Confessions from a first time rider

[Disrespective]

Well, i've been wanting to ride a motorbike for years and years, and since being out working for the last few years, it's been a desire that's stronger than ever. Not to mention more affordable.

Perhaps i should start at the beginning... As a young boy i grew up in small town NZ with all the other kids living on farms and riding around on dirt bikes and horses e.t.c. but i grew up in the town side of town so had no such luxury. I was able to have a few rides on friends machines but never anything that satisfied my hunger.

The years passed and the desire was replaced with various other activities which probably had less chance of pain, as much adrenaline, but more mother appeal.

And then this year, many years after i last tried to ride a motorcycle i decided that my inevitable move to Wellington would be the catalyst for me getting both a licence and a motorbioke to use.

After half an hour pootling around on a GN125 at the testing station i sat the basic skills and handling test and passed with only minor, or that's how i saw them, problems. The scratchie test was a breeze as i've been driving around on a full car licence for almost 10 years now. And then i had a nice new blue licence in my wallet.

I went through the hard decision on whether i should buy an old broken beast that would take my learner abuse and keep on tickin' and then on-sell it when i grew tired of its inevitable downcomings. Or whether i should buy something half decent, treat it nicely, or as nicely as possible, and be able to hold onto it until i'm well into my full licence.

I have a knack it seems of buying the cheap object, finding it isn't up to scratch and then selling it after losing interest, never to try it again. So this time i decided that i wanted to make this motorcycling thing last and grab something with a bit of staying power.

What i thought would take mere days, actually ended up taking many months of looking and i actually ended up with NOMIS' 2001 Honda Hornet 250 from these fine forums. With so much to choose from and so many variables to consider the options seem to be endless. I started with a budget of $4k for a bike, which blew out to $6k and then a little more to get Nomis' machine.

It seemed inevitable that i would spend more than i wanted on gear as well. The budget for that blew out when i started to investigate benefits and downsides of each piece of kit and i am still lacking any decent pants, but for now i don't think i'll be needing them unless i'm caught in a rain storm.

So i had a nice shiny bike, helmet, gloves, jacket and some boots, all i needed now was some spare time to go for my first ride.

It took a few days but i chose an early morning ride out and around to Ohiro Bay here in Wellington. The roads would be relatively clear, i could do some practice bits and pieces and maybe even a hill start if the lights were against me on the way home.

It started well, no problems with waking up (i'd been dreaming about this day for years so had everything organised). Took all the gear down to the garage, started the bike up and got myself ready. And within minutes i was trundlind down the road at twice the speed i'd ever been at on a motorbike.

I have extensive time behind road cycle and mountain bike handlebars so i felt i was going to be capable of basic manouvers but i wasn't ready for the weight the bike felt. It was nimble and could do what i wanted without too much arguing but was much heavier than i imagined. I wasn't surprised as much as interested to feel the differences and keen to see where i could push them.

So hitting 70kph was incredibly easy and very exhilirating. Getting looked at sternly by a passing policeman was, it seemed, even easier. I passed two police cars in the hour i was pottering around and both were either genuinely intersted in either what i was riding, or how i was riding...

Opening up the throttle on a hill or on the exit of a corner is a feeling i can't describe. It took me half an hour or so to start feeling more comfortable on the bike and positioning myself to use less energy while cornering but hitting that sweet spot of comfort and excitement was great.

I started for the first half hour by changing through the gears with full use of the clutch both up and down. After accidentally tapping down a gear without using the clutch i started to experiment by dropping the revs for a fraction of a second and kicking through the gears. It's a much faster change and one less thing to think about when starting from a stopped position.

I seem to be terrible at remembering to turn off my indicators after a turn so removing the clutch aspect made it much easier for me to remember. Perhaps i'll look into rigging up an electrical switch that will cancel the signal after the steering has straightened for a time or gone back the other direction... All in due time i guess.

I'm clearly still a learner but i imagine that that will be how i feel for many more years to come. Currently hill starts are my target to master. Living here in Wellington i don't think i have a choice in the matter. Perhaps a trial by fire will be a good way of figuring out how to do them... Or not. Considering i went from not riding for over 15 years to jumping on a bike and riding around winding hilly streets and absolutely loving it, this is something i think i'll stick with for a wee while yet.

There seems to be a time for practice in a parking lot and a time for practice in the real world. For me, i don't have a choice, i'd have to ride across town to find a parking lot so it's just easier to ride around town anyway. I didn't find it particularly scary, but i don't have a desire to push my luck either.

Well either way, watch this space. Add your first time stories and perhaps someone can make use of some of them.

[sinfull]

Nice read mate ! Clutchless shifting already lol nice !

[Supermac Jr]

When you get your speed up -think about getting earplugs as it makes big difference...

[Maki]

Please use the clutch. You will find the gearbox lasts longer that way.

[NOMIS]

Please use the clutch. You will find the gearbox lasts longer that way.

Bollox! dont use it youl find the right rev's you can kick it upward's with out the slightst clunk or jolt and wil feel almost automatic, tust me I rode it for 18month's or so :-) , glad to see your enjoying is

[MyGSXF]

So i had a nice shiny bike, helmet, gloves, jacket and some boots
I'm clearly still a learner but i imagine that that will be how i feel for many more years to come.
.

Hi there & welcome to KB!!!! :niceone:

Good gear might save your skin & bones.. but good rider training might save your life!!!

Please get in touch with Andrew & Lynne @ Roadsafe & book yourself into a training course!!! Tis the best investment you can make for your new passion!!!! :first:

http://www.roadsafe.co.nz/

Enjoy!!! :ride:

[Disrespective]

Rider training seems like it has to wait for me to get my restricted. No worries though, i plan on doing as many training options as time and money allow.

[dieseldave]

@ Disrespective... Good story.
I chose my bike on the shape of the seat mainly. I was looking at a FZR 250 but was put off by the thickness of the cushioning -i.e. not much. At least I had a choice. Parked next to the FZR was a Bandit with a better seat and for sale too.. I chose to ride it home from Palmy to Haumoana.. minus the L plate - to fit in with main highway traffic speeds . :laugh:

Long story somewhat shortened I fell into similar traps. Indicators left on and after topping up in Dannevirke found out about the kill switch and its primary function. Took a couple of jabs on starter button and an abortive attempt at a running start to realise something I was doing was just wrong.. :bash:
Didn't take long to get going again and I settled into the ride home without much incident. A low speed small diameter U-turn almost ended in me dropping the bike once but hey! I had insurance..no one saw me.. but another hour to go was a definite incentive to keep it upright. :shit:
Enjoyed the ride. I think I will be doing a round trip again soon.. Have to find some excuse..

[howdamnhard]

Welcome to riding,take it easy and enjoy.Watch out for the idiots on the road,pretend your invisible.Use countersteering when going quicker to get the bike turned.For slow speed tight radius turns(as in manouvering around the car park) avoid front brake,use back and clutch.Corners slow in, fast out ,etc,etc.Lots to learn so take it easy and enjoy the journey.:2thumbsup

[KelvinAng]

I seem to be terrible at remembering to turn off my indicators after a turn so removing the clutch aspect made it much easier for me to remember. Perhaps i'll look into rigging up an electrical switch that will cancel the signal after the steering has straightened for a time or gone back the other direction... All in due time i guess.

I hated the lack of "conveniences" on the lil' ol'hornet when I first got her. No centre stand. No fuel gauge. No clicking indicators. And she doesn't make my morning coffee.

Then it struck me one morning while taking a leak. She's a motorbike. If I want a bike that stands up properly, with a fuel gauge, clicking indicators and makes me coffee, I should be driving my MR2.

Motorbikes should be making my life miserable but fun. Painful but pleasurable. Just yesterday I couldn't start the lil' ol'hornet again. It's wet, and it's cold, and I was too stubborn to give up trying. It's now sitting outside in the wet and cold, with a flat (and old) battery. How miserable... though I know the moment I ride her on the roads again I'll forgive and forget anything and everything...

[CookMySock]

Good on ya bro. Yeah you just HAVE TO check the indicators coming out of every corner, and approaching every intersection - the last thing you need is to be indicating a left turn when you are going to plow straight through the intersection at 50k. You don't need to look down at the dash - keep your eyes on the road and just use your left thumb and go press-press-press if you want them canceled. You can just randomly press-press to check that they are off also - very very occasionally you will find them left on, so check it regularly.

Be careful out there, and have fun!

Steve

[NOMIS]

I hated the lack of "conveniences" on the lil' ol'hornet when I first got her. No centre stand. No fuel gauge. No clicking indicators. And she doesn't make my morning coffee.

Then it struck me one morning while taking a leak. She's a motorbike. If I want a bike that stands up properly, with a fuel gauge, clicking indicators and makes me coffee, I should be driving my MR2.

Motorbikes should be making my life miserable but fun. Painful but pleasurable. Just yesterday I couldn't start the lil' ol'hornet again. It's wet, and it's cold, and I was too stubborn to give up trying. It's now sitting outside in the wet and cold, with a flat (and old) battery. How miserable... though I know the moment I ride her on the roads again I'll forgive and forget anything and everything...


Lol you a re a motorbike nightmare, Your bike should be inside!!! not in the cold rain. lol, and whats this a hornet with out fuel gauge? !!! mine had one :S my Viffer doesnt :-(

and I dont think ive ever heard of a bike that has self canceling indicators , I mean how could it work at al. you dont really turn the bars to go around a corner unless you are going very slow , its all weight transfer and counter steer. and no center stand , what you need that for? I had the jade 250 for a while and i never used it i couldnt stand it to be honest extra weight no reason - it had side stand as well, if you need do a chain lube pull it over on side stand and but something under the foot rest, - balance aint it a wonder of the world.

[KelvinAng]

Lol you a re a motorbike nightmare, Your bike should be inside!!! not in the cold rain. lol, and whats this a hornet with out fuel gauge? !!! mine had one :S my Viffer doesnt :-(

and I dont think ive ever heard of a bike that has self canceling indicators , I mean how could it work at al. you dont really turn the bars to go around a corner unless you are going very slow , its all weight transfer and counter steer. and no center stand , what you need that for? I had the jade 250 for a while and i never used it i couldnt stand it to be honest extra weight no reason - it had side stand as well, if you need do a chain lube pull it over on side stand and but something under the foot rest, - balance aint it a wonder of the world.

Yea she's usually in the garage when I'm in a flat with one, but since moving back to ChCh from Dunedin (work arrangements, again) I'm now in a flat without a garage, so the poor lil' ol'hornet has to be out in the cold ChCh autumn rain. Tarpaulins can only do this much! I admit I don't pamper my lil' ol'hornet too much... she's a toughie, and prolly just need a new battery.

I think only Lil' ol'Hornets '98 or later have fuel gauges. Can't be sure, but I'm pretty certain the 1996 and 1997 models come stock with temperature gauges instead of fuel gauges, like all real bikes do :lol:

[LittleJohn]

All I can really remember about getting my first road bike was my budget constraints. I wanted a nice looking, reasonable good sports 250, but that meant I would have to pay the same price as a good 600. I ended up with a RG150, which suited my around town needs and the odd small open road trip, but got a bit uncomfortable on big trips. It was a very fun bike though.

Well on from there and a few bikes later I know have an R6 and still love every minute on the road, just have to watch out for the police.....

[JellyBellyKelly]

i'm a newbie too... haven't got a bike YET, been pillion lots. am trying to talk bikie partner to helping me get one, i'm too spontaneous!!! am enjoying reading your tit-bits so thanks... will let you know how my new bike goes when i get it... hopefully really soon before it gets too cold... have had a quick ride on a vtr 250 at the march hare which was fun:scooter:

[Paladin]

Hi there & welcome to KB!!!! :niceone:

Good gear might save your skin & bones.. but good rider training might save your life!!!

Please get in touch with Andrew & Lynne @ Roadsafe & book yourself into a training course!!! Tis the best investment you can make for your new passion!!!! :first:

http://www.roadsafe.co.nz/

Enjoy!!! :ride:

+1 on Roadsafe - Andrew & Lynne are very cool!

[Disrespective]

Long time, no write. Restricted test passed as of this morning.

8 Months after losing ten years of driving experience in a car and having to use L-Plates again, i've been liberated... I feel like a teenager in heat.

The test was sat in Kilbirnie, Wellington and the tester was an older guy who was very polite and generally an all round good bloke. Very easy to deal with and happy to talk bikes after the test which was nice.

We used an ear piece which worked perfectly except for once when his instructions were a little hard to hear but after signalling him to repeat it, it was all good.

He had me ride around the streets a doing left circuits around a block of houses and then right circuits around a different block. A U-turn was thrown in there for good measure too.

Then he took me down towards Lyall Bay where we went along the beach front, around the airport and back along the 70kph zone to the first roundabout then left and back towards the Bowling Club where we started.

All in all i felt it was a pretty easy route however there were a few niggling issues i've been trying to iron out but haven't really perfected yet so got told about them.

Regardless, now it's time to book a riding skills course, then book a Full test for a few months down the track.

Fun fun, can't wait.

[KelvinAng]

Congrats! :yes:

It's funny, when I did the restricted test I didn't have to do the U-Turn despite what I've read on here. That was done in Dunedin. When I did my full license test in Christchurch it was much more thorough and there was the U-Turn test which I had do to twice... the first time round I got a bit nervous and started to walk my Hornet halfway through the turn :sweatdrop

What were some of the issues you were told of? I found it strange that I've been told I accelerate too slowly and that's being non-courteous to other road users... but that's a casual remark I think more than something to warrant points deduction in the test.

[marine0089]

The test was sat in Kilbirnie, Wellington

Big congrats on passing dude. :woohoo:

Was that through the AA in Kilbirnie? Sound like an easy course. When my time comes I might do it there also.

[Itchy_Kiwis]

Hey congrats on the restricted!!!!
for other rider experiences see
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=109567

[Disrespective]

What were some of the issues you were told of?Well there was one point where i could see the traffic was stopping ahead of me and the cars were creeping so i just left my feet on the ground and slid them along until i stopped. Apparently that's not ideal.

I also don't use my rear brake enough. I knew that before i went into the test and is something i have been working on.

Lastly, i was indicating into and then out of all round-abouts. You don't need to indicate in if you are just going straight through apparently.


Was that through the AA in Kilbirnie? Sound like an easy course. When my time comes I might do it there also.I booked it at the VTNZ on Adelaide road and got asked where i would like to sit it. I was pretty happy with the way it went over there too. I had only ridden around Kilbirnie a few times before the test but that was enough.

[KelvinAng]

Well there was one point where i could see the traffic was stopping ahead of me and the cars were creeping so i just left my feet on the ground and slid them along until i stopped. Apparently that's not ideal.

I do that when riding the Hornet at very slow speeds as well (like when being stuck in a traffic jam) and was told of the same thing in a bike riding course organised by Ride Right Otago (http://rro.org.nz/). The instructors in the course suggested that if I were to leave my legs dangling about (I don't slide them but have them hovering just above the road) it does shift the weight around a bit more than if I had my feet on the pegs and that may make the bike a tad harder to control.

Thanks for sharing.

[marine0089]

I booked it at the VTNZ on Adelaide road and got asked where i would like to sit it. I was pretty happy with the way it went over there too. I had only ridden around Kilbirnie a few times before the test but that was enough.

I'm in Newtown so know Kilbirnie quite well and that VTNZ is where I sat my learners so will go back to book my restricted.

Cheers for that.

[NOMIS]

so what ever happend wit that rapid lil hornet of mine? i saw you took the headlight off :( :-( *tear*

im not allowed to ride bike no more ...... miss that hornet lol

[Disrespective]

Oh she's still ticking along just nicely. The streetfighter look wasn't for me and i had a mate with some spare dual headlights off a Ducati Monster (not factory) he had bought recently and we decided to swap and see what happened.

I'll hold onto the little one for a few more months until i've done the full license thing and then hopefully sell towards the end of summer then buy again in the winter when prices are low.

Why no riding? You realise hurting yourself hurts your motorbikes feelings right?

[Tink]

Well, i've been wanting to ride a motorbike for years and years.

BANG ON... SINCE I WAS 14!

The years passed and the desire was replaced with various other activities which probably had less chance of pain, as much adrenaline, but more mother appeal.

SHEESH MOTHERS!!! MY DAUGHTER HAS A NEW HELMET NOW AGED 12..[/QUOTE]

and then this year, many years after i last tried to ride a motorcycle

After half an hour pootling around on a GN125

And then i had a nice new blue licence in my wallet. .[/QUOTE]

NICE FEELING THAT


What i thought would take mere days, actually ended up taking many months of looking .[/QUOTE]

TOOK ME 3 MONTHS... NICE BIKE HONDA... :Punk:

Opening up the throttle on a hill or on the exit of a corner is a feeling i can't describe.[/QUOTE]

WAIT TILL ITS A BIGGER BIKE ;)

I seem to be terrible at remembering to turn off my indicators.[/QUOTE]

STANDARD... put a extra on.. higher up maybe... it worked for me on the honda I rode.

I'm clearly still a learner but i imagine that that will be how i feel for many more years to come. Currently hill starts are my target to master..[/QUOTE]

OH THEY ARE NOT HARD..... seriously

Well either way, watch this space. Add your first time stories and perhaps someone can make use of some of them.[/QUOTE]

Excellent story....CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE !

[gijoe1313]

Good to hear, lil'ol'hornets are excellent bikes to get around on ... I still have mine! I guess its all been a learning curve and the grins you get on a ride makes it all so understandable (if you're a biker of course!)

Have fun and keep learning safely! :niceone:

[Disrespective]

Another update for you all.

Today i finished the defensive driving course with a driving practical. What i didn't realise was that i could have sat this practical on the bike. The tutor (for lack of a better word) said that she would have followed me around and pulled over like on the test and talked about the hazards. Either way i was already there and in the car so we did it that way. I won't bore those with the details of what the hazards were unless someone really wants to know.

So i finished it and was told that there aren't many in her courses that can drive as safely as i did today... I definitely kept things quieter than i normally would but i'd also be a bit gutted if she ripped into my driving seeing as i've been doing it for over half my life now.

The course itself was more of a refresher on common sense and good driving (and a little riding only after i mentioned i was doing this for a bike) than anything else. I wouldn't say i necessarily learnt anything, rather i was enlightened on things i might want to do more or less of. Reality is it's worth doing if you've never done one especially for someone who's learning to ride/drive.

So yeah, i got my bit of heavy paper/cardboard with some funny colours on it and booked my 6F test for next thursday three months ahead of schedule.

Next steps are to A: Pass the test (not really worried about this) B: Advertise and sell the hornet C: Find and buy a more suitable tourer than a naked 250 and finally D: make the most of NZ's great roads and go on some trips to places i haven't been yet.

Bring it on.

[mrchips]

I did this course but tutor said i had to sit the practical on the bike seen as it was toward my bike licence.... done this bit via a bike instructor tho cos she only did cars.

Was a good run through for the full test + got some handy tips.

Good on ya & good luck on the 6F !.

[Mokadah]

use your left thumb and go press-press-press if you want them canceled. You can just randomly press-press to check that they are off also - very very occasionally you will find them left on, so check it regularly.

This. It's scary how often you see bikes cruising along with an indicator going, so giving it a press-press for luck as you approach every intersection is a good plan. Deliberate post-corner press-presses and random press-presses are also advisable :D

Neat story though, nice to be reminded of that feeling!

[KelvinAng]

This. It's scary how often you see bikes cruising along with an indicator going, so giving it a press-press for luck as you approach every intersection is a good plan. Deliberate post-corner press-presses and random press-presses are also advisable :D

I've developed an OCD with indicator-cancelling press-presses.

[GOONR]

I've developed an OCD with indicator-cancelling press-presses.

lol! So I'm not the only one..

[Sable]

Please use your clutch. Upshifting without a clutch is okay, if you're racing it and you have the cash to replace bent and worn out bits, but for street use it's unnecessary. Downshifting without a clutch is even worse than upshifting.

[Disrespective]

Please use your clutch. Upshifting without a clutch is okay, if you're racing it and you have the cash to replace bent and worn out bits, but for street use it's unnecessary. Downshifting without a clutch is even worse than upshifting.Worry not, that phase lasted a very short time. I'm very much the type of person who lives by a rule of 'No shortcuts allowed until i can do it the right way easily' I've since not done any clutchless shifting at all.

I'm about to sit my full licence test tomorrow morning so will update this post with the outcome of that for the unwashed masses to read once they realise bikes are a great way of travelling.

[KelvinAng]

I'm about to sit my full licence test tomorrow morning so will update this post with the outcome of that for the unwashed masses to read once they realise bikes are a great way of travelling.

Good luck for the test!

[Disrespective]

My rage is incandescent.

I didn't even fail and i'm fucked off. I turn up to the test after stopping at a garage to grab a set of $20 sunnies as there was heaps of glare off the wet road and sit patiently for the tester.

He turns up and starts the conversation by "Paul? I'm really sorry but..." and i just start boiling over.

The fuckers have forgotten/lost the earpiece for the test and aren't prepared to do it the old fashioned way with me seeing where they want me to go in my mirrors.

Now, i HAVE to have the test done before next week and it's now Thursday... Fuckers, who knows what will happen now.

Both I and the tester have left terse (more so in my case) messages with the people who should have this shit sorted and am just waiting for replies to arrange a new time to sit it.

I'm so pissed right now, i had to go to a happy place on the stupidly long ride home so i didn't get into trouble.

Don't even get me started on this shit.

News Just in...
Wayne Burton, one of the testing official people just rang to say a guy will be at the Kilbirnie station at 11:45am today to take my test. So, i'm happy(ish), but imagine if i'd rented the bike and just taken it back and tried to argue for money back on a wasted day and had to go back with my tail between my legs asking to use it again.

It really isn't very professional at all. Especially when they admitted that this has happened before so is a known issue with the people who use that station.

[duckonin]

Good on ya bro. Yeah you just HAVE TO check the indicators coming out of every corner, and approaching every intersection - the last thing you need is to be indicating a left turn when you are going to plow straight through the intersection at 50k. You don't need to look down at the dash - keep your eyes on the road and just use your left thumb and go press-press-press if you want them canceled. You can just randomly press-press to check that they are off also - very very occasionally you will find them left on, so check it regularly.

Be careful out there, and have fun!

Steve

DB A +1 Post very good advice ...

[Disrespective]

Woo, i'm a big boy now.

Well the test was taken at 11:45am today and i passed with only a few things mentioned.

One: I took a gap at a roundabout that didn't let the tester follow and he said i should be wary of who was behind me having to stop also... i thought that was a little bullshit as whoever is behind me should be able to make up their own mind if a gap will fit them rather than blindly following me.

Two: When i was doing my hazard detection he made me do the street i was in twice, on the first run i had to exit the street and then turn around and re-enter it and name the hazards, then when i had to do two u-turns on the street for the second run i left out some pedestrians on the sidewalk talking as i had included them in my first run, and just forgot.

The man taking me, Mohammad, was doing the test in his lunch break because of the fuckup of the higher ups so big thanks go out to him again for helping me out.

Either way, i now have a scrap of paper and am off to buy some beers. If anyone is interested in the route i can jump on google maps as it was different to my restricted in almost every way.

[KelvinAng]

:yes::niceone::clap::headbang::ride:

[raftn]

It is a great feeling when you finally get the full, I think i brought something stronger than beer thou...........