Newbie - first 200 mi reflection

[Izzy]

I'm into my second week of riding and just broke 200 mi on my Intuder 800. I allways thought I could drive anything with gears. I'm very smooth driving my car allways knowing what gear I'm in, my engine speed, etc. Boy is a bike different.

So many things to do at one time. Its difficult enough to get a smooth start, never mind that you have to keep the bike balanced and look good doing it. I realized that getting caught in heavy traffic can be quite intimidating. Balancing the bike at a 5 point major intersection with all those huge cars glaring at me like there gonna tackle me all at once, boy I actually got nervous at one point. Just kept breathing though and got thru it.

Shifting thru the gears on a bike sure is different than a car. I never seam to know what gear I'm in. I almost wish there was an indicator of some kind. Thank goodness I can hear my engine and use it as a guide. I keep looking for 6th gear when on the road, and seem to allways find neutral when starting, its a good thing I keep my eyes closed (just kidding).

Riding along at 50 or 60 mph doesn't even compare to 100 mph in a car. It is simply a different world.

Overall, I'll rate my experience for the first 200 mi as somewhere between 7 to 9 (with blips hitting 15) out of 10. I'm looking forward to getting more comfortable and truly becoming one with my bike. Right now its more like we are just getting acquainted.

[Jonathan]

Great recap of your first 200 miles.

Once you get the hang of riding and being "one" with your bike like you mentioned, things will go alot smoother and you wont even think about certain things (like what gear am I in...you will just know).

[Marcos]

I just passed my first 100 and I'm having similar experiences. There is so much to think about at all times!

I wish I could take the safety course, but the information I am finding online is invaluable. I read somewhere, maybe here, about the danger of being behind a van or large vehicle in an intersection (because no one can see you). This common sense info saved my bacon last week, as I was even more cautious when making a left turn at a light. It was already yellow, but some guy didn't see me and tried to beat the yellow. Good thing I saw him at the last minute. And a good non-lethal lesson that I need to be even more careful when large vehicles are hiding me from view.

The funny thing is that while it was scary, and it took me a little while after to calm down, I didn't get mad at the other driver. Sure, he was driving agressively, but he just didn't see me. Sure, I had the right of way, but I'd rather stay healthy than insist on my right of way. I thought of the other driver and his car as almost being like a boulder or some natural phenomenon.

Oh, and in this situation, I almost dumped the bike. But since it's a small bike, a 250, I had no problem keeping it from falling over.

[prekarious1]

probably felt about the same way the first couple of times you drove a car by yourself. Seems to be a lot of things that you have to be very mindful of, but with time and experience it all becomes second nature and then the trouble really begins!

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by Marcos

I wish I could take the safety course

I will be registeriung for a three day (weekend) MSF course offered at Gloucester County Community College (NJ). The cost is $225. They provide the bikes. They offer these every week however, they are booked up about three to four weeks in advance. I will have to wait till the weekend of July 24.

Originally Posted by Marcos

the information I am finding online is invaluable

Absolutely. I am also amazed how almost anywhere I go now, I seem to meet someone with a motorcyle interest. I'm sure I am subconsciously searching them out. Nevertheless its nice to meet new people. There really is another world out there.

Here is a tip someone gave me yesterday. I'm sure many of you experts already know this ...
When an oncoming tractor trailer is making a right turn, they tend to move left making a wide sweeping turn. If there are cars behind the trailer, they might attempt to swerve around the trailer as it is making its turn. Keep an eye out for the car coming around and be prepared to move to your right as the driver (of the car) will be watching the trailer and not looking ahead at you.

Keep safe and enjoy!

[TL chris]

That's a very good tip. Thanks for passing it on.

[EvilScooby]

I am a newbie also. Bought a 95 GS500 last month, jsut starting riding, at 40 years old.

I am very nervous going far from the house. When I was younger I never used to worry about those things

I am sure I will get over most of the fears

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by EvilScooby

I am a newbie also. Bought a 95 GS500 last month, jsut starting riding, at 40 years old.

I got you beat by 3 years. Lots of good reasons why I'm a late bloomer. I'm enjoying it. Like walking in a rain storm on a hot day. Makes you feel alive.

[Marcos]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I got you beat by 3 years. Lots of good reasons why I'm a late bloomer. I'm enjoying it. Like walking in a rain storm on a hot day. Makes you feel alive.

I've nick named my bike, 'The midlife crisis", though I suspect I never resolved my adolescence!

Evil Scooby, if you're like me, you'll get over the nervousness with practice and experience, and your fears will change into a good healthy paranoia of car drivers.

[EvilScooby]

Thats true, its those damned cars, I am hating the tailgaters.

Also being a new rider my hands go numb after about 30-45 mins of riding. I must be gripping the bars too tight or something. I must try to relax them a bit

[Marcos]

Originally Posted by EvilScooby

Thats true, its those damned cars, I am hating the tailgaters.

Also being a new rider my hands go numb after about 30-45 mins of riding. I must be gripping the bars too tight or something. I must try to relax them a bit

You should get some of those see thru gloves, so you can see when you're white knuckling it!

Because my (regular, non-seethru) gloves were pretty stiff when I first got them (they're good now, thanks for all the advice everyone) I've developed the habit of keeping three fingers on the front brake. I guess this is also keeping my hand more relaxed. Same deal on the left hand, but it's all the fingers that rest across the top of the clutch lever.

I don't know if this is bad, but it's definitely keeping me from gripping too tight.

[Izzy]

Everyones different. I find myself gritting my teeth when accelerating hard, so I've been trying to be cognizant of that.

BTW, this weekend I broke 400 miles on the odometer and am rapidly approaching 500 miles. I spent some time yesterday in a parking lot doing slow starts, figure eights, etc. I think it really helped me get a good feeling for my clutch and its stall point.

Last Friday on my way into work I discovered how far I can go on a tank of gas. I am able to go just about 100 miles on main. 98 mi to be exact. While I knew I was going to run out, I did get caught by surprise in heavy traffic. Not being totally sure I coasted of to the side, came to a stop before switching to reserve, started up and merged back into traffic again. I pulled into the next gas station to fill up. It took just about 2.5 gallons so I figured I'm getting 40 mpg in city driving. A coworker told me he with time I'll get used to running out and flipping to reserve while on the move. Can someone explain how the reserve/main are divided? Is it just a lower pickup in the tank or a separate compartment? When I fill up, is the reserve automatically filled? Can I switch to reserve with a full tank? In other words is it ok to practice this with a full tank?

[Uncle Bob]

Gee according to some posters on this site and others riding a motorcycle is as easy as walking. And maturity ( this term used by 18-20 yr olds) will keep you out of trouble even on a 100hp+ crotch rocket. Just respect the throttle they say.

Funny how people who ride have a different perspective than those who want to ride.

[Marcos]

I asked the same question about reserve tanks just last week, so let me answer.

The tanks on almost all bikes are one piece. When you switch to reserve, you're switching to the bottom of the tank. Regular is just a little higher up.

It's probably a good idea to practice switching on the move (I haven't thought to, but now I will), just remember to switch back! It would suck to think that you had extra miles to get to a gas station and then. . .

[GSX-R2Blue]

after the first 139miles it's been an interesting time...
i'v ridden dirt bikes in the past, have always had good ballence and confidence. the first 5 minutes on the gsx-r 600 seemed to be just getting used to the bike and it's differences.. after the first 5 minutes i found myself almost as one with the bike, leaning with the bike on turns, etc...
it's just been a positive experience 100% of the way.. i wish i had gotten a bike sooner, but on the other hand, i might not have had the respect i have now for motorcycles.. so all in all i'm glad i picked now to start riding.. i look forward to the many miles i have ahead of me on two wheels..
different people take different amounts of time to get used to riding a motorcycle, getting the feel of their new bike, if they're a first time rider, learning to ballence, leaning, shift correctly, stop correctly, accelerating, riding along side cars/trucks, and other bikers, etc...
so if someones frustrated with their experiences on a motorcycle then, all i can say is stick with it, not every has the same learning curve, it might take awhile to gain confidence in yourself and become comfortable with your new bike and how it performs..
good luck to you all..
~J

[GIXXER-Mike]

Thanks for all the info. I definately need it 'cause that's why I'm here :o .

Rode 60 miles this morning on my newly purchased '04 GSX-R600. I now have 162 miles under my belt & I must say that I feel very, very proud

Being out there on the bike so long allowed me to get a greater feel for it. High & low RPMs (but below 6500), changing gears, knowing when that engine is ready to sky-rocket & knowing how to calm it down are all unexplainable feelings for me. You can't help but get giddy sometimes but I take pride in SELF-DISCIPLINE. I refrain greatly! Never shall I disrespect the power of my Gixxer...surely not now because I've only been riding for a week .

Anyhow, keep the info coming 'cause I'm reading everything you guys write.

Outta Here!