My New Honda Shadow VLX - Diary of a 1st Time Rider: Day One

[kyosashadow]

I was really excited about getting on my bike for the first time ever this morning. Admittedly, as a first time rider, it was still a bit intimadating. I kept having these visions of falling over, tipping over the bike or skidding to my first stop....without my bike.

Needless to say, I uncovered her, started her up and just sat there for a while to get the feel of it and take it all in. Sure is nice to be a motorcycle owner.

Since I'm not properly lisenced yet, I'm limited to practicing in the confines of my neighborhood, which is fortunately pretty private, and I know a lot of the residents too. One of these residents is an ex-biker who lives down the street from me, who saw my new beast and came over to coach me through my first take off. Now it's been a while since I last drove a standard vehicle, so he had some explaining to do so that I wouldn't pop the clutch too fast (or anything else stupid, for that matter). After some careful instruction I took off down the road on my own - helmet, long sleeve shirt, jeans and gloves on, of course.

Specifically today, I practiced going through the gears smoothly, braking, downshifting, and starting straight line, to the left and to the right. Because I have a rather large neighborhood I got to practice turns to either side too.

All in all, it was a very productive day. I felt a lot more comfortable about getting on the bike after about 3 hours of riding around (making me look really weird to all the neighbors). I think the most difficulty I had today was getting the freaking gas cap back on after I put some gas in at the station in front of my neighborhood. I even got a sincere compliment from a Harley Sportster rider on how clean my bike was. By the end of the day, taking off in all directions was getting pretty easy....but not overconfident. I'm going to continue to practice turns and running through the gears though. Still not smooth enough for my taste, but by the end of my practice session my grin factor had gone up 100%

Countdown to the 1st weekend of June - when I'll take my MSF class. I'll report back again soon. I WILL NOT be taking this bike out on the road until after I've taken the class and passed my endorsement. Until then, I'm limiting myself to a little extra practice around my house just to get a jump on things. Fortunately, I have two additional friends that are proving to be excellent coaches.

Going to get "Proficient Motorcycling" tonight....just got done with "Motorcycles for Dummies".

[iwannadie]

i know its hard to have a bike and not get on it and want to learn. but something to think about while your doing this before you take your riding course.

you might end up learning some bad habbits that will make the course more difficult, or just end up making you a bad rider in the end. some times when you learn stuff on your own or from other people you learn the wrong way and is a real pain to unlearn those bad habbits. especially in a short time during your riding course. worst part is you dont realize your doing it wrong untill your at the course.

im my course there was alot of dirt riders and people that have been riding with no license for a while. all them had some sort of bad habbit the instructors had to try and break them of in just 2-5days. even really small stuff like actually getting on the bike has a proper method and they will get after you about if you are doing it wrong.

oh and the vtx is a nice bike a buddy of mine just bought an 05 and they look dam smooth

[kyosashadow]

Yeah - I thought about that....that's why I've been powering down learner's books too. "Proficient Motorcycling" has been recommended by too many folks for me to pass up, so I'm getting that one tonight.

I don't want to pick up any bad habits, so I'm keeping myself limited to the basics.

[stock28]

I would suggest you wait for the class as well. Bad habits are hard to break. Also, you don't have a motorcylce endorsement. I know you said you are staying in your subdivision, but it is still a roadway. I'm guessing the bike is not insured yet either? Think of the possibility of an accident. What if you injury someone or thier property. Without a license, you could have a big problem. A couple weeks is not that long.

[kyosashadow]

Yes - it's insured.

[iwannadie]

might want to read the many pages of fine print on your policy. from my exp any vehicle insurance is only valid long as you are licensed and the vehicle is registerd. other wise you void your insurance policy and they arent not obligated to cover you...

Yes - it's insured.

[Telesque]

Congrats on the new bike, and kudos for taking the extra classes!

I was in the same situation as yourself not to long ago, and every bit of understanding how a bike works/feels helps you out, and usually very quickly.

-

Out here, you need to have any vehicle registered before you can insure it, and even then, 'uninsured motorist' is usually part of the standard coverage. But still, there's no need to go out and do anything that would get the insurance companies involved if you can help it.