OK I admit that I'm petrified to be on a bike

[niteman]

BTW, why'd you change your mind about the Ninja 250? I didn't fully understand that part.

Well, a couple of reasons really...
1. I didn't really like the looks of it, I kinda like the older standard bikes. Not so much expensive plastic and such and more what comes to mind when I think of a motorcycle I guess. They are great bikes with lots of praise and following, but it just doesn't click for me.
2. Price, even used around here they go for $2K and up for a decent dependable model. I wasn't having much luck finding a sound one for under $2.5K that I felt comfortable with. I didn't mind paying that, but...
3. I sat on one. It wasn't really comfortable for me.
4. Finally, I saw the '86 NHcb450sc on craigslist and liked the looks of it. After I went to see it, she was in great shape, mechanically sound, and the decision was made.

I might keep looking for an ex250 for my wife though, she sat on the NH and didn't care for it much.

[niteman]

Well, as I am just starting out myself I am certainly in no position to offer advice on technique or experience, I do like to read. So, here is what I have found informative and enjoyable:
- The Complet Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles - I am a complete idiot and I enjoyed it, decent stuff in there
- Motorcycling Excellence - an in depth readable MSF course basically
- More Proficient Motorcycling - definitely rec comended.
- Total Control - I have that on my to read list as well

 Maybe try some lighter reading on motorcycles to give your brain a rest. Some suggestions that are good reads but not all about mechanics and technique:
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Persig
- The Perfect Vehicle by Melissa Holbrook Pierson
- Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon
- Riding with Rilke by Ted Bishop

That is just a start. There seems to be quite a bit of info on riding. I personally think I just need to go out and get some practice before I keep filling my head with techniques that I might not come up against for a little while. Like me, you sound like you're taking it slow at the beginning. Personally, the more I think about technique, maintenance, hazards, etc...the more nervous I get about riding and don't even want to practice.

I think I've gone over my bike 20 times since i got it last Friday just checking and double checking then checking again...Worried that I missed a bolt torqued improperly or didn't check my chain right or on and on...
 

[Zugzug]

With all that reading going on don't forget to read thru the maintenance manual. 

[niteman]

With all that reading going on don't forget to read thru the maintenance manual.   

+1
forgot to mention that one...and the owner's manaul too

[RussellH]

Thanks Shaun. Going over a bike/car a few times is always a good thing. My bike definitely needs some work and I actually like tinkering with stuff.

Yeah I'm definitely taking it easy, I'm actually waiting to get my license before I go even to a parking lot to practice. I just have to take the written test to get my license since the riding requirement is waived here after you take the MSF class.

Thanks for the recommendations on the books. I do have 3 bike maintenance books so I'm covered there 

[niteman]

I'm waiting for my Clymers manual to get here in the mail so I can do some other things that need done. The tach cable is broken, need to do brake job, and new chain soon...I like tinkering with stuff too though, so I don't mind.

I got my license, just need practice now! Have fun and happy riding!  Good luck on your test

[BlackLabel82]

I think being a little scared makes you more aware when you first start riding.....You just need to always be sure and ride within your abilities, don't ride something in order to look "cool" - buy and ride something you feel good about and can handle ( I started on a 250...glad I did, I learned a lot...and don't let people tell you small bikes are "toys", you can get killed on a 125 just as quick as an 1800..do what feels right and don't worry about what other people say, you'll be glad you did when something does go wrong and you know how to handle it!)....., don't ride in bad conditions (rain, etc) if you lack experience, and don't ride in certain areas until you feel up to the task (Deal's Gap, etc). I still have moments that scare the hell out of me...lol...I would say everyone does on a bike from time to time....just try to be responsible and alert of what's going on around you (cars, curves, dogs!!!!) and  you'll build the confidence you need to overcome that initial "fear". Ride and have fun!!

Sorry if I sound like I'm ranting....I had 2 guys (1 on a Harley and 1 on an 1800 VTX) tell me that my 750 Nighthawk was a toy yesterday...."a lightweight"...lol....they were laughing until I left em' sitting at the light......When did 500 pound  bikes become "toys"? 

[Nitehock]

I just bought my bike 2 weeks ago, have yet to get out onto the street, still learning taking off in my driveway. Have many the same fears and experiences as Russell: put in anything with 4 wheels, and i'll control it better than most other drivers. I used to auto-cross (cars) and had some tremendous times with only marginally fast cars. But on 2 wheels I'm scared to death. This thread has been a great find for me. Thanks to all.

[JordanA]

Nitehock, you just have to practice.  I can't really say I know where you're coming from since I grew up riding dirk bikes, most of which were bigger than the nighthawk (size wise).

Look into an MSF course in your area.  It would benefit you greatly.

[Tryvelcro]

I'm a little scared of some situations... my biggest is blind curves... I mean, what if you come around to face something in your way?  It's probably the single biggest reason I'm slow through twisties, as much as I like to ride in them.

[niteman]

A good MSF course such as the extended ones, while a bit of a pain in the arse, are great for covering issues like blind curves, diminishing radius curves, debris or gravel in a turn, etc... For me, it basically reinforced the mindset of safe riding and hyper awareness that is needed when you ride.

Some scenarios cannot be practiced, only talked about or experienced. Talking about what to do in a situation such as encountering oncoming traffic through a blind curve, and retaining that info, is much better than experiencing the possible head on collision. Knowing what to do and how to handle situations through discussion, range practice, and then continued real world practice after the class, is what the MSF is all about.

[Bumblebee]

I'm a little scared of some situations... my biggest is blind curves... I mean, what if you come around to face something in your way?  It's probably the single biggest reason I'm slow through twisties, as much as I like to ride in them.

Cover your brakes, position in your lane for best visibility and never ride faster than you can see. If you can't stop before impact with a stationary object or an object going in the same direction you are, it's self inflicted and you get what you deserve.

[Tryvelcro]

My mind knows what I'm supposed to do, but that doesn't mean I don't fear it.  Less about a car in my lane than a deer, dog, etc., since those little beasts are unpredictable.

[niteman]

Dogs are certainly scary to run across while on a bike. Dogs have an incredible ingrained instinct to intuit the projected path and end point of an object in motion, and be able to intercept that object, i.e. - watch someone play frisbee with their dog. Many studies have been done on this.

There is a technique to use while on a motorcycle pertaining to a dog that is "chasing" you, or that is trying to intercept your bike along it's projected path. It plays on confusing the dogs interception ability. 

When a dog is spotted, and you believe that he is trying to "catch" you, slow down and possibly even downshift a gear, thus confusing the it's intended path of interception. This will cause the make the dog reset his path and you will then speed back up and accelerate past the point of interception leaving fido running behind you confused and bewildered. 

This would be scary in a curve, but if you are doing everything else you are supposed to be, your perception and reaction times should be sufficient to handle the critters.

[RussellH]

Yes, whoever started this thread should be awarded a free carb-sync tool 

Seriously though, because of all the great suggestions I gathered up enough courage, tips and confidence to start riding. Here are a few things that I keep in mind; never ride beyond your abilities, try to be as visible as possible to others, read read read, practice, practice and practice. What I also do is observe other riders (while i'm in my car) and try to come up with what they're doing wrong. For example, if I see a rider riding in the fastest lane on the hwy and he's behind the left wheels of car-A he's following, he's practically non existent to car-B that's in the next slower lane and wants to jump into the fastest lane as soon as car-A passes him. The rider should be following the right wheels and have plenty of distance between him and car-A so he can be seen by other drivers who might think it's a spot they can jump into. Always wear all the riding gear all the time (ATGATT) and make sure you're wearing flourescent jackets, strips etc. I also highly recommend the book 'Proficient Motorcycling'  - don't ride in the evenings, don't ride on Fri evenings or early Saturday mornings (peak time for drunk drivers) and you reduce your chances of getting hit by almost half according to the statistics. It's a good book.

And if you haven't done the MSF course I can't recommend that you ride the bike.

[niteman]

Damn Russ, I think we have a yardstick, some 1/8" id clear tubing and some tape and zip ties with your name all over it!

I was interested to see this thread revived, and glad it was. You are way too right about the not riding on Friday nights thing! I wasn't on my bike thank god, but If I had been I would be the hood ornament for a raging drunk in an F-150. Long story, but the visibility of being in a cage certainly helped me out that night. If I was on the bike, he would have creamed me no matter how careful I was being. Spooked me alot and i turned to my wife and said "thank god I wasn't on the bike!". 

[Bumblebee]

My mind knows what I'm supposed to do, but that doesn't mean I don't fear it.  Less about a car in my lane than a deer, dog, etc., since those little beasts are unpredictable.

Replace fear with knowledge. The brainpower you're wasting on fear is better used to avoid things that scare you.

Cages are passively vaguely operated by people who don't care thus an extremely high threat.
Deer instinct is hard wired programming to not telegraph their move. That's how they survive with predators after them. IOW, there's no frigging clue or way to determine which way they'll jump. Thus deer = full stop or at least put their projected motion outside your ballistic trajectory cone. Watch your forward velocity and seeproof terrain in giant forest rat country. Where there's one hopping out of the forest, there is at least two more in close trail. If that happens in front of you, emergency stop right then.
Dogs are generally easy as nightman said. Alter their intercept angle, go down a gear then accelerate at the last moment. Head to head is another tactic involving repositioning them in your lane at slow speed then turn/accelerate once they're nearly on you. Avoid U turns when being persued if at all possible. Don't kick at them, fly the motorcycle first.
At dusk/early dawn human color vision is at it's worst. It's transitioning between color and B/W. During that transition period, you can't see color good enough for color contrast separation and you can't see B/W well enough for motion detection due to the color information you're receiving. That's why you can't see very well during those time periods. Cagers can't see you, you can't see them. Giant forest rats are on the move enroute to their evening open areas.

[Vermontster]

Now I'm the new rider and can relate to the fear / healthy respect thread here. Mostly I'm noticing the fear and working on getting SAFE practice in. I've got almost all the gear now, no pants yet, and I'm staying away from heavy traffic for the time being.

I've been riding to my place of work after hours which has a great parking lot, affords me the practice to negotiate the turns and lights on the way which I'll encounter in my commute when I'm ready, and has lots of room to practice starts and stops and cornering without anyone watching.

My brother, who's been riding for 30+ years, tells me practice, practice, practice. It's all about TOTAL awareness and building new skills... IMHO. I'm glad to be learning at an older age, as I don't have any desire to out-drag any other riders. Though my brain seems less flexible these days 

[Tryvelcro]

My mind knows what I'm supposed to do, but that doesn't mean I don't fear it.  Less about a car in my lane than a deer, dog, etc., since those little beasts are unpredictable.

Funny that I wrote that months ago, and when I finally went down it was because of the thing I said I wasn't afraid of.

(Ok, that sentence made sense in my head).

[Custom82Hawk]

dontcha hate it how things never translate from head to keyboard properly?  i wonder if michelangelo or da vinci ever had those problems? :D

[Bumblebee]

dontcha hate it how things never translate from head to keyboard properly?  i wonder if michelangelo or da vinci ever had those problems? :D

I have yet to know an true artist, whether it's painting, photography, drawing, pilot, rider, sailor, etc, that has stood back from what they're doing and called it  done. There's always something more that would make it better and it usually turns into a situation of that will have to do.

[Captainkirk]

Well guys I've finished reading 'Proficient Motorcycling' and I gained some good insight. A lot of what the author teaches you is common sense but maybe not common knowledge if you know what I mean.

So what book do you suggest next? I'm thinking either "More Proficient Motorcycling" or "Total Control"? Anyone read either or preferably both?

Shaun, you're lucky you have the option to not ride on the busy streets when starting out. For me it's my neighborhood (which can be dangerous with kids, dogs etc) or the busy and fast streets. BTW, why'd you change your mind about the Ninja 250? I didn't fully understand that part.

I hope by now you've read both, and have a summer's worth of riding under your belt!
If not, I've read both....PM2 is just a continuance of PM1, but nonetheless great! Total Control is excellent on content (if Lee Parks could only dispense with making stupid faces) and well worth reading. As a side note, I purchased Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist 1 & 2; never got to 2 as #1 put me to sleep every time I tried to read it; like listening to your HS math teacher drone on & on.

Bueller?.....Bueller?.....Bueller?.....LOL!