my hands are tingly from the vibration.  i think i need some dampers and heavier bar ends.   
I managed to stall it twice because of those damn uphill stop signs    and forgetting to downshift when pulling to a stop.   

but man, i couldn't imagine riding in a dense urban area.  areas with lots of intersections = the suck.  I took some small back roads on the way home to see if my friend was home and all those stop signs killed me. 

oh and also managed to tap the horn when canceling a turn signal.   

but it was a blast.  and I definitely do need those new tires.  these do not feel confidence inspiring on bumpy roads AT ALL.

got two biker waves too 

When i started riding 3 years ago , i was  a lil shakey , like if i saw a car coming up the road  ,at what u'd call a intersection id assume he'd cut me up or not see me and ram me in the side  i got a lil nervous ,
3 years later ,i have confidence , no worrys or fear , ill gladly knee down a roundabout , its like learning to walk for the first time  .,u dont stand up and run 100M , u start slow and build ur way up ,
Glad your enjoying yourself! 

Quote from: nazgulnarsil on July 30, 2007, 08:15:18 PM

my hands are tingly from the vibration.  i think i need some dampers and heavier bar ends.   
I managed to stall it twice because of those damn uphill stop signs    and forgetting to downshift when pulling to a stop.   

but man, i couldn't imagine riding in a dense urban area.  areas with lots of intersections = the suck.  I took some small back roads on the way home to see if my friend was home and all those stop signs killed me. 

oh and also managed to tap the horn when canceling a turn signal.   

but it was a blast.  and I definitely do need those new tires.  these do not feel confidence inspiring on bumpy roads AT ALL.

got two biker waves too 

-as the hand numbing goes, you might be gripping way to hard on the bars understandable since it was your first ride 
-I remember my first ride, i hated stop signs too, ride the clutch and give it throttle you will be fine, when in a hill us a little rear brake and when it starts wanting to go forward let off the rear break.
-i've done the horn thing several times, once today  , good thing you cant actualy hear the damn thing 

I grip the throttle slightly harder than the left side but both my hands felt fairly relaxed.
i was really REALLY conservative with lean angles being my first ride and having crap tires.  I can't wait to take the trip from my house over the mountain to the beach once i get some more experience.  no straight lines the whole way.

yeah i have the same "problem", my throttle hand is always the only thing getting numb since i grip it tighter. twisties are a lot of fun once you get the hand of it, rough asphalt patches still get to me on sharp turns    . ride safe 

Quote from: nazgulnarsil on July 30, 2007, 08:15:18 PM
and forgetting to downshift when pulling to a stop.   

I think this was the hardest thing for me on my first few rides.  Once or twice I was concentrating on braking and downshifting and I forgot to put my foot down.  I was able to catch myself before the bike leaned over too much, but it wasn't graceful! 

I'd suggest taking the MSF soon, if you haven't yet.  You'll have the advantange of being familiar with the controls and basics, so you can concentrate on actually riding.

One of the first times I rode on the street I did the same thing you did. I was riding my moms virago and I stalled at a light, I got all flustered and when I went to start it, I just layed on the horn. 

Quote from: nazgulnarsil on July 30, 2007, 08:15:18 PM
got two biker waves too 

Your description TOTALLY reminds me of my first experiences riding! I still hit the horn once in a while! 

+1 for the horn I haven't been riding long (since last summer) but it still happens to me, especially when I wanna do too many things at a time: brake, turn, put the signal on, look at the mirror, change gear    I think it's nothing to worry about the horn is quiet anyways....
I also remember my first steps on a bike It was tough!! I live in NEW YORK - queens - no back roads here  I had to get used to traffic from the first ride. It was kinda scarry but I'm still alive
cheers
KaMeL

When I first started riding I was all about the waves. I was almost offended when I didnt get one. Now I dont care

I live In SD and ride in traffic on the freeway and on city streets. its scary at first, but you get used to it