My backwards "L" progression. 3/4s there now

[SNF]

When I did my training course last weekend, the first exercise was to start off and ride around the carpark with the right hand on the tank! No gas, just clutch. It makes you realise with good clutch control you _can_ get it moving without the throttle (even my cruiser). Of course in the real world you still use the gas, but for the exercise it was a great learning experience.[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah I take off like this on the flat heaps. Take off by letting the clutch out real slow, all nice and quiet change at 8 or 10,000. That's not giving it death, it revs until 18,000 but I'm not taking it there, the most I revved it out to was about 15,000 once, I don't want to kill it. On a hill you need the throttle and slipping the clutch is essential (is it?) Well I started slipping it on hills and yeah no stalling.

Got proper plastic L plates and put them on using some on my infamous mounting skills...... okay so its cable tied. But its not coming off easily.

[SNF]

A mate gave me his old Sidi riding boots. He said I'd notice the difference when shifting. He was not wrong - Wow! I can honestly say half my noob shifts etc were down to riding in street shoes. Changing gears is so much easier now.

Did some counter-steering today and emergency braking. Starting to feel a little more adventurous with my cornering - 55 km/h on a fairly sharp corner now, can hold a line better than I could before, confidence is growing too. Have been implementing things I have seen from Twist Of The Wrist.

I sometimes go slower than I could and am a little shaky with the gas (on and off) But I took some corners brilliantly and it was just...... amazing. Braked, into 4th, turned in leaned with it, looked through the corner got on the gas and was away. No scraping pegs or knee down - I'm no where near confident enough to do that, plus on public roads its not the best idea.

Bike felt very stable and I just loved every second of it. I'm starting to feel less tense, like I'm in control of the bike rather than it controlling me.

[bosslady]

that's so cool! I'm lookin forward to that feeling!

[arcane12]

A mate gave me his old Sidi riding boots. He said I'd notice the difference when shifting. He was not wrong - Wow! I can honestly say half my noob shifts etc were down to riding in street shoes. Changing gears is so much easier now.

Did some counter-steering today and emergency braking. Starting to feel a little more adventurous with my cornering - 55 km/h on a fairly sharp corner now, can hold a line better than I could before, confidence is growing too. Have been implementing things I have seen from Twist Of The Wrist.

I sometimes go slower than I could and am a little shaky with the gas (on and off) But I took some corners brilliantly and it was just...... amazing. Braked, into 4th, turned in leaned with it, looked through the corner got on the gas and was away. No scraping pegs or knee down - I'm no where near confident enough to do that, plus on public roads its not the best idea.

Bike felt very stable and I just loved every second of it. I'm starting to feel less tense, like I'm in control of the bike rather than it controlling me.

Nice! Actually I'd second that about the boots. It took me a while to get used to my motorbike boots. Not a lot of feeling so hard to feel the changes. Still I don't like wearing anything less on the open road so I quickly got used to them and now wear them almost exclusively on the bike over my work boots or Doc's.

[bosslady]

update yo?

[SNF]

Well after having 2 breakdowns (flat battery, the other low/bad gas) I finally hit the motorway. Rode from Hillsborough to the airport. Think I need a smaller helmet, while riding I could feel it moving and it freaked me out quite a bit. On the way there I was going about 90-95 k's in the slow lane. On the way back I was able to stick to the limit. Bike went well, sounded amazing at 16000 rpm! I'd go again but I'd rather do it with a better fitting helmet I think.

[Smallfishnz]

Think I need a smaller helmet, while riding I could feel it moving and it freaked me out quite a bit. On the way there I was going about 90-95 k's in the slow lane. On the way back I was able to stick to the limit. Bike went well, sounded amazing at 16000 rpm! I'd go again but I'd rather do it with a better fitting helmet I think.

A "new" helmet should feel tight/snug and as it conforms to your head will "ease" it shouldn't move around under speed.

I am also in West Auckland, if you want to go for a ride sometime give me a yell.
Cheers

[SNF]

Thanks I'd like to once I get a better fitting helmet.

[SNF]

Went to a friends house. Good ride apart from the bike jumping out of second gear (does it sometimes). I put it back in and may have jumped on the gas a little early cos it fishtailed slightly. Gave me a fright, just finished coming out of a corner.

[The End]

Went to a friends house. Good ride apart from the bike jumping out of second gear (does it sometimes). I put it back in and may have jumped on the gas a little early cos it fishtailed slightly. Gave me a fright, just finished coming out of a corner.

You want to avoid changing down in any part of a corner at all costs. It can lead to locking up the rear and lots of unwanted sliding action. Also try and manage your throttle control in a corner, you should be applying it smoothly and consistently throughout the turn as applicable, rather than a sudden jump. Likewise with chopping the throttle, it will cause the bike to stand up mid corner.

[SNF]

I usually don't change through the corners. Must have panicked a bit when it jumped out of gear and got on the throttle slightly harder and earlier. I may have not put it into second properly. My shifter linkage is bent which could be part of the problem but then again it may have been a noob shift. Edit: turns out it was me - I put it back to first instead of back up to second, oops. That'll teach me.

[bosslady]

any update on how it's going?