Some Challenges I'm having ...

STIDriver · 09-19-2011, 10:49 AM

I took my new (used) Ninja 250 out around my neighborhood this weekend and I thought I'd share some of the challenges I've been having in riding up to this point:

1 - clutch. This is driving me bonkers, especially since I drove manual gearshift cars for 22 years (except for the occasional rental when I go out of town). I drive a Subaru STI, so dealing with "jumpy" clutches is not that strange for me. But having to use my left hand for the clutch is instead of my foot ... is like trying to walk on my hands after I walked on my feet all my life. Conceptually I'm familiar with the idea of having to shift gears ... but putting into practice, while controlling the throttle with my right hand AND operating the blinkers AND checking for traffic AND steering/balancing the bike ... is just WAY more difficult than I thought.

2 - Brakes. I think I can use the brakes properly 20% of the time. The other 80% I don't use them enough and I wind up grabbing them hard, or I start grabbing them hard, then I realize I let go too much and I grab them hard again when I realize it wasn't enough. All this is happening at low speeds (less than 25 mph) and the bike so far has been pretty nice about tolerating my crap ... This happens especially when I get startled or when I see someone on the road (like ... another car or a pedestrian crossing half a mile away). For the life of me I can't judge distance (I can with my car but not my bike).

4 - blinkers. This is another thing that is driving me nuts. Aside from the fact that I'm finding really hard to turn the blinker on (I fumble with the switch ... my thumb seems to be having a hard time finding it in the first place) and turning it off is just as crazy. I know it's a small thing ... but it's something they ingrained in me in the MSF "Turn the blinkers on, then remember to turn them off after you are done" ... with everything else ... I'm not being too good with that.

5 - overload. This should have been the #1 issue. I know the rules of the road and I know how to keep my eyes open but my goodness, having to do that while at the same time working every control with all my hands and feet at the same time ... I have never felt clumsier than this. I feel like I'm juggling right now ... and not doing a very good job at that either. Bottom line is, there's way too much to think about all at once and inevitably something gets left out ... I can manage to remember everything except how to brake and I brake too hard ... or I forget the blinkers on then realize it and fumble the clutch as a consequence and jerk the bike around, etc.

Maybe this is normal ... but right now riding feels like the most unnatural thing I have ever done.

ReconLdr · 09-19-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STIDriver

I took my new (used) Ninja 250 out around my neighborhood this weekend and I thought I'd share some of the challenges I've been having in riding up to this point:

1 - clutch. This is driving me bonkers, especially since I drove manual gearshift cars for 22 years (except for the occasional rental when I go out of town). I drive a Subaru STI, so dealing with "jumpy" clutches is not that strange for me. But having to use my left hand for the clutch is instead of my foot ... is like trying to walk on my hands after I walked on my feet all my life. Conceptually I'm familiar with the idea of having to shift gears ... but putting into practice, while controlling the throttle with my right hand AND operating the blinkers AND checking for traffic AND steering/balancing the bike ... is just WAY more difficult than I thought.

2 - Brakes. I think I can use the brakes properly 20% of the time. The other 80% I don't use them enough and I wind up grabbing them hard, or I start grabbing them hard, then I realize I let go too much and I grab them hard again when I realize it wasn't enough. All this is happening at low speeds (less than 25 mph) and the bike so far has been pretty nice about tolerating my crap ... This happens especially when I get startled or when I see someone on the road (like ... another car or a pedestrian crossing half a mile away). For the life of me I can't judge distance (I can with my car but not my bike).

4 - blinkers. This is another thing that is driving me nuts. Aside from the fact that I'm finding really hard to turn the blinker on (I fumble with the switch ... my thumb seems to be having a hard time finding it in the first place) and turning it off is just as crazy. I know it's a small thing ... but it's something they ingrained in me in the MSF "Turn the blinkers on, then remember to turn them off after you are done" ... with everything else ... I'm not being too good with that.

5 - overload. This should have been the #1 issue. I know the rules of the road and I know how to keep my eyes open but my goodness, having to do that while at the same time working every control with all my hands and feet at the same time ... I have never felt clumsier than this. I feel like I'm juggling right now ... and not doing a very good job at that either. Bottom line is, there's way too much to think about all at once and inevitably something gets left out ... I can manage to remember everything except how to brake and I brake too hard ... or I forget the blinkers on then realize it and fumble the clutch as a consequence and jerk the bike around, etc.

Maybe this is normal ... but right now riding feels like the most unnatural thing I have ever done.

This ^^^^ is the reason experienced riders tell noobs to stay off the 600cc super sport bikes.

Dodsfall · 09-19-2011, 10:58 AM

There is one thing that will help all of those issues: Practice.

Building the muscle memory to control the motorcycle smoothly takes repetition. There aren't any shortcuts, unfortunately. The important thing to remember is not to develop bad habits that may bite you later on. (Like only using one brake and not being able to stop quickly when needed)

Practice emergency stops in a safe area often. Automatically knowing where the braking threshold is on your bike without having to think too hard about it can save your life.

It's best to practice in a safe area, such as an empty parking lot or little-used street until you start feeling comfortable with the controls. A rider should have all of their attention on traffic and not on the bike, ideally.

I think you are on the right track. Just give it some more time.

CharlesW · 09-19-2011, 11:27 AM

Something to consider for a practice area would be a fairgrounds location.
Ours has lots of streets, (paved), stop signs, small hills, larger hills, very little traffic.
I took my kids there a lot when they were learning to drive a car.

porange · 09-19-2011, 12:49 PM

Hey you're doing great. Just remember to take it slow and get lots of practice in. Those 250s are as forgiving as they come!

SpitefulHam · 09-19-2011, 12:58 PM

As stated, practice. I was having a hard time with my turn signals at first. I kept hitting the horn... but a little garage practice of messing with the controls, bike turned off, let my muscles memorize where all the controls are. It was no time at all before I could operate every control on the bike without shifting my gaze, and that's important. And turning the turn signals off will become just part of the motion eventually so don't sweat it too much.

STIDriver · 09-19-2011, 01:20 PM

Thank you guys.

Always good to hear from more experienced folks.

That's part of the challenge I guess. I live in suburban NJ ...
(here in fact: http://g.co/maps/csmg9 )

and I'm having a heck of a hard time finding a place to practice ... that doesn't require me driving more than a few miles in some traffic.

Weekdays traffic is really bad. Weekends are better ...

I'm thinking I need to get up at ungodly hours on Saturdays and Sundays and try to beat the weekend traffic ...

PS: since it seems that I can post links now, here's the map of the range where I learned how to ride:

http://g.co/maps/beje5

If the link works, you can see the tracks on the ground for the u-turn box and S-turns ... etc.

That was fun!!!

hogcowboy · 09-19-2011, 01:53 PM

You're doing better than me when I first started. It took me 3 weeks before I got the nerve to even start the bike let alone ride it. And that first clutch/throttle combination, I wish someone would have videoed it. I thought I'd never get it right. You'll get better with practice though. That's what it takes. You'll have similar feelings the first time you get into traffic. Just practice, practice, practice.

stantony1 · 09-19-2011, 02:33 PM

A nice place to practice riding is a large cemetery. Morbid as it is, the grounds are kept, the paved roads are nice, and there are sweeping curves, and 90 degree intersection turns. Just watch the corners for sand and gravel.

VERY VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC IF ANY.

Good for getting to know your bike in a riding situation vs parking lot practice.

Nova359 · 09-19-2011, 02:44 PM

i leave in Queens NY.
I woke up this past Sunday at 5 Am.
I prepare myself and my ride. I was ready to go at 5:30. I live in a suburban aerea too. But at that time I was the only one in the streets I praticed for 1 hour and a half , until the Sunday morning traffic woke up too. I have a great time with GZ250. Sti Driver start your day before the traffic.

STIDriver · 09-19-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova359

i leave in Queens NY.
I woke up this past Sunday at 5 Am.
I prepare myself and my ride. I was ready to go at 5:30. I live in a suburban aerea too. But at that time I was the only one in the streets I praticed for 1 hour and a half , until the Sunday morning traffic woke up too. I have a great time with GZ250. Sti Driver start your day before the traffic.

Yup. Got it.

That's what I'm going to have to do, seems like.

I'm going to shoot for it this weekend I suppose.

Wow ... you are in Queens ... dude. That's brutal. I thought I had it bad. Kudos to you for pushing through with it ...

mikevillena · 09-19-2011, 08:18 PM

OP, not sure if you have already taken it but the MSF Basic Rider Course would be your best bet. It's not the be all end all but it will teach you the basics which will help you with those issues that you mentioned. Best money you can invest. Then take those basic skills and build on them.

0949er · 09-19-2011, 09:04 PM

I have noticed that in a lot of your post you are talking about the lack of confidence on your bike. I just want to say first that above all, confidence is very important to riding safely. Now, I do not mean "over-confident" by riding out of your skill level, I mean confident in the fact that you can tell yourself that whatever situation you end up in, you can handle it. Most of the confidence issues you are expressing sound to me like you just need a lot more practice before you hit the road. Everybody is different. I personally started on a 600 and expressed the issues you have for only a few days before I started to get the jist of things. Not saying anything about you, just saying, everybody is different. Confidence is all on you.

1) clutch - The clutch is very touchy, and can be hard to get use to. I drive a supercharged mustang so I can relate to a touchy clutch. You are right, even though you can "understand" the concept of shifting gears, it is a lot harder in practice. What you have working for you is you are at least able to know when to shift/downshift, etc, its just not as "clean" as you like. The only way for you to get better at this is to just practice. DON'T GET EXCITED! I have found the more excited I am (such as at a busy intersection or at the front of a red light) I find my take-offs a lot more jumpy. Mainly because I am in a hurry to get out of harms way so I over compensate either throttle or clutch release. Either way in this situation, NEVER DUMP THE CLUTCH. You are better off grabbing the clutch and starting all over. Don't try to gas it to correct the rough take off. Work the friction zone. If you go through a clutch learning, so what. They are a fraction of the cost for a clutch in a car. Its not worth it. When in doubt pull in the clutch and adjust yourself.

2) brakes - did you start riding with the MSF Course? If so, they taught you that you need to distribute your braking over both wheels. When you say "grab" the brake, I assume you are talking about a fist full of front brake. This is going to get you into a lot of trouble if you cannot keep yourself from doing this. A startled first full of front brake in a turn will no doubt lead you into a possible high-side situation. Your reflexes need to go, or be changed. The last thing you want to do when startled is grab the front brake.

You have not mentioned anything about using the rear brake. Believe it or not, I use my rear brake more then my front. The only time I really use the front brake is coming to a complete stop. Other then that it is usually all rear brake.

I would suggest trying to ride with using only the rear brake as much as possible to help train your mind. Once you instinctively start to use the rear, start to use the front again. Riding a bike is an exercise that takes practice. You don't get on one and all the sudden become the best rider on earth. All those little details are learned by experience.

3) blinkers - These are annoying to learn, no way around it. It is something you gotta get a feel for because you should never take your eyes off the road to locate the turn signal. The first weeks of riding I found myself hitting the horn a lot (yeah, embarrassing) while fumbling for the turn signal. Now I can find it without even thinking. But again, this is because I have used it enough to make it second nature. It doesn't happen over night, like everything, it takes PRACTICE!!!

4) overload - Honestly man, you need to take a step back and analyse your situation. A bike is not a toy, and is one of the most dangerous things you can do on a public road. That, combined with a lack of confidence is no doubt a recipe for disaster.

I swear on my life I am not trying to discourage you. But you really need to address your confidence issues. Riding a bike is not easy and everybody started somewhere. Weather it was on a 125cc moped, 250 cc ninja, 600cc SS, or even more, there are success and failure stories for each category.

Take baby steps. If it is all too much, start even slower then you are doing. Go back to the basics. Practice the friction zone, duck walk it across the parking lot, hell, take the MSF class again. Either way, work at a pace that is right for you. There is no time limit. Take your time. DO NOT RUSH! Practice makes perfect, that's all there is to it.

Much Love,
0949er

P.S. Quick tip:
1) When in a turn, commit to it fully. Worrying about cars on the other side of the double yellow will distract you from your own path of travel. You need to watch them, but you got to take care of the matter at hand as well. ALWAYS LOOK THROUGH THE TURN! NEVER FOCUS ON ANY ONE SPOT. YOU WILL HIT THAT SPOT!

and that is probably enough from me....

STIDriver · 09-19-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikevillena

OP, not sure if you have already taken it but the MSF Basic Rider Course would be your best bet. It's not the be all end all but it will teach you the basics which will help you with those issues that you mentioned. Best money you can invest. Then take those basic skills and build on them.

Did that already ... took the course, passed the test, got the endorsement.

No doubt, on the second day I was doing much better than at the beginning but as you said, it's not the be all end all.

I guess the biggest challenge is brain overload. I can use the clutch smoothly IF it's the only thing I need to worry about. I can use the brakes smoothly IF it's the only thing I need to worry about.

Take that together with everything else (traffic, balancing the bike, etc) ... and it ain't that smooth anymore.

Bakken · 09-19-2011, 10:22 PM

1) Clutch: Practice practice practice. I was a wreck with my clutch, and I kept overthinking it. Decided "Screw it, what's the worst that can happen" and once I got over myself, it's really second nature. As 0949er said, if you're really screwed, a fistful of clutch will save your bike, and probably you.

2) Brakes: The one thing that I'm making sure I'm good at. It's still a little nerve-wracking having the front dive down in a quick-stop, but I'm getting better using both brakes all the time. On top of that, it's helping with the clutching as well, cause ya need to remember to downshift as you stop (SUPER embarrassing trying to take off in 3rd at an intersection with a million people looking at you).

4) Blinkers: I'm that guy. Rode for 10 miles with my left blinker on. Felt the fool, for sure. I'm getting better, just gotta remember "I just turned, push the button, oops I honked, try again".

5) Overload: I think it's pretty vital, if you're overwhelmed at any given time, PULL OVER (as long as it's safe), and take a breather. Stand up, look around you, and identify the things that were building up. Go over it in your head, how to avoid dangers, what you need to think about, etc. Don't talk yourself out of riding, just calm yourself down. Once your mind is a little clearer, and your heart is normal, hop back on, ride for a few miles, and pull over again. It helped me out tons, and combining reflective thought with 12 seconds ahead, I'm getting more and more confident on the roads.

Like the very first line says, practice practice practice. Even if it means sitting on your bike with the keys in your pocket while you shift, that counts for something.

I really hope everything melds for you, and as always - ride safe.

WinterWarrior · 09-20-2011, 02:21 AM

Welcome, fellow Jersey rider! As another person who learned to ride in suburban NJ, I can sympathize with you. You're doing good though; taking it slow, riding weekend mornings....you'll get it.

Not sure where you are located, but if you are north, rt 23 has some great backroad exits that go through woods and are not populated at all, especially on the weekends. If you can get to the New Milford area (there are like 3 exits there) and get off of the ones going south, you will be treated to miles of unpopulated country road, until you hit Rockaway, where it will get a little more congested.

STIDriver · 09-20-2011, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinterWarrior

Welcome, fellow Jersey rider! As another person who learned to ride in suburban NJ, I can sympathize with you. You're doing good though; taking it slow, riding weekend mornings....you'll get it.

Not sure where you are located, but if you are north, rt 23 has some great backroad exits that go through woods and are not populated at all, especially on the weekends. If you can get to the New Milford area (there are like 3 exits there) and get off of the ones going south, you will be treated to miles of unpopulated country road, until you hit Rockaway, where it will get a little more congested.

Hey there!

Yeah, seems like waking up at 5 am is the only way to get to enjoy some solitude on the road in Jersey.

I live in the Edison area ... New Milford is way up north for me.

But thanks!

STIDriver · 09-20-2011, 11:30 AM

So ... a friend of mine just gave me a very friendly and mild butt-kicking on this subject (well deserved one I'd say) ...

He's been riding for 30 years and I worked up the courage to tell him about my problems and ask for his opinion.

He said "Dude, you used to fly airplanes. Riding a bike is easier. Just go to a parking lot and practice starting and stopping until that clutch and that brake are second nature. Then once you get that down, practice cornering until it becomes second nature. Fix one thing at the time and move on to the next one only after you fix the first. Once you get all that all other stuff (blinkers, checking for traffic, gauging distance, etc) will become second nature."

He went in a lot more detail than that but ... yeah that was the gist of it.

You all had good feedback. Thank you ...

1 - Parking lot
2 - Early in the morning
3 - One thing at the time
4 - Practice practice practice
5 - Don't give up

Repeat 4 and 5 as needed

Got it.

hogcowboy · 09-20-2011, 11:56 AM

You used to fly! I've always heard that riding a motorcycle was just like flying in a gross rudimentary sorta way. You'll get it then. Nothing like a friend giving you a new perspective though.

STIDriver · 09-20-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lray5081

You used to fly! I've always heard that riding a motorcycle was just like flying in a gross rudimentary sorta way. You'll get it then. Nothing like a friend giving you a new perspective though.

Yeah I have a commercial license + IFR. Flying in NY airspace is a heck of a mess too.

my favorite thing to do was fly to a grass strip airport with the smallest airplane I could find (one of those low and slow things) a really old Skyhawk or a 152, land on the grass and go to the local school where usually you'd always find a burger/hot dog grill going with a bunch old crusty pilots chatting about good ole' times ... I would never get tired of listening.

There's one near Frenchtown/Lambertville ... that was my favorite hangout. Learned how to fly taildraggers over there ...

09-19-2011, 10:58 AM	#3
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 16,353	There is one thing that will help all of those issues: Practice. Building the muscle memory to control the motorcycle smoothly takes repetition. There aren't any shortcuts, unfortunately. The important thing to remember is not to develop bad habits that may bite you later on. (Like only using one brake and not being able to stop quickly when needed) Practice emergency stops in a safe area often. Automatically knowing where the braking threshold is on your bike without having to think too hard about it can save your life. It's best to practice in a safe area, such as an empty parking lot or little-used street until you start feeling comfortable with the controls. A rider should have all of their attention on traffic and not on the bike, ideally. I think you are on the right track. Just give it some more time. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-19-2011, 11:27 AM	#4
CharlesW The Rainmaker Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ankeny, Iowa Posts: 506	Something to consider for a practice area would be a fairgrounds location. Ours has lots of streets, (paved), stop signs, small hills, larger hills, very little traffic. I took my kids there a lot when they were learning to drive a car. __________________ Charles

09-19-2011, 01:53 PM	#8
hogcowboy Crash Dummy Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Posts: 1,042	You're doing better than me when I first started. It took me 3 weeks before I got the nerve to even start the bike let alone ride it. And that first clutch/throttle combination, I wish someone would have videoed it. I thought I'd never get it right. You'll get better with practice though. That's what it takes. You'll have similar feelings the first time you get into traffic. Just practice, practice, practice. __________________ 2007 Electra Glide Ultra Patriot Guard Rider

09-20-2011, 11:56 AM	#19
hogcowboy Crash Dummy Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Posts: 1,042	You used to fly! I've always heard that riding a motorcycle was just like flying in a gross rudimentary sorta way. You'll get it then. Nothing like a friend giving you a new perspective though. __________________ 2007 Electra Glide Ultra Patriot Guard Rider

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09-19-2011, 10:49 AM	#1
STIDriver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357	Some Challenges I'm having ... I took my new (used) Ninja 250 out around my neighborhood this weekend and I thought I'd share some of the challenges I've been having in riding up to this point: 1 - clutch. This is driving me bonkers, especially since I drove manual gearshift cars for 22 years (except for the occasional rental when I go out of town). I drive a Subaru STI, so dealing with "jumpy" clutches is not that strange for me. But having to use my left hand for the clutch is instead of my foot ... is like trying to walk on my hands after I walked on my feet all my life. Conceptually I'm familiar with the idea of having to shift gears ... but putting into practice, while controlling the throttle with my right hand AND operating the blinkers AND checking for traffic AND steering/balancing the bike ... is just WAY more difficult than I thought. 2 - Brakes. I think I can use the brakes properly 20% of the time. The other 80% I don't use them enough and I wind up grabbing them hard, or I start grabbing them hard, then I realize I let go too much and I grab them hard again when I realize it wasn't enough. All this is happening at low speeds (less than 25 mph) and the bike so far has been pretty nice about tolerating my crap ... This happens especially when I get startled or when I see someone on the road (like ... another car or a pedestrian crossing half a mile away). For the life of me I can't judge distance (I can with my car but not my bike). 4 - blinkers. This is another thing that is driving me nuts. Aside from the fact that I'm finding really hard to turn the blinker on (I fumble with the switch ... my thumb seems to be having a hard time finding it in the first place) and turning it off is just as crazy. I know it's a small thing ... but it's something they ingrained in me in the MSF "Turn the blinkers on, then remember to turn them off after you are done" ... with everything else ... I'm not being too good with that. 5 - overload. This should have been the #1 issue. I know the rules of the road and I know how to keep my eyes open but my goodness, having to do that while at the same time working every control with all my hands and feet at the same time ... I have never felt clumsier than this. I feel like I'm juggling right now ... and not doing a very good job at that either. Bottom line is, there's way too much to think about all at once and inevitably something gets left out ... I can manage to remember everything except how to brake and I brake too hard ... or I forget the blinkers on then realize it and fumble the clutch as a consequence and jerk the bike around, etc. Maybe this is normal ... but right now riding feels like the most unnatural thing I have ever done.

09-19-2011, 12:49 PM	#5
porange Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,645	Hey you're doing great. Just remember to take it slow and get lots of practice in. Those 250s are as forgiving as they come!

09-19-2011, 12:58 PM	#6
SpitefulHam Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 321	As stated, practice. I was having a hard time with my turn signals at first. I kept hitting the horn... but a little garage practice of messing with the controls, bike turned off, let my muscles memorize where all the controls are. It was no time at all before I could operate every control on the bike without shifting my gaze, and that's important. And turning the turn signals off will become just part of the motion eventually so don't sweat it too much.

09-19-2011, 01:20 PM	#7
STIDriver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357	Thank you guys. Always good to hear from more experienced folks. That's part of the challenge I guess. I live in suburban NJ ... (here in fact: http://g.co/maps/csmg9 ) and I'm having a heck of a hard time finding a place to practice ... that doesn't require me driving more than a few miles in some traffic. Weekdays traffic is really bad. Weekends are better ... I'm thinking I need to get up at ungodly hours on Saturdays and Sundays and try to beat the weekend traffic ... PS: since it seems that I can post links now, here's the map of the range where I learned how to ride: http://g.co/maps/beje5 If the link works, you can see the tracks on the ground for the u-turn box and S-turns ... etc. That was fun!!!

09-19-2011, 02:33 PM	#9
stantony1 Kindergarten Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: MA Posts: 530	A nice place to practice riding is a large cemetery. Morbid as it is, the grounds are kept, the paved roads are nice, and there are sweeping curves, and 90 degree intersection turns. Just watch the corners for sand and gravel. VERY VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC IF ANY. Good for getting to know your bike in a riding situation vs parking lot practice.

09-19-2011, 02:44 PM	#10
Nova359 Verified Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 92	i leave in Queens NY. I woke up this past Sunday at 5 Am. I prepare myself and my ride. I was ready to go at 5:30. I live in a suburban aerea too. But at that time I was the only one in the streets I praticed for 1 hour and a half , until the Sunday morning traffic woke up too. I have a great time with GZ250. Sti Driver start your day before the traffic.

09-19-2011, 08:18 PM	#12
mikevillena Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 313	OP, not sure if you have already taken it but the MSF Basic Rider Course would be your best bet. It's not the be all end all but it will teach you the basics which will help you with those issues that you mentioned. Best money you can invest. Then take those basic skills and build on them.

09-19-2011, 09:04 PM	#13
0949er Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 291	I have noticed that in a lot of your post you are talking about the lack of confidence on your bike. I just want to say first that above all, confidence is very important to riding safely. Now, I do not mean "over-confident" by riding out of your skill level, I mean confident in the fact that you can tell yourself that whatever situation you end up in, you can handle it. Most of the confidence issues you are expressing sound to me like you just need a lot more practice before you hit the road. Everybody is different. I personally started on a 600 and expressed the issues you have for only a few days before I started to get the jist of things. Not saying anything about you, just saying, everybody is different. Confidence is all on you. 1) clutch - The clutch is very touchy, and can be hard to get use to. I drive a supercharged mustang so I can relate to a touchy clutch. You are right, even though you can "understand" the concept of shifting gears, it is a lot harder in practice. What you have working for you is you are at least able to know when to shift/downshift, etc, its just not as "clean" as you like. The only way for you to get better at this is to just practice. DON'T GET EXCITED! I have found the more excited I am (such as at a busy intersection or at the front of a red light) I find my take-offs a lot more jumpy. Mainly because I am in a hurry to get out of harms way so I over compensate either throttle or clutch release. Either way in this situation, NEVER DUMP THE CLUTCH. You are better off grabbing the clutch and starting all over. Don't try to gas it to correct the rough take off. Work the friction zone. If you go through a clutch learning, so what. They are a fraction of the cost for a clutch in a car. Its not worth it. When in doubt pull in the clutch and adjust yourself. 2) brakes - did you start riding with the MSF Course? If so, they taught you that you need to distribute your braking over both wheels. When you say "grab" the brake, I assume you are talking about a fist full of front brake. This is going to get you into a lot of trouble if you cannot keep yourself from doing this. A startled first full of front brake in a turn will no doubt lead you into a possible high-side situation. Your reflexes need to go, or be changed. The last thing you want to do when startled is grab the front brake. You have not mentioned anything about using the rear brake. Believe it or not, I use my rear brake more then my front. The only time I really use the front brake is coming to a complete stop. Other then that it is usually all rear brake. I would suggest trying to ride with using only the rear brake as much as possible to help train your mind. Once you instinctively start to use the rear, start to use the front again. Riding a bike is an exercise that takes practice. You don't get on one and all the sudden become the best rider on earth. All those little details are learned by experience. 3) blinkers - These are annoying to learn, no way around it. It is something you gotta get a feel for because you should never take your eyes off the road to locate the turn signal. The first weeks of riding I found myself hitting the horn a lot (yeah, embarrassing) while fumbling for the turn signal. Now I can find it without even thinking. But again, this is because I have used it enough to make it second nature. It doesn't happen over night, like everything, it takes PRACTICE!!! 4) overload - Honestly man, you need to take a step back and analyse your situation. A bike is not a toy, and is one of the most dangerous things you can do on a public road. That, combined with a lack of confidence is no doubt a recipe for disaster. I swear on my life I am not trying to discourage you. But you really need to address your confidence issues. Riding a bike is not easy and everybody started somewhere. Weather it was on a 125cc moped, 250 cc ninja, 600cc SS, or even more, there are success and failure stories for each category. Take baby steps. If it is all too much, start even slower then you are doing. Go back to the basics. Practice the friction zone, duck walk it across the parking lot, hell, take the MSF class again. Either way, work at a pace that is right for you. There is no time limit. Take your time. DO NOT RUSH! Practice makes perfect, that's all there is to it. Much Love, 0949er P.S. Quick tip: 1) When in a turn, commit to it fully. Worrying about cars on the other side of the double yellow will distract you from your own path of travel. You need to watch them, but you got to take care of the matter at hand as well. ALWAYS LOOK THROUGH THE TURN! NEVER FOCUS ON ANY ONE SPOT. YOU WILL HIT THAT SPOT! and that is probably enough from me....

09-19-2011, 10:22 PM	#15
Bakken Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 16	1) Clutch: Practice practice practice. I was a wreck with my clutch, and I kept overthinking it. Decided "Screw it, what's the worst that can happen" and once I got over myself, it's really second nature. As 0949er said, if you're really screwed, a fistful of clutch will save your bike, and probably you. 2) Brakes: The one thing that I'm making sure I'm good at. It's still a little nerve-wracking having the front dive down in a quick-stop, but I'm getting better using both brakes all the time. On top of that, it's helping with the clutching as well, cause ya need to remember to downshift as you stop (SUPER embarrassing trying to take off in 3rd at an intersection with a million people looking at you). 4) Blinkers: I'm that guy. Rode for 10 miles with my left blinker on. Felt the fool, for sure. I'm getting better, just gotta remember "I just turned, push the button, oops I honked, try again". 5) Overload: I think it's pretty vital, if you're overwhelmed at any given time, PULL OVER (as long as it's safe), and take a breather. Stand up, look around you, and identify the things that were building up. Go over it in your head, how to avoid dangers, what you need to think about, etc. Don't talk yourself out of riding, just calm yourself down. Once your mind is a little clearer, and your heart is normal, hop back on, ride for a few miles, and pull over again. It helped me out tons, and combining reflective thought with 12 seconds ahead, I'm getting more and more confident on the roads. Like the very first line says, practice practice practice. Even if it means sitting on your bike with the keys in your pocket while you shift, that counts for something. I really hope everything melds for you, and as always - ride safe.

09-20-2011, 02:21 AM	#16
WinterWarrior Rat Bike Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 915	Welcome, fellow Jersey rider! As another person who learned to ride in suburban NJ, I can sympathize with you. You're doing good though; taking it slow, riding weekend mornings....you'll get it. Not sure where you are located, but if you are north, rt 23 has some great backroad exits that go through woods and are not populated at all, especially on the weekends. If you can get to the New Milford area (there are like 3 exits there) and get off of the ones going south, you will be treated to miles of unpopulated country road, until you hit Rockaway, where it will get a little more congested.

09-20-2011, 11:30 AM	#18
STIDriver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357	So ... a friend of mine just gave me a very friendly and mild butt-kicking on this subject (well deserved one I'd say) ... He's been riding for 30 years and I worked up the courage to tell him about my problems and ask for his opinion. He said "Dude, you used to fly airplanes. Riding a bike is easier. Just go to a parking lot and practice starting and stopping until that clutch and that brake are second nature. Then once you get that down, practice cornering until it becomes second nature. Fix one thing at the time and move on to the next one only after you fix the first. Once you get all that all other stuff (blinkers, checking for traffic, gauging distance, etc) will become second nature." He went in a lot more detail than that but ... yeah that was the gist of it. You all had good feedback. Thank you ... 1 - Parking lot 2 - Early in the morning 3 - One thing at the time 4 - Practice practice practice 5 - Don't give up Repeat 4 and 5 as needed Got it.