Brand new to the biking world

gthotchkiss · 10-06-2005, 9:57 AM

Ive been watchin this site for a little bit and it seems pretty sweet. I don't have a blade, but I am going to go pick up my first bike this weekend. A 95 VFR, I'm pretty psched about it. I went and got my permit last weekend, and am signed up for the MSF course in November. Nice to meet all of ya'll!

phobiaphobe · 10-06-2005, 10:08 AM

Welcome. You'll love that VFR... great bike to start on, IMO.

ND4SPD · 10-06-2005, 10:15 AM

sheepofblue · 10-06-2005, 11:03 AM

Good choice and some advice from a fool that somehow survived to an old age:

1) Get decent gear and wear it ALL the time. A minimum is a good full face helmet, jacket and gloves. Whenever possible add boots and pants.
2) Don't ride with squids they will rub off on you
3) Ride like everyone is out to kill you or they will
4) See #3
5) Most heros are dead, I don't want to be a hero
6) If you are hesitant on feeling good enough stay off the bike
7) If you are mad stay off the bike

Disclaimer: I have not always taken my own advice and have the scars to prove it.

gthotchkiss · 10-06-2005, 11:20 AM

I have already purchased most of my gear, jacket, pants, gloves, boots... Still lookin for a helmet, gotta get to a store to make sure it fits. I probally also just stick to parking lots and such until I take the MSF...

Thanks for the advice!

HondaGalToo · 10-06-2005, 11:34 AM

Welcome! It's a great sport, one I've enjoyed for around 20 years. Sheep's advice is good. I'd like to add don't drink and ride. Common sense stuff, but worth mentioning. Kudos for buying gear!

sheepofblue · 10-06-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

Welcome! It's a great sport, one I've enjoyed for around 20 years. Sheep's advice is good. I'd like to add don't drink and ride. Common sense stuff, but worth mentioning. Kudos for buying gear!

good add. Remember you are doing something that requires balance and reflexes.

gt702 · 10-06-2005, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Welcome. You'll love that VFR... great bike to start on, IMO.

It is a great bike to keep riding too. I'm on my second '94 VFR750, with a '98 VFR800 sandwiched between. Over 80K miles on the lot. Great all around bike that you can tour with and have fun on. Great choice

This site is a great choice too. Lots of good people, information, and fun. Welcome.

soon2b954 · 10-06-2005, 12:46 PM

Always remember, good gear is not a substitute for avoiding a crash in the first place. Leathers will not save you from a tree or a guardrail. Ride at your own pace, have fun!!

CBR929RE · 10-06-2005, 1:03 PM

and if you do have some scary moments don't let them get to ya, we all have scary moments. Just learn from them then push them right out of your mind and keep riding.

my advice to add is: if you think you aren't gonna make the turn just push the bars harder. the bike can lean a lot further than your brain wants to know and the tires will hold.

gthotchkiss · 10-06-2005, 1:29 PM

Excellent advice from everyone, thnx alot!

sheepofblue · 10-06-2005, 1:48 PM

oops and there are some older more mature members in your area you might want to look up. I would recommend older folks vs the 'sportbike' club. While some clubs are responsible more old farts are (how they got to old

)

gthotchkiss · 10-06-2005, 2:11 PM

Yeah, I hear ya on that, there are some friggin morons ridin up here on the streets of ATL!

Baketech · 10-06-2005, 2:24 PM

Welcome!

Here's a couple of good resources...

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr-list.html

Stay safe out there...

RedRocker · 10-06-2005, 3:05 PM

If it is possible, go ride out on the highways or in the country. You are alot safer when there are fewer cars around you. Good Luck!

gthotchkiss · 10-06-2005, 3:30 PM

Bake, thnx for the websites! I've actually been watchin the VFRdiscussion one periodically already, the other one looks like it'd be a good thing to check out as well!

Red - I agree with you on that, downtown Atlanta isn't really the best place to learn how to ride

. However I do know some small neighborhoods and backroads which are typically empty! I figure there are some parkin lots around too...

gthotchkiss · 10-06-2005, 5:25 PM

Question, just got my gear in today, how tight are the jacket and the pants supposed to fit? It is wearable, but it seems a little tight, but that could be because I'm not used to buying MC gear too....? Waist is fine on the pants and the arm length is fine on the jacket.... Ne Help Please?

dB · 10-06-2005, 5:26 PM

Is the gear leather?

slodsm · 10-06-2005, 5:32 PM

Tight is good to a point, if it can slide around on you freely, it can cause burns in itself. If it's cutting off circulation though, it's too tight.

I will add to the comment on don't drink and ride. Man, even two are too many. riding a bike and growing old to talk about it requires a little skill, a little common sence, and little self preservation instinct, and a little bit of balls. Problem is, when you ride with booze, you add way too much balls, tend to think you have more skill, and the other two just go out the window. NEVER ride after drinking.

RedRocker · 10-06-2005, 5:38 PM

Well what if you go to a Biker Bar??? Is pop the only thing they serve

Please note: I DO NOT drink and ride my 929

EDDIE110171 · 10-06-2005, 6:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRocker

Well what if you go to a Biker Bar??? Is pop the only thing they serve

Hopefully, you think scars are cool then.

esoteric · 10-06-2005, 6:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthotchkiss

I probally also just stick to parking lots and such until I take the MSF...

That's what I thought until I got comfortable on the bike :-) Just take it easy and learn carefully. Learning will extend far beyond your MSF course (mine's at the end of the month).

Quote:

Originally Posted by gthotchkiss

how tight are the jacket and the pants supposed to fit

Did you get fit by someone or did you just order them? I got the guys down at Dainese to set me up with stuff but I can't tell you how it was actually done. None of my clothes are restrictive or "tight" but form fitting and sparing. I found out I can't get the jacket off when I'm driving my car, so there really isn't too much extra space there. I had to adjust the shoulder armor to make the jacket feel right and all the gear fits slightly differently while on the actual bike- they have bikes in their showroom to sit on in order to properly determine fit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

my advice to add is: if you think you aren't gonna make the turn just push the bars harder. the bike can lean a lot further than your brain wants to know and the tires will hold.

Succinct. This is a hard thing to wrap your head around and it's been challenging me regularly. I've been reading the "Twist of the Wrist" books and they've been helpful.

GhostRider · 10-06-2005, 7:09 PM

aboard

Getsome · 10-06-2005, 7:55 PM

to the .org. You'll enjoy the atmosphere, the posts, the advice, all that stuff and maybe even meet some good people along the way.

Also welcome to the addiction that we all have for motorcycles. Keep the rubber side down and enjoy.