First Ride

DjWags · 05-19-2008, 12:27 PM

I was up at school over the weekend to see some friends graduate. It rained like hell, was kinda hilarious. Sunday night the weather broke, so I called up a friend of mine, and I got to ride for the first time

I met my friend todd in an elementary school parking lot. He brought a really old 250cc suzuki that he's been fixing up. He bought it for $300, not running, and has almost got it back in complete working order. We started with the basics, starting the bike, and finding the friction point. I quickly learned that you never stop while turning, and that a 350 pound bike is not light enough to catch with one foot :-P After some practice I was cruising around the parking lot like a champ. I had the most trouble going from a stop into first gear without stalling the bike. I think this was largely due to beginner mistakes such as not giving it enough throttle and letting the clutch fly as soon as I felt the initial contact. I really can't wait to get on a bike again, i'm addicted. That MSF course can't come soon enough... No complaints, other than one little problem with the bike. Apparently, there is a screw which determines how high the engine revs with 0 throttle, and there is a pin which holds the screw in place, well this bike was missing the pin. The screw would jiggle around, and sometimes stall the bike. no big deal. the first time I tried shifting, the screw jiggled the other way, and I ended up at 5.5k rpm with 0 throttle, headed right at my car... I also learned a thing or two about emergency stopping :-P

-Wags

Shifty · 05-19-2008, 12:38 PM

Welcome to the addiction

Its good you are taking the MSF course as your skill level will greatly increase concluding that course.

DjWags · 05-19-2008, 12:44 PM

I hope i get into this one, i'm 0/1 with the whole alternate thing :-P

Lafgr8 · 05-19-2008, 03:08 PM

That's Great to hear . . . And welcome to the forums! Enjoy the new "Hobby"

KaJuN · 05-19-2008, 07:58 PM

That brings back memories of my first ride even though it was only a year ago.

It's good that you have a little bit of experience on a bike before taking the MSF. When I took it it seemed those who had never been on a bike before were struggling a lot more than those of us with some miles under our belts. Welcome to the wonderful world of motorcycling!

05-19-2008, 12:27 PM	#1
DjWags COUNCIL MEMBER Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chadds Ford, Pa Posts: 305	First Ride I was up at school over the weekend to see some friends graduate. It rained like hell, was kinda hilarious. Sunday night the weather broke, so I called up a friend of mine, and I got to ride for the first time I met my friend todd in an elementary school parking lot. He brought a really old 250cc suzuki that he's been fixing up. He bought it for $300, not running, and has almost got it back in complete working order. We started with the basics, starting the bike, and finding the friction point. I quickly learned that you never stop while turning, and that a 350 pound bike is not light enough to catch with one foot :-P After some practice I was cruising around the parking lot like a champ. I had the most trouble going from a stop into first gear without stalling the bike. I think this was largely due to beginner mistakes such as not giving it enough throttle and letting the clutch fly as soon as I felt the initial contact. I really can't wait to get on a bike again, i'm addicted. That MSF course can't come soon enough... No complaints, other than one little problem with the bike. Apparently, there is a screw which determines how high the engine revs with 0 throttle, and there is a pin which holds the screw in place, well this bike was missing the pin. The screw would jiggle around, and sometimes stall the bike. no big deal. the first time I tried shifting, the screw jiggled the other way, and I ended up at 5.5k rpm with 0 throttle, headed right at my car... I also learned a thing or two about emergency stopping :-P -Wags

05-19-2008, 03:08 PM	#4
Lafgr8 Master At Arms Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: United States Posts: 124	That's Great to hear . . . And welcome to the forums! Enjoy the new "Hobby" __________________ SV Braaap!

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05-19-2008, 12:38 PM	#2
Shifty Master At Arms Join Date: May 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 161	Welcome to the addiction Its good you are taking the MSF course as your skill level will greatly increase concluding that course.

05-19-2008, 12:44 PM	#3
DjWags COUNCIL MEMBER Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chadds Ford, Pa Posts: 305	I hope i get into this one, i'm 0/1 with the whole alternate thing :-P

05-19-2008, 07:58 PM	#5
KaJuN Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Troy, Ohio Posts: 222	That brings back memories of my first ride even though it was only a year ago. It's good that you have a little bit of experience on a bike before taking the MSF. When I took it it seemed those who had never been on a bike before were struggling a lot more than those of us with some miles under our belts. Welcome to the wonderful world of motorcycling!