License - check, MSF course - check, bike - check......

[RhadamYgg]

Grats on the bike, RhadamYgg! I just got a 07 Ninja 250 as well (first bike)! I haven't taken her out yet, but plan on it for this Saturday morning. I'm really excited =-)

It has been a lot of fun. At first I was concerned that I wouldn't become proficient enough to ride to get gas, but I rode out to the gas station last night with no problems. The pavement at the station wasn't slick at all, either so I wasn't worried (after I got there) about dropping the bike.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

i do u-turns fine in practice...never have had to do one out on the streets though...NJ doesn't like u-turns.

I've got wide streets in my development in NJ. Got cars on both sides of the street and doing the u-turns there.

On regular streets - I'd rather ride 5 miles than make a u-turn.

RhadamYgg

[Nibblet99]

i do u-turns fine in practice...never have had to do one out on the streets though...NJ doesn't like u-turns.

Kinda have to agree with that sentiment.

U-turns in a carpark are a great way of mastering the slow speed capabilities of your bike. However on a street I fundamentally believe they're one of the most dangerous things you can do on a bike.

At about the point you're perpendicular to the street you're taking up most of the road, and theres no fast escape route you can use - I have an intense dislike of situations where I have no easy escape route on the bike. I'd recommend against doing them in crowded areas or near junctions

[koji52]

i do u-turns fine in practice...never have had to do one out on the streets though...NJ doesn't like u-turns.

Kinda have to agree with that sentiment.

U-turns in a carpark are a great way of mastering the slow speed capabilities of your bike. However on a street I fundamentally believe they're one of the most dangerous things you can do on a bike.

At about the point you're perpendicular to the street you're taking up most of the road, and theres no fast escape route you can use - I have an intense dislike of situations where I have no easy escape route on the bike. I'd recommend against doing them in crowded areas or near junctions

Exactly. I think the fact that you're at one point perpendicular to the road, concentrating on making a tighter-than-usual 180 degree turn, looking where you're going rather than making sure no cars are coming to smash you really amplifies the danger. I agree with rhadam that i'd rather drive an extra 5 miles to use a jug handle to turn around than make a U-turn, especially when there's traffic around.

[Brackstone]

I must be crazy cause I flip dogs (that's jersey slang for u-turns) all the time

[RhadamYgg]

I must be crazy cause I flip dogs (that's jersey slang for u-turns) all the time

Well, from an experience one of my friends had - I just don't like it except in my neighborhood when most people aren't on the street.

He was drunk (that's bad already) and he's driving home one night. This guy in front of him pulls a u-turn right in front of him.

Blammo. Nobody hurt.

Turns out the guy in front of him was drunk off his "O Ring". But everyone got tested for alcohol and they both got DUI's.

I've seen other people doing u-turns - in just strange places and strange ways - and while I actually think it is more dangerous for cars (longer time perpendicular to the road) - I don't like them except in rare cases.

Oh, and yeah, Brackstone is crazy... So, is everyone riding a motorcycle in NJ.

RhadamYgg

[MZ33]

I haven't used u-turns for traffic, but it has been helpful turning around in some parking lots and driveways.

Today was when I really appreciated the clutch-control gained from the u-turns. Time and again, I was crawling through traffic at stoplights, just before stoplights, on slinky turns. I was actually glad we had practiced the damn box so much.

[MZ33]

Aprilia Shiver 750 (Weee!)
2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250cc (sold)

Hey, did Brackstone get a new bike? Hey, Everyone, Brackstone got a new bike!!

:jump::clapping:

I read a review on the Shiver--sounds wonderful.
Congrats!

[RhadamYgg]

Aprilia Shiver 750 (Weee!)
2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250cc (sold)

Hey, did Brackstone get a new bike? Hey, Everyone, Brackstone got a new bike!!

:jump::clapping:

I read a review on the Shiver--sounds wonderful.
Congrats!

Its sweet, too, I can't wait to see it in person.

RhadamYgg