New rider experience
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
New rider experience
I just got my first bike less than a week ago and have only had a chance to ride a few times since then. Picked up a '14 48 with ABS. It is awesome fun, but still nerve wracking. I have just been kicking around town and have yet to hit a big road or 50mph. Is it normal in the beginning to have that excited/borderline terrified feeling getting out on the road for the first day/week/month, whatever it turns out to be. It seems the answer would be that it's at least somewhat normal, but just wanted others' insight on the point at which the anxiousness started to go away completely. I'm somewhat comfortable riding, but still not totally smooth on takeoffs/turning from a stop at all times. Once I have better clutch control I think I will feel a lot better. Other than practice, any specific advice on quickly increasing clutch/take off skills? Thanks, all!
Did you take a riders course? Practice practice practice. You'll get more and more comfortable as time goes on. Be patient. Go to an empty parking lot and practice what you're struggling with.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Take the MSF course. You can ride around their parking lot course and ask a dozen questions and they'll give you tips on take off, stopping while in a turn when the bike's leaned a little bit (if you don't practice this, you WILL drop the bike. I guarantee it). Please take the course. It's fun and educational. If you carry insurance, it will also get you a discount.
For fun, like Longridesheilds said, go to a parking lot and practice figure 8s over and over, changing direction. Learn to come to a complete stop mid-turn. Be careful to lean your body to the opposite side of the bike's lean angle when stopping. control the bike with counter weighing effects.
Throw the bike (Miss. Motorcycle) back and forth while riding. Take control of the her. You are the boss. Learn to feel comfortable enough on her that you can ride slow and move around enough to put your knee on the seat. You have to be the Alpha dog. Take control of Miss. Motorcycle. She likes it
For fun, like Longridesheilds said, go to a parking lot and practice figure 8s over and over, changing direction. Learn to come to a complete stop mid-turn. Be careful to lean your body to the opposite side of the bike's lean angle when stopping. control the bike with counter weighing effects.
Throw the bike (Miss. Motorcycle) back and forth while riding. Take control of the her. You are the boss. Learn to feel comfortable enough on her that you can ride slow and move around enough to put your knee on the seat. You have to be the Alpha dog. Take control of Miss. Motorcycle. She likes it
Last edited by Thumper09; Jun 20, 2014 at 10:35 AM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem Ga
Take the MSF course, like the guys above said.
I bought my first bike, I think it's been about a month now. I think I've only been able to ride 5-6 times though due to my schedule and the fact it's been storming every day after work. I started out riding around the neighborhood on two separate occasions, then went out on the "main road" in front of my subdivision one day and rode through all the other subdivisions. I went 15 miles that day, my longest trip yet.
First time I went on the "big road" to Home Depot, I was white knuckled again, but it goes away quick. If you don't feel comfortable riding anywhere yet, don't.
Have you ever ridden before you bought this bike?
I bought my first bike, I think it's been about a month now. I think I've only been able to ride 5-6 times though due to my schedule and the fact it's been storming every day after work. I started out riding around the neighborhood on two separate occasions, then went out on the "main road" in front of my subdivision one day and rode through all the other subdivisions. I went 15 miles that day, my longest trip yet.
First time I went on the "big road" to Home Depot, I was white knuckled again, but it goes away quick. If you don't feel comfortable riding anywhere yet, don't.
Have you ever ridden before you bought this bike?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Oahu, HI
The first time I rode was at night, just received my bike. I took my bike, down the hill, white knuckle and all and then back up the hill. The first few times you take it out, you'll be a little scared because you aren't used to it. The more you ride it, the more at ease you will be. Practice, practice, practice.
+1 on the MSF course. It's the best thing you can do to enhance your education on the bike.
+1 on the MSF course. It's the best thing you can do to enhance your education on the bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 182
Likes: 17
From: Maryland
I bought my bike back in August. I took the Riders Edge course at HD in Frederick MD. My first few trips were a few miles 'round the hood. I gradually became more comfortable, riding on side roads for longer distances. The more practice I got, the more comfortable I became, until the point where I caught myself braking and downshifting in "fast-reaction" situations", without thinking about it. It's been almost a year now and I feel I can ride anywhere, without hesitation. Me and 3 others hit Skyline Drive in Front Royal VA two weekends ago - ended up doing 270 miles that day. Logged in 4,200 miles so far this year. In fact, Im riding home from work in about 2 hours.........
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Progress at whatever rate you are comfortable and know you will look back and laugh soon enough. 
Last edited by AZRider62; Aug 27, 2014 at 03:46 PM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
Yep, a little nervy in the beginning. Like everyone said, practice, practice, practice, but be sure that what you're practicing is correct and not just developing bad habits. Take a basic rider's course and don't venture out on to bigger/faster roads until you're completely comfortable doing so.
Congrats on the new bike and welcome to the forum!
Congrats on the new bike and welcome to the forum!
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Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
All the afore mentioned ideas were great. You will master the skills as you put the miles behind you. Now not to alarm you but in Nov. the bikes are usually put away in the northern lands. Then in the spring sometimes some people have to get to experience their "newness" all over again.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
MSF now offers some additional courses to build on the BRC class (apart from the Advanced Rider Course). There are a couple of "on the road" courses you can take after BRC. You are still under instructor supervision but out on street rather than putt-putting around cones in a parking lot.
http://msf-usa.org/students.aspx
http://msf-usa.org/students.aspx