How long did it take...?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 668
Likes: 34
From: New Jersey
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.
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.
Time is your friend here. As long as you stay alert, keep distance between you and the vehicle in front of you (even at stops), make sure you are not in a vehicles blind spot (if you can see their face in their sideview, they can see you... if they look), check your six, head checks if you need to switch lanes, and look where you want to go you will be ok. Ride early when traffic is light. Focus on parking lot practice for braking, starts and stops (on flat surfaces and inclines/declines) and starts while turning. These rae things that will save your bacon. Then worry about convenience skills like U-Turns. I would definitely recommend Ride Like A Pro as well.
You're on a great path. STick with it and you will feel yourself getting better and more comfortable. Just NEVER get complacent. Assume the car will pull out in front of you or switch lanes while next to you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Not to beat a dead course, but like most have already said - the more you ride, the more comfortable and proficient you become. You do have one advantage that many of us in the northern latitudes do not - your riding season presumably is 12 months a year. Personally, I end a riding season pretty confident in my skills, then sit out the winter months, then start the next season rusty and tentative. Granted, my confidence comes back quicker and quicker each year, but there is still a brief "reset". Be safe.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 418
From: South Carolina
Honestly, I'm glad everyone else here had good advice for you because I really, honestly do not remember how I felt when I was learning to ride. I guess years on dirt bikes and being 16 when I hit the road kind of changed the dynamic a bit.
I started riding back in the day when you didn't need an endorsement or any classes to ride - you just hopped on a bike and rode. I took a few small enduros out on the street after I got my license, and about a month later my uncle tossed me the keys to his brand new Yamaha XS1100 (the fastest street bike available back in the day) and told me to have fun...somehow, I survived and ended up buying a Honda CB650 soon after. Most of my friends rode literbikes back then and I had a few 'experiences' trying to keep up, but I honestly don't remember feeling apprehensive at all - although I probably should have!
Like everyone else said, find times the roads are sparsely populated and take advantage of those times. Always, always, always assume everyone is trying to kill you. Be acutely aware of your surroundings, use your mirrors, and do what you can to find more experienced (but not crazy) riders to help you along. I hope that eventually you'll get to the point that most of us here are at - getting on our bikes and riding is our great escape, our therapy, our reason for working our asses off all week long.
Good luck, and ride safe.
I started riding back in the day when you didn't need an endorsement or any classes to ride - you just hopped on a bike and rode. I took a few small enduros out on the street after I got my license, and about a month later my uncle tossed me the keys to his brand new Yamaha XS1100 (the fastest street bike available back in the day) and told me to have fun...somehow, I survived and ended up buying a Honda CB650 soon after. Most of my friends rode literbikes back then and I had a few 'experiences' trying to keep up, but I honestly don't remember feeling apprehensive at all - although I probably should have!
Like everyone else said, find times the roads are sparsely populated and take advantage of those times. Always, always, always assume everyone is trying to kill you. Be acutely aware of your surroundings, use your mirrors, and do what you can to find more experienced (but not crazy) riders to help you along. I hope that eventually you'll get to the point that most of us here are at - getting on our bikes and riding is our great escape, our therapy, our reason for working our asses off all week long.
Good luck, and ride safe.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,626
Likes: 6,443
From: Honah Lee
Might want to stay off the highway for a few more years. For sure, post back when you venture out on the road for my sake. Seriously, you started on a pretty big bike. Safer in some ways then a small one at speed but at slower speed very easy to drop. Find you some safe area and practice what you think you learned. My Son's girl friend went to that school. Three months later on a 100 mile ride, she and the son went flying by me and my friend. Not an hour later on a 25 mph clearly marked turn following me again at 25, she managed to go down in that turn. Rather then lean, she backed off and went simply way to wide and in a way too high gear. Spent the rest of the day in the ER with her and the son. All was OK luckily. Bike had all kinds of scrapes, dents and broken lights.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 4, 2016 at 06:45 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 7,087
From: SoCal / AZ
She is not ready yet. She needs to get her muscle memory down operating the bike first, then she can worry about traffic. When we ride in a group I put her in front of me, but when it's just the two of us she is behind me (for now).
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 7,087
From: SoCal / AZ
Gotta slow the pace down when a new rider is with you. No splitting, no hauling *** etc...
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 150
From: Michigan
I'd avoid heavy traffic for now. Time your rides around rush hour - Sunday mornings are great. Expand into more complex situations. The fear will subside (that's when it really becomes fun), but don't ever let your guard down - and wear your gear!!
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 75
From: CA
**** other people. Esp those behind you...they can wait.
Like what you're doing I did spend my first 120ish miles in my local neighborhood. Getting better, increasing confidence, hitting up parking lots, etc. Didn't take it to the highway anytime before that because I felt I wasn't ready. Do your thing and listen to your gut instincts. You'll know when you're ready to stretch your legs and venture out.
Like what you're doing I did spend my first 120ish miles in my local neighborhood. Getting better, increasing confidence, hitting up parking lots, etc. Didn't take it to the highway anytime before that because I felt I wasn't ready. Do your thing and listen to your gut instincts. You'll know when you're ready to stretch your legs and venture out.
