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Message started by Snubby241 on 08/04/13 at 13:46:59

Title: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noob)
Post by Snubby241 on 08/04/13 at 13:46:59

I've noticed that distance seems to decrease as my skill level increases.
The first week riding to and from work it was "Good, got passed that intersection, please G-d let me make it to the next in one piece" Now it's
"darn I'm home already, where can I go next?" I like it better now.
Any other newies experience that?

Pre-running. After my initial disaster with a bike, I bought a sports car,
pretty much traveled the same roads I'm riding now. After I bought this
bike, I found myself pre-running the routes I was thinking about taking just to check them out and keep myself out of trouble. I'm passed that now, just curious if any other new riders have done that.

I an blessed with living in San Diego County, perfect for sporty cars and bikes. Anymore, I'm trying to find a reason to drive the car, even entertained the thought of selling it so I could buy another bike.

Talked myself out of that one. Some ladies that don't like bikes, will like the sporty car.

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/04/13 at 14:28:08

I lived in a town with only a coupla lites, almost no traffic, & rode out in the boonies for a coupla months before I went into Tyler, then only to the outskirts for a few minutes.. after a month or so of that I went all the way into town & DANG if some broad didnt merge into my lane, forcing me into a Hard countersteer lane change Hop,, scared me real bad, BUT, I handled it & that upped my confidence, so, I got on in the mix after that,,

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by WD on 08/04/13 at 15:01:40

Sounds like a normal process.

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by ToesNose on 08/04/13 at 16:52:18

Yea just proceed at your own pace, no reason to rush anything just be safe and enjoy yourself ;) It's better to be on your toes and alert then just laid back and careless any ways 8-)

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/04/13 at 16:56:51

Take the safety class,

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by Dave on 08/05/13 at 11:44:31

I noticed a similar feeling about my new cafe' conversion a few months ago. The day I got it ready to ride I took it for a ride around the block and worried.....nothing went wrong. The next day I rode it about 30 miles and worried.......it made the trip without a problem. Over the next few weeks I got braver and rode farther.....then I rode it for 4 straight days on the Dragon Run and the only thing I had to do was tighten the brake stop on the rear set pedal on the 2nd day.

Yesterday I went on a 5 hour ride all alone.....and never worried once about getting back home!

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by Snubby241 on 08/05/13 at 15:54:26

37282E2934330232023A28246F5D0 wrote:

Take the safety class,

Yep, I've had classes up the ying yang. Took MSF first, which around here makes you safe for riding in a parking lot. Went thru several sessions of Learn To Ride, but the best thing I did is get private instruction. Has really paid off. He stresses control and balance, manouvering in small spaces.

I seem to have jumped from 200 miles on the odometer to over 1400. I just bought this thing end of Mar beginnig of April.

Did a 128 mile ride yesterday, thought I was heading home at one point but just kept on going. I am definitely hooked on this.

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/05/13 at 16:50:43

If you have a friend with a dirt bike, do whatever it takes to get some seat time. What your body learns in those moments when the tires drift a bit in a turn just cant be explained. YOULL learn to shift youre weight & adjust the bikes angle( tires lean angle on the dirt) very subtly. That translates to street bikes & asphalt.

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by old_rider on 08/05/13 at 17:02:21

Yup and in about 40 years you won't be afraid to do a 4-5k ride! My last big ride was about 3,875 miles, took a few days, but enjoyed seeing the country. Good insurance with a tow package is a comforting thing to have on longer trips.

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by Boofer on 08/05/13 at 18:34:38

Snubby, you will have some idiot merge onto you and make you have to take immediate action in the other direction. Somebody will stick the nose of a '72 Cadillac into your lane at an intersection. You will put yuor foot down on some sand or grease at a crowded intersection. You will drop your bike and then fall on top of it as you push it out of the garage to show it to your friends (Usually about 30 of them--WITH GIRLS present!).

And you will ride with the single minded purpose of getting across the apex of a mountain curve and know thousands of miles of pure joy that makes you "Wah Hoo" or just gives you a big smile. Take care until you do at least one of the first things. Practice safely until it comes to you, grasshopper. You are coming to the most dangerous part of learning to ride IMO :)

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by Snubby241 on 08/06/13 at 17:23:31

0C0F07110A070611630 wrote:

Ah well, as I'm 61 I guess I'll miss out on the 4-5K ride in 40 years, though my Paternal Grandma made it to 101. Who knows?

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by Snubby241 on 08/06/13 at 17:31:46

624F4F464552200 wrote:

I get to play dodge 'em every day, my ride home goes past High Schools letting out and a couple of elderly communities. Have to watch out for those tufts of blue hair sticking out above the steering wheel.

I did the foot sliding out from under you thing a few weekends ago, luckily, no witnesses. Chipped by windscreen and bruised my pride.

I treat myself like I'm my own student. After every screw up I try and analyze what I did wrong then go back over that route again to do it right.

I don't really know how long I'll get to do it, so I'm trying really hard to do it right and get the most out of it.

I worked in the company's training dept for 6-7 years, just applying those skills to myself I guess.

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by Boofer on 08/06/13 at 18:48:19

Sounds like you're on your way. Between the Rest Home and School, I'd watch the girls texting on the phone 10 to one over the old folks. Just my experience. :) BTW turned 60 in April. Would you like a picture of my new hip surgery scar?-----anybody? ;D

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/07/13 at 00:50:58

I did the foot sliding out from under you thing a few weekends ago, luckily, no witnesses. Chipped by windscreen and bruised my pride.

foot sliding out from under you thing

I call that maneuver "The POwer Splits" because youve got the weight of the bike pulling ya down. Watch for sand. gravel. leaves, anythng that makes for less traction,

Would you like a picture of my new hip surgery scar?-----anybody? Grin

I have my own scars to look at, but thanks for the offer..

Title: Re: Observation and Question from a Newbie (or Noo
Post by Snubby241 on 08/07/13 at 19:09:45

7D6264637E7948784870626E25170 wrote:

Ive got mine from two rotator cuff surgeries resulting from my first attempt at motorcycles 3 or so years ago. :-X