250cc's to freedom

[Sims]

Hey All,

I'm on my learners license and recently bought a suzuki dr-z 250 dual purpose. All was going good, until yesterday I was pulled over on the motorway (without an L plate.. that was an expensive mistake) and the first question the cop asked was 'are you a learner?' later the advice came to check properly before I change lanes, ie. not just with mirrors, might help me live longer!!

This gave me one of those moments of realisation; in my case I realised I have been going out for little rides by myself thinking all is good and I will learn how to ride fine, but in reality I have no idea what I'm not doing correctly, and as a 'bullet-proof' 26y/o that knocked a bit of confidence out of the sails!

I feel like riding the bike itself is natural, but I am pretty sure I have some bad habits etc.



Is this the sort of thing kiwibiker mentors are cool with advising on during rides, or should I be looking in yellowpages for a riding school / instructor?



suspect my bike has a minor handeling issue (front seems a bit 'lumpy' at certain speeds, like a real small buldge on a car tyre alltho I can't see anything obvious). but I might just be overstating it, or it might just be the suspension on a dual purpose doesn't really like the road that much anyway. Anyone who knows drz's know if its normal or requires investigation? rides ok regardless.

Cheers

[Rodney007]

dont worry man we have all done this.. the mirriors are really just for knowing if there is someone "directly" behind you, make it a habbit to take your left hand off the bar and physicaly look. hop your "butt" up and turn your head round to look to your right without having to get off the gas. (depending on the seating position of your bike)

never trust your mirriors. there not your eyes
learn from your mistakes, you didnt die so its all good,

the best mentor is yourself. the more you ride the better you get, ride all and everywhere, practice the tips experienced riders give you.

i personaly think this is the faster most reliable way to become a safe rider.

[mattian]

Yep. What Rodney said. You will make lots of mistakes and honestly its really the only way to learn. At the end of every day I try to analyse how my ride went today and think about what (if anything) I could have done differently to make my riding safer. Ride defensively, like nobody can see you. By all means get in contact with a mentor but most of all just get out there and do it!
Biking..... its the most fun you can have with your pants on.

[want-a-harley]

In the UK they call a look over your shoulder a life-saver, keeping that in my mind always keeps me looking behind.

[James Deuce]

You will make lots of mistakes and honestly its really the only way to learn.

No it isn't! What a load of rubbish! There's thousands of collective years of knowledge available to you, and the only advice you can come up with is "make mistakes"?

Someone give the OP a beer for being a bigger man and someone get hold of both these guys and teach them some spidey sense.

Sheesh! Seriously, anything you can think to ask can have a multitude of responses, some bad, some good. You need to get some riders around you who can help you actively sort the wheat from the chaff, and proactively learn stuff before you have to practise it "for real".

Kilometers and kilometers of riding and asking a million dumb questions of someone patient and knowledgeable is the way to go, rather than falling off and maybe getting back up or getting tickets and good advise (needlessly) from the HP.

[McJim]

In answer to your question - yup - look up a Mentor. Also book yourself on RRRS to learn some good habits as well as getting rid of the bad ones.

[DarkLord]

My car driving instructor always said Indicate - Mirror - Headcheck.

A good little saying to keep in mind.

[Howsie]

No it isn't! What a load of rubbish! There's thousands of collective years of knowledge available to you, and the only advice you can come up with is "make mistakes"?

Someone give the OP a beer for being a bigger man and someone get hold of both these guys and teach them some spidey sense.

Sheesh! Seriously, anything you can think to ask can have a multitude of responses, some bad, some good. You need to get some riders around you who can help you actively sort the wheat from the chaff, and proactively learn stuff before you have to practise it "for real".

Kilometers and kilometers of riding and asking a million dumb questions of someone patient and knowledgeable is the way to go, rather than falling off and maybe getting back up or getting tickets and good advise (needlessly) from the HP.

James, i agree with you. Learning as much as possible about what you are wanting to do is a good way to start.

There is no right or wrong way about how to learn there are people that learn the theory first and the people that jump in straight away and learn from their mistakes.

Myself, I fall into the latter category. I can be told many times over what would happen if such-and-such happens but 9/10 times i will do it that way at least once, knowing what will happen anyway. Thats just how some people learn. This doesnt just apply to riding but all aspects of life. BTW I dont make those mistakes if it will harm any living thing, myself included

To the OP, if you are new to biking (like I am) then getting out there and riding is the best way to learn. As you have found, getting advice from an experienced rider is invaluable and you will most likely learn a few things you hadnt even thought of. Get around some experienced riders and learn all you can!!

Howsie

[Supermac Jr]

Get a mentor and go for ride with him/her! I went for ride with a mentor and it made a huge difference. Its difficult to remember everthing you read here (and elsewhere) but having a mentor take a look and giving constructive feedback justs adds to the learning curve. I found it really added to my confidence.

I suppose it helps to learn from other peoples mistakes. Its cheaper and doesn't hurt as much...

[toebug]

Go to your local kiwibiker ride night and ride with them. They will give you all the advice you will need nd you will meet some great like minded people.

[James Deuce]

James, i agree with you. Learning as much as possible about what you are wanting to do is a good way to start.

There is no right or wrong way about how to learn there are people that learn the theory first and the people that jump in straight away and learn from their mistakes.

Myself, I fall into the latter category. I can be told many times over what would happen if such-and-such happens but 9/10 times i will do it that way at least once, knowing what will happen anyway. Thats just how some people learn. This doesnt just apply to riding but all aspects of life. BTW I dont make those mistakes if it will harm any living thing, myself included

To the OP, if you are new to biking (like I am) then getting out there and riding is the best way to learn. As you have found, getting advice from an experienced rider is invaluable and you will most likely learn a few things you hadnt even thought of. Get around some experienced riders and learn all you can!!

Howsie

Your avatar is obviously an x-ray of your own skull.

[EatOrBeEaten]

One of the first things I did once I got the Kawasaki was to get in touch with theStranger and ask about getting a mentor. I had nearly a week's training with an instructor back in the UK, so the nuts and bolts of how to ride didn't worry me, it was the staying alive aspect I needed help with. I've been out with my mentor a few times now and it's made such a difference. I also make a point of taking the bike out A LOT by myself and applying what I've learned, thinknig about what I'm doing etc.

Seriously, there are people on this site willing to help you become a better rider FOR FREE. Why they're not having to turn people away in droves is beyond me!

[Sims]

Thanks everyone for the advice! for anyone interested I am going to contact a mentor and have started investigating a RRRS course- Sounds very good, It looks like the next one is mid march so I will enquire.

[Gummie]

Did the RRRS in jan was the best thing i could of done.
a great bunch of like minded people.
Learnt some very valueable lessons.

[The Pastor]

also look for learner friendly rides in the meetings and events section - toto often organises them.

Heaps of like minded people go who will be able to give you advice etc