another newbie with issues

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batsheep · #1 Unread post by **batsheep** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:53 pm

I am looking for help advice. I am 51 learning or trying to learn how to ride a 883 sporster.. I went to the msf course with absolutely ero knowledge and later found out they did not have time to deal with that soert of newbie and three of us failed. none of us ever even started a bike . I took one private lesson and he tried to tell me what I missed but could tell what teachers I had and bad habits they let go. Mind you during the course my bike would keep dying not stall just cut out and i spent more time trying to keep the thing running. The new instructor knew the bike and said it was a p. o. s. anyway so here i am backwards. I dropped my bike attempting a left turn from a stop sihn. I landed on the far right up a curb and fell over.
today i nearly duplicated the same ran wide to the right during left turn from a dead stop hit the grass and somehow kept it upright but faced the road sideways. and yes when this happens i clamped on the throttle like a cat with it's clws out. What is my problem. I think I picked my feet up in time. [halfway through the turn].....also ever since I bought the bike some one close to be gives me a daily ration of my ignorance , stupidity that i am inadequate, will never learn etc etc . plaese help I realy need it ... He has shot down all my confidence and I did not tell him I dropped the bike. My drive way comes out onto the most dangerous part of a wicked set of S turns and I need to be confident and compitent thank you so much

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:27 pm

Hi, I'm John. I'm 53 and live in Kansas City Kansas. What part of the world do you inhabit?
You might want to try taking the MSF course again, but leave your Sportster at home and ride one of their bikes.
Don't even tell them you own a bike, just say your thinking about buying one.
It is their job to teach you to ride a bike!
Try the Riders Edge course that Harley offers.

MTexile · #3 Unread post by **MTexile** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:28 pm

Agree w/Johnj, also find another msf course in the area. Whoever your instructor was hs/she is a poor one. Of the 14 people in my class, I'd guess 8-10 had never ridden before, and 10 of us passed the class. Was he teaching alone? We had 2 teaching us the 1st day, 3 the 2nd and testing us.

#4 Unread post by **MZ33** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:52 am

Sounds like you're having a rough time. I have a girlfriend who took a lot of heat from her motorcycling friends because her learning curve wasn't moving at the pace they thought it would/should be. So she & I practice in parking lots together. She is retaking the MSF course as a refresher this spring.

Riding isn't automatic--it takes practice. People who learned a long time ago don't always remember this. Clearly, I wouldn't look to your "close person" for any kind of support or assistance. You are going to have to "ride your own ride" on a number of fronts.

A good instructor is patient, and has specific ways to help you begin to acquire the skill set you need. I think Harley's Rider's Edge might really be a good idea. A lot of HD dealerships also have "Women's Night" or women rider groups--perhaps you could look into those for support.

Lion_Lady · #5 Unread post by **Lion_Lady** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:28 am

Unfortunately, not all instructors "get it" about teaching total never-never newbies. But, on the other hand, some students simply need more time than is built into the BRC to get started. It is not uncommon for people to take the Basic Riders Course more than once.

You're trying to learn on a heavy beast of a motorcycle. Especially at your age (I'll be 50 before too long). No doubt there's a tiny bit of fear of getting hurt influencing your learning curve.

You might see if you can borrow or buy a Honda Rebel 250 to learn on. I promise that practicing on a small motorcycle that weighs just over 300 pounds will be a whole lot easier and more fun than struggling with your sporty.

Where are you located?

P

NancyP · #6 Unread post by **NancyP** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:08 am

Hey batsheep,

Totally agree with what everyone said here - find another course/instructor, if you can, and use one of their bikes. Just wanted to add that a Sporty is also very "top" heavy and sometimes can be a little difficult - I know (been there, done that). I now ride an '03 Harley Dyna - a heavier and more powerful bike, but a much, much better ride.

I took the course many years ago (I'll be 48 ) and the instructors were absolutely fantastic - even to us "newbies". Out of a class of 15 or so, I believe only 2 failed.

Take your time - you'll get there - at your own pace. Oh, and have fun!

NancyP

dean owens · Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:22 pm

you've gotten great advice so far. i'll just add....

i'm not sure if all riders edge courses (the harley courses) are this way but we were told at the beginning of our course that if we walked away before we failed (if we thought we just weren't getting it) we could get one on one instruction from one of the harley instructors at a reduced rate and come back and take the riders edge course again for free. we did have one lady who walked on day two. and it was probably wise for her. i hope she took advantage of their offer. she wasn't incapable, but she needed more time and someone doing things one on one.

also, as has been mentioned, the harley dealers will usually have an all ladies class scheduled in every now and then. i don't know how that would be different, except that you'd be around a bunch of women. maybe they will take it slower. i don't know. but that could be an option.

good luck and be safe.

follow · #8 Unread post by **follow** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 3:41 pm

Ok I agree with most of what was said.
The HD ladies get together is called "Garage Sale", go to your local dealer and see if they do have one, what they do first is encourage the class, they may have a Chapter affiliated with them and have woman that may ride with you, of course they usually are someone who is someone that has been riding awhile and may be able to help you out, they generally are volunteers. But once again anothers riders course with some instructors that are more encouraging would behoove you, and yes use there bikes.
Now regaurding your sporty, the size is a good size the bike is appox 400lb, the issue would be alot of sportys are top heavy compared to other HD's, so use your head..turn it and turn to where you need to go. That instructor should have kept his opinion to himself about your bike, could he/she have made it any worse for you! What you ride is your business.
I personally love the sporty, it is very manueverable you just need a feel for this bike, find a parking lot and practice, and practice alot. By the way close friends are not a good idea to learn from.

Are you in the US, and if so what state, so I can give your old man a piece of my mind...just kidding, actually if your in my State, I wouldnt mind helping and I know of some great instructors.