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 Newbie
User of semicolons.
 
Registered: 07/18/04
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 Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class 
#13228572 - 09/21/10 07:34 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I was pretty damn nervous about the whole thing at first after I dropped my buddy's bike during parking lot practice. (He's a mechanic so it was ok lol) The instructor was friendly, as were the classmates. Experience ranged from never driven manual to riding 20 years, and ages ranged from 18 to 60. It was just classroom work tonight but I'm feeling a lot more confident about the whole thing now. I was told we're riding 125cc bikes (not 550cc like the one that put me down) so that was a wave of relief too. Only shitty part is the next class, the actual riding class, might be in the rain. 
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 WakeboardrB
Pepe Silvia
Registered: 05/18/03
Posts: 13,678
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13228589 - 09/21/10 07:39 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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If you aren't comfortable going through the course, then maybe you shouldn't be riding a bike...
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Same thing happened to me when I played Neil Armstrong in Moonshot. They found me in an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
Registered: 07/18/04
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: WakeboardrB]
#13228602 - 09/21/10 07:42 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Just like an actor with pre-show jitters shouldn't go on to perform?  I'll be okay man, my heart's in this.
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 frith
God
Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13228653 - 09/21/10 07:50 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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thats pretty rad man.
my bro bought a bike a few months ago and was in the process of fixing it when he was shipped to the gulf coast to do some work on a boat. im thinking about getting it hooked up and figuring out how to ride it myself.
this is a (i think) 1978 Honda. its a 2-speed with no clutch. should be interesting.
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: frith]
#13228663 - 09/21/10 07:52 PM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I learned today that older bikes need to have the fuel valve shut off after riding or all of the gas will drain out of the bike. Something to keep in mind.  
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teaparty
Don'tHaveaCowMan
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13229828 - 09/22/10 01:02 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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i guess its good that you safely got your first drop out of the way, though it sucks it was your friends bike. he probly played it off cool but fairings/fenders and paint are a bitch to fix or expensive to replace.
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I'm so ahead of my time, my parents haven't met yet.
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FuzedBox
Registered: 07/20/08
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Loc: FL
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: teaparty]
#13229839 - 09/22/10 01:08 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Those 125cc bikes that the shcools use are predominately "cruiser type", but I took mine on a KLX250s; very fun time and passed with flying colors due to "supermotos" being basically dirtbikes with street tires/gear (of which I had a decade of experience with).
You're in for an awesome feeling of freedom. By the way, what bikes are you looking into buying?
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“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong” -Voltaire
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: FuzedBox]
#13229872 - 09/22/10 01:27 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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im a bike rider too. learning what your learning is imperative, because lets face it, you dont get a 2nd chance on a motorbike.
to start out, dont touch the rear break. only do this once your more comfortable in controlling the bke.
rise always with one finger on the front break.
be very careful in the wet as you traction decreases alot.
you need to learn to read the traffic and anticipate hazzards, i.e. trucks and buses just get past them straight away.
in a car/truck you assume youve been seen, on a motorbike you assume your invisible and it is your responsibility to get yourself seen or noticed, whether this is riding in mirrors or staying behind cars, blipping ur lights so they notice you.
if you ever lock the brakes, dont panic but release the brakes quickly and then reapply in gentle but increase the pressure slowly, i.e dont just grab the breaks and squeeze the shit out of it, you gotta roll your hands forward into it gradually building up the pressure.
dont try to hang off the bike with 1 cheek and a knee down just yet till your confident riding the bike.
learn about counter steering and maneuvering the bike with your hips. it sounds crazy but if you push the bar on the side you want to turn the bike will lean over in that direction, i.e. right turn, push right side of bar and bike will lean to the right side. you can also maneuver the bike pretty well with a combination of hip movements to assist counter steering. so u push the right bar and puhs ur hips to the left with your right butt cheek, this will greatly assist the bike in turning.
what i did when i first got my bike, was just ride around the back streets in my area till i was confident on the bike and controlling it, then i slowly ventured out to traffic lights, main roads, freeways, etc etc.
also id recomend against buying a 125 or 250 cc, because they can actually be death traps in that they dont have enough acceleration/power to manuever around obstacles or crashes. on the freeways they struggle to get up to speed etc. your actually much safer on a bike witha bit more power because you can maneuver around things and avoid stuff alot better.
thats alli can think of right now. enjoy
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Humility
Working on it
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Dosile Kouki]
#13229975 - 09/22/10 03:02 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I agree with much of what dosile is saying.
I disagree with not using the rear brake. Every time you brake, use both breaks. Aim for 60/40 or 70/30 front to rear brake (most pressure on front brake, that's where most of your stopping power is).
BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN IT'S WET OUTSIDE. I took my first (and only major) spill trying to turn slight right/make a corner and it didn't work out. When it's wet outside, adjust your numbers. Drive slower, turn slower (and not as deep), brake slower and more deliberately, etc.
You never realize how serious falling off of a bike is until it happens. It's really easy to slide into oncoming or adjacent traffic and get run over, which I imagine is a terrible way to die.
Just take it fucking easy man. The best drivers are those people who give themselves extra time to get from place to place. NEVER RUSH ON YOUR BIKE. Also, ALWAYS be looking 2-3 seconds ahead of where you're at at all times.
It's really easy to not get into a bike accident - imagine and observe for potential hazards EVERYWHERE. Expect a car to land out of the sky Speed Racer style if that's what it takes. Never become complacent.
It's also a lot of fun man. One of those life experiences I think is really important to have.
I can't wait until they invent capsule-bikes where you're basically lying down on the thing a-la The World's Fastest Indian, only you're surrounded by poly-carbonate and metal, protecting you against crashes.
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Humility]
#13229984 - 09/22/10 03:12 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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but then it wouldnt be a motorbike it woudl be a motorbubble.
i sitll say steer clear of the back brake, because its dangerous, its really easy to lock the back wheel with the ammount of pressure u can place on the brake with ur foot, and a shock reaction will do just that, stamping on the brake like in a car. the front brake does well over 80% maybe even 90% of the work for you anyway. feather the back brake dont stamp on it !
ive locked up the back wheel on my bike in the wet before when i was getting a light in one of those situations where its "to far to go through it, but too close to stop" and hesitated and brakes hard, the back wheel came out to full lock which was about 100ish degree angle with the front of the bike. scary stuff. i didnt crash tho because my instincts took over and i released the brakes and applied heavily but carefully and stopped in time. afterwards i thought about it and was fuck that was so dangerous.
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ManianFH
living in perverty
Registered: 07/06/04
Posts: 14,505
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230006 - 09/22/10 03:30 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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In the training program you will probably be told that you should use both brakes and the reasoning is because: if your front brakes are 85-90% of braking power, and the rear 10-15%, it is only reasonable that you learn to use the full braking potential of the motorcycle. I personally would never isolate front/rear braking except for training purposes (to get a feel for how much potential each brake has).. always use both imo..
dont ride next to vehicles, only behind or in front of.
watch out for intersections, and areas where cars could possibly pull in front of you. these are everywhere, and Always assume a car in such a lane is Going to pull in front of you.
dont race to red lights, when you get semi near, begin to slow down. you dont want to skid into an intersection because you miscalculated the stopping distance.
like others said, and although its very hard: try not to race everywhere. Ride Safe, dont sacrifice safety for speed.
Invest in Good gear.. spend a good 500-1000$ on gear that will protect you from the road and the elements, and dont ride without it. Boots, Jacket, gloves, full-helm are a must imo... motorcycle pants, knee guards are up to you. sunglasses are very important too, let me tell you. reflective stuff is good. make sure its stuff that fits well and is not going to make you hate the ride or the protection. there are so many options out there, dont skimp out. Pay WELL to protect yourself and for your comfort.
in the rain, ride slow, give yourself double the stopping distance. dont turn quickly, though you wont want to anyways. watch out for oil slicks (always)
learn to countersteer and hard brake... practice this when you ride.
learn beforehand the limitations of your bike, acceleration speed, braking potential, so you dont have to find out in an emergency situation. take time to learn about your blindspots and minimize them
maintain your bike, and make sure your tire pressure is accurate, life of tires, life of brakes... etc.. do checks on your brakelights/turn signals/horn often to make sure they arent dead for some reason
fill up on gas often so you dont run out on the freeway, that would be a stupid way to die.
try not to get too used to any one ride. try and take new routes. once you get used to shit, you start to ride more comfortably, and if something changes on a route where you would expect you could blaze, you could fuck yourself. ride like its a new experience every time.
Find some killer canyon trails and fucking own them!!!
Getting on a bike is one of the funnest things ever. youre gonna have a blast. ride safe man.
Edited by ManianFH (09/22/10 03:39 AM)
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: ManianFH]
#13230017 - 09/22/10 03:37 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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again i agree with all the above bar the back brake.
honestly plz dont use the back break to start out it is very easy to lock the back wheel and very easy to get yourself into a crash situation.
me personally i like to play with the back break and skid the wheel a bit when stopping at lights or skid it out a little bit, but thats a controlled skid. i also like to raise the back wheel in the air a bit when i stop at lights sometimes cos im a show poney. but ive had lots of practice at it and can do it safely.
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,518
Loc: SoCal
Last seen: 4 minutes, 27 seconds
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Dosile Kouki]
#13230199 - 09/22/10 06:50 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Thanks for the advice guys. I've heard a lot of it before; I studied that book religiously lol. My issue was my grip on the throttle. It was too far up and I revved too hard and neglected the clutch. My buddy had these pegs on the bike that kept the body from getting scratched so his bike still looks good.
During the bike control section of the class the instructor asked "What do you guys think is the single most important control on the bike. I said clutch, everyone else said brakes. I nailed that question. If I'd have used the clutch I most likely wouldn't have dropped his bike.
My plan is to get a 2008 Ninja 250r, which is said to be a very forgiving bike for beginners. I'll practice in the lots first, ease out to street riding, and hopefully highway riding by spring, as the bike will be my main transportation to work.
I'm open to any other tips. As with anything I learn, I love hearing input from others. 
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230360 - 09/22/10 08:10 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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yeah those thingos they put onto the fenders, i dont know what their called but yeah when you drop the bike it lands on them and doesnt break your paint/fenders. those are a really good investment because reality is your going to drop it once or twice accidentally taking off or stopping at some point, but its alright it doesnt hurt you or anything and youll learn from it.
handle grips, the way i do it is knuckles forward on the grips, so this has a double benefit in that you can reach the brake easier and it limits how heavily u can rev the throttle without adjusting your hand position. if you wanna go balls to the walls then hand position as far back as you can so you can wind it out alot more.
the new kawasakis are sexy as hell but in my book thats about all it has going for it. i really think youd be better off with a 400 or 600, and driving it RESPECTFULLY. because the 250s really dont have enough high end power as i said they struggle on the freeways etc etc. plus the 400/600 is so much better value, u will be bored with ur 250 with in a few weeks if not a month and will already be wishing you hadve got a bigger bike. its safer, better value, better fun, in my view its better in everyway.
i also have a kawasaki, zxr400, really old one, and kawasakis are good but the best bikes are really made by suzuki and yamaha , then honda, then kawasaki. kawasakis are still great but yeah suzuki and yamaha are the way to go (excluding things like choppers and ducatis and the other really expensive italian bike which i cant remember the name of). suzuki/yamaha have more top end power, and hondas have more mid range. top end is what you want really, because it cruises nice from the start and you get to unleash the beast as well at the top end which is the  part about riding a bike.
here is my baby:
pay attention to the back fender "FORMULA-3"
its a jap imported racing bike, the thing goes heaps good for a 400, you should hear the sound of it, just a raw beast before they put it all of these noise and polution restrictions.
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,518
Loc: SoCal
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Dosile Kouki]
#13230404 - 09/22/10 08:29 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I still think a 250 is more appropriate. I read a FAQ that gives advice on a first bike for a newb. http://forums.sportrider.com/70/591801/new-riders/new-riders-please-read-this-updated/index.html
Quote:
4. “I Don’t Want a Bike I’ll Outgrow”: Please. Did your Momma put you in size 9 shoes at age 2? Get with the program. It is far better to maximize the performance of a smaller motorcycle and get “bored" with it than it is to mess-up your really fast bike (not mention messing yourself up) and not being able to ride at all. Power is nothing without control.
5. “I Don’t Want to Waste Money on a Bike I’ll Only Have for a Short Period of Time” (i.e. cost): Smaller, used bikes have and retain good resale value. This is because other sane people will want them as learner bikes. You’ll prolly be able to sell a used learner bike for as much as you paid for it. If you can't afford to upgrade in a year or two, then you definitely can't afford to wreck the bike your dreaming about. At the very least, most new riders drop bikes going under 20MPH, when the bike is at its most unstable periods. If you drop your brand new bike, fresh off the showroom floor, while your learning (and you will), you've just broken a directional, perhaps a brake or clutch lever, cracked / scrapped the fairings ($300.00 each to replace), messed-up the engine casing, messed-up the bar ends, etc. It's better and cheaper to drop a used bike that you don’t care about than one you just spent $8,500 on. Fortunately, most of these types of accidents do not result in serious physical injury. It’s usually just a big dent in your pride and…
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scienceguy
Instrument
Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 1,983
Loc: One Mile High...
Last seen: 4 years, 7 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230437 - 09/22/10 08:42 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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You guys should check out "Proficient Motorcycling," by David Hough. This guy really knows his shit, and constantly revisiting his work has made me a much safer rider. Riding a motorcycle IS dangerous, but there are a great number of things you can do just by altering your behavior that will greatly lower the risk you take by riding a motorcycle.
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"Freedom starts between the ears."
Edward Abbey
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Newbie
User of semicolons.
Registered: 07/18/04
Posts: 24,518
Loc: SoCal
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: scienceguy]
#13230443 - 09/22/10 08:47 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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I'm also ordering a copy of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles". I've read that it has a fuckton of info from history, to operation, and even some maintenance. I want to get to a point where I know what's wrong with the bike and what steps I need to take to fix it. I asked my buddy again what size his 4 wheeler engine was again and it turns out it's like a 350cc, much higher than I thought. Within 10 minutes of riding it, I was zipping up and down the gravel road in front of his cabin at about 45-50mph, and it felt really fucking nice. I know once I get the hang of 2 wheels I'll love it just as much, if not more than the 4 wheeler rides down at the cabin.
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Dosile Kouki
derp
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Posts: 14,963
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230454 - 09/22/10 08:54 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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the thing i learned when i compared prices of 250s to 400/600, it really wasnt that much more expensive to purchase the 400/600. and its better in every way. i understand your learning and dont want to get some crazy ass motorcycle that is going to flip you over backwards if u even touch the throttle, but its really not like that. sure these bikes have more power at the higher end of the scale, but at the lower end i.e taking off and the lesser part of the rev range is just like a 250, and you can shift up into a higher gear before you hit the power band, or even just accelerate through the higher areas in a controlled manner as opposed to just ripping the throttle and just 'holding on to the bars'.
its safe to ride a 400/600 as your first bike as long as you ride it safely and dont get crazy with it. obviously dont be aggressive with the throttle till your used to it, dont be aggressive with the brakes as well untill your used to it. and work your way up. its far more rewarding and you wont become sick of your bike within a few weeks and wish you got a better one once youve learned to ride and realised your 250 really isnt all that flash.
but thats my opinion, and honestly if i had my time over again i would have bought the 600 to start out. its like how they say learner drivers arent allowed to drive faster cars because they cant handle it, its the exact same thing, if you be careful with the car and drive it cautiously its no problem, if you start getting crazy with it and trying to do hand brake turns and drift corners and excessive speeding etc, youll get into trouble.
maintenance takes a bit to learn, and the thing is you need all these special tools and stuff as well cos they have like pentagon nut bolts on them and stuff. im no good with the mechanical side of things i let the shops do that, haha. the only stuff i do is like clean and lube up the chain, which is easy you just spray stuff on it like a spray can, and also pump up the tires. i also put in a new battery once and that was pushing my limits but yeah.
and yeah , if you like 4 wheeler your going to love motorbikes dude. its so much more maneuverable and fluid. its just great.
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scienceguy
Instrument
Registered: 11/27/09
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: Newbie]
#13230465 - 09/22/10 08:57 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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Two wheels is the way to go. I rode bicycles for years, and still spend most of my time on them, but when I hit a moto for the first time it was like a whole different, much lazier, much faster world.
I've ridden a half dozen bikes or so, but the only one I've actually ever owned I've never ridden. I just got a garage space again, after not having one for almost 3 years. Last weekend I got my motorcycle from my parent's house about an hour away, so the reassembly can begin...
I've rebuilt the engine (including a whole new cylinder sleeve), transmission, suspension, clutch, final drive gear, and literally totally disassembled the frame to paint it. I've also redone the gauge cluster and made some other modifications to the bike. I've gotten the frame sanded down and primer-ed, and now it's just ready to get painted and put back together. I need maybe 500 bucks or so to get it really hooched out (new tires, SS brake lines, LED taillights & side markers) and for other odds and ends to get it finished, but hopefully by next summer I'll be rolling my own motorcycle at last.
All this pedaling can make ya tired...
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"Freedom starts between the ears."
Edward Abbey
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Dosile Kouki
derp
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 14,963
Loc: Paradise
Last seen: 10 years, 10 months
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Re: Just returned from my first Motorcycle Safety Class [Re: scienceguy]
#13230472 - 09/22/10 08:59 AM (12 years, 8 months ago) |
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ask this guy for mechanical advice newbie 
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