Most Important Things to Know For a Motorcycling n00b. - Page 29

xymotic · 08-21-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

IMO You should finish your stop with the rear brake. (Left foot down after shifting into first gear)

I believe this is what is taught in the BRC.

I dunno what's taught but I'd rather have a foot on the brake than on the gear.

Mike W · 08-21-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

IMO You should finish your stop with the rear brake. (Left foot down after shifting into first gear)

I believe this is what is taught in the BRC.

That's what I was taught. By the time you come to a stop, you should already have downshifted into 1st and be ready to go again. (Part of our emergency stop test was to check whether we were in 1st after the stop ie we were expected to downshift even during a panic stop). So I agree: left foot down, right foot on brake.

metalorleather · 08-21-2010, 04:49 PM

I have only been riding for a little while too. On the tracks,,,try not to hit them at a heavy angle.. weave as you get to them and go for crossing at 90 degrees. (works on large roots and limbs in the woods to.) I rode for many years mostly street. In California I did daily crossings of metal floor bridges. Evil weave if any thing changed. All of life is best lived in the dirt!

I took the safety class 4 years ago. I learned more in three days than I did "the hard way" in the previous 20. After you finish the class, KEEP the book and find a quiet area with no tracks and do it over and over. I did, I was going home late for a date (75++) and a truck pulled out in front of me and stopped in the middle of the road. My front tire went under the back bumper and I missed him. I was then at a 45 to the road and pressed the other handle bar because I was 25 feet from a metal road guard, missed it by 3-5 inches. Had my first thought about what happeded about 5 seconds later. The course and later practice saved my buuuti. Do the class, you will enjoy the ride with much more confidence. If not do it the hard way in the dirt... (its softer and all the other riders are dirty and stink from plowing the mud too.)

Mike W · 08-22-2010, 08:48 AM

One more related to my post above. I had to figure this out on my own because it was not covered in my course. If you have to start out from a stop going uphill, keep firm pressure on the rear brake. Give gas and start to release the clutch. As the clutch starts to catch, release the brake and go. (This is very similar to doing a handbrake start in a stickshift car.)

Inked · 08-22-2010, 10:14 PM

[quote=klaviator]"It's not the bike, it's the rider"

and "Bigger is not always better"

[quote]

I agree 100%---I see way too many people riding bikes that are entirely too big for them. In my opinion there is no reason for somone to go out and buy a liter bike (or larger) if they have only been riding for a year or so---but many people do.

Too many people equate being able to "operate" a bike with being able to ride a bike well---two different things.

LuciferMutt · 08-23-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by double_entendre

This might already be here, but it has occurred to me the past couple nights on the ride home.

If you're squinting and staring into the rising or setting sun, it's a safe bet the cagers behind you are doing the same thing, making you even more invisible from behind than you usually are. Watch for them.

Similarly, people in front of you might think you can see better than you can and pull out or jaywalk in front of you. Careful, careful, careful.

Rancho

YES! Easy rule to remember:

Your shadow points to those who can't see you.

TwinBridgeT · 08-23-2010, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinBridgeT

Noob question:

When coming to a stop which foot should I put down? I generally put the right foot down as I like to have a foot on the gear shift. Is this right? Is there a right answer?

Thanks for the replies all! I'll work on the downshift and keeping the right foot on the rear brake.

Dahveed · 08-23-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilNinjaDog

YES! Easy rule to remember:

Your shadow points to those who can't see you.

I like the brevity of that rule. Thanks.

daq7 · 08-23-2010, 11:33 AM

I agree with the sentiment that one should not go to a bigger bike as a n00b if you have been riding less than a year, but I don't agree that there are not reasons. I went to a bigger bike, because I wanted to haul more kit when i went touring. I think I had a good reason for doing so, but I am certainly glad I had about six months on the smaller one first. Even with that, there were dodgy moments just because of the height and weight of the F800. There still are actually.

Herr_Raus · 08-24-2010, 01:52 PM

Ok I'm still a noob, that's for sure. I've only been riding for 2 weeks and a half.

For me the most important things I learned in the meantime is this:

- riding a motorcycle really forces you to learn how to ride. Driving a car is easy compared to riding a motorcycle. With a car you can drive aggressively and still be alive at the end of the day.. with a motorcycle less so..

- ride your bike a lot the first few weeks especially. Riding a bike is a skill you learn by doing. Riding your bike a lot also lets you get to know your bike. Know how it handles and how it moves in certain situations. In the beginning I was always spooked out whenever my tire tried to find his way on a slippery or uneven surface.. now I still feel it.. but I don't freak out.. which allows me to focus on other things

- don't underestimate wind. Even when riding at 55-60mph if you drive a naked bike like I do.. you catch a lot of wind.

- don't overdo it on the first weeks. You'll have a sore left hand (clutch) and if your back isn't that strong, you'll feel that too. Also riding a motorcycle forces you to focus a lot more than when driving a car.. don't underestimate exhaustion.

- when you also ride in the winter.. make sure your dressed warmly, don't forget your neck. The cold wind in your neck will make your whole body ache.

Well these are a few items I learned the past few weeks. I'm still earning though..

daq7 · 08-24-2010, 02:42 PM

Uhm, when you ride in the winter, recognize that it simply is NOT possible to stay warm for long without electric gear. No matter how bundled you are, you are likely to find your range pretty short when the temperature gets in the low 20s.

Wildman · 08-26-2010, 07:37 AM

Rarely hits that low where he lives in Belgium. There's chilly, there's cold and there's freezing.

mfp4073 · 08-26-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daq7

Uhm, when you ride in the winter, recognize that it simply is NOT possible to stay warm for long without electric gear. No matter how bundled you are, you are likely to find your range pretty short when the temperature gets in the low 20s.

We dont really have that problem down here!

daq7 · 08-26-2010, 07:46 PM

Ha, you suck. I can't relate how many n00b situations I had last winter. Here is a serious one. If it is anywhere near freezing AND foggy, take the cage. Your facemask, glasses, and eyeballs will flash freeze, like, somewhat rapidly.

Then you are riding blind in fog trying to figure out if it is safer to keep going or stop even though there is no shoulder all the while realizing that injury looms with the wrong decision....

Serious n00b moment.

The answer is: Keep going... ....ish.

ac_elite · 08-29-2010, 03:57 AM

This is how I improved my driving when I first learned to drive standard, and I have used it on every bike I've owned.

Find an mild uphill slope and practice keeping the bike still using only the clutch, no break and no throttle. Find the sweep spot and learn to squeeze and release the clutch to move back and forth and back to still. Increase the slope angle as you get more proficient.

This will help you become smoother and provide more control. Also makes your starts much more fluid

08-21-2010, 04:49 PM	#423
metalorleather horse or bike great! Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Oklahoma Oddometer: 16	TAKE YOUR TIME get use to being the rabbit n the dog house I have only been riding for a little while too. On the tracks,,,try not to hit them at a heavy angle.. weave as you get to them and go for crossing at 90 degrees. (works on large roots and limbs in the woods to.) I rode for many years mostly street. In California I did daily crossings of metal floor bridges. Evil weave if any thing changed. All of life is best lived in the dirt! I took the safety class 4 years ago. I learned more in three days than I did "the hard way" in the previous 20. After you finish the class, KEEP the book and find a quiet area with no tracks and do it over and over. I did, I was going home late for a date (75++) and a truck pulled out in front of me and stopped in the middle of the road. My front tire went under the back bumper and I missed him. I was then at a 45 to the road and pressed the other handle bar because I was 25 feet from a metal road guard, missed it by 3-5 inches. Had my first thought about what happeded about 5 seconds later. The course and later practice saved my buuuti. Do the class, you will enjoy the ride with much more confidence. If not do it the hard way in the dirt... (its softer and all the other riders are dirty and stink from plowing the mud too.) __________________ What I can not do on my bike, I do on my horse.

08-22-2010, 10:14 PM	#425
Inked Tattooed Biker Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Boyds, Maryland Oddometer: 175	[quote=klaviator]"It's not the bike, it's the rider" and "Bigger is not always better" [quote] I agree 100%---I see way too many people riding bikes that are entirely too big for them. In my opinion there is no reason for somone to go out and buy a liter bike (or larger) if they have only been riding for a year or so---but many people do. Too many people equate being able to "operate" a bike with being able to ride a bike well---two different things. __________________ Regards, John G. BMW R1200 GS Adventure

08-26-2010, 07:37 AM	#432
Wildman Man of Kent Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Riding my World Oddometer: 16,067	Rarely hits that low where he lives in Belgium. There's chilly, there's cold and there's freezing. __________________ "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every other inhabited) continent of the Earth" ... 80% complete! Counties: 39 of 39 - done! Countries: 36 of 42; last up, Portugal, next up, Iceland Continents: 5 of 19; last up, North America (USA), next up, Central America (Cuba)

08-29-2010, 03:57 AM	#435
ac_elite Inspektor Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Just call me Victoria boy Oddometer: 537	More about practice This is how I improved my driving when I first learned to drive standard, and I have used it on every bike I've owned. Find an mild uphill slope and practice keeping the bike still using only the clutch, no break and no throttle. Find the sweep spot and learn to squeeze and release the clutch to move back and forth and back to still. Increase the slope angle as you get more proficient. This will help you become smoother and provide more control. Also makes your starts much more fluid __________________ Work is just the time you have to spend between rides. ST1300A06 GSA08 The motorcycle chronicles of Jackie & Valentino Valentino's 2010 Winter Olympic Run

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08-22-2010, 08:48 AM	#424
Mike W Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Concord, MA Oddometer: 42	One more related to my post above. I had to figure this out on my own because it was not covered in my course. If you have to start out from a stop going uphill, keep firm pressure on the rear brake. Give gas and start to release the clutch. As the clutch starts to catch, release the brake and go. (This is very similar to doing a handbrake start in a stickshift car.)

08-23-2010, 11:33 AM	#429
daq7 Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Denver Colorado Area Oddometer: 535	I agree with the sentiment that one should not go to a bigger bike as a n00b if you have been riding less than a year, but I don't agree that there are not reasons. I went to a bigger bike, because I wanted to haul more kit when i went touring. I think I had a good reason for doing so, but I am certainly glad I had about six months on the smaller one first. Even with that, there were dodgy moments just because of the height and weight of the F800. There still are actually.

08-24-2010, 01:52 PM	#430
Herr_Raus Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Belgium Oddometer: 44	Ok I'm still a noob, that's for sure. I've only been riding for 2 weeks and a half. For me the most important things I learned in the meantime is this: - riding a motorcycle really forces you to learn how to ride. Driving a car is easy compared to riding a motorcycle. With a car you can drive aggressively and still be alive at the end of the day.. with a motorcycle less so.. - ride your bike a lot the first few weeks especially. Riding a bike is a skill you learn by doing. Riding your bike a lot also lets you get to know your bike. Know how it handles and how it moves in certain situations. In the beginning I was always spooked out whenever my tire tried to find his way on a slippery or uneven surface.. now I still feel it.. but I don't freak out.. which allows me to focus on other things - don't underestimate wind. Even when riding at 55-60mph if you drive a naked bike like I do.. you catch a lot of wind. - don't overdo it on the first weeks. You'll have a sore left hand (clutch) and if your back isn't that strong, you'll feel that too. Also riding a motorcycle forces you to focus a lot more than when driving a car.. don't underestimate exhaustion. - when you also ride in the winter.. make sure your dressed warmly, don't forget your neck. The cold wind in your neck will make your whole body ache. Well these are a few items I learned the past few weeks. I'm still earning though..

08-24-2010, 02:42 PM	#431
daq7 Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Denver Colorado Area Oddometer: 535	Uhm, when you ride in the winter, recognize that it simply is NOT possible to stay warm for long without electric gear. No matter how bundled you are, you are likely to find your range pretty short when the temperature gets in the low 20s.

08-26-2010, 07:46 PM	#434
daq7 Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Denver Colorado Area Oddometer: 535	Ha, you suck. I can't relate how many n00b situations I had last winter. Here is a serious one. If it is anywhere near freezing AND foggy, take the cage. Your facemask, glasses, and eyeballs will flash freeze, like, somewhat rapidly. Then you are riding blind in fog trying to figure out if it is safer to keep going or stop even though there is no shoulder all the while realizing that injury looms with the wrong decision.... Serious n00b moment. The answer is: Keep going... ....ish.