Douchy McDouchebag gets his first ride...

[alanmcorcoran]

"DOWN for first, UP for second... Find the friction point... Don't overrev... Left foot down... Use BOTH brakes... Turn off the friggin' turn signal!"

[Sarris]

You look totally at ease. NOT!!

Trust me, it becomes second nature very quickly, then you'll look back and laugh.

:2tup:

[patrick_777]

I can feel the shaking all the way over here.

[alanmcorcoran]

...I think I might've crapped my pants.

[Littlethumper]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

...I think I might've crapped my pants.

make sure you wearing depends on :lol: (just kiddin')

I felt the same way on my first ride to the road following my bf with his
zx14. I was too scared almost forgot what i'm supposed to do and what i've
learned from the MSF. But after a a few miles, i feel relax and ease on my
driving. Like what you've said up there....
"DOWN for first, UP for second... Find the friction point... Don't overrev... Left foot down... Use BOTH brakes... Turn off the friggin' turn signal!" :rawk:

Drive safe...

[Littlethumper]

BTW, nice gear and ride you got there!

[davtnn]

TIME.. patience and practice .. try to do the same chores the same way each time. as in bike check (oil level / tires etc.) I never mount the bike until i get my helmet on, and front brake on when mounting .. this is all practiced over and over .. and keep your riding in your comfort zone ...it will all fall into place in time. Its a fun sport and we have great bikes for that sport.

[alanmcorcoran]

I've gotten a little smoother after the first 300 or so miles... But there's still a lot of room for improvement.

Two things sped up my learning curve: first and foremost, cycling experience. Cyclists have to lean, shift and make sure they don't get killed by cars. All good things to know. My racing bike has 16 gears and two shifters. My old mountain bike had 21 gears! Second, I already knew how to drive a standard transmission. The first car I ever drove was a high school teacher's VW bug. I had to teach myself to drive a standard on the way out of the parking lot!(Didn't figure out how to get it into reverse until after I got back.)

Seriously, though, leaving the friggin' blinker on is still a consistent problem. Patrick and others showed me a cool mod, but I'm not confident enough in my mechanical skills to mess with a brand new vehicle. I figure it will come with time. Fell off the bicycle a few times before I got the clipped shoe release firmly into my repertoire.

This forum has been a godsend. I'm fifty years old, doing something a little irrational, with zero support from my small circle of associates and no local mentor. It's one thing to figure out how to shift, but it helps to have a posse to show you the subculture ropes. I figure GZ250Bike has already saved me a couple of bike dumps and at least one major ass kicking.

[Jer]

I love reading your posts Alan. I feel like I'm right behind you in experience. Its good to read the honest thoughts of others going thru what we're going thru.

[alanmcorcoran]

...Back in town for the weekend. Hope to get some miles in tomorrow. Still waiting for my DL 389 so I can get my license. Here's an actual mugshot taken by one of my arty theater friends...