Finally done it - Got a Bike!!

[Leong]

A friend and I have always wanted to ride bikes but never got round to it. Both keen cage drivers who may have met some of you on the roads around Clevedon, Kaiaua etc on Sunday mornings. We did John Wright's Basic skills course last Sunday, never having been on the front of a bike before, got our Learners Licenses during the week, and by coincidence, both got VTR250s delivered yesterday! It's been quite a learning curve, and lurking in this forum has been extremely helpful - Thank you all!!

I've done about 60km so far, in the cul de sacs around home. Riding on the road is way more complicated than riding around John's oval and cones tracks, especially at intersections when there are cars around!! Luckily the streets are quiet and I've been able to make up a couple of little "tracks" that include esses and hairpin bends (that require gear changes), with T intersections and roundabouts in between.

Problems? Most frustrating is that I keep forgetting to turn off the indicators, but I'm getting better. Also some difficulty getting my toes above and below the gearchange lever as necessary. This was much easier at John's course where I was wearing normal shoes, but the boots I've bought are much bigger and more cumbersome (though safer). We have both bought Full faced helmets, jackets, pants, gloves and boots, and wearing all this gear complicates things even more!!

Having great fun and would be out on the streets if it weren't raining.

[crashe]

Welcome to the site...

All I can say is keep on practising.... the more you practise the better it will be for you. You will soon get used to changing gears with the big boots on...

As to turning off the indicators... as soon as you have gone around the corner get it in your head "Indicators" it will soon be second nature to you as well.

Keep an eye on the "Meetings and Events" section... and when you feel up to it come on a ride with us..
When they say "FAST" rides dont go on them.... cos they mean FAST rides.

Within such a short time you will be out there on the roads riding with us all.

[justsomeguy]

Welcome mate. Take it easy and enjoy yourself.

Don't be in a rush just go with the flow. It took Rossi over a decade of riding to become one of the best and another decade to become "the best".

[White trash]

It took Rossi over a decade of riding to become one of the best and another decade to become "the best".

That right? Only took me 15 minutes, who is this "Rossi"?

[Hooks]

That right? Only took me 15 minutes, who is this "Rossi"?

If you ever get around to putting your front wheel down you'll see him in your morror .... just .... he ain't on a Suzuki ....

[Sniper]

Welcome to the forum mate, and its good to see you riding a sensible bike and taking a sensible learning curve. Just take your time, you can't learn everything overnight plus if you stick to the forums you will learn a hell of a lot from most of us. Just ignore the guys with red box's (Check out the FAQ for what they mean)

Ride safe matey and welcome to our corner of the biking world.

Sniper

[FEINT]

Welcome to the site.

[Avignon]

Hopefully this crap wheather goes away and you can get out more. Forget the city and find yourself some quiet, twisty country roads. Welcome to the wounderful world of motorcycling.

[poorbastard]

Welcome mate and good to see your starting off in the right way. Just keep up the practice

[FROSTY:Me]

good onya dude--Good choice of bike --I found the gearbox on mine to be really slick during its brief stay with me.
Come along and join ya fellow KBers -youll learn a lot and pick up a few hints and tips.
Just dont listen to that White Crash oops trash guy or you'll be pulling wheelies befor ya can get around corners

[Jabez]

Welcome....

[fizzer]

Welcome to the wonderful world of motorcycling

[Leong]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Hopefully this crap wheather goes away and you can get out more. Forget the city and find yourself some quiet, twisty country roads. Welcome to the wounderful world of motorcycling.

Well, I got out for an hour when the rain stopped. My riding area is slowly getting larger, and includes more intersections and traffic.

Twisty country roads would be fun, but I think I need more confidence in my ability to handle gears, especially knowing which gear I'm in and braking - using both brakes instinctively.... (my foot sometimes misses the brake pedal!) I still have to think down to change down, and up to change up.

On one of my "tracks" there are some esses that lead into a hairpin, esses in third then down to second for the hairpin and accelerate out and into third. I'm already enjoying leaning the bike and it's quite cool how you can change gears quite quickly compared to a car.

I think I might enjoy this world of motorcycling...

[sels1]

I think I might enjoy this world of motorcycling...

Beware...it can be addictive.

Welcome aboard the site

[Krayy]

A friend and I have always wanted to ride bikes but never got round to it. Both keen cage drivers who may have met some of you on the roads around Clevedon, Kaiaua etc on Sunday mornings. We did John Wright's Basic skills course last Sunday, never having been on the front of a bike before, got our Learners Licenses during the week, and by coincidence, both got VTR250s delivered yesterday!..

Excellent choice of bikes!! I love mine. It'll last you right through the learning curve and beyond. Great commuter too, as the available torque means less gear shuffling in traffic. Hope to see you on an organised ride soon.