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So, I have my Virago 250 for a couple of weeks and have been crusing up and down my small street practicing MSF stuff. Finally, I told myself to get off my street and hit the road. Friday I took her out for a few miles down into a quiet neighborhood street. This morning I went out for 20 miles into some more traffic (really only saw 2-3 cars - but that's traffic to me.) A couple of remarks:
1. I can't remember to cancel the turn signal (seems a common issue among newbies)
2. A few rough starts and dumped clutches, but no stalls.
3. Put my left foot down at a stop light on top of cardboard beer box, and promptly my left foot slipped out. Luckily, I noticed it before anyone saw!!
4. A squirrel ran right in front of me. Freaked me out a little, swerved some, but it ran off. I never touched my brakes. I think I should have been more prepared to brake.
And one question: Still having problems downshifting prior to turn. Is it OK to have the clutch in the friction zone during the turn if I am not sure my approach speed is adequate? I have been trying to have all the braking and shifting out of the way PRIOR to the lean, but are there other options?

Congrats!

I remember my first ride. It was a strange and wonderful mix of whiteknuckles and big grins!

Some suggestions (remember, these are only opinions, and opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one! ):

Turn signals aren't self cancelling. Get into a routine. Mine is now automatic. When I shift up between 2 and 3 (which means I'm likely out of the corner) I smack the cancel button a few times. Find a routine..

Watch your footing, especially in Spring (sand on roads). Check your anticipated stopping location 40 feet before the stop so you can identify problems and move over or choose a different stop location if needed.

Squirrels and little critters: Don't swerve. I am serious. Slow if its possible but continue straight on. They move or they get squashed. I don't want to squish one, but I am NOT going to wreck a $12,000 bike, loose three months income and incur $100,000 in medical bills because of a hyperactive rodent. If its raccoon size or larger I'll move, otherwise its a candidate for Road Pizza.

You DID you the right thing in one regard: You swerved but did not brake. You can brake. You can swerve. You cannot do both at the same time. Nice work!

I frequently see people have a hard time managing the Slow, Look, Press and Roll on curves. In many cases the issue frequently seems to be one of timing. Many novices wait too long (too close to the corner, or even in it) before braking. Then they are rushed and too far into the corner. In many cases they are trying to do too many things at once and screw it up.

My advice is this: "brake early, brake a lot". Literally. That is the 'chant' I give my students. I tell them to slow early - Start the braking, and finish it earlier. I have them start braking, downshift, ease out clutch, finish all braking and ease out clutch all BEFORE the actual start of the curve (while still on the straight away). All your speed management is done prior to the corner's actual start. Once the curve begins, you are left with Look, Press and Roll. Separating the tasks is MUCH easier when a rider is struggling with this sort of multitasking.

The risk in having the clutch in during the corner is the risk of a botched clutch 'release'. If you've misjudged your downshift and have selected a gear too low for your road speed, you can really rev the crap out of the engine (no real problem) and cause unintended engine braking mid corner(could be a big problem).

I've found that "brake early, brake a lot" is very effective with individuals having problems like the one you describe. If you are unsure of your approach speed, better to be a bit too slow than a bit too fast.

As you gain confidence and experience you will become more comfortable and proficient with the clutch, throttle, brakes and judgement. You'll be able to take all four tasks (slow, look, press, roll) and begin to sort of mash 'em together. You won't need to be so deliberate...

nnyrider.

Not much to add to what NNYrider posted, except most critters keep moving across the road, which is another reason to go straight. But since they don't ride motorcycles, they won't read this, so be ready Also when it comes to deer, where you see one crossing the road, there might be more behind the first one...

NNYrider wrote:Congrats!

I've found that "brake early, brake a lot" is very effective with individuals having problems like the one you describe. If you are unsure of your approach speed, better to be a bit too slow than a bit too fast.

As you gain confidence and experience you will become more comfortable and proficient with the clutch, throttle, brakes and judgement. You'll be able to take all four tasks (slow, look, press, roll) and begin to sort of mash 'em together. You won't need to be so deliberate...

nnyrider.

Thanks nnyrider. Great response. I will keep practicing!!

Forgetting to cancel your turn signal IMO is a big deal. Most riders I encounter dont use turn signals much and as a cager, when I see a rider with a signal on, it says to me that he is INTENT on turning. You'll find that you have significantly increased the chances of someone pulling out in front of you if you're cruising with that turn signal on. Get used to cancelling it or dont use it...

Judging corner entry speed is tough. Figuring out exactly where the bike is going to go, how fast it will turn, how fast it will fall into the turn are all components of cornering that are filling your head with indecision. Better to approach too slowly than too fast. Atleast for now. Make sure you're looking well into your turn and that you're slowing down enough that you're not freewheeling through the turn. The throttle should be used to stabilize the bike's suspection as early as possible. If the clutch is disengaged (squeezed in), that means you have NO control in the corner and that is dangerous. Get your speed sorted out before you start to turn.

I seem to cancel my turn signal on a pretty regular basis. Whenever I go through a major intersection I seem to hit it instinctively. I left it on once and I almost had someone turn left infront of me so I try to avoid it.

just finished my second 'solo' riding day - got my bike yesterday 02 volusia 800. i'm also struggling with the turn signal cancel - seems like i have my mind on so many other things...

but i like the idea of just hitting the cancel when you go thru an intersection as a habit... great idea!

Having a harder time with the 'press' in the turns than expected... my bike is much lower than the ones i learned on in the brc, and while i press (countersteer), i don't need to do it as much... or, it seems much more sensitive to my input than the other bikes i rode. so, trying to balance it out... any pointers would be welcome.

of course, the UP side of the lower bike is when I did CS and lean, it felt MUCH more solid.