- This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 10 months ago by bigguybbr.
30 mile day
-
AuthorPosts
-
June 10, 2009 at 2:20 am #2979SafetyFirstParticipant
Decided to break in my new Icon Street Armor boots and my Scorpion Invasion textile pants.
Product reviews, first.
And, yes the Street Armor boots are taking a bit of getting used to, compared to running shoes. Hit a few neutrals at the beginning of the ride, but no harm done. They are clunky like the sales person said, but they are also built pretty damn well. No exposed laces and they clamp down sort of like ski boots. Full ankle support. They were a no-brainer over the Alpinestars ‘sneakers’ that cost more and offered less. The only con is they are a pain to get my feet into, but easy to get OUT of.
The Scorpion Invasion textile pants are probably the safest textile pants I saw in the store. I think it’s kinda funny that they have two pieces of leather on the rear to help prevent roadrash on the ol’ behind. CE pads in the knees, not sure if they are at the right level or not for my knees. I’m not sure if they are adjustable – I might give Scorpion a ring and ask. But the worst part is, they are hot to all hell, even with the air zippers open near the knees. I wore them tonight with a pair of basketball shorts under them, not even a pair of jeans.
Now for the ride –
The ride took me into a new level — major streets, country highway and downtown riding, residential. And leaving my 2-mile radius of comfort.
Finally got it into 6th gear in a 55 zone. I probably should have just stayed in 5th, but it was fun to twist the throttle more than usual.
The light turned yellow in the distance, and I realized… you know, I’ve never braked going 55 before. Started off light, decided it was easier to shed speed lightly and get a feel for it while I still have a lot of distance, than to lock it up from the get-go. No lock, smooth braking. Cool. I need to get more practice with that.
Cagers aren’t creeping me out much anymore. Though it’s still nice to look behind and see a clear road.
I had my first time getting annoyed with the vehicle sensor wires in the road at a light. I eventually got sick of waiting, and rode far enough ahead so the cage behind me could stop over it and trigger it. I think I might just chill in the far right and wave the cage to be first if I have room to the right to do it. But I’m worried that the next cage won’t get why I’m doing it, and think they are next in line.
Got to ride on metal grating on a bridge in town, and remembered what I learned from reading safety books and from the state motorcycle handbook. Just keep it upright, keep on the throttle, and don’t fight it moving you side to side. I’ll try to remember the safety book’s name, but I found it VERY worthwhile reading for any new rider.
I found the Rear-Alert brakelight modulator to do it’s job well. I found myself noticing the look on the face of cagers coming up behind me at the light appear mildly perplexed when I left off the break and let it re-cycle it’s blinking. That’s one thing I’ve found myself doing a lot of.. looking in that rear-view mirror at the light to see if trouble is coming behind. I found my favorite place to be in the right lane is the far right, so I can use the curved section for a right-hand turn for my escape place if need be.
It’s great to give the hand to other bikers, and get it back. It’s really cool, and I’m loving it.
I’m glad to know my helmet lets in enough sound to still hear. I heard a siren sitting at the light, but couldn’t tell where it was coming from until I saw the ambulance.
It started getting dark, so I decided it was time to head home. If the weather holds up, I can’t wait to ride tomorrow.
June 10, 2009 at 3:26 am #19497EliasParticipantAmazing, this is how I imagine my first couple rides will be like. Jealous…
June 10, 2009 at 3:36 am #19498MunchParticipantsounds like an enjoyable evening. The sensor wires here I find are sensitive in most spots, if I can manage it I put the position of the bike where the “wire” is just to the left of my tire. I know it’s different state to state but if I think the light is running longer then it should I usually give the throttle a quick goose. Sometimes it works. Wouldn’t recommend chillin on the right a waving a driver up though. The cages behind them won’t understand and I am not entirely sure (is I am understanding what your saying) that it would be legal. I usually look behind me and motion the cager to come closer…. you get a confused puppy dog look at first but they eventually catch on , especially if you poin at the light then back at them and wave them closer.
As far as lane positioning… I would recommend staying near middle if there is something to your left. You still get heads up time to get the hell out of dodge should they encroach on your lane but you are also “protecting” your lane to keep cars from trying to share it with you. Not to mention the visibility factor for the driver in front and behind you.June 10, 2009 at 4:09 am #19499SafetyFirstParticipantOnly thing I forgot to mention was picking which gear to be in when making turns after slowing down.
I honestly find it easier to just have to stop at a light, than easing in the clutch and figuring out what gear I want to make that right in. It seems a gear high seems to be more forgiving to a point than being a gear (or two) low, and hearing the sound of an annoyed engine.
I’m sure this will self-correct with riding ( I hope!)
June 10, 2009 at 2:58 pm #19508Clay DowlingParticipantYou’ll work out pretty quickly which gear to be in, and you’ll learn how to recover quickly when you get it wrong. Took me a while to learn that in the cage too. The motorcycle is actually easier.
June 10, 2009 at 5:32 pm #19520LanceDParticipantThat sounds a lot like my first ride outside of my ‘neighborhood’. It only gets more fun. As for the red-light triggers, check out this page:
http://lifehacker.com/302108/trigger-green-lights-with-your-motorcycle-scooter-or-bicycle
I did it my first week with the bike and haven’t had a problem with lights since.
June 10, 2009 at 7:15 pm #19524Clay DowlingParticipantThe light by where I took my MSF class sucked for cages and motorcycles alike. The instructors, who all came on goldwings, thought it was just bikes, but as I had shown up in my cage and had the same problem, we confirmed that the light was just crap.
June 10, 2009 at 7:35 pm #19528bigguybbrParticipantMy frame being steel rather than aluminium doesn’t seem to give me any trouble triggering the lights. I get to test that enough on my way into work everyday.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.