any of you nervous riding at first?

mineman bruce · 10-08-2012, 01:22 PM

november is coming fast an i'll be buying a ninja 250 to learn on and ride daily in san diego since gas is now 5.09 down there, and my truck gets 12mpg. But i can't help but notice i am slightly apprehensive of beginning to ride in downtown San diego and it being my only mode of transit besides the bus. i guess i worry about getting taken out by a car mostly. Were any of you guys nervous about stuff like this when you were beginning?

Worldtraveller · 10-08-2012, 01:30 PM

I think pretty much everyone's a bit nervous at first. Have you taken the MSF course? Practice the important things, like breaking and turning, preferably someplace like an empty parking lot. Learn your limits (most people will find their limits long before the bike's). Ride like you're invisible.

Welcome to the club.

DGA · 10-08-2012, 01:31 PM

You bet. It's only natural. Only advice I could give you is to get the basics down pat before you attempt to ride in a car congested place. Meaning not having to think about clutch, brake, rear brake, throttle use, and for it to mainly be muscle memory. You'll have plenty to deal with and think about with cars, buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorcycle riders around you.

You have the right idea with the Ninja 250, that bike will not overwhelm you.

Cyndy · 10-08-2012, 01:36 PM

Yeah, I was totally nervous. My hang-ups were riding on the freeway, starting off on a hill, and starting off on a hill and cornering at the same time. Riding in downtown Seattle was also a major accomplishment for me, with all the traffic, cars pulling out, etc. Just take it slow, plan ahead, know where you're going, and you'll get used to it.

mineman bruce · 10-08-2012, 01:40 PM

Awesome, my command started scheduling those that wanted to ride courses for when we get back to home port in san diego. As it stands, I am scheduled for both the basic and advanced/sport bike rider course on the base.

paradox206 · 10-08-2012, 01:44 PM

Seven months into riding and I still get a little nervous each time I ride my bike (especially the new beast). One of the only times I wasn't nervous I decided to take a turn too fast and ended up lowsiding. I figure my nerves, while in check, keep me safe (and if I'm really not feeling it I just hop in my cage for the day).

sidewinderCBR · 10-08-2012, 01:57 PM

Learning clutch, balance, and breaks in a sequence at first really helped me when i started a year and a half ago. Once you know the clutch really well throttle is easy

PWALL · 10-08-2012, 02:14 PM

Welcome! If you aren't nervous, then you should not be riding! It is something to be taken seriously. Practice and stay alert! It is as rewarding as it is challenging.

Best of luck!

taznhell · 10-08-2012, 02:15 PM

After 30 years of riding I still get butterflies everytime I hit the ignition on my bike. There is always a little apprehension, worry and fear of the unknown happening when on a bike. If you ever feel any different turn of the bike and walk away because the day you feel you have nothing to fear or learn may be your last. Keep your head on swivel.

cletus · 10-08-2012, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by PWALL

Welcome! If you aren't nervous, then you should not be riding! It is something to be taken seriously. Practice and stay alert! It is as rewarding as it is challenging.

Best of luck!

^^^^

Couldn't have said it better.

Cyndy · 10-08-2012, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by taznhell

After 30 years of riding I still get butterflies everytime I hit the ignition on my bike.

Glad to read this because I wondered if I was the only one who still got butterflies when riding. For me, they usually arrive as I'm starting to get geared up.

dwschultzy · 10-08-2012, 03:09 PM

Pfffft....I went from a parking lot, to a couple backroads on Mercer Island then to rush hour traffic on I90-I405 within about 30 mins of first riding a bike.

Rode from Mercer Island-Bothell. Then sat in my living room thinking nothing about how fucking cool that was. Then went out and rode the bike for another three hours.

Good luck. Wish I could be riding down in San Diego. You get to learn how to lane split along with learning how to deal with traffic and riding a motorbike all at the same time. I'm a little jealous.

Yes, I was nervous.

Apex · 10-08-2012, 03:14 PM

Practice makes perfect. Nothing wrong with being nervous are long as you put safety first.

TSXTC · 10-08-2012, 03:59 PM

off topic but why not pick up the new ninja 300? not too different in price and the updated style and the new no carb is a plus. Also i would think you would keep the 300 a bit longer than most people keep th 250's

james1300 · 10-08-2012, 04:07 PM

Yes! and after 40 years of riding I'm still nervous. Get yourself a VEST. Use a white or yellow colored helmet. Never count on anyone seeing you. Always ride in defense mode.
Just because they see you don't mean they won't try stupid shit.

LostTheFront · 10-08-2012, 04:09 PM

My introduction 20 years ago was:

#1 MSF course
#2 20 minutes on the streets of San Francisco on a brand new CBR600F2, followed immediately by
#3 rush hour commute across the San Francisco Bay Bridge

Yeah, I was more than a little nervous. Enjoy. Fear of cars is a good fear, for me all of my crashes have been single vehicle crashes where i ran out of talent. Lane splitting is wonderful, obviously after some good riding experience.

Stringcheese · 10-08-2012, 04:41 PM

If you're not nervous the first time you climb on you're not normal. I bought my first street bike in 1990 and had to ride it through LA traffic about 30 miles home. My only saving grace was I had ridden dirt bikes for years beforehand so I was comfortable with clutch/throttle/brakes. I was still nervous. Being nervous keeps you alert and being alert keeps you alive.

take risks · 10-08-2012, 04:41 PM

Nothing like the first time you split lanes.

Clutchless45 · 10-08-2012, 05:52 PM

I still get nervous everytime. NO two rides are exactly the same. That feeling you get inside will keep you sharp and aware. Ride like your invisible! Don't ride like you drive!

meanmonster · 10-08-2012, 06:12 PM

More so now that I have a baby girl then before. Think about what could happen Everytime I get on now and ride accordingly (safely).


10-08-2012, 01:36 PM	#4
Cyndy Superbiker Joined: Aug 2009 From: Chicagoland I Ride: 2010 RC8R; 2009 ZX6R; Percheron/Paint (equine variety)	Yeah, I was totally nervous. My hang-ups were riding on the freeway, starting off on a hill, and starting off on a hill and cornering at the same time. Riding in downtown Seattle was also a major accomplishment for me, with all the traffic, cars pulling out, etc. Just take it slow, plan ahead, know where you're going, and you'll get used to it. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 01:40 PM	#5
mineman bruce Permit Joined: Sep 2012 From: lake stevens WA, san diego CA, manama Bahrain I Ride: non yet :(	Awesome, my command started scheduling those that wanted to ride courses for when we get back to home port in san diego. As it stands, I am scheduled for both the basic and advanced/sport bike rider course on the base. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 01:44 PM	#6
paradox206 Permit Joined: Mar 2012 From: Seattle I Ride: DRZ400sm "The Honey Badger" & VFR800 "Toasty"	Seven months into riding and I still get a little nervous each time I ride my bike (especially the new beast). One of the only times I wasn't nervous I decided to take a turn too fast and ended up lowsiding. I figure my nerves, while in check, keep me safe (and if I'm really not feeling it I just hop in my cage for the day). __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 01:57 PM	#7
sidewinderCBR Newbie Joined: Oct 2012 From: redmond I Ride: 03 CBR600rr	Learning clutch, balance, and breaks in a sequence at first really helped me when i started a year and a half ago. Once you know the clutch really well throttle is easy __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 02:14 PM	#8
PWALL Licensed Joined: May 2011 From: Sammamish, WA I Ride: Ducati Multistrada 1200S	Welcome! If you aren't nervous, then you should not be riding! It is something to be taken seriously. Practice and stay alert! It is as rewarding as it is challenging. Best of luck! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 01:22 PM	#1
mineman bruce Permit Joined: Sep 2012 From: lake stevens WA, san diego CA, manama Bahrain I Ride: non yet :(	any of you nervous riding at first? november is coming fast an i'll be buying a ninja 250 to learn on and ride daily in san diego since gas is now 5.09 down there, and my truck gets 12mpg. But i can't help but notice i am slightly apprehensive of beginning to ride in downtown San diego and it being my only mode of transit besides the bus. i guess i worry about getting taken out by a car mostly. Were any of you guys nervous about stuff like this when you were beginning? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 01:30 PM	#2
Worldtraveller Pit Crew Joined: Jun 2012 From: Everett, WA I Ride: Wearing ears.	I think pretty much everyone's a bit nervous at first. Have you taken the MSF course? Practice the important things, like breaking and turning, preferably someplace like an empty parking lot. Learn your limits (most people will find their limits long before the bike's). Ride like you're invisible. Welcome to the club. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 01:31 PM	#3
DGA Joined: Jun 2007 From: Portland, Oregon I Ride: naked	You bet. It's only natural. Only advice I could give you is to get the basics down pat before you attempt to ride in a car congested place. Meaning not having to think about clutch, brake, rear brake, throttle use, and for it to mainly be muscle memory. You'll have plenty to deal with and think about with cars, buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorcycle riders around you. You have the right idea with the Ninja 250, that bike will not overwhelm you. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 02:15 PM	#9
taznhell Shredder Joined: Jul 2008 From: Cornelius, Oregon I Ride: Everyday	After 30 years of riding I still get butterflies everytime I hit the ignition on my bike. There is always a little apprehension, worry and fear of the unknown happening when on a bike. If you ever feel any different turn of the bike and walk away because the day you feel you have nothing to fear or learn may be your last. Keep your head on swivel. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 03:09 PM	#12
dwschultzy Race Qualifier Joined: Nov 2007 From: . Blog Entries: 2	Pfffft....I went from a parking lot, to a couple backroads on Mercer Island then to rush hour traffic on I90-I405 within about 30 mins of first riding a bike. Rode from Mercer Island-Bothell. Then sat in my living room thinking nothing about how fucking cool that was. Then went out and rode the bike for another three hours. Good luck. Wish I could be riding down in San Diego. You get to learn how to lane split along with learning how to deal with traffic and riding a motorbike all at the same time. I'm a little jealous. Yes, I was nervous. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 03:14 PM	#13
Apex Licensed Joined: Feb 2012 From: Lacey, WA I Ride: 1989 CBR 600, 1982 GPz 550	Practice makes perfect. Nothing wrong with being nervous are long as you put safety first. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 03:59 PM	#14
TSXTC Newbie Joined: May 2012 From: lacey, wa I Ride: 2007 Honda CBR 600RR	off topic but why not pick up the new ninja 300? not too different in price and the updated style and the new no carb is a plus. Also i would think you would keep the 300 a bit longer than most people keep th 250's __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 04:07 PM	#15
james1300 Track School Dazed Joined: Oct 2005 From: CENTRAL I Ride: When I can	Yes! and after 40 years of riding I'm still nervous. Get yourself a VEST. Use a white or yellow colored helmet. Never count on anyone seeing you. Always ride in defense mode. Just because they see you don't mean they won't try stupid shit. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 04:09 PM	#16
LostTheFront Licensed Joined: Feb 2009 From: Bellingham, WA I Ride: 2007 CBR1000RR, 2006 WR450F	My introduction 20 years ago was: #1 MSF course #2 20 minutes on the streets of San Francisco on a brand new CBR600F2, followed immediately by #3 rush hour commute across the San Francisco Bay Bridge Yeah, I was more than a little nervous. Enjoy. Fear of cars is a good fear, for me all of my crashes have been single vehicle crashes where i ran out of talent. Lane splitting is wonderful, obviously after some good riding experience. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 04:41 PM	#17
Stringcheese Race Qualifier Joined: May 2008 From: Clarkinsas, WA I Ride: Whatever's next	If you're not nervous the first time you climb on you're not normal. I bought my first street bike in 1990 and had to ride it through LA traffic about 30 miles home. My only saving grace was I had ridden dirt bikes for years beforehand so I was comfortable with clutch/throttle/brakes. I was still nervous. Being nervous keeps you alert and being alert keeps you alive. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 04:41 PM	#18
take risks Chicken Strips Joined: Jul 2011 From: Edmonds I Ride: with a :)	Nothing like the first time you split lanes. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 05:52 PM	#19
Clutchless45 Permit Joined: Apr 2012 From: Oak Harbor I Ride: 00 RC51 #1119 / 97 CBR 600 F3	I still get nervous everytime. NO two rides are exactly the same. That feeling you get inside will keep you sharp and aware. Ride like your invisible! Don't ride like you drive! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-08-2012, 06:12 PM	#20
meanmonster Licensed Joined: Aug 2011 From: Snohomish WA I Ride: 2011 Ducati 848 Evo	More so now that I have a baby girl then before. Think about what could happen Everytime I get on now and ride accordingly (safely). __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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