Ianmh wrote on 05/04/13 at 22:55:46:Also I'm feeling okay on roads, but I'm having a terrible time in my garage. It's an above ground garage with steep ramps, really tight turns and a key fob opener half way up a ramp. It's like I ride for 30 minutes and get home and turn into an fumbling idiot. Tonight I had to walk it down backwards from a ramp and try again. Embarrassing.
Anyway, hoping each time I got out I'll build a bit more confidence. Oh, and another thing I'm having a terrible time with is remembering to turn my signals off.
I had never even
sat on a motorcycle let alone rode one until 2 years ago at the age of 52, when I bought my 2011 S40. I rode around the neighborhood a lot at first, getting up to 35 MPH in 3rd. When I felt I was ready to tackle heavier traffic, higher speeds, and traffic lights, I ventured out onto the main roads here. I was nervous as heck but did all right. The strange part was feeling the wind buffeting my head around with the full-face helmet on.
Two years later and I'm riding comfortably at 75 - 80 MPH on I-10 here on 60-mile round-trips. My opinion is that anyone can ride a motorcycle on straight roads and easy curves quite adeptly; it's the slow, tight turns and scenarios where you inch along at walking speed that are toughest.
As you ride more and more, you'll become a good rider. Just be very careful on that ramp leading to your above-ground garage. And remember to never apply your front brake while turning on that ramp nor anywhere else or you can drop the bike. For those instances, use your rear brake only and feed power to the tranny gingerly with the clutch. Use the front brake only when stopping in a straight line.
Welcome to SS and the best of luck to you!
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