Total Motorcycle Community Forums

On the way to work (I take the bus), I realized that I had forgotten my wallet. I had to go back home, but would miss my bus, so I figured - why not. Lets do it. So I hopped on the bike and headed out, and was doing good. I stalled once, but it was my fault, had smooth take-offs from stops the rest of the way, but halfway there I was getting jitters, thinking the bike was going to explode underneath me - but shockingly - I made it (I'm still getting it checked out this weekend) . I did run a red light (although not really) it turned red as I was passing the limit line and was like "Damnit", and I also forgot to turn my left-turn signal on, but it was the turn lane so. . .

But man - am I the only one driving the speed limit? Everyone seemed to be passing me, even though I was going at a "brisk" 35MPH on Broadway (which is a long busy street). I resisted the temptation to "match" their speeds beyond my comfort level, but I felt like a dick not keeping up or going as fast as those behind me wanted. But then I figure, better some guy doesnt get where he wants to with 5 seconds to spare versus me getting a ticket or my brains cooked in my helmet.

Anyway - exciting getting out there. Now to get back home. . .

Congrats on getting out there and doing it! It will get easier...... On secondary streets I stick pretty close to the limit due to not wanting tickets. On freeways, I'm usually in the left lane going a little faster than most traffic.

If people are pushing you to go faster than you want, sometimes it's best to just pull over if you can safely and let them go their merry way. Some people will tailgate you no matter how fast you go....

go with the flow of traffic in the city streets. It is MORE dangerous to be on a not very conspicious vehicle going much slower than other traffic.

Go a little faster or slower than the car next to you - stay the heck out of blind spots on mutli-lane roads. What I do on multilane roads is hang back out of a car's blind spot then give it a little gas to get up even with their front bumper - spending a minimal amount of time in their blind spot. I firmly believe that this tehcnique has saved me being taken out MANY times.

And remember to treat other motorcylces just like you do cars - careless idiots buy motorcycles too, not just cars. there's no guarantee that just because they are on a motorcycle that thye are looking for other motorcycleson the road.

You are the only one doing the speed limit. Also, they think motorcycles should be roaring by so they get mad when you don't. Ignore them, keep your safe distance, remember not to be so far they cut you off (not that they won't anyway) and enjoy.

All good tips I will take into account, and learn to integrate. The ride home was smoother, stalled twice but recovered quick (one time I forgot I was in Neutral - electric issue or something as the neutral light sometimes doesn't pop on), rode 3rd gear for majority of stretch, although 1st seemed fine especially when I saw a red light 5 seconds ahead of me after leaving one red light behind.

I think my biggest hangup is the fact that Im thinking, why bother to shift gears, speed up when 2 seconds later I'll need to clutch-downshit again? I guess ones the movement becomes smoother, as well as the reaction time, it wont be a problem, just instinct, but its semi-annoying at the moment. I think I was doing a pretty good job with traffic - there were multiple lanes and most folks behind me didn't pass (which was good on the ego). Now 35-40MPH doesn't seem so scary.

And I need to review my route at home cause I got lost, but not as bad as I got lost on the way to work.

You'll get more comfy out there. I'm sure there was a lot going on for a first ride out. I don't even like driving my truck in rush hour traffic! lol


That's good you stayed in your comfort level. I think that you will progress to where you'll be able to flow with the traffic (which is statistically much safer). You just had a lot on your plate this first time.

ANDS! wrote:On the way to work (I take the bus), I realized that I had forgotten my wallet. I had to go back home, but would miss my bus, so I figured - why not. Lets do it. So I hopped on the bike and headed out, and was doing good. I stalled once, but it was my fault, had smooth take-offs from stops the rest of the way, but halfway there I was getting jitters, thinking the bike was going to explode underneath me - but shockingly - I made it (I'm still getting it checked out this weekend) . I did run a red light (although not really) it turned red as I was passing the limit line and was like "Damnit", and I also forgot to turn my left-turn signal on, but it was the turn lane so. . .

But man - am I the only one driving the speed limit? Everyone seemed to be passing me, even though I was going at a "brisk" 35MPH on Broadway (which is a long busy street). I resisted the temptation to "match" their speeds beyond my comfort level, but I felt like a dick not keeping up or going as fast as those behind me wanted. But then I figure, better some guy doesnt get where he wants to with 5 seconds to spare versus me getting a ticket or my brains cooked in my helmet.

Anyway - exciting getting out there. Now to get back home. . .

I have that same problem, I tend to drive/ride a little bit over the speed limit but not excessively high. The reason is I'm paranoid of getting speeding tickets, I got my first ticket ever going 95mph (which oddly enough was slower than everyone else around me) he just happened to nab me because I was the closest/easiest to pull over. But long story short, I don't want to get tickets but I love to ride.

I remember my first ride in traffic....Alot of the same "problems" as yours. Like everyone else has said, it'll get easier. I've been riding a little over a month now, and I'm starting to get pretty comfortable, you will too.

In town, I drive the speed limit as the local cops are clocking everything insight as a general rule. When in doubt, ride the limit or lower.

Highway is different ball of wax. Most people seem to be a NASCAR/Indy/Superbike driver but without the skills. Just the foot. There are several different thoughts on this. Some major city interstates run 80 to 90 in a 65 zone with heavy traffic. I don't ride those but drive in a car at 75.

As I'm relearning as well, it all takes time and don't push your learning curve. As long as your making some progress and are having fun, that's all that matters. I have to remind myself of this, as I'm not were I want to be skill wise yet, but I'm making progress.