For the beginners. From those who have to those who haven't yet.

[trapper]

So, I've noticed a few people come on to the forum who mention they are new to riding. To them I say, welcome to the forum and a great way of life. Though I do feel that the CB750 isn't a good starter bike (as many here know, they have more power than a lot of people expect) I still commend ya for getting on two wheels and riding one of my favorites.
A friend of mine just got her motorcycle license in Massachusetts, and I have been teaching her a lot sonce the spring. What bugs me about how she got her license is, she took the safety course (a good idea of course) and when you pass the course down there, you get your license. The problem with this is, the course gives you no real world experience. They don't bring you on the road and you don't even get out of second gear. So what has happened with my friend is, she had never ridden her own, got her learner's permit, signed up for the class, got her license and is now able to go down the road. I have her bike and am working to teach her some more but I figured, a thread here with some helpful info to the new riders from some of us oler guys/gals would be nice. So, I'll start off with a few points and if anyone wants to add or expand, please do. Lets help to make the next generation of riders as safe as they should be.

These are the things I have been telling my friend
1... First and foremost, ride like every car out there doesn't see you. This doesn't mean be paranoid and freak out but, be cautious. I told her, "even if you have made eye contact with a cager... Even if they have waved to you... Even if thy leaned out the window and screamed your name, just keep it in your head that they may have not seen you and be aware of their movement. More people are more interested in whats happening on their phone than what's going on around them so....

2... Those painted lines in the road, the double yellow, the white marks for crosswalks and so on. When it rains, they can get slick. Especially when they are new. Just keep that in mind and ride accordingly.

3... Any time you feel your bike may be getting away from you, or maybe bouncing around a little too much, ease off the throttle and if needed, pull in the clutch. Losing the power to your drive wheel and just coasting can do wonders to regain control. But if you panic and slam your brakes at the wrong time it can be more of an issue than you where expecting. Don't forget your brakes of course but, know your motor can do a lot of work for you. Downshifting has helped me in MANY hairy situations.

4... When coming around a curve, sometimes you may feel your bike isn't taking it as well as you would hope. It may be getting tighter and you're drifting in to direction of the other lane or off the road. And maybe you don't feel comfortable giving more of a lean. A little trick I picked up, take the leg that is on the inside path of the curve and just turn it out a little. Most of us ride with our legs along the side of the tank which is natural. Just pivot that inside leg a little and you will feel a difference. The first time I discovered this (and it seems like such common sense but) it was like night and day on my riding. What seemed like hard curves before where suddenly easy.

There ya go, there's a few starters for you new kids out there.
I'm sure some of the other folks here have many more pointers. Oh and... Anyone that tells ya they are an expert... No matter how long they have been riding, is a fool. Even the most skilled rider gets caught up in things we don't expect from time to time. It's all in how you approach it. One thing my old man taught me when I was a kid. There are two kinds of riders. Those who have gone down and those who haven't YET. Don't let that scare ya though. Just keep your eyes and ears open, stay calm and have fun.
Shiny side up kids. See ya out there.

[seestheday]

just to add a bit...

#1 - ride like everyone is actively trying to kill you but make it look like an accident.  

#2 - also remember that if things go bad those lines are loose guidelines.  Don't be afraid to split lanes to get out of trouble, even if it is illegal in your area.  Laws are less important than your life.

#3 - nothing to add

#4 - this works because you're changing your centre of gravity.   For a larger effect ride like a racer.  Get your ass off of the seat and hang it beside the bike.  Point your knee directly at the ground (don't drag it unless you are wearing pads of course).  You can take a corner MUCH harder if you do this.  You'll be surprised at how hard you can actually turn.

More details here: http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171467

[trapper]

Very valid add ons haha I was trying to keep it light but you are right. Though I am (for the most part) against lane splitting, in a pinch or an emergency, it's sometimes needed. Though keep extra eyes out when doing this. Remember, the cagers don't see ya... The last thing they expect is for you to some up in between them and the car next to them. They can try to switch lanes without warning in traffic.

[seestheday]

Ya, I've only split lanes once, and it was an emergency. 

Sent from my BlackBerry device

From: trapper [via Honda CB750'S]

Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 3:32 PM

To: seestheday

Subject: Re: For the beginners. From those who have to those who haven't yet.

Very valid add ons haha I was trying to keep it light but you are right. Though I am (for the most part) against lane splitting, in a pinch or an emergency, it's sometimes needed. Though keep extra eyes out when doing this. Remember, the cagers don't see ya... The last thing they expect is for you to some up in between them and the car next to them. They can try to switch lanes without warning in traffic.

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NAML

[trapper]

And I would add that, to the complete novice, getting your ass off your seat and hanging off the side takes a bit of practice. Don't think you're gonna do this perfect the first time. Better to learn your machine before trying to ride like you stole it.

[TOOLS1]

The throttle is NOT a toggle switch! It is infinitely adjustable, not just on/off.
TOOLS

[sgtslag]

Lead with the rear brake in nearly every situation!  It stabilizes the suspension, prevents most of the nose dive when applying the brakes, and it helps give you maximum stopping power, and stability.

Resist the temptation to ride to keep up with others when they go faster than you are comfortable with...

I nearly lost it a couple of years ago, in a group ride, when I tried to keep up with some sportier riders, on my heavy touring machine, with my wife sitting behind me on the bike.  I've been riding for 30+ years, and I am still making foolish mistakes -- I'm human, unfortunately.  So far, I have survived my moments of 'humanity' (aka, stupidity).  God looks out for fools, and idiots (like me...).  Cheers!

[lostson]

Relax, When I first started riding I was always white knuckled and rigid in the saddle. A friend of mine told me I had to relax. It took a while to settle in, but  eventually I got to a relaxed state. Your movements will be much more fluid and you will react much faster. I know it sounds odd but it works.

Another one is to watch everyone and everything around you, look at the people in the cages around you sometimes it is better to get on it and away from them. I can't count the number of times looking up the road and seeing someone easing out to make a turn and you just know they aren't seeing you so move out of their way before you even get to them.

 I also take roads less traveled, I know this is not always easy, but when making long trips or even trips around town I will stay out of the heavy traffic areas. I prefer a country road anyway scenery is usually much better.

 My 2 cents anyway.

[Rodgil]

Another thing to be aware of is "Counter Steering". When I first heard about it I said "Crap, of course you always turn the bars in the direction you want to go". Around town, yes, you do turn the bars in the direction you want to go. So out of town I went, got up some speed, and pushed on the left bar, going into a left curve. The bike tipped into the corner so easily, it made me wonder what I had been doing in the past? If you haven't tried it, just give the bar a little push away from you, and away from the direction you want to go,  just a GENTLE push till you find out what is going to happen. Most beginners do grip the bars too tight, and try to turn the bars into the corner at speed. Whenever I don't feel safe at speed, I realise that I have been trying to steer, not countersteer.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I have been actively riding for my 4th summer now and although I have read it many times, that one ^ still illudes me.

[TOOLS1]

It's the old "Tug right, turn left" You do not actually steer a motorcycle (or any two wheeled vehicle.) If you notice while riding you barley move the handle bars. Steering is done by leaning, and the way to make the bike lean is to gently move the wheel in the opposite direction that you want to turn. What this is doing is kind of upsetting the bike under you, so that it will lean. It's something like turning into a skid in a 4 wheel vehicle. It does not feel natural at first, but once you learn it, it becomes natural to you. This is why it is hard to learn to ride a bike, but once you do, you never forget.
TOOLS

[trapper]

This is perfect Hoosier and Tools... And everyone else haha. This is exactly what I had in mind. Questions from the new(er) riders, answers from the seasoned. Keep it up. How can we get this pinned? I think it should be a readily available resource.

[Jack]

As a new rider myself, this is the information that I am looking for.  Thank you very much everyone.  Great thread.  Consider 1 member subscribed.  

[Hoosier Daddy]

TOOLS1 wrote

It's the old "Tug right, turn left" You do not actually steer a motorcycle (or any two wheeled vehicle.) If you notice while riding you barley move the handle bars. Steering is done by leaning, and the way to make the bike lean is to gently move the wheel in the opposite direction that you want to turn. What this is doing is kind of upsetting the bike under you, so that it will lean.
TOOLS

That's what they tought us in the Motorcycle Safety Course of the "swerve" quick manuvers for collision avoidance. I read the sentance in the book like 4 times and tried to invision it... Thought it had to be a mis-print! Then when the instructor explained it similar to what TOOLS said it made sense (sorta).
 Just have yet consiously do it. Maybe I am without knowing as I can get a bike to lean well in the twisties.

[free2ride]

ALL cagers are idiots.

when you are in a car, you are an idiot.

hard to believe, I know    but it's a simple fact of life.

even though we know we have to be more careful and more aware, we can still do some really dumb things that affect others.

so . . . try not to be such an idiot next time . . . and be careful of the rest of us. and I'll do the same next time I am the idiot in a cage  

[seestheday]

You're definitely doing it unconsciously.

Try to consciously just lean and you'll see how slow you turn. If you try to turn the wheel the way you want to go at speed you'll counter steer and go the other way. :-)

Sent from my BlackBerry device

From: Hoosier Daddy [via Honda CB750'S]

Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 7:57 PM

To: seestheday

Subject: Re: For the beginners. From those who have to those who haven't yet.

TOOLS1 wrote

It's the old "Tug right, turn left" You do not actually steer a motorcycle (or any two wheeled vehicle.) If you notice while riding you barley move the handle bars. Steering is done by leaning, and the way to make the bike lean is to gently move the wheel in the opposite direction that you want to turn. What this is doing is kind of upsetting the bike under you, so that it will lean.
TOOLS

That's what they tought us in the Motorcycle Safety Course of quick manuvers for collision avoidance. I read the sentance in the book like 4 times and tried to invision it... Thought it had to be a mis-print! Then when the instructor explained it similar to what TOOLS said it made sense (sorta).
 Just have yet consiously do it. Maybe I am without knowing as I can get a bike to lean well in the twisties.

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NAML

[shinyribs]

Awesome thread here!

Trapper is dead on about hanging your leg out to help in a hard turn. I only learned this recently and don't know how I got by without before. Super effective!

Disclaimer: Not condoning hard riding here. Do it at your own risk. I used to have a hard time cornering hard left or downhill. Uphill or to the right I could push a peg into the ground on every turn. Not so much going left and never going downhill. After learning about hanging a leg down that all changed. It takes a little bit before it becomes natural and second nature. But after kinda getting the hang of it I was surprised how much harder I could corner and the bike felt even more stable than it did before. One day I was out goofing off with a guy I met at a local gas station. He was on a 600rr and we got to talking and eventually took to the mountains I was surprised to find myself able to lean the bike far enough to drag my left peg in a hard downhill left hander. It was quite a shock to find myself able to do it with complete control over the bike. I can't express how helpful this technique was to me! Only wished I had learned it earlier. To me, this is a more effective way to corner,and more stable feeling,than hanging off the seat to reposition your weight on the bike. Hanging off the seat does work,but you run the chance of upsetting the bike when you have to get back in the saddle. Especially in some switchbacks. You just cant keep bouncing back and forth,side to side,with the same amount of control as you can with just hanging a leg. When you hang off the seat chances are you are rising off the the seat and then coming back down. All this can unload the rear of the bike and cause issues. Butt firmly planted in the saddle and hanging a leg down is much safer IMO.


The other most important piece of advice (not that any are unimportant) I saw on here is what Sarge said about not trying to keep up. Please do not do this! It does not matter at all if you can keep up! Only that you have fun! Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone/current riding abilities is the worse thing you could ever do. Not only is it extremely dangerous,it totally takes the fun out of riding.

Ride to have fun. If you want to ride a little more spirited than you did before,learn it in stages. And if the guys you are riding with razz you about not keeping up I suggest you not ride with them anymore. Those are the kind of guys that will get you hurt. Dont show off! Just have fun!

[shinyribs]

Hoosier Daddy wrote

I have been actively riding for my 4th summer now and although I have read it many times, that one ^ still illudes me.

Open highway. Middle of the day. No traffic. Then experiment. Carefully! 

Once you get the feel for it it'll never go away. Like Tools said. A quick counter steer can still be effective at lower speeds,too. Like driving in town. When I swerve to dodge a pothole,piece of debris,etc. I always used counter steer instead of just trying to lean the bike over. Especially at low speeds.The bike reacts much quicker and it actually plants the tires harder vs just leaning.

Fortunately, I have made friends with an old timer that races AHRMA. He has taught me soooo much over the past few months. Yes, I ride faster because of it,but I'm actually safer for it. A good riding partner that is willing to take time to teach you,without pushing you beyond your current limits,is priceless.

[trapper]

Loving how this thread is taking off. You guys rock.

[john k]

This might be something else to consider as a new rider. When I first got my K5 back in the day, to go two up was sometimes....an unexpected event. There is a place for "rubber neckers" usually not on a motorcycle. The best "new" passengers were the ones that had ridden horses. The balance was there and no sudden movements.