First ride/first crash - Page 3 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

stp1971 · 05-31-2007, 11:44 AM

Well,,,maybe if your in-laws are proficient enough to take your bike up to a school parking lot or an abandoned parking lot for you then you can actually practice safely. Do yorself a favor. Go to Wal-Mart's sport section. For $2.00 approximately you can buy 4 collapsable 8" cones. Do that times 5 or six and you have enough cones to simulate road edges. Corners. Circles. Maneuver in between cones, etc.

Best thing about that is if you hit the cone,, so what. The cone collapses and you safely hit your imaginary curb, run off your imaginary road edge, or over shoot your imaginary curve.

My soon bride to be has her new bike and is scheduled to take her MSF course in about 23 days. She follows me up to the school in her car while I ride her bike up there. I set up the cones and she follows my directions. When she screws up she safely stops the bike and no one is killed. The little cone pops right back up and all is good.

I absolutely refuse to let her out on the street until she has mastered the parking lot skills and is able to safely upshift, downshift, and stop the bike in the safe confines of a parking lot. Then she has to also pass her MSF course as well.

She has watched the Ride like a Pro video numerous times. I sit there with her and watch it with her and explain points I see that the instructor does not point out. She has read the MSF book, the Georgia motorcycle manual, and is in the process of reading Proficient Motorcycling.

When she goes to take the MSF course she will excell in the course and should pass with flying colors. But even then if she isn't comfortable or I don't feel she is absolutely ready to leave the parking lot she's not hitting the streets.

Once she does hit the streets it will be short jaunts around town on straight roads that will allow her to get comfortable with the bike at higher speeds. Then the curves will come in slow curves that are beginner friendly.

Try this approach and stick around to post your findings on how to safely learn to ride a bike.

Apertureguy · 05-31-2007, 12:46 PM

Each time I read about something like this I can't help but wonder what people are thinking.

When people consider driving a car, there are schools, practice sessions....all sorts of stuff.

What you rarely hear about is someone fool enough to try and drive a car with little to no experience or training.

Yet, on a bike, with nothing surrounding the rider for protection, this is a regular occurance.

How can this be?

For me...this is something which has always been Sofa King Amazing.

Say it in your head...slowly. I just don't get it.

Mavman · 05-31-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvis

Recover soon buddy. Also you may wanna take a look at this

After viewing that site a few times within the last couple years......I still can't get over the pole up the poor guy's yinger. It's probably a good thing I don't.

themeatmanlandry · 05-31-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavman

After viewing that site a few times within the last couple years......I still can't get over the pole up the poor guy's yinger. It's probably a good thing I don't.

I can't believe that the pole thing came from a bike wreck. It would seem more likely to me that an injury like that was from a fall. Maybe I'll SNOPES it and see what comes up.

As far as that site goes, I can honestly say that that site is the reason I don't want my wife/daughter/father/brother to ride. What about me? I'll never die, so i can do what i want . . . my loved ones are all mortals.

Mavman · 05-31-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

As far as that site goes, I can honestly say that that site is the reason I don't want my wife/daughter/father/brother to ride. What about me? I'll never die, so i can do what i want . . . my loved ones are all mortals.

That's why I'm not in a deep depression, that my wife is happy enough just being a passenger.

Now, when my 2 and half year old get to be of riding age and IF he show's an interest, we'll see.

themeatmanlandry · 05-31-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavman

That's why I'm not in a deep depression, that my wife is happy enough just being a passenger.

After tossing my 750 in that gravel I don't want my wife even riding as a passenger. MAN, that thing got away from me in a hurry. I was like a ragdoll strapped into a roller coaster . . . I was just along for the ride.

eb77k · 05-31-2007, 02:52 PM

My first ride on a full sized motorcycle ended in a crash. I remember well the clumsiness of the foot clutch, the incredible weight of the panhead dresser, the long arcing path from my back yard into the neighbor ladies lilac bush, the crazed laughter of my buddies. Ah, those were the days...

You better get some time in in a parking lot. When a horse throws you just get back on. Get out there and ride the thing. I'll bet you never do that again, you've had a better lesson than any they teach you in any school.

You can get killed doing this.

**Clint** · 05-31-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eb77k

...the long arcing path from my back yard into the neighbor ladies lilac bush....

LOL! Ahh, the image!

raycogxxx · 05-31-2007, 03:09 PM

My 1st (and only-knock wood) crash came when I was 13, never been on a bike or knew anything about clutches, on neighbors little Honda 50-dumped clutch-took out mail box.

Mavman · 05-31-2007, 04:26 PM

My first accident that I can remember was on Dady's big bike, riding down the alley......tried "no-hands" and went reeling into the neighbor's fence. OUCH!

Roaddog · 05-31-2007, 07:52 PM

ya got lucky, take the course and then practice in a parking lot until your skills are road worthy. Be safe because theres very little room for mistakes.
take your time and have fun.

good luck

cowboyup75146 · 05-31-2007, 08:19 PM

I'm glad your ok, and I bet your family is too. Did you not ride when you were younger. Like starting out on a 100cc bike then moving up?
Please be careful , practice alot

AJE777 · 05-31-2007, 09:07 PM

Glad you weren't hurt worse. Here is a link to parking lot drills you can do on your own. They include a lot of the stuff you learn at the MSF class. I'm glad you at least had the forsight to wear the proper gear.

Motorcycle Skills Test Practice Guide

raycogxxx · 05-31-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJE777

Glad you weren't hurt worse. Here is a link to parking lot drills you can do on your own. They include a lot of the stuff you learn at the MSF class. I'm glad you at least had the forsight to wear the proper gear.

Motorcycle Skills Test Practice Guide

good link, each page can be printed out and laminated (sheet protector) and kept in a folder. that along with the cheap practice cones mentioned above would make for a nice little practice kit.

Mavi · 05-31-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJE777

Glad you weren't hurt worse. Here is a link to parking lot drills you can do on your own. They include a lot of the stuff you learn at the MSF class. I'm glad you at least had the forsight to wear the proper gear.

Motorcycle Skills Test Practice Guide

Thanks for the link!

stp1971 · 06-01-2007, 09:04 AM

I remember the first time I dropped a bike. It was in 1977 and my dad's fairly new Honda 750?? maybe,, well anyways it was parked at the edge of the carport which had a nice foot drop off on the side and I was just sitting there. Well actually I was sitting on it without my parent's permission and their knowledge,, but I was making the Vroom Vroom noises and leaning left and right and then it happened.

It fell off to the right,, righ off the carport and it landed there on it's side. Dang summer in Georgia sucked that day. Hated waiting there about an hour for Mom and Dad to realize that their oldest boy was sitting there with his leg trapped under the bike and he had busted his dad's bike.

Now those were the days. Needless to say I couldn't sit on his bike or anything else for about a week after he got done with me.

Wistrick · 06-01-2007, 09:28 AM

Once again guys thanks for all the advice and the ribbing. I will ride again but not tell my MSF. Lucky for me there are lots of paved farm roads around that I can practice on, with little or no traffic. I must have read 100 plus articles now on counter steering and have a book order in at amazon. One thing I did find out on a good note is my insurance is up to par. Even covers 3000 for acessories, not bad when I only paid 4500 for the bike

stp1971 · 06-01-2007, 10:15 AM

Insurance and the ability to know your limitations is very wise indeed. Get the basics down pat in the safety confines of a parking lot first and then work your way up from there.

Thanks for the positive attitude when everyone is giving you advise and not taking it as insults but only constructive criticism.

**Clint** · 06-01-2007, 10:21 AM

Don't forget that "insurance" doesn't pay for anything. You do. And I do.

We all have a responsibility to not make others pay for our mistakes.

DragonRider · 06-02-2007, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaznBlu

+1000

Don't your in-laws like ya? If they offer to take you hunting, feign an illness.

... kinda

Now that's funny...
But,very good advice

05-31-2007, 11:44 AM	#41 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Well,,,maybe if your in-laws are proficient enough to take your bike up to a school parking lot or an abandoned parking lot for you then you can actually practice safely. Do yorself a favor. Go to Wal-Mart's sport section. For $2.00 approximately you can buy 4 collapsable 8" cones. Do that times 5 or six and you have enough cones to simulate road edges. Corners. Circles. Maneuver in between cones, etc. Best thing about that is if you hit the cone,, so what. The cone collapses and you safely hit your imaginary curb, run off your imaginary road edge, or over shoot your imaginary curve. My soon bride to be has her new bike and is scheduled to take her MSF course in about 23 days. She follows me up to the school in her car while I ride her bike up there. I set up the cones and she follows my directions. When she screws up she safely stops the bike and no one is killed. The little cone pops right back up and all is good. I absolutely refuse to let her out on the street until she has mastered the parking lot skills and is able to safely upshift, downshift, and stop the bike in the safe confines of a parking lot. Then she has to also pass her MSF course as well. She has watched the Ride like a Pro video numerous times. I sit there with her and watch it with her and explain points I see that the instructor does not point out. She has read the MSF book, the Georgia motorcycle manual, and is in the process of reading Proficient Motorcycling. When she goes to take the MSF course she will excell in the course and should pass with flying colors. But even then if she isn't comfortable or I don't feel she is absolutely ready to leave the parking lot she's not hitting the streets. Once she does hit the streets it will be short jaunts around town on straight roads that will allow her to get comfortable with the bike at higher speeds. Then the curves will come in slow curves that are beginner friendly. Try this approach and stick around to post your findings on how to safely learn to ride a bike. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

05-31-2007, 02:52 PM	#47 (permalink)
eb77k Found second gear by accident Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: I'm lucky, I've got alot Location: minnesota Posts: 329	My first ride on a full sized motorcycle ended in a crash. I remember well the clumsiness of the foot clutch, the incredible weight of the panhead dresser, the long arcing path from my back yard into the neighbor ladies lilac bush, the crazed laughter of my buddies. Ah, those were the days... You better get some time in in a parking lot. When a horse throws you just get back on. Get out there and ride the thing. I'll bet you never do that again, you've had a better lesson than any they teach you in any school. You can get killed doing this. __________________ MOTO GUZZI loud valves save lives

05-31-2007, 03:09 PM	#49 (permalink)
raycogxxx Sprocket Pilot Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 2006 M50-Blue Location: Ft Worth, Texas Posts: 852	My 1st (and only-knock wood) crash came when I was 13, never been on a bike or knew anything about clutches, on neighbors little Honda 50-dumped clutch-took out mail box. __________________ "So long as they don't get violent, I want to let everyone say what they wish, for I myself have always said exactly what pleased me." -- Albert Einstein 2006 M50 Blue, Jardine Slash Cuts w/custom baffles (courtesy of BlueM50Chick), Saddleman Profiler Seat, Memphis Shades Poptop shield, Tour Master saddle and fork bags, Küryakyn Dually ISO-Pegs, Stebel Airhorn.

05-31-2007, 07:52 PM	#51 (permalink)
Roaddog Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Bakersfield, California Posts: 82	ya got lucky, take the course and then practice in a parking lot until your skills are road worthy. Be safe because theres very little room for mistakes. take your time and have fun. good luck __________________ Bryan 02 Bandit 1200s

06-01-2007, 09:04 AM	#56 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	I remember the first time I dropped a bike. It was in 1977 and my dad's fairly new Honda 750?? maybe,, well anyways it was parked at the edge of the carport which had a nice foot drop off on the side and I was just sitting there. Well actually I was sitting on it without my parent's permission and their knowledge,, but I was making the Vroom Vroom noises and leaning left and right and then it happened. It fell off to the right,, righ off the carport and it landed there on it's side. Dang summer in Georgia sucked that day. Hated waiting there about an hour for Mom and Dad to realize that their oldest boy was sitting there with his leg trapped under the bike and he had busted his dad's bike. Now those were the days. Needless to say I couldn't sit on his bike or anything else for about a week after he got done with me. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

05-31-2007, 12:46 PM	#42 (permalink)
Apertureguy Throttle Jockey Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,267	Each time I read about something like this I can't help but wonder what people are thinking. When people consider driving a car, there are schools, practice sessions....all sorts of stuff. What you rarely hear about is someone fool enough to try and drive a car with little to no experience or training. Yet, on a bike, with nothing surrounding the rider for protection, this is a regular occurance. How can this be? For me...this is something which has always been Sofa King Amazing. Say it in your head...slowly. I just don't get it.

05-31-2007, 08:19 PM	#52 (permalink)
cowboyup75146 Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2006 Bike: 06 yamaha roadstar Location: Lancaster, TX Posts: 80	I'm glad your ok, and I bet your family is too. Did you not ride when you were younger. Like starting out on a 100cc bike then moving up? Please be careful , practice alot

05-31-2007, 09:07 PM	#53 (permalink)
AJE777 In Training Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2008 Fat Bob Location: Oxnard, California Posts: 120	Glad you weren't hurt worse. Here is a link to parking lot drills you can do on your own. They include a lot of the stuff you learn at the MSF class. I'm glad you at least had the forsight to wear the proper gear. Motorcycle Skills Test Practice Guide

06-01-2007, 09:28 AM	#57 (permalink)
Wistrick In Training Joined: May 2007 Bike: Suzuki Blvd. C50 2005 and 2003 Vstrom DL1000 Location: Pendleton, OR Posts: 136	Once again guys thanks for all the advice and the ribbing. I will ride again but not tell my MSF. Lucky for me there are lots of paved farm roads around that I can practice on, with little or no traffic. I must have read 100 plus articles now on counter steering and have a book order in at amazon. One thing I did find out on a good note is my insurance is up to par. Even covers 3000 for acessories, not bad when I only paid 4500 for the bike

06-01-2007, 10:15 AM	#58 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Insurance and the ability to know your limitations is very wise indeed. Get the basics down pat in the safety confines of a parking lot first and then work your way up from there. Thanks for the positive attitude when everyone is giving you advise and not taking it as insults but only constructive criticism. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

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