New Rider....
Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:56 pm
been lurking for a few weeks =). Took the MSF course a few weeks ago with hubby. I had NEVER been on a bike - he has 15 years of experience but has not ridden for the last 10. He passed with flying colors - he is a very, very good rider. Let's just say...I passed (grin). I was extremely nervous and very hard on myself - it didn't help that I had never been on a bike and EVERYONE else in the class had riding experience - therefore I was behind just about everyone in the learning curve during the two day class. I think my real problem was the test - I hear the word "test" and I get nervous. To give myself some credit - I did the tests fine (except for that damned figure 8 u-turn) but I "anticipated" the quick stop several times - I stopped great but I let off the gas right before I hit the friggen cones. So frustrating - because I just couldn't make myself stop after the damned cones. That just about caused me to fail the entire class - just anticipating that stupid quick stop. So, the instructors passed me with a "go practice." Well that is exactly what I have been doing - I have a 600 VLX that I have lowered, put risers on and have a corbin seat on the way to push me forward a bit. I have been practicing (with the help of hubby) in a school parking lot. I also signed up for the Rider's Edge class - I will be doing the range classes next weekend. I have my endorsement - but hey any practice I can get in is good for me. At least this time I don't have to be nervous about passing 
. I can tell you that my bike feels 100 percent better since I lowered it and put the Phat II risers on - I can't wait for that seat to arrive! BTW - I am 5 foot 1 inch (barely) - so finding a bike that fits isn't easy. I sat on a Harley Softail Deluxe - good lord that thing feels like a tank!!! Also, I can't flat foot because the bike is so WIDE - not just the seat but the actual bike is just too wide for me to get those legs down comfortably - and with it being so heavy, it just didn't feel right. Maybe someday when I am a "real rider" 
. So far, my favorite time during practice is the turns - those are just downright fun! I know I am going slow and probably barely leaning - but heck it feels like I am going at least 50 and those pegs should be scraping 
.
Anyway, I really like this board - lots of nice people and very informative. I cannot wait to "hit the streets".
. I can tell you that my bike feels 100 percent better since I lowered it and put the Phat II risers on - I can't wait for that seat to arrive! BTW - I am 5 foot 1 inch (barely) - so finding a bike that fits isn't easy. I sat on a Harley Softail Deluxe - good lord that thing feels like a tank!!! Also, I can't flat foot because the bike is so WIDE - not just the seat but the actual bike is just too wide for me to get those legs down comfortably - and with it being so heavy, it just didn't feel right. Maybe someday when I am a "real rider" . So far, my favorite time during practice is the turns - those are just downright fun! I know I am going slow and probably barely leaning - but heck it feels like I am going at least 50 and those pegs should be scraping .Anyway, I really like this board - lots of nice people and very informative. I cannot wait to "hit the streets".
CYA'round.
