Thread: 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

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.

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.

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.