I'm a newbie rider

[blues2cruise]

Thank you for your help...........as i said right now the friction zone is way to loose so that will be the first step in fixing that problem, yes there are places i can go to just practice on so i guess i will go to one of them and keep practicing . I thank you for you time and input. Have a great weekend.

Thank you....you too.

When you are in the parking lot, you can practice slow speed riding which needs you to slip your clutch, use a bit of back brake and a bit of throttle.....it's a valuable skill to have when you get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Practice going walking speed.
You can practice fast ride and then emergency stop.....if you skid your back tire, you are using too much back brake.
The parking stall lines can be used to gauge your u-turns. Get used to your u-turns by starting a bit big and gradually making them smaller. And....do it in both directions. I'm quite good at left u-turns, but I am weak on the right ones.....I need to go practice that one.

And.....remind your friend we were all beginners at one time.

[goodies]

I think every bike is set up so different, there is a learning curve. I would do alot of practice time in parking lots, (industrial parks are great) until you are comfortable with yours. I rode standard/dual bikes growing up, my first street bike is a Honda Shadow. I have had to get used to riding with my legs extended, at first it was very awkward, now I prefer it. The handle bars are a different set up too. I have kept it in parking lots and limited to practice while I am adjusting and finishing my MSF this weekend.

Hang it there!!!

[redsunset33614]

Gosh your all so nice here, today i am going to spend most of my day in the school parking lot..........like i said i ahven't anyone to ride with and i am a go getter so to speak so thank you for your tips and i'll let you know later how my day went. i sometimes wonder if my bike is to big for me but then again i see other woman with small frames such as myself on these big road king bikes. i have the determination to do this and i will accomplish this and become a safe good rider like you all. thanks ever so much and have a great weekend.

[MZ33]

i sometimes wonder if my bike is to big for me

Maybe. I wouldn't want to start on one that big, but I know it has been done. My Vstar is 500 lbs when it isn't moving, and it was HUGE when I first started. It's perfect now. You don't want to manhandle your bike anyway, you want to balance it. Keep those handlebars squared up when you come to a stop, so it isn't leaning as it is stopping, otherwise the weight will make itself very apparent very quickly.

Give yourself a lot of time in the parking lot. Strive to become smooth and deft, as well as safe and competent. You can also talk to the HD guys about Rider's Edge, extra instruction, and the like. It's in their best interest to keep you safe and motivated to ride. You might look into the local chapter of Women On Wheels (WOW) in your area, too.

You seem to have great determination, and that will help a lot. Be safe, and you go, girl!

[ofblong]

plus you want to ride your bike not drive it. Driving a motorcycle = bad.

[Lion_Lady]

Not sure if I am replying to this correctly or not but here goes. I am a new rider (very new) I took the course passed with flying colors both written and skilled test.........I bought a harley 1200 custom sportster..... the sales man assured me it was the right bike for me so i trusted his word. he stated many of women start out on these bikes. I weigh 120lbs and i am 5'7 the bike fit me well but i ran into some complications. . .

I sometimes HATE salesmen!! 80% of them only see the $$$ in folk's hands when they walk thru the doors. A new rider has no business on a 670 pound motorcycle. I don't care how it "fits." While you're still learning the basics of getting around, the last thing you need to have to think about is, am I gonna drop it?

So glad you weren't hurt. I don't suppose there's any way you could borrow a smaller, lighter bike for a bit?

P

[MMO]

It's never too late. Enjoy!