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I'd argue a different approach to throttle roll on. You should be maintaining your throttle until you see your exit, once you see that then roll on the throttle. If you roll on from the get go and it ends up being a nasty decreasing radius turn or there's a herd of deer or gaggle of geese in your way, then your turn will get real ugly really fast.

Don't sweat it moose. I had the same exact problem when I first started out on my motorcycle.

I used to slow down at EVERY BEND, even if the road just swiveled like 25 degrees I'd slow down. Now I look back at that and kind of chuckle a bit as I take it at full speed.

The most important thing is confidence.

If you were in Jersey I'd offer to go riding with you for fun

Thanks for the replies everyone. Great tips here. I guess my problem is worrying about the cars behind me. I hate holding everyone up but I guess I should just focus on the road.

storysunfolding, I'll have to try that route soon. I can't do it this weekend as I'm going out of town, but I'll definitely check it out.

damooster wrote:I guess my problem is worrying about the cars behind me. I hate holding everyone up but I guess I should just focus on the road.

Don't make this mistake!

If someone is going to rear end you from behind then there is not much you can do about it imo. Always focus FORWARD. I was the same way you were constantly glancing into my side view mirrors to ensure that nobody was too close to me.

But for what? Was I going to go any faster if there was? No. So why look? Just to make myself nervous? Hell no, not anymore.

The only time I check my sides is when I see a dotted yellow line in the middle of the road or somewhere safe that I can pull over. I check to see if anyone is close and if they are I slow down and wave them on.

storysunfolding wrote:I'd argue a different approach to throttle roll on. You should be maintaining your throttle until you see your exit, once you see that then roll on the throttle. If you roll on from the get go and it ends up being a nasty decreasing radius turn or there's a herd of deer or gaggle of geese in your way, then your turn will get real ugly really fast.

I agree, use just enough throttle pressure to keep from slowing down, until you're sure the turn is opening up, not getting tighter.

Brackstone wrote:If someone is going to rear end you from behind then there is not much you can do about it imo. Always focus FORWARD.

Bureau of Traffic Safety stats quoted by David Hough show a tiny fraction of motorcycle fatalities come from being rear-ended. Play the odds, concentrate on what's ahead of you!

damooster wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone. Great tips here. I guess my problem is worrying about the cars behind me. I hate holding everyone up but I guess I should just focus on the road.

storysunfolding, I'll have to try that route soon. I can't do it this weekend as I'm going out of town, but I'll definitely check it out.

Let me know if you ever want to hit it up. I do both MSF and onroad instruction and can most likely help you work out whatever kinks you have going on.

I just looked in my owner's manual and noticed that it recommends I be in 6th gear at 28MPH. Does this mean I shouldn't even downshift when I enter the entrance ramp? I know lugging is a concern, but maybe the manual is on to something?

most owners manuals have horribly misguided shift guides. Your bike is going to be lugging on an on ramp at 26 mph.

damooster wrote:I just looked in my owner's manual and noticed that it recommends I be in 6th gear at 28MPH. Does this mean I shouldn't even downshift when I enter the entrance ramp? I know lugging is a concern, but maybe the manual is on to something?

6th gear at 28mph , learn your bike and you'll know what gear you should be in.

erbgottie wrote:6th gear at 28mph , learn your bike and you'll know what gear you should be in.

Hey, that's why I'm here asking questions: I'm trying to learn about my bike and motorcycling in general. I'm only asking a question because I this is how the owner's manual recommended I upshift and downshift.

Thanks.