hit the twisties, rode the freeway, split a lane, etc?  I'm a new biker (MSF + about 3 days :lol: FRESH FISH!!!) and am feeling pretty comfortable on the bike, ridden in some short morning commute traffic, but I have stayed to back roads and avoided some of the higher-risk areas when possible.  As I said, I feel good but I do have to remind myself how new I am.  I feel like I could just throw it on the freeway no problem, and chances are I'd be okay, but I'd definitely like to gain more experience before I do just to be a bit safer.  I'm just curious how long people have waited to do some of those things, as well as their initial reactions to being on the bike, feeling comfortable in traffic, doing some of those other activities, and so on.

IMO, the freeway is one of the least dangerous places to take a bike.  No side traffic to worry about, or kids or dogs running out in front of you; everyone's going in the same direction, the curves aren't sharp, and there aren't a lot of speed and gear changes.

Lane splitting is not something to do with three days of experience under your belt.  You have to a) be willing to die and b) be really, really REALLY good at anticipating others, looking way ahead, and swerving.

Hell no!  I do NOT plan on lane splitting for a long time, if that wasn't clear from my first post.  Regardless of how comfortable I may feel I recognize that there is a false sense of security that often is there, and I will not give in to that.  Just want to make that clear.  

The scariest part of the freeway is thinking about it; riding is a breeze (literally, I suppose). I have only had my bike for 1,500 miles and I commute to work everyday on the freeway, which is about 20 miles each way, uphill and barefoot   .

It's really not bad. When you think you're ready, go for it. We don't know if you are or not, so you make the call.

Dave  

-hit the twisties
   approx 6 months

-rode the freeway
    approx 2 months

-split a lane
    approx 9 months

-feeling comfortable in traffic
    they're all out to get me...I'll always be wary of the others out there...I guess I became less *terrified* after about 4 to 6 months of riding

You sound as though you have a good head on your shoulders. Don't rush anything.  

pandy  

I hit the twisties within first 100 miles of riding.  and freeway within first 200 miles.  I took the twisties pretty cautiously.  Freeway riding is easy.  I prefer the freeway b/c of reasons mentioned in above posts.  

I have to admit though I did hit the twisties too early.  It had me sweating!!  but i made it through and came away being a better rider.  

Just take it slow.  

Oh and I wouldn't suggest splitting lanes.  There's so much that can go wrong when doing that.

I would suggest riding around your town when the roads are quiet to build up your confidence and control of the bike. When you feel ready, ride the twisty roads slowly and work on being smooth.  Do not worry about speed; it will come with time.

Do what you are comfortable with, take every opportunity to practice things like looking back, changing lanes, "U" turns, hill starts, it will build your confidence but always be aware that even the world's best biker, and it aint you or me, is the most vulnerable party in a traffic situation. Assume he/she has not seen you and proceed acordingly, you are allowed to use the horn if you are not sure!
Personally I tend to try and avoid big multi-lane highways simply because they are bloody boring.

Good thread.   I've been wondering the same things.

Quote from: pandy-hit the twisties
   approx 6 months

-rode the freeway
    approx 2 months

-split a lane
    approx 9 months

-feeling comfortable in traffic
    they're all out to get me...I'll always be wary of the others out there...I guess I became less *terrified* after about 4 to 6 months of riding

You sound as though you have a good head on your shoulders. Don't rush anything.  

pandy  

-rode the freeway
    approx first 100 miles, first few weeks.

-split a lane
    approx 1 month

-feeling comfortable in traffic
    approx 3 months.

Definitely take your time, we're all different. Work your way up slowly.
pablo-

...
been riding everyday since i bought the 2005 gs500F.
1st 600 miles I took back roads to get to work (15 miles away), after 1st service, i took freeway (able to go faster and keep up with traffic).

I feel comfortable with the bike since like 2 weeks ago. No more thinking about where the controls are, and no more looking down to see the position of my limbs (ocasionally a glance to the speedo).

I hit the twisty roads within 2 months.
I hit the freeway in 3 (due to permit restrictions).
Started splitting up to stoplights in 2.
Started splitting in general in 4.
Didn't really feel comfortable for about a year and half.
But, I didn't stop crashing, because I was still learning.
And, I'm still learning.
Sunday was a Doc Wong Riding Clinic where we practiced "Pivot Steering"; it's the second time I've taken this clinic and I felt all out of whack. I needed an adjustment. Not the bike. It wasn't the bike's fault I was up there.

Quote from: Mickey_D100...as well as their initial reactions to being on the bike, feeling comfortable in traffic, doing some of those other activities, and so on.

The most impressive thing to me was learning counter-steering. It made turning so easy! The second most was, 'Looking where you want to go'; it really works!

Quote from: Mickey_D100...as well as their initial reactions to being on the bike, feeling comfortable in traffic, doing some of those other activities, and so on.

Ooh, now it really hit me what you're asking...I was genuinely scared. Fearful. I breathed faster, my heart beat faster, my eyes were wide and absorbed everything. I was very aware of my own mortallity. I had told myself that it was like riding a bicycle. I was halfway correct.

I overcame that fear. I learned what the controls do. I learned what I could do with those controls. I learned what happens when you twist the throttle not enough, I learned what happens when you're not smooth with the clutch.

My timeline is a little goofy, because I bought the bike and rode with my permit for a month before the MSF. All the pre-MSF time was 50mph or less, the vast majority being 30mph parkways around our lakes and rivers in minneapolis.

Freeway: 1 month post MSF

Real Twisties: 3 months, ~2500 miles

Lane splitting: never, its illegal here.

Every time I feel 'comfortable' I do something stupid. Case in point: the geniuses at MnDOT built lots of offramps that merge with onramps, essential the far right lane is a free-for-all.  I was accelerating briskly from 35mph to highway speed as a car was decelerating to make the exit. I gave the bike a little too much gas, timed it all wrong, and nearly ended up in their trunk as they passed in front of me.

I agree that the freeway with the flow of traffic is about the safest place to ride (and one of the worst places to crash).  I rode around on back streets to practice shifting, braking, leaning, etc...  The freeway is just an extension of what you do on the street...  It's just at a faster speed.

As for the twisties...  Find some gentle ones...  Then work your way up...  Slowly.  Nothing worse than under-leaning yourself into some serious trouble!

Quote from: pandy-hit the twisties
   approx 6 months

-rode the freeway
    approx 2 months

-split a lane
    approx 9 months

-feeling comfortable in traffic
    they're all out to get me...I'll always be wary of the others out there...I guess I became less *terrified* after about 4 to 6 months of riding

For me.......

Twisties - About 3 months...
Freeway - About 1 week...
Split a lane - About a month (it's illegal here   but, there was a game and it was raining...  I really wanted to go home!).
Comfortable in traffic - NEVER!!!  Street traffic is the worst.