Shifting

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deedee1 · #1 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:42 am

Ok I know I have asked about this before but hereit goes again.

I have been riding more with hubby and have started venturing further out. I am shifting smoothly from first to about fourth gear but once I am up to where i need to shift to fifth and sixth gear I noticed I a letting the bike slow too much or not giving it enough throttle when letting off the clutch. I have noticed its worse when we are riding a new area or there is a car behind us and i get a bit nervous.

How long did it take you all to get to shifitng smoothly and not get so nervous when there is a car behind you?

I have had two jerks mess with me the first one stopped when he realised hubby was there. The second was right on me when I was coming to a stop and almost hit me from behind and then glared at hubby who then took off after him lol. I know that this is common and it has made me more nervous around traffic that is behind me. I know this has added to my nervousness and I am slowly getting more confidence.

Hubby is always telling me to keep up with him so he can "protect" me from idiots lik ethat but wiht the shifting not going smoothly yet. Its a bit hard until I get up to speed and am done shifting.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

#2 Unread post by **Wrider** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:46 am

First of all... All you gotta do is give them a glare... all women have one! lol But if that doesn't work, do what my friend does, act like you're reaching for something...
lol
Wrider

deedee1 · #3 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:51 am

LOL...I did give the guy the finger after i got turned around. Hubby was so mad!!! I had my blinker on was coming to a stop sign and was using my rear brake (which I forge sometimes) I wonder if they could see my glare through my visor hmmm. funny thing is hubby was reving his bike and glaring at the guy ( hubby wears a skid lid so no prob seeing his face) And the guy still stayed right on my rear. I have heard about riders carrying hammers..........LOL

have a great on and ride safe
Deedee

CNF2002 · #4 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:58 am

Drivers are impatient jerks! The whole lot of them. When I was first riding, I once stalled out going up from a stoplight and the lady behind me freaked out. When I started going again, she just couldn't bear to be behind me (I only stalled once mind you) and raced by me, in my own lane. I met her at the next stoplight and honked and waved at her but she ignored me. These are the same people who complain about everyone else's driving habits. Me? I try everday to consciously be courteous and patient on the road. If we all took a little personal responsibility the roads would be a nicer and safer place.

deedee1 · #5 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:17 am

I can agree with that. It would be much nicer. I stalled mine out yesterday when i was making a left hand turn at a stop sign. The guy wanting to make a right just laughed and said you'll be doing wheelies in no time before he took off. I laughed and hubby was telling me give it more gas when you go don't let the clutch out so quick ( I was nervous new road i have never ridden on only driven on)

have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

#6 Unread post by **Wrider** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:51 am

I did the exact same thing when I was learning how to drive a stick... '92 Isuzu pickup (actual model name)... I stalled out a lot since the stupid thing barely broke triple digit horsepower numbers for a 3000 lb machine! lol And yeah, you'll do fine, just don't be so nervous, that's what usually gets you... Also, just concentrate on relaxing your shoulders, the rest of your body and your mind will follow, allowing you to ride more smoothly and with less mistakes...
Wrider

deedee1 · #7 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:00 am

I am hoping that after I take the msf course I will have more confidence and things will go smoother. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. And everytime we go ride we go around the block a few times first to get me back into teh right frame of mind its just the new stiff that gets me and the jerk cagers lol. I think most of it is because I am a new rider and not sure what to do if a situation arises that I don;t know how to get out of. Hubby says stay with me I can protect you as long as you are with me. He said thats why he rides to the left of me or a little behind me when a car comes up behind us. I will Making the same mistakes.

have a great on and ride safe
Deedee

Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:43 am

I know it can be tough but just relax and keep on practising. You are doing fine I'm sure. Maybe have hubby behind you for a change to make you guys more visible and so there's not cars on your a$$ to bother you. Of course, then you will have to try to maintain a decent road speed too but maybe try that if you are comfy with it. Remember to stay in the power band of your bike as you shift into higher gears in case you find you suddenly need the power for a situation. Also, the 250 is pretty forgiving so you can lay on the throttle harder on starts and shifts. Just remember to EASE off the clutch though.

deedee1 · #9 Unread post by **deedee1** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:46 am

Yeah I have a problem with easing off the clutch lol. Maybe I will have hubby let me take the "lead' so i can feel a bit more comfortable. i was thinking of going out today by myself just up and down my street to practice a bit without having to worry about keeping up with hubby and to practice my shifting a bit.

What do you think?

Have a great one and ride safe
Deedee

Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:52 am

Always good to get as much practise in as you can, doesn't hurt. Especially since the course doesn't get you to normal road speeds. Once you get through your course, you can practice the slow speed stuff with your 250. When I was at a reasonable road speed, one of the best things I did was go on a few rides with a new friend and he had me lead so that I could set the pace. It was confidence building because I'd had a cager problem earlier in the month and just knowing he was there watching my back helped immensely. That isn't to say I didn't pay attention to what was still behind me but it sure helped.

Oh yeah - if you dump the clutch on the Ninja, its pretty forgiving