[redcromwell]

My first experience in the ran and I chickened out.

I took the bike to work and didn’t check the weather report. Thunderstorms late in the day had my bike sitting out in the parking lot getting drenched.

I was hoping it would pass quickly but, it would let up and then start pouring buckets again.

I’ve never riden in the rain and didn’t want my first time to be during a thunderstorm. So, I just went with my gut and didn’t do it. I just had a mental image of me wiping out on a turn as my bike slides out from under me.

Luckily a friend of mine offered me a ride home in his car. I threw my gear into his trunk and sadly waved goodbye to my bike for the night.

[redcromwell]

I too am an “uber noob” and always wanted to ride. I finally made a plan to get myself on a bike and did it.

The MSF course is a great way to get on a motorcycle. That being my first experience sitting on a bike, I tell others, that once I remembered “it’s not my bike” I got more comfortable. I was able to lean it over more on turns because I felt that if I “dropped” it, oh well, “it’s not my bike”.

You’ll see once you get your own bike. If you’re like me, you don’t want any dents or scratches on it.

My first bike is a Ninja 250R and I love it. It gets me moving along on the road quite well and is very forgiving of all the noob mistakes I happen to make.

I’ve been riding for about a month and look forward to each day I can go out for a ride.

[redcromwell]

I read online somewhere, a description of the Ninja 250 as “cold blooded”, and this seems very true.

I usually walk it out of my garage in the morning (don’t want the exhaust filling up inside) and start her up following the user manual’s instruction (full choke, then easing off little by little to keep the RPMs under 2600).

The bike always starts up fine and eventually when at a steady idle I turn off the choke at let her sit for a few minutes (per the user manual).

But, I’ll almost always stall trying to leave my inclined driveway. To add to the problem, I live on a State Road where the speed limit is 35MPH, however motorists are pushing 50MPH past my driveway. I’ve read suggestions to start off easy when the bike is just warmed up, but I’ll get creamed pulling out and merging if I don’t get up to speed quick.

I’ve been leaving for work about an hour earlier just to beat the rush hour traffic on my road and allow me to pull out of my driveway without stopping and gradually throttle on to warm up.

I read the link provided by eternal05 which recommends driving with the choke on at the beginning which I’ll try.

[redcromwell]

Rode in to work today and winds were a little gusty on the Interstate this morning.

Leaning into the wind is natural to counteract the force of it trying to blow us over. But, what wasn’t natural for me was staying loose on the handlebars. But, I remembered what I read from the forums and relaxed. Not to say that I went slack, but I did relax my shoulders and elbows instead of keeping a “death grip” on things.

Thanks!

[redcromwell]

… first time I cranked her up to 50MPH the sound of the wind racing through my helmet was defeaning. Honestly, it shocked me. These new helmets let in so much wind that it felt like I didn’t have one on with all the air whipping through my hair.

I think I will try earplugs. Thanks for the good post.

[redcromwell]

I own a Ninja 250. It’s my first bike and agree with owlie and CBBaron that it definitely doesn’t have the same umph as it’s larger cc siblings. But it looks so much like the larger bikes that other riders may do a double-take wondering what you’re riding.

Since I’m just starting out, I like that is very forgiving on accelerating and I don’t have to worry about inadvertently doing a wheelie.

I’ve taken it out on the Interstate and had no problem keeping up with traffic … and pulling away when I needed to.

I had thought about getting a cruiser and I plan to eventually get one… maybe by my third bike.

As for insurance cost, of course age, bike type and location are factors. For me, I’m paying a little over $500 a year on insurance through Progressive. That’s with more than just minimal coverage.

I thought that was good deal considering I pay more for my two cars.

[redcromwell]

I wondered what to do about mirrors too.

I feel sort of paranoid on the bike because I can’t see directly behind me. When riding I’ll shift side to side in the lane to catch glimpses of what’s behind me in my mirrors. Or I’ll pull to one side of the lane as I ride and glance over my shoulder.

I get a little freaked out too when I suddenly notice a car right on my tail that I hadn’t noticed before.

I wish this was something they had covered in the Motorcycle Safety course but since the class bikes didn’t have mirrors this was never brought up.

[redcromwell]

I took my bike out at night the second day I had it. I just felt more comfortable at night. Plus there’s less traffic in my area at night. More opportunity to open ‘er up and actually ride rather than dealing with stop-n-go traffic.

Gary856 has a good point about visibility at night. I didn’t even think about other drivers not seeing me. I agree that it’s important to wear something that makes you more noticable in the dark.

I think you’re ready to ride at night when you feel you’re ready. If you’re nervous, and don’t have to ride at night, then don’t do it.

Like my MSF instructor told me, “Riding a motorcycle is more mental than it is physical.” You can’t have any distractions.

[redcromwell]

I’ll check the laws in my state. I really don’t want to be pulled over for any reason.

[redcromwell]

But, a friend of mine happened to mention a rear fender eliminator kit, and I had no idea what he was talking about. So, I looked it up and really like the look of a sportbike without the rear fender hanging over the wheel.

Maybe I’ll just do this one modification… and a “hugger” for the rear wheel…

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