My first ride!

[Will]

*Sorry, didn't know if we needed pics or not, but I wasn't sure where else to put this.

Well, as you all know, I have been searching around the forums and CL for a trusty, cheap first time bike. It was actually the searching around for a deal that led me to sign up for the GSB site (awesome community btw fellows, you helped me out alot with my questions). The great news is I just got my first bike ! I ended up listening to the numerous people and got me a 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250. I just completed my MSF class a few weeks previous and waited patiently for the clear skies and good weather (I took my MSF class during that B.S. rain we had during the first part of March.)

My first ride report happens a week after I completed it, but better late than never.

My first ride was when I went to the guy's house, friendly fellow, to pick up the Ninja, in Cobb / Marietta area, near WoW, and drive it home to my house in Gwinnett / Duluth area, about an hour.

I started out a little shaky but got the general gist and handling of the bike, enough to feel comfortable enough to start riding. A tad bit later, I got in my first accident. At 50 mph, I saw a red light coming up and having been overly excited, I grabbed the front break. The bike started doing it's little thump-skidding deal , so I released the front break and tried to gently squeeze it, like they taught in the class...

LOL, they didn't take into account the first time rider's anxiety though... I tried to remain calm, but failed to do so and so I dropped my bike at 30ish MPH, again grabbing the front break and losing control.

The good news is, I am not hurt physically (LOL Ego was bruised) and my Ninja is still functional albiet with a newer battle scar (I busted the front light and scuffed the muffler). Also, a friendly motorcycle fellow stopped and helped me get my bike started again.

From what I understand from my friend following me, I fell pretty funny. Seeing how everyone started jumping out of their cars to try to help me, I gave them the A-okay sign, and picked up my new bike and started to pray. I was taking GA 400 home.

LOL, there was a couple of good things that occurred b/c of crash; the accident now puts me into the category of the rider that has been in an accident. It also lets me appreciate the small details that they don't teach you in the MSF class. I also noticed what a beautiful day it was...

[redbeard]

* I also noticed what a beautiful day it was...


Make this the first part of your ride next time and it will help lower the anxiety. A tight anxious rider is more likely to fall. Obviously you already learned that part though. Glad you had fun and got something positive out of it.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Glad it wasn't bad, welcome to the clubs (I was nervous on my first ride, I've had a wreck, I've done something to make people laugh at me on a motorcycle, and lots of others haha). Glad this won't deter you from riding, good luck keeping the shiny side up from now on!

[Lazarus]

At 50 mph, I saw a red light coming up and having been overly excited, I grabbed the front break.

Alot of people recommend the 250 as a first bike based on CCs and power compared to the newer 600s. To me this is reason #1 why you should start on a 250 or OLD 600. Those front brakes can and will get you into trouble. And you done this on a new supersport you might have endo'd and looped the bike having it fall on you.

I dont know whats it like where you live but when I first started riding I just rode around my small town.... alot. I dont think I did more than 20mph. My MSF instructor said, after completing the course, that we didn't earn the right to ride yet, just to practice more. Continue to practice in a safe and controlled environment until you feel so comfortable that riding is second nature.

[redciv1]

My first ride after my MSF course came a full when I purchased my bike. Like Lazarus said I praticed for about a week or two in my subdivision. I praticed stops and starts and low speed turning as well in the cul-de-sacs. LOL, it's funny now, but I know exactly what you mean about the front brake. My 94 Katana 600 is a heavy bike, and I remember grabbing the brakes for the first time and thinking "no wonder guys can do stoppies on one of these things." Glad you are ok. I have had two get offs. One about 5 months after having the bike. I left home for work and noticed that I had left my gloves. I turned back around in the street and went back to the house. I found my gloves in the driveway and headed out. I turned the bike around and the front tire just clip the edge of the wet grass and driveway and like you, I hit the front brake going really slow and it brought the bike down. I had just repainted the bike and the right side lower fairing was scratched and cracked. Ego was really bruised. Then in October I had just had a really nice Sunday rice. I came up on this curvy stretch of road that I thought I knew, but realized it had been about 4-5 years that I had drove on this rode. Basically came up on the curve and hit the apex, but then realized that the curve got tighter and I paniced and stood the bike up. Ended up going off the side of the road down a slight decline at about 15-25mph. Left leg was bruised for about 3-4 weeks but that was it though.
Welcome to the family.

[Gamecock]

I got in my first accident[/I]. At 50 mph, I saw a red light coming up and having been overly excited, I grabbed the front break. The bike started doing it's little thump-skidding deal , so I released the front break and tried to gently squeeze it, like they taught in the class...



So let me understand this.....did you get close to the lights and it turned yellow and red real quick and you had a short time to stop? Or did you just biff coming up to a normal red light?

I'm glad you are okay, but you probably should practice alot more in areas of less traffic until you get more comfortable. We don't need to read about someone falling over and getting run over by a car or something. Practice around your neighborhood, get used to the brakes (both) and how to modulate them, etc. I don't know if I would even feel comfortable on a 250 on GA400.

[TroyBoy30]

I rode my bike to the MSF course!

[Lazarus]

I rode my bike to the MSF course!

Congrads. Some people have alot of dirtbike experience which is definitely a plus. I only had a quad before getting my first bike. Within weeks though I was on the highways and trying to find the limits on the on ramps. :D

[Will]

Yeah, since getting the bike I have practiced alot more. Empty Parking lots in Duluth and a victory lap around the subdivision when I make it back safely. The accident did let me realize that I know absolutely NOT enough about riding. Since the occassion, I took it to church, a five minute jaunt on 85S on a Sunday Morning. I also took it to GPC Dunwoody, around 30 minutes, going south of Peachtree Ind. from where I am at. Not quite ready to take it for the commute to Conyers though for work. I have to say though, RIDING IS FUN! No wonder why they say, that when you ride a motorcycle to work, it's not really commuting (think I read that on a poster or something).

[Lazarus]

Dude riding to work down here is TOUGH, actually it was tough in NJ too but I always rode when the sun was on. Drivers talking and texting on their phones, not paying attention poses a other different level of challenges when riding. Not sure if I would want a 250 on my commute, you need to be able to get out of spots FAST.

[ramm]

I love commuting to work, simply because when I'm done here I can hop right on my bike and not worry about answering my phone, and it completely clears my head. Let's me just kinda relax for a while.

[ninjagirl06]

Go find yourself an empty parking lot and work on your emergency breaking. This will give you more confidence in using your front break. I'm glad to hear that you're fine with the exception of a bruised ego...just kidding.

[Da_LowCountry_Rider]

Yeah, since getting the bike I have practiced alot more. Empty Parking lots in Duluth and a victory lap around the subdivision when I make it back safely. The accident did let me realize that I know absolutely NOT enough about riding. Since the occassion, I took it to church, a five minute jaunt on 85S on a Sunday Morning. I also took it to GPC Dunwoody, around 30 minutes, going south of Peachtree Ind. from where I am at. Not quite ready to take it for the commute to Conyers though for work. I have to say though, RIDING IS FUN! No wonder why they say, that when you ride a motorcycle to work, it's not really commuting (think I read that on a poster or something).


Where are you located in Duluth?

[redciv1]

Yeah, since getting the bike I have practiced alot more. Empty Parking lots in Duluth and a victory lap around the subdivision when I make it back safely. The accident did let me realize that I know absolutely NOT enough about riding. Since the occassion, I took it to church, a five minute jaunt on 85S on a Sunday Morning. I also took it to GPC Dunwoody, around 30 minutes, going south of Peachtree Ind. from where I am at. Not quite ready to take it for the commute to Conyers though for work. I have to say though, RIDING IS FUN! No wonder why they say, that when you ride a motorcycle to work, it's not really commuting (think I read that on a poster or something).
Just take it at your own pace. Now that I think about it, not sure why I just jumped on I20 for my 1st real trip on the bike. LOL, my wife was so nervous that she actually followed me the 10 miles from the house to the interstate to make sure I was ok. And as far as riding to work. it is sometimes boring to me, only because I take I20 from Salem road to 285 west to 400 north and Windward Pkwy. Takes me about 1hr in the morning and in the afternoon anywhere from 1.5 - 2hrs to get home in the afternoon. But it's on the bike and not in the car, so I still love it. maybe you can ride with some of us just around town. I do that often. Know particular destination. Just ride.

[Will]

Near Sugarloaf and Peachtree Industrial.

As an update, I took the bike up to Conyers 4 days last week, for work... Scared as hell on that expressway. I don't think a Ex 250 is made for extended duration on 285 to 20 to exit 82. Man, they don't tell you about the fight with the Wind and how tiring that is. Also, I noticed there is less respect for motorcycle space on the expressway. I have seen cars pass me pretty close. I can understand why some of those streetbikes take that expressway at 90 an hour and weave in and out of the cars... I think that would be safer than just following the road signs and speed limits.

The good news is, the ride and weather were perfect. I also got acclimated to my bike fairly fast, an hour commute will do that to you though, and I no longer jump at my shadows when I ride my bike. (I did practice a hell of alot, taking it to school and church, and normal jaunts around town before taking it to Conyers. Conyers was my final test.) LOL, I also found excuses to take it to the grocery store for that "needed" item, like milk or eggs or chewing gum...

The only time I drive my car now is when I take my son to daycare or pick him up. I am not that confident to carry a five year old on the back of my bike. All in all, a great experience riding. I actually understand what they mean by pushing left when you turn right type of crap... I don't think I am quite ready to put my knee down yet though LOL ( I kinda get the concept). Maybe next year and I will have to video tape it in case I fall again.

Riding is definitely life and perspective changing. Man I love it.

Now, all I have to do is take it to Lorne for a looksie, and to fix a few things with my bike and I will be totally zen again.

[redciv1]

Sounds like you did it right. Yeah, that wind is something, but believe or not, you will get use to it on the Hwy. We pretty much have a reverse route almost. Headed into the office tomorrow, so I will be riding in tomorrow morning.