just got my learners permit today.......................and now 2nd thoughts

[Wrecent_Wryder]

4r

[scratch]

Well said.      

[3imo]

Well said.

+1   

[Wrecent_Wryder]

d3

[RVertigo]

I don't have to say anything particularly coherent

I already cornered the market on that!

[on2wheels]

Hey Mate,
I can sympathise with your feelings of apprehension, but as a lot of people have said, getting out of bed in the morning is a risk. I can assure you that if you get a bike and take 'small steps' your confidence and skill level will improve exponentially. I live in Canberra where the majority of people here are absolute shaZam! drivers. They are impatient, rude and just damn dangerous. They tailgate, switch lanes without looking or indicating, and when two lanes merge into one it gets scary as they all try and squeeze past each other. I am very new to riding and have successfully made it through my first year on the road. I ride the bike nearly every day and have done 10,000km in my maiden year. In that time I have had three close calls. On each occassion I was able to avoid incident as I ride with the mentality that I am invisable to all and that road users are unpredictable.  
As others have said, pay no attention to those who condemn you for wanting to ride when they know nothing about it. So many people say that if you ride a bike you have a death wish, but I pity those who haven't experienced the joys of riding because I think that if you're not riding you're not really living.
Best of luck with your decision.

[Chris2P]

I have a wife and 2 children and I ride (in a very dense population with alot of traffic)

Yes, motorcycling is dangerous.  And if you take the approach that it is dangerous and learn to ride to take full responsibility of your actions as well as other actions, you will be a safe rider.  Take the Motorcycle safety foundation course and beleive that what they teach you is gospel, and you should be fine. 


Chris

[atariman2002]

Sincere thanks to all of you for the honest helpfull comments.


It all started for me months ago when I woke up one morning with this urge to ride.

I have always seen the bikers ride past our house and seen the sexy road bikes and always thought how much fun it would be on a beautifull day to enjoy a ride on a nice long road with friends having the rush of wind and excitement of being on two wheels on the open road.

I suppose I am scared because I have never ridden a motorbike before.....well I have on a friends farm...a little DX80 when i was much younger.



The funny thing is my wife is all for it.


I have been offered to borrow a little yamaha 250 from a good friend who out of all the people I have spoken to has been so positive and reassuring with me.



When it comes to guts I am gutsy.....I fight in full contact martial arts contests and my job is in I.T. where I maintain $100,000's servers....all under my control..each have the consequence of one wrong move will result in me being in a lot of trouble....and yet to hop on a bike scares me silly.



I will give the yamaha a go as their are no stings attached with the borrowing of it......................



and if i get the guts to goahead....will send in my pics of my new gs500f when i get it.



Thanks again guys,

[galahs]

Mate I had as much riding experiance as you and getting a motorbike was something Ialways wanted to do, but was warned off doing so by "people who had my best intentions at heart"

Well, I have to say, I'm glad I have driven on the road for 9 years and learnt road craft in a car, it has made learning to ride a motorbike soo much less daunting.

Just ride within your limits which will start off as basic rides around your suburban block and build up from there.

sure you will have close calls on a bike, but being aware is the best advice I can give.

A good strategy is to give yourself a running commentry in your head of everything you see.

"coming up to traffic lights, check behind me, oh semi trailer, note don't brake too suddenly if the lights go green, approaching lights, still green, watch out for cars turning across my path, quick look for red ligh runners, no pedestrians, ok  throttle through"


it works a treat and keeps your mind actively scanning for hazards.

If you can see a hazard you have helped put the odds further in your favour that you can avoid them harming you.

Also, good advice, you must take the precautions that other motorists will make mistakes. Your choice,  be in the right and dead, or swallow some pride back off and ride 

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[3

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[e

[Teecegirl]

I think we were all nervous, especially those of us who started riding later in life.  For me, what has kept me safe is to always obey the traffic signs and ALWAYS drive defensively, not offensively.  If you are screaming down the highway at 100 mph, a car can change lanes, not even seeing you, and you are toast.  Stay with the flow of traffic and just be careful.  Always wear protective gear, a jacket with pads is best, no matter how tempting it is to jump on the bike in a t-shirt.  Consider putting a loud exhaust on your bike so that cars will hear you (hopefully).  I'm saving for an exhaust myself.  Also, when you do get out there, take it slow.  Don't immediately hit the highway.  Get used to smaller roads first before you hit the highway.  Increase your skills gradually.  And PRACTICE!  That's important ... try to ride at least once or twice a week.  Good luck!