So discouraged
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 662
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC, Canada
LEave your bike in neutral and have a friend push you around a parking lot. This gets you the feel for the bike without having to worry about any controls, except brakes. Use your brakes still. lol
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Park your bike until after the course. I have been riding 10 years. I never rode a motorcycle til I took my MSF. I was fortunate enough to have a friend lend me a Yamaha Virago 250 to practice on. I planned to ride on it 500 miles then buy a bike. It was a good plan.
Then in retrospect, I did something stupid, that luckily I got away with. My friend lent me an Electraglide Standard, and we rode 500 miles in 2 days. I had real trouble countersteering enough on the on ramp to the Interstate (Which I had no business being on).
I would recommend doing things gradually and only going to the next level when you feel comfortable. If you can find an experienced riding buddy who doesn't rush you, following his line is a good way to learn.
Don't give up. It is hard to become a good, safe rider, but you can do it with some good instruction.
Then in retrospect, I did something stupid, that luckily I got away with. My friend lent me an Electraglide Standard, and we rode 500 miles in 2 days. I had real trouble countersteering enough on the on ramp to the Interstate (Which I had no business being on).
I would recommend doing things gradually and only going to the next level when you feel comfortable. If you can find an experienced riding buddy who doesn't rush you, following his line is a good way to learn.
Don't give up. It is hard to become a good, safe rider, but you can do it with some good instruction.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,784
Likes: 57
From: In The Corn, Illinois
Well as most know I just bought my first MC after never even have ever sat on one before. I got a course coming up but decided to just try and go in a straight line in my driveway. I tried and fell over 3 times.
I am not sure I will get the hang of this if I can't even go straight never mind having to make a turn. Should this have been a easy thing to do for a first time rider?
I am not sure I will get the hang of this if I can't even go straight never mind having to make a turn. Should this have been a easy thing to do for a first time rider?
What bike did you buy? IMO the size of the bike does matter to a new rider. Take the riding course before trying to ride your bike. You'll learn to ride plenty slow in the class.
A woman in my town took one day of the riding course then went home and thought she was going to ride her husbands Ultra Glide while he was at work. She ended up falling over with the bike in her front yard and breaking her ankle.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Hey, OP, I was one of those people who started riding when I was young, about 12 or 13 on a YZ80 so I had an advantage when it came time to start riding on the streets. I remember it taking me a little while to figure it all out and to reach that point where I felt comfortable and confident on two wheels. When I first began riding on the road in '08 at the age of 19 - I started small on a Ninja 250 and shortly after that I rode a KLX250S, which I still ride to this day. The biggest bike I've owned was a 450 but that was my track day supermoto. Only recently, 5 years later, have I finally decided that I'm ready to upgrade to a bigger bike for the road. I'm currently looking at 883 Sportsters.
I certainly recommend starting small as smaller bikes tend to be more "forgiving" and easier to ride. After riding a smaller bike for a while you'll feel and know when you're ready to move up. By that point you'll have hopefully gotten rid of bad riding habits. Riding is like driving and backing a semi - it takes plenty of practice to get good and build your confidence! Definitely take the MSF course and DO NOT GIVE UP!
I certainly recommend starting small as smaller bikes tend to be more "forgiving" and easier to ride. After riding a smaller bike for a while you'll feel and know when you're ready to move up. By that point you'll have hopefully gotten rid of bad riding habits. Riding is like driving and backing a semi - it takes plenty of practice to get good and build your confidence! Definitely take the MSF course and DO NOT GIVE UP!
Last edited by starforbrian; May 19, 2013 at 11:37 PM.
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