Learning to ride

Today I had a chance to have my first motorcycle lesson, and on a Harely no less. I was a little worried with the weight at first, but we started off just rolling down a gentle hill with the motor off until I was comfortable with the low speeds and weight. Then it was engine on and into first for some starts and stops, and we wrapped up with a little ride around the neighborhood, which gave me a chance to do some 180s in dead end streets.

I didn't get past second today, but tomorrow we're going out again and should get into third and maybe fourth.

A lot of people have told me its best to start on a bike with a smaller engine, but it was nice to be able to just ease out the clutch and start rolling. She's just a sportster, but she has a 1200cc engine.

Its like driving a car (manual, of course) crossed with riding a bike; it was actually much easier than I had anticipated.

For me it was a little different. I was on a dirt bike from the time I was 7. Raced Moto Cross up until I was 15 then switched over to street bikes, The transition to the street was pretty simple. My daughter got her M license when she turned 16. she actually got her M1 and M2 before she even set foot in a car.

It is a great feeling getting out on two wheels on some nice winding roads. Just remember to ride within your comfort zone and experience level. Have seen to many friends lay down their bikes over the years.

Excellent Work!

I think it's perfectly fine to start with reasonable engine.
I started with 650cc and I'm glad I did.


Just one more thing.
Please, for the first 6 months or so (and if possible for the rest of your life) wear protections.
When I first started riding, I practiced a few important maneuvers, like quick stop.
I fell from my bike at about 50 MPH (which was the last speed I was going to do quick stop on.)
There must have been a sand pile or oil slick.
I don't really know what happened since it went so fast.

If I wasn't wearing my pads and boots and helmet and gloves,
I'm pretty sure I would have been very seriously injured.

And you think Straight Razors are addictive ???

HA !!!!


I sold my last bike before we moved up to Idaho which I am glad I did, way too wet and buggy up here to make it enjoyable for this Colorado boy :)

There is a certain feeling of freedom when riding, there is also the certainty that when you ride alot sooner or later you will go down, the only questions are how bad you get hurt, and if you will ever get back on...

One of the best defensive riding tricks I ever learned was always, always ride with at least 2 fingers covering the brake lever, that way you don't ever have to think about it.. The front brake stops the bike, the back brake makes good skid marks :)


Ride Safe Brother


g

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Originally Posted by xuz

Excellent Work!

Just one more thing.
Please, for the first 6 months or so (and if possible for the rest of your life) wear protections.
When I first started riding, I practiced a few important maneuvers, like quick stop.
I fell from my bike at about 50 MPH (which was the last speed I was going to do quick stop on.)
There must have been a sand pile or oil slick.
I don't really know what happened since it went so fast.

If I wasn't wearing my pads and boots and helmet and gloves,
I'm pretty sure I would have been very seriously injured.

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Totally agree with the above. In the UK is law to wear a helmet but that's it. We are lucky if we get 1 or 2 weeks of riding weather a year here and the amount of bikers I see in shorts and t shirt is ridiculous. If you've ever had gravel rash you'll never ride without leathers and gloves and if you haven't just imagine the worse razor burn you've ever had and multiply it by a million and you'll be somewhere close.

Ride safe and stay alert.

Safety is one reason I am very happy to be learning in Santa Fe. Seeing a few cars while out constitutes traffic, so I can remain well within my comfort zone on open and empty roads. I am following my teacher, and he watches me in his mirrors so as not to get too far ahead. State law does not require a helmet, but I am wearing one.

Today was ride two, and we rode farther and a bit faster, and on more normal roads so I could steer the bike through some curves. I felt very comfortable, once I got used to the wind at speed.

I also learned that the bike was born in the same year I was!

ahhh motorcycles....how I miss thee!

+1 to what Glen had to say. Just remember though if you grab that front without using some back you will be ass over tea kettle quicker than you ever imagined!

and yes you will go down. Learn everything you can before hitting the open road and you will decrease your risk of serious accident greatly. Thank the lord my accidents happened at low speed (less than 30) and I was able to pounce back up, get on the bike and lick my wounds at home....Get good gloves, not finger gloves, not thin gloves but nice thick palmed gloves. Sweatty hands are better than ground chuck anyday!

just my 2cents.

enjoy the ride :)

Congratulations! For me, I will never get on a road bike again seeing as I nearly lost my life at least 2x (yes, I was young & dumb at the time which didn't help).

Dirt bikes are another story altogether. :D

Learn to break hard and counter steer. Then have fun. Is this a class like Riders Edge?

I'm riding a Fury at the moment.

honda fury - Google Search

Congrats!

Riding a bike, feeling the freedom is the best thing one can do with clothes on :)

As already said, you will go down, so wear protection and stay alert! -This saved my life a few years ago, lost the grip in a turn and hit a meeting car in 70 mph, luckily I managed to jump off the bike a nano-second before I hit the car, and wore a full leather suit or else I wouldn't be here today.

I got back on the bike and rode for many years, but two years ago I had to sell it, not enough time to ride with two small kids and everything, I sure do miss it though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Learn to break hard and counter steer. Then have fun. Is this a class like Riders Edge?

I'm riding a Fury at the moment.

honda fury - Google Search

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No, my mom's fiancée (they have been together for maybe 15 years and just recently decided to get married) is teaching me. When I was younger, he used to take me out as a passenger now and then. He used to have two Harley's, then three, and now back to two. I am riding his 86 Sportster, which was his first Harley, and he is riding his anniversary edition, I think a Superglide.

Unfortunately, I will be heading back to NY on Wednesday, and I do not have a bike there (can't really afford one, and I don't have anywhere to keep one), so it may be some time before I ride again. Not including tomorrow, of course :-)

Dylan, enjoy your ride, be careful. In my former business we called them "Donor Cycles."

Cool! I recommend a good class before you start riding seriously. A quick Google on counter-steering is essential.

Here is a little fun for you.

Timp-Harley Police Motorcycle Competition - YouTube

Quote:

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

No, my mom's fiancée (they have been together for maybe 15 years and just recently decided to get married) is teaching me. When I was younger, he used to take me out as a passenger now and then. He used to have two Harley's, then three, and now back to two. I am riding his 86 Sportster, which was his first Harley, and he is riding his anniversary edition, I think a Superglide.

Unfortunately, I will be heading back to NY on Wednesday, and I do not have a bike there (can't really afford one, and I don't have anywhere to keep one), so it may be some time before I ride again. Not including tomorrow, of course :-)

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I've been fancying getting a bike for a while now, but my wife's uncle now has only one arm and one leg due to a motorcycle accident so I know that it would worry her sick if I did.

Oddly she seems quite happy that I have a road bike (bicycle) which I get to well over 40mph down hill with just a polystyrene helmet and Lycra clothing to protect me if I were to part company with a vertical position.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Today I had a chance to have my first motorcycle lesson, and on a Harely no less. I was a little worried with the weight at first, but we started off just rolling down a gentle hill with the motor off until I was comfortable with the low speeds and weight. Then it was engine on and into first for some starts and stops, and we wrapped up with a little ride around the neighborhood, which gave me a chance to do some 180s in dead end streets.

I didn't get past second today, but tomorrow we're going out again and should get into third and maybe fourth.

A lot of people have told me its best to start on a bike with a smaller engine, but it was nice to be able to just ease out the clutch and start rolling. She's just a sportster, but she has a 1200cc engine.

Its like driving a car (manual, of course) crossed with riding a bike; it was actually much easier than I had anticipated.

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Nuttin to it, just keep a leg on each side and your mind in the middle. :)

OH, BTW, EVERYBODY out there on the road with you is trying to kill you. Keep that in mind too.

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...1/riderude.jpg

RIDE RUDE! :)

Just back from the third and final ride of the vacation, as I'm heading back to New York tomorrow. We did about 50 miles in total over the three days, and I loved it. Today I was much more comfortable leaning and counter steering, as we rode on a more curvy road for our second loop. Still stayed out of traffic, which I was happy about.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure when I'll get to ride again, as I don't have a bike back home, but I'm looking forward to it. And I am very happy to say I have ridden a Harley.

Riding is kind of like the AD's, it gets into your blood or it doesn't. Dylan, you will know in a week or so if you are bitten. You will find room and a way if you caught the bug.

I've been riding for probably 30+ years & I'm still not "cured" from the addiction. I went for close to two years without a bike after my second spill, but just had to have another. It was like an itch that can't be scratched. After riding FAST (200+mph) bikes for the last two bikes and riding them hard for about ten years, my 2006 VTX 1800 F3 is more acceptable to the wife and my longterm welfare. Bought it new and paid it off this year, first new bike I have ever owned.

Attachment 94600

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Originally Posted by Wullie

OH, BTW, EVERYBODY out there on the road with you is trying to kill you. Keep that in mind too.

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So true, so true! Lost a co-worker, friend/riding buddy due to a person pulling out in front of him & have had MANY close calls.

The itch never subsides,took my last spill in 1965,brand new Honda scrambler,at the time a screamin machine.
Woke up in the E.R. after a day or two,and the nurse says: Hello,you meet the nicest people on a honda:) nice to see you back.
Have not been on a bike since,everytime I start lusting about Bikes, the wife taps on the steel plate holding my brainbox together and says:you meet the nicest people on a Honda:) yes dear:( maybe in my next life.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shooter74743

So true, so true! Lost a co-worker, friend/riding buddy due to a person pulling out in front of him & have had MANY close calls.

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I think everybody with any time in the saddle has lost a friend or two.

Back when I really didn't care if I saw the sun come up, I did a LOT of stupid drunken stuff. Only reason I can think of that I'm not six feet under is that the good Lord had his quota of fools and idiots on the nights when I should have bought the farm.

That old knuckle I was riding in the picture above was headed for the bar when that pic was taken. My buddy that took the pic always said it was a good thing the bike knew the way home.

I still drink a little every now and then BUT, I don't drive or ride after drinking.

My main Ride these days,48 volts of pure hell:) got her modded a tad,she can ramp up to about 22mph downhill.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/DSCF0185.jpg

Cool vehicle! and no worry of a speeding ticket!

Have fun, be careful & ALWAYS wear that helmet.
A helmut saved my life when I was 26.

I had an old friend who used to say "there are two kinds of people who ride motorcycles, those who had accidents and those who are going to have them". Yes it's loads of fun and addictive but very dangerous. I can think of a bunch of people no longer with us who lost their lives riding and it was not their fault.

One day my maker will call me, so when he does it doesn't matter. When I go, I just want to go doing something I enjoy, not laid up in a hospital forever and a day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wullie

I think everybody with any time in the saddle has lost a friend or two.

Back when I really didn't care if I saw the sun come up, I did a LOT of stupid drunken stuff. Only reason I can think of that I'm not six feet under is that the good Lord had his quota of fools and idiots on the nights when I should have bought the farm.

That old knuckle I was riding in the picture above was headed for the bar when that pic was taken. My buddy that took the pic always said it was a good thing the bike knew the way home.

I still drink a little every now and then BUT, I don't drive or ride after drinking.

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I'm a cycle noob. Years ago my brother-in-law asked me to pick up his Harley at the dealer and drive it home for him. I foolishly took it on LBJ and nearly died 3 times getting to Irving. People just don't see you.

My very good friend Gordon Keahey (KD5TEX) was killed in Rockwall last June. He was riding his bike when an oncoming truck hit his head on. The driver was TEXTING! That one hit me pretty hard.

Sorry for your loss Crotalus.


Glad to see/read so many old riders as well as so many new ones. Its been said, but enjoy it as much as you can and take some MSF courses if you can. Even experienced riders can benefit. Just dont let anyone dictate to you how to start... you have to be comfortable on a bike just like a blade. If you are comfortable enough for your first bike to have a larger engine, go for it. I started out taking an MSF class as my first time on a bike. Once I graduated it, I went out and bought a brand new Yamaha R1. I actually felt more comfortable with a motor that wasnt so twitchy at low speeds, and learned to finesse the bike more. Within a year I was at the track racing.... and dragging knees through the mountain roads. There's been plenty of time's ive had "oh S***" moments, but being aware of everything around me and how to react with my bike made the difference and kept me from ever laying it down.
Sadly... I moved to Colorado and found cops at every corner making sure we werent misbehaving, roads in disrepair, and sand through out the year in all the corners. There were also much more oblivious drivers here that made me decide to hang up my helmet for now and sold my bike last summer. I do seriously have the itch for it though... and I miss it fiercely.

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

A quick Google on counter-steering is essential.

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It's actually impossible to ride a motorcycle, except one with a sidecar attached, and not counter-steer. However, it is useful to be aware of the fact that you are, in affect, pulling the bars in the opposite direction from the turn. Keith Code, amongst others, has written some good books on the subject. I started on very small motorcycles, starting big has a lot of disadvantages in terms of learning the ropes, and no real advantages.

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Originally Posted by welshwizard

starting big has a lot of disadvantages in terms of learning the ropes, and no real advantages.

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Really? The guy who taught me said that after the Sportster, anything smaller should be really easy to ride. I'm inclined to believe him, as he's been riding for about 35 years, and I've known him for about 15.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by welshwizard

It's actually impossible to ride a motorcycle, except one with a sidecar attached, and not counter-steer. However, it is useful to be aware of the fact that you are, in affect, pulling the bars in the opposite direction from the turn. Keith Code, amongst others, has written some good books on the subject. I started on very small motorcycles, starting big has a lot of disadvantages in terms of learning the ropes, and no real advantages.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Really? The guy who taught me said that after the Sportster, anything smaller should be really easy to ride. I'm inclined to believe him, as he's been riding for about 35 years, and I've known him for about 15.

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Id have to agree with Holli. Not to mention that at slow speeds, you can manuever without countersteering... but the rarity is quite high. I also would argue that the smaller engines have a steeper torque/hp curve and tend to be more difficult to control than the larger more "subtle" bikes, unless you are referring to bikes like the Ninja 250 which has almost no power curve.

I would say that a sportster is about right to learn on for a grown man as it's light enough to handle, forgiving, and enough room for you to grow with it. It would be a good first bike just like a VTX 1300. I'm just glad you got some seat time & that the seed is planted...a subscription to a bike magazine would fertilize it well:hmmm:

Sportsters can be fun. I've had one. That was more than enough for me. I got it in a trade and rode it for long enough to know it wasn't for me.

Most sporties stand taller than a big twin. Always blew my mind when some guy with a big twin would buy a sporty for his wife/OL/significant otherness and the poor girl would be on her tip toes at a light trying not to let it fall over.

Big twins are heavier, they don't get blown around as badly in a crosswind and most of them have better gears for road riding. That poor sporty I had always seemed like it was winding its guts out at 70.

They're good around town, pretty quick and fairly agile. Used sportsters can usually be found very reasonably priced compared to a big twin.

If you decide to go the sportster route, DO NOT BUY AN OLD "IRONHEAD" unless you are a sadist and love to wrench more than ride. I don't care how cheap it is, find something else. Buy one that is less than 10 years old with NO "kicker" on it. Kick start sporties have probably ruined more knees than all the rest of the kick start bikes on the planet. FYI, an evo sporty with a kicker is strictly an after market add on.

I haven't messed with any HD that was newer than that '88 Sporty I had. HD may have made some changes in ride height on those things that I'm unaware of. I pretty much quit thinking of the "Evolution" engine as an HD when they quit making the "shovel heads" in the '84.

For about a year before I left Australia I was thoroughly enjoying riding. As per Australian law as a learner rider I was limited to a 250cc and so I was riding a Kawasaki Ninja. When I was on that bike I felt truly free.

But I love my wife more than I loved my bike and I sold it when we moved to Thailand. Every now and then I get the urge and think about how great it would be to ride a real bike here in Bangkok, but good sence always wins out.

Of course, one of my conditions for moving back to Australia is that I get a bike, and something bigger than a 250.
Until then I can just dream.

And one more thing. Not that anyone has asked for it, but here is some unsolicited advice. When you get back to New York look for a register riding course and give it a go. Some people may think that you wont get anything from it, but at the very least it wouldn't hurt any.

If I ever do move back to Australia one of the first things I will be doing is a motorcycle course such as is required under Australian law to get a motorcycle licence. I already have the licence, but a refresher course couldn't hurt.

A good friend of mine spent over a year building his dream bike. He's always been a BSA freak and we know him as BEEZER. Beezer has thousands of hours on bikes of all types. He's 55 years old going on 15. He is the guy that gave me his grandfather's old coticule razor hone and that old '79 "nekkid Wing" I ride. He's pretty much a little brother I never had. We've ridden many a mile together and had a lot of fun over the 20 years that I've known him

He built this bike in his kitchen pretty much. His dream was an old style "cafe racer". He suffered a lot of set backs and spent many an hour designing, re-designing, building, re-building and pretty much hand fabbed this whole bike except for the front part of the frame. The bike is an assortment of BSA and Triumph parts. It was sweet!
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...dtothebone.jpg

He took that pic about 6:15PM CST last Thursday evening.
At 10:30PM as near as we can tell from the accident report he looked like this.

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/b7b424d4.jpg

The dumb ass had a .24 BAC along with head injuries, broken ribs, torn up knee, and some serious road rash. He wasn't wearing a helmet nor did he have any ID on him. He was admitted under a "John Doe". It wasn't until Friday that his ex wife and daughter managed to locate him in the county hospital.

He rear ended a car, then bounced into a concrete "Jersey barrier" actually passing the car he'd hit. The driver of the car was able to stop without running over him.
The bike is a mess.
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/7b228331.jpg

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/27050a2d.jpg

Here's his hand as of today.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...5/a04d1f2f.jpg

I'm ready to kill him as are a couple of other close friends. He's been an alcoholic for a long time but he usually stayed home and wasted rather than riding. He's still in the hospital and undergoing the DT's in addition to all the rest of his problems.

I can say with all honesty that there has been many a night in my past where I could have ended up in the same shape. I guess the good Lord has his quota of fools and idiots on the nights I was messing up.

No charges have been filed by the PD, yet that is. They've still got plenty of time if they decide to go for it.

He's got a rough row to hoe ahead of him even if they don't file.

Moral of this story? DON'T drink and ride! Wear good protective gear!

Keep your life insurance paid up too.

was told early on there is two ways to look on a bike,"cool and dead" don't be a dead one. Spend $1000 dollars on a Bike, spend $2000 on riding gear. Buy the best helmet, gloves, shoes, jacket, chaps or pants money can buy. This might not keep you alive but it could. If you buy a jacket get one with extra pads( back,shoulder, elbow,ect...) same with pants/ chaps. I have a good friend that is here today because of these features, the wreck ruined everything, but he walked away with just a bruise on his left butt cheek. I think it was a fair trade

Sorry about your friend, Wullie. Hope he pulls through.