Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b.

[tigerboy]

Originally Posted by Plaka

I have a 35" inseam or so in street wear. The most common inseam I see in mens pants in a store is 34 followed by 36. I think I'm pretty average.

I've had one (exactly) look-mommy-that-man-dropped-his-motorcycle incident in a filling station late at night, heavily loaded, hypothermic, fatigued and doing my just-put-one-foot-down-when-stopping-'cause-it-looks-cool number. I learned. I Dropped the new K bike when pulling out into the street, being surprised by traffic from behind a parked truck, hitting the brakes and stopping with my foot exactly high centered over the gutter---too far down. I learned to skim it with both feet down and don't plan on stopping high centered. So if advising a newbie I would say that if you can get into a bike, one way or another, that is either very light (dirt bike) or that allows you to plant both feet (with some weight on it), go for it.

I agree with most of this except the most common inseam being about 35". That's like saying the average guy is over 6 ft. Maybe in Holland or Germany that's true but not in the USA. Few men under 6ft have an inseam of 35".

Being able to plant both feet solid and flat just makes riding more convenient. Like this morning, someone took over the parking spot next to me, so i couldn't U-turn out, i had to back the bike out by paddling with my feet. Hard to do if you can't flat foot the bike.

Also, riding in lots of city traffic that way gets OLD. When I have to stop frequently, it's nice to be able to stand up, stretch, and get the pressure off my junk. Ideally I would like to be able to straddle the bike with an inch or two to spare but with a 32" inseam, this is hard to do with most modern non-cruiser bikes.

My Triumph Tiger was too much bike and I'm not Tiger-sized (I figure it works best for guys 6ft or more), I love my Baghira way more, it's lighter and I can flat foot it. I only use the Tiger if my ride involves lots of super slab.

So yes, I think a beginner should be able to flat foot their bike if possible, giving them one less ball to juggle.

[PFFOG]

Been said before, but can't hurt to say it again. It is a mantra I repeat in my helmet frequently, even after over 30 years of riding.

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!!!!

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!!!!

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!!!!

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!!!!

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO!!!!

[PFFOG]

And NEVER try to go faster, Always try to be SMOOTHER!!

SMOOTH IS FAST!!

[frankofthenorth]

learn to change your own oil on every bike you own, and also learn to tension your chain to the correct deflection (if you have an F650gs or other chain driven bike).

Oh yeah, if you have plans to go several hundred miles in a day, take a break every 100 or so miles even if you don't feel you need to. at the end of the day you would be glad you did...

[daq7]

Remember, the bike CAN correct for your mistakes if you don't panic.

I hit gravel in a corner this week. Front tire washed. Just let it recover. Probably got lucky. But it is the second time getting lucky...

[Marky Mark]

When you are a begginer, and you will be for quite a long time, ride alone (ie not out with other bikes) until you feel confident on your bike.
You need to concentrate 100% on your own riding not 80% on yours and 20 % on your mates...Always Ride at your own speed not someone elses.
And if you want to show off, show off by showing what a damn good rider you are by riding safely and totally in control. Far more impressive than some twat speeding past that everyone knows will be in hospital or worse within the year...

[Marky Mark]

As for the guy who says standing on the pegs doesn't work ....well I have to differ.
Standing on the pegs means the centre of gravity of the BIKE is lowered which means it is much easier to let the back end slide about through slimey mud , sand or ruts. The rise in the over all mass centre of gravity can be limited by just rising a couple of inches off the seat. However believe me it does work after the initial fear of being much higher up, and it gives you a far better view of the surface coming up giving you time to 'prepare or avoid'...

[Marky Mark]

When going round a slow tight bend keep the throttle at a constant level but let the clutch in and out fractionaly to control bike speed. ie slipping the clutch 'just like dad told you NOT to when learning to drive his car ' this gives you far more precise control...just try it and see.
This is also essential in many off road scenarios...

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by Marky Mark

When you are a begginer, and you will be for quite a long time, ride alone (ie not out with other bikes) until you feel confident on your bike. ...

I do NOT agree with this at all. There is nothing better than riding with people who really know how to ride and can give advice.

Originally Posted by Marky Mark

Standing on the pegs means the centre of gravity of the BIKE is lowered ...

Standing UP raises (not lowers) "the center of gravity"

It does allow the bike to move more freely and thus is a good technique for proper riding off pavement.

[daq7]

Standing on the pegs RAISES the center of gravity but removes most of your mass from the moment of inertia the bike has to rotate around the y-axis in order to turn. But fuck the physics, it seems to be the consensus thing to fucking do.

[DAKEZ]

[thistle66]

Originally Posted by daq7

Standing on the pegs RAISES the center of gravity but removes most of your mass from the moment of inertia the bike has to rotate around the y-axis in order to turn. But fuck the physics, it seems to be the consensus thing to fucking do.

lolz. Awesome explanation; perfect!

[Marky Mark]

well...at risk of dragging this out....when standing on the pegs your body weight is transfered from the seat to the pegs which are obviously lower thus lowering the centre of gravity of the actual bike ( not the overall mass)...anyway it works. Maybe if you are 8 feet tall it would be different ...

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by Marky Mark

well...at risk of dragging this out....when standing on the pegs your body weight is transfered from the seat to the pegs which are obviously lower thus lowering the centre of gravity...anyway it works....

It does not matter where the pivot/hinge point is.... When mass goes higher so does the center of gravity. Basic stuff. Stop with the folly.

[daq7]

Yeah if you build the integration to determine the center of mass of the system, I am sure you can demonstrate mathematically beyond doubt that the center of gravity goes up. What is important is that your body does not have to lean with the bike in order to turn. Not having to rotate the mass of your upper body makes the rotational inertia of the bike somewhat lower.