Took a total newb for his first ride yesterday....

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Aug 25, 2014 | 09:50 AM

#11

Jimbojo

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 205

Likes: 0

From: New Mexico

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.J

Your right.

I really was trying to keep it as easy as possible for him.

BTW, he texted me 2 times yesterday to thank me for taking the time to ride with him. He said he got a lot out of our ride together.

I gotta give you credit, you have way more patience than I would probably have.

Aug 25, 2014 | 09:51 AM

#12

dribble

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 3,751

Likes: 459

From: Here and now

Tell him to keep being a ***** as long as he needs to be and keep reminding him that his throttle can be a bigger friend than his brakes.

Aug 25, 2014 | 09:53 AM

#13

austinslider

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,308

Likes: 11

From: Colorado

My wife has bought her first bike a couple of weeks ago and after riding with her this weekend, she has the same problem and rides way too slow. The idiots in Colorado can't drive themselves out of a paper bag and can not be trusted and WILL DO something stupid. I'm hoping this weekend she'll be able to pick up the pace...

Aug 25, 2014 | 10:07 AM

#14

Hardleynoticed

Novice

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 15

Likes: 0

From: Virginia

It's cool that you took the time to help a newb. I can say as a second time newbie (I haven't ridden in 20+ yrs) that the only way to get comfortable at higher speeds is to ride as much as possible at slower speeds to gain competence and confidence. I started out again by riding in the neighborhood so I could get use to starting and stopping, as well getting use to how the bike handles. I then took some rides on divided local roads at 45MPH, and then graduated to 55MPH rides. Maybe you should suggest the same to him. Tell him to spend some seat time in a quiet neighborhood and gradually he'll likely want to ride faster....

Aug 25, 2014 | 10:15 AM

#15

billatstarbrite

Road Captain

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 739

Likes: 1

From: Fort Lauderdale

He'll pick up the pace as he gets more comfortable on the bike out on the road. Smaller roads will make that happen a lot more quickly than Interstates. He needs to transition from one to the other to gain skills and confidence. We've all been there at some point - few of us learned to ride on the Interstate.

Aug 25, 2014 | 10:16 AM

#16

IdahoHacker

Club Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 11,467

Likes: 3,569

From: Idaho

I'm thinking all he needs is more hours in the saddle. If his only weak point is riding too slow, and he didn't do anything mentally stupid, and he didn't do anything to indicate that he's not capable of controlling his bike (at his current skill level, of course), then he should be fine.

Keep encouraging him, and keep him riding with you when possible. Tell him: "Ok, today's assignment is to keep up with me!", and then gently bump it up a few mph.

I'm glad he's got you to ride with, and thanks for helping him out!

Aug 25, 2014 | 10:17 AM

#17

caedenspa

Cruiser

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 133

Likes: 20

From: Illinois

His first experience with speeds over 45 mph shouldn't be with traffic behind him. An empty road, you leading him, tell him he has to keep within 5 bike lengths of you. And tell him he is NOT to look at his speedo, no matter what. Tell him you will manage the speed in a manner that is safe for the both of you taking into consideration the road surface, the surroundings, and his experience level. Looking at the speedo freaks out new riders. "HOLY SHIZNIT! I'm going 55 on something I didn't know how to even start three weeks ago!"