Going on the road for the first time

**koi** · 11th May 2015, 19:41

Ahh so I have my Learners' license and I'm wanting to hopefully go for just a wee bit of riding before Winter really sets in and rains all over my chances but I'm not really sure how to go about the transition from like... practicing in carparks to suddenly throwing myself on the road and into the path of numerous road hazards ahah ;v;

I guess I'm basically just wanting to know how people first started riding on the road after getting the license to do so because I'm not necessarily spooked or anything I just want to be able to start somewhere that's not too far out of my ability

Thanks for any and all help!! :~)

**Lelitu** · 11th May 2015, 19:45

When I got started, I was lucky enough to live in a fairly quiet suburb
So I got started on street riding there, where there's fuckall traffic outside of rush hour.

From there, just kinda kept going further and into busier places.
gets way easier with a bit of experience.

**Lelitu** · 11th May 2015, 19:57

Another bit of advice, this one I think *very* important.

you live in auckland, sooner or later you're going to take off riding on a wonderful lovely day
20 minutes later it will be pissing down, and now you have to get home.

get used to riding in the wet. it's neither that hard, nor really any more dangerous than riding in the dry so long as you remember a couple of things
every other driver is even worse than usual, the wet really brings out the dumbass in even the best drivers.
painted lines and metal things are slippery as fuck, so be really careful of them

if you've practiced, you'll be a lot safer riding home in the wet when the weather turns to shit and you don't have a choice.

**russd7** · 11th May 2015, 20:25

Originally Posted by koi

Ahh so I have my Learners' license and I'm wanting to hopefully go for just a wee bit of riding before Winter really sets in and rains all over my chances but I'm not really sure how to go about the transition from like... practicing in carparks to suddenly throwing myself on the road and into the path of numerous road hazards ahah ;v;

I guess I'm basically just wanting to know how people first started riding on the road after getting the license to do so because I'm not necessarily spooked or anything I just want to be able to start somewhere that's not too far out of my ability

Thanks for any and all help!! :~)

most on here are so old that all they had to contend with was the occasional horse

jus take it quietly and remember ya road rules and treat all other road users are idiots and you will be fine,when i was slightly younger than what i am now i was told by so many people that i was a temporary citizen because i rode a motor cycle that i had to prove em wrong, working for me still after more than 30yrs riding

**rastuscat** · 11th May 2015, 20:28

Originally Posted by russd7

most on here are so old that all they had to contend with was the occasional horse

jus take it quietly and remember ya road rules and treat all other road users are idiots and you will be fine,when i was slightly younger than what i am now i was told by so many people that i was a temporary citizen because i rode a motor cycle that i had to prove em wrong, working for me still after more than 30yrs riding

Yeah, wot 'e said.

It's a joy once you gain some confidence, as long as your skill matches your ego.

**FJRider** · 11th May 2015, 20:30

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Yeah, wot 'e said.

It's a joy once you gain some confidence, as long as your skill matches your ego.

It's the OVER confidence that does the damage ...

**eldog** · 11th May 2015, 20:34

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...kiwi-on-wheels)

Above is good advice esp from Maha

ride your own ride

take responsibility for yourself

and speak up and ask questions

(you will get a standard KB reply, but there are OTHERS here who will offer good advice)

**russd7** · 11th May 2015, 20:51

Originally Posted by eldog

(you will get a standard KB reply, but there are OTHERS here who will offer good advice)

enter Cassina, stage left

**Murray** · 11th May 2015, 20:58

Personally I would ignore all the group ride crap and go to something like this

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...hlight=respect

and just ask a few people to help and ride with you

Its not a big ride and should be safe doing it.

Alternatively I think there are Thursday night learner rides in Auckland and Caseye would be the right person to contact re this

**neels** · 11th May 2015, 21:03

Find someone experienced and safe to go riding with, who can provide positive constructive criticism.

Position yourself on the road as if you're sitting in the drivers seat of a car.

Assume everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.

Ride assertively so other people know what you're doing, half of them will be scared as you're a scary motorcyclist, have an escape plan for the rest.

**triplethumper** · 11th May 2015, 21:33

Sooner or later you'll just have to take the plunge, start out on roads you know well and go at a pace that is comfortable for you. if there's traffic behind you just pull over and let them go rather than trying to go too fast, there's a lot to think about when riding and you need to concentrate far more than in a car but it becomes second nature quickly so try to get out riding as often as you can.
If you have someone experienced who will ride with you and give feedback on your riding that's great but I learnt on my own and it was fine.

**Gremlin** · 11th May 2015, 22:17

I lived near the base of a peninsula so there was a network of roads I could play on, which I tried to do around mid morning, when traffic was at its quietest. I remember thinking that 40kph was plenty fast enough, and why would anyone want to go any faster.

If you've been practising in carparks, how did you get there (assuming it wasn't next door)? Mid morning is normally the quietest time, and try to keep to the quieter urban roads first. If traffic approaches from behind, you can always find a safe place to pull over and let them go. Once you've got to grips with controlling the bike in a more automatic fashion (ie, changing down as you approach an intersection and not leaving it in a high gear) then start on busier roads, traffic etc.

Yes, if possible, find someone experienced and they can help buffer traffic behind you. Learning to ride in winter isn't too bad, you start in the worst of conditions, rather than learning with more grip like in summer. I started in May...

Stay away from any group riding while you're learning, as they are complex environments, riders in closer than normal quarters and usually of varying behaviour, attitudes, riding ability etc.

**Rikard** · 11th May 2015, 22:32

Best thing to do would be to jump on the bike and just go for it on roads as quiet as you can find. Having said that if you are a little worried read up on what actually makes the bike work. I must have watched twist of the wrist 2 about 10 times and read the book cover to cover twice before I really felt comfortable on the road.

**caspernz** · 12th May 2015, 07:49

Stick to roads you know. Take short rides at first, and leave your ego at home. Be willing to just pull over and let other traffic scoot past. Quiet roads in Auckland? I'd suggest an industrial area on a sunday. As long as you don't ride beyond your ability, you'll quickly gain in confidence.