Brand New Rider

kbwilson2314 · 06-18-2011, 02:20 PM

Hello everyone! My name is Katie and I'm brand new to the motorcycle world. I purchased my GZ250 about 4 days ago without knowing how to ride a bike. But I already new how to drive a stick, so I didn't think it would be too much of an adjustment. I'm really excited to get started on this journey and I'm hoping to learn a lot from this forum!!

Thanks!!

Rionna · 06-18-2011, 03:16 PM

Hi Katie, welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie as well and I've learned a lot of valuable information from this forum. I've driven a stick as well for years, but If I can offer some friendly advice, please if you have not already, take the MSF course. It was the best decision I've made. I find myself on a daily basis applying the principles and skills I learned in class on the road. Saved me from panicking in a few sticky situations. I hope you get a lot of pleasure from your GZ250. In the past few weeks that I've had mine, I have fallen in love with it, and my skills improve each time out. It's my "Baby Beast." Be safe!

Strelok · 06-18-2011, 03:38 PM

kbwilson2314~

Welcome to the Forum Katie B. Wilson.

Georgia seems to be a popular GZ250 State.

:tongue:

blaine · 06-18-2011, 05:14 PM

Welcome to the family.Have fun.Ride safe. :cool:

alanmcorcoran · 06-18-2011, 10:24 PM

Katie, you're absolutely right - knowing how to shift is about half of it. The other half is learning to counter steer, some of which you might know from riding a bicycle. For me, it took about a year to really get the hang of it. I found that taking it easy and letting the curve handling skill come gradually worked as well as anything else. I did find that practicing my line (in to out, out to in) and keeping the throttle on throughout the turns also helped - but that wasn't until I'd been riding about 2 years. Don't be tempted to push yourself beyond your speed comfort zone when riding with expereinced riders. There's about a 15 to 20 mile an hour difference in capability that comes after your first year.

Take your time, take it slow, keep your eyes open and have fun!

mole2 · 06-19-2011, 02:33 AM

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. I second the suggestion about the Motorycycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course. It will help you develop good habits and avoid bad habits. It's one of the best investments in your own safety. Ride safe.

GZBrian · 06-19-2011, 07:10 AM

Hello Katie and welcome. Ride safe. GZBrian

bonehead · 06-20-2011, 11:55 AM

Always nice to have a lady join the madness, welcome.

06-18-2011, 02:20 PM	#1
kbwilson2314 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Rossville, GA Posts: 7	Brand New Rider Hello everyone! My name is Katie and I'm brand new to the motorcycle world. I purchased my GZ250 about 4 days ago without knowing how to ride a bike. But I already new how to drive a stick, so I didn't think it would be too much of an adjustment. I'm really excited to get started on this journey and I'm hoping to learn a lot from this forum!! Thanks!! __________________ "I am fairly agile. I can bend and not break, or I can break and take it with a smile." Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-18-2011, 03:16 PM	#2
Rionna Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Temple, Texas Posts: 176	Re: Brand New Rider Hi Katie, welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie as well and I've learned a lot of valuable information from this forum. I've driven a stick as well for years, but If I can offer some friendly advice, please if you have not already, take the MSF course. It was the best decision I've made. I find myself on a daily basis applying the principles and skills I learned in class on the road. Saved me from panicking in a few sticky situations. I hope you get a lot of pleasure from your GZ250. In the past few weeks that I've had mine, I have fallen in love with it, and my skills improve each time out. It's my "Baby Beast." Be safe! __________________ Rionna
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06-18-2011, 03:38 PM	#3
Strelok Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 143	Re: Brand New Rider kbwilson2314~ Welcome to the Forum Katie B. Wilson. Georgia seems to be a popular GZ250 State. :tongue: Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-18-2011, 05:14 PM	#4
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Brand New Rider Welcome to the family.Have fun.Ride safe. :cool: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised.
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06-18-2011, 10:24 PM	#5
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: Brand New Rider Katie, you're absolutely right - knowing how to shift is about half of it. The other half is learning to counter steer, some of which you might know from riding a bicycle. For me, it took about a year to really get the hang of it. I found that taking it easy and letting the curve handling skill come gradually worked as well as anything else. I did find that practicing my line (in to out, out to in) and keeping the throttle on throughout the turns also helped - but that wasn't until I'd been riding about 2 years. Don't be tempted to push yourself beyond your speed comfort zone when riding with expereinced riders. There's about a 15 to 20 mile an hour difference in capability that comes after your first year. Take your time, take it slow, keep your eyes open and have fun! __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More… Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-19-2011, 02:33 AM	#6
mole2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Longs, SC Posts: 1,469	Re: Brand New Rider Welcome to the forum from South Carolina. I second the suggestion about the Motorycycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course. It will help you develop good habits and avoid bad habits. It's one of the best investments in your own safety. Ride safe. __________________ 2009 V-Star 650 Silverado Pearl White 2007 Suzuki GZ250 Black (sold)
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06-19-2011, 07:10 AM	#7
GZBrian Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 119	Re: Brand New Rider Hello Katie and welcome. Ride safe. GZBrian
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06-20-2011, 11:55 AM	#8
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Brand New Rider Always nice to have a lady join the madness, welcome. __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me.
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