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New Rider Basics 101

THANK YOU!

Well that settles it... I did just about everything WRONG!

68 years young here and haven't been on a motorcycle in at least 3 decades so what did I go and do? Got hold of a 2009 BMW F800GS that's what!

I did do a few things right though, I got the bike completely gone over, purchased good gear, and did time with a certified instructor. I'm also spending a LOT of time in a local parking lot. Turns out the beemer is a helluva lot more nimble than I originally thought. Participated in a motorcycle gymkhana last weekend, I certainly wasn't the fastest through the course but no cones were harmed on my run through!

Riding in San Francisco traffic has certainly been an education and the hills! Glad I practiced a LOT before I hit the streets!

At my age, ego certainly isn't a major factor in my riding style, I'm more interested in riding safely, smoothly and getting home in one piece!

I'm also sensible enough to know there's still a whole helluva lot I don't know so continuing education will always be a part of my riding.
:afm199
 
This was really helpful, I was going for the ducati monster. Looks like it would be a okay start for me.
I have taken the safety course and have driven around with a scooter �� as well for practice.
But this really put everything in perspective.
 
Right on.

Reading is learning. Good on you.

Check out the 1Rider forum for much more.
 
Food for thought

Here's a quote from David L Hough's book;

"If you took a basic rider training course, you may have thought you got a decent introduction to motorcycling. But it's a fantasy to believe that anyone can learn how to ride a bike and survive traffic and surface hazards in two short days."

I hope I NEVER get to the point where I feel I have enough "experience" or that I couldn't benefit from more practice and more training.

Recent trip, SF to Key West, I had a couple of "butt puckering" moments, training and practice kicked in and I made it home safe and sound. I've put over 13k on "Bruinhildebeemer" since I got her last year. I am well and truly hooked! Currently looking at/drooling over an R1100RT. WARNING! MOTORCYCLES ARE ADDICTIVE!
 
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I kind of lose it into new hobbies, here's my journey so far:

Three months after I took my beginner rider course, I finally got my street bike (trident 660), after doing 3 days of rentals on a cbr500r and 2 days of rentals on an r3. Loved the r3! So far around 1000 miles ridden.

I doubled down on rider education:
- Two 1-1 sessions with Monkey Moto in SF to teach things like smooth throttle control after the BRC. Highly recommend this, BRC did not really teach the clutch and throttle well. Most people in my class had ridden before
- Cornering school by superbike coach
- Dual sport course by alameda county sherrif's office (highly recommended, this was the best one! I lvl'ed up here and pretty cool hanging out with moto cops)
- Intermediate Rider Course (in two weeks)

On the books side Proficient Motorcycling was a good read. The Pace really opened my eyes and changed the way I street ride, I try not to brake into corners now and just ride casually in the straights.

I think I'm ok with the basics now. Next goals are performance riding related: line selection, trail braking, and rev matched downshifts while braking.

Also looking to get an R3 for track and get a season pass with Z2 and Fun Track Days and do a ton of track days this year. Looking to do YCRS in Oct. No racing aspirations, just fun on the track competing against myself.

I think the direction I'm heading is having a street bike for commuting to palo alto from SF during the week (and taking the long way around pacifica if I feel like a real ride), and track on the weekends. I've done a few track days on cars, motos seems so much cheaper

I dropped the course dr650 twice during the dual sport course (once trying to ride over a log too slow and the other time getting twisted into a previous wheel imprint in the dirt). No drops on personal bike though, I am also fairly adamant I'm not going to drop this thing day to day (maybe in a course or doing some self training)
 
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Good stuff guys...!

Nice to see you give an update Jim.

Addicting indeed. :teeth
 
Great Post

Thanks for the excellent advice, good to realize there is a lot to still learn.
:cool
 
Just got done reading through this thread. This is really helpful to a beginner like me. Really appreciate folks initiating and contributing to the thread.

I also recommend the MotoJitsu channel on YouTube for other newbies. He talks a lot about ATGATT, practice, continuous learning, etc, very consistent with the serious and safety oriented tone in this forum which I super appreciate. MotoJitsu also gives tips and demos in videos format.

I just spent $10 and bought both of his books on kindle. Will start more systematic practice following the books, starting with White Belt drills. (I am in no way affiliated with MotoJitsu. Just found it informative & helpful so thought the recommendation belongs in this thread.)

Happy riding, all!
 
OH yeah... Been there done alla dat!

Got back on a bike after about 4 decades. My "beginner" bike was a BMW F800 GS. (yeah... I know) I did get training and practiced every chance I got before taking off cross country. Training and practice (and more training and LOTS of practice!) are likely what saved my sorry butt on more than one ocassion. I turned 69 on that trip. It was a great ride and valuable learning experience. I have since sold the F800, it's not really the kind of riding I'm likely to be doing. I now own a 1999 BMW R1100RT. Things a bit of a handful at low(er) speeds but managable and the bike is much more my "style" of riding.

Don't think I'll ever be completely happy with my riding abilities and I'll always want to take advantage of any training that I can.

It's been said that "practice makes perfect"
Well... I'm certainly NOT perfect so I'll keep practicing!
RMHF (Ride Motorcycles Have Fun)
FYI I turn 71 in June so If I can do it...
 
Good for you Jim! :thumbup

I don't believe there is perfect in riding a moto. However... practice and experience get you closer!!

Keep enjoying it! :ride
 
Best introduction to a life lesson for any new or even seasoned rider. This information should be made available to anyone wanting a dmv class m license.
 
Nice share — surprisingly practical stuff in there. Some of those points are the kind you don’t really think about until someone spells them out. Good little reality check, honestly.
 
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