossi' on a 'flying lap' going for the 'overtake'.

yeah, that "L" is part of the reason for the hostility
be safe lah

Mind you Malaysian drivers have very poor lane discipline, meaning they cut into lanes during corners.

Factor that in when lane splitting. Try not to split lanes during a corner. One, as the aforementioned lane discipline and second, during a corner, there is less visibility both for you and other vehicles as you have no clear line of sight.

Screw the kapchais that want to lane split at speed and get held up behind me, they can wait for a clearing before I pull back into lane for them to pass. My safety is priority.

What's wrong with having an 'L'? Hahah, thought it's supposed to let people know you're new and to give space instead of forcing their way around dangerously...

I do ride safe and give space when it's safe to do so, but it boggles the mind that 60km/h is still not fast enough for some riders when lane splitting during slower or stationary traffic.

Yeaps, I never felt safe or confident enough to overtake during corners simply because I could never trust the person I'm overtaking to not 'eat' into my lane during the corners. In fact, I would rather slow down to ensure there is no one next to me when taking corners.

I do make space to allow these speeding lane splitters to pass at the earliest opportunity but I do wonder am I the issue when I'm going 60 - 65km/h while lane splitting? I really don't feel confident going faster than that because it gives me jitters as there are loads of cars that turn into the next lane without signaling and I've had to emergency brake a few times to avoid hitting them..

Nothing wrong with lane splitting at a lower speed. In fact I usually don't go over 30-40kmh from traffic flow. 65 in standstill traffic is already too fast. In fact if city traffic goes over 80, I seldom bother to lane split at all.

Those guys that speed when filtering has no sense of self preservation, especially with non ABS bikes. Thats why you see them not brake at all ...because even if they did, they would just lock up the front and slide under whatever they are going to hit.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Apr 1 2025, 04:08 PM