2 months into my learning process

[Jennifwernc30]

hi guys,just thought id share my progress so far with you wonderful ladies,and any advice or tips is always welcome. apologies on the essay I wrote!

so here in Ireland you have to do 16 hours basic training. so first day I'm put on suzuki marauder and surprise myself by doing the slalom and figure of 8 on the first day (this was my first day ever riding so I got quite optimistic that I wouldn't be so bad ha ha). so next day my instructor takes me out on the road,I'm shocked,does in really think I'm ready for this?! iv never driven on a road in all my life! so I pull out of training grounds quite nervously go up a hill to a tjunction and stop,cut out,danm I let the clutch out! then realising I'm on a hill,he hasn't even explained how to do a hill start yet but I calm myself down start her up and smoothly take off and on way again. next hiccup I cut out at traffic lights when they change and I'm stuck in the middle blocking traffic,thankfully all the car drivers waited patiently while I got myself going again. so he brings me about for another 2 hours and I must say I'm quite thankful he did,I was getting quite stressed!
so after that Im thinking ok id only learned the controls the previous day so I wasn't familiar enough with them so made the decision Id buy a small bike I can practice on some land we have so everything will be automatic and I. can focus properly on the road next time I go out with instructor. so my dad picked me up an nsr 125,needs a bit of work but I'm delighted with it. so I practiced every day stopping and starting, and went back to instructor feeling confident.,until I got on his bike.id gotten so use to my bike it felt like I was starting again,everything felt different,the riding position is completely different,the gear lever is much harder to kick into gear, and I just don't feel comfortable at all. he brings me back out on road again,much better and I'm more relaxed then first day but just the feel of this bike I don't like. my problem now is iv been riding my nsr and gotten real happy with it and feeling confident on it but I have to go back to finish my training on the marauder in a couple couple weeks and I'm just dreading getting back on it again,especially after getting so confident on mine,I think it might knock my confidence..any tips to overcome this? I have to do it on the 250 as my bike needs new starter and I ain't got it taxed or insured. just getting nervous!! thank you guys :roflmao:

[zukilady]

Wow...your story has quite the few things to be touched upon. I don't have time to go into everything now, but I will say that I admire your courage and drive to continue. I'll be on again later, but by then, others will have already said what I have in mind.

I will leave you with one question: Is there ANY way you can get your own bike fixed/legal and finish your training on it, rather than the instructor's Marauder? Or can you borrow a bike more similar to yours? You are much too new of a rider to be switching bikes while still essentially learning the basics. You already have discovered that not all bikes are the same, and in fact, can be very very different from each other. Sticking with a bike that you are comfortable on not only helps build skills, it builds confidence...which will in turn help build skills...which gives you more confidence...you see the effect?

[phoenix63]

Wow...your story has quite the few things to be touched upon. I don't have time to go into everything now, but I will say that I admire your courage and drive to continue. I'll be on again later, but by then, others will have already said what I have in mind.

I will leave you with one question: Is there ANY way you can get your own bike fixed/legal and finish your training on it, rather than the instructor's Marauder? Or can you borrow a bike more similar to yours? You are much too new of a rider to be switching bikes while still essentially learning the basics. You already have discovered that not all bikes are the same, and in fact, can be very very different from each other. Sticking with a bike that you are comfortable on not only helps build skills, it builds confidence...which will in turn help build skills...which gives you more confidence...you see the effect?

Agreed... that was my thought, too... can you fix your bike, or borrow someone else's to do your training? Ride what you're comfortable riding, and work your way up to a bigger bike later on.

And, here's a big TWF :hug2: for you. Congrats on your learning so far, good for you for keeping at it. You'll have good days, and not so good days, throughout your riding career. Remember to be patient with yourself and take each thing as it comes as another opportunity to learn. Riding is a life long learning thing for all of us. I'm really proud of you for keeping at it... you should be very proud of yourself!

[ridingAK]

It sounds like you are doing great! :clapping:

I agree with Zuki and p63 about riding your bike or one similar to it if at all possible! I've been riding for years and would hate to try to pass a riding test on a bike that was significantly different from mine! If you can't use a bike more like yours, can you get something similar to the Marauder to practice on where you won't feel pressured?

[zukilady]

hi guys,just thought id share my progress so far with you wonderful ladies,and any advice or tips is always welcome. apologies on the essay I wrote!

so here in Ireland you have to do 16 hours basic training. so first day I'm put on suzuki marauder and surprise myself by doing the slalom and figure of 8 on the first day (this was my first day ever riding so I got quite optimistic that I wouldn't be so bad ha ha). so next day my instructor takes me out on the road,I'm shocked,does in really think I'm ready for this?! iv never driven on a road in all my life!

...

so after that Im thinking ok id only learned the controls the previous day so I wasn't familiar enough with them so made the decision Id buy a small bike I can practice on

...

so my dad picked me up an nsr 125,needs a bit of work but I'm delighted with it. so I practiced every day stopping and starting, and went back to instructor feeling confident.,until I got on his bike.id gotten so use to my bike it felt like I was starting again,everything felt different,the riding position is completely different,the gear lever is much harder to kick into gear, and I just don't feel comfortable at all. he brings me back out on road again,much better and I'm more relaxed then first day but just the feel of this bike I don't like. my problem now is iv been riding my nsr and gotten real happy with it and feeling confident on it but I have to go back to finish my training on the marauder in a couple couple weeks and I'm just dreading getting back on it again,especially after getting so confident on mine

OK, so I am back and I am re-reading. I said previously that I would respond to all sorts of things that you wrote. However, as I revisit, I don't think I want to do that. You already figured out the most important things of what has transpired in your lessons.

I think that except for the bike-switching, you are progressing normally, albeit a little quickly onto the next thing w/out being comfortable with the last. Learning to ride is a building process where you don't want to move on without mastering the previous step. You saw that when you were put onto the street when you were still learning to work the clutch. But, you did great and yes, we are proud!

And, don't ever apologize for writing novels or essays here, as we have all done it and we all love to read the reports of new riders and give advice. So go you, and keep posting! :wootrock: And get your bike on the road! :D:

[zukilady]

Oh...another thing we love 'round here is

:LT:

[Jennifwernc30]

thank you guys for your words of wisdom! ha ha :-D

unfortunately I think its gonna be a while before I get my bike road worthy,as well as starter(good thing with starter going is I learnt to bump start which is always handy to know!) there's some issues with the wiring and I'm having immense difficulty finding schematics and workshop manual for it,can find it for earlier model but not sure how different that will be.
on borrowing someone else's bike unfortunately everyone I know owns a big beast of a machine,all at least 600s so that's out of the question.

when I first went out on road my instructor expected me to do the full 6 hours,pass the module and be on my way,and I'm thinking this is all very quick,are you suppose to learn so quick? so I was disappointed when I didn't finish it until my parents who ride were like we didn't expect you to do everything that quick and I should be happy so that made me optimistic ha.
the instructor he's good and explains everything very well but I can't help get the feeling he's rushing through everything but I'm unsure if its normal or not.

just thinking how il do this now. I could maybe go back to him and do a few days in the training grounds and get used to his bike again and then venture out on road again.
see I just noticed. last when practising on mine I changed gear and I had to actually think did I even pull in the clutch?! which i think means the controls are becoming more automatic!

all and all though I'm loving the experience so far and looking forward to where it takes me :-D

[zukilady]

Everyone learns at a different pace. There's no right or wrong answer as to how much time you are "supposed to" take. You take the time that is right for you. What will help with that is being able to practice between lessons.

As you practice, things will become more automatic for you. That much is definite as far as the learning process goes!

And having fun and "loving the experience and looking forward to where it takes me" is what it's ALL about.

:pompom::pompom:

[Luna Tique]

I think you are doing great :pompom:

Stalling a bike in traffic restarting it while maintaining your composure :perfect10:


All bikes have small differences each clutch pulls a little different, throttle control can be twitchy and brakes can be touchy or sensitive.

Personally I think one of the problems transitioning from one to the other is the riding postiton of the bike you OWN vs the bike you are being trained on.

The nsr 125 is a sweet bike :drool:( It was never was available to us here in the states) has a sitting position that has you leaning forward a bit and weighs in at 138kg ( 304 lbs).


A Suzuki Marauder position is something in between the standard and cruiser riding postion and 150kg (331 lbs) which may be adding to your difficulties adjusting from one to the other.

Here are examples of the 3 basic postitions.

Sport http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/721580216_4gGii-M.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Extras/6410196_Fn7zmP#721580216_4gGii)

Standard
http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/721580228_neVEY-M.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Extras/6410196_Fn7zmP#721580228_neVEY)

Crusier
http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/721580230_rQB9r-M.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Extras/6410196_Fn7zmP#721580230_rQB9r)

Showing you the postions I hope will help you understand why you feel so different on one vs the other.
Keep us in the loop. I will be waiting to hear how your next lesson goes.

[ridingAK]

I think going from nothing to passing the class in 6 hours all at one stretch would be asking a lot! Look at some of the threads from other new riders and you will see that you progressing very quickly. Everyone learns at their own speed and it isn't a race, so enjoy the learning and definitely do NOT feel bad for taking a little more time.

[phoenix63]

Oh...another thing we love 'round here is

:LT:

YES! Especially photos from around the world... Ireland, England, Australia, Germany, Canada... EVERYWHERE!

I swear, if we could just pull off an international TWF gathering, it would be so unbelievably cool...

And you're doing great, girl... very proud of you!

[opaque_machete]

Wow! Nothing I can add to all this great advice other than you are going great! You've got me beat. It took me 2 months to learn how to pull out without stalling! :lol: Go, Girl! :thumbsup::pompom::girlpower::perfect10:

[Jennifwernc30]

awh you girls are great for keeping one feeling optimistic!! can't wait to get home now and practice! got me some good alpine star boots I have to break in :-D

its just a great support to have you guys and yous are so helpful and reassuring as iv only got all male friends who ride and their all crazy riders! and a lot them learnt years ago and don't seem to remember the learning process!

oh il find some nice pictures of Ireland to share with you's :-) oh and iv loads of Irish road photos for this years season which yous might like to see :-)

phoenix a twf gathering would be awesome! what an. idea :-)

thanks luna tique for cool pics,the sports position on the nsr I find so much more comfortable for me,I just feel more steady and in control. it is a cool lil bike alright,unfortunately a dying breed as many have been abused and gone for breaking, and 2 strokes themselves are getting rarer here due to emissions. so I'm goin to spend the winter bringing mine back to it original glory :-D

opaque machete I think the one factor to me moving off without stalling as much now is because the starters gone on my bike I know I have to take off smooth or il be bump starting her again!! ha ha,its like an incentive to make you do it right ha ha :-D

[opaque_machete]

:lol:

[MissusJ]

Hey! If you're planning a TWF gathering for some of the Irish road racing then I'll be there like a shot! I love road racing and would much rather watch that than circuit racing. I've done the TT on the IOM a couple of times now and usually add in either the pre or post TT races on the southern circuit, I'm planning on the Manx GP in 2012 as my Uni placement falls right around TT... grrrr! Quite fancy the Ulster GP too...

So do I get the ferry into Belfast or Dun Laoighre?

[opaque_machete]

Too bad we can't do cool things like that here. :drool: That would be awesome.

[MissusJ]

One of my favourite TT photos...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253817_10150293322119175_680709174_8925301_881203_ n.jpg

Taken from a wall at Gorselea, the bikes here are doing 130mph-ish and are inches away. As the bikes go past you can feel the air pressure change and waft your jacket and hair. If you ever get the chance to watch road racing then take it! Not far from where I live there is a small road circuit, Oliver's Mount, which is also amazing.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/306431_10150412312339276_536719275_10100801_160714 7974_n.jpg

Just look at the incline!

[phoenix63]

Whoa... those are some great shots, MsJ! :wootrock:

[opaque_machete]

Great pics! Wow, that looks like it would be a blast to watch.

[ridingAK]

Bring on the pics! I for one would love to see as many pics as you guys are willing to post! I have never been to Europe, so you are my eyes to the world. :):

[Jennifwernc30]

awh msj you should definately come over for some the road racing!! the good southern circuits are kells and Skerries so pop over to dunlaoghaire for those and then of course the big ones are the ones in northern ireland so the North West 200 and the Ulster GP are ones to watch, In fact all you guys should visit for some road racing, exactly as msj said theres really nothing like it!!

[Luna Tique]

Bring on the pics! I for one would love to see as many pics as you guys are willing to post! I have never been to Europe, so you are my eyes to the world. :):

Me too
I say the more the better :yahoo:

[phoenix63]

Bring on the pics! I for one would love to see as many pics as you guys are willing to post! I have never been to Europe, so you are my eyes to the world. :):

+1000! I love pictures from all over the world...

Ozzie... this goes for you, too! LOVE your Aussie pics!

[Jennifwernc30]

hi ladies :-D ok so I just went back today to finish my training on the instructors marauder and to my shock and surprise I passed it! :-D :-D I can't believe it! I just kept my cool told myself the riding position is different but the controls are the same and my instructor said even he was shocked at how well I did. it was 4 hours on the road and I didn't have any stalls or messup so absolutely delighted! and I actually really enjoyed it,tired now! but wanted to let you guys know how it went and thanks yous for your support :-D

[zukilady]

:yahoo: congratulations! !!!:ecstasy::clapping:

[MissusJ]

Well done that girl!

[ImaSoftT]

:yahoo: That's super Jenni, does this mean you are fully licensed now or is there still more to do before you get your license?

[sweptwingnut]

:wootrock: CONGRATS!

[Luna Tique]

:clapping::yahoo::congrats: :thumbsup:

[ridingAK]

You rock, Jenn!
:congrats:

[VStar]

Good on you Jenn30, so much of riding is done with the mind, on to the next step.

[opaque_machete]

That is so awesome! You worked hard for that. Good job. :congrats:

[kamilshka]

Oh congraaaats Jennifwernc30! :D: Just catching up with this thread, and sounds like you had some ups and downs but generally did really well and picked things up darn fast, well done. Herein starts a whole new chapter of bike riding and learning and fun trips!

I was down in your part of the world recently, i come from Bangor in Norn Iron and all my extended family is there, so we went to visit them and then went with some family to Donegal on a holiday a few months ago. Good fun. Visiting again in a few months time on the bike hopefully, you never know, i might pass you on a road. :D: