First road ride

[NotaGoth]

Well not long ago I got my first bike.. My little rg150... I've never ridden a bike before... And have only ever gone pillion... Been pillion 4 times... 2 of which were extremely short rides...

My partner got my bike out for me... And showed me the basics... Within the first hour and a half I'd dropped the bike twice while coming to a stop... Stalled a fair few times... And accidently put the bike in nuetral instead of 2nd gear.... (How embarassing)

As time went on things got better... I've stopped stalling.. I think I've only stalled 3 times since my first hour and a half... And I haven't stuck it in nuetral accidently thank goodness!!!!

Because we have extremely limited space around our house, to top it off our house is on a hill.... I do have an extremely difficult time trying to manuever the rg so I can turn it around and ride it down our hill onto the nicer bit of our driveway... I've now dropped it twice trying to get the bike out... But the bonus is I have had to learn to lift the bike back up myself... And have now picked it up on my own 3 times... Which I'm quite proud of...

We spent some time praticing my hill starts.. I kept stalling constantly and just couldn't get the hang of it... After stalling my bike I rather "dumbly" tried to kickstart it while still on the slight hill I was on... Lost my balance... This will be the 3rd time that I have dropped my bike.. Previously, both times was just after I'd come to a stop.. And one of which was on a slight slope... Only this time I didn't manage to clear the falling bike.... Ended up with my leg being squished under it... And some rather nice bruising.....

I admit.. Its the small things that you would think is so simple... Yet when it comes to learning how to do it.. They tend to be the most frustrating things...

Mums spent some time watching me and was quite suprised in me... She mentioned that she thought I would be ok going out on the open road for the first time... So.......

Last night... I borrowed my mum and dads gear... Grabbed my helmet... And thats just what I did... Out on the road for the first time.... Along the road I live on there are some perfect spots for turning around... So I don't have to stray off too far.... I actually really really enjoyed myself... Backwards and forwards I went.. Turn around and head back the way I'd came... I'd stop down the bottom of my driveway so my partner knew I was ok.. He was getting really paranoid everytime he couldn't hear my bike anymore....

My mum couldn't even get me inside for my dinner... I was enjoying it to much.. She's lucky it got too dark for comfort so I headed inside...

I do gotta say.. Despite my little oopsies... And the difficulties I have had.. I still must say... That buying my first bike has been one of the best things I've ever done...

[slowpoke]

Haha, you are going through what everyone of us has gone through.
You may have read/heard about someone elses experiences, but it's not until you grapple with the process yourself that you realise how embarrassing/frustrating/perplexing/painful but ultimately incredibly rewarding it can be.
You'll be checking out the "how too" section for wheelie and stoppy advice before you know it........if you haven't already.

[metric]

awesome... great to hear you are riding - it'll only get better and better too!

[chanceyy]

good one girl ... your going to be out on those roads real soon


I know what its like to want to spread your wings a bit further .. driving slow circles on my back lawn was great but now that i am not having to put a foot down or head for the fence & can brake to a stop & take off again without having to put feet down I am wanting to get out on the road .. a few things stopping me .. bike still not road legal & I live on a state highway ... but I do have a relatively quiet road almost opposite my house .. but will wait til i have someone with me before I head out .. just in case !!

[Storm]

Good stuff Not everyone has to do 200 clicks to get a thrill.

[Trudes]

Good on you chic, keep up the practice.

[limbimtimwim]

And accidently put the bike in nuetral instead of 2nd gear.... (How embarassing) As time went on things got better... I've stopped stalling.. I think I've only stalled 3 times since my first hour and a half... And I haven't stuck it in nuetral accidently thank goodness!!!!

I got on an unfamiliar bike on Saturday, I stalled it 3 times before getting it on to the street and got several neutrals when I didn't want to. You are starting from scratch, everyone has problems like that.

I do gotta say.. Despite my little oopsies... And the difficulties I have had.. I still must say... That buying my first bike has been one of the best things I've ever done...

At last: Welcome to motorcycling, may your adventure be long and happy.

[Rosie]

I do gotta say.. Despite my little oopsies... And the difficulties I have had.. I still must say... That buying my first bike has been one of the best things I've ever done...

That's because 2-stroke 150's are such cool little bikes

Good on your for getting out and about. There does seem to be an overwhelming number of 'silly little things' you have to get your head around when first learning, but if you keep practising, it does all start to come together.

[gijoe1313]

Sounds like you are having a blast on your little two wheels of freedom! On ya for doing it and having the gumption to keep on trying (despite a case of the dropsies...been there, done that )

And ain't pootling along just the most grandest feeling? Soon, you will be rarking it up the hill confidently, doing a u-turn to have it pointed out right and heading for the open roads, searching for twisties!

And, don't forget, read Buckbuck's threads on his approach to riding - sound advice and wisdom in there!

[Roj]

Great to hear you are enjoying riding, good luck and keep learning

[Minnie]

well done, at the end of the day it all about the practise....but that isnt hard is it...cause its soooo much fun keep up the good work

[Jimmy B]

Well done and hope you enjoy it for many years to come and whatever you do make sure you never sell your bike, unless its to buy another....

Hey Minnie, we went for a ride out your way on Saturday, forgot just how good the roads are this time of year, you are really luck to have that on your back door step. Went to the Kentish? for a coldie, good place to sit outside

[Scorpygirl]

Well done Kittie on getting on your bike!!! Yahoooooo!! Go girl!!!

[dasser]

Good for you... Practice... Practice ... Practice

[$CENSLS1$]

Good on ya, sounds like you're out there and having fun which is the main thing.
I'm only new to the world of bikes too, have had my KLX250 for almost a month now and am starting to gain more and more confidence on it.I've just been doing things at my own pace and travelling roads that I know well.I think once you get passed the 'scared' stage you start to really think more about what is going on and what to do next.The basics can be difficult to learn but i've found that now I know my way around the bike (brakes, clutch, accelerator, gears etc) you just do things automatically and you can just enjoy the ride.

Anyhow, good on you for getting out there and giving it a go, it's worth it