First day of Motorcycle riding

[Eadari]

Today was my first day of the MSF course with Awesome Cycles, I was so nervous and worried about riding.

But once we got those bikes started and I took off for the first time it was one of the best feelings in the world it was so fun and I do have alot more practice to do but I cant wait tell I can get out on the road and join you guys on some rides down the road.

[Texas T]

Good for you on taking the class. Take your time and practice, practice, practice. Don't be too eager to join a ride just yet. New riders tend to want to "keep up" instead of riding their own ride.

"Ride your own ride" is a phrase you'll hear often. It basically means that you shouldn't push yourself to ride faster than your current skills allow. And many riders here will tell you, just when you think you've got it knocked and everything seems to be flowing just right is when the demons will rise up and knock you right on your keester.

The great thing about TWT rides is that regardless of your skill or comfort level, everyone is welcome and accomodated. If you're running slow and 2-3 minutes behind everyone else, that's fine, everyone will wait for you at the next intersection until you arrive. However, some folks place self-imposed pressure upon themselves to ride with the faster riders when they really aren't ready to do so. Don't allow yourself to fall into that trap.

Practice, take things slow and easy, work on your slow speed handling, your awareness of what's going on around you. You'll know when you're ready for the next step.

Glad to have you with us.

[Gilk51]

Congrats there, big E. The MSF course is a hoot isn't it?

There IS one problem with that course - If you don't already have a bike at home - that course will MAKE you go get one! You won't be able to help it - it WILL happen... :-D

Uh, ask me how I know this! ;-)

[Mr Ed]

Good for you, Eadari :-)

Texas T gave you some very good advice. Never, ever try to keep up when the pace gets uncomfortable. I've been riding 40 years, and I still make my worst mistakes when I'm pressing to run faster than I'd really like to. The easy answer is just don't do it. Don't try to ride fast, try to ride well. Speed and comfort will come naturally as your skill improves.

You've joined a great group of folks here. Do you have your own bike yet, or are you going shopping after the class?

[Eadari]

Thanks for the advice, I'm looking forward to practice on the bike and then some more practice.

I was going to go looking for the bike I want today but I was to dang tired, I might check out a few dealerships tommorow if there open.

I was the only person in class to get a thumbs up from the instructor when I said I wanted to get a SV650. I love the look of the bike and it will probably keep me happy for awhile.

Thanks for the welcome and I am glad to be here.

[Texas T]

I was going to go looking for the bike I want today but I was to dang tired, I might check out a few dealerships tommorow if there open. Many dealers are closed Sun/Mon.

[StoneTriple]

"You've taken your first step into a larger world."
http://starwars.planeta-digital.com/images/thumb/2/21/180px-Obi-Wan_(Ben)_Kenobi.jpg

[Gilk51]

I was going to go looking for the bike I want today but I was to dang tired, I might check out a few dealerships tommorow if there open. Many dealers are closed Sun/Mon.

Unfortunately, more like "most".
However, the internet is open 24/7 - lots of reviews and discussions on just about anything.

I wanted to get a SV650
I lot of folks get one as their second bike. Good choice for a first - they are very popular.

[Willie TKana]

Today was my first day of the MSF course with Awesome Cycles, I was so nervous and worried about riding.

But once we got those bikes started and I took off for the first time it was one of the best feelings in the world it was so fun and I do have alot more practice to do but I cant wait tell I can get out on the road and join you guys on some rides down the road.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great. Riding is the next thing, to Flying, I would imagine. The freedom feeling is awsome. I can have a couple of worries, and crank my motorcycle, swing my right leg over, straddle the saddle, and take off for a ride, and those worries blow a way. If, and when, you do go on a ride with a group, ride the drag, and little by little work your way up the line. Riding in the back is neat, to see the Bikes ahead, making the curves, and stuff. It's a sight to see.
good Luck....(willie)

[bowillyard]

Good way to start. Take your time, ride the speed that you feel comfortable. Watch out for squirrels both the little fury ones and the other kind.

Good luck, see you out there. ;-)

[Dj]

Don't be afraid to spend a few weekends riding to nearby empty parking lots and practicing your maneuvers. Concentrate on your turns (especially slow ones) and quick stops.

SV650 is a nice bike. Take it easy if you get one, it's going to have way more power than you're used to with the MSF bikes. What did you ride in the class? Most have Rebels, Blasts, Viragos, and the like.

It might not be a bad idea to start off with the same bike you took the class on. You're already quite acclimated to that bike, and changing to another bike is sure to be uneasy for you, with so little experience.

I own a Rebel, and have nothing but good things to say about that bike. It's very predictable, won't go any faster than you need to hone your skills (It will run 80mph all day long on the highway, so don't let that stop you...), and inspires a lot of rider confidence.

Just took mine for a spin to the auto parts store, it was already out of the garage, and the KLR got alot of stuff piled in front of it while working on my friend's car.

Chances are you already know quite a bit about how to work in traffic, and the MSF has prepared you for some essential defensive techniques that you need to employ while on a bike.

Whatever you choose to get, practice practice practice. Practice everything they taught you in the class, and I'd also recommend picking up a copy of David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" which covers alot of additional information about how to better control your bike.

Good luck, ride safe, and most of all... keep your brain engaged. Cagers are stupid and don't respect what can't hurt them. Always assume you do NOT have the right of way.

Motocycling is fun and rewarding. As one guy I know says... "You'll never find a motorcycle parked in front of a psychiatrist's office." My pop (50+ year riding veteran) finished that statement with "... Unless it's the shrink's." :)

[Texas T]

and I'd also recommend picking up a copy of David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" which covers alot of additional information about how to better control your bike.
+1

You'll notice that at least two of us have mentioned low speed handling. There is a great DVD by Jerry Palladino, (a motor cop) that teaches low speed handling techniques and I highly recommend that you obtain a copy. If (when) you drop the bike there is also a section on how to pick it back up. He uses his petite wife to demonstate a lift on a large cruiser/tourer to show you that it's technique, not strength that makes it happen.

The DVD is about $30 and WELL worth it.

[Eadari]

I passed the riding exam today now Just need to get to the DMV and it will be offical (after alot of practice of course)

I'll look for those items By David Hough and Jerry Palladino.

Not sure if it was a 04 or 05 but I was on a Suzuki GZ250 and I really liked that bike it was great to learn on.

Wasnt going to run out this week to buy a bike (work will keep me from that) but I'll see about geting some days off in a week to go take care of the DMV part and start shopping.

Thanks again guys, I really do appreciate the help

[Angrypenguin]

I think the SV650 would be a great bike for you, especially if you already really like the styling.

The best advice I have heard and think of daily when riding in traffic is assume you are invisible to everyone out there and if cars do see you the are going to try and hit you.

Its a bit of an exageration, but not by much you will come to find out.

Anyway have fun. Nothing beats experience, so once you do get your bike start out in slow traffic times of the day and ride every chance you get.

[Gilk51]

Congrats on passing the course!

I think that you will find that the written test is easy. Take a look through the booklet you got from the course. One thing to study is the 2-up and group riding - they usually have 1 or 2 questions about that and the course usually doesn't spend much time on groups.

The license upgrade is $15, a bit more if you are close to renewal time and want to take care of that now.

Enjoy!

[thefly]

only thing i would add is don't buy a new bike. waste of money for your first cause you will end up selling in a year to get something bigger if you so desire and will lose throw away some money. plus you will likely drop it once or twice.

[Hotboot]

Welcome to motorcycling ! All the previous advice is spot on.
Learning "street smarts" is the next step, and after riding 40+ years, there is a new lesson everytime you ride.

Good Luck and Enjoy.

[Mr Ed]

I tend to agree that the used bike is a good idea, but try to get someone with more experience to check it out for you. A really nice-looking used bike could have a lot of expensive mechanical problems. OTOH, an average-looking one may be fine mechanically and a real buy.

Another option would be to do your shopping and find the bike you think you really want. Then tell them you'd like to have it inspected by the mechanic of your choice. A 30-minute once-over shouldn't cost much, and it could save you a bunch of money. I'm sure the people on this board could recommend someone in your area.

Congratulations on completing the class. http://www.scribblesemb.com/TempFolder/thumbsup.gif

[Willie TKana]

only thing i would add is don't buy a new bike. waste of money for your first cause you will end up selling in a year to get something bigger if you so desire and will lose throw away some money. plus you will likely drop it once or twice.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am big on shopping around to find a good deal on a previously owned Bike, called a ''used one''. If you are patient, you can find pretty near, what you want,(color and all?) from someone who has bought it new, and needs to sell. <>I like it when I find one, already with nice shield, passenger back rest, bags, and more. <> Out of 15 bikes, in my time, I only bought one new'un.<>I see, Bikes for sale in our Paper, every week. These folks, buy em', and either don't ride em', or ride a few thousand miles, and buy a bigger, fancy'er one.<>I've always had good luck.<>This way you're buying em, at about a 35% discount,less sells taxes, and the bike is usually,loaded.
<>WhatchaThink<>
(willieT)

[Tourmeister]

:tab If you want an SV, get the SV650 standard and NOT the S model with the partial upper fairing. It will fare much better in the event of a tip over. It also has a more upright seating position which will make low speed stuff easier.

:tab Don't rule out a Suzuki GS500 either (not the newer fully faired version). These bikes can be had for relatively cheap, can take a heap of abuse and keep right on running, and then you can sell them for pretty much what you paid for them. Plenty of power to keep you entertained for the first 10K miles or so but light enough to be easy to handle. Dirt cheap to maintain and very simple to work on.

[Eadari]

I was thinking about a GS500 there really nice bikes, I'm 6'3 nearly 300 pounds would that bike be good for a big beefy guy like me?

[thefly]

probably not that comfortable. i found it small for me at i 5'10" and 175lbs. if you start looking at SV650's, i had a triumph speed four for a first bike. while it has a 100hp you really have to rev it up to use that power. also insurance on triupmh's vs. japanese was half the price on progressive at least it was for me. it $850/year for the four and $1500/year for a SV650 or FZ6 with $100/300 liability and underinsured. plus the triumph's are very reliable...

also i am somewhat biased as i like triumph's but this review helped me somewhat decide

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=790

[T-bird Troy]

I would suggest checking Motorcycles Unlimited on 1960. I took the class at Awsome Cycles then went and bought my 96 Triumph Thunderbird two days later. The guys(and gals) @ Motorcycles Unlimited are great. The catch is they only sell good condition Used motorcycles. If you want new they can't help ya......
Good Luck
Troy

[mrcleanvfr]

I bought my first bike ('96 VFR, I'm 6' 210 lbs) and took it to Patrick at MU and he checked it out for me. He also has really nice used bikes. He's very strict about what he sells. In fact, I bought his personal 929RR (super sweet, and totally tricked out)

Good luck and have fun shopping.

+1 on the SV choice too.

[Pinwheel]

Congrats on passing your course!

[Willie TKana]

Really, you mean out of 15 Bikes, you've only bought one new one?
(TexJackson)

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Yeah,TexJackson. I bought a 76 GoldWing, off the show room floor. It was a plain jane.It had nothing on it. It was candy apple red.
I rode it a year or so, with not even any kind of windShield. Getting ready for a Colo. Trip. I bought a regular WS, put a sissy bar on it, and that was it. Never had Bags, and rode. Tex, that was my first and last new'un. The Shadow 750 I have now, is an 03. I got it for $4600, a over a year ago. It was worth about $6100.
I advise folks to buy a used bike, for their first one. To make sure they wanna ride a motorcycle. This way they don't have so much invested, in case they decide Riding is not for them. You can't imagine how many, buy a $10,000 Bike, and ride it few times, and regret it. Then they sale in a hurry, to get out of the ''payments'' for a 35% loss,(or more)
(willieT)