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New rider here with about 1100 miles of riding experience. I took the MSF course back in July and bought my Ninja 250 the following weekend. Most of my riding has been on the George Washington Byway in Northern Virginia because it was a straight shot to work and it allowed me to drive slow enough so as not to get away from the break in period recommendations (nothing over 6k RPM until 1k miles).

The problem with that is, it gave me no experience with sharp turns, particularly entrance/exit ramps to the interstate, or making right turns (this one on my work always gets me).

Last week was my first week riding the interstate, which was pretty scary for me considering the interstate I had to take. It's just outside of DC and for your northern Virginians, it's 395S to 95S. Anyways, I've gotten used to the wind and speed, but getting on and off the interstate is posing problems for me.

I know, from the MSF course, that I should "slow, look, lean, and roll" but it just seems like I'm going way to slow. I get to about 25-30MPH and that means the drivers behind me are getting pissed off and riding up my "O Ring" (today someone tried to pass me on the entrance ramp). On top of that, I seem to overshoot the back end of the curve and get dangerously close to the next lane.

I usually slow down and downshift to 3rd gear, look to where I want to go, start leaning and then wait until I'm halfway through the curve before I start to accelerate.

Any tips? Is this just something I'm going to have to get used to?

I think it's something you will catch onto after time, although some people may disagree. Just remember these cagers nowadays are crazy so you have to play a little defense but as a cyclist make the right decision. Good luck, James

I believe that with experience you will have more confidence and take turns faster. As for now I think that you should not care about those cagers, if you don't feel comfortable going faster, don't. It's better to be honked at by idiots in cars than be splattered on the road.

Good Luck!!

The Italian wrote:I believe that with experience you will have more confidence and take turns faster. As for now I think that you should not care about those cagers, if you don't feel comfortable going faster, don't. It's better to be honked at by idiots in cars than be splattered on the road.

Good Luck!!

the only problem is they really don't honk anymore, they just cut you off and that sucks even worse.

Well the only thing I can think of is trying on a race track. If you have the money, and time, train on a track. There you don't have cars honking at you and you can take turns faster in a relatively safer environment. at least you know that if you fall you have space to slide and slow down, and you don't have cars behind you that could run you over. For the rest my friend it's just experience, it will come with time

WE BELIEVE IN YOU!!!! good luck!

Large carpark maybe? Lots of relatively low speed practise of looking through the corner and opening her up.

There is no substitution for gaining confidence through practice

What you will also find as your confidence increases is that you will also dominate the road more and be 'pushed' around by other traffic less.

You're already happy riding the bike, once you're going... I'd just find a curvy backroad somewhere with little traffic.

Once you're happy with the bikes controls, without thinking, you'll most likely have a much easier time joining/exiting the interstate

head down to fountain head park. It's about 10 miles south of you off 95. Start on hampton road from ox and then take a left on henderson and a left on old yates ford. Once your done come back.

It's a great slow road with little traffic to work on cornering. I might be heading out there sunday morning.

Fountain head park here

Google map of the ride here

You said you wait until you are halfway through the corner before you start accelerating. You really should start rolling onto the throttle once you start the turn (after you have set it up by slowing, looking and starting your lean). This will increase your traction and should make the turn feel more comfortable. You don't need to accelerate hard, but you do need to add some speed that is being lost to the curve. I also think your problem of going wide is linked to rolling on the throttle so late in the turn.

If you can find places to practice that don't have the added stress of all the impatient cagers around, that would be very good.

Good luck and be safe.