Never ridden a bike before 3 weeks ago, when I took the MSF course.

Found my bike Thursday afternoon.  Wasn't expecting to find it, I was just going to the shop to look at the 05 GS and the 500 Ninja.  But there he was!  A yellow 04, 900 miles.  Looks to have been dropped.  Has been keyed near headlight.  New tires.

Went back friday after work to pick it up.  New jacket in hand, I also picked out a new helmet (had a hand-me-down pos).  All I was missing was the giant sign over my head that said NOOB.

I rolled out on my GS...and into a line of opposing traffic.  

Once my heart started beating again, I pulled over.  I knew to expect more from the GS then from the little suzuki gz250 I rode in MSF, but dang.  I can't fathom gitting on a gixxer or something.

So I got the bike to a street with no traffic (industrial park) and did some starts and stops and turns.  Stalled it shifting into first like 5 times.  Almost hit a parked trailer.

Left the bike at hubby's office.  Dad will ride it home for me today, and there is a parking lot a block away to practice in.  I now have a huge new understanding of my LACK of skills (I thought i was hot sh1t on that 250!).  And I have a huge respect for all the people that hop on a friends bike and just learn to ride by busting off through town.

Besides all the moments of sheer terror, really, I had a great time.

Lookin' good!

After you ride for a while, take the MSF Advanced rider course.  Good stuff, enjoy it and be safe!

When I left MSF and went to test ride a used GS, I was completely intimidated, even just riding it around a parking lot.  It felt huge and heavy compared to the bikes at MSF.

I spent the first summer riding on city streets, mostly a path to and from work that went through neighborhoords.  I knew it well, since I had ridden it by bicycle for months.  Looking back, I probably would have had a bit more fun that first summer on an EX250.  But I'm pretty satisfied with the GS now.

...
there you go. you will be an experienced rider in no time.  

i can relate to your story. im a new rider myself and so far I have 945 miles on a 05 gs500F. im still standing  :lol:

I remember this feeling well....you'll be a veteran in no time. Enjoy!!!!!  

pandy  

Quote from: jen_ Besides all the moments of sheer terror, really, I had a great time.

Quote from: Mk1inCaliLookin' good!

After you ride for a while, take the MSF Advanced rider course.  Good stuff, enjoy it and be safe!

...and get some pants.  Congrats!  

And practice makes perfect - so ride all you can on back roads where there isn't a lot of traffic, just to get used to how the bike feels.  They do seem intimidating at first, but the more you use it, the more comfortable you get.

Oh, and you have excellent taste.  

...

Quote from: RoadstergalOh, and you have excellent taste.  

no! it's pink! ... oh, you mean the bike color, right?

and the fun just keeps coming over the years too. Congratulations on your new bike!

I'm a noob too.   I have never owned a street bike before.  I had atv's, rode some dirt bikes, rode some different street bikes, and lived on my bicycle growing up.  

I bought mine back in April I think and I'm at 2600 miles and still learning some little things.  I got my permit 30 minutes before I picked the bike up from the dealership .  My first trip out the road was funny, once I got out of town(very small town) I felt better.  I got back to town and rode for about an hour through the streets.  

Funny short story....First atv I ever rode was a heavily modified Banshee.  I was always the type to just jump in and do things.  

You did the right thing by pulling off jen...     That makes you less of a newb.  I envy your yellow GS...  I'd want a Nekid one though.

Nice jacket!  PINK!!!!

And...  RELAX!!!    You're gonna have sore shoulders.

Quote from: RVertigoNice jacket!  PINK!!!!

And...  RELAX!!!    You're gonna have sore shoulders.

Yay Pink!    I went with the brightest jacket I could find other than wearing an orange safety vest.

And yeah, everyone keeps telling me to relax my shoulders!

Anyways, I took the bike out on sunday and did some parking lot laps.  I feel a TON better on the bike now.

My father, a long time rider also had a great time on the GS.  He said the bike was a lot of fun and "just perfect" for me as a beginner.  His only (sort of) negative comment was that you have to shift a LOT.

Anyways, I love this bike!  It was such a bummer to drive the Jeep to work this morning!

Congratulations and welcome!

That jacket is GREAT!! And, that would be PERFECT! Perfect, meaning that it would go very well with my purple bike. What kind of jacket is that, and do they make it in mens?

One of the biggest helps in relaxing the shoulders (other than massage), is to pinch the tank with your knees, for leverage, to flex your back muscles to get your body weight off the handlebars (so you don't fight yourself when turning), and in turn you'll be able to relax your shoulders more.  Also, use your tricep (use one arm) to push the bar to turn (just 'palm' the bar with your other hand).

Hope this helps.

congrats on your new bike.  I'm new to bike scene myself.  Just take it easy first couple tries.  I laid my bike down 1st day I had it going 30 mph.  (no real damage to bike or myself - except my bruised ego).  Got back up and started riding again.  You'll get hang of it quick.  I've already logged 1,500 mi on my 96GS

I like the yellow color

Quote from: jen_... Anyways, I took the bike out on sunday and did some parking lot laps.  I feel a TON better on the bike now.

My father, a long time rider also had a great time on the GS.  He said the bike was a lot of fun and "just perfect" for me as a beginner.  His only (sort of) negative comment was that you have to shift a LOT.

Anyways, I love this bike!  It was such a bummer to drive the Jeep to work this morning!

I can still remember the butterflies I had taking mine on the road for the first time.  Did laps around the neighborhood at 30 MPH and thought I was flying.  Next was not letting traffic get to me and developing that spacial feel of what was all around me -- who was coming up on my left from behind, and watching out for those potential left-turners ready to cut in front of me.

Take your time to get to know the behavior of the bike -- the clutch feel & throttle, braking and the weight of the bike.  If shifting gets too annoying, there's always a taller front sprocket (more teeth) to help stretch the gears out some.   Frankly, I think it's a feature.  

Quote from: jen_It was such a bummer to drive the Jeep to work this morning!

HaHa I just posted about how i never want to drive my jeep again.  Spmething about 15 miles to the gallon turns me off.

Tell me about it.  Ford Exploder == 15 MPG.  I hate it for many many reasons, but I have to keep it for now...  In fact, I have to drive it tomorrow.   :x