First ride! I'm hooked

[zeocen]

Well I'm not sure if this is thread-worthy, but I'm just ecstatic about it haha.
I'm not a very confident person (should ring alarm bells as to why I even bought a bike) but I've just always wanted a bike..

Anywho, so I got a bike but don't have my licence, due to not being confident enough to take the bike cert before I actually got some hands on experience (turning etc) despite people saying its easy. I just didn't want to have to pay $70 twice, you know?

So anyway, we have a hospital ...er.. thing.. near our house in Manurewa and in the weekend the carpark is deserted, so I went down there with my old man and he said "go for it".

And I did, and it was fucking great. I couldn't tell you how great it felt to be on the bike, or maybe everyone already knows and I'm just catching the last bus. Anyway, after having the bunnyhops I finally got the hang of it, did some pretty sweet turning and got up to 3rd gear (car park isn't really that big, and I'm a pussy). So I'm chuffed at myself that I even was able to change gears on my first real ride on a 2 wheeler bike.

So yeah, pretty euphoric right now, don't know why.. with so many things going on in your head while riding it's still pretty calm, and I reaaally don't think I would have been as confident as I have been if it wasn't for this website and the great help I've recieved (not to mention the great bike haha).

And that's my story of how boring I can be! Sorry for the rant, it won't happen again, well.. maybe when I get to 5th gear.

[madmal64]

Good on ya
Just take your time, keep your brain in gear and enjoying the learning process (which never stops BTW) and the buzz of motorcycling will stay with you.
Its great to hear a good news story.

[beyond]

Good on ya mate. Yep, take your time as you'll always be learning. We all are.

Don't whatever you do, push the envelope too early or before you are ready. You can get into a hell of a lot of trouble real quick if you push your abilities too hard and too fast. Biking is loads of fun but an inherently dangerous exercise made even more dangerous by over confidence. Remember that and you'll be riding still at 70.

[Nicksta]

hey, congratts for getting a bike... sounds like you loved it like we all did the first time.,... welcome

[Sniper]

Good on ya mate. Remember, rubber sidedown

[limbimtimwim]

Well I'm not sure if this is thread-worthy, but I'm just ecstatic about it haha.
I'm not a very confident person (should ring alarm bells as to why I even bought a bike) but I've just always wanted a bike..

I was a total wuss on the bike to begin with.

Don't know what day things changed.. But they did. A "new level" so to speak.

It will for you too. Crazy when you realise it. I think it made me a more 'ballsy' person in other facets of life too.

[avrflr]

And I did, and it was fucking great. :

That's one more of us, and one less of them. Excellent. I try and explain to non-bikers why it's so addictive and they just don't get it. Well now you know. Happy trails, zeocen.

[Drew]

Very cool that you get a buzz out of it dude.
Don't know about anyone else, but I still have fun burning round a car park on a little bike, and I own two big ones.
Only problem I find with the buzz, is it gets harder and harder to find time to just ride for it, with no other reason than that.
Happy riding, keep the black stuff under the rubber stuff, and keep the brown stuff off your shorts.

[terbang]

Yup mate it sounds all good and welcome to the world of Motorcycles..
Allways concentrate on your Handling Skills, Mental Skills & Self Control Skills and you wont go too far wrong..

[Insanity_rules]

Congrats man, you should go for your licence. It is pretty easy and fun. I rode for 18 years on the road without it and feel pretty crap about it now as it was waaaay easier than I thought.

And when you discover the thrill of the ride it is postworthy (is that a word?). Welcome to a new and exciting world grasshopper. There are so more great things you have yet to discover about riding, I almost feel envious.

[MidnightMike]

Good on ya.

Is that Firefights wifes old bike?

[monica]

Good keep enjoying the ride we still do in more than once

[Jantar]

Well done. Like most on here I can still remember my first solo ride on a bike, even if it was 36 years ago.

[zeocen]

Good on ya.

Is that Firefights wifes old bike?

You have a keen eye

Thanks for all the positive feedback, I do feel much more confident in getting my bike cert + learners. An empty carpark is a great place to learn .. no one to harm but yourself, and I know what you mean by over confident... I actually did get a bit cocky while having a go around the corners and found myself infront of a corner before I knew it.. scared me enough to realise I'll forever be a newbie as long as cars and corners are on the road It humbled me a bit, but luckily I managed to gain composure and get back on track.

FIZZERMAN: The carpark is very close to me (bout 5 - 10 min walk), my old man took it down at first, and he was impressed at the bikes handling and weight.. and he owns, in my opinion a behemoth of a bike.. so I take his words heavily and it gave me confidence in the bike I was on (trusting to lean on it etc, it was already comfortable as hell to sit on for me).

limbimtimwim: It's great to have people say the things you said, just as reassurance, I know my confidence can only go up from here.. even if I drop/crash it'll be a live and learn experience (unless it was my fault, in that case I'll get what I deserve heh).

Thanks again for the welcomed responses! I just can't wait to get it out, rubber side down, again.

[Colapop]

Get some good gear and plan to fall. Hopefully it never happens but like as not..... The more you ride the better you will become and you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Sounds like you got a good support team at home though. Well done.