This is for the not so newbies

[zique]

I always had a feeling I would be really good on bikes,more than a car but it took me forever to get a bike.
However upon sitting on one,the first time,I stalled a few times,it was overwhelming in the beginning but my work mate was there watching and offering advice in a little car park.It has been less than a dozen times I have been out riding since I bought the bike but with the help of everyone here,I got doing U-turns sorted now.Gears almost sorted,still finding it hard to get into neutral lol.
But I just realised I need more work getting off the line lol,struggling with the low rev throttle control (if anyone got any advice,please offer) I shall be out practicing again on my next days off but as my work mate said I was a quick learner.I just hope I don't get too cocky on the bike.
I guess everything comes with practice and being aware,like the last time I was out,some dick kept pulling out of the drive-way onto the road even though he saw I was right there on the main road,riding.I had to go around him.Wish I could have the psycho mentality to stop and give him a hard talking to!
All in all,I am loving it!

[Drew]

Don't lose that fear - it's healthy.

It is healthy to accept your mortality, to dwell on it at all seems a complete waste of time to me.

[arcane12]

I always had a feeling I would be really good on bikes,more than a car but it took me forever to get a bike.
However upon sitting on one,the first time,I stalled a few times,it was overwhelming in the beginning but my work mate was there watching and offering advice in a little car park.It has been less than a dozen times I have been out riding since I bought the bike but with the help of everyone here,I got doing U-turns sorted now.Gears almost sorted,still finding it hard to get into neutral lol.

But I just realised I need more work getting off the line lol,struggling with the low rev throttle control (if anyone got any advice,please offer) I shall be out practicing again on my next days off but as my work mate said I was a quick learner.I just hope I don't get too cocky on the bike.

I guess everything comes with practice and being aware,like the last time I was out,some dick kept pulling out of the drive-way onto the road even though he saw I was right there on the main road,riding.I had to go around him.Wish I could have the psycho mentality to stop and give him a hard talking to!
All in all,I am loving it!

Finding neutral can be a bit of a bugger at first. Depending on bike, your style etc., it might be easier going down from 2nd rather than up from first. Try both. Due to being inbetween gears I find you have to be a bit more gentle to get it into neutral, otherwise it just jumps past to the next gear.

With your work "getting off the line" you said you were struggling with low speed throttle control? I don't quite get what you mean. Are you stalling it on take off, or just finding it hard to do the slow speed closing the gap sitting at the lights stuff? (Walking pace riding)

[zique]

I shall try going down from 2nd to find neutral.Good tip! I usually find neutral by fluke when I have parked up the bike and gently try and find it..but most times,no luck.

From a standing start,when I want to ride off,I just can't seem to put enough throttle to get the bike moving.It's not the bike,it is me! I usually rev it to 2500rpm but that barely gets the bike going with the clutch slowly being let out.It's easy to rev it higher,which I am worried about as I don't want to rocket off the line.Can get fustrating at times trying to find enough revs to get the bike moving.
Btw my bike is a VT250 Spada.
I am yet to practice walking pace riding.Once I master moving off slowly from a stop,I plan to do more work on walking pace riding.

[FJRider]

From a standing start,when I want to ride off,I just can't seem to put enough throttle to get the bike moving.It's not the bike,it is me! I usually rev it to 2500rpm but that barely gets the bike going with the clutch slowly being let out.It's easy to rev it higher,which I am worried about as I don't want to rocket off the line.Can get fustrating at times trying to find enough revs to get the bike moving.

This I believe the biggest problem a newbie rider has ...

They have the belief that anything OTHER than clutch IN ... or ... OUT ... is WRONG.

Slipping the clutch IS essential in most occasions ... especially if LOW speed take off is the only option. It is usually only required for seconds ... not minutes ... so it is really not a big deal.

Prolonged slipping of the clutch WILL cause issues.

Motorbikes that spend most of their working life "downtown" ... may have clutch issues sooner than those spent on the open road.

[pritch]

My first day when I got the bike was pretty much all stalling. People laughed at me at one point, it wasn't my finest hour and pretty embarrassing.

Oh, that's so familiar. Except it was 1959 in Rosebank Road when that was still market gardens. It's still embarrasing to think back on it. At least the bus driver who was waiting for his return trip had a good laugh...

Keep riding - and reading...

[DEATH_INC.]

I usually rev it to 2500rpm but that barely gets the bike going with the clutch slowly being let out.It's easy to rev it higher,which I am worried about as I don't want to rocket off the line.Can get fustrating at times trying to find enough revs to get the bike moving.

The idea is to gently feed in more throttle as you let the clutch out, so you keep the rpm at a constant speed as the clutch takes up the load. 2500 rpm is plenty. Don't just rev it more to start with, that's how ya get in trouble.
Don't be shy to sit on the bike without the engine running and get the feel of it even. Practice getting the hang of co-ordinating feeding the clutch and gently turning the throttle at the same time. That way when you try it for real it'll feel right.
Try just starting to take off, then pull the clutch in again and roll to a stop. then take off again etc. It shouldn't take too long to get the hang of it.

[GrayWolf]

Slipping the clutch IS essential in most occasions ... especially if LOW speed take off is the only option. It is usually only required for seconds ... not minutes ... so it is really not a big deal. .

Haha Unless it's an MT or an FJ, in which case slipping the clutch is an 'optional'

[schrodingers cat]

A degree of fear is healthy.
Self doubt is toxic.

Rather than concentrate on what you are 'bad' at, enjoy the sensation of mastering new skills
Identify the things you want to be 'better' at

Aim to do more good stuff and less of the bad stuff.

By keeping a positive outlook and enjoying each new experience your learning will come easier.

[Owl]

Find a mature, happy, engaging mentor...have some FUN and ask to ride their Tuono

[arcane12]

This I believe the biggest problem a newbie rider has ...

They have the belief that anything OTHER than clutch IN ... or ... OUT ... is WRONG.

Slipping the clutch IS essential in most occasions ... especially if LOW speed take off is the only option. It is usually only required for seconds ... not minutes ... so it is really not a big deal.

Prolonged slipping of the clutch WILL cause issues.

Motorbikes that spend most of their working life "downtown" ... may have clutch issues sooner than those spent on the open road.

+1

I had issues with the clutch when I started. Stalled a bit not giving it enough gas. I was getting better, and then the BHS skills guy said 'Ease up' so I thought he meant less gas! Now I know he meant don't drop the clutch :P Almost failed due to the number of stalls!

I had been around 7 years since I had driven a manual, and I guess my skills were taking a while to transfer.

So yeah, just need to ease the clutch out all gentle like, and as you hear the engine drop the note (or see the revs drop) and it starts to move foward, you just give it a bit more gas to keep the revs up. It will all become second nature real quick. Just get it moving, and then stop after 20m, and then do it again! Also a good way to practice a nice gentle stop too!

[Edbear]

The idea is to gently feed in more throttle as you let the clutch out, so you keep the rpm at a constant speed as the clutch takes up the load. 2500 rpm is plenty. Don't just rev it more to start with, that's how ya get in trouble.
Don't be shy to sit on the bike without the engine running and get the feel of it even. Practice getting the hang of co-ordinating feeding the clutch and gently turning the throttle at the same time. That way when you try it for real it'll feel right.
Try just starting to take off, then pull the clutch in again and roll to a stop. then take off again etc. It shouldn't take too long to get the hang of it.

Wot he sed!

[Drew]

Last comment before I unsubscribe.

This thread is turning into an advice columb. Stop reading it now, there is too much info for you to prcess.

Get a mentor, and let them teach you. No one person has it right, but trying to emulate fifty people at once spells death.

[bosslady]

Last comment before I unsubscribe.

This thread is turning into an advice columb. Stop reading it now, there is too much info for you to prcess.

Get a mentor, and let them teach you. No one person has it right, but trying to emulate fifty people at once spells death.

I've been reading, but putting it to the back of my head for if, when etc I ever need it. Have a 3rd lesson with an instructor on Saturday then I'll prob look to getting a mentor. Like you said, too much to process otherwise.

[Edbear]

I've been reading, but putting it to the back of my head for if, when etc I ever need it. Have a 3rd lesson with an instructor on Saturday then I'll prob look to getting a mentor. Like you said, too much to process otherwise.

Yeah, just take my original advice and you'll be fine...