[owlie]

Just curious, what is your opinion on reading books like this and watching instructional videos before taking the class? Not actually riding, just gathering information and ideas?

Do you find that it makes things like countersteering easier to teach on the range?
Do you have people arguing with you about correct techniques because they read it somewhere?

For myself, I read alot and watched the Ride Like a Pro video before I took the course. Honestly, the book that helped most with the course was the MSF book on Motorcycling Excellence. It filled in the holes in the little workbook that we went through in the classroom portion. Having watched the video, I had the narrator’s voice going through my head the whole time with “head and eyes up”, “friction zone” and “rear brake” even when I wasn’t close enough to an instructor for pointers.

[owlie]

Before you go and lower the seat, take the MSF class. I sat on several bikes both before and after I took the course. I found that after I took the course, some of the bikes that were “a little too tall” for me fit just fine height wise. I think that I just wasn’t relaxing into the seat, or maybe I was trying to sit too far back on the seats. Either way- after I had half a clue as to what I was looking for, the bikes were more comfortable…

Good luck on both the bike and the helmet!

[owlie]

Nope, typically not. As I said, it is not my recommended route.

[owlie]

They don’t want you to start with a Ninja 250 because it is too big? What do they want you to start with???

My guess would be that it isn’t the specific bike. More likely they just don’t want you to ride.

My two cents- do what you can to make your parents comfortable with your decision, but find a boyfriend who will support you as you find your path through life.

[owlie]

Welcome to the group!

[owlie]

Everyone has their own opinion on New vs. Used.

For myself, I bought new. I don’t know enough about mechanics and/or bikes to have felt comfortable buying used- even with someone knowledgeable to check it out.

Just don’t do like I did and put your first ding on it on your first ride. Try to wait a ride or two…. Unless you are of the “hit the mailbox on the way home from the dealership to get over it” mentality…. But even then, I still don’t suggest laying it down on the way home.

Best of luck!

[owlie]

In Alaska, only passengers are required to wear helmets. I always think that it is absolutely incredible to see these guys riding around with a helmet strapped to the sissy bar and a bandanna on their heads…

Dummies.

[owlie]

We have a 3-way Stop on a four-way incoming next to the most popular pizza joint in Alaska. (Good pizza, okay parking except on First Tap nights (they’re also a microbrewery).

While it sort-of makes sense that the fourth way doesn’t stop at that particular intersection, it really jerks around with the right-of-way if you are trying to turn left. Mostly I avoid the intersection if I can and take an alternate route to get my slice of pie.

We’re seeing more traffic circles in town. I think that they have put a half dozen or so in in the last five years. While we all said that they were the stupidist idea ever, they actually aren’t that bad and traffic flows much more smoothly through one of the intersections that was redone (I’m not as familiar with the other locations).

[owlie]

That comment about Maturity is priceless. I’ll have to remember that one.

[owlie]

Wow.

[owlie]

Thanks for the links. That is a great site.

[owlie]

Welcome to the forum!

Glad to hear you are enjoying your new ride. Post up a picture so we can admire it.

[owlie]

Well, consider this: Heels on tile have little to no traction. Now imagine…

A small dealership were the bikes are packed in tight formation on the lovely tiled showroom floor. A customer comes in on her lunch break to look at a shiny new bike for a summer ride. She settles into the saddle of a nice V-Twin, picks it up, and admires the lovely pearl white paint job while the sales person chats her up about the classic spoked wheels. As she is moving the bike back and forth under her to understand where the center of gravity lies, she over balances the bike. Normally this wouldn’t be a huge problem, but she is wearing heels that have no traction rather than boots or tennis shoes. Down she goes, with the bike, and every bike in the row…

Oops. Not me by the way, it was a tale told to me by a sales person who claimed that it happened to him…

[owlie]

Thanks for the feed back & buying tips. It is on my list to get some leg protection for this year, but I haven’t found it yet…

[owlie]

At least he is supportive.

Personally, I think the next mod will be bags, followed by either a windshield or a seat…

[Author]

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