Need Encouragement!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg VA
If I read it right - you know what you did wrong. Turned forks and stopping - Now you know and the next time it will come back to you with out even thinking about it. Don't quit because you dropped the bike. It has been said here - we all have or will drop the bike at some time. Learn from it, but don't let it make you quit. I did the same thing. Coming to a stop at the bottom of my driveway (steep drive) had the forks turned and hit the front brake - wham - over I went. Bike had a scrap and so did my arm. BUT I was more mad at myself for doing that stupid thing. But I learned and I remember.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco - Bay Area, CA
WELCOME! My advice: take baby steps! Riding is a whole different feeling - a lot more to do and it's all up to YOU. Practice a lot!!!! Here's the difference...when you take the MSF class you're on a 250 and a lighter bike. When you buy one, it has A LOT more power and it's heavier. It certainly feels and reacts differently. You may have mastered the basic exercises in class....but you didn't go more than 25-30mph in a parking lot. Riding on the road with many things to look for while increasing your speed as well as pedestrians, cars, road hazards..etc., makes it a whole different feeling as a new rider.
Learn to ride first! Practice in the parking lot. (stopping, slopes, uneven surfaces, on a STEEP hill, turns, freeways, traffic). You dropping the bike should be your realization that you need more practice since it's been only a month and to be on top of it. YES - you got dropping the bike out of the way and you'll learn from it...but make sure you're super comfortable on YOUR bike and don't ride his for now (street bikes and cruisers are different)! Your confidence will build as you master each step....it's ok to go back to a parking lot to practice periodically.
Definitely buy a windshield esp. if you're going on highways but don't start thinking about upgrading your bike until you have a lot of experience. Most will say don't make any changes to your bike until you've ridden 1000 miles.
btw: i started riding last MAY and yes, I dropped my old bike...(twice in the same day) - primarily because when I went to take off, I wouldn't "commit" to my turn and apply more gas and I hesitated...and oopsie, I dropped my bike. Thankfully, my nightster only requires a little twist of the throttle to go - and it sure doesn't like to go slowwwww. lol All the best to you! Ride safe and ENJOY IT!
Learn to ride first! Practice in the parking lot. (stopping, slopes, uneven surfaces, on a STEEP hill, turns, freeways, traffic). You dropping the bike should be your realization that you need more practice since it's been only a month and to be on top of it. YES - you got dropping the bike out of the way and you'll learn from it...but make sure you're super comfortable on YOUR bike and don't ride his for now (street bikes and cruisers are different)! Your confidence will build as you master each step....it's ok to go back to a parking lot to practice periodically.
Definitely buy a windshield esp. if you're going on highways but don't start thinking about upgrading your bike until you have a lot of experience. Most will say don't make any changes to your bike until you've ridden 1000 miles.
btw: i started riding last MAY and yes, I dropped my old bike...(twice in the same day) - primarily because when I went to take off, I wouldn't "commit" to my turn and apply more gas and I hesitated...and oopsie, I dropped my bike. Thankfully, my nightster only requires a little twist of the throttle to go - and it sure doesn't like to go slowwwww. lol All the best to you! Ride safe and ENJOY IT!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 751
Likes: 3
From: Monterey, Louisiana
Be sure and watch were you are putting your foot down prior to making a stop, In other words, about 10-20 feet back plan your stop, look for oil loose sand, or slopping roadway. Also wear good riding boots that have some traction. Practice stopping and resting the bike on the weak leg also.
Don (FlyLow)
Don (FlyLow)
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 47
From: Cle Elum, WA
Hey Wildman....question for you. Since I'm relatively new to this whole motorcycle lifestyle, and given that disposable cash to "bling" out my 883 is not much of an option, would you suggest waiting until I'm more comfortable on the 883, then moving up to a bigger bike and blinging that one out? We do plan on going for longer rides, hence need a windshield for sure and more comfortable seat (sundowner bucket), but I don't really wanna lay out the cash if at the end of next year, I'm moving up. Suggestions?
We just traded my wifes 883 in on a HD1 1200 Custom. The dealership we went to is the same one we have bought 3 other bikes at to include the 883. So they gave us a good trade in on the bike but I sure didn't get all my money back out of it for all the money I put into it.
So my advice is this; If you know that you are going to be trading up to a larger bike in 2 years or less then only install the needed mods to your current bike. Now some mods will help in resale but not all. I think a windshield would up your resale value some.
And just to let you know my wife just dropped her new bike too. She was trying to back it into our garage and the daughter was helping her by pulling on the rack. Luckly other than a exhaust burn on her leg there is no damage to the bike.
Good Luck with your bike and just get out there and enjoy yourself.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: "Arlen", Tx
It takes a while to get comfortable on two wheels. This site has some good info. http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school.htm
Good luck and keep riding.
Good luck and keep riding.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 8
From: virginia
This video will help you a ton, it has helped me a ton, well worth the money!! http://www.ridelikeapro.com/
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Ilion, NY
Don't Worry. You will overcome it! I rode my bike for the first time and put it through a storage unit wall. I wouldnt get back on it for 3 weeks. The I went out with my buddy for a ride and when we stopped in a parking lot I almost put it down again. That was March. Since then I have put over 1k miles on the bike and enjoy every time I get on the bike. Dont sweat the small stuff as long as your able to ride and the bike is ok jump back on!
(BTW my buddies all told me it was not going to be prepared for riding a bike like mine. But I rode it anyways lol! Lesson learned lol! Gravel is bad and so are metal walls)
(BTW my buddies all told me it was not going to be prepared for riding a bike like mine. But I rode it anyways lol! Lesson learned lol! Gravel is bad and so are metal walls)
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Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
I'd never been on a Motorcycle in my life until I rode the 500cc bikes at the MSF course back in April. And now that I have my 883 I have been spending most of my time over the last month and a half slowly building my confidence around our neighborhood and in an school empty parking lot doing dozens and dozens of stop sign left/right turns, slow speed maneuvering and quick stops building the speed slowly as I grow comfortable.
Don't let anyone push you faster than you want and keep practicing at your pace.
Have fun
Don't let anyone push you faster than you want and keep practicing at your pace.
Have fun
I consider myself fairly experienced,,,
I Start every ride with a few braking drill's
Often I end them with a few tight U-turns.......
Remember,,, a Five or Ten year veteran Football player shows up
for practice..
If he Misses the coach chews His ***..
Never Forget Motorcycling Is a Sport above all else,,,why?
It Takes skill,,,practice,,and a superior state of mind to name a few.
The Object of the game Is to never let It become a Contact sport.......
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Lesson learned. The spill probably had more to do with using the front brake when you were almost stopped. Practice not using the front brake at low speed especially if you are going to turn. At a low speed maneuver the front brake will put the bike down fast.
At all other times use both together to get the shortest stopping distance.
At all other times use both together to get the shortest stopping distance.