first ride experience

[Shaunpe]

Hi everyone

Got my license class M today and went for my first ride on the road. Its a ninja 250
I had to share with you since i didn't feel confident at all,
It was a lil abit hard to do everything together and some ppl that using their horns make it even harder.
I don't feel 100% on my basic skills like turning or shifting.
Is that normal for first ride?
Any tips are more than welcome

[bumblebee]

Is normal to be unsure when starting a new complex activity.
Find a neighborhood to practice in. Just ride around easy, Learn the mechanics of riding.
Soon shifting will be reflex, the controls will feel "right" in your hands.
Then you can begin venturing out on smaller surface streets to get used to traffic.
One tip is to always ride as if you're invisible. Never trust that lady in the van has seen you,even if she looks right at you.
Always, always wear your gear. Check your tie pressure at least once a week. You'll be fine.

[bumblebee]

Buy a copy of "A Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code. Read it, study it.
Ask questions of more experienced riders.
If you think they're stupid questions PM me and I'll help. Been riding long time and happy to help a new guy.

[Sickspeed]

Originally Posted by bumblebee

Buy a copy of "A Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code. Read it, study it.
Ask questions of more experienced riders.
If you think they're stupid questions PM me and I'll help. Been riding long time and happy to help a new guy.

Alao watch it on youtube, its very helpful.

[greaselightnin]

I saw a chick on 1960 around 530 yesterday on a ninja 250 I think lookin pretty scared changin lanes in front of me. Was that you?

[Shaunpe]

Thanks guys for your comments i appreciate it!
Im going to watch it on youtube for start its seems like good way to learn.
It wasn't me on 1960 i cant reach that far, if i would I probably would never have wrote this post

[vdrama]

My first ride I thought I was flying at 30 mph. Wasn't sure I could continue the sport. Now after less than 200 miles of neighborhood rides, plp, etc, I feel very confident that I can do this. 30 - 35 mph is my favorite speed. Can concentrate on the ride instead of shifting, braking, etc. Have been in some traffic, hit 55 mph for a bit (not planning on doing that again for awhile) and believe I am on my way. Have a rebel 250, have just started, and am 62. Just take your time and try to stay out of traffic for awhile

[Candace]

Just bc you have an "M" on your license, doesn't mean you have to hit the streets right away. After my son took MSF, I took him to school/hospital/office parking lots near our subdivision on weekends. It's a good place to practice bc it's generally flat, smooth surfaces, with little to no other vehicles. You can practice turning, braking, shifting, using your turn signals, etc, before actually getting on a road. Repeat all the maneuvers you did in MSF--downshifting to 1st by the time you come to a stop, figure-8's, stopping by a certain distance, turning left/right while moving and from dead stops, as if you're at a stop sign, etc. Once you have those things down pretty good, then venture into your neighborhood. Put into practice all those things you worked on in the parking lot. Once you're pretty sure your neighbors think you've lost your mind bc you've ridden for hours up and down every street around there no less than 100 times venture out a little further. There is a LOT to learn between MSF and a 60mph ride and traffic. Don't push it, just practice without the pressures of worrying about whether or not someone is out to hit you, or if you are holding up a cager bc you've stalled your bike at the light.

Congrats on the Class M. Ride safe!

[Shaunpe]

Originally Posted by Candace

Just bc you have an "M" on your license, doesn't mean you have to hit the streets right away. After my son took MSF, I took him to school/hospital/office parking lots near our subdivision on weekends. It's a good place to practice bc it's generally flat, smooth surfaces, with little to no other vehicles. You can practice turning, braking, shifting, using your turn signals, etc, before actually getting on a road. Repeat all the maneuvers you did in MSF--downshifting to 1st by the time you come to a stop, figure-8's, stopping by a certain distance, turning left/right while moving and from dead stops, as if you're at a stop sign, etc. Once you have those things down pretty good, then venture into your neighborhood. Put into practice all those things you worked on in the parking lot. Once you're pretty sure your neighbors think you've lost your mind bc you've ridden for hours up and down every street around there no less than 100 times venture out a little further. There is a LOT to learn between MSF and a 60mph ride and traffic. Don't push it, just practice without the pressures of worrying about whether or not someone is out to hit you, or if you are holding up a cager bc you've stalled your bike at the light.

Congrats on the Class M. Ride safe!

Thank you. At first i thought maybe its not for me i guess only because i Felt so uncontrolled.
I guess its require more practice. Thanks for the advices I'll use them

[CraigRR]

Originally Posted by Shaunpe

Hi everyone

Got my license class M today and went for my first ride on the road. Its a ninja 250
I had to share with you since i didn't feel confident at all,
It was a lil abit hard to do everything together and some ppl that using their horns make it even harder.
I don't feel 100% on my basic skills like turning or shifting.
Is that normal for first ride?
Any tips are more than welcome

I have a 250 & here to ride with you if you want. I should be free Saturday if you are available. I can ride slow, or whatever your comfort level is.
Pm me.

[SourDieselX]

Shaun, I was there with you today (the german guy). Just keep working on keeping your head up, looking into the turns and maintaining control. Keep practicing but make sure you do it with someone around.

[Candace]

Originally Posted by Shaunpe

Thank you. At first i thought maybe its not for me i guess only because i Felt so uncontrolled.
I guess its require more practice. Thanks for the advices I'll use them

Originally Posted by CraigRR

I have a 250 & here to ride with you if you want. I should be free Saturday if you are available. I can ride slow, or whatever your comfort level is.
Pm me.

There ya go!

[351fox]

Use an empty parking lot or quiet neighborhood to hone your skills unil you feel comfortable.and relaxed. Learn at your own pace and don't rush yourself based on others. Completing the MSF doesn't necessarily mean you are ready to hit heavy traffic. Enjoy and have fun, that's what it's all about.

[Shaunpe]

Originally Posted by CraigRR

I have a 250 & here to ride with you if you want. I should be free Saturday if you are available. I can ride slow, or whatever your comfort level is.
Pm me.

can't say no for that kind of help. thank you so much I'll pm you.

I will go to some parking lot for now..

thanks everyone

[brandontx]

Can be a little scary at first especially in traffic. You never realize how hectic the street is until you get on a bike. Feels very quiet and subdued when you are in a car. Like others said, just ride around in the neighborhood for while. A couple months if you have to. That should be long enough to develop the muscle memory required to used both hands and both feet in tandem. Then once you can work the controls without thinking about it venture onto the surface streets. Don't forget to have fun!

[iDazzle]

Completely normal.
I remember not knowing When to shift gears. Ppl say, "ull know, ull feel it." I was like...nope..I dont feel it.
I kept asking a fellow 250 rider when did he switch gears n what gear was he in at certain times..like..after the light..by the time he reaches end of intersection is he still in 1st or onto 2nd.
I just wanted to copy him. Later I found my own way.

Itll get easier n u wont even think twice about it.

[Shaunpe]

Originally Posted by iDazzle

Completely normal.
I remember not knowing When to shift gears. Ppl say, "ull know, ull feel it." I was like...nope..I dont feel it.
I kept asking a fellow 250 rider when did he switch gears n what gear was he in at certain times..like..after the light..by the time he reaches end of intersection is he still in 1st or onto 2nd.
I just wanted to copy him. Later I found my own way.

Itll get easier n u wont even think twice about it.

It's exactly what I felt. I asked some guys that I know, gave me some tips
I used some of the comments here as well.

I have to say that yesterday I went for a ride and I felt really good
drove all over the westheimer and around the area.
I still need to work on my downshifting and my turning but at least im getting better
thank you guys

[SysKnight]

Buy some ear plugs, it helps with mental fatigue and will help you concentrate. When I first started riding, plugs made things calm down a lot.

[TheFantasticG]

I bought ear plugs because after I finally reached 30mph the wind noise was driving me insane... Then I upgraded pipes and now I need them just to turn on the bike.

I highly agree with the suggestion of neighbor hood/parking lot. I spent my 500 or so miles just riding in a square around my neighborhood.

Originally Posted by TheFantasticG

I bought ear plugs because after I finally reached 30mph the wind noise was driving me insane... Then I upgraded pipes and now I need them just to turn on the bike.

I highly agree with the suggestion of neighbor hood/parking lot. I spent my 500 or so miles just riding in a square around my neighborhood.

Yeah just work it up very gradually on the side of caution. You'll be effortlessly cruising down the freeway in traffic in no time!

I did the same thing. Got my bike, set up an MSF course in a parking lot. after that I drove around my neighborhood...then I rode around residential areas where the speed limit ranges from 35-45 for a while. After that I took those roads to some small two lane 55mph highways...then I tried HWY 290 on a sunday morning with no traffic and so on.

The main thing is to take your time and work your way up slowly.