My first miles...

[NinjaGirlATL]

I am going to keep a mini ride report in here. As I posted in the "Introductions" area, I am new to riding. Took my MSF course last summer, and as of Sunday (2/27/2011) morning, I am the proud owner of an immaculate 2006 Kawasaki EX 250R.

That afternoon, Muffin Man came over and coached me. I hopped on the back and we rode over to Kensington MARTA station. It was almost like learning all over again. I practiced turning, shifting, braking, etc. Back and forth in the parking lot, putting ten miles on the bike. I hopped on again, as he rode us home. He assured me I made lots of progress, but I wasnt so sure.

Monday I dreamed of hopping on my bike all day at work, but it rained.

Today, I got home and decided I could NOT wait to get on my bike again until someone could come help me. I also realized that if I went over to the MARTA station again, I would have to cross Covington Hwy by myself. I had a short window of about one hour before needing to go BACK to work. So, I decided I would ride on real roads, but stay in my neighborhood. I geared up and headed out. I turned on the bike and it was revving high and I figured that was because it was cold. After a minute or so, I decided to just pull out. When I released the clutch it flew forward. It continued to do that and then each time I would pull in the clutch it would go to 8000 RPM. I drove all the way around my block (loudly!) and dont think I used the throttle at all. So, feeling like my bike was broken already I pulled back into my driveway and said OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! when I realized my choke was on. The bike I learned on did not have a choke, and my lawnmower resets itself. I had no idea I had to push the choke back to position once I started the bike. Once I figured that out, I went back out for a five mile ride around lovely Avondale Estates (worrying about the AE cops the whole time!!) I stopped at stop signs, I used my blinkers, I nodded at drivers, etc. My first ride on real streets. :)

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

How did they teach you FINE-C on a bike with no choke (Apparently they didn't :lol:)....

Nodding at drivers isn't important, but don't forget to wave to other riders! Just not those Hardley Ableson guys.. nobody likes them. :D

Congrats on getting out there the first time. I'll never forget my first real ride. I took my MSF card (which is NOT a motorcycle endorsement) and went riding the Sunday I passed my class. Took the bike all over town, and out onto the interstate, up to about 85mph, put almost 100 miles on it that day, just because I "could" (if I'd gotten pulled over, I probably would have gone to jail :lol:). I guess what I'm trying to say is good on you for being more responsible than I was :lol:. Sounds like you had a good time, and each successive time only gets better!

[Alilyoyo1]

after i took the class hubby took me out on the back streets by my house to just get the feel of the street. it was all kinds of lefts and rights so it made me work. I did it every day til it got dark lol. I was obsessed. then a week later i had a big charity group ride....holy crap I was scared but i rode like 80 miles surrounded by cruisers...eek. from that point on I started going to bike nights and stuff cuz i figured i'd been on the interstate....seat time is the only way to get better...that's for sure.

[klassified187]

Way to go!!! :up: Sounds like you have a great time! I got my permit and my bike before I completed the MSF course but I had learned the basics already so I rode my bike around my neighboorhood for about 2 weeks before I went to take the course. Once I was done with the course I cruised around for about a month taking back roads to friends houses.. The scariest thing for me was the interstate. I would get on my bike and ride one exit up on 285 and then ride back to my exit just to get a feel for it. Then I rode to work one day and I got very comfortable with it. Take your time and get used to your bike and learn your limits. Once you get comfortable riding you can link up with some more experienced people and they will show you a good time. One rule of thumb I was taught was if you are with a group and they are riding outside your comfort zone.. You may not know how to get to the destination but you know the way back home and you can take that trip at your own pace. Happy riding! :D

[wicked]

congrats and welcome to the club!

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

congrats and welcome to the club!


Shh, she hasn't had her real initiation yet.. Somebody go get the goat! :lol: :crackup:

[Ringo®]

Good for you! Keep taking small steps until you find yourself more comfortable

[wicked]

Shh, she hasn't had her real initiation yet.. Somebody go get the goat! :lol: :crackup::crackup:

[Alilyoyo1]

interstate scared me for a loooong time. and wind. wind scared me....no more though.

[NinjaGirlATL]

Yikes! Now y'all are scarin' me! :)


Shh, she hasn't had her real initiation yet.. Somebody go get the goat! :lol: :crackup:

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

interstate scared me for a loooong time. and wind. wind scared me....no more though.


The more riders I talk to, the more I hear this. I guess I had more of the "young, dumb, and indestructible" mindset than I thought I did :lol: :lol:


It's funny how you don't even notice the wind anymore, right? You just kinda lean into it without even noticing you're doing it.

[RogueElement]

Yeah, especially wind blasts from semis. You just take it in stride after a while.

[wicked]

by the time i rode on the interstate for the first time, i had already been riding for about 15 years...never really thought about it...

[speedracer]

Good for there's nothing like it!! You'll be leading your own group ride in no time!!!

[Alilyoyo1]

totally! When I first started I got sooo pissed that people would just say crouch down and turn the throttle you'll be fine....
now...guess what I do...lol
I even started telling people the same thing

The more riders I talk to, the more I hear this. I guess I had more of the "young, dumb, and indestructible" mindset than I thought I did :lol: :lol:


It's funny how you don't even notice the wind anymore, right? You just kinda lean into it without even noticing you're doing it.

[flygirl]

my daughter is new to riding too...she just finished the msf as well...sent you a pm...maybe you two could ride together on some not so busy roads

[NinjaGirlATL]

:crying:I can't think of many things worse than getting my first motorcycle 5 days ago and just being able to sit on it in the carport because it is RAINING ALL WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!

[klassified187]

:crying:I can't think of many things worse than getting my first motorcycle 5 days ago and just being able to sit on it in the carport because it is RAINING ALL WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!

i feel your pain.. :(

[Alilyoyo1]

:crying:I can't think of many things worse than getting my first motorcycle 5 days ago and just being able to sit on it in the carport because it is RAINING ALL WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!

haha I remember those days.

[joemama]

:crying:I can't think of many things worse than getting my first motorcycle 5 days ago and just being able to sit on it in the carport because it is RAINING ALL WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!

Not having a bike to sit on...now that would be worse. :lol: Congrats BTW! Have fun!

[NinjaGirlATL]

Still no rain in Decatur! Gearing up to go out for a bit. :)


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[Alilyoyo1]

yea no rain here either...lil chilly though. I guess if you're just practicing and wearing some warm gloves you'll be ok....let us know how it goes.

[NinjaGirlATL]

Yes, cold! But I learned/experienced a lot.

One, what if I am out and can't start my bike? I need people I can call. (it didn't happen, but I had a vision of it happening.)

Two, I ventured out of my neighborhood. I was on Covington Hwy for about 1/10th of a mile!

Three, I am reading Proficient Motorcycling and had a moment straight out of the book. In my quiet neighborhood, stopped at a stop sign a huge SUV turns left and totally is in my lane. If I were in a car, I would have had to back up!

Anyway, glad I got out before the weekend rain. Baby steps.



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[NiceGuysFinishLast]

:crying:I can't think of many things worse than getting my first motorcycle 5 days ago and just being able to sit on it in the carport because it is RAINING ALL WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!



Gotta learn to ride in the rain SOMETIME.... Or change your forum name to TroyBoy.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Georgiacbr]

Gotta learn to ride in the rain SOMETIME.... Or change your forum name to TroyBoy.... :lol: :lol: :lol:


LOL....Troy know's how to ride in the rain tho he just turns up his heated gear put's that in overdrive to burn off the rain.

[TroyBoy30]

Gotta learn to ride in the rain SOMETIME.... Or change your forum name to TroyBoy.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

I've got caught out a few times but never on purpose!

[TroyBoy30]

LOL....Troy know's how to ride in the rain tho he just turns up his heated gear put's that in overdrive to burn off the rain.

You would think rain and heated gear is a good idea! Right up there with armor all on your tires!

[Georgiacbr]

You would think rain and heated gear is a good idea! Right up there with armor all on your tires!


LOL.....yea that was a riot but hell there was a few other guy's Armor all there tires at that bike show that day. Those Busa's wheels and tires looked hot but I doubt it was ridden .I was just the fool that day who rode it that way (LOL) .
I would loved to have seen the video tho at that light but oh well Live and learn.

[THE MUFFIN MAN]

You would think rain and heated gear is a good idea! Right up there with armor all on your tires!owned!!!!!!

[Ringo®]

Yes, cold! But I learned/experienced a lot.

One, what if I am out and can't start my bike? I need people I can call. (it didn't happen, but I had a vision of it happening.)

Two, I ventured out of my neighborhood. I was on Covington Hwy for about 1/10th of a mile!

Three, I am reading Proficient Motorcycling and had a moment straight out of the book. In my quiet neighborhood, stopped at a stop sign a huge SUV turns left and totally is in my lane. If I were in a car, I would have had to back up!

Anyway, glad I got out before the weekend rain. Baby steps.



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1. It's probably going to happen at some point in your riding years. It's a good idea to get to know your bike. Maybe when you take it to the mechanic for servicing, see if they will let you sit in on the repairs and get to know the ins and outs of the bike. Also, if you have some sort of smart phone, post here if you get stranded. I'm sure somebody has been in the same spot and would be willing to help

2. Congrats!

3. Awesome book, even if it can teach you one thing that can save you a wreck, it's totally worth it

[Alilyoyo1]

I remember my first year on the bike we rode over to Fort Lauderdale and on the way home we got caught one of the infamous afternoon thunderstorms....in traffic. Apparently the rain was so heavy a car missed a turn and drove off the overpass? The rain was so heavy that we were soaked in less than a minute. My boots had more than an inch of water in them...
I use to rag on riders down there who would pass on a day of riding because the forecast called for a chance of rain...because even if it did rain...it was for 30 min and over...and it could be on one side of the road and not the other....

[NinjaGirlATL]

Thanks, Ringo. Good ideas about working with the mechanic, and posting here.

Kristin, that has happened to me on my bicycle before! I think it will be a while before I go on wet roads. I'm a street skater (or try to be), and it is funny that I use some of the same skills. Watch out for sand/loose gravel, look ahead and always be scanning, never go out without all my gear on, assume no one sees me, etc.

[NinjaGirlATL]

I think I had a mini milestone last night! I took my bike out in the evening for some practice riding and got off my street. Stopped at a stop sign, a cop pulled up behind me. Of course I was all nervous. I dont have a plate on yet, so was positive he was going to ask me to pull over. I proceed shakily into my left turn (the bike was still cold) and went down the street. Of course, the cop follows. I don't know if it is mine, but the ninja doesnt seem to have the best speedometer. Sometimes I think I am going fast and it says 20 something. I just think it is wrong. Anyway, I go super slow down the street, which is probably an indicator to the cop that I dont know what the hell I am doing. I stop at the next stop sign, a little too early. So then I have to kind of walk it up to the line. My mirrors arent really adjusted so I can't see the cop very well, but I take off slowly and then see him turn. It was like a huge relief to me. Then I went for a kickass ride and even got it up to 50ish. That is the fastest I have gone, but remember I am on neighborhood/city streets. I think I am getting close to ready to go out of my area and try some new things soon.
But, doesnt it sound like I beat the man??!!
(I think it was the pink jacket!)

[Alilyoyo1]

each seemingly small milestone will help you build confidence....appreciate those things!

[BlueLghtning]

You would think rain and heated gear is a good idea! Right up there with armor all on your tires!

What is wrong with rain and heated gear? (Are you really being serious?). Its the best time to wear heated gear, other then when its just down right cold out there. It always feels much colder when your riding gear gets wet and the heated gear helps keep that heat in. You think you are going to get electrocuted off 12v? You think all the touring guys stop and unplug their heated gear when they hit rain? Heck no, you crank it up and enjoy the warmth! I've been caught in many rainstorms and those that I had my heated gear on, I was very thankful for.

Now armor all on the tires. Yeah, not such a good idea.

[BlueLghtning]

BTW, congrats NinjaGirlATL. Some of us that have been riding for a long time forget what its like when we were brand new. Its great to read your stories and adventures.

[Georgiacbr]

owned!!!!!!

LOL Not owned ...

[Ringo®]

I think I had a mini milestone last night! I took my bike out in the evening for some practice riding and got off my street. Stopped at a stop sign, a cop pulled up behind me. Of course I was all nervous. I dont have a plate on yet, so was positive he was going to ask me to pull over. I proceed shakily into my left turn (the bike was still cold) and went down the street. Of course, the cop follows. I don't know if it is mine, but the ninja doesnt seem to have the best speedometer. Sometimes I think I am going fast and it says 20 something. I just think it is wrong. Anyway, I go super slow down the street, which is probably an indicator to the cop that I dont know what the hell I am doing. I stop at the next stop sign, a little too early. So then I have to kind of walk it up to the line. My mirrors arent really adjusted so I can't see the cop very well, but I take off slowly and then see him turn. It was like a huge relief to me. Then I went for a kickass ride and even got it up to 50ish. That is the fastest I have gone, but remember I am on neighborhood/city streets. I think I am getting close to ready to go out of my area and try some new things soon.
But, doesnt it sound like I beat the man??!!
(I think it was the pink jacket!)
:lol::popo:

[NinjaGirlATL]

Hey All,
I went on a real ride today! Here is a map of where I went:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=209784886897044461833.00049e4a765823c6826c4&z=12

I woke up at 7 and was out by 7:40ish. I wanted to get on the streets when there would be very light traffic. I was successful with that. Last night I mapped out a route from my house to Conyers that incorporated some roads on the motorcycleroads.us website. I had to be back home by 10. I carefully wrote down every turn to slip into my tankbag. Once I got out, it took me longer than I anticipated, so stopped for gas and reviewed my gps and did a modification, but it turned out to be a good one. The ride turned out to be a good mix of urban and more countryish roads.
Things I learned:
I feel like I am going fast when I really am not.
It is scary to be going "too slow" when a car comes up behind you.
I have a lot of work to do on curves. (Though the Hough book is amazingly helpful.)
I dont like "Limited sight view" signs.
I am really good at downshifting and I think I do so appropriately.
It is cold that early in the morning.
It feels amazing to take off and go quickly through the gears...you can hear and feel it!
If I take the time to write out every turn, it will probably cause me to memorize it so I never even look at the turn sheet.
I LOVE my bike!

[THE MUFFIN MAN]

congrats!!! glad to see you're enjoying it!!!

[klassified187]

Awesome! :woot::woot:

[NinjaGirlATL]

Another Newbie experience: Riding in the rain!!
Thought I would get out for a while BEFORE the rain hit, and was lucky for the first hour and a half. Luckily, I was just in midtown and had to make it back to Decatur. Not too bad, and everything worked the same. I had visions of sliding all over wet roads. None of that happened. But, I learned the importance of waterproof gear! I was so cold. I also need to learn how to reach up and close the vents on my helmet. It is the little things....

[speedracer]

Good job on making it back safe! And just like most thing what you had in your mind about riding in the rain was way worse than reality! You keep going and remember it only gets better and better!!!

[PhilJonez]

Congratulations on all the first!!!! And there is nothing like seat time to keep getting better. Also, try and consciously go through the lessons you learned in the MSF while you're riding and work on the things you learned. It is way easier to learn the right habits than it is to unlearn bad habits...

I'm over by Emory (getting my MBA) and so I ride around Decatur a fair bit, whenever you'd like to go for a ride, hit me up, it's a ton of fun with other people. And I remember how nerve wracking the first couple hundred miles are so you set the pace.

[SlimDizzleATL]

Good job Lauri. Sounds like you're making good progress.

1. I would learn how to bump start your bike. Just in case your battery dies. It can get you out of a pinch. Ask PJ (auniquesoul)
2. Keep going little by little. Seat time builds confidence as Kristin said
3. Have fun. be safe.

[rr_double_rr]

Good job Lauri. Sounds like you're making good progress.

1. I would learn how to bump start your bike. Just in case your battery dies. It can get you out of a pinch. Ask PJ (auniquesoul)
2. Keep going little by little. Seat time builds confidence as Kristin said
3. Have fun. be safe.

+1 on #1. I had to do this to my girl's bike the other day. It's fuuuuuuuuuuuuuun.
#2: Exactly. Take rides anytime and anywhere you feel comfortable. I used to ride mine after traffic died down at night, with nowhere particular to go, and it really helped. I got a feel for the roads, and some experience in traffic rather than parking lots straight to rush hours.

And number 3 is why we all do it anyway. For the vast majority of us, bikes aren't the only things in the driveway, and we ride for the pure joy of it.

[Alilyoyo1]

its probably wrong but when I first started actually getting out and about...i was more comfortable by myself....I rode w/ hubby but that was constant you're doing this your not doing that...I felt less...tense and more at ease on the bike if I rode to the bank or whatever alone....it was when i started picking up the speed a little, etc.

[NinjaGirlATL]

I'm off this week so will be spending as much time as I can riding. I had my bike serviced and picked it up this evening. (It needed it when I bought it.) It is like a different bike, now!! I rode it home tonight and was amazed. It is so much smoother! (Let's hope it rubs off on me!!) I am planning some routes and am looking forward to exploring on two wheels over the next few days. Anyone want to join a newbie, let me know.

[auniquesoul]

Good job Lauri. Sounds like you're making good progress.

1. I would learn how to bump start your bike. Just in case your battery dies. It can get you out of a pinch. Ask PJ (auniquesoul)
2. Keep going little by little. Seat time builds confidence as Kristin said
3. Have fun. be safe.

LoL!! Most def learn how to bump your bike... Great time huh Jaye? LoL!! I never ever stalled again after that day, thats for sure!