You'll be a beginner until you find someone who has been riding less time than you.

Then you can call them a beginner......lol

Be safe........just watch out for them )(*&^)&*%^%)(*&)(* cagers

 

GoForIt ...we have all been beginners .......some of us longer than others! [sm=smiley20.gif]

 

Just keep the rubber side down and have a good time. Congats on the bike and the decision to go for it

 

i didnt know they made a 883 custom. i thought only the 1200's came custom.

welcome to the forum. the advice i give to beginers is...take your time and dont worry about the people behind you let them wait, they can eventually pass you.

 

Congratulations on your bike and making the choice to ride, can be one of the most rewarding feelings
in the world IMO.
The best thing you can do is ride!
I have been riding (on the street) 29 years, and I still learn things.
The best advice I can give you is every time you crank that bike up try and act like it is your first time
your riding. (I still get butterflies every time)
1. Watch drivers heads in traffic. (Most times you can tell when they are going to be lazy and not turn
their heads to check traffic. You'll see them look in their rear view mirrors, side mirrors, then you'll
know to back away or get past them.

2.Side roads same thing watch the driver, you can just about get a second sense of them when they
are going to pull out on you.

3.Wet roads, easy on brakes gas etc. give yourself plenty of room always!

4.18 wheelers big trucks, get away from them, do not ride too close or beside them. I have heard people getting
the heck knocked out of them by riding beside them and the truck blowing a tire, that tread will slap ya a good one!

5. When in a panic situation DO NOT FIXATE ON THE CAR, TRUCK, or OBSTICLE!
Train yourself to look for the out in any situation (best route around, least likely to be injured).
People do this all the time, they see something and fixate on it and then they end up going right into it
and not seeing the escape route that could have avoided the mess they get into.

6. Always watch on coming traffic.

7. Always scan as far as you can see on the road.

8. Let your eyes roam and check your environment, side of road ahead, behind and even above (birds and such).
I know it sounds like a lot, but really it becomes second nature if you practice it.
Then you'll find that as time goes on you do these things and can even site see as your doing them, and actually
enjoy the ride without even thinking about it.

9. Know your bike! Pay close attention to the handling of it.
Your bike is very capable of things you probably wouldn't think it could do in a panic situation, but if you maintain
control of your panic button (everyone has one) The bike will respond to things you wouldn't think it possible.

10. Have fun and enjoy yourself!

 

Good advise mentioned above!

 

Congratulations on your 883. I know you will enjoy it. Don't worry about what people say. You have passed beginner. Probably at the rookie stage by now.

We were all beginners. Some of us just a long time ago. Thumper has some good tips, expecially number 5. If you tunnel vision on something you will hit it for sure.

Cagers will look right at you and pull right out in front of you. Think about what you would do. Play it in your mind like a video game cause it will happen eventually.

Ride safe.

 

Yeah, #5 is called target fixation. You're going to go where you're looking. Consequently, you look where you want to go, not at the hazard. That's why your coach in MSF kept telling you to turn your head when you were making those corners.

The years will come soon enough, believe me. Just enjoy the journey.

 

One thing I remembered in one of the courses about side streets....if you see a car waiting to turn, don't assume the driver sees you if he is looking at you, watch his tires.......just a tip that has saved my a** several times already....

 

Congrats on getting your license and getting on the road!
I just got my license after 20 years ofnot riding last Oct. so
I've been riding for about 8 months.

I'm still a beginner Don't worry about the label it will fade
as you get more miles under your belt.

Enjoy!