Getting used to a bike...

[MikeHump]

I've put about 1000 miles on my bike since I got it a month or so ago, yet I'm still not too comfortable riding it. I'm scared to death of corners (even at 15 mph) and also scared to death of accelerating even slightly fast. The other day, I was on the freeway and I was the only one on the road going in my direction in 3 lanes, so I decided that if on the road, then would be the best time to see a little of the power of my bike. I downshifted into 2nd and then gave it a decent amount of gas and brought it up to 15,000 rpm. I almost wet my pants I was so scared. I quickly rolled of the throttle and upshifted all the way through to 6th and slowed back down to the speed limit. How many miles does it usually take to become comfortable on a bike? I know 1000 is not enough at all, I'm just wondering how long it will take before I'm not so scared of this machine.

[Apertureguy]

You might consider an MSF course...which will certainly help.

However, the old adage of "Practice makes Perfect", really applies here.

[MikeHump]

I've taken the MSF course.

[tricker]

You also have to realize what kind of bike your riding... I've never ridden a GSXR 600 but i know a lot of others on this forum have. Its a complete different beast than my zzr 600. Landry... Paging Dr. Landry...

[drgibson]

I have owned one GSXR and it was the shortest I have ever kept any bike. I traded it for a much tamer dual sport. To this day you would be hard pressed to get me on any R rated a bike.

If the bike is that overwhelming the trade it off for a bike that doesn't intimidate you so badly. After all riding is supposed to be enjoyable.

[DrBob]

It just takes time- you have to get used to it before that 'scared' feeling gradually goes away.
But you should never get too comfortable, or you will get into trouble. I have been ridding for 23 years and probably 800,000 miles, and I am still a little nervous on a bike- just nervous enough to keep myself from doing anything stupid!

[wookie]

how fast did you go ?

[MikeHump]

Yeah, I know it will take lots of time. I'm not so worried about getting used to the bikes performance on the street, because I won't be pushing it on the street, that's what tracks are for. But I know these bikes are made to grip around turns at high speeds, yet I'm still uncomfortable doing even 20 mph around turns. Are there any pointers for going around turns that you guys could supply me with? I have taken the MSF course and I know that I need to push in a direction in order to go in that direction but they didn't really teach anything about leaning techniques.

To answer the previous question, I really don't know how fast I was going. I just know that everything was kind of blurry, and that I got up to that speed quite quickly. I was paying more attention to the road than to the display. I know for a fact that I was speeding, and I think the fear was more that I could get a ticket if there was a cop present, and I can't afford a ticket right now.

[viejo]

I don't want to sound harsh, but you should really consider giving up motorcycling altogether. First, you've bought an extremely challenging bike, which many long-termers would shy away from when considering the control characteristics of that bike. Second, even after taking the MSF course it sounds as if [a] the instant speed/response of the bike terrified you, and you were clearly 'out of control' during that incident, and, [b] by your description of 15 and 20mph 'turns', you're an impediment to traffic flow, and will eventually attract either a cop's interest, or the anger of some errant 'cager'.
Lastly, many successful people were never meant to, and will probably never 'get' the mental/physical coordination behind riding a bike. They're just hardwired differently. Give up while you're still alive.

[tricker]

Originally Posted by viejo

I don't want to sound harsh, but you should really consider giving up motorcycling altogether. First, you've bought an extremely challenging bike, which many long-termers would shy away from when considering the control characteristics of that bike. Second, even after taking the MSF course it sounds as if [a] the instant speed/response of the bike terrified you, and you were clearly 'out of control' during that incident, and, [b] by your description of 15 and 20mph 'turns', you're an impediment to traffic flow, and will eventually attract either a cop's interest, or the anger of some errant 'cager'.
Lastly, many successful people were never meant to, and will probably never 'get' the mental/physical coordination behind riding a bike. They're just hardwired differently. Give up while you're still alive.

WTF? Sounds like something crawled up somewhere to me. To tell someone that they might as well give it up makes yourself sound quite ignorant. We all go through learning curves. Granted the bike wasn't a wise purchase. But he is trying to get help in a forum such as this and you chastise him for it? I've gotten my bike upwards of 120mph before. Was it smart? Not really but I did it cause at the time i wanted to. Its been a while since i did that and i learned from that. It took me a bit to get used to it all. Am i a pro rider? Not even close but i've got 5k miles on my bike and I'm still learning.

[drgibson]

Originally Posted by MikeHump

To answer the previous question, I really don't know how fast I was going. I just know that everything was kind of blurry, and that I got up to that speed quite quickly. I was paying more attention to the road than to the display. I know for a fact that I was speeding, and I think the fear was more that I could get a ticket if there was a cop present, and I can't afford a ticket right now.

Blurry happens at Mach 1

Which is second gear on that bike.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Stay off of public roads until you get more comfortable.

The local empty parking lot is a good place to practice. Since 15-20mph is still a bit challenging for you, you still have PLENTY that you can learn from parking lot practice.

Don't get down...we all learn at a different pace. Your choice in first bikes has probably just delayed the "comfort" stage, but it doesn't do away with it altogether. You'll get there if you stay smart and stay out of traffic until you're ready.

As someone already posted: motorcycling should be enjoyable. Just cuz you are still uneasy about some riding basics doesn't mean it has to be terrifying. Have some fun getting to know your ride in a HUGE parking lot before/after business hours when there are no cars around. You'll calm down eventually.

good luck.

[viejo]

Originally Posted by tricker

WTF? Sounds like something crawled up somewhere to me. To tell someone that they might as well give it up makes yourself sound quite ignorant. We all go through learning curves. Granted the bike wasn't a wise purchase. But he is trying to get help in a forum such as this and you chastise him for it? I've gotten my bike upwards of 120mph before. Was it smart? Not really but I did it cause at the time i wanted to. Its been a while since i did that and i learned from that. It took me a bit to get used to it all. Am i a pro rider? Not even close but i've got 5k miles on my bike and I'm still learning.

If after the MSF course, and 1K on the bike he's still warbling in turns at 15/20mph, he needs more than experience to get out on the street safely. I'll give him that the bike was such a poor judgement call that perhaps it's depressing his ready learning skills, if that's the case, sell it, get a 250, and get back with some good news about what fun he's having out there. But my feeling is that he's 'bottlenecked' in any progress and if success is possible for him, then a more reasonable bike first, and start again at square one on another MSF course. I feel better about that advice than, 'Just stick in there'...

[MikeHump]

I am enjoying it, a lot. I love the open environment around me. And I can't believe he said to give up. I've only been riding for 1 month, of course I'm not going to be completely comfortable taking turns. 15-20 mph isn't that slow for a 90 degree turn into a residential neighborhood anyways. I'm just asking for some tips. The first time I picked up a bass guitar I'm sure it wasn't the most pleasing sound in the world, however now that I've put some practice into it, I'm getting people asking me to be in bands with them quite often. Riding just takes some practice, just like anything else. I skateboarded for many years (probably 4 or so) and I learned a lot about balance doing so. I know, I know, skateboarding is completely different than motorbiking, but balance is balance. All I'm asking for are some leaning tips and some approximate mileage numbers from when you guys/girls got comfortable riding. If you believe that I shouldn't be riding, well I'm sorry to let you know that I'm going to continue to ride, regardless of your opinion.

[viejo]

Originally Posted by MikeHump

I am enjoying it, a lot. I love the open environment around me. And I can't believe he said to give up. I've only been riding for 1 month, of course I'm not going to be completely comfortable taking turns. 15-20 mph isn't that slow for a 90 degree turn into a residential neighborhood anyways. I'm just asking for some tips. The first time I picked up a bass guitar I'm sure it wasn't the most pleasing sound in the world, however now that I've put some practice into it, I'm getting people asking me to be in bands with them quite often. Riding just takes some practice, just like anything else. I skateboarded for many years (probably 4 or so) and I learned a lot about balance doing so. I know, I know, skateboarding is completely different than motorbiking, but balance is balance. All I'm asking for are some leaning tips and some approximate mileage numbers from when you guys/girls got comfortable riding. If you believe that I shouldn't be riding, well I'm sorry to let you know that I'm going to continue to ride, regardless of your opinion.

My best to you - Stay safe.

[MikeHump]

I try to stay safe. I know that the bike I got wasn't the best beginner choice, but it's the one that I wanted. I know it's a race bike, but I'm not going to race it on the street. Eventually I will take it to the track, that's one of the things I planned on doing before I got the bike. I've taken my car to a track once and even though it's a slow commuter car with minor suspension work, it was still the most fun I've had. I enjoy speed (not the drug), as long as it's controlled, and I look forward to the day that I'm comfortable enough on the bike to take it to a track.

[intimid8er]

A bit of basic advice Mike......




Remember to breathe!!!



(You'd be surprised to learn how far that seemingly innocuous bit of info will take you!! )

[bm50Chapin]

Well you wanted numbers soooo: I ride a cruiser, took the MSF, AWG, (always wear gear) and at around 2500 to 3500 miles I felt like I knew what the bike and myself were going to do in most situation... Keep in mind this feeling of comfort DOES COMES FROM PRATICE. I spent many a saturday in the parking lot seeing how far I could lean it into turns and at what speed, praticing flowing through the apex. I've got around 15,000mi now and well frankly I'm ready for a Yamaha Warrior

[wookie]

Mike:

It normally takes at least 5k miles to get comfortable with riding a sportbike. See my post:
http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ease-read.html

Since you've already bought your bike, skip the rest and just read the section on the 5k-miles. Hopefully that'd give you an idea on how many miles it'd take for you to get the hang of cornering.

It took me about 20,000 miles on various sportbikes before I did this:





Then try this: 27 years - Motorcycle Racing School - California Superbike School

There is a lot of stuff you need to know about cornering.... PM me if you want to know more. Damn, I just did two post in one day again....

[palanon]

Pick up a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling". Lots of parking lot practice.

That gixxer can achieve ridiculous lean angles, so don't worry about that. You want your body positioned to the inside of the bike during a turn.

Hit the book store and internet. There are some great books and instructional videos out there. Watch ( can't believe I'm saying this ) some motorcycle racing. Their body positions are exaggerated do to the speeds they achieve but, you'll get an idea.

After some more practice and research, sign up for a beginner level track day. Since you live in California, you have the benefit of year round track use. Do a Google search for " Track Days or Track Time ". Some of the beginner groups don't even require leathers.

Right on. Wookie could be a great help. Even if he's not in your area, he probably knows the tracks and organizations in your area.