first ride!

i2kdave · 09-06-2008, 09:14 PM

Took my first "ride" today. Just rode around the neighborhood, going up and down the main drive and turning around in the cul-de-sacs. Got it up to about 25 - 30 mph. It was a lot less scary than I thought it would be. It definitely helps that I rode 4-wheelers when I was a kid, as far as working the clutch, brakes, and gears. One thing I need to work on is keeping my turns tight when leaving stop signs. Everything else seemed pretty good, though. Here's a pic my wife took:

alanmcorcoran · 09-06-2008, 11:23 PM

And, it was pretty effing FUN, yah?

Jer · 09-06-2008, 11:55 PM

\m/ \m/

Water Warrior 2 · 09-14-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i2kdave

Took my first "ride" today. Just rode around the neighborhood, going up and down the main drive and turning around in the cul-de-sacs. Got it up to about 25 - 30 mph. It was a lot less scary than I thought it would be. It definitely helps that I rode 4-wheelers when I was a kid, as far as working the clutch, brakes, and gears. One thing I need to work on is keeping my turns tight when leaving stop signs. Everything else seemed pretty good, though. Here's a pic my wife took:

Tight turns can be very unsettling at first. Just turn your head the direction you want to go. The bike and your body will do the rest( simplified version). Practice and then practice some more. Most riders find left or right easier than the other. Practice both until you can confidently start out left or right from a stop sign or red light. Empty parking lots are free for the taking and the results are priceless.

Sarris · 09-14-2008, 06:20 PM

Don't try and turn from a dead stop. It's easier if you get her rolling straight for a couple of feet and then turn.

patrick_777 · 09-14-2008, 06:51 PM

Sarris, I would agree with you in a practical sense, but beginning riders (hell, ALL riders) need to concentrate and practice on starting with the handlebars at full lock. It doesn't take more than a couple of times to get it down, and it will help you tremendously with slow speed maneuvering.

Once you get the feel of the balance point on the bike, you can do circles at full lock.

Water Warrior 2 · 09-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrick_777

Sarris, I would agree with you in a practical sense, but beginning riders (hell, ALL riders) need to concentrate and practice on starting with the handlebars at full lock. It doesn't take more than a couple of times to get it down, and it will help you tremendously with slow speed maneuvering.

Once you get the feel of the balance point on the bike, you can do circles at full lock.

You are both right. A full lock start is doable and needed at times. Just practice on a clean road surface. A few pebbles under a tire can and will bring you down. Don't ask me how I know. :whistle:

Easy Rider · 09-14-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

A full lock start is doable and needed at times.

Two things:
Maybe, after 40 years riding, that is just one of probably several skills I need to "go back" and practice.

I can't,however, imagine what the situation would be when that skill would really be "needed".

Poised at the edge of a cliff with a grizzly bear charging..........??? :biggrin:

Water Warrior 2 · 09-14-2008, 08:41 PM

Easy Rider, just go to your local Wally World when there is a big sale on. You will eventually get boxed in by cages and carts.

Easy Rider · 09-14-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Easy Rider, just go to your local Wally World when there is a big sale on. You will eventually get boxed in by cages and carts.

Patience, Grasshopper, patience!! :biggrin:

09-06-2008, 09:14 PM	#1
i2kdave Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 37	first ride! Took my first "ride" today. Just rode around the neighborhood, going up and down the main drive and turning around in the cul-de-sacs. Got it up to about 25 - 30 mph. It was a lot less scary than I thought it would be. It definitely helps that I rode 4-wheelers when I was a kid, as far as working the clutch, brakes, and gears. One thing I need to work on is keeping my turns tight when leaving stop signs. Everything else seemed pretty good, though. Here's a pic my wife took: __________________ "Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done." -Andy Rooney Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-06-2008, 11:23 PM	#2
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: first ride! And, it was pretty effing FUN, yah? __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More…
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09-06-2008, 11:55 PM	#3
Jer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Des Moines IA USA Posts: 310	Re: first ride! \m/ \m/ __________________ "There's many who tried, to prove that they're faster, but they didn't last and they died as they tried!" Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-14-2008, 06:20 PM	#5
Sarris Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Port Richey, Florida USA Posts: 1,348	Re: first ride! Don't try and turn from a dead stop. It's easier if you get her rolling straight for a couple of feet and then turn. __________________ Prudent riders live longer than moron riders. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-14-2008, 06:51 PM	#6
patrick_777 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,763	Re: first ride! Sarris, I would agree with you in a practical sense, but beginning riders (hell, ALL riders) need to concentrate and practice on starting with the handlebars at full lock. It doesn't take more than a couple of times to get it down, and it will help you tremendously with slow speed maneuvering. Once you get the feel of the balance point on the bike, you can do circles at full lock. __________________ ]I am hiding in Honduras. I am a desperate man. Send lawyers, guns and money. The shit has hit the fan.
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09-14-2008, 08:41 PM	#9
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: first ride! Easy Rider, just go to your local Wally World when there is a big sale on. You will eventually get boxed in by cages and carts.
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