Worthwhile bugging people to be supervising, for the first times on road?

[orographic]

Hi,
I've had my new 225 sitting outside a couple of days now, with me to chicken to take it out on the road as yet, because, well basic handling gives you near nothing of what you need to ride on road and not wind up a hood ordament. :pinch:

Soo, I am wondering how useful is it to get someone to supervise/watch your back the first few times on the road?

and then question number 2, any one wanna ride with an idiot newbie? :dodge:

[newby]

Where abouts in Auckland are you? If your capable of handling the bike without losing control then you should be fine, just pick quieter roads untill you get some confidense up :)

[Ehgreiz]

once you get your confidence a bit you can maybe head out to west auckland took, some folks get together on wednesday nights to practice skills, info here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2008-8-13&e=1673&c=1

but what newby said is pretty good, i was in the same boat as you when i was waiting for my scooter to be delievered a month after i did my training and i was in the same boat as you, but i got out there and just road and it wasnt as scary as i was expecting..

then i took my future vl250 for a test ride last week and i was nervous again, mostly cos of the gears, but again it wasnt as bad as i thought - i trained on a GN250 with a horrible gearbox tho so i was expecting hell heh

[Gman71]

i know how oyu feel. I got a 250 soon after passing my BHS and just sat there looking at it going "shit, what now?".

But, i went out early sunday mornings (7.30-8am) aorund all the quiet local backroads, and to quiet industrial estates (Albany). might be a bit hard with the winter light and shithouse weather..

But I suggest you take a deep breath, work out where you are going to go, back yourself, and just do it.

If you are on the shore and we could time it right I would be your wingman for a ride, I'm probably still a newbie in the scheme of things but happy to porvide some suport like it was provided to me.....

[Pedrostt500]

I would be happy to help but Im at the wrong end of the Island, dont let it scare you, and just take it easy, and just build your self confidence up, in a few months you will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about.

[Nordy]

I am getting hubby to follow me in the car for my first few rides. Just more for my peace of mind than anything else

[sels1]

Pick quiet times as someone suggested, early morning or whatever. And 'just do it' Stay on quiet roads until your confidence increases.
I know one bloke down here who rode his first 1000km around and around the streets of his suburb (Stokes Valley) before he ventured out on to a main road.

[Swoop]

Yes, it is worth "bugging" people. Most bikers are keen for a ride - no excuse required. You can just provide their excuse for them.

I've done wingman duties for a few. Getting out to the Wednesday mentoring night is a good idea when you think you are capable of getting out there.

No matter what, don't be put off and make up excuses why you can't go for a "little ride". Get on your bike and ride!
:ride:

[Kiwi Graham]

Hi,
I've had my new 225 sitting outside a couple of days now, with me to chicken to take it out on the road as yet, because, well basic handling gives you near nothing of what you need to ride on road and not wind up a hood ordament. :pinch:

Soo, I am wondering how useful is it to get someone to supervise/watch your back the first few times on the road?

and then question number 2, any one wanna ride with an idiot newbie? :dodge:

I live in Henderson. Happy to ride out with you. Have to be after 5 weekdays or the weekends.

[kiwifruit]

Yes, by all means. Alot of riders enjoying helping out, any excuse for a ride!

[Qkchk]

Bit of a plug...... but I can provide lessons if need be. I use a bluetooth intercom system so you are always in touch with me and I can give you directions and advice as we ride on the road (great for hazard dection practice). Its surprising how much you learn just getting out there on the road.

Give me a PM if your interested. I can meet up some weekday afternoons (after 4pm just depends on what Ive got on with work) and I'm free most weekends.

If you choose to go out with another rider, just becareful as you may pick up some of their bad habits!

Keep the rubber side down. :scooter:

[Irontusk]

I was feeling similar to you, but with this weather we've had I decided that if I didn't go out the night I got the bike (2 days ago :) ) then I didn't know when my next chance would be.. so I waited until about 8:30 or something for all the traffic to disappear and just went for it. A little bit wobbly taking off out of my drive, but the rest is easy. If the roads are dry and it's at a quiet hour, then the time is right!

I'm just gonna keep to the quiet hours for a bit until I feel ready for a bit more traffic.

[brendonjw]

I was in a similar position, just went round the back streets out this way practicing stop/start etc, once i had that prety much down, navagated a few traffic lights and headed out to east tamaki on a sunday when it was nice and quiet on all those industrial roads. Iv still only been out a couple of times but the last one was for a nice ride out to eastern beach :clap:

[Imbray]

I was lucky, hubby has ridden for yeeeears:innocent: But living out of town (33 km to Hamilton) Had no choice but to get out on the open road, so I followed hubby with him showing me what lines to take ect ( he went out on my bike first:bash:- he rode my bike before me, as his is a sport bike & to see how my vl took the corners ect), for round town went to a quite suburb that I know & rode round & round & round :scooter: till I felt dizzy, but finnaly got the hang of a smooth take off (took a while:bash:)

HAVE FUN

[happykamper]

I've been riding for just under 2 weeks now, and rode into work 4 times this week! It's scary stuff in traffic, but my rationale was that I'd better just get on with it and try to be as sensible and as safe as possible. There's something to be said for just doing it, but if you can get someone to supervise, go for it! Good luck!

[DJSin]

It is really good to hear that other newbies are nervous about their initial rides in traffic.

I'm heading out for my first traffic ride tomorrow.

Done a basic handling skills course and spent time in car parks getting more confident but now it is time to bite the bullet and ride the roads.

Really lucky my bf is an experienced rider and will follow me out and about.