how long ?
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: in an amazing space in my head
how long ?
Just wondering how long it took you more experienced riders to become comfortable on your bikes? a day? a week, a month, a year ?
so how long ? and what did yall do to help get over the enevitable first time rider nerves ? just wondering since the only bikes I ever had any experiances on were old dirt bikes back when I was a kid... =) never actually rode on the street.
so how long ? and what did yall do to help get over the enevitable first time rider nerves ? just wondering since the only bikes I ever had any experiances on were old dirt bikes back when I was a kid... =) never actually rode on the street.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,436
Likes: 13
Like anything new, it TAKES TIME TO ADJUST. SOME SOONER THAN OTHERS. In my case it took about 1 week to really get the feel of the bike and how it responds and handles to different predicaments. Theres really no rush, ride ALONE till you feel comfortable and feel like your in FULL CONTROL of your BIKE. NOT THE BIKE CONTROLLING YOU!!! GOOD LUCK HOUDINI!!! 
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Lower Alabama
I returned to riding six years ago after going over 25 years without riding, so I can understand you may be a little bit anxious about becoming comfortable with your bike. Before I purchased my first Harley in 2003, I had never ridden anything larger than a Honda 350 --- and I had not done that since 1976.
I don't recall it taking long to become reasonably acquainted with the feel and handling of the bike, but I was careful to select roads and riding conditions during those first few weeks where I would not be forced to ride beyond my skills and experience --- tried to select side roads with minimal traffic. I still made some newbie mistakes, but I did not get hurt or wreck the bike because I was in riding in areas where I could make mistakes and not get run over by a semi.
Just take your time so that you can develop a good feel on how you and the bike will respond under different riding conditions. Close calls are going to happen throughout your riding life, so you have to develop sufficient confidence with your bike to respond to all the things that can happen on any ride --- short or long.
If you have not done so already, I would recommend that you take one of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation riding courses or something similar --- that will help you assess your skills and start you down the path of becoming competent with your bike.
I don't recall it taking long to become reasonably acquainted with the feel and handling of the bike, but I was careful to select roads and riding conditions during those first few weeks where I would not be forced to ride beyond my skills and experience --- tried to select side roads with minimal traffic. I still made some newbie mistakes, but I did not get hurt or wreck the bike because I was in riding in areas where I could make mistakes and not get run over by a semi.
Just take your time so that you can develop a good feel on how you and the bike will respond under different riding conditions. Close calls are going to happen throughout your riding life, so you have to develop sufficient confidence with your bike to respond to all the things that can happen on any ride --- short or long.
If you have not done so already, I would recommend that you take one of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation riding courses or something similar --- that will help you assess your skills and start you down the path of becoming competent with your bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 15
Took me a while. Ride solo until you get use to. Riding with passenger is another adjustment. Depends how much you ride , took me a couple of weeks of riding everyday. Riding was easy,trusting other vehicles was tough. Good luck ride safe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
Depends on how often you ride. I too bought a bike after years of wanting. Always rode dirt bikes when I was young but never on the street. I was crazy and jumped on a new bike and rode it home across Houston in traffic without a helmet. If that doesn't make you nervous, nothing will. I got comfortable with bike fairly quickly ( a few days ) but as electricstart just said, getting comfortable trusting the cars around is real tough. Stay alert! 5 years and 90,000 miles later....I'm still leary of the "other" guy.
Don't worry about it, ride it as much as you can. If you only ride it once in a while it will take you forever. Stay alert, now your limits as a rider and stay with in them. If you ride with outher people that are doing things your not comfortable with, let them go on with out you and catch up to them later. If they tease you, find someone new to ride with.
Enjoy the ride.
Don't worry about it, ride it as much as you can. If you only ride it once in a while it will take you forever. Stay alert, now your limits as a rider and stay with in them. If you ride with outher people that are doing things your not comfortable with, let them go on with out you and catch up to them later. If they tease you, find someone new to ride with.
Enjoy the ride.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I agree with Edwardk, find a riding buddy. You'll learn things you never thought about.
I'm a new rider, and have been on my bike for about a month, riding 2-3 times a week, about 500 miles, and am still not completely comfortable. Riding and maneuvering is very comfortable, but still a little concerned about necessitating an emergency stop. I'm still getting a feel for the front/rear brake proportions to get the bike to stop the fastest, and remain in control. I still spend time in parking lots practicing. I'm about 90%.
Kurt
I'm a new rider, and have been on my bike for about a month, riding 2-3 times a week, about 500 miles, and am still not completely comfortable. Riding and maneuvering is very comfortable, but still a little concerned about necessitating an emergency stop. I'm still getting a feel for the front/rear brake proportions to get the bike to stop the fastest, and remain in control. I still spend time in parking lots practicing. I'm about 90%.
Kurt
Last edited by kpolak; Oct 15, 2009 at 05:23 AM.
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 233
From: Altoona, Pa.
Sort of a person to person thing there, but just remember. Once you do get very comfortable on your bike, dont get cocky about it. No matter how long you have ridden or how good you feel on your bike, ya got to respect your bike and the road. And if you dont, your going to be taught a lesson.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 2
From: Back in Oz M8
1 good day in the saddle, get out of the city, put the bike through different roads and conditions without worrying about other distractions (cars, pedestrians, etc.)
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Rode dirt bikes when I was a kid. Got my first street bike (a Honda CB750 that was a tank) at 18. Have ridden many bikes of different style over the last 20+ years. Some I was comfortable on right away, others took a few miles.
It does take a few rides to really feel like I am riding "my" bike.
It does take a few rides to really feel like I am riding "my" bike.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Not long,once I get the suspensions and brakes able to handle the added hp and tq.My bikes are all pretty close in the handling dept.The bars,foot boards/pegs,shifters,seat height,etc.has been the same for years.Found my comfort zone a long time ago,especially when out terrorizing the streets.