Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b.

[planemanx15]

I learned something new today when riding... If you wear contacts lenses be aware they might fly out of your eyes. Today on a rode that I'm not too familiar with and both lenses popped out at the same time.. i have extremely bad vision without them and had a pretty tough time getting home. I put 3 pairs in my top case just in case now.

[xymotic]

Originally Posted by planemanx15

I learned something new today when riding... If you wear contacts lenses be aware they might fly out of your eyes. Today on a rode that I'm not too familiar with and both lenses popped out at the same time.. i have extremely bad vision without them and had a pretty tough time getting home. I put 3 pairs in my top case just in case now.

How about this for the noob: "always wear eye protection"
I rode about a block in Mexico in shorts and no helmet, figuring WTF I'm in Mexico. I got some little gnat-like thing in my eye in the first 20-30 feet of riding which was annoying, but then it started biting or stinging my eyeball!

[Serdna]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

100% agreed.

A 600cc Sport Bike is not a good learning tool for a novice rider.

A 600cc Sport Bike is not a good learning tool for a novice rider.

A 600cc Sport Bike is not a good learning tool for a novice rider.

What about a VFR400 NC30 after 6 months of riding a 250 road bike? Talking about leaving the 33bhp restrictors in of course....

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by Serdna

What about a VFR400 NC30 after 6 months of riding a 250 road bike? Talking about leaving the 33bhp restrictors in of course....

It depends on what you mean by "6 months of riding" but I think that would be a great bike!

I wish we had that option in the U.S. (VFR400 NC30)

Give me a rider for a month and I could have them ready for just about any bike.

[daq7]

Here is one. Tighten the cuff straps on your jacket wrists. One of the first times I ever rode, I got a bee up my sleeve.

[planemanx15]

Originally Posted by xymotic

How about this for the noob: "always wear eye protection"
I rode about a block in Mexico in shorts and no helmet, figuring WTF I'm in Mexico. I got some little gnat-like thing in my eye in the first 20-30 feet of riding which was annoying, but then it started biting or stinging my eyeball!

ooo failed to mention that i was. Just had the vents open to the helmet and I guess the right breeze got me.

[U 1 2 B ME]

some advice from BMW Rider Training that i got:

1. Look there - go there.
2. NEVER use your front brake and your handle bars together.
3. A biker can never just - jump on and go. Suit up first - it should take longer than getting in a car.
4. IT IS BETTER TO SWEAT THAN TO BLEED!

[rattis]

My old man always presumed anyone he didn't know to be a bit of a scoundrel until proven wrong
I presume that most cardrivers are visually challenged until they're at a safe distance
When in doubt, slow down

[juames]

Always remember: 'Have Fun, Don't Die!'

My wife thoughtfully printed this out for my tank bag map pocket! Wise words...

[B.Curvin]

Originally Posted by U 1 2 B ME

some advice from BMW Rider Training that i got:

1. Look there - go there.
2. NEVER use your front brake and your handle bars together.
3. A biker can never just - jump on and go. Suit up first - it should take longer than getting in a car.
4. IT IS BETTER TO SWEAT THAN TO BLEED!

Number 2 is very incorrect. Just depends on the situation. It's called trail braking.

Of course it's not the best idea for a new rider, but I'd hate for someone

to start out with false information. It's something to learn as you progress.

Preferably on a track.

[Aussijussi]

Originally Posted by SVMango

Number 2 is very incorrect. Just depends on the situation. It's called trail braking.

Of course it's not the best idea for a new rider, but I'd hate for someone

to start out with false information. It's something to learn as you progress.

Preferably on a track.

I think it means not to use the front break if you have the bars turned well over, like in a slow street corner's etc.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by SVMango

Number 2 is very incorrect. Just depends on the situation. It's called trail braking.

Of course it's not the best idea for a new rider, but I'd hate for someone

to start out with false information. It's something to learn as you progress.

Preferably on a track.

And then LEAVE IT THERE. Want to risk crashing, then at the track is a good place for it. In the real world, with changing conditions, roadside obstacles, oncoming traffic, and indefiinite wait times for medical help, why use a technique that increases your chance of crashing?

[MustTourEurope]

Originally Posted by Aussijussi

I think it means not to use the front break if you have the bars turned well over, like in a slow street corner's etc.

Most often than not, I use my front brakes(with the rear) when going around roundabouts. We have huge roundabouts here...so it's always fun going around these "re-routers" heading for the 3rd exit. If there are no vehicles around...I go for a-little-faster-than-usual manuever. I always use my front brake "at speeds" as long as my bars are not fully-turned in either direction. Even more dangerous when coming to a full stop(especially from a short throttle burst), hard front brake...handlebars not straightened. I'm comfy with these...if you're not...well

[memery26]

Trailbraking is optimal with the rear brake only. Generally speaking, my rule of thumb is that the front brake should be used primarily when you are interested in actually stopping the bike, not just slowing down.

[Rottweiler]

Not meaning to cast stones or anything, but the title of this thread is 'Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b'. Rather than, say, 'advanced track techniques for the semi-pro'.

Yes, I'm exaggerating. But a lot of the stuff being posted here are things I would never try to explain to an actual n00b. Crawl, walk, run.