What to learn first Newbie advice wanted

**Roki_nz** · 18th January 2006, 20:41

Hey just started riding and I am not wanting to drop it again or crash at all. So I was wondering what skills would you guys recommend on concentrate on first also two quick questions any tips on actually moving the bike when its stopped i.e moving it from the garage to the street, reposition etc had a lot of fun trying to get it to face the right way on the drive today god its heavy (or I am just weak) so is there some magic way of doing it any advice cheers and also just on how to hold the handle bars having some troubles with going to break and opening the throttle not such a problem at the moment since I am pretty good with engine breaking but I do not want to have my bike lurch up from under me and drop it again

Cheers for any general advice you dudes can give (and yes will be doing all the handling course once I get a bit more confident my self)

**madboy** · 18th January 2006, 20:50

Find a lonely road and ride it. Slowly. Then come on the newbie ride, posted somewhere here, on the 29th.

If moving the bike, hold it on the LH side and lean it toward you. Never the other way. Leaning against a bike will hold it up easily, but a bike leaning away from you? That requires a lot of strength and blimmin good balance! If necessary, lean right into it so it's against you. And cover the front brake.

**Sparky Bills** · 18th January 2006, 20:50

If your pushing the bike around.. ALWAYS lean it into you. You should be able to hold the weight up that way.
Dont b in any rush either, just take your time and think about what your doing. (that goes for when your riding too)

**Gremlin** · 18th January 2006, 20:52

For moving the bike, I'm quite tall and my bike realistically weighs about 220. Learn throttle control and just sit on the bike, using it to move it forwards very slowly (keeping your feet down, walking), and for backing up, just push backwards (where your height comes in).

Practice and become aware of the effect of using the front brake in a corner. It will usually make the bike stand up, and you go straight (what you don't want in a corner).

Practice heaving braking as well, you need to know how much space you need in an emergency. Also, countersteering (pushing on the right bar, and the bike moving right) - essential in emergency avoidance

**Mr. Peanut** · 18th January 2006, 20:55

T move your bike make sure you dont tip it over too far try and keep it nice and balanced that way you won't feel the weight so much. Try to ride with your fingers off the brakes youll be smoother that way, and get yourself sorted befor the corner. The idea is to come into the corner at the right speed and keep to that speed, don't brake or accelerate until you come out of the corner.

The correct way to hold the bars?? :spudwow:

- LIke this?!

**Roki_nz** · 18th January 2006, 20:59

Cheers will try all of that. At the moment when I break usually I leave my thumb on the handle bar and the rest of my finger on the break is there anther way to do this its just how I used to break with a push bike but back they it was just my feet making the power not my hand

**2much** · 18th January 2006, 21:09

Your 250 weighs 165kg dry, that's about the same as a 600 and only 3kg less than my 1000, so yeah, it is fucken heavy. Just be patient and you'll get used to it.
When riding always cover the brake lever with a finger or two, try the inside two, outside two, whatever works for you. This way you'll naturally roll your hand forward to squeeze the lever and close the throttle at the same time. Be patient, it'll come.
ALWAYS LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO CAUSE YOU WILL GO WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING. Patience...
Expect everyone else on the road to be stupid and to do something dumb.
Take your time, don't rush things. Practice, practice, practice,did I mention be patient?

Oh yeah, welcome to KB btw.

**Drum** · 18th January 2006, 21:14

Ridesafe (in Wellers) do an introductory course in the morning before the basic handling skills course in the arvo (its run on a Saturday). If you do both courses you will have your BHS certificate that very afternoon, and be confident enough to start learning to ride on the road (of course you need your learner license to do this legally).

Unless you have a friend to teach you in person (and some may recommend against this too) this is a good way to start.

**Roki_nz** · 18th January 2006, 21:15

you serious your 1000 only 3 kgs more than mine shit and i was worrying how i was going to handel the weight of somthing bigger but yeah your right it is very heavy at least i will get strong arms after a while

**Drum** · 18th January 2006, 21:16

My mistake. Its "Roadsafe"

http://www.roadsafe.co.nz/

**Roki_nz** · 18th January 2006, 21:22

Yeah will be going with them mainly due to the fact for the course where you don’t have to sit the practical test but also I want to learn how to ride so I keep on living. But before that I am just getting confident on my bike its easier to learn if you are relaxed

**gman** · 18th January 2006, 21:24

practice in some quiet streets.and prectice practice practice.youl get the hang of it.eventually.hell weve all been there.

**Roki_nz** · 18th January 2006, 21:26

yeah been doing that too or rather will be when the wind dies down a bit here in welly when i was on it this afternoon got a little worryed with wind whats the best way to deal with it, about the only thing i tried was to just relax a little and not stress

**boomer** · 18th January 2006, 21:27

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Practice and become aware of the effect of using the front brake in a corner. It will usually make the bike stand up, and you go straight (what you don't want in a corner).

I'd suggest staying off the front brake in a corner... Slow in fast out!