How long did it take you to get on the road?

[pug]

I'm still riding in the parking lot at the apartment. I rode for about 2 miles today. I know that's not a lot but about 20 mins working of riding. The reason I stop is because I over-reved it but I didn't go anywhere. I stop riding when my fear start to take over my training..

[B_Wayne]

The first time I sat on a bike (it was my cousins Katana 600 which I now own) he taught me the basics, ie clutch this hand, brake this hand, rear brake here...etc. He and my other cousin held onto the passenger grip bar and told me to try and get moving in first gear. I stalled the first time, then slowly creeped away in first gear. I rode down the road, turned around and came back. Then I grabbed my wallet, said goodbye to my mother and went for a 45 minute ride by myself. I literally just took to it like a fish to water. I was nervous of going over 65/70 at first, but that fear quickly went away by the end of that first week. After that, I made an offer on the bike to my cousin, took it down to DC and have been riding everyday (practically) ever since.

Now everyone's different, so dont think that because you are still in a parking lot that you are doing something wrong. Just go as the spirit moves you...do what you are comfortable with.

[pug]

Yea I don't want to push myself. I don't care what anyone else says because I will learn at my pace alone. No one can make me do something, at least something that has to do with my bike, that I don't want to do.

Anyone else have any experiences?

[KAOS]

i just jumped on my bike rode it up and down my dead end road for like 30 mins. at 1st i rode with friends. then as time went by. i rode alone. since my friends couldn't ride as much as i wanted too. i can't wait until this spring. i'll be riding everyday as much as i could.

[md2lgyk]

When I bought my first bike in 1974, I had ridden a bike a total of maybe 15 minutes ever. I was 26 years old and decided I wanted a motorcycle, so that was that. I bought a new 250 Suzuki, had it delivered to my home, and just started riding. I was in the Navy at the time, and the state I was stationed in didn't have any such thing as a motorcycle endorsement.

Thinking back, I am amazed I didn't kill or seriously injure myself. I rode year-round, in 10-15 degree weather during the winter, with no real "gear" except for helmet and gloves. I rode for maybe 10 years before ever taking a course.

I'm now on my seventh bike, and have had only one accident and two drops since I started.

[pug]

Cool...I think the drop I had when I first got my bike kind of slowed down my learning process and confidence..

[Nexus242]

The day after I passed my MSF class I figured I'd do the parking lot ride, a community college is right behind my complex, so I figured that it was night and traffic would minimal after 8pm. So I did a few ovals, did some shifting and downshifting and braking to a stop. This was more to get us to my SV's clutch and brakes over the Rebel and Blast I rode in MSF. So feeling pretty good about my basic skills I took her out on the roads and ended up riding to where I work the showing off my new toy to my co-workers. I swear getting up past 60mph felt like I was doing over 100mph in a car.
Once I got home all my jitters and fears were gone, I knew I could do this every day and pretty much have weather premitting.

So get up early on Sunday or Saturday and get out there!! And if you can remember this following passage when you get out there, say it over and over to yourself when you start to feel the fear coming.

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear... I will permit it to pass over me and through me.........." Paul Atreides

You might think it's a joke but saying that over and over got me thru some of the worst moments of my last 2 tattooing sessions.

[LayinLo]

I rode around the block a few times, then decided to just go for it. Been riding like that since

[Clint]

My first ride on a street bike was a dealer test ride. I didn't know a damn thing about bikes, didn't know anyone with one, and had no business on it. I survived by dumb luck. Strange, though, that I was never really afraid. You young guys can thank the internet for giving you the opportunity to be afraid.

Still, Pug, I'm not sure what's got you so uptight. You need to find a local friend and go riding.

[jaydog19833]

My friend told be the basics and I rode around the block for 5 mins, then we went on a cruise for about 50 miles. At 45 miles he crashed and I got a free ambulance ride to the hospital. But hey; at least I did't crash

[SDSUsnowboards]

Nexus... good choice in literature there. Unfortunately I haven't gotten too into the series yet due to mostly time and some part money.

I think what B-wayne said was important. Everyone learns at their own pace, others have different tolerances for fear, risk, and what ever else.

My story is: I wanted a bike. So I found this forum, read everything. I took the MSF course, got my license. I found the bike I wanted, and dropped it while stopping suddenly while test riding it in the parking lot ( a good argument why msf should use sport bikes than are not so low to practice on). I later bought the same bike

I was riding the next day to various places. The day after I went to school with it, which required a little rush hour, some open freeway and some busy streets. I also learned the amazing thing called "lane splitting". The bike pays for itself once you do it the first time and get where you want to go 1000% faster than you would in your car. I thought 70mph looked like 40 on a bike. I still think that's wierd.

I also thing nexus' advice is spot on. I really think fear is the number 1 enemy to learning. I tried skateboarding, rollerblading and bmx and was terrified trying all of those the first couple times. To this very day I can't do either worth a %%%% and a half. I had nothing but a "reasonable"* amount of anxiety learning how to snowboard and ride a dirtbike and streetbike. I consider myself skilled enough and those things. The things I can do well are similar to the things I can't so I concluded it's the fear that held me back... and still does.
/Story

*"Reasonable" anxiety is just enough fear to keep me aware of my own mortality and thus keeping me honest with myself about my limits.

[veteq]

I took my time....after I passed the MSF test (Canadian version), I took the bike around the block for 2 days before venturing to the main roads. This was at the beginning of this summer, I have since put 5000 km with only 1 scary moment to speak of.... I am now starting to look for another bike. My wife is going for her licence in the spring, she wants my bike but doesn't want to share....she says that I am too particular with my stuff and she would be afraid of dropping "my" bike.....go figure.....

[Gixxerdale]

I got my first bike in 1972. A Ducati 450. A fast clutch/gear lesson and I was off racing through the Arizona desert. It just came naturally to me for whatever reason and I haven't been able to get it out of my system since.

Pug, try find an experienced rider to work with you. Even truck the bike out to some low traffic road somewhere and practice getting the feel of things, without the constant stop and go of a parking lot. It may boost your confidence to get some straightaway miles in, plus a better feel for the bike at a steady speed.

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by pug

Yea I don't want to push myself. I don't care what anyone else says because I will learn at my pace alone. No one can make me do something, at least something that has to do with my bike, that I don't want to do.

Anyone else have any experiences?

But pushing yourself is the ony way your going to improve and get better in anything and everything you do in life. From doing your weekly job or playing video games or poker with the boys to riding your bike. You think your MSF coach wasn't pushing you and the other riders during your class?? I still can hear Donna screaming to us to go faster during the figure 8 exercises.

Everytime I take the very familar set of long "S" turns from Kirkman onto Sand Lake Rd I work on my braking points and zone, setting up the entry point and getting more lean and rolling on thru the apex and looking to the exit point. I can't be content with just making it thru the corner safetly, I have to be better at it. Am I pushing myself beyond me abilities, No, but I am streching my confidence range with every pass being a little deeper, a little faster and braking a little later on.

I agree with RowdyRed on this uptight thing too. You passed the MSF class didn't you. That alone for me was the confidence I need to know I can ride a motorcycle and it should be for you. They woudn't have passed you if you didn't show the basic skills to b able to ride a bike home in traffic that same day without killing yourself.

Lastly I'm kinda wishing you purchased an older used bike with some scratches and dings and miles already on it instead of your new SV. At least the worry of messing up a new bike wouldn't be in the back of your mind everytime you ride it.

[pug]

Originally Posted by Nexus242

Lastly I'm kinda wishing you purchased an older used bike with some scratches and dings and miles already on it instead of your new SV. At least the worry of messing up a new bike wouldn't be in the back of your mind everytime you ride it.

Not to worried about that. Its just cosmetic anyway. It can be fixed.

Probably take it out this week or next weekend. I would today but I just got back from the ER, again. I had kidney stones again..

[007]

This is what I did - maybe this helps a bit.

A few days before street riding, I went around scouting the streets and watching traffic. I also looked at the road conditions with a biker's eye - potholes, puddles, sand, debris. Basically I learned the road details by heart.

Then I went out with the bike very early in the morning, when traffic is very scarce, and followed my pre-established route.I just did several loops on that route.
It was still scary sometimes. But then, riding is the only way you can learn. Just do it!

[Trapper]

OUCH OUCH OUCH!!! I feel for you man! I had a kidney stone maybe a bit bigger than a grain of salt. Worst pain I've ever experienced. The ER nurse asked my wife if she has given birth, when she said yes, the nurse said "now he knows what you went through". And no it's not painfull to pass, it's when it is going through your microscopic sponge-like kidney.

[pug]

Yea exactly Trappercase

I hate it last week also

[Pinhy]

I have a feeling i am going to be a lot like Pug. I am scheduled to take the MSF course in three weeks and have never ridden before. i am hoping that after that course i feel comfortable enough to not worry about it anymore and just go get some miles under my belt. I think this would have been easier in my teens rather than at 32. When i was younger i had no fear and just went and "did it" like Nexus (and Nike) have said.

My best friend has never ridden before either. He went to the dealer and bought a brand new 04 Honda VTX 1300, trailered it home, and started going up and down the dead end road. after abotu 10 times of doing that, he took off for another friends house to show him. Next day he headed out onto bigger roads and has 1100 miles on it after one month...so i hope i am more like that.

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by Pinhy

I think this would have been easier in my teens rather than at 32. When i was younger i had no fear and just went and "did it" like Nexus (and Nike) have said.

It's all in your mind mr Pinhy. Let me tell you more of my sorted past. I road a orange Motobecan moped my Jr/Sr year in high school, back up there in Ipswich Ma. Looked almost like the one below, but it was orange.



She was a great ped, 1 cyclinder, top speed of about 38mph, 48 miles per tankfull and totally naked too!!!! I in fact even low sided her once while taking a turn on a wet road at about 30mph!! Got up, limped over to my ped picked her up and went on my way to school. Just a hurt wrist from breaking my fall and some rash on my knee but that was all. Later on I lost a piston ring and seized the motor while coming back from the beach and she was toast. Since then I never road anything with a motor till passing my MSF class, this past August 8th, one month before my 37th birthday, phuck I'm wicked old.

So fear like age is a state of ones mind. If you don't feel confident after the MSF class then maybe you shouldn't be on a bike. Motorcycles aren't for everyone.

- fixed ma type O, thanks Pug