Need a boost

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Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:42 pm

You can learn more about the MSF by clicking on the link in my signature. The course you're taking is definitely longer. You'll get the hang of it. Just stick with it! Having never driven a stick was definitely a disadvantage but, it sounds like you're progressing. The only riding I've done was during the 2 riding days of my MSF course last August so, I can definitely relate to your "jitters". I get a little nervous each time I think about buying a bike in a few months. But, I also get excited. If you're only nervous and not excited at all about the prospect, there's a problem.

Good Luck!

SuperRookie · Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:36 am

Welcome to the forums! Stick with it Vixx...Rome wasn't built in a day. It's all repetition. I know someone that put over 400 miles on their bike in the parking lot practicing BEFORE feeling comfortable enough to hit the street.

Also, I think, when you're going through the excercises, take a moment to notice if you are "tense"... Relax.

Vixxter · #13 Unread post by **Vixxter** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:37 am

Yes, despite my anxiety/nervousness, I'm extremely excited about learning to ride and conquering this challenge! So that IS a good thing. It seems like the only thing I have thought about all week, even in my dreams, is motorcycles. I keep visualizing the process of operating the bike - finding the friction zone on the clutch, turning the throttle, braking, shifting gears, etc. Ijavascript:emoticon(':shock:')'m afraid that if I don't "practise" it in my mind, I'll forget how to do it all when I get back on the bike.

Even when I'm driving my car, I practise motorcycle skills like looking where I want to go, watching for hazards in the road, and leaning my body the right way to counterbalance or countersteer. It's always on my mind, so I'm hoping some of it actually sticks!

There's no way that I won't get this done because I'm too excited about the final outcome. I'm even looking forward to my private lesson on Sunday just so I can get back out on the bike.

Thanks for all your support!

Vikki

Fri Mar 24, 2006 10:09 am

Vixxter wrote:
Even when I'm driving my car, I practise motorcycle skills like looking where I want to go, watching for hazards in the road,

LOL....I also did that. Now every time I drive I think...okay how would I have handled that on a bike..

You see you're not alone...!

coyote · #15 Unread post by **coyote** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:10 pm

A Softail sounds like a big bike to start on, I have taught a few friends to ride, and we used a Suzuki Savage 650, what a great all around beginner bike, and it has a low seat just to make it easy for shorter poeple, also you just let out the clutch, no gas needed, and it walked away.... But the soft tail should do the same.....

Wizzard · #16 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:56 am

1st off , welcome to the forums Vicki .
Sounds to me like you are worrying about too many things at once . Take them one step at a time . And if they have to be baby steps then so be it .
Hang in there and by the end of summer , you will wonder why this bugged you so much back in March .
Regards, Wizzard

Vixxter · #17 Unread post by **Vixxter** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:35 am

Coyote, I'm not starting on the Softail. That's my husband's bike and the one that I have ridden on as a passenger. No way that I could tackle that anytime soon, if at all. It's about 1500 cc. In my training, I'm using a Honda Rebel and a 250 is about as powerful as I can take for now.

Wizzard, you're right about the baby steps, although it is difficult to not think about so many things at once - you kind of have to, as a beginner, because you're not used to all the controls and it IS a lot to think about. Now that it is coming more together for me, I'm finding it easier to focus on one thing at a time.

Yes, I'm happy to report that it's becoming less mechanical for me and I have stopped worrying so much. I had a private lesson yesterday and I made some great progress:

1) I didn't accidentally roll on the throttle at all! (Throttle control was my biggest obstacle and I really focused on that yesterday.)

2) I didn't drop the bike once or wipe out into the curb!

3) I practised my gear-shifting (up to second and back down) and, by George, I think I've got it!

When I first started out, I thought it would be a lot easier than it has been, but I have now accepted that this is definitely a step-by-step process through which I need to focus on those "baby steps." I'm in no hurry because I know that, eventually, it will come together. A year will pass no matter what, but if I keep at this, a year from now I could be riding with confidence and skill!

I have a long way to go, but I've also made lots of progress, so I'm happy. I'll keep on motoring and I WILL do this!

Vikki

#18 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:33 pm

Vixxter, sounds like you're on the right track. A bit of one on one instruction is all it takes sometimes, to get you headed in the right direction.

Your comment about knocking down cones was something no one has made a response to. If it is still a problem, the solution is quite easy, don't look at the cones as you ride through them, look at the space between them. Where you look is where you go, and it starts with something that basic...

Good luck with your lessons and hope to see you out on the road sometime....

Aggroton · #19 Unread post by **Aggroton** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:38 am

[quote="Vixxter"]

Even when I'm driving my car, I practise motorcycle skills like looking where I want to go, watching for hazards in the road, and leaning my body the right way to counterbalance or countersteer. It's always on my mind, so I'm hoping some of it actually sticks!

[quote]

this is great practice. i still do it. and keep practicing. and the bigger and emptier the parking lot the better....malls are nice at night because they are well lit...and alot of them have roads built in. but keep it up!

Vixxter · #20 Unread post by **Vixxter** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:04 am

I think my problem with the pylons was more related to throttle control - as soon as I attemped to give it a little bit of gas in the turn, I'd give it too much and then my bike would take off WAY faster than I intended.

Now that I seem to be getting that issue under better control, I'm hoping to tackle the tight turning/pylon thing at my next lesson. My instructor said I'm doing really well with looking where I want to go, so I don't think that's the issue, although it could have been at the time. My instructor also said that I'll probably only need one or two more private lessons before I'm ready to get back in the class, so I'm really excited about that!

My husband and I are now on the lookout for a used bike (I like the Rebel) to purchase for me to practise on, as I'm realizing more and more how vital that is to my success. It's hard to progress when you're limited to using the bikes from the course and you can only get there once a week or so. So I'm really excited about that, too!

Vikki