How much co-ordination does it take to ride a motorcycle in traffic?

[SKOM]

Had a friend ask me this the other day. What do you think?
clutch, brake, throttle, counter steer, dodge car, yellow light, pick nose, etc...

[Ducatiloo]

Every day we go to war with the cagers, have to be at the top of your game always.

[CDawg]

I remember reading somewhere that it takes 2-4x more mental effort to ride a motorcycle compared to driving

[S4ROB]

Every day we go to war with the cagers, have to be at the top of your game always.

No doubt about it.  They are out to get us.

[cdnrcr]

I remember reading somewhere that it takes 2-4x more mental effort to ride a motorcycle compared to driving

I agree - you always need to be sharp and mentally alert.  I give it a 6 out of 10, as I can't be too complicated, because I can do it. 

[Ontario_Monster]

Hell two wheelers are smarter than your average bear but I still say it is a 9, by the time you calculate how much space you have between the curb, the pedestrian and the city bus and make the right decision that pedestrian has only taken 1/2 a step.  It is amazing how we all do this as routine the longer you ride, while as a noob it is just so easy to not make those calculations in time. 

Then again maybe being smarter than your average bear is all you need to survive the cagers!

[MendoDave]

I agree - you always need to be sharp and mentally alert.  I give it a 6 out of 10, as I can't be too complicated, because I can do it. 

Almost a +1 but I gave it a 5 because I can do it. Puling a wheelie while splitting lanes bumps it up to 8 though because I cant do it.

_{And don't think it would be a good Idea to try it either.}

[Duc Stamp]

I think it's more about motor skills and muscle memory.  There is some thinking involved, but it's coordination and practice.

Not exactly a brain teaser though.

[johnster]

I said 7...

5 being average riding, I picked 7 because riding in traffic is no different than any other time, it's just the extra bit of mental sharpness needed to look out for others that brings it up to 7 IMO.

In the morning, people are either 1/2 asleep or rushing to get to work which means I'm on high alert, so that might bring it up to an 8.

[Mika]

it is also a matter of TOTAL CONCENTWATION

[Pancake81]

Depends on the traffic... Like 4 km.hr whre your contantly balancing OR doing 80 on a freeway  . Both are traffic and both require different skill levels.

[ODrides]

Less coordination to ride in traffic than to ride a swoopy backroad WELL.

[CountGreffi]

Like George Constanza wanted to name his son "Seven" is the one I choose. It's like playing golf, or surfing easy enough if you have natural talent and have good MUSCLE CONTROL, HAND EYE CO., and BALANCE.

cg

[hyphen]

It depends on what kind of riding.  If you're just strolling along behind cars and such then it's a 4 or 5 because riding a motorcycle well is already much more difficult than driving a car.  If you're lane splitting in stop-and-go traffic then I give it a 7.  Being able to maneuver a motorcycle in between cars at relatively slow speeds is not exactly easy, but it isn't brain surgery either.  You just need to be a little more alert, coordinated and smart about controlling speed and weaving.  Plus, you have to have pretty good spacial judgment, which I don't believe is an easy thing to learn.

[arai_speed]

I said 7 assuming lane splitting w/an average 30%+ speed difference between me and the cars.

I used to commute about 37 (one way) on my bike splitting lanes most of the way, I would get to work exhausted!!!