So how long did it take you?

[wxmcpo]

I bought my first ever bike on Tuesday night and I am really looking forward to getting on this things and riding. I have never drove a motorcycle a day in my life so I am starting from scratch here. I am signed up for my basic rider's course for early next month (first one available).

So my question is, how long did it take you guys when you got your first bike to learn to shift properly and actually learn how to ride the bike? I know this isn't rocket science, but I'm sure there's going to be a learning curve here, just wondering how long I can expect. I am a quick learner though. Thanks all.

[ORBrit]

By the end of the course you should have a really good handle on the launching, shifting and stopping. Cornering and maneuvering should be coming along nicely too.
But the range is a whole different story from real roads.

Following the course, I was pretty nervous about riding on real roads.
I spent about 10 hours riding in the parking lot practicing everything I learned on the course. I think I had about 50 miles of just parking lot time.

Then it was a gradual transition to the road and things started to come together. I felt acutely aware of everything to do with bike operation as well as traffic in those early phases. Soon the bike operation becomes completely automatic and you barely think about it.
The whole thing didn't come together for several hundred or even a thousand or more miles after that - on a twisty road in a long sweeping corner.

You'll know when it happens - something just clicks and you feel like you're no longer just sitting on a bike riding along - you almost meld into the bike and as corny as it sounds, it becomes an extension of you.

I recently swapped bikes and although shifting etc. was fine, it took a couple hundred miles for it to click again, but oh it is so sweet when it does.

[Madmax22]

there are also alot of good books out there on the subject.

Another great resource is also right here in the forums. Crash has a bunch of isntructional videos that I wish I had when I was learning.

[tallannie]

Take the course ...and expect to be constantly learning. some of the learnings are 'rocket science' to do well and take a lot of practice.
I discovered I really didnt understand cornering at about 1500 miles...LONG long after that 'oh so sweet' feeling had come over me. Sliding along the pavement on your helmet at 30 mph is a big sign of overconfidence.

Originally Posted by wxmcpo

I bought my first ever bike on Tuesday night and I am really looking forward to getting on this things and riding. I have never drove a motorcycle a day in my life so I am starting from scratch here. I am signed up for my basic rider's course for early next month (first one available).

So my question is, how long did it take you guys when you got your first bike to learn to shift properly and actually learn how to ride the bike? I know this isn't rocket science, but I'm sure there's going to be a learning curve here, just wondering how long I can expect. I am a quick learner though. Thanks all.

[sra4031]

Try not to go for joy rides until after the course. You might find someone to ride it to a empty parking lot so you can practice, but laying down a bike at low speed can do damage to the bike.

As far as your question, it depends on you, your ability, and confidence. I tried gageing my performance on others experience, but when I started to gage it on mine alone learning was so much easier. The fun part is when you look back and see where you came from in your training. I still remember my first cross town trip where I was worried about the car behind me, what was in front of me, hitting over 45 MPH for the first time, etc..., and now I am on the interstate hitting 75 MPH.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by wxmcpo

So my question is, how long did it take you guys when you got your first bike to learn to shift properly and actually learn how to ride the bike?

My question back at 'ya is: Can you ride a bicycle? How long has it been??

I used to think that nobody would be short-sighted enough (stupid?) to try to ride a motorcycle without FIRST being able to ride a bicycle but I'm finding out that there are a LOT of people who try to do that and the results are often not pretty.

If it's been more than a few years since you've been on a bicycle (or never), find one and refresh THAT skill first.

[wxmcpo]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

My question back at 'ya is: Can you ride a bicycle? How long has it been??

I used to think that nobody would be short-sighted enough (stupid?) to try to ride a motorcycle without FIRST being able to ride a bicycle but I'm finding out that there are a LOT of people who try to do that and the results are often not pretty.

If it's been more than a few years since you've been on a bicycle (or never), find one and refresh THAT skill first.

Actually I'm an avid road bike rider for health and fitness purposes and ride more than 100 miles on a weekend. I spoke to a co-worker who recently took the same basic rider course I am about to take and he said that was the first question they asked. One guy didn't know how to ride a bike, failed to tell them that and proceeded to fail the course.

[Apertureguy]

Take the course and learn on one of their bikes.

This way, it's not your bike you have to let go of if something goes wrong.

Nothing like scratching up a brand new bike.

[DrBob]

I've been riding for 24 years and I still learn something every time I ride. You never master rding a motorcycle, you just gradually become less of a danger to yourself and others, and eventually, with lots and lots of experience, some people get pretty good at it. Others never get good at it.

[Bigs]

Biggest thing, and I learn something on EVERY ride, is how to handle OTHER drivers and ROAD conditions. Each and every ride is different. Even the same roads you take 100 times over can be different each time, potholes relocating from the right side to the left, tar snakes that weren't there last week, a recently chewed up road that will be smooth as glass the next week. And remember, just as we all in this world are a little different, so are our driving habits in a car. I cannot tell you the number of times a person in a car has looked directly at me, but still turned in front of me. ALWAYS, ALWAYS be aware of those around you, notice them well before you plan to do anything, and keep in mind a "back door" in case of trouble. Best accessory you have on the bike is your own senses, think a car will pull out, prepare for it ahead, see that car in the lane next to you with its blinker on to change lanes, slow down - THEY WILL BE CUTTING YOU OFF.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by DrBob

I've been riding for 24 years and I still learn something every time I ride.

Yea, but you still haven't learned not to stand on the curb, shooting the bull, while the clouds are gathering !!!

[rathr-b-cruisin]

OK, First thing, You dont "drive" motorcycles you "ride" them. Now, I bought mine in 2006 and i'm still learning. Like my instructor said in MSF you learn something everytime you ride. Atleast you should. Take your time and learn the bike. I'm really just now, after 16000 miles, starting to push it a little more in the curves and am surprised at how much you can really lean those things. Take your time and it will come, dont worry about how others are riding because you have to ride your own bike. If some one can take a turn quicker than you so what. catch them in the straights.

[Davecm203]

I have been ridding streetbikes for 22 years and have to give a bump to Dr. Bob. You never stop learning. There will always be somone better (even Rossi has learned that this year). So, don't worry about them. Stay in your comfort zone and you will continualy improve as you gain confidence and your comfort zone starts opening.

[wxmcpo]

Originally Posted by Bigs

Biggest thing, and I learn something on EVERY ride, is how to handle OTHER drivers and ROAD conditions. Each and every ride is different. Even the same roads you take 100 times over can be different each time, potholes relocating from the right side to the left, tar snakes that weren't there last week, a recently chewed up road that will be smooth as glass the next week. And remember, just as we all in this world are a little different, so are our driving habits in a car. I cannot tell you the number of times a person in a car has looked directly at me, but still turned in front of me. ALWAYS, ALWAYS be aware of those around you, notice them well before you plan to do anything, and keep in mind a "back door" in case of trouble. Best accessory you have on the bike is your own senses, think a car will pull out, prepare for it ahead, see that car in the lane next to you with its blinker on to change lanes, slow down - THEY WILL BE CUTTING YOU OFF.

I think having the experience of riding my road bike (as in road bicycle) as much as I do on the roads here in Hawaii is going to help me when I actually start riding my motorcycle out in traffic. The things you have talked about above are actually the way I think while I'm out there on my bike. Especially here in Hawaii where everyone thinks they are the only person on the road.

[frostbitevinnie]

I don't remember, I was 5. Even with that most of my riding was on dirt bikes. I ride a large cruiser now and am still adjusting to it.

[fbrown]

I like frostbitevinnie stated, started out on dirt bikes when I was about7-8 years old. Man what a difference between dirt and pavement! Just be yourself take your time and be safe. It took me about two years to get used to riding (it took me that long before I could get my own bike). What I mean is every bike is different they handle different,sit different, well I think you get what I mean we all don't learn the same and some don't learn at all
Ride like you are invisible
(some one here said that and it's true)

[DrBob]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Yea, but you still haven't learned not to stand on the curb, shooting the bull, while the clouds are gathering !!!

LOL! Yeah, but that would technically be an error related to NOT riding...just goes to show that bad things happen when you fail to ride.

[Elvis]

Originally Posted by Davecm203

Stay in your comfort zone and you will continually improve as you gain confidence and your comfort zone starts opening.

First 1000 kms, very critical both for you and your bike, say after 5000 kms, you feel comfy on the bike and road. But like the others said you never stop learning something new every time you ride.

Ride safe.

[chance3290]

Originally Posted by wxmcpo

Actually I'm an avid road bike rider for health and fitness purposes and ride more than 100 miles on a weekend. I spoke to a co-worker who recently took the same basic rider course I am about to take and he said that was the first question they asked. One guy didn't know how to ride a bike, failed to tell them that and proceeded to fail the course.

I'm also an avid roadie and I was told that this skill puts you ahead of most newbies. We have to ride bicycles on the road as if we are invisible to drivers....same thing with a motorcycle. Turning (pushing down on the bar) is the same on both.

[bluekat]

Originally Posted by wxmcpo

I think having the experience of riding my road bike (as in road bicycle) as much as I do on the roads here in Hawaii is going to help me when I actually start riding my motorcycle out in traffic. The things you have talked about above are actually the way I think while I'm out there on my bike. Especially here in Hawaii where everyone thinks they are the only person on the road.

You're right about that. I ride a road bike as well, and you'll find that you're already pretty aware of the crazy stuff that can happen on the road.

Lots of good advice posted here. Enjoy your class, you'll learn all the basic stuff there...shifting, etc.

My first time on a motorcycle was this spring during my basic rider training. After that I was able to operate all the controls on the bike, but I had to consciously think through the operations. As time went by I spent less time thinking through the process and riding just became more natural. I still struggle with many things, especially cornering. Like some of the others have said, you never really quit learning.

kari