First road ride

[NotaGoth]

Well not long ago I got my first bike.. My little rg150... I've never ridden a bike before... And have only ever gone pillion... Been pillion 4 times... 2 of which were extremely short rides...

My partner got my bike out for me... And showed me the basics... Within the first hour and a half I'd dropped the bike twice while coming to a stop... Stalled a fair few times... And accidently put the bike in nuetral instead of 2nd gear.... (How embarassing) :innocent:

As time went on things got better... I've stopped stalling.. I think I've only stalled 3 times since my first hour and a half... And I haven't stuck it in nuetral accidently thank goodness!!!! :innocent:

Because we have extremely limited space around our house, to top it off our house is on a hill.... I do have an extremely difficult time trying to manuever the rg so I can turn it around and ride it down our hill onto the nicer bit of our driveway... I've now dropped it twice trying to get the bike out... But the bonus is I have had to learn to lift the bike back up myself... And have now picked it up on my own 3 times... Which I'm quite proud of...

We spent some time praticing my hill starts.. I kept stalling constantly and just couldn't get the hang of it... After stalling my bike I rather "dumbly" tried to kickstart it while still on the slight hill I was on... Lost my balance... This will be the 3rd time that I have dropped my bike.. Previously, both times was just after I'd come to a stop.. And one of which was on a slight slope... Only this time I didn't manage to clear the falling bike.... Ended up with my leg being squished under it... And some rather nice bruising..... :angry:

I admit.. Its the small things that you would think is so simple... Yet when it comes to learning how to do it.. They tend to be the most frustrating things...

Mums spent some time watching me and was quite suprised in me... She mentioned that she thought I would be ok going out on the open road for the first time... So.......

Last night... I borrowed my mum and dads gear... Grabbed my helmet... And thats just what I did... Out on the road for the first time.... Along the road I live on there are some perfect spots for turning around... So I don't have to stray off too far.... I actually really really enjoyed myself... Backwards and forwards I went.. Turn around and head back the way I'd came... I'd stop down the bottom of my driveway so my partner knew I was ok.. He was getting really paranoid everytime he couldn't hear my bike anymore....

My mum couldn't even get me inside for my dinner... I was enjoying it to much.. She's lucky it got too dark for comfort so I headed inside...

I do gotta say.. Despite my little oopsies... And the difficulties I have had.. I still must say... That buying my first bike has been one of the best things I've ever done... ;)

[slowpoke]

Haha, you are going through what everyone of us has gone through.
You may have read/heard about someone elses experiences, but it's not until you grapple with the process yourself that you realise how embarrassing/frustrating/perplexing/painful but ultimately incredibly rewarding it can be.
You'll be checking out the "how too" section for wheelie and stoppy advice before you know it........if you haven't already.

[metric]

awesome... great to hear you are riding - it'll only get better and better too!

[chanceyy]

good one girl ... your going to be out on those roads real soon


I know what its like to want to spread your wings a bit further .. driving slow circles on my back lawn was great but now that i am not having to put a foot down or head for the fence & can brake to a stop & take off again without having to put feet down I am wanting to get out on the road .. a few things stopping me .. bike still not road legal & I live on a state highway ... but I do have a relatively quiet road almost opposite my house .. but will wait til i have someone with me before I head out .. just in case !!:innocent:

[Storm]

Good stuff :D Not everyone has to do 200 clicks to get a thrill. :)

[Trudes]

Good on you chic, keep up the practice.:sunny:

[limbimtimwim]

And accidently put the bike in nuetral instead of 2nd gear.... (How embarassing) :innocent: As time went on things got better... I've stopped stalling.. I think I've only stalled 3 times since my first hour and a half... And I haven't stuck it in nuetral accidently thank goodness!!!! :innocent:I got on an unfamiliar bike on Saturday, I stalled it 3 times before getting it on to the street and got several neutrals when I didn't want to. You are starting from scratch, everyone has problems like that.
I do gotta say.. Despite my little oopsies... And the difficulties I have had.. I still must say... That buying my first bike has been one of the best things I've ever done... ;)At last: Welcome to motorcycling, may your adventure be long and happy.

[Rosie]

I do gotta say.. Despite my little oopsies... And the difficulties I have had.. I still must say... That buying my first bike has been one of the best things I've ever done... ;)

That's because 2-stroke 150's are such cool little bikes :love:

Good on your for getting out and about. There does seem to be an overwhelming number of 'silly little things' you have to get your head around when first learning, but if you keep practising, it does all start to come together.

[gijoe1313]

:woohoo: Sounds like you are having a blast on your little two wheels of freedom! On ya for doing it and having the gumption to keep on trying (despite a case of the dropsies...been there, done that :o)

And ain't pootling along just the most grandest feeling? Soon, you will be rarking it up the hill confidently, doing a u-turn to have it pointed out right and heading for the open roads, searching for twisties! :yes:

And, don't forget, read Buckbuck's threads on his approach to riding - sound advice and wisdom in there! :rockon: :Punk: :first: :sunny:

[Roj]

Great to hear you are enjoying riding, good luck and keep learning

[Minnie]

well done, at the end of the day it all about the practise....but that isnt hard is it...cause its soooo much fun:yes: keep up the good work

[Jimmy B]

Well done and hope you enjoy it for many years to come and whatever you do make sure you never sell your bike, unless its to buy another....

Hey Minnie, we went for a ride out your way on Saturday, forgot just how good the roads are this time of year, you are really luck to have that on your back door step. Went to the Kentish? for a coldie, good place to sit outside

[Scorpygirl]

Well done Kittie on getting on your bike!!! Yahoooooo!! Go girl!!! :scooter: :Punk:

[dasser]

Good for you... Practice... Practice ... Practice

[$CENSLS1$]

Good on ya, sounds like you're out there and having fun which is the main thing.
I'm only new to the world of bikes too, have had my KLX250 for almost a month now and am starting to gain more and more confidence on it.I've just been doing things at my own pace and travelling roads that I know well.I think once you get passed the 'scared' stage you start to really think more about what is going on and what to do next.The basics can be difficult to learn but i've found that now I know my way around the bike (brakes, clutch, accelerator, gears etc) you just do things automatically and you can just enjoy the ride. :scooter:

Anyhow, good on you for getting out there and giving it a go, it's worth it :rockon:

[mstriumph]

That's just GREAT xXkiTtiExX !!!! :sunny:

and CONGRATULATIONS [as long as the number of times you get up again equals the number of times you drop it, you're winning!!]

-------------- sooner or later all those daft little things you have to concentrate on at the moment will become second nature and you'll be off and flying - anything worth doing takes time and attention to start off with...


WELL DONE THAT GIRL !!!! :clap:

[vifferman]

Yay, Noobs! :niceone:

It's been so long since I first started riding bikes, that I'd forgotten what a thrill it was - so much more fun than cars or bicycles.

I still think some of the best learning (and fun) comes from dirtbikes though. My first bike was a road bike, but that didn't stop me taking it in the dirt. Just have to be a bit more careful with the non-grippy tyres on grass and mud.

[The Pastor]

Now get along to a kb 250 ride!

[NotaGoth]

Now get along to a kb 250 ride!


I would!!!!! But sadly they all take place down Auckland way, and I'm such a newbie that I'm gonna stick to not wandering to far from my comfort zone for a while.... :dodge:

[NotaGoth]

Yay, Noobs! :niceone:

It's been so long since I first started riding bikes, that I'd forgotten what a thrill it was - so much more fun than cars or bicycles.

I still think some of the best learning (and fun) comes from dirtbikes though. My first bike was a road bike, but that didn't stop me taking it in the dirt. Just have to be a bit more careful with the non-grippy tyres on grass and mud.


I learnt very quickly about grass... And learnt to avoid any little patches in the centre of our driveway... *cough*

[jrandom]

I learnt very quickly about grass... *cough*

Took me a while to learn how not to cough after inhaling.

[NotaGoth]

Took me a while to learn how not to cough after inhaling.


You're a funny one aren't you

[90s]

... And accidently put the bike in nuetral instead of 2nd gear.... (How embarassing) :innocent: .. I've stopped stalling..

Yep I was putting it straight from 1st to neutral for some time before I got the 'knack' - its esp. easy on the RG. Having said that I have managed it a bit on the GSX too.
When I picked the bike up I stalled it constantly too - keep forgetting how many revs it likes!
Have you had it over 8k on the tach yet? Be careful - I'm sure you'll swear (in a ladylike way) like I did!

[NotaGoth]

Have you had it over 8k on the tach yet? Be careful - I'm sure you'll swear (in a ladylike way) like I did!


I cussed falling off so I'm sure I'd cuss worse than a sailor.. Haven't done that as yet... Dan did though... He decided to hop off before he broke my new toy.. lol

[Beemer]

This could be me writing that, Kittie! I was a real novice when I began riding - and on the same type of bike too! The first time I took it out alone I got to a set of traffic lights and spent so much time trying to find neutral that I fell over - because I'd forgotten to put a foot down! A guy called Allan Kirk (who runs some motorcycle training) took me in hand and for weeks he and a mate would come and take me out for practice in an industrial area. I still managed to drop it a few more times, usually when trying to find that elusive neutral, but after a few weeks it began to feel exciting rather than nervewracking when I got the bike out. It doesn't take long so keep practising and soon you will forget those nervous starts and stops!

Hey, I don't think I'm the only one who is proud of you! After all, you like bikes AND cats...:yes:

[BUNGY]

And accidently put the bike in nuetral instead of 2nd gear.... (How embarassing)


Still do that some times.

[NotaGoth]

This could be me writing that, Kittie! I was a real novice when I began riding - and on the same type of bike too! The first time I took it out alone I got to a set of traffic lights and spent so much time trying to find neutral that I fell over - because I'd forgotten to put a foot down! A guy called Allan Kirk (who runs some motorcycle training) took me in hand and for weeks he and a mate would come and take me out for practice in an industrial area. I still managed to drop it a few more times, usually when trying to find that elusive neutral, but after a few weeks it began to feel exciting rather than nervewracking when I got the bike out. It doesn't take long so keep practising and soon you will forget those nervous starts and stops!

Hey, I don't think I'm the only one who is proud of you! After all, you like bikes AND cats...:yes:

Only help I have at the moment is my mum and my partner... Good thing is my partners been teaching me so far.. As much as what he knows... I'm happy learning round him... Cause I know he won't laugh at me... Mum sits down with us and discusses this and that... And offers as much advice as she can...

A guy who used to ride with my old man has offered to take me out... So I can follow him and watch how he rides.... Could be quite helpful I think... So when I'm confident enough I'll give him a call...

Oh theres a fair few who are proud..!!!! And a few who have made not so nice comments... But its my life.. You either like me for who/what I am... Or you don't.. Loved by some hated by many. Meanwhile I'll continue having fun....

Love my kittys... :love:

[Beemer]

Oh there's a fair few who are proud..!!!! And a few who have made not so nice comments... But its my life.. You either like me for who/what I am... Or you don't.. Loved by some hated by many. Meanwhile I'll continue having fun....

Love my kittys... :love:

LOL, know the feeling - I'm very much loved by few right now! Hey, but the cats still love me - "she who has possession of the can opener!"

Be careful following someone though - fine if they take into account the fact you are a learner and ride accordingly, but they may tend to forget that and travel at the speed they normally do. I was following my husband once and thought I would brake when he did. Except at that stage he had been riding for about 20 years longer than me... and when he braked was WAY later than when I felt comfortable! I only did that on one corner and then decided to brake a lot earlier!

[KLOWN]

good on ya!!

[KLOWN]

[QUOTE=mstriumph;920663][as long as the number of times you get up again equals the number of times you drop it, you're winning!!]

QUOTE]

isn't that a draw ?

[nzkalt61]

Good to see another chick on her own bike!!! I taught my wife to ride in the paddochs on the farm and at the beach at low tide so she didnt do too much damage to herself or the bikes, and now she has her own 750 and has done a 750kms in a day when we went down to Wellington to pick up my last bike. Keep up the practice and hope to see you on a Norfland ride some time.

[samwp]

I still must say... That buying my first bike has been one of the best things I've ever done... ;)



Hell yea! but attaining and keeping a license is also important, or so I heard. Good Luck!