Officially an L-Plate Rider

[Haymaker]

Well done , another biker on the road means one less car. A carpark is a good place for learning to use the clutch and brakes. Once you are confident in that then ride on some quiet roads and get used to gear changes , cornering and watching out for every other idiot on the road.
Use the back brake at slow speeds (can use front if riding straight). When going quicker the front does most of the stopping.
If nervous about going out by yourself ( we all where) then find out if someone in your area can Chaperone you.
Good luck , take care and most of all enjoy.

I took to the quiet streets nearby tonight. Practiced going through all the gears, braking, emergency braking (although I only attempted that at about 30-40kmph, so will need more practice there), hill starts, a couple of give way intersections and just turning around in the cul-de-sacs. A few cars about and pedestrians and a cat. So was a good first practice I think.

[Haymaker]

Will make you faster and better than Thani_B!

Haha I got 2 years worth of catching up to do. Probably more cos of the distance she travels. I'll get there eventually I hope, but will be a long way away, and she'll be better by then too. Nice to dream though..

[Haymaker]

Congrats chicky. I'll be there on Sat to help ya out if you need it. You'll be sweet.

Convoy down to the petrol station haha

[Haymaker]

Yer its is scary I have been riding dirt bikes since I was a kid so i think that helps a lot with feeling comfortable on a bike but of coarse there is a heap skills to learn on the road.

I went for a really good ride today all open road did maybe 50km I think.

And one jerk off tail gating me which I found really scary don't like cars behind me as it is let alone right up my arse.

I tend to stick to back roads and round here they are quite and have more twisty in them.

Yeah that would help a fair bit. But yeah different skills to learn on the road.
I can't wait 'til I'm ready for some twisties, will be a while yet though.
And gosh yes, hate tailgaters, they're intimidating enough in a car, must feel worse on a bike.
Glad to hear you still had a good ride though

[Tink]

Finally got my learners!
I was told I should post a new thread instead of just commenting in my old one. So here it is.
Aced the test during my lunch break today. So finally ready to get out there and practice. Will be hitting the carpark on Saturday. Can't wait

congrats.... I was like you 50km around home, and I live in the country... very quickly I thought SHIT this is not so hard... still working up to a hundred, but since have rode 2 different bikes... and in the rain, wind, and strange roads... I have been up for 2 months, you will be fine... Thani is cool..and all woman here an inspiration... !! GO GIRL

[Tink]

Yeah that would help a fair bit. But yeah different skills to learn on the road.
I can't wait 'til I'm ready for some twisties, will be a while yet though.
And gosh yes, hate tailgaters, they're intimidating enough in a car, must feel worse on a bike.
Glad to hear you still had a good ride though

Get your own personal TEC... it will boost your confidence no end!

[howdamnhard]

I took to the quiet streets nearby tonight. Practiced going through all the gears, braking, emergency braking (although I only attempted that at about 30-40kmph, so will need more practice there), hill starts, a couple of give way intersections and just turning around in the cul-de-sacs. A few cars about and pedestrians and a cat. So was a good first practice I think.

Thats the way to do it. Practice the basics and get familiar with the controls in a nice quiet safe environment. You don't want to be mastering the controls and looking out for idiots at the same time.
With the braking : try just the back first (gently and progressively) and see how the bikes weight transfers onto the front wheel. As the weight comes off the back the rear brakes become less effectively due to loss of traction by the rear wheel. To hard on the rear brake locks the rear causing it to slide,easy to fix just keep looking where you want to go and release pressure on the rear brake.
Have a go on the front only (gently and progressively), as the weight moves forward under braking the front tyre squashes down increasing its contact area allowing you to brake harder.If you grab the front to quickly the front doesn't get a chance squash the tyre down and grip causing it to wash out.This happens very quickly and you normally only realise it with the sudden change in horizon.
To sum up use both brakes smoothly and progressively. When practising
use both brakes and work up to braking progressively. Start slowly and work up to braking harder. This way you will safely get a feel for your bikes limits.
Anyway enough of that, get out and enjoy.

[wisefxx]

firstly well done. you should come along to NASS one night. They can offer you amazing advice and help build your confidence

[Haymaker]

firstly well done. you should come along to NASS one night. They can offer you amazing advice and help build your confidence

When I'm ready to make my way out that way I will for sure

[wisefxx]

When I'm ready to make my way out that way I will for sure

yeah for sure. if you need someone to tag along with you or show you the way let me know. I have already guided a couple of first timers there in the past few weeks so mopre than happy to help

[Haymaker]

yeah for sure. if you need someone to tag along with you or show you the way let me know. I have already guided a couple of first timers there in the past few weeks so mopre than happy to help

May do. Cos I'm out Sylvia Park way, so would mean a fair bit of motorway riding, or extreme back streets haha. Once I've built up a bit of skill and confidence I'll try the higher speeds though. All in good time. Thanks

[Haymaker]

Thats the way to do it. Practice the basics and get familiar with the controls in a nice quiet safe environment. You don't want to be mastering the controls and looking out for idiots at the same time.
With the braking : try just the back first (gently and progressively) and see how the bikes weight transfers onto the front wheel. As the weight comes off the back the rear brakes become less effectively due to loss of traction by the rear wheel. To hard on the rear brake locks the rear causing it to slide,easy to fix just keep looking where you want to go and release pressure on the rear brake.
Have a go on the front only (gently and progressively), as the weight moves forward under braking the front tyre squashes down increasing its contact area allowing you to brake harder.If you grab the front to quickly the front doesn't get a chance squash the tyre down and grip causing it to wash out.This happens very quickly and you normally only realise it with the sudden change in horizon.
To sum up use both brakes smoothly and progressively. When practising
use both brakes and work up to braking progressively. Start slowly and work up to braking harder. This way you will safely get a feel for your bikes limits.
Anyway enough of that, get out and enjoy.

Pretty much the same advice Thani gave me the other day thanks.
Also had my first object fly at me. I think it was a small stone cos the road had recently been re-sealed, and it made a bit of a clang on the helmet for the slow speed I was travelling. Was so close to hitting my face as I had the visor up, but thankfully all good and it didn't startle me. And it didn't leave a mark on the helmet either

[Tink]

Pretty much the same advice Thani gave me the other day thanks.
Also had my first object fly at me. I think it was a small stone cos the road had recently been re-sealed, and it made a bit of a clang on the helmet for the slow speed I was travelling. Was so close to hitting my face as I had the visor up, but thankfully all good and it didn't startle me. And it didn't leave a mark on the helmet either

And your on your way... my fav is the bug on the visor.. little buggers!!

[Thani-B]

Well done, well done... I got one question wrong on my test. Will make you faster and better than Thani_B!

Like she said, shes got about 2 years and 17000kms to go to catch up to me.

[howdamnhard]

Also had my first object fly at me. I think it was a small stone cos the road had recently been re-sealed, and it made a bit of a clang on the helmet for the slow speed I was travelling. Was so close to hitting my face as I had the visor up, but thankfully all good and it didn't startle me. And it didn't leave a mark on the helmet either

It pays to leave the visor down as a bug in the eye ain't so much fun. Then you also get the stinging variety.