Motorcycle.com

skweezal · 07-27-2008, 12:30 PM

Hi!
Last weekend I went to MotoGP Grand Prix and Laguna Seca for the first time...I loved it!
I have never ridden on a motorcycle, so I enrolled in a motorcycle riding school. My husband rides a KTM Duke and is thrilled I am trying to understand his obsession!!

What I am asking is what one bit of advice would you give to someone in my position? It could be anyting....buying a first bike, clothing preference, helmet, anything.

I want to hear what experienced riders can share with someone who wants to learn!!
thanks
sk

The_AirHawk · 07-27-2008, 04:31 PM

Wear as a minimum at all times a Fullface Helmet, Armoured Jacket (textile, mesh, leather - whatever, just wear it) Long Trousers, and sturdy Boots that cover the ankle. This includes "just poppin' down to the corner, luv".

You seem to be starting-off on the right foot by obtaining Instruction from a Professional School.

Follow the Instruction you receive from them, and I predict you will do Fine.

sachiwilson · 07-27-2008, 05:09 PM

Safety on a motorcycle depends on how much you know and how you act on it. Obviously, you can help protect yourself with good gear, and you should never ride without it, as Airhawk says. Beyond that, though, safety comes from understanding what you, and other drivers, do on the road. You will be almost invisible to car drivers on a bike, and learning how to predict the stupid things they do, and where they do them, is a huge key. So learn everything you can about how to ride safely. Practice spotting the little "tells" that show when a driver doesn't see you. Practice braking and swerving, just in case you don't spot an idiot driver in time someday.

Safety is in your head.

bbtowns · 08-05-2008, 11:26 AM

Practice emergency braking so much you've got to force yourself to keep doing it. That's one. Wear the gear is also an excellent one. Look through to the exit of the corner as you enter it is another.

12er · 08-05-2008, 12:54 PM

read the new rider thread, all 300 or so posts twice.

seruzawa · 08-05-2008, 02:05 PM

If you are not deadly serious about learning to ride and are just looking at it as something cool to do then I suggest you do something else. That's my one thing.

sarnali2 · 08-05-2008, 03:44 PM

Ride like you are invisible. Don't ever assume a driver sees you.....err....does that count as one or two things?....

The_AirHawk · 08-05-2008, 04:08 PM

seruzawa's suggestion is the A - #1 that ALL aspiring riders should ask of themselves.

Search long and hard within your own self before making that commitment to throw a leg over any moto.

People get killed in the Bathtub, but not nearly so horribly or so easily as astride a Motorcycle.

07-27-2008, 04:31 PM	#2
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	Wear as a minimum at all times a Fullface Helmet, Armoured Jacket (textile, mesh, leather - whatever, just wear it) Long Trousers, and sturdy Boots that cover the ankle. This includes "just poppin' down to the corner, luv". You seem to be starting-off on the right foot by obtaining Instruction from a Professional School. Follow the Instruction you receive from them, and I predict you will do Fine. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

07-27-2008, 05:09 PM	#3
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	Safety on a motorcycle depends on how much you know and how you act on it. Obviously, you can help protect yourself with good gear, and you should never ride without it, as Airhawk says. Beyond that, though, safety comes from understanding what you, and other drivers, do on the road. You will be almost invisible to car drivers on a bike, and learning how to predict the stupid things they do, and where they do them, is a huge key. So learn everything you can about how to ride safely. Practice spotting the little "tells" that show when a driver doesn't see you. Practice braking and swerving, just in case you don't spot an idiot driver in time someday. Safety is in your head. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

08-05-2008, 11:26 AM	#4
bbtowns Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 531	Practice emergency braking so much you've got to force yourself to keep doing it. That's one. Wear the gear is also an excellent one. Look through to the exit of the corner as you enter it is another. __________________ What kind of man can abandon his family like that? Seriously, who is he, I'd like lessons.

08-05-2008, 02:05 PM	#6
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	If you are not deadly serious about learning to ride and are just looking at it as something cool to do then I suggest you do something else. That's my one thing. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

08-05-2008, 03:44 PM	#7
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	Ride like you are invisible. Don't ever assume a driver sees you.....err....does that count as one or two things?.... __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

07-27-2008, 12:30 PM	#1
skweezal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	what one piece of advice would you give to a newbie? Hi! Last weekend I went to MotoGP Grand Prix and Laguna Seca for the first time...I loved it! I have never ridden on a motorcycle, so I enrolled in a motorcycle riding school. My husband rides a KTM Duke and is thrilled I am trying to understand his obsession!! What I am asking is what one bit of advice would you give to someone in my position? It could be anyting....buying a first bike, clothing preference, helmet, anything. I want to hear what experienced riders can share with someone who wants to learn!! thanks sk

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08-05-2008, 12:54 PM	#5
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	read the new rider thread, all 300 or so posts twice.

08-05-2008, 04:08 PM	#8
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	seruzawa's suggestion is the A - #1 that ALL aspiring riders should ask of themselves. Search long and hard within your own self before making that commitment to throw a leg over any moto. People get killed in the Bathtub, but not nearly so horribly or so easily as astride a Motorcycle. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...