How long did it take to get to the 35 mph zone?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Santa Fe, New Mexico
How long did it take to get to the 35 mph zone?
OK, just got my Sporty after a grand total of 20 miles on a Buell Blast. Took it out for a real short spin this morning in the neighborhood and brought her back 'cause there was a lot of traffic. So this afternoon took her out again for a longer spin practicing turns, stops, starts and u turns. Came back home after almost hitting the curb doing a u-ie deciding time for a break. Hubby practically freaks out and implies that I need to ride on the main road or "I'll never learn".
Question is; How long did it take to get to the 35mph zone? Is hubby right? I should just go for it? (I do have a nice life insurance policy) Or, can I be respectful of what's between my legs and make sure I can corner without going wide and shift smoothly?
By the way, I love the bike.
Question is; How long did it take to get to the 35mph zone? Is hubby right? I should just go for it? (I do have a nice life insurance policy) Or, can I be respectful of what's between my legs and make sure I can corner without going wide and shift smoothly?
By the way, I love the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 3
From: Inland Empire, So Cal
Congrats on the new bike.
Take your time and do not ride outside of your abilities or comfort zone. If I hopped on my first bike and went right up to 55mph without a problem, does not mean you should. Riding is a skill which takes patience and practice. As far as how quick one learns, individual results will vary.
Take your time and do not ride outside of your abilities or comfort zone. If I hopped on my first bike and went right up to 55mph without a problem, does not mean you should. Riding is a skill which takes patience and practice. As far as how quick one learns, individual results will vary.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 531
Likes: 1
From: Quebec, Canada
Here we have to take a safety course before even getting a learner's permit. This is 20+ hours of turning, counter-steering, braking, circling and just general maneuvers. It's all in first gear, with the occasional push to 2nd. Never anything above 20 mph. Going on the open road fast means nothing if you don't know how a bike reacts during braking/counter-steering or just plain steering.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 3
From: Southern Oregon
Honestly shouldn't take more than a day or two.
Funny story and I don't mean to hijack your thread but I think it applies.
Several years ago after buying a bike, a good friend decided he wanted a bike too. So he goes down to the dealer the following week and buys one. I thought great, now I'll have someone to ride with.
So I get a call, asking me to come down to the dealer, which I do. Then I'm asked to ride his new bike home because he has never been on any type of motorcycle in his life, not even a dirt bike.
You all know what I'm thinking. So I ride it home for him and realize that I'm going to have to teach him how to ride.
I rode his bike over to the local school which has a large paved parking lot. Gave him the basics and told him to go for it.
I could only take it for an hour. I was a nervous wreck. He just wasn't getting the whole clutch thing down. So we go home.
The next day (a Sunday) we go try it again. He's much better the 2nd day, so after about an hour I tell him he has to get out on the open road.
I got him out on a highway that was not busy on Sundays. Again telling him to practice shifting, clutching, etc.
We ended up riding about 40 miles. He was nervous but did very well.
The next day (Monday) he signed up for the motorcycle saftey class and started it about 2 weeks later.
During that two weeks, we would ride a little each night after work. That was about 13 years ago and now he's on his 4th bike. We ride together all the time.
I think it's easier to get out on a lonely highway and ride for a while. Then attempt the city riding after you get the feel of the bike.
Congrats on your new bike
Funny story and I don't mean to hijack your thread but I think it applies.
Several years ago after buying a bike, a good friend decided he wanted a bike too. So he goes down to the dealer the following week and buys one. I thought great, now I'll have someone to ride with.
So I get a call, asking me to come down to the dealer, which I do. Then I'm asked to ride his new bike home because he has never been on any type of motorcycle in his life, not even a dirt bike.
You all know what I'm thinking. So I ride it home for him and realize that I'm going to have to teach him how to ride.
I rode his bike over to the local school which has a large paved parking lot. Gave him the basics and told him to go for it.
I could only take it for an hour. I was a nervous wreck. He just wasn't getting the whole clutch thing down. So we go home.
The next day (a Sunday) we go try it again. He's much better the 2nd day, so after about an hour I tell him he has to get out on the open road.
I got him out on a highway that was not busy on Sundays. Again telling him to practice shifting, clutching, etc.
We ended up riding about 40 miles. He was nervous but did very well.
The next day (Monday) he signed up for the motorcycle saftey class and started it about 2 weeks later.
During that two weeks, we would ride a little each night after work. That was about 13 years ago and now he's on his 4th bike. We ride together all the time.
I think it's easier to get out on a lonely highway and ride for a while. Then attempt the city riding after you get the feel of the bike.
Congrats on your new bike
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
From: Tampa Bay area, Florida
If you have not taken a safety course such as, but not limited to, MSF please do so! As tedious and boring as it was for someone who has been on a motorcycle since he was 4 years old (dirt bikes) they will break a lot of bad habbits you have and are not even aware of. Go at your own pace, respect your machine, its power and the potential danger always around you but do not fear your bike. Welcome to the community.
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
OK, just got my Sporty after a grand total of 20 miles on a Buell Blast. Took it out for a real short spin this morning in the neighborhood and brought her back 'cause there was a lot of traffic. So this afternoon took her out again for a longer spin practicing turns, stops, starts and u turns. Came back home after almost hitting the curb doing a u-ie deciding time for a break. Hubby practically freaks out and implies that I need to ride on the main road or "I'll never learn".
Question is; How long did it take to get to the 35mph zone? Is hubby right? I should just go for it? (I do have a nice life insurance policy) Or, can I be respectful of what's between my legs and make sure I can corner without going wide and shift smoothly?
By the way, I love the bike.
Question is; How long did it take to get to the 35mph zone? Is hubby right? I should just go for it? (I do have a nice life insurance policy) Or, can I be respectful of what's between my legs and make sure I can corner without going wide and shift smoothly?
By the way, I love the bike.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach, VA
I've been there very recently. I took the MSF class and then got my Sporty. I've had the Sporty about a month now and was going 55mph down some low traffic, gently curving country roads my first weekend. I also dumped it in the gas station parking lot doing a u-turn that weekend.
You gotta ride to learn. But parking lot practice is VERY valuable. You can try things and get comfortable on your bike without having to worry about the dumba** on their cell phone trying to run you over.
More time in the seat = better riding ability = better confidence
Also, I'd get the Ride Like a Pro DVD and practice those techniques. It has REALLY helped me gain better control of my bike!!
You gotta ride to learn. But parking lot practice is VERY valuable. You can try things and get comfortable on your bike without having to worry about the dumba** on their cell phone trying to run you over.
More time in the seat = better riding ability = better confidence
Also, I'd get the Ride Like a Pro DVD and practice those techniques. It has REALLY helped me gain better control of my bike!!
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
Hubby practically freaks out and implies that I need to ride on the main road or "I'll never learn".
Don't let anyone tell you when you should advance to the next level of anything related to riding a motorcycle, because you are the only one who knows. If your husband has ridden much, he will respect that. If he has not, he is probably still learning like you. Once he understands more about the process, he will see how lucky he is to have a wife who is willing to learn how to ride, and he will be patient.
If he won't leave you alone, get in touch with the local HOG club and find a woman who will mentor you. They will be glad to do that.
Don't let anyone tell you when you should advance to the next level of anything related to riding a motorcycle, because you are the only one who knows. If your husband has ridden much, he will respect that. If he has not, he is probably still learning like you. Once he understands more about the process, he will see how lucky he is to have a wife who is willing to learn how to ride, and he will be patient.
If he won't leave you alone, get in touch with the local HOG club and find a woman who will mentor you. They will be glad to do that.