While being taught to drive tractor trailer, we learned the Smith System. One of the 5 keys is to "aim high in steering".
When entering any sort of parking lot, scan the entire area. Look for potential things that might make you suddenly stop. Keep watching for vehicle movement as the scene can change in an instant. If you're looking at the ground around you, you won't be able to keep scanning.
Plan where you want to go in the parking lot (or gas station), look for things that might get in your way and plan for it. And by all means try not to stop while your bars are turned.
One bad habit I recently got out of (I've been riding almost 50 years) is when I enter a parking area from the street, there's usually some sort of small concrete step, maybe an inch or two. I used to focus on that step to make sure I don't go up it too fast. My speed was slow and sometimes too slow so I had to speed up quickly once the front tire got over it. Very awkward.
Now I go over that "bump" at a normal speed while looking where I want to go. Much safer for me.
When entering any sort of parking lot, scan the entire area. Look for potential things that might make you suddenly stop. Keep watching for vehicle movement as the scene can change in an instant. If you're looking at the ground around you, you won't be able to keep scanning.
Plan where you want to go in the parking lot (or gas station), look for things that might get in your way and plan for it. And by all means try not to stop while your bars are turned.
One bad habit I recently got out of (I've been riding almost 50 years) is when I enter a parking area from the street, there's usually some sort of small concrete step, maybe an inch or two. I used to focus on that step to make sure I don't go up it too fast. My speed was slow and sometimes too slow so I had to speed up quickly once the front tire got over it. Very awkward.
Now I go over that "bump" at a normal speed while looking where I want to go. Much safer for me.
