Hello to all. I have lurked here for awhile and gotten lots of good info from other posters so I decided to jump on in. After riding dirt bikes forever and for a small time a Triumph Bonneville (30 years ago) a friend kept after us to ride. I rode his Ultra for a while and kept after him until he decided to sell it to me. So now I have a big bike and am learning how to safely ride. My biggest probelm is with turning while going slow (like a parking lot or gas station) and occassionally launching straight while group riding with friends. I know practice will fix both and taking the MSF which I am going to do. I just can't get an open slot yet. Wife is a never before rider and we are learning as we go. Finally had her reslize what effect she can have on the bike by moving. Had her on the bike and both my feet on the ground balancing the bike. Then I asked her to take her right hand and get something out of her left pocket. When the bike moved, she wanted to know why I jerked the bike. Told her I didn't , she moved it. The light went on then. Now she's very relaxed but very quiet as far as moving around.

The best thing about riding is the feel of the wind and the smells as we go through the country. The aroma of fresh mown grass, a field of daisies, and unfortunately turkey barns. The sun on your face and her pressed up against my back. The smile on her face after a ride and her desire to ride again make the purchase great. I have been fooling with classic cars and trucks but have decided to sell them and maybe get her a trike for her own.

Thanks in advance for listening to noobie questions and putting up with me. I want to be a rider and not just an owner

Bubba[sm=americanasmiley.gif]

 

Welcome Home Steve!

You landed in the right place. Keep us posted on your adventures with you new (to you) Ultra.

 

Welcome to the forums from the Arizona Highlands. Looks like your on the right track to learning to ride your Ultra.

 

[sm=welcomesign.gif] to the forum Bubba.

What year is your Ultra. Sounds like you have a good plan to get safely on the road. That's a great idea on how to teach your passanger not to move. Would make a good post somewhere on this forum. Post some pics when you can.


Terry

 

Howdy Bubba welcome to the forum. I like the way that you describe riding a bike, it's the same thing that I feel when riding some of the mountain roads around where I live. Enjoy the ride.

 

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on the ultra!

 

I'm new here too bubba, but not new to riding. Here's some tips on parking lot riding, and riding with your wife on the back.

1. In parking lots, don't try to lean too much, just turn the handlebars. DON'T LOOK DOWN! Look where you're wanting to go. If you look down at the front wheel, guess where you'll end up? DOWN!

2. When your wife's riding with you have her look over your right shoulder when you're taking right hand turns, and left shoulder for left hand turns. It's easier for you to lean than it is for her, but if she'll look over your shoulder, it makes it easier.

I"ve told my wife if I go into a turn 'too hot' to hold on tight, put her head over my correct shoulder, and close her eyes! That's only happened once, and I thought she was gonna kill me after we got through it.

What you don't want is what happened to a guy I know. He was kinda new to riding, as was his wife. They're going through the mountains one day, and she got scared in a turn. She sat up straight, which threw them into a ditch!

Have fun, and get into that MSF class as soon as you can! It would be good for your wife to take it too. Even if she never gets her own bike, it'll give her a better understanding as to how she can affect your riding.

 

Welcome from TN. Congrats on the new scoot, keep riding and take the MSF course, practice the slow speed in a parking lot, you'll get there.


Ride Safe

John TN

 

Glad you found us, and hope you'll enjoy the forums.

Enjoy many miles of smiles with your bride on your new ride. Kelly and I love to ride together.

Mac

 

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. The riding tips are appreciated greatly. The Ultra is a 95 but has a new EVO engine and the tranny was just rebuilt. New tires and brakes all around. I always like to look at others rides and picking the things I like and deciding how I want to proceed to make it truly mine. After lurking for a while, I feel at home. I appreciate the things others share especialy anything that affects my safety. I always wear a helmet (only one good thinking head) and jeans, good boots and gloves. I ride cautiously always expecting someone to pull out from a side road or parking lot. Rain riding is still pretty new and am learning to trust the bike in every situation. Thanks fo rlistening

Bubba