Am I unsafe?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: Am I unsafe?
Everyone's suggesting a class -- excellent advice.
Don't ride on the highway if you're not comfortable riding there. If you're going slower than the traffic around you because you're nervous it pretty much guarantees that you're going to make a wrong choice if things start getting bad. Stay on the back roads; learn to make turns from a stop;how to hold the bike on a hill using just the clutch; how to go into all the diferent kinds of twisty corners. After that, only thing the highway has that's novel is that it's fast. You'll have enough confidence in yourself and your bike that you'll be posting about the morons going slow in the left lane.
But keep in mind, the vehicles around you have every right to expect you know how to use that bike. They won't cut you any slack, so you have to get your skills up to snuff.
Don't ride on the highway if you're not comfortable riding there. If you're going slower than the traffic around you because you're nervous it pretty much guarantees that you're going to make a wrong choice if things start getting bad. Stay on the back roads; learn to make turns from a stop;how to hold the bike on a hill using just the clutch; how to go into all the diferent kinds of twisty corners. After that, only thing the highway has that's novel is that it's fast. You'll have enough confidence in yourself and your bike that you'll be posting about the morons going slow in the left lane.
But keep in mind, the vehicles around you have every right to expect you know how to use that bike. They won't cut you any slack, so you have to get your skills up to snuff.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Am I unsafe?
I know how you feel. The last time I rode was when I was 17, and now 30 years later I am riding again. Been at it for 18 months and still avoid the highways, especially at rush hour. I feel more comfortable at 60/65 than the 75/80 I do in my truck right now. So I ride within my comfort and capability level (and yes, I took the Safety Course) and if I see myself slowing down the flow of traffic, I pull off, light up a smoke, and let the folks in a hurry get on their way.
One other thing, I bought a bike for the enjoyment, not for "transportation". When I am out riding it is for the pleasure of the ride, not the eventual destination. You should sit down and discuss the ride BEFORE you leave until your comfort level is such you can achieve the speeds your husband like to travel at.
One other thing, I bought a bike for the enjoyment, not for "transportation". When I am out riding it is for the pleasure of the ride, not the eventual destination. You should sit down and discuss the ride BEFORE you leave until your comfort level is such you can achieve the speeds your husband like to travel at.
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Jack Straw
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Sep 15, 2011 03:35 PM
