What a difference a day makes!

[Soupskin]

On my first and only trip to and from work last week, I was very nervous.  I was having difficulties with steering, braking and not stalling out.  Before that, I had spent a day driving around my neighborhood to get acquainted with my new (to me) bike.

Well the weather was beautiful in Atlanta today so out I went for more practice!

I first headed to my local Cycle Gear shop for some riding pants.  I have helmet, jacket, boots and gloves thus far.  Unfortunately, they did not have any pants big enough to fit my wide load, much less my wide load and jeans.  So, I settled for a set of knee and shin guards to wear under my jeans.  I figure it is better than nothing.

After heading home to deliver the Misses a Pepsi, I went to my local Publix grocery store that was closed for Easter.  I spent about 3 hours out there doing figure 8s, stopping drills and evasive maneuvers.  At one point I got so low on a turn that the outside edge of my boot scraped the ground.  I panicked and thought I would dump but I recovered and remembered not to use the rear brake in such a situation.  Overall it was a very productive and educational afternoon!

On my way home I was able to complete the final drill I was hoping to work on for the day, running out of gas.  Unfortunately, I was not able to switch to reserve before losing all power and had to coast into a nearby subdivision to switch over and get back on the road.  I think I will try to randomly reach down and switch my fuel to reserve while riding in order to get used to the position and feel of doing such.

I was very pleased with the day overall.  Many more parking lot drills still in my future.

Thank you all for the wonderful information you all have gathered here so far, it really helped me today while I was training.

[Deadly]

and so the journey begins .....   

[RiderZ]

ride safe, ride more. 

[farrelly]

How far from home do you work?  I spent the first 200 miles i put on my nighthawk just driving around my neighborhood getting my feet wet.  This is my first bike.

Stay safe out there.

[Soupskin]

How far from home do you work?  I spent the first 200 miles i put on my nighthawk just driving around my neighborhood getting my feet wet.  This is my first bike.

Stay safe out there.

My commute is about 25 miles one way.

[happycommuter]

I normally would be all gung-ho for moto-commuting, but given the distance and inexperience I really must advise easing into it.  Practice drills are an excellent thing for everyone to do, and if you can sign up for one of the higher level MSF courses, better still.
You really want to be comfortable with the basics so your main focus is on traffic and not on fundamental operations.  Your judgment seems okay, but at least self-impose a right lane, no passing, speed limit granny style of riding for a few weeks.  Good luck and no drama!

[Soupskin]

I normally would be all gung-ho for moto-commuting, but given the distance and inexperience I really must advise easing into it.  Practice drills are an excellent thing for everyone to do, and if you can sign up for one of the higher level MSF courses, better still.
You really want to be comfortable with the basics so your main focus is on traffic and not on fundamental operations.  Your judgment seems okay, but at least self-impose a right lane, no passing, speed limit granny style of riding for a few weeks.  Good luck and no drama!

I am doing all the above.  My commute is no highway travel either, all back roads.

Also, I have very flexible hours at work and can avoid rush hour, 9-10 AM and 6-7 PM are my road times.

[happycommuter]

Oh, good.  I saw the Atlanta location and imagined some multi-lane highway rush hour trial by fire, which would obviously be foolhardy for a beginner.  Some people get unrealistic expectations, so I had to check.

[Soupskin]

Oh, good.  I saw the Atlanta location and imagined some multi-lane highway rush hour trial by fire, which would obviously be foolhardy for a beginner.  Some people get unrealistic expectations, so I had to check.

Lord no!  Even with decades of riding experience under my belt, I would not go on the highways around here.  Hell, I'm afraid to go on them in my car sometimes.

Thanks for your concern!  Y'all are a wonderful bunch here.  I especially enjoy everyone looking out for each other's safety.

[Bumblebee]

Difficulty steering, braking and killing the engine on a relatively benign to/from work ride? Based on that comment, I'd guess you have very minimal experience and little to no training.

First, learning the basics of control in traffic is suicidal. The hostile traffic is actively dangerous enough even after a bazillion miles and years of experience. Get off the roads until you can handle the motorcycle on a fundamental level. Happycommuter is absolutely correct in that you need to instinctively handle the functions of the motorcycle so you can use your brainpower for navigation and road/hostile hazards. Until you quit putting substantial amounts of brain power into the machine, the road, even a residential area, is not the place to be. Yea, staying off the road at first takes all the fun out of riding however so does sliding along the ground on your nose. (BTW, you ARE wearing a full face helmet aren't you? The correct answer here is 'yes')

Kindergarten class is for all of us even after many years of experience. Find a parking lot for a couple hours at a time for a few weekends and do all the slow skill work then start making up some of your own. Nothing will teach you proper maneuvering skills than puttering around at <10mph for an hour. 20,000 miles of highway riding won't teach you even a fraction of what an hour in the parking lot will. (FWIW, I'm in a parking lot for at least 1-2 hours a month and often quite a few 5 minute sessions even when I'm riding regularly)

Safe riding, take it easy, go slow, and keep two wheels down.

[happycommuter]

The other thing that has me worried is that riding is just much more strenuous (mentally and physically) for new riders.  And it should be, as they really are in no position to relax, but also because of inefficiencies and straining related to skill level.  I travel an identical distance and have for several years, and the bike is the most comfortably effortless one I've owned.  Still, there are times where I am drained, sluggish, or achy from a day's work and have to deal with an hour long ride home.  I would not wish this on a tense beginner.  Need I mention unexpected weather changes?

Just making sure you're fully informed here, as leaps of faith and motorcycling are not a good mix.

[Soupskin]

Yes, I am wearing a full face helmet along with all the other gear.

I took the MSF course back in September but I was rusty from it since it was so long ago.  Not to mention, that was on a 250 NH and now I have a 750 NH.

I will be taking the advanced MSF course once I have the 500 miles under my belt they recommend.

I chose to ride in to work last week because it was spring break here and the route I take is fairly empty that week.

You're absolutely right, more parking lot time before commuting it is.