Need a boost

[Vixxter]

Hi, there! I'm new to this forum and new to the world of motorcycles – well, new to driving them. My husband and I own a 2004 Harley Softail, but I have only been a passenger until now.

I am currently taking a motorcycle course, but am having some problems with my confidence. My problem is, that during the second day of parking-lot riding, I was getting flustered with trying to manage all the controls (I kept accidentally rolling on the throttle and had difficulty managing the clutch/throttle/brake thing) and the class was moving on to new maneuvers before I had mastered the previous ones. (I have no previous experience with bikes or even with driving a standard car.)

I finally got so overwhelmed, flustered and upset that I had to pull myself out of the class and sit on the sidelines, wondering whether I would ever be able to get through it all. This is, by far, the toughest skill I have ever had to learn.

To the instructors' credit, they were extremely patient and understanding. "Some flowers take longer to bloom than others," one of them reassured me. They allowed me to practise in a separate portion of the parking lot, where I was able to get a MUCH better grasp of the controls. The day ended with me wiping out on a curb (accidentally rolled on the throttle again and lost control of the bike), after which the instructor said, "Maybe we should call it a day." I am now behind in the class and am going to be taking some private lesson(s) until they determine that I am ready to re-join the course.

I am very tentative about getting back out there but am determined to see this through and get my motorcycle licence. I could use a little boost and wondered if anyone has stories they can share about their early experiences.

Vikki

[Mud]

Before you go out. Like tonight or something, go and ride a pedal bike. Start out fast, then start slowing down, and work on turns that way. The priniciple is basically the same. Just the motorcycle is a bit heavier.

[safety-boy]

Not sure if they did this, but one of the best things to start with is the friction-zone rock. Both feet on the ground. No throttle. Let the clutch out until it starts to pull, then pull it back in. Do this until you are used to where the friction-zone is, i.e. where the transmission becomes engaged.

Comfort with this will help in everything else. I still do this at lights or when I am pulling out into traffic, one to make sure my bike is in gear (OLD bike), and to get to the friction-zone so that when I am ready to go, I am ready to go.

I'll try to think of something on handling the controls... Gotta meet a colleague (work always gets in the way!).

--David

[Vixxter]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, we did cover the whole "friction zone" thing and I pretty much have the hang of starting and stopping smoothly (at least in a parking lot), although I'm still struggling somewhat with throttle control and tight turns (kept knocking over the pylons). I left off at the point where I was just learning to shift gears – I even did it cleanly a couple of times before I wiped out into the curb.

However, my experiences in getting there and my slowness compared to the rest of the class is what has left me flustered and somewhat tentative about getting out there again.

I think what I was looking for was reassurance that no matter how bad you are in the beginning (or think you are) that, if you just soldier on, you'll get there. I was hoping someone could share a similar story, where maybe they were at the point of quitting but they kept on going and can now ride confidently.

As for practising on a bicycle, I'm not sure how relevant that would be, since a motorcycle goes so much faster and I think that's partly why I'm so tenative.
When I said that I had no previous experience on a bike, I meant a dirt bike/motorcycle. I've had lots of experience on a bicycle, which is why I thought riding a motorcycle would be so much easier than it has been for me.

Any comments are appreciated.

Vikki

[safety-boy]

It can be very weird getting used to both hands and both feet being necessary. They say pilots take to motorcycles like crazy because they are used to it.

If you have gotten to the point where you can lift your feet, you are halfway there. That is quite possibly the scariest part of the whole thing. That first time can be extremely stressful. If the instructors can give you some time to just go straight for a while and get more comfortable, that would be great. Eventually you will want to shift gears, even if you are worried about. Once you do it, it will seem natural.

You have a big advantage having riden as a passenger. You know the feeling you get in turns, what it is like to lean, and possibly how unbelievable low you can. That is a hard thing for people to grasp, so you will have a real advantage when you get to that point.

It is really scary in some places, but think of how much better it will be to ride with your husband instead of behind him!

--David

On shifting gears (just some random thoughts).

If you can drive a stick, think of your left hand as your left foot in a car (it seems so backwards, but it is).

The easy part is that you don't have to remember a shift pattern beyond up and down. Chances are in your class you won't get out of second gear (maybe into third... is this the MSF, or a longer course?).

Another good thing is that if you forget to pull the clutch and you shift gears... it is not so big a deal. Sometimes it is not smooth, but sometimes you don't notice.

[obfg]

The secound day I tried riding a bike I fell off a the bottom of a slight slope on grass when trying to make a ninety degree turn. The bike was not running at the time. Later that same day I fell when getting off the bike and not putting the kick stand down. Several days later I went down when I applied front brake at walking speed in a parking lot. Since I have progressed to actually riding on the road I have had a couple of more incidents with the kick stand not holding the bike up. But other than being embarresed, no harm has been done. I just try to figure out what went wrong and avoid making the same mistake again ( obviously none to successfully).

I hope the above makes you feel less alone in your difficulties.

Focus on what you are doing right:
1) you are trying to improve your skill in something both you and your husband enjoy.

2) you are getting professional help ( instead of your husband which would only lead to divorce).

3) you are seeking advice and not giving up.

On a more practical vein, maybe ask your instructors about your hand position. Maybe its position is causing you to roll on the throttle when trying to apply the brake. Its just a thought.

Oh, one further example. Once out on the highways and byways, I thought I knew how to steer. I mean after all I was going around corners and curves wasn't I? I had read about counter steering and thought I was doing it. Well the first time I actually did it, well it was a eureka moment to say the least. And that is what will happen to you when the pieces fall into place.

Good luck.

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

Oh honey...I feel your frustration when I took the class in February I also had just been a passenger and had never driven stick. The first day was super overwhelming but I stuck it out and kept through it. To top it off I was the only girl and every one else there already knew how to ride. It was difficult to get used to using both hands and both feet at the same time. I had trouble remembering when NOT to let go of the clutch and rolling on the throttle by accident when coming to a quick stop . I remember seeing the instructor go through the course and thinking "How the heck am I supposed to do that?" I just got on the bike and did it. I finished the course, I passed the test and felt so happy that I stuck it out. That same day I bought my bike and began to practice.

It's hasent even been a month that I've been driving and I feel super comfortable on my own. I haven't ridden in alot of traffic or on the highway yet, but im okay with that. As I get better with techniques i'll move on.

The key is to PRACTICE on a bike that is fit for you. Keep practicing, keep reviewing the theory and techniques... they work, you just have to trust them. Look where you want to go, keep your head up, turn your head on turns, slow down just before turns and roll the throttle though the turn, always down shift when slowing down and/or coming to a stop, NEVER hit the brakes on a turn before straightning out the bike or you WILL drop it.

Good luck and hang in there, it will get easier and you'll actualy begin to enjoy it...!lol

[earwig]

Welcome to the forum... when I first learned how to ride I kept stalling the bike everytime I tried to take off from a stop. Finally after like 4 days of practicing I got the hang of it and felt confident to go out onto real streets which was probably a bad idea, my nerves got to me and even though I never stalled on my side street anymore, when I knew there were cars behind me waiting for me to take off I would stall the bike then panic as I heard he horns start honking...

Now that I have been riding a while thinking back on that I feel almost mentally challenged like "how the hell could I have not known how to do this?"

Anyway, maybe you can try to rent a bike and have your husband teach you in a parking lot or side street; you may feel more comfortable with him and also knowing there isn't a bunch of others there more advanced watching you. After you feel a little comfy with the controls maybe retake the class

[Vixxter]

Thanks, guys! That makes me feel so much better.

David, I'm way past the point in the class where we lift both feet off the ground and, yes, you're right, it was somewhat scary but a very cool feeling when I realized that I was actually driving a motorcycle, despite the relatively low speed.

When the instructor directed me to a separate portion of the parking lot after I pulled myself out of the class, he had me going around and around in a big circle, starting and stopping at certain points he had blocked off with pylons. This was VERY helpful to be able to practise on my own, and I did this for about two hours. I was gaining confidence in my abilities, including shifting into second gear, until I wiped out. I did progress a lot during that time, but I guess I'm scared about what comes next – shifting into higher gears, countersteering, getting out on the road, etc.

I live in Canada and I'm taking a 30-hour course (10 hours classroom, 10 hours practical and 10 hours of road rides.) I'm not sure what the MSF is. Is that something offered just in the States? I still have about three hours left of the practical, as well as all the road-ride hours. I have to first practise and pass the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST) before I can go on any of the road rides. That's kind of where I left off. We had just started getting into the MST stuff when I got overwhelmed by it all, but I can already do some of it, such as a slow ride using the clutch, counterbalancing, and the slalom through the pylons.

Thanks for your comments, too, "obfg." Thanks for pointing out the things that I'm doing right. I'll try to focus more on that because, a week ago, I didn't even know how to start a motorcycle, never mind being able to maneuver it around a parking lot.

As for the throttle, yes, the instructor as pointed out that my hand position is sometimes off and I have been trying to make the adjustment. But, with so much to think about, I guess I forget every once in awhile and then get surprised when the bike speeds up all of a sudden. That seems to be my biggest mental block at this point and one that I'm hoping I can overcome quickly.

I'm assuming that it all eventually comes together and it's not so mechanical in terms of having to think about every step you're doing. I look forward to my own "eureka" moment!

Vikki

[Vixxter]

As I was typing my response, "Sweet Tooth" and "Earwig" also responded and I wanted to thank you both as well. All your comments are REALLY helping me feel more self-assured about getting back out there.

My husband and I have actually started looking for a small, cheap, used bike for me to practise on, just like you said, Earwig. In fact, I told him that exact thing - that I would feel more comfortable just getting out in a parking lot with him and practising, practising, practising, especially now that I know the basics and some of the exercises I need to work on. I won't feel so much pressure to keep up with the rest of the class that way.

However, we agreed that I should try to complete the course, especially since the cost for the required Motorcycle Skills Test is covered in the program and the instructors are certified to do the assessment as part of the course. It means I won't have to make a separate appointment or pay a separate fee if I do it through them. So I'd like to at least get that far, even if I don't do the road rides with them.

The problem is that any of the private training I require is at an additional cost, so I don't want to go broke trying to get my licence. I'm going to go to my private lesson on Sunday and assess it from there.

But like I said, I am determined to get my licence, no matter how I go about it.

Vikki