Bob's First Ride!

[KatanaBob]

I finally got a chance to hop on my new bike. FANTASTIC! As many around here knew of me, I hopped on and drove away without any trouble. I rode around my neighborhood all day long, definatly had a great time. The only major problem that arised for me was trying to launch from 2nd gear. The only two times I stalled the bike was when trying to launch from 2nd gear, so if anyone would like to advise me of the RPMs I can comfortably let the clutch loose I would love to know.
And here is where the flamming may comence.
After I got comfortable with my turnsignals and fun gizmos and buttons to press I decided to open it up. I now understand why many do not advise starting on a 600cc, and up. Atleast I assume this is why. Either way I got to the back of my neighborhood where house havn't been put in yet, turned around dumped the clutch. I have never felt a feeling so great as soon as I tucked in and hit 8grand through the gears.
I definatly have to say for the first time ever being on a bike, that was the most comfortable I could have been to start with. Everyone who suggested the Katana to me was right, the throttle response is exactly what I was after, the clutch, the brakes, everything feels right. Definatly a fun time and cannot wait to ride again all day tomarow through the neighborhood. I will admit I am no master and the neighborhood away from cars is where I will stay untill I can feel everything without even thinking about it.

[robertc729]

why try launch from 2nd gear, and why hit 8000 as your first time on a bike that can get you killed with the non-existent experience you have, although you may have been in an unihabited area of your neighborhood, someone in the same mind frame as you may have went there also to run through the gears of a bike they are unfamiliar with, or not experienced enough to handle.

[Clint]

Yup. Too much power, little self control and no experience. Bad news.

Why the holy heck are you trying to "launch", as you put it, in second gear?

[palanon]

Even though you may not hurt someone else, think safety first. If you wioe out in a back road area like that or an unused parking lot, it could be a long while before someone finds you... that could git youself kilt.

2nd gear starts are more common with low speed no load starts. Common with cars and trucks with high torque 1st gears. some off road and earlier bikes have "short" 1st gears also. With the bikes, one person riding on level or downward sloping ground can ( could ) 2nd gear start off. Raising the r.p.m.'s and dropping the clutch just causes HUGE wear. Also when the powerband is reached for 2nd gear it could surge unexpectedly and catch you with your pants down ( read as unexpected ground loop ).

Just take your time and practice slow speed skills first,. the other stuff will come in time. good luck.

[KatanaBob]

8grand was only 45mph, on a 2 lane road, flat, and straight. I would hate to see what it will be like when I have to go on a 2 lane road thats 55 lol. Either way like I said comence flaming its ok.

Wait I reread what I wrote, my own fault. 8grand each gear individually, haha sorry no I didn't hit 100's. My apologies. You guys are good, you care about others. It's a good thing keep it up. It's how I learn.

Now for the 2nd gear start. I don't like the chunk inbetween where neutral is. If I can launch comfortably with 2nd gear from a dead stop then I don't have to downshift into first entering a stop sign. My father did the same thing, he used to ride for many years (there is background in the family). Either way keep the knowledge coming flame on.

[KatanaBob]

Originally Posted by palanon

Even though you may not hurt someone else, think safety first. If you wioe out in a back road area like that or an unused parking lot, it could be a long while before someone finds you... that could git youself kilt.

2nd gear starts are more common with low speed no load starts. Common with cars and trucks with high torque 1st gears. some off road and earlier bikes have "short" 1st gears also. With the bikes, one person riding on level or downward sloping ground can ( could ) 2nd gear start off. Raising the r.p.m.'s and dropping the clutch just causes HUGE wear. Also when the powerband is reached for 2nd gear it could surge unexpectedly and catch you with your pants down ( read as unexpected ground loop ).

Just take your time and practice slow speed skills first,. the other stuff will come in time. good luck.

My father was keeping an eye on me so I wasn't alone don't worry. That was the first thing I did before I started riding, made sure my father was available.

Thanks for the second gear bit, I guess I am far to used to shifting cars and trucks. Is there another more comfortable way to enter into first gear? I don't like the chunk when the gears are finding there way past nuetral, maybe it is normal and I just need to be used to it?

[KatanaBob]

Originally Posted by Night_Wolf

Did you take a safety course??? Did you not learn about the "ready position"??? Do you know why you SHOULD be stopped in FIRST Gear??? If so tell me, if not time to take a course and LEARN

That comes inbetween college classes. Don't worry I want to take them because it will lower my insurance costs. BUT I still want to learn what I can, no 2 day course will make me comfortable with a bike. Only practice and a neighborhood thats half vacant is far better than a parking lot anyday.
As for the ready postion either way, foot on brake, left foot on ground, scanning for people to hit you allowing you the ability to move if someone isn't going to stop. I was just more curious about if it is still fine in second gear so I don't have to downshift to first, but if it is more wise to be in first for a bike then you have given me the answer to my question. And I thank you for that.

[KatanaBob]

I've been called worse in my life. And if I was wrong correct me. Telling me I'm wrong will do nothing, but allow me to continue doing them wrong.

[Rickster]

N.W. right about you learning bad habits buddy. After you take the riders course, you will come back here and tell us again that we were right, just like at the start of this post when you said how powerful a 600cc machine is. We told you, but you didn't "know" it till you experienced it. Same with the course, you don't know what you are missing, because you haven't experienced it yet. You will learn a lot.

Your not planing on riding this thing without insurance, are you?

[KatanaBob]

State farm insurance, plates in the mail, cy permit. My father has his endorsement henceforth why he was the one keeping tabs on me. As for the bike I knew it had power, or I wouldn't have bought it . As for courses I have learned I can learn much more from people who actually ride, this is why i'm picking everyones brain. My drivers ed teacher was "certified" also and I had to wipe everything from her and reteach. I learned many things correct as I will with the MSF course. BUT more can be learned here, words go alot farther then a few classes.

[texrider]

Sounds like Bob's first ride had great potential to be his last..... Consider parking the special K for awhile, and buy or borrow a 125-250 enduro bike. Use it to practice control skills in the dirt and on paved backroads. Then move up to riding in traffic to hone your defensive skills. After all that, then head for the drag strip to watch and learn how to "launch" your Katana. Then hang out with yer squid pals to learn the insane wheelies and darting traffic at high speeds. Be sure to sign your donor line on your license, and stash some bail money where someone can get it for you....Don't forget your will and DNR order.... Have I left anything out? Oh, have fun!

[KatanaBob]

Obviously "Launch" is stuck in everyones mind as I'm reving to 8 grand and dumping the clutch. Definition of launch: to give (a person) a start <launched in a new career> c (1) : to originate or set in motion
When you launch a boat that doesn't mean you strap rockets to it and watch it fly off the trailer into the water.
Next I have a car that will out run that bike, why would I take it to the drag strip? Nextly I don't "dart" through traffic in a car, why would I do it on a bike? Lastly I have no desire to do wheelies.
DNR Department of Natural resources...what so my body can fertilize a garden??
Again I am defensive, but I do take everything said to heart so do keep flaming it's perfectly ok. Trust me I process it all and think about it while doing my daily tasks.
Although I should point out everyone elses hotroding lines in other posts haha.

[KatanaBob]

As stated before I have every intention to take them. And you may continue calling me squid long after if you think I am an idiot.

[Rickster]

You keep saying you are open to, and welcome our comments, and that you want us to continue, but than you turn around and rebuff every suggestion that is made. Instead of taking the time to look up the definition of the word "launch", maybe you could think about why we were so hard on you for using it. When the word launch is used to describe a motorcycle start, it's at the start of a race, and even if you weren't in a race, your post sounded like you were, or wanted to be.
Lots of drivers don't "dart" through traffic when they drive there cars, but they do when they ride their bikes. Some of your comments make you sound like you would be one of those riders.
The difference between you, and a rider that has 10,000 miles under his belt, is the same as the difference between a hip specialist, and an intern. They both have medical training, but I don't think you would be to happy to look up and see just an intern standing there if you needed a new hip. You know how to ride, but you really have no idea what's waiting for you out there, and your additude, quite frankly is not what I would expect from someone that's really interested in learning.

[KatanaBob]

This I can explain as well. Unfortunatly the world revolves around argument. Every family that ever survives and works together argues, its the biggest use of conversation. I enjoy arguments because they are oppinions that can be put to further knowledge. If I keep giving you more fuel, you keep commenting and bringing more information. I liked your analagy (sp) of a motorcycle rider to a surgen. It was good, I may use that when I get that many miles under my belt. I also like to explain myself to help you understand who I am. In my car forums I am a respected memeber if I call someone an idiot, it is accepted, here if I called someone an idiot no respect would be found. Takes time to realize who I am. I do have a thirst for acceleration, but I do not have a thirst for death or puting myself in harms way. Jackrabbit starts is often used. On the other hand I do not enjoy driving past speed limits, I use them and enjoy them. Just all background from me, I like both you and Night Wolf, it's like pulling teeth for information, but you are atleast contributing I enjoy these chats.

[GIXXER-Mike]

Use 1st gear, Bob...ok!?! Bet I know how ya feelin' right now:




These posts may seem a bit harshly toned but if you disect the info just right you'll find that its only to make you think & act in a safer fashion when riding .

[KatanaBob]

Originally Posted by GIXXER-Mike

Use 1st gear, Bob...ok!?! Bet I know how ya feelin' right now:




These posts may seem a bit harshly toned but if you disect the info just right you'll find that its only to make you think & act in a safer fashion when riding .

Yes, exactly why I premote them to keep coming. Granted everyone needs to realize I'm not out to be a trick biker lol, acceleration is my only guilt. As for first gear my only question to all of you established bikers is. Do I want to down shift into first while gearing down? Or after I have stopped? And if while gearing down is the clunk to get through neutral normal?

[GIXXER-Mike]

When it comes to gearing down, I've broke it down to the obvious wear of two things:

brake pads or engine

Which one would you rather replace?

I sometimes try to use them evenly when coming to a stop from 55 mph or so. But I'd rather use the brakes more than dropping gears 'cause I'd rather replace the pads rather than the engine.

Over time you'll learn the sound & get the feel of your bike so you'll know when to drop gears & at what speeds. This is really important to know 'cause if you drop to a lower gear too soon you could lose control of your bike. And believe me, you'll only have to make that mistake once & if you make it through I guarantee you'll never do it again.

[stp1971]

Hmmmm,,,, well Bob. Here is what I think. You come on here asking questions and stating comments. You say you want to learn but when people tell you what you NEED to NOT BE DOING you lash out. Hmmm,, Valor is sometimes knowing when to keep quiet and listen.

Saturday evening I took my younger brother, who is 32 years old, to a parking lot with a copy of my MSF book, my DMV book, and a practice maneuvers book. I went and bought eight cones from Wal-Mart that are easily collapsable when hit as to not throw the bike over.

He wants to learn how to ride. He listens. He pays attention. And he did what I told him to do. This is what his "First" ride consisted of in the following steps.

#1. Learn how to properly mount and dismount the bike.
#2. Learn where all the levers and switches are.
#3. F.I.N.E. C.C. --- F= Fuel, I= Ignition, N= Neutral Gear, E= Engine Cutoff Switch, C= Choke, C= Clutch --- this was learned while looking ahead as the pre-starting procedure
#4. E.I.F --- E= Engine Cutoff Switch, I= Ignition Switch, F= Fuel Cutoff Switch --- this was learned while looking ahead as the pre-dismount procedure.
#5. Find and learn the friction Zone and how to ease in and out the clutch in first gear.
#6. Learn how to Duck walk the bike without giving the bike throttle.
#7. Learn how to duck walk the bike in a turn without giving the bike throttle.
#8. Learn how to start out in a straight line and ride straight without giving the bike throttle and to brake easily.
#9. Learn how to accelerate in a straight line and brake easily.
#10. Learn how to weave left and right through cones spaced 20 feet apart.
#11. learn how to weave left and right through cones spaced 13 feet apart.
#12. Learn how to go in a slow left curve and a slow right curve.
#13. Learn how to go make a sharp left turn and a sharp right turn while moving.
#14. Learn how to make a sharp left turn and a sharp right turn from a dead stop.
#15. Learn how to ride in a circle in a left turn and in a right turn.
#16. Learn how to ride around the parking lot and maneuver around the driveways in the parking lot and stop and go at all stop signs in the parking lot.
#17. All this was done in first gear. He was not allowed to shift into second.
Just to let you know,, we went to a local school where there was no traffic and I could simulate road conditions. A police officer came by and watched us for about thirty minutes and then came over to ask what we were doing and I told him I was teaching him the basics of riding safely and he said that I was doing an outstanding job.

These are the things you need to be doing for a first ride, a second ride, a third ride, a fourth ride, etc. until you have mastered basic maneuvers you don't need to even get out of first gear.

Then once you have succesfully accomplished and are proficient in these,, then go to second gear and do them. Then up to third,, and so on.

Trying to launch the bike,, trying to ride to 80 mph or whatever will only get you killed as a newbie. The people here are not busting your chops because they are trying to be know it alls,, they are trying to keep you from getting killed.

You said your father was there,, he watched you act like that??? Shame on him. I love my brother and care about his safety. He is mandated that he read all the manuals, wear all the gear, and he will learn what I tell him to learn until I tell him otherwise if he wants to ride my bikes. Even with all these steps I told him he needs to take the MSF course or a learn to ride course.

If you use a level head and follow this type of instruction then maybe you will live to teach your kids one day to ride. It's your life buddy,, not mine. I am going to do what I know to survive to ride again,, question is,, are you?

[tlwisner]

My 2 cents worth:

The second worst (most crashing) riders are self taught, the worst learn from friends. Those accident facts are from the Hurt Report. If you take the Beginner class and get your license, you have removed yourself from two groups of riders statistically much more likely to have a bad motorcycle experience.

New riders learn a lot of things at a riding course. A lot of things are not obvious - but are very simple once you learn them. You can not practice things you don't know. Respect the bike, respect yourself, and take the course. The techniques you learn will make you safer, and also make you a better rider - which makes riding more fun.

Ask yourself what goals you have in motorcycling. I like you Bob, I bet you're a cool guy. Motorcycling is great and the more you know about it the better it gets.