Just been on my first ride :)

**Aaron** · 24th January 2005, 21:23

Just finished the first ride on my first bike... and it was bloody awesome

Kept using the clutch as a brake for a start

, (do a lot of mountain biking so was getting confused). Went down to the local school and had a play around down there. They've got a really long driveway so I could get the hang of gear changing without having to worry about anything else, corners, cars etc

30 minutes of that and I felt confident enough to tackle the back streets. There are a lot of dead end streets near where I live that I could potter around in without encountering too much traffic while being technically challenging enough to teach me some things. Lots of tight corners and plenty of time to practice with my indicator, etc.

Ended up driving around for 2 hours until my 10pm curfew loomed near and had to call it a night

I cannot wait for the weekend to arrive so I can got out for a bit more of a serious play.

**SuperDave** · 24th January 2005, 21:26

Welcome to the site. That's what it's all about

I just came from a ride myself and was the best part of the day. Have you already done your basic handling test and taken your learner theory test?

**John** · 24th January 2005, 21:40

good on you mate, nothing like learning, can still remeber my first day out - a nice speeding ticket oh well i was young and dumb, those 4 weeks ago lol..

welcome keeep safe and enjoy riding!

**justsomeguy** · 24th January 2005, 21:47

Just got back from a ride myself too........

Thanks for arranging it Frosty

Let me tell you a secret that will eventually make you as good a rider as the best here:

practicepracticepracticepracticepracticepracticepr acticepracticepracticepracticepracticepracticeprac ticepracticepracticepracticepracticepracticepracti cepracticepracticepracticepracticepracticepractice practicepracticepracticepracticepracticepracticepr acticepracticepracticepracticepracticepracticeprac ticepracticepracticepracticepracticepracticepracti ce

**campbellluke** · 24th January 2005, 21:59

All the best in getting experienced with your gsx.

Enjoy, and safe riding too!

**Will** · 24th January 2005, 22:19

Once you have entered, you will never want to leave. It is too addictive.

Your posting brings back memories of my first motorbike experiences. I was under age and was on a borrowed bike. Just went out on the street and discovered MOTORBIKES. Then I had to wait till I was of an age to get my licence.

Ah, those were the days to get a licence. A cop just followed me around on my bike and gave me my licence at the end . But I knew that I had all ready got it , because I had parked my mean machine (Honda SL 125cc) exactly as his bike was parked. You don't get away with that nowadays.

Take care out there. Not everyone can experience what you are doing and they seem to have a perverse sense of humour.

**Ms Piggy** · 24th January 2005, 22:25

Good job mate! Just keep riding and you'll get better - oh and listen and watch more experienced riders.

If you feel up to it why don't ya ride over to Akaroa with us on the 5th!

**Sniper** · 25th January 2005, 06:27

Well done mate. Its a great feeling isnt it when you get your confidence up and you can just go for it.

Just remember, riding a motorbike can be bloody awesome and fun, but make one real mistake and they can become unforgiving.

Ride safe and I look forward to seeing you when Im around CHCH next

**James Deuce** · 25th January 2005, 06:30

Hint from ex-motorcycle riding friends, now mountain 'bike exponents - swap the levers round on the pushy, so that the front brake is under your right hand. That way you don't have to have mental adjustments every time you swap two wheeled steeds. If you've already done it or it came like that - sweet.

Good on you, and we look forward to more of your riding tales.

**Riff Raff** · 25th January 2005, 06:47

Yay

Well done mate. You will have a lot of fun out there. It's always so exciting at your stage because every time you go out you learn something new. Try and get out on a KB ride - there are heaps of people out there who will be willing to help you - your riding can only improve from it.

**crashe** · 25th January 2005, 06:47

Originally Posted by Aaron

Just finished the first ride on my first bike... and it was bloody awesome

Kept using the clutch as a brake for a start

, (do a lot of mountain biking so was getting confused). Went down to the local school and had a play around down there. They've got a really long driveway so I could get the hang of gear changing without having to worry about anything else, corners, cars etc

30 minutes of that and I felt confident enough to tackle the back streets. There are a lot of dead end streets near where I live that I could potter around in without encountering too much traffic while being technically challenging enough to teach me some things. Lots of tight corners and plenty of time to practice with my indicator, etc.

Ended up driving around for 2 hours until my 10pm curfew loomed near and had to call it a night

I cannot wait for the weekend to arrive so I can got out for a bit more of a serious play.

Welcome Aaron..... have fun riding, but remember at this stage don't speed.
Learn to feel the bike and what she can do, without the speed.
Even in the backstreets there will be hoons in their cars, so just be wary of them coming around that corner fast.

I agree with JIM2 change over the levers on the mountain bike so that you don't get confused.... (but remind the person who borrows the Mountain Bike that you have done that or they will come a nasty cropper)

As you get more confident, you will venture out more and more....where the traffic is heavier...... but just always be wary.... On a bike you can actually see ahead that much further than when you are driving a car so keep your eyes peeled at all times. Watch the road conditions..... and do stay off the white lines and watch out for oil and desil (sp) on the roads, especially at intersections...

If you know someone with a bike get them to follow you out on the roads as your tail end charlie for a while, and they will keep the idiots off your rear end... they will protect you as some idiots get right up the rear end of a learner rider... and that can be scarey at first.

But most important, just have fun riding and please take care out there.
:spudbooge :spudbooge :spudbooge

**TonyB** · 25th January 2005, 07:22

Welcome to life on two wheels Aaron

. As Will said- it's addictive, so if the bug has bitten you it will never go away- you are now doomed to watching bikes go by with a tear in your eye while you hoon about on your mobility scooter in your old age.
Looks like your doing things far more sensibly than I ever would have... good on you! Take it slowly and learn as much as you can. There's a thread here with some sage advice from us old buggers http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...5&page=1&pp=15
Much of it has been learnt the hard way :disapint:
Cheers
Tonyb

**sAsLEX** · 25th January 2005, 07:33

Originally Posted by Jim2

Hint from ex-motorcycle riding friends, now mountain 'bike exponents - swap the levers round on the pushy, so that the front brake is under your right hand. That way you don't have to have mental adjustments every time you swap two wheeled steeds. If you've already done it or it came like that - sweet.

Good on you, and we look forward to more of your riding tales.

aint that they way they normally are??? Think they are that way standard on most bikes

**Aaron** · 25th January 2005, 07:56

Thanks for the advice and support folks. Yes it was a lot of fun. I will be very careful. It's a brand new bike, so have to be gentle while running her in

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Have you already done your basic handling test and taken your learner theory test?

Yes I have. Going to ring Ride Rite today and book a day on the Advanced Course which if I pass will take me to my restricted.

Originally Posted by crashe

Watch the road conditions..... and do stay off the white lines and watch out for oil and desil (sp) on the roads, especially at intersections...

My father rode motorcycles for the Ministry of Transport in another life and he said they always believed the council had it in for motorcyclists with the white paint and man hole covers all over the place

I'm not quite sure how I missed 'The things that you need to know when you start riding', but will have a good read of it now... work can wait

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

If you feel up to it why don't ya ride over to Akaroa with us on the 5th!

Thanks, I'll see how I go. I plan on commutting to work on it so between that and the coming weekend I should accumulate some k's and practice