First time on my bike last weekend, and first ride! (kinda long)

[badguy]

This past Saturday my dad drove his pickup behind me to a school parking lot about a half mile down the road so I could get in a little practice with my bike.  I only have a learners permit and this is my first bike, so I was pretty excited.  Unfortunately my helmet hadn't come in yet, so I was wearing his brain bucket (he's a Harley guy) and my leather Fonz-type jacket that I got a few years ago in anticipation of my entry to motorcycling (but I now realize that I don't really like it). 

Everything went fine for the most part.  I hadn't been on a motorcycle since I took the MSF course in 2003, so I was rusty on clutch operation and stalled it out a few times. While trying some slow maneuvers I put my foot down a lot more than I wanted to.  Other than that I was happy with my experience.  I didn't rev it any higher than about 4500 RPM and didn't get it past 3rd gear (it wasn't a very big lot) but that still intimidated me.  I don't mean intimidated in a bad way, but as in it instilled in me the respect for what this machine can do, and ensures that I won't be trying anything squirrely.

On Sunday, he drove me back up to the school to get some more practice in.  I tried a little bit of hard braking, worked on turning smoothly some more (the lot was basically a big loop with grass in the middle), did some slow, tight turns, practiced some swerving, and tried to get more of a feel for how the bike reacts to my inputs.  It went pretty well, I definitely did better than I did on Saturday.

After we got back from the parking lot, he asked if I wanted to try my first ride.  I was a little hesitant because of the gear I was wearing (or lack thereof), but I figured this would be the only time I would do this and give it a shot.  I had on the same thing I was wearing in the parking lot: leather work boots, jeans, and his sorry excuse for a helmet, but was wearing the thick leather jacket and some good gloves (Rev'it Ultra H₂O) I bought the other week.  Anyway, he started up his sportster for the first time this year and I started up the GS again.

We went on a 15 minute ride and I wasn't really nervous so much as excited.  I stalled out at the first stop sign, but that was the only hitch on my part (other problems were the jacket puffing up and the helmet lifting up off my head a little because the straps wouldn't go any tighter.)  On the first long stretch of road (a meandering country-type road) I took the curves really slowly, not wanting to have any surprises, especially since both sides were wooded for a stretch.  (He later said I was killing him...he had to downshift to 3rd I was goin so slow, but i'm pretty sure he was just joking with me.) I got up to just under 65 on the main road where thankfully there weren't many cars, but I handled lane changes and a traffic light just fine. 

We got back to the house and I pulled up into the driveway and around to the back of the house.  I couldn't get the smile off my face, but the first thing I told him was that I was never riding with that helmet again. (my helmet came in yesterday (Scorpion EXO700), so I went to pick it up, along with a new jacket (Olympia Airglide) and my boots (Rev'it Fusion)).  Needless to say, I will be wearing all of it next time I ride.  Now I just need some good pants, but I spent all my money on the other gear

As far as the riding, I think I did pretty well for my first time on a road outside of the neighborhood.  But I definitely need to work on throttle control and checking my mirrors.  I also want to figure out when to shift/what gear to be in:  I never revved higher than 6k RPM.  I saw the recent thread on how the GS likes to be ridden and wondered why most people were saying they kept it between 5k and 8k, or something like that, but on that ride it was usually around 4k.  I know I'll learn more with experience, but my dad was saying that 6k is too high, even though it redlines around 11k (again, he's a Harley guy, so I take a good bit of what he says with a grain of salt). 

Anyway, I loved it and am very glad that I now have most of my gear for the next ride.  I look forward to learning more from riding and from reading this forum.  soon I'll get a copy of Proficient Motorcycling and read it for tips as well.  As far as comments: I'd love to hear them; criticism: let me have it; congratulations: I greatly appreciate it!

Mike

[pandy]

Mike! Congratulations!!!! You've got a great bike, you're taking it slowly, and you're doing the right things with practicing, and you're going in the right direction with gear. Beg, borrow, or steal to get those motorcycle pants, though; a get-off at 65mph is going to hurt...have you seen the gross-knee pic thread? 

When I ride, I usually keep it between 5k and 6k when I'm cruising along. I get it up between 4k and 5k to get the bike going. Keep practicing in quiet areas/parking lots 'til you become comfortable with all the controls.

And...keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up! 

[RVertigo]

Well, you're doing it mostly right (except for the skid-lid )...

If you can recall the MSF exercises, go through all of them again...  If you dad is willing, have him watch for bad habits (front braking in corners, not rolling through a corner, etc.).

If you can't really remember the MSF stuff, go take it again...  It's worth getting your skills up to speed.

As far as the RPMs...  You're right about your dad being a Harley guy.  Different engine, different red-line...  Anything less and 4K is underreving the GS.  You can cruise on flats around 4, but you want to be in higher RPMs for hills and accelerating...  In fact, I'd keep the revs a little higher even when cruising...  Just so you don't have to drop two gears to get moving FAST if you need to get out of the way.  Just drop a gear and MOVE!

Keep practicing!  Riding with experienced riders (with good habits) really helps move you along...

[scratch]

How exciting!  Reminds me of when I used to teach myself how to ride, late at night, under the cover of darkness.
Look where you want to go, lean, roll on the throttle gently through the turn. (all the way through the turn; always looking at your exit).

[RVertigo]

all the way through the turn; always looking at your exit).

++

I still forget sometimes...     But, I do a lot more riding in the City than on fun curvy roads. 

[badguy]

Thanks for the advice everyone! 

I'm thinking about ordering some Sliders kevlar jeans soon - I just need to run into some money first.  I'm also thinking about getting some armored overpants instead, but that would take about twice as much cash.  Any suggestions on which to look at?

I can't wait to get back on the bike, but I have to coordinate with my dad.  I'm hoping we can go back out this weekend.  I want to find a bigger parking lot so I can practice more, this one is a little weird-shaped.  Also, once I get my license I'm gonna take the MSF experienced course since I don't think I need an hour's worth of practice with the clutch again

Thanks again!

Mike

[pandy]

Thanks for the advice everyone! 

I'm thinking about ordering some Sliders kevlar jeans soon - I just need to run into some money first.

http://www.newenough.com/armor_icon_field_armor_leg_page.htm

Don't forget that your legs are priceless, too! 

[badguy]

Thanks pandy, that reminds me that I have some knee/shin pads that I use with my other bikes (bmx).  I'm gonna try using those until I get a decent pair of pants.

Thanks for the idea!