new rider/first experience

[bmw675]

alright, i picked up the bike today and gave it for a test ride.
first time ever on a bike (i know should have bought used ).

anyways i was getting laughed at because the first 2-3 times i went 10 feet and stopped. just trying to figure out, ( plus ive never driven a stick shift car, only a tractor .)

anyways 10 minutes later, i was driving up the field drive at work just going through the gears and i love it. its much easier to control once you get going. im sure ill get laughed at about all of this but, dont really care b/c no one on here knows me so laugh it up

 

[Funkmaxtor]

I got on a bike for the first time test driving my FZ6R at a dealership and actually started in second gear cause I was worried about letting the clutch fly. You will have a few growing pains but dont sweat it, everyone did it at some point. Just be safe!

 

[_serge]

congrats on your purchase,
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[WenMark]

There were never any born motorcycle riders. practice and more practice. Work your way up slowly find some abandon parking lots and practice your skills. Take your time. Maybe even take a Safety Course. Don't worry what others think just be safe and have fun. This bike is forgiving, but you got to watch out for others too. Good Luck and Congrats .My 2 cents.

 

[Root Down]

I pretty much did the same thing. The FZ6R is my first bike as well and I stalled it the first time I got on it. You'll get the hang of it fast, don't sweat it.

 

[oyamyers]

:rof::rof::rof::rof::rof: Well you did say laugh it up... I'm not laughing at you I'm laughing with you... We all started out on a bike at one time or another. Just learn at your own pace and you will have a blast on this bike. :rockon::steve:

 

[Diluted]

I went for my first ride ever yesterday...I did fall once, gave it too much brake and wasn't ready for it...scuffed the bar end just a little and the little black part by the bottom of the fairing (not sure what it's called). Easily fixed with touch up paint can't even tell. The fairing was untouched. I didn't let it discourage me and I got right back on and I got it moving and had a blast.

I still need to take the MSF course, right now my friend who has been riding 28 years has been helping me out. Next time I go riding (tomorrow I think) I'm going to work on braking and shifting since I kinda just putz'd around in first the other day.

 

[bmw675]

well im going to ride if after work tomorrow. we got a new subdivision down the street thats a concrete circle about 1/4 mile long. i figured that would be a good place to practice.

i think ill just stay on side streets for a while until i think i can pass the test at the dmv. i might still take the safety course later just to make sure im not doing anything wrong. i heard they are really good around here.

 

[99vengeur]

well im going to ride if after work tomorrow. we got a new subdivision down the street thats a concrete circle about 1/4 mile long. i figured that would be a good place to practice.

i think ill just stay on side streets for a while until i think i can pass the test at the dmv. i might still take the safety course later just to make sure im not doing anything wrong. i heard they are really good around here.

A safety course is a MUST, in my opinion. And it is better that you take one sooner than later, that way any bad habits you might form while trying to learn on your own can easily be corrected before they become hard-wired.

Just be safe, and wear your gear! I know Illinois has no helmet law because ABATE are a bunch of idiots. You wouldn't get into a car and disable the seat belts and air bag, would you? That's how I see it when people don't wear their helmet and gear. (steps off soap box)

 

[Verranth]

:thumbup:

A safety course is a MUST, in my opinion. And it is better that you take one sooner than later, that way any bad habits you might form while trying to learn on your own can easily be corrected before they become hard-wired.

Just be safe, and wear your gear! I know Illinois has no helmet law because ABATE are a bunch of idiots. You wouldn't get into a car and disable the seat belts and air bag, would you? That's how I see it when people don't wear their helmet and gear. (steps off soap box)

+1

To all of you guys riding for the first time; Do yourself, and everyone else a favor, and get that MSF course. You will find that after that, you will be tons more confident on the 6R. :thumbup:

 

[oyamyers]

:thumbup:

+1

To all of you guys riding for the first time; Do yourself, and everyone else a favor, and get that MSF course. You will find that after that, you will be tons more confident on the 6R. :thumbup:

+2

The safty course is a must. Also, when my son was buying his bike, the salesman told him that he would never pass the test on the bike he was buying, its too big for beginners to do the the u-turns. He told him to go take the course and you will have no problems because you test on their bikes, the little 250's that you can handle with ease. I took the course many years ago and then took it again before buying my 6R. Its worth it, trust me...

 

[xplodnstar]

A safety course is a MUST, in my opinion. And it is better that you take one sooner than later, that way any bad habits you might form while trying to learn on your own can easily be corrected before they become hard-wired.

Just be safe, and wear your gear! I know Illinois has no helmet law because ABATE are a bunch of idiots. You wouldn't get into a car and disable the seat belts and air bag, would you? That's how I see it when people don't wear their helmet and gear. (steps off soap box)

+1 more. Don't worry if you think others are laughing at you. Either they don't ride and have no knowledge of what we do, or they ride and they've been there anyway.

 

[JonKerr]

I'm actually doing things the other way. MSF first, then buying a bike. I just took the classroom portion last night and the ride portion is this weekend. I learned a lot last night and can't wait until this weekend to start riding. There's a lot of things they teach you about that if you've never ridden a motorcycle or even been on a bicycle at high speeds, that you'd never think of and things you would think are backwards. (I'm speaking specifically about counter steering) Having ridden dirt bikes in the past and being a mountain biker, I've dealt with counter steering but the vast majority of the class last night had no idea what the instructor was talking about. It's the little things like that which will make all the difference in the world that you'll learn in the class.

 

[GoGreen09]

I did the same as JonKerr - took the MSF before buying so I can actually tell whether I would like it or not. I never rode a motorcycle ever before the MSF. I figured everyone would look like me, so no one would be laughing (at my skills anyways). Take the course, ride a couple of thousand of miles, then look who's laughing at you then! Be safe!

JonKerr - I bet you're gonna ride your motorcycle right after the last class!

 

[xplodnstar]

That's a good way to do it. Then if you find it's not your thing, you've only invested a couple hundred dollars and a weekend instead of a few thousand.

 

[[email protected]]

I hadn't ridden in about ten years and then got the FZ6R....it felt like I never stopped...it is a great bike to start on. I just road my brother's GSXR600....I would never think to start on a bike like that.

 

[Verranth]

I did the same as JonKerr - took the MSF before buying so I can actually tell whether I would like it or not. I never rode a motorcycle ever before the MSF. I figured everyone would look like me, so no one would be laughing (at my skills anyways). Take the course, ride a couple of thousand of miles, then look who's laughing at you then! Be safe!

JonKerr - I bet you're gonna ride your motorcycle right after the last class!

+1
That's how I did it. I bought the 6R the following weekend.

 

[Spawn316]

+1
That's how I did it. I bought the 6R the following weekend.

Same here, although it took me about 3 weeks to get permission from the boss...errrrr.....my wife to finally buy the bike:thumbup:

 

[bmw675]

That's a good way to do it. Then if you find it's not your thing, you've only invested a couple hundred dollars and a weekend instead of a few thousand.

i was worried about doing the msf first b/c of how bad i would look but i think ill do it as soon as i get in.

however, i dont know how it is anywhere else, but at the university i just graduated from they have the class. its $20 to sign up and that 20 goes to paying for the license so its basically free if you pass. kinda crazy not to. thats probably why its so hard to get into.

 

[JonKerr]

I did the same as JonKerr - took the MSF before buying so I can actually tell whether I would like it or not. I never rode a motorcycle ever before the MSF. I figured everyone would look like me, so no one would be laughing (at my skills anyways). Take the course, ride a couple of thousand of miles, then look who's laughing at you then! Be safe!

JonKerr - I bet you're gonna ride your motorcycle right after the last class!

You know it. :rockon: I'm actually going to go riding with a friend on one of his supermoto bikes the Saturday after I get the license just as a test to make sure I'm comfortable enough on the road with traffic. (our instructor says they get them out fast enough that I'll graduate Sunday and have the DL389 in the mail by Wednesday to take to the DMV to get my license) That's one thing you don't get hands on with the MSF class is real world driving on the street. But if all goes well, I'll be at the dealer the following day. :thumbup: I should have my bike in 10 days. :sinister:

I just want to make sure I take my time and don't just jump into a bike payment if there's a chance, however slight, that I'm not going to REALLY enjoy it. (I highly doubt it but there's always a chance.)