I'm movin' but it aint pretty [Archive]

View Full Version : I'm movin' but it aint pretty

chienjouet

07-26-2011, 10:58 PM

Well, I can get from point A to point B. Not dead. Haven't killed anybody...but it ain't pretty.

I just got back from the Research Park practicing weaving, U-Turns, and turning left and turning right from a stop.

I feel like a clumsy 2 year old. And I'm only riding a Nighthawk 250. Guess I'm feeling a little frustrated.

It's those fine motor skills.

Plus when I headed out on my practice run I made a fun, nice sweeping turn and ran right into 2 young girls running in the middle of the street. So, I stopped as fast as I could and avoided them. It didn't really scare me, but it made me angry. I couldn't believe they'd be running in the middle of the street on a hilly road.

Then, on the way back the SUV that was in front of me started honking on a blind curve and I realized he was warning me that there were people walking across the street.

I'm realizing that a small incident driving a car, could be a real problem on a motorcycle. It's a different mindset.

So, all in all people are good. I've noticed that motorists really are kind of protective a bit, which comes as a surprise.

It's a good world. I'm a clumsy motorcyclist. I will get better. Thanks for listening.

ImaSoftT

07-26-2011, 11:54 PM

chienjouet

07-27-2011, 12:51 AM

phoenix63

07-27-2011, 02:23 AM

Chien, the more your ride the more you will find that some days are http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/cloud9%20replacement.gif and some days just http://www.pashnit.com/forum/images/smilies/flush.gif, and the only hope we have is the good ones out number the not so good. But please try not to let the cagers make you angry because when we get angry we make rash moves and that's not a good thing. I agree it is a good world But I have to disagree that you are a clumsy rider (you are just a new rider) and I agree that you will get better (just as we all will get better because we never stop learning). You're doing great.http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/TwoThumbs%20Up.gif

+1... what IST said! Especially the part about being a new rider, not a clumsy one. My friend, we are in this together... positive thinking, and positive practicing so we learn will help us improve. i have a friend who has been riding since 1966 and even HE (motorcycle god/guru that he is to me) will tell you it's a lifelong learning opportunity... this riding motorbikes thing.

So, lets make a pact to be patient with ourselves and never give up learning.

And you ARE doing great! That quick stop with the girls jogging in the road tells me that! :pompom:

Cyclone67

07-27-2011, 05:29 AM

All these things are why you need to be 100% in the game when riding. If I'm not feeling it; then I take the car.....

For me -- its the hundreds of ducks in my neighborhood. They are out to get me!:lol:

zukilady

07-27-2011, 06:06 AM

chien - as all the above has said - hang in there! Do NOT give up! There will be days when all goes well, and there will be days when challenges pester us. I know you are frustrated - learning to ride is a HUGE thing to learn and it does not come in a day or week or even a month.

But let me tell you one thing: If every ride was a ride that went 100% perfect, you would never learn anything. Right? It's in overcoming the obstacles that we learn how the bike really works, and that is when we actually learn how the bike reponds to what we do with it.

We are in the tough stage of learning right now - you, me, p63, im73, and surely others that fall in our group of beginners - we are still working it out and it's painful. Plus we know just enough to be dangerous...I guess you could say we are in the "friction zone" of learning. Don't give up! Keep at it! I am confident that our rides will smooth out, the things we struggle with today will become second nature tomorrow, and we will look back on these days and say "that was rough - but I DID IT!"

We can do it!!:girlpower:

Skotty

07-27-2011, 07:03 AM

Sounds like you're doing pretty great to me! I would describe myself as a "fledgeling" - baby bird wobbling on it's way out of the nest. Sounds better than the 2 year old! Even though my clutch/throttle/brake control can be pretty toddler-like.

Luna Tique

07-27-2011, 09:04 AM

If you had been in a car all of these situations would of still popped up. remember you have a couple of big advantages on the bike.

You can stop faster and a bike can swerve around and or squeeze by obstacles that in a car would be very difficult or not even possible.

How many times do we hear " I had to lay her down" When the truth is there were many options to manuver through the situation.

It sounds like you stopped smoothly. It tells me you applied your brakes properly.You did great

Want to see how observant you are take this Rider Perception test (http://www.msf-usa.org/riderperception/)

Astir

07-27-2011, 09:40 AM

:hug2: Everybody has said it all already. I am so proud of all our new riders on TWF. You gals are amazing!! The support you give each other brings tears to my eyes. I hope some day I am able to meet you all.

We were all there. Some of us passed through these learning stages faster than others - everybody is different. One observation I have as a pilot, is those that take longer to get the basics down usually end up as better pilots. The same is true for Motorcycling. Because you have practiced, worked hard to develop the right skills, those proper and correct reactions will be with you for the rest of your riding life. :thumbup:

zukilady

07-27-2011, 11:33 AM

:iagree::thankyou: astir!

I know that is how it is in for me. I take longer to learn but I will be better for it! (Oops -don't know how that extra in got there!) Still learning this phone too! Lol

chienjouet

07-27-2011, 01:03 PM

+1... what IST said! Especially the part about being a new rider, not a clumsy one. My friend, we are in this together... positive thinking, and positive practicing so we learn will help us improve. i have a friend who has been riding since 1966 and even HE (motorcycle god/guru that he is to me) will tell you it's a lifelong learning opportunity... this riding motorbikes thing.

So, lets make a pact to be patient with ourselves and never give up learning.

And you ARE doing great! That quick stop with the girls jogging in the road tells me that! :pompom:

Thanks, Buddy!! How can I not be inspired and encouraged with all this support. I feel so much better and you Got It!! It's a pact! If you're not discouraged with your 'pinky' dilemma I sure won't be. Get well soon :hug2:

All these things are why you need to be 100% in the game when riding. If I'm not feeling it; then I take the car.....

For me -- its the hundreds of ducks in my neighborhood. They are out to get me!:lol:

You're right. I wasn't 'feeling it'. Although 99% of the time, I love it!! :wootrock:I was just feeling all over clumsy. Thanks for the tips!:D:

chien - as all the above has said - hang in there! Do NOT give up! There will be days when all goes well, and there will be days when challenges pester us. I know you are frustrated - learning to ride is a HUGE thing to learn and it does not come in a day or week or even a month.

But let me tell you one thing: If every ride was a ride that went 100% perfect, you would never learn anything. Right? It's in overcoming the obstacles that we learn how the bike really works, and that is when we actually learn how the bike reponds to what we do with it.

We are in the tough stage of learning right now - you, me, p63, im73, and surely others that fall in our group of beginners - we are still working it out and it's painful. Plus we know just enough to be dangerous...I guess you could say we are in the "friction zone" of learning. Don't give up! Keep at it! I am confident that our rides will smooth out, the things we struggle with today will become second nature tomorrow, and we will look back on these days and say "that was rough - but I DID IT!"

We can do it!!:girlpower:

Absolutely couldn't be learning with a greater group of amazing women. I am so interested when you all post about your learning rides, your fun rides, your not-so-great rides, your awesome rides. Learning to ride is one of the most fun things I've done in my whole life. Fun to be sharing it with this group, particularly. :yahoo: I promise I won't give up, but I'm holding the rest of you to it, too.:hug2:

Sounds like you're doing pretty great to me! I would describe myself as a "fledgeling" - baby bird wobbling on it's way out of the nest. Sounds better than the 2 year old! Even though my clutch/throttle/brake control can be pretty toddler-like.

I've been watching your progress too, sounds like you're doing great!!:thumbup:

If you had been in a car all of these situations would of still popped up. remember you have a couple of big advantages on the bike.

You can stop faster and a bike can swerve around and or squeeze by obstacles that in a car would be very difficult or not even possible.

How many times do we hear " I had to lay her down" When the truth is there were many options to manuver through the situation.

It sounds like you stopped smoothly. It tells me you applied your brakes properly.You did great

Want to see how observant you are take this Rider Perception test (http://www.msf-usa.org/riderperception/)

Thank you so much for reminding me of this. Can't wait to take the little test. I am learning too, that using my left and right turn signals is absolutely mandatory, as when I slow down to make a sharp turn, cars may want to pass me.....Don't ask me how I discovered this.:o: Then, of course, TURN THEM OFF, after the turn.:eek:

:hug2: Everybody has said it all already. I am so proud of all our new riders on TWF. You gals are amazing!! The support you give each other brings tears to my eyes. I hope some day I am able to meet you all.

We were all there. Some of us passed through these learning stages faster than others - everybody is different. One observation I have as a pilot, is those that take longer to get the basics down usually end up as better pilots. The same is true for Motorcycling. Because you have practiced, worked hard to develop the right skills, those proper and correct reactions will be with you for the rest of your riding life. :thumbup:

A lot of what has inspired me to learn, are the many really 'attractive' women riders on this forum. I'm not a 'motorcycle mama', but I love sports and adventure and travel and I'm so grateful for the women, both new ones and more seasoned riders that are women I admire.:wootrock: Beautiful examples.

:iagree::thankyou: astir!

I know that is how it is in for me. I take longer to learn but I will be better for it! (Oops -don't know how that extra in got there!) Still learning this phone too! Lol

Thanks again, for all the support.:yahoo: I feel so put back together and hopeful and excited for my next practice session and ride. :pompom: Just can't :thankyou: enough!

maximoto

07-27-2011, 01:42 PM

Hang in there, sounds like you are on the right track by keeping a positive outlook on things!
Riding a bicycle helps with balance as do core strengthening exercises. :thumbup:

bekefi1

07-27-2011, 05:06 PM

chienjouet

07-27-2011, 05:25 PM

I've noticed that my learning comes in spurts. I'll have a period of those rough, fledgling riding days, then one day I'll notice that a few of those things that I've been struggling with are suddenly easy. This happened yesterday as I was riding to work. All of my jerky shifting suddenly disappeared, and my shifts were smooth and seamless. Made me grin all the way to work, and later all the way home when it was still happening.

You're doing great. After all, you're still doing it and haven't given up, right? Enjoy the journey and take joy in the small conquests - and they eventually add up into great accomplishments!

Yay! :ecstasy:so happy for you that you had that smooth ride into work. Joy!:wootrock:

It really does make all the struggling days worth it!

Thanks for the encouragement.:):

BTW, I had no idea what a great rider my husband was until I tried these things myself: I envy those smooth, tight U-turns, those smooth shifting through turns and twists...just all those 'good' riding techniques. I'm determined to enjoy riding like that.

Good happy fun to you on your riding journey, too! Girls really do ROCK :yahoo: It's an historical fact:pompom:

VStar

07-27-2011, 09:59 PM

You are all doing just fine, learning with each other, encouraging, empathising, handholding, you can't buy the support that we find on this site. It wasn't that long ago that I was brand new, I started April 2010, got my endorsement in Sept 2010 and still consider myself as a new rider. I have a very long way to go to that natural effortless feeling, and may never get there. I still surprise myself when I make that great left or right turn, go through the twisties in a nice line, still working on my hill stops and starts, but I'm getting better, spending less time concentrating on every maneuvre and more time enjoying the ride. I had the same worries, problems, fears and worked through them, like you are, we're all becoming riders together.

Flight49

07-28-2011, 12:37 AM

Like Vstar I consider myself a new rider. I have ridden for one year and learn every time I ride. I just now conquered the dreaded u turn! I was a slow learner and struggled with so much fear. I would have a really good day, then go out the next day and have a horrible day. It felt like I would never just do things easily and naturally. I have ridden about 6000 miles and there are some things that are finally easy and I don't have to think about them so much but I still have moments where I have to really focus to do things the right way. The great thing about the forums is that I realized that what I was going through was normal and that encouraged me to keep going.

I still practice and get excited about little things like making a u turn without putting my feet down. You are doing awesome and it really will happen. You will just be riding one day and realize that there is a skill you performed naturally.

Being able to make the stop to avoid those kids shows that you are doing lots of things right so keep up the great work :wootrock:

ImaSoftT

07-28-2011, 10:13 AM

http://www.twowheelfemales.com/forum/images/smilies/TwoThumbs%20Up.gif on conquering the u-turn Flight. Some of the things we need to be able to do is a little more difficult on the bigger bikes like the ones you and I ride, but with practice we can do them, and when we master a hard one it is awesome.

bekefi1

07-28-2011, 11:44 PM

Girls really do ROCK :yahoo: It's an historical fact:pompom:

Yep, I'm pretty sure I've read that in my history books somewhere along the line. :rofl:

adelgadorey

08-03-2011, 11:24 PM

You're right. I wasn't 'feeling it'. Although 99% of the time, I love it!! :wootrock:I was just feeling all over clumsy. Thanks for the tips!:D:

Oh wow, I totally feel you on that one. I went out today for my lunch hour practice time in the suburban side streets and promptly ran out of gas. A super nice biker lady stopped to check on me and make sure I was okay (The Ducati headquarters are nearby), and once I got the bike started again, made a super rough jumpy start and was pretty embarrassed. After about 10 minutes I realized I must be running out of gas (this is what happens when you go 32 years without learning to drive, stuff like that doesn't even occur to me yet) so I went to the station, filled up and kept going. Made another shuddering start right in front of my building with coworkers looking on and felt like a total moron. I can get the bike in motion and generally get it to do what I want, but it doesn't feel good yet. The stuff that made me proud and happy two weeks ago isn't enough any more but I haven't gotten good enough to really move on yet, either. It's an uncomfortable place to be. But reading all this just made me realize that I'm not always going to have good days, and it's not a competition, with myself or anyone else…it takes as long as it takes. Thank you so much for putting that out there! We'll get there :D:

phoenix63

08-04-2011, 12:20 AM

The stuff that made me proud and happy two weeks ago isn't enough any more but I haven't gotten good enough to really move on yet, either. It's an uncomfortable place to be. But reading all this just made me realize that I'm not always going to have good days, and it's not a competition, with myself or anyone else…it takes as long as it takes. Thank you so much for putting that out there! We'll get there :D:

We're all in this together, girls (and the guys who love us). I'm so glad that I have this forum to come to, so I don't feel so alone in this journey (especially with my unplanned hiatus...cannot WAIT for this cast to come off!). ALL of you inspire me! Thank you for sharing yourselves so generously.

Cyclone67

08-04-2011, 12:02 PM

Oh wow, I totally feel you on that one. I went out today for my lunch hour practice time in the suburban side streets and promptly ran out of gas. A super nice biker lady stopped to check on me and make sure I was okay (The Ducati headquarters are nearby), and once I got the bike started again, made a super rough jumpy start and was pretty embarrassed. After about 10 minutes I realized I must be running out of gas (this is what happens when you go 32 years without learning to drive, stuff like that doesn't even occur to me yet) so I went to the station, filled up and kept going. Made another shuddering start right in front of my building with coworkers looking on and felt like a total moron. I can get the bike in motion and generally get it to do what I want, but it doesn't feel good yet. The stuff that made me proud and happy two weeks ago isn't enough any more but I haven't gotten good enough to really move on yet, either. It's an uncomfortable place to be. But reading all this just made me realize that I'm not always going to have good days, and it's not a competition, with myself or anyone else…it takes as long as it takes. Thank you so much for putting that out there! We'll get there :D:

Always remember to set your trip odometer to zero when you fill up (and fill it all the way). Figure out when you should refill based off your MPG (and then take some off to offset wind, traffic, ect). For my Bonneville I always start looking to fill up at about 150 miles and then for my TW200 I fill up at about 100 miles.

chienjouet

08-04-2011, 01:58 PM

Always remember to set your trip odometer to zero when you fill up (and fill it all the way). Figure out when you should refill based off your MPG (and then take some off to offset wind, traffic, ect). For my Bonneville I always start looking to fill up at about 150 miles and then for my TW200 I fill up at about 100 miles.

How many gallons does your Bonneville gas tank hold? Your TW200?

My Nighthawk 250 gets about 70mpg and holds about 4.3 gallons. I start looking to fill-up at around 220 miles.

Thanks for the reminder. :slaphead: Very important. :redface1: I wish my bike had a fuel gauge and shift indicator.

My next one will. :whistling: I love my sweet, shiny black classic black dog girl, my Nighthawk. (Just in case she's listening :hiding:)

Cyclone67

08-04-2011, 03:12 PM

My Bonnie holds about 4 gallons and my TW200 has less than 2 but is a gas sipper -- my best so far was about 90 miles per gallon but it averages about 80. The Bonnie doesn't have a gauge, but it does have a light that comes on when it gets low. With the TW200 I am totally dependent on the odometer.

My first car I got cost 200$ and it didn't have a gas gauge, and the odometer was broken too. I had to just guestimate when to fill up. One time I forgot how long it had been since I filled up so I pulled up to the pump, started filling and put about 5 cents in and then it was full -- felt like an :asshat: when I had to go in and pay with a 20 dollar bill! :lol:

chienjouet

08-04-2011, 08:01 PM

the pump, started filling and put about 5 cents in and then it was full -- felt like an :asshat: when I had to go in and pay with a 20 dollar bill! :lol:

:rofl:

demenshea

08-04-2011, 08:13 PM

Plus when I headed out on my practice run I made a fun, nice sweeping turn and ran right into 2 young girls running in the middle of the street. So, I stopped as fast as I could and avoided them. It didn't really scare me, but it made me angry. I couldn't believe they'd be running in the middle of the street on a hilly road.

M'dear, I have not read this entire thread but have to comment on this one point. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED and hone your quick brake skills so you keep balanced. Remember to go EASY on that front brake when at slow speed as it's a magnet to the ground, but realize you need both brakes to quickly stop.

Never take anything for granted. It it wasn't kids, it could have been dogs, deer, other cycles, any number of things you don't want to go crashing into.

Kudos for you on this journey. Remember to relax your arms and practice your controlled moves, slow speed especially and those quick stops will save your and someone else life.