Battling the new biker waddle.

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Craig7220 · Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:41 am

Have you taken the MSF course yet? Slow speed riding is a big part the the training. Time and practice is the best teacher though.

Fri Oct 07, 2005 5:24 am

... I definately started reading this thinking that someone had gotten saddle sore (think horses and the wild west).

Mag7C · #13 Unread post by **Mag7C** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:34 pm

I think it comes from experience. Just keep riding and eventually you'll be able to move along steadily at slower than walking speed without touching the ground. Funnily enough, I judge bikers' riding abilities based more on their heavy traffic handling skills than fast cornering or wheelies and the like.

Couple things that help: Don't use the front brake, do keep your head facing forward, leave 10 feet or so between you and the car in front at all times.

morkys · #14 Unread post by **morkys** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 2:42 pm

Thanx for the advice. I think the main thing is the fact that I'm still a little surprised I'm actually riding a motorcycle. I've always wanted to have a motorcycle since I was a teenager, and while I did ride mini-bikes and even owned an XL 250 15 years ago which I trail rode, I just feel weird on a motorcycle. I feel like everyone is watching me. I have actually held my balanced for a very long time on my mountain bike while waiting at intersections. I have fairly good balance, as I used to skate board, have been ownhill skiing and snowboarding and I mountain bike enough. Its mostly that I'm a little timid to try and balance at low speed, and when I try, the bike goes to one side. With the low seat-height and high pegs, it feels un-easy. I'll hit a parking lot tomorrow and start and stop for a good 15 or 20 minutes or until I feel confident.

Oh yeah, I took a course, but they had small bikes to learn on. I chose the tallest bike there, which was the one and only Yamaha TTR 225.

thanx for the advice folks,

morkys · #15 Unread post by **morkys** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:00 pm

Is it possible that the low seat height of this bike is making it a little harder to learn on? My knees are bordering on being as high or higher than my hips. I'm getting better, but I guess it takes practice. I don't recall it feeling like this when I rode a Ninja 250 or a GPZ 305.

ronboskz650sr · Fri Oct 14, 2005 2:06 pm

I just changed the seat on my bike. It's lower, not for easy of flatfooting or anything...just cafe' style. I feel like the lower seat is trying to make me duck walk, because my left foot hits the ground sooner at the stop light, and makes me feel like putting the other one down. I refuse to duck walk! Still, I said that because i think a lower seat might just do that, if you let it. I know mine is trying to. Gotta go feed my bike...

morkys · #17 Unread post by **morkys** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:40 am

Well, I sold my Virago 500. In order to get it to the buyer, I drove it from Ajax to Woodbridge, so I got to have a finally ride with it. I have improved my slow speed waddle...so to speak. Next street bike may be a Hawk 650 and/or a dirt bike dual-sport.

jmillheiser · Sun Oct 23, 2005 5:07 pm

I also find the low seat/high pegs of some cuisers to be weird. I prefer my feet under me when I ride not out in front of me.

morkys · #19 Unread post by **morkys** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:51 am

The bike was too low for me. Like I said, my feet were on the pegs such that my knees were almost higher than my hips.

#20 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:17 am

This has probably been mentioned before, but when you're stopping kep your eyes on the horizon. As soon as you glance down you'll start wobbling back and forth.

It's a tough idea to get used to, but you literally end up where you're looking unless you take extraordinary measures to avoid it.

So, chin up through the corners and when you're stopping, you'll be amazed what a difference it makes.