How long before I feel comfortable?

[NewGuy]

. . . but even the "smaller" Sportster is a lot of weight to hold up at a traffic light.

They are only about 550lbs dry weight. I know a rather petite lady who has been riding a Heritage Softail since they day she completed the MSF course. While I wouldn't recommend that as first bike, her size and the weight of that bike show it's nonsense to claim girls can't handle a bigger bike based solely on holding up the weight of the bike when stopped.

[TrueFaith]

No, I'm just saying that a new rider being nervous about riding isn't helped by a heavy bike. I almost opted for a 410lb. (dry weight) FZ6, but got a smaller bike because for one thing I thought it was too heavy for a 600. The R6 is like 80 lbs. lighter, but I don't like the riding position at all. I will be storing my bike in a shed about 300' from my driveway and I didn't relish the thought of dropping the $7000 FZ6 on it's side while walking it out to the street. I'm not worried about that at all with the 330 lb. 2008 Ninja 250R I just bought. I'm 6' and over 200lbs. and I know I'm not comfortable on a bike that weighs over 400lbs. just yet. I may never be - I've always preferred smaller sub-600cc machines.
I'm in no way saying that women cannot handle a big bike. That's utter nonsense. I'm simply stating that perhaps that 550lbs. is one more thing for ANY beginning rider to worry about. There are several posts on this forum from beginning riders (men and women) who worry about not planting their feet correctly at a stoplight and dropping their bikes.

[jmpodgorny]

THANKS FOR THE WELCOME! I definetely feel better reading this forum! Yes the bike is heavy, but HD doesn't have anything lighter and I couldn't ride with our HARLEY group on anything else!! Before stopping is when I am most nervous probably, I do feel my having to balance, and I might sound funny but I've been doing lots of core excercies to get stronger. My fear, I guess, is "hurting" MY bike. I was never nervous in class as it wasn't MY nice shiny new (to me) bike. I am ashamed to say I layed her down standing still in my drive way (within an hour of putting on my crash bars! Someone's looking out for me I guess). Anyway, I couldn't pull her back up when I leaned over to look at the gear shift! Silly girl! But I have been getting lots of experience with the wonderful folks who like to pull out right in front of me then panic and slam their brakes making me have to make quick decisions! But ignorance is BLISS, as I was 14 when I started driving (a stick no less) and I don't remember "learning" we just got in the car and went! I'll be out AGAIN 2day, lots of practice, cuz I'm aiming to go on a ride with our group to CAMBRIA at the end of April!!!

[oxbow1]

I know how you feel.I started riding last year at the ripe old age of 40.
I ride an older less expensive bike.
93 nighthawk 750
I'm 5' 10" 230 lbs and I feel like the bike is too heavy still.
I rode only about 300 miles last year and everyone of them I had the rookie death grip on the handle bars and my fingers would go numb.
when a car would get anywhere near me my pulse would rise.
Take your time, ride at your own pace.

[RC Fan]

No, I'm just saying that a new rider being nervous about riding isn't helped by a heavy bike. I almost opted for a 410lb. (dry weight) FZ6, but got a smaller bike because for one thing I thought it was too heavy for a 600. The R6 is like 80 lbs. lighter, but I don't like the riding position at all. I will be storing my bike in a shed about 300' from my driveway and I didn't relish the thought of dropping the $7000 FZ6 on it's side while walking it out to the street. I'm not worried about that at all with the 330 lb. 2008 Ninja 250R I just bought. I'm 6' and over 200lbs. and I know I'm not comfortable on a bike that weighs over 400lbs. just yet. I may never be - I've always preferred smaller sub-600cc machines.
I'm in no way saying that women cannot handle a big bike. That's utter nonsense. I'm simply stating that perhaps that 550lbs. is one more thing for ANY beginning rider to worry about. There are several posts on this forum from beginning riders (men and women) who worry about not planting their feet correctly at a stoplight and dropping their bikes.

I agree, I definitely find my bike too heavy too. My Bandit weighs about 483 lbs dry, and I don't see myself with a heavier bike ever. I think a lighter bike would be better.

And I've now been out on my bike 5 times in traffic (no freeway) and have had no incidents. But, damn I still am so nervous I always have to take a minute to stop and breath just to relax! My boyfriend doesn't understand it. Should I still be feeling this nervous or is it normal for new riders? How much practice is normal before feeling at least a lil comfortable. (I should mention when I'm done I feel great, but it starts all over again the next time I gear up)

My husband is the same way. I think guys are generally more confident.

As far as nerves, I think you will be nervous for a bit, but it will come in time. I am still nervous when I am gearing up, but once I get on the bike and get moving, it goes away. Keep practicing in an empty parking lot--that has helped me get more confident.

[Flting Duck]

And remember that when you do get comfortable and confident riding your bike that THAT is one of the most dangerous times. Be careful not to relax too much and let your guard down.

[Teek]

Nervous is normal except for stupid squidly types.

Everybody drops their bike at some point, usually in the driveway or parking it and catching a pantleg on the peg when their foot goes down! Crash bars are good.

Find a big empty lot as suggested and do a lot of circles and figure 8s and stopping and starting, so you can come to a stop smooothly and put your foot down smooothly. That will help with the slow stuff in traffic. You shouldn't really be learning in traffic.

I rode in my teens and 20s, and I just turned 51, and I am still nervous in traffic, because it's so heavy here and people are nuts! You need to be comfortable with the bike so you can practice your survival skills when on the road. I'm not worried about the bike or how I ride it, but the people in cars.

Guys sometimes just don't think (no offense to the guys here), mine was like that: Here's the motorcycle, just ride it. (Because he's such a good rider, that to him it's like walking, everyone knows how to walk, right? Without falling down?)

Heck, I'm tripping over my feet all the time, I move much better on two wheels!

[Grey Thumper]

But, damn I still am so nervous I always have to take a minute to stop and breath just to relax! My boyfriend doesn't understand it.

Yes the bike is heavy, but HD doesn't have anything lighter and I couldn't ride with our HARLEY group on anything else!!

Sorry to say this, but both your boyfriend and that group sound like jerks.

[IcyHound]

For a while. I would get on my bike and take a few deep breaths and focus myself. When I first started I'd find myself breathing fast and heavy by the time I reached the end of the driveway. It wasn't fear it was nerves because I was excited. I also rode every day until one day I was headed to work and realized that I was not uncomfortable. Everything had started to flow on an automatic level and I was enjoying myself even more then before.

[kvrider]

As everyone here stated the nerves will go away with time. I do agree with the posts that advise you to stay on road with less traffic for the time being. As for riding in groups. I would keep the the groups very small for now. Join your local HOG and talk with the saftey director and see if they have a group riding policy. I am from the east coast but recently spent 18 months on California's Central Coast. Cambria is beautiful! And the riding in that area is some of the best I have ever done. With that said... it is very easy to get caught up in the beautiful scenery and not concentrate on the riding basics. Ride safe and enjoy your trip!

PS there was a great bbq place on the side of the main drag. I can't recall the name but if anyone has taken a ride through Cambria they stop there. It has outdoor wood fired grills and seating and the food is great.