I went through the noob thing pretty unaided, my posts from that time show my attitude towards riding. (It wasn't a good attitude...)

Here are some lessons that I learned the hard way.

The road is unbelievably hard and abrasive:
Imagine the worst thing. Now get ready because it's going to be a lot worse than that.
But wait! You can make it a whole lot less bad! Get a full set up of gear, gloves helmet jacket and riding pants. Wear it. Period. You'll thank me if anything bad happens.

Stunts...
First: I do. I don't do them on open roads.
Second: No one thinks you're cool because you do them on the road.

Cold:
Bundle up, and prepare. Get warm gloves. After 10 minutes or so you get used to it.
Regardless: You've never, ever been this kind of cold before. It sucks.

Kickstand:
I haven't, but have seen people just forget to put it down.
Invisible kickstand maneuver = lame

Cagers:
Yes it is as it seems. They do not see you, or if they do they are about as bright as Ms. Spears.
Unfortunately they are in control of 4,000 - 6,000 Lbs of steel moving 65 mph. You cannot change this fact.
Behave accordingly.

Road Rage:
The cagers will do dumb things. Sooner or later one of these dumb things is bound to piss you off.
You have on your side: Acceleration and maneuverability.
They have: Weight, more weight, and more weight.
Again behave accordingly.                      (I only flip off people I can outrun.)

Being left behind by a faster group:
Turn around, go home. If the "leader" feels the need to show off by riding at a pace the WHOLE group (that means you too!) cannot maintain and feel comfortable then these are NOT the sort of people you need to be riding with. If you feel left out and are near Reno come ride with me, I don't leave anyone behind. (Unless that's the point of the outing.)

Waving:
Do it. Period. Scooters too. Yes I said scooters. Don't be a prick/Buddha Loves You. Engine size does not make the biker.
What if they don't wave back? So? Suck it up, some people are pricks, it happens. Don't get mad about it.



Do not ride over your head:

http://www.docwong.com/st-clinc/articles/jfredman.htm

Read, follow, live.

wear a ce-protected jacket AND PANTS!!!! if i'd been wearing actual riding pants when i laid it down rather than jeans, i wouldn't have a massive scar on my left knee...

and remember, mesh gets shreaded, cortec slides, but leather slows you down


just my $.02

Quote from: ledfingers on January 08, 2007, 03:10:55 AM
wear a ce-protected jacket AND PANTS!!!! if i'd been wearing actual riding pants when i laid it down rather than jeans, i wouldn't have a massive scar on my left knee...

and remember, mesh gets shreaded, cortec slides, but leather slows you down


just my $.02

Can't believe I left that out.

My left knee too... Ugh. I still limp. (Not physical, psychological. Got used to it now I still gimp...)

a good pair of hard/ sturdy motorcycle boots can mean the difference between badly spraining or even shattering you foot when it gets wedged under the bike... or a little bruise.

dont ask me how I know...


if you're really stubborn about wearing jeans at least wear knee armour under them. 90% of the time your knee hits the pavement 1st.

practically shredding your jeans & knee in slow motion...

surprisingly enough my jeans only had a small hole, but the area missing vast amounts of flesh was huge. I got lucky with only that and a broken pinky... (barend landed right on the base of my pinky.)

good thread.
I agree-jeans are not safety gear.

Quote from: ledfingers on January 09, 2007, 01:27:34 AM
surprisingly enough my jeans only had a small hole, but the area missing vast amounts of flesh was huge. I got lucky with only that and a broken pinky... (barend landed right on the base of my pinky.)

holy crap OUCH!!

+1 on the pants.
see my crash pics here:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=30468.0

hopefully it makes a few more people wear/buy good pants.