Observations of a New (Returning) Rider

Chumley · 10-01-2008, 03:18 PM

I've just returned to riding after 15 years. Way back when, I had a 1983 Sportster. It was my first bike and I never got very good at riding as I spent more time broke down than on the road. Well now I'm riding again and I bought a little Ninja 250 to relearn on. I've had it a couple weeks now and I've made some observations. I’ll add more as I get more seat time.

1. The ninja is a fun little bike. It won’t win many races but it has plenty of power when you need it and this from a 6’0 200lb guy.

2. While this bike is fun it is light and a gust of wind or a big truck can be disconcerting if you aren’t prepared for it.

3. The seat sucks; I wish I had the money for a better seat. My butt bone hurts after about 30 minutes riding. Maybe I’m not sitting right or not used to it but for now I have to give the seat a thumbs down

4. Coughing with the visor down will fog it up on a cool morning, raising it a little will clean it off.

5. Car drivers make me nervous. I don’t like seeing cars waiting to pull out from a side street looking for traffic the other way. I know they have to look both ways but I feel better when they are watching me.

6. I still haven’t mastered the ability to know what gear I’m in. I try and count when I change but sometimes, I’m having too much fun and forget. I’m always trying to shift up out of 6th gear.

7. Bugs hurt at 60 mph

8. Cars can sneak up on you from behind. Maybe my mirrors aren’t adjusted right but my arms tend to block some of my view.

9. Squirrels are stupid. They run in the road and lose their minds (not specifically a motorcycle observation but true none the less).

10. Chicks dig guys on motorcycles. Ok I haven’t necessarily observed this first hand but I like to think it’s true anyway.

misterdub · 10-01-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumley

Coughing with the visor down will fog it up on a cool morning, raising it a little will clean it off.

Just want until you sneeze; that's unpleasant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumley

Car drivers make me nervous. I don’t like seeing cars waiting to pull out from a side street looking for traffic the other way. I know they have to look both ways but I feel better when they are watching me.

Just because they're looking at you doesn't mean they see you. We all have stories of some idiot that was looking right at us as they pulled in front of us from 20 ft away. Keep that nervousness, it'll save your life.

And if you haven't already, take an MSF course. It's a life saver.

weezerfan84 · 10-01-2008, 05:00 PM

On number 8 you can either get bar end blind spot mirrors, or go on Ebay and purchase mirror base extenders. I have that issue too but I usually just turn my head around. On 3 I've never experienced a bad seat. I've sat on my Bandit 600 and on a Harley Davidson and both of the seats were ridiculously comfortable. My seat is 8 years old and it feels really good when I sit on it. The only time it's annoying is when it's cold outside or when it's really hot outside and it's been sitting in the sun. I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy riding, because I know I do. My exhaust and windscreen came in for my bike today, so I'm excited to install those items tonight. Awww yeeaaahhh!!

guineapig · 10-01-2008, 05:19 PM

given that you are riding one of my fave bikes I'm going to shamelessly ask for pictures...

jmark · 10-01-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumley

7. Bugs hurt at 60 mph

You should try birds. (And yes, I am serious.)

Chumley · 10-01-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guineapig

given that you are riding one of my fave bikes I'm going to shamelessly ask for pictures...

You mean the bike right?

wking72650 · 10-02-2008, 04:28 PM

10. Chicks dig guys on motorcycles. Ok I haven’t necessarily observed this first hand but I like to think it’s true anyway.

oh tell me its true!

hsartteacher · 10-02-2008, 04:31 PM

Hey there Chumley, and welcome back to riding! I like your observations; not sure about #10 but I guess so.

kschilk · 10-02-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wking72650

10. Chicks dig guys on motorcycles. Ok I haven’t necessarily observed this first hand but I like to think it’s true anyway.

oh tell me its true!

Actually, chicks dig motorcycles with guys on 'em.

guineapig · 10-02-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumley

You mean the bike right?

LOL yes of the BIKE not the rider.
sheesh!

lol

YamahaFan · 10-03-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kschilk

Actually, chicks dig motorcycles with guys on 'em.

well ... I still like to see chicks dig motorcycles with gals on them

ecd · 10-03-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumley

5. Car drivers make me nervous. I don’t like seeing cars waiting to pull out from a side street looking for traffic the other way. I know they have to look both ways but I feel better when they are watching me.

Just because they see you doesn't mean they won't pull out in front you. Just the other day I was driving in the right lane and some large white van was wanting to turn right into my lane. I saw him look back and look directly at me. It was daylight, he had a clear field of vision, and I was wearing bright yellow. But still, he then pulled out right in front of me. Lol.

pints11 · 10-03-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmark

You should try birds. (And yes, I am serious.)

You serious ? you have gotten hit by a bird ?

kitty kat · 10-03-2008, 01:49 PM

I have been hit by a bird, yes it hurts, I had to stop for 30 minutes to recover, as it hit me right in the middle of my sternum.
Sneezing is awful,
a. you close your eyes when you sneeze and
b. your visor gets covered with .......
Some girls just love motorbikes (me) without the guy on, men are too much hassle, a bike gives me no grief

I still, after 2 years with this bike, try and change into 7th gear

RonK · 10-04-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumley

4. Coughing with the visor down will fog it up on a cool morning, raising it a little will clean it off.

--
Spitting is even worse. I spit a lot and sometimes forget I've got my helmet shield on. Raising it doesn't work to clean it off.

RonK

10-04-2008, 07:03 PM

It's a fact that all riders loose count gearing up, unless you have one of those fancy bikes with gear indicators.

HarveyCreek · 10-04-2008, 07:42 PM

Its nice to know I'm not the only one that looses count, I was thinking it was my age.

I've been hit by bird, and had a similar time out as kitty kat. Though found another painful item to be hit by last Sunday, walnuts. A gust of wind shook a tree as I was right under it, it showered walnuts on me, 55+ MPH and walnuts are not fun. Sure glad I had a full faced helmet, as I now need to replace the face shield. Wondering if I should be replacing the helmet. My arms have several small bruises, the jacket and liner helped.

RonK · 10-04-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarveyCreek

Its nice to know I'm not the only one that looses count, I was thinking it was my age.

A gust of wind shook a tree as I was right under it, it showered walnuts on me, 55+ MPH and walnuts are not fun. Sure glad I had a full faced helmet, as I now need to replace the face shield. Wondering if I should be replacing the helmet. My arms have several small bruises, the jacket and liner helped.

--
Helmet, no, it should be okay, but considering your age, heck, I would just go ahead and replace the arms along with the face shield.

RonK

HarveyCreek · 10-04-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonK

--
Helmet, no, it should be okay, but considering your age, heck, I would just go ahead and replace the arms along with the face shield.

RonK

When my bursitis is acting up, it would be nice if it were possible.

hsartteacher · 10-04-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonK

--
Spitting is even worse. I spit a lot and sometimes forget I've got my helmet shield on. Raising it doesn't work to clean it off.

RonK

Is this while chewing tobacco, perchance?

hsartteacher · 10-04-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsbugman

It's a fact that all riders loose count gearing up, unless you have one of those fancy bikes with gear indicators.

I don't, honestly. I lost track when I was a new rider all the time...

but now, I never even think about it and I know what gear I'm in, seriously, even if I'm zoned out listening to my mp3 and driving in traffic, I can tell how the bike sounds and revs and my speed. Seriously; it's second nature now.

Thekerrick · 10-04-2008, 09:03 PM

Oh man do I lose track! I went around a turn today from a stop sign in 3rd gear. The bike sounded like it was crying it was lugging so bad! I dont want to make anyone cry!

RonK · 10-04-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsartteacher

Is this while chewing tobacco, perchance?

--
Be serious. I have class. I don't chew--it runs back into my ears when the wind hits my face. That's gross. And Steve, that's gross!

RonK

10-03-2008, 01:49 PM	#14
kitty kat Biker for Life Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blackpool, England Posts: 870	I have been hit by a bird, yes it hurts, I had to stop for 30 minutes to recover, as it hit me right in the middle of my sternum. Sneezing is awful, a. you close your eyes when you sneeze and b. your visor gets covered with ....... Some girls just love motorbikes (me) without the guy on, men are too much hassle, a bike gives me no grief I still, after 2 years with this bike, try and change into 7th gear __________________ A bike is for life, not just sunny Sundays

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-01-2008, 03:18 PM	#1
Chumley Verified Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 51	Observations of a New (Returning) Rider I've just returned to riding after 15 years. Way back when, I had a 1983 Sportster. It was my first bike and I never got very good at riding as I spent more time broke down than on the road. Well now I'm riding again and I bought a little Ninja 250 to relearn on. I've had it a couple weeks now and I've made some observations. I’ll add more as I get more seat time. 1. The ninja is a fun little bike. It won’t win many races but it has plenty of power when you need it and this from a 6’0 200lb guy. 2. While this bike is fun it is light and a gust of wind or a big truck can be disconcerting if you aren’t prepared for it. 3. The seat sucks; I wish I had the money for a better seat. My butt bone hurts after about 30 minutes riding. Maybe I’m not sitting right or not used to it but for now I have to give the seat a thumbs down 4. Coughing with the visor down will fog it up on a cool morning, raising it a little will clean it off. 5. Car drivers make me nervous. I don’t like seeing cars waiting to pull out from a side street looking for traffic the other way. I know they have to look both ways but I feel better when they are watching me. 6. I still haven’t mastered the ability to know what gear I’m in. I try and count when I change but sometimes, I’m having too much fun and forget. I’m always trying to shift up out of 6th gear. 7. Bugs hurt at 60 mph 8. Cars can sneak up on you from behind. Maybe my mirrors aren’t adjusted right but my arms tend to block some of my view. 9. Squirrels are stupid. They run in the road and lose their minds (not specifically a motorcycle observation but true none the less). 10. Chicks dig guys on motorcycles. Ok I haven’t necessarily observed this first hand but I like to think it’s true anyway.

10-01-2008, 05:00 PM	#3
weezerfan84 I ride it, it doesn't ride me Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fort Smith Posts: 337	On number 8 you can either get bar end blind spot mirrors, or go on Ebay and purchase mirror base extenders. I have that issue too but I usually just turn my head around. On 3 I've never experienced a bad seat. I've sat on my Bandit 600 and on a Harley Davidson and both of the seats were ridiculously comfortable. My seat is 8 years old and it feels really good when I sit on it. The only time it's annoying is when it's cold outside or when it's really hot outside and it's been sitting in the sun. I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy riding, because I know I do. My exhaust and windscreen came in for my bike today, so I'm excited to install those items tonight. Awww yeeaaahhh!!

10-01-2008, 05:19 PM	#4
guineapig Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: in transit to AZ Posts: 471	given that you are riding one of my fave bikes I'm going to shamelessly ask for pictures...

10-02-2008, 04:28 PM	#7
wking72650 Verified Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: marshall,ar Posts: 57	10. Chicks dig guys on motorcycles. Ok I haven’t necessarily observed this first hand but I like to think it’s true anyway. oh tell me its true!

10-02-2008, 04:31 PM	#8
hsartteacher I Ride Like A Girl Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,526	Hey there Chumley, and welcome back to riding! I like your observations; not sure about #10 but I guess so.

10-04-2008, 07:03 PM	#16
nsbugman Guest Posts: n/a	It's a fact that all riders loose count gearing up, unless you have one of those fancy bikes with gear indicators.

10-04-2008, 07:42 PM	#17
HarveyCreek Out Standing In His Field Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Red Hills Of Oregon Posts: 593	Its nice to know I'm not the only one that looses count, I was thinking it was my age. I've been hit by bird, and had a similar time out as kitty kat. Though found another painful item to be hit by last Sunday, walnuts. A gust of wind shook a tree as I was right under it, it showered walnuts on me, 55+ MPH and walnuts are not fun. Sure glad I had a full faced helmet, as I now need to replace the face shield. Wondering if I should be replacing the helmet. My arms have several small bruises, the jacket and liner helped.

10-04-2008, 09:03 PM	#22
Thekerrick Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 354	Oh man do I lose track! I went around a turn today from a stop sign in 3rd gear. The bike sounded like it was crying it was lugging so bad! I dont want to make anyone cry!