Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b.

[MotoMusicMark]

I'm doing some research on what would be more helpful to know at a person’s start in motorcycling versus learning it over years in the "school of hard knocks".

Things like..."Don't transport a bike on the centerstand. It might break the frame". or "Standing up on the pegs or at least putting more pressure on them makes the bike less top heavy and better to control at low speed".

Could you help my research by answering the following question...”What did you wish someone told you about motorcycling when you first started out?”

Thanks. Mark Tillack
Brinkhaven, OH(USA)

[Wuwei]

Be very careful about overtorquing bolts threaded into aluminum castings on motorcycles. Best to back off a bit from recommended torques a bit. Motorcycle bolts and castings tend to need much lower torques than automotive stuff.

[bomber60015]

Things like..."Standing up on the pegs or at least putting more pressure on them makes the bike less top heavy and better to control at low speed".

this is simply untrue -- raising up on the pegs will elevated the center of mass of the bike/rider combination.


To add to this thread, "Just because you know HOW to do something, you shouldn't necessarily do it."

This will help you avoid rebuilding carbs at night in the rain in a vain attempt to cure the out of fuel condition in which you find yourself.

[espressodrinker]

[quote=bomber60015]Things like..."Standing up on the pegs or at least putting more pressure on them makes the bike less top heavy and better to control at low speed".

this is simply untrue -- raising up on the pegs will elevated the center of mass of the bike/rider combination.

quote]

Oh no please !!!!!!!
Not this rubbish again.
Please go and read about a gazillion posts about this to know that you are talking rubbish!
Noobs............... Ignore this man please

[Motopapillon]

1) Don't hit anything.
2) Don't let anything hit you.
3) Don't fall over.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

M-P

[Navy Chief]

Originally Posted by Motopapillon

1) Don't hit anything.
2) Don't let anything hit you.
3) Don't fall over.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

M-P

I like the simple logic of this!

[pack-n-ride]

Originally Posted by Motopapillon

1) Don't hit anything.
2) Don't let anything hit you.
3) Don't fall over.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

M-P

Fear not the throttle for it can save you in times of self doubt

[meemuh]

Originally Posted by bomber60015

Things like..."Standing up on the pegs or at least putting more pressure on them makes the bike less top heavy and better to control at low speed".

this is simply untrue -- raising up on the pegs will elevated the center of mass of the bike/rider combination.


To add to this thread, "Just because you know HOW to do something, you shouldn't necessarily do it."

This will help you avoid rebuilding carbs at night in the rain in a vain attempt to cure the out of fuel condition in which you find yourself.

I do wish I could have been there for the rebuild.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by MotoMusicMark

Could you help my research by answering the following question...”What did you wish someone told you about motorcycling when you first started out?”

Thanks. Mark Tillack
Brinkhaven, OH(USA)

I have no answer for you as I do not remember starting. It is like asking me the same about walking.

Who remembers such things?

I know others started later in life so I look forward to see how this thread develops.

Welcome to the asylum n00b.

[klaviator]

"It's not the bike, it's the rider"

and "Bigger is not always better"

Too many people think they need a bigger, better faster, etc bike. I started on a small, old bike because I couldn't afford anything more. Eventually, when I could afford it, I got one of the fastest bikes available at the time, a Yamaha FJ1100. It only took a few rides with a bunch of old geezers on their old BMWs to show me that It's not the bike, it's the rider that counts (Yeah, they left me in the dust). When I moved "down" to an EX500, I got a lot faster and had more fun.

[YetiGS]

I wish someone had told me how addicitive it was.



Wouldn't have changed anything for me, I just could have better prepared others in my life for it.

[Uncle Ernie]

I'll drink to those 2 up there ^

Plus; Ride your own ride. Never try to keep up with anyone.

Especially relevant to the ATGATT folks; No matter what you wear- you are invisible. Most drivers don't see you and they're happy that way until you scratch their paint. Never expect a car to do the rational or predictable thing. Never never never.

[YetiGS]

I did hear this one the very first day I rode from my dad who was once a CHP motor officer:

There are old riders and bold riders. There are no old bold riders.

A lot of kids around here need to know that.

[duck]

The bike is better than you are. When you think you've come into a turn too hot, do not chop the throttle, keep it constant and look through the turn.

You're most dangerous to yourself when you think you've mastered motorcycling. This can lead to complacency and bite you. This is an issue for noobs in the 6-12 monnth experience range. There is always room to improve your riding.

[ezo]

Originally Posted by YetiGS

I did hear this one the very first day I rode from my dad who was once a CHP motor officer:

There are old riders and bold riders. There are no old bold riders.

A lot of kids around here need to know that.

Excellent!!