I remember my first day that I rode a motorcycle so I know how you feel. The more that I practiced, the better that I got to where I got more at ease when I rode. I live in rural America so I have plenty of back roads to practice on where traffic is at a minimum.

 

Oh hell.. I just started riding 51 yrs ago and I don't remember how I started...

I reckon I just got on the bike and rode it.. don't mean to be a Smart ***, I just rode and I didn't worry about how I was.. Go out into the country and ride.... that's where I learned to ride..

 

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I'm definitely going to put it all to practice. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who rides but I'm hoping that changes when I start to attend my local H.O.G. Chapter meetings. The ride like a pro videos are nice. I'm going to start watching them too.

 

Yellie I don't remember being nervous 40 years ago when I started riding but I do know what it felt like 4 years ago when I went back to riding. Getting familiar with your bike is one battle, knowing what you and it can do together will help with feeling more at ease on the road. That's why I suggested quiet days with less traffic to get familiar, and on roads you know well.

I do know that 4 years ago, when I got my first Harley, I felt like I had a lot more near misses and idiots trying to kill me, when in fact many of those incidents were about me, either being in the wrong lane, wrong speed for the conditions (usually too slow) or whatever. I bet at this point you are thinking about gear changes and riding how you were taught in the class. When those things become second nature through practice, you will then find yourself keeping up with traffic and riding a little bit more aggressively and being more aware.

 

Excellent advice. I couldn't begin to count the number of times I've kept going instead of turning because of a vehicle behind me. This isn't just on a bike, I've done with everything from a bike to a dually pulling a cattle trailer. I've got no doubt I've avoided being rear ended numerous times this way.


Keep working. Keep practicing, Keep getting better. Early Sunday morning is a good time to get out there and expand your range. There will be very little traffic and what traffic is out there is usually a lot more relaxed than what you see other times.

 

You are on the right track. Th fact that you were aware of the car behind you is a sign that you are scanning your environment for dangers. THIS IS A GOOD THING!

Best advice is to "ride like you are invisible".

From the sounds of it, you cut the left turn a tad early. Your hands tend to follow your eyes and if you were concentrating on the car behind you it makes sense you turned left a little early. Best advice is to look where you want to go. Keep doing what you are doing and your confidence will grow. Sounds like you aren't comfortable turning the bike which is quite natural.

Everyone is different and the confidence will get better and better the more you ride and practice. Keep it up.

 

I honestly don't remember being THAT nervous on my first ride. I rode dirtbikes for several years growing up so by the time I hit the street the 'feel' of a bike (shifting, leaning and riding), was second nature. I had little to no fear of the dirtbikes when I very first started because they were super light, easy to handle (I was always tall enough that their height was not an issue) and they could take a fall . These traits (light, easy to handle and low fear of damaging your 'baby') are why so many people suggest a small, light, cheap Japanese bike to start on and not a 600lb+ Harley (obviously THAT decision has already been made so lets not dwell on that). However, my lack of fear was apparently offset by an enormous amount of luck as my over confidence could (and SHOULD) have gotten me into a serious world of hurt, but didn't.

Anyway enough of my rambling. The most important thing you need to do starting off is to get to that 'second nature' place where the actual mechanics of riding are fully ingrained in you. It may be old and cliche' but the phrase 'practice make perfect' applies perfectly here. You need to ride as often as possible to develop those skills.

As a new rider you REALLY need to eliminate as many 'other' obstacles as possible, namely other drivers. For a rider, especially a new rider, cagers are unpredictable, intimidating, distracting and dangerous. You need to ride as often as possible at times/places where there are as few cars on the road as possible. This will allow you to work more on 'riding' and less on worrying about what every potentially murderous driver is doing around you. Keep at this until you get to a point where you're feeling 'comfortable' riding. Keep in mind, there is no set time frame as to how long this will take and don't rush to 'get to the next level'. After that, work on more 'average' situations (more traffic, more difficult routs etc.).

Once these basic skills are developed don't just stop like 90% of the 'experienced' riders out there. Work on the more advanced techniques and learn how to REALLY handle a bike, not just 'ride' one. Too many people stop at the basics and never go on from there. Consequently you hear far too many 'had to lay her down' and other crash stories that could have easily been prevented with even a moderate amount of actual riding skill.

 

A useful rule of thumb is that it takes 20k miles of riding in various conditions before one becomes truly proficient/comfortable. There is no substitute for saddle time. Training and practice are great ideas, but it is just pure time and repetition that gets you there.

This sounds like textbook "target fixation". You were worried about running up on the curb, so you looked at the curb, and you went up the curb.

No doubt they talked about this at the MSF course you took. The bike will go where you look, so look where you want to go.

 

Keep up practicing, you'll get more confident, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don't let those idiots rattle you, you will encounter them often. If someone is following too close, wave them back. If they don't get the hint, get clear from them whether that is pulling over or into a parking lot or whatever. Much better to have the idiot in front of you than back.

 

Few things
* Ride like everyone wants to kill you - It keeps your guard up and you remain alert
* MSF class - excellent start!
* Riding in a school yard is good for 'exercises' but you need some road time. Find a long straight road and go out for a few hours. Do this even if its 6am on a Sunday..


This will all become natural soon... AND if a dumptruck pulls up on you you're allowed to pull your gun.. lol (inside joke here at the forum..)


Stick with it! You'll be fine.