Doin' it all wrong! Now what?

[Mr. Invisible]

Ok, I got fed up with the gas prices and started looking into a motorcycle. I drive 20+ miles one way to work and get 20 mpg from my SUV. My choices were to trade in the SUV and get something like a Prius or keep it and get a motorcycle.

My first choice was the Honda Rebel. At 80mpg it looked really good. So I stopped in the local Honda dealer and asked. They are out of stock. He was pretty much saying that it was too small of a bike for what I wanted. Said it wouldn't last on the highway.

Long story short, I bought the Suzuki Boulevard M50. I know, first thing wrong. Buying before I take the MSF class. I also got a HJC full face flip-up helmet (i wear glasses) a Power-Trip armored mesh jacket, Castle perforated gloves, and Mil-Spec flourescent green/yellow and reflective vest. I work on an Army post.

The salesman took my out into the parking lot and started teaching me how to drive it. Very informative, but short lesson.

After maybe about ten minutes my clutch hand started cramping and I started killing the engine. Before that I was able to get it going, turn, shift, and stop.

We trailered the M50 and he towed it to my house, and I backed it safely in the garage. It was a good Bike day.

The next day I was going to drive it down the street to show it off. I got to the end of the driveway and waited till all the traffic cleared, and went to make a left turn. My balance wasn't keen, I had the clutch all the way let out, and put it in the ditch. There I was sitting on my bike in the bottom of the ditch still up right. Yea I didn't drop it. I called a friend to get my brand new bike out of the ditch. I knew that I didn't have the skills to get it out of the ditch, it was about a foot or so deep with steep sides.

I know now that the reason that I ditched it was I didn't know how to work the clutch. Also I am scared of the throttle on take-off because it is really touchy on the low end.

I am now practicing in my front yard. wide turns, left and right at about 5mph, and learning to feather the clutch to help with my balance. I have driven a car with a stick shift so my thinking has to change some. Slipping the clutch in a car, not good.

Also I have bought a grip exerciseor to strengthen both hands, and street tires for my mountain bike (pedal) to work on my balance, and help strengthen my legs.

Now for the question. What can/should I work on before the class? What can I do now to make it easier on me that I won't have to unlearn in the class?

[RockBottom]

You sound exactly like me.

I found this helpful http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorc ... 130&sr=8-1

[Dragonhawk]

What can/should I work on before the class? What can I do now to make it easier on me that I won't have to unlearn in the class?

Work on not riding the motorcycle at all until you pass the class.

Work on selling it and getting a smaller bike to start with.

Work on NOT listening to other replies which will tell you that your bike is fine to start with if you "respect the bike" and stupid remarks like that.

Remember, my friend - the worst part about asking for advice is getting the advice you don't want to hear.

[the_sandman_454]

Don't practice before class. First off, you could be training yourself to do things you won't be allowed to get away with in class (i.e. bad habits), and secondly, it's easier to not already be used to the particular clutch on your bike, since the one you'll use in the class will be quite a bit different.

I don't think the clutch control made you go into the ditch, not using the right steering technique and probably target fixation are what (probably)got you into the ditch.

Also, be rather careful with street tires on the grass. I ended up lowsiding my bike in my lawn when I ran out of traction while trying to turn around my barn a little fast on a downhill left turn. Of course in my case "a little fast" ended up being around 15-20mph with a turn that I should've known better than try that fast. So tempting though, but I digress.

I don't see where the M50 would be automatically too big as long as you understand what you're doing and do quite a bit of parking lot practice (after learning what to do at the MSF basic course). It's not like the individual is starting out on a race replica bike or anything.

[JungleJim]

Mr. Invisible,

I did the same exact thing, even bought the M50, though mine is a used one. The dealer rode it to my house and I practiced with the clutch in the driveway. The dealer I bought from covers the MSF course so I took that a week later and have been riding the M50 since. It was a little intimidating getting on the bigger M50 after riding the Rebel in class but I took it slow, cruising the community. As my confidence grew and I got the feel of the bike, I have really grown to enjoy it. That's not to say I haven't been nervous at times but I just have been taking my time and expanding my riding as I feel ready to move on to the next step. I have taken my wife out and been on the highways, next step will be the work commute.
For me, I haven't found the M50 too much for a starter bike and I'm not a big guy- 5'8" and 175. Just take the class, practice what you have learned on your bike and build on that at your comfort level.

[Wrider]

Work on NOT listening to other replies which will tell you that your bike is fine to start with if you "respect the bike" and stupid remarks like that.

I have to disagree with you here Dragonhawk. I started off on the Suzuki Volusia, the 01 version of this bike and learned just fine. I have proven to many that I can outride them on sportbikes and cruisers alike.

As for the OP, I suggest you not ride until you take the class. I think maybe you may need a smaller bike with a less stiff clutch. If you're cramping up after 10 minutes, there's no way you're going to be able to handle it in traffic.

Also, before you make another ride on the road, get your license for motorcycles. Most of the guys at my school don't have them and ride and I harp on them all the time about it. I also harp on them about gear and stuff too. I'm in the minority here but I try my best.
Wrider

[Ivan M]

I started on the 04 Volusia and it was a great bike to start on.

[storysunfolding]

I think the M50 is an ok first bike. Heavy but not much more than the vulcan 500

[Mr. Invisible]

As far as the clutch, I have that covered. I have been using the grip exorciseors, and can tell a big difference. They are the ones with the spring coiled from one handle to the other.

I also passed the written test for the Motorcycle permit so I can legally ride on the roads.

My biggest problem is that the road in front of my house is 55MPH rural route, and there are no parking lots vacant or otherwise for miles around. I will wait till after the class before I venture out to find some empty lots but it is not something that is readily available to me.

Can I do this? Yes I can. Retraining my mind to do different things that I know from the past is difficult, but not impossible. My clutch experience has been with a car so my instincts were to engage the clutch fully as soon as you can and use the throttle to adjust your speed. That is how I tried to start out with this bike.

[Lion_Lady]

I also passed the written test for the Motorcycle permit so I can legally ride on the roads.

Okay. I'm gonna ask... do you have your LEARNERS or your full license? I didn't think it was legal for a rider with just a learners permit to ride without a licensed rider shadowing them. At least in most states.

Please, until you've taken the course. Refrain from trying to teach yourself. You risk so much by doing this with no instruction. Especially given that you've already put your bike in a ditch, you're lucky you didn't end up trapped and injured on that first mishap. A new rider on another forum tried the same thing... ended up into a curb, tossing himself over the bars and injuring his back badly enough he had to give up the dream (not to mention the $$ lost on bike damage). It just isn't worth it.

What you don't realize (nor do others) is that by "teaching" yourself, you're making the BRC much tougher on yourself. The class is taught on 250cc bikes, generally, with different characteristics and personalities. Plus what you "think" you've figured out, may not be the correct way to do stuff... you'll have to UNlearn your way, before you learn the right way. Do you see what I'm saying here?

P