[indyogb]

Hello,

I am a new rider, but I have been reading this website since June (I definitely got some good advice on what type of bike to look for as a first time rider). I took the MSF course in late September (actually signed up in late July, but that was the first available date!). I bought my bike in early October, and got my permit the next week.

My bike is a 1983 Honda Ascot VT500. It is a 500cc V-twin. It is a pretty good first bike – it is light (425 lbs. wet) and has decent power, but not overkill (~50 hp). My bike still needs a little more tuning as it hesitates sometimes when accelerating (makes turns a little hairy). It also needs new tires. For the price, however, it can’t be beat (plus, 55 mpg!).

My biggest weakness is definitely turns from major roads to side roads (especially right turns). I just don’t quite trust the traffic behind me to stop, nor do I quite trust my tires or the road surface yet, either.

[RobM]

From one noob to another, congratulations on getting such a nice looking motorcycle. I have the same problem as you mention about turning right from a larger road to a minor street (or parking lot). I think that practice and patience will be the key.

[dcJohn]

That’s a great looking bike. Congratulations!

[Dagger]

Congrats on the bike! As for the right turns.. Just start slowing down early for the turns and signal with enough time for everyone to know what you’re doing.. Traffic will adjust.. Have fun riding.. Looks like a great bike.

Dagger

I just want to make it out of this life alive…

[Andrew]

I was worried about those turns but once I had some parking lot practice under my belt I trusted my ability to turn faster than a car. You may feel like you take a turn slow on the bike but if you have ever been behind a driver who practically stops their van or suv to turn you know how slowly some cars turn. I can now make one of those turns easily in 3rd at 20 mph.

Check your tires since thats an older bike. New tires can do wonders for your grip on the road.

[Zantosh]

I learned very quickly that you can’t hesitate in turns, and once you’re in one, go through it coz there’s no way out. So how do I handle turns?

1. I plan ahead and slow down to a speed at which I feel safe to lean
2. I tighten my thigh muscles against the body of the bike so that my lower body feels really part of the bike
3. If I feel I’m going too fast or haven’t slowed down enough, I say screw it and keep going straight
4. If my speed is within my safety limit, then I lean and give the bike some gas, while being ready to use the clutch to regulate the power I give the wheels
5. Most importantly, I look at where I want to go coz my body follows by leaning and the bike follows me
6. If you panic in a turn and don’t know what to do then definitely don’t touch your rear brake as the bike will probably go out under you unless you know what has to be done. If you do press your rear brake, and you feel the bike going out under you, it may be a very bad idea to let go of the brake – take the fall coz if you let go and you’re going too fast, you may be thrown in the opposite direction and that’s gonna hurt way more coz you might land into oncoming traffic.
7. Remember – your bike can probably lean up to 40 to 50 degrees – which is pretty steep – and you don’t even need to lean more than 5 to 10 degrees to do most turns at a reasonable speed. So your bike isn’t going to fall when you lean unless you hit the brakes.

Good luck.

[Andrew]

Practice doing circles in a parking lot at slow speeds. That will get you used to the lean and to using the clutch and rear brake to regulate your speed. When I say back brake I mean get used to ‘feathering’ it. You can use it to trim speed if you have too but it must be very lightly done.

[Author]

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