I just fell down from that instrument of satan!!!

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peter_jam · #1 Unread post by **peter_jam** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:43 am

Well, after a few weeks of begging, my dad finally agreed to let me move his bike a little bit. So yesterday, I started it, set it in 1st, and slowly released the cluth. So far, so good. After a few tries, I started accelerating a little bit, and I must say that it has a lot, a lot more power than what I thought (it's a Honda cx500 custom). Now I started driving around in circles (no cars around), and because of my clumsiness and since I'm still not used to the position of things, some times I slammed on the hand brake, or released the clutch in a second, or stuff like that. But a few minutes ago, after one of the so-mentioned "cluth mistakes" the bike wobbled, and then started going towards one side, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep it up, and down it went. Fortunately, nothing happened to me or the bike, but I'm scared like hell, my hands are literally still shaking, not to mention that I was in a car accident earlier today so that helps my nerves. I almost couldn't bring the bike back up, but my pride and stubborness kicked in and I managed to do it.
Anyway, I was told by some members of this forum that that particular bike was O.K. for learning, so, despite what you might have thought when you read the title of my post, I'm gonna keep trying, maybe not today, but come monday, you bet I will.
Maybe the fact that I'm going around in circles and not being able to change to 2nd gear because of the size of my learning space, and because it's not entirely flat, had to do something with my very first accident, but hey, who knows, maybe riding will be one of the greatest experiences of my life, so I'm not ready to give up yet.
You can find a picture of the bike in my previous thread:
viewtopic.php?p=157627&highlight=#157627

Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:53 am

I'd take the msf course or find some basic instruction before taking the msf. The idea with the msf is baby steps. rocking then walking the bike to get used to first, long straight lanes for practicing going to second/ stopping. Make sure at the very elast thatyou are giving yourself enough room

Logitech105 · Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:26 am

Hey, don't worry about it. You and millions of other just like you are going through the same thing. I can barely lift my sister bike which is an '81 cb400t. Once that beast of a bike leans over too much, it's very hard to get it back up. Also, Bikes are more stable at a higher speed. Be glad your first ride isn't a Goldwing. Just try to be more careful since you are using your dad's bike to learn on

oh and +1 to the msf.

Zagnut · #4 Unread post by **Zagnut** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:11 am

Little circles take a good amount of skill on any bike. That's probably not a good place to start. It takes a lot of skill to handle a bike in small spaces. Like Storysunfolding said, slow straight-aways in an open area with no traffic like a parking lot would probably be a better way to get aquainted with the bike. If you must turn, make it big wide turns...like the kind you could do in a parking lot...and make sure your dad is there to help and/or supervise.

Ian522 · #5 Unread post by **Ian522** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:35 am

Nice looking bike. Good thing your dad has crash bars, or else you could have done a number on the motor when you dropped the bike.

Take an MSF course.

Dragonhawk · Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:14 pm

As others have said, low-speed in tight-places is one of the hardest ways to ride a motorcycle. Any idiot can ride in a straight line at high speed. (As countless squiddy idiots prove everyday.) Take the MSF course. Remember not to get discouraged and don't be too hard on yourself. You were literally attempting one of the most difficult ways to ride, with zero experience. Dropping the bike is a forgone conclusion under those conditions.

2will · #7 Unread post by **2will** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:25 pm

do yourself a favor and take the msf's brc.

tip: a bike will want to tip in the direction the front wheel is pointed. remember that the next time you are struggling to keep a bike off the ground. straighten those bars and you will have a better chance of getting it centered again.

peter_jam · #8 Unread post by **peter_jam** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:53 pm

Thanks a lot for your replies. I don't know what an MSF is, but I'm guessing they're like bike lessons you need to take in order to get your license. I live in Mexico, and I don't think we have anything like that in here. But, I am almost sure that there are independent schools which can teach you how to ride in the proper places with the proper bikes. I'll look into that and see if I can get in one of those schools. I think that I should take the first lessons with a light bike, something like a cbr125 or anything similar, then continue learning with my dad's bike, since it's not a fast bike but it is quite heavy.

#9 Unread post by **9000white** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:08 pm

dont get discouraged by a drop in the yard.if you see it is going over just step off and let it go.dont end up under it trying to keep it up.had to let mine go this week in the rain it is called a walk off.

qwerty · #10 Unread post by **qwerty** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:08 pm

MSF is an acronym for Motorcycle Safety Foundation. BRC is an acronym for Basic Rider Course.

The MSF website in English is: http://www.msf-usa.org/

La positura neta en español es: http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?pa ... 1F91CD379E

I don't know if the BRC is available in Mexico, but you have other options. You can download videos and handbooks from the MSF site. Perhaps you could apply for a visa and take the BRC while visiting family in the U. S.?