Nervous about test riding new bikes..

[Voltaire]

If you are thinking of going to a sports bike, see if you can get an hour or two on a GT250R. It's only a 250, so theres nothing to be afraid of, but it tunes you into riding in that posture. Maybe that will bump you through a few fears before you go do it for real.

Another trick you can do, is ride a larger cc bike that looks almost exactly the same as your learner bike. That way your mind associates it with something you are already familiar with.

Larger bikes are of course a little heavier, but mostly the throttle is just heaps more sensitive, and moving away in first gear is has you moving much more quickly, so you can practice that on your learner bike taking off in 2nd gear, and intentionally taking great care with easing the throttle on and getting the clutch out more gently - all those things are quite different on a larger machine.

But yeah, your first month on a big bike is the culmination of much training and many plans coming together and a magical time for you.

Steve

Before you take any of Sillybastards advice read thru his previous posts.

"I am a licenced motorcycle instructor, I agree with dangerousbastard, no point in repeating what he said....over a year ago but it was the last time anyone agreed with me."
"read what Steve says. He's right.....hardly ever so cherish the moment"
"What Steve said pretty much summed it up .......amazingly."
"I did axactly as you said and it worked...some of the buildings nearby are still standing"
"Wow, Great advise there DB....its hard to believe 1 out of 6000 posts could be useful"
WTB: Hyosung bikes or going or not....which is probably most of them"

not bad....5 references in over 6000 posts.....flaketastic

[MadDuck]

I am a licenced motorcycle instructor, I agree with dangerousbastard, no point in repeating what he said

Says a lot about the said (motorcycle) instructor doesnt it?

[blackdog]

.......
Larger bikes are of course a little heavier, but mostly the throttle is just heaps more sensitive, and moving away in first gear is has you moving much more quickly, so you can practice that on your learner bike taking off in 2nd gear, and intentionally taking great care with easing the throttle on and getting the clutch out more gently - all those things are quite different on a larger machine.....


Steve

omg block your ears katie, that is the biggest pile of horseshit even db has managed to spout for a while.

take this advice only if you feel like having to replace the clutch before you sell it.......

[PhantasmNZ]

One thing I learned when I passed my test was not to be fixated on engine size - and particularly being scared that a bike is "too big" (in a capacity sense...).

In general bigger (heavier) bikes do take a little getting used to - and you do need to be able to move them around (would be bad to ride into a downward facing drive and not be able to get it out again ) - but on the road the weight is less important. I bought a 400 when I passed my test which I thought would be "plenty fast enough for me" - but it didnt take long until I realised it was actually a bit underpowered (particularly 2-up)

Take your time, be confident (but not overconfident - we all know what that does on 2 wheels!) and don't rush the decision....

[davebullet]

go and see the boys(and girls) at tss. theres a nice quiet street out the back to putt up and down to get comfortable before venturing any further

He's right. If you've never ridden a heavier / larger capacity machine, good to have a wide quiet road.

Just remember one thing - less twist of the wrist. You literally just need to use the weight of your wrist on a bigger machine to make it move. Don't give it a handful like you might be used to doing.

[Lurch]

And of course make sure you have someone there to film it.

[JR1]

^ hahhahha

[Gone Burger]

And of course make sure you have someone there to film it.

Gee thanks Lurch - that gives me the world of confidence. You are so not borrowing my Camera if you come along with me for some test rides. You cheeky bugga!

[Ronin]

Gee thanks Lurch - that gives me the world of confidence. You are so not borrowing my Camera if you come along with me for some test rides. You cheeky bugga!

Lol. Mr Plonker in the vid is on cold green tires. You will be fine. Trust in the fact that you know how to ride a bike and that applies to any bike. Just take it nice and easy untill you learn a bit more about how it reacts to your inputs. And cover the back brake if your gonna wheelie it

[MsKABC]

The first one will be the hardest Katiepie, after that your confidence will increase heaps. Generally most bike shops I've found to be quite welcoming toward me test riding a bike. They are insured, so don't worry about having an oopsie. If you don't like their attitude, walk out the door and take your money elsewhere.

Maybe don't ride something too aggressively styled straight away - try a sports/tourer before riding a pure sports bike.

I went 250 --> 400 -->750 and it was a good progression, although I didn't last long on the 400 before I was ready for something bigger. It was only meant to be a 600, but I test rode it "for the experience". The smile I came back with was what sold it. :slap:

The modern bikes are so light that there isn't a huge amount of difference in weight. At speed it makes very little difference anyway, it's the slow speed stuff that will get you, so practice lots in carparks and your confidence will increase. My bike is so beautifully balanced that slow speed stuff isn't really any harder than on my other bikes.

I also find I have to be careful where I park my bike, coz if there's a slight slope I'm absolutely stuffed! Fortunately for me, my partner is a mountain of a man and he moves my bike for me sometimes A bit embarrassing when you're leaving a cafe though and all the punters are watching....

Good luck for your test and have fun on your test rides!

[CookMySock]

At speed it makes very little difference anyway, it's the slow speed stuff that will get you

This is very true. If you head out of town, once you are past second gear you will be very comfortable. Click it up a few gears and hey! you are in 6th gear humming along at the speed limit. Easy peasy! Spend some time here settling in and enjoying the increased throttle response, and before very long you will past so so may of your fears. Get back to the low speed stuff when you are not feeling so afraid of it.

Another useful thing, is to go on rides on your 250, with someone else on their larger bike. If you suddenly have a burst of confidence, pull over, swap bikes and ride off. Done!

A couple of rules you can make yourself ;

Don't be rough the throttle - it will bite you. Practice being mrs gentle on the throttle, especially the first little part of it - it can be quite snappy there.

No suddenly releasing the clutch like you can on your 250. Again, bike will bite back, especially when combined with the above.

After a week or so once you are getting the hang of it, limit your revs to say 5,000rpm. The bike mostly cannot bite you under 5,000rpm. If you rev the bugger out hard in 2nd or 3rd things change verrrry quickly indeed, limiting the revs helps keep a lid on this.

Practice counting gears. You really don't want to go down to first gear in town and slide the rear tyre, so you need to know when you are in second gear. As you come off the open road, go down from top (6th) gear and say to yourself "I'm in fifth", and then "I'm in fourth."

In the end, it's just grabbing the bull by the horns and doing it, but a little preparation won't go amiss.

Good luck and have fun. It's epic riding larger bikes.

Steve

[george formby]

I always feel nervous jumping on a bike other than my own, particularly if it is valuable, deeply cherished or a very different style . After a km or 3 when I know where everything is I'm fine. I ended up riding my mates freshly polished & newly tuned fireblade through some minging wet, slippy, downhill roadworks the other day. All my weight on the front end, wrists aching, sphincter clenched & terrified of a drop. No probs though, all in my head. I do reccomend caution.

[MsKABC]

Practice counting gears. You really don't want to go down to first gear in town and slide the rear tyre, so you need to know when you are in second gear. As you come off the open road, go down from top (6th) gear and say to yourself "I'm in fifth", and then "I'm in fourth."

...or do what I did, and buy a nice gixxer with a gear indicator. It's primo!

[CookMySock]

...or do what I did, and buy a nice gixxer with a gear indicator. It's primo!

all the mod-cons ay.

Steve

[John_H]

If you want to have a go on my bike up and down the road prior to going to the bike shops you are more than welcome. Might be a little less pressurised.