First ride tonight :D

[ManInTheBox]

New rider here guys.

Went on my first ride tonight and i must say it was truly awesome. Must have covered about 50 miles. Had a slight scare when some numpty pulled out on me from a t junction and i had to break so hard it caused my back wheel to lock, but luckily i stayed on the bike. I may have been going to fast and not anticipating the road.

Since I've went out on the bike it seems the neutral light only lights up when the bike is running whereas it used to light up when the bike was just sitting.

The electric start just seems to have completely stopped working also. Seems as though a electrical connection problem, but all the electrics other than the electric start work fine when the bike is running. I suspect this is due to my bike being a dodgy Chinese 125 number.?
Any ideas on the problems here?

Overall, it was the most fun I've had in a long time once i got over the initial nerves. I also gained a new respect for the road being so vulnerable compared to a car.

[Alex A]

[pinkyfloyd]

[ManInTheBox]

[tk338]

Not that I have much experience, but with regards to the front brake its impossible on most bikes to bring it to a quick stop with the rear brake, the problem with coming to a quick stop with the front brake is 'jabbing' at it, you need to be using them as smoothly as possible, just progressively as the situation allows.

I remember one particular time I went on a long ride to see family with my brother, I'd not had much sleep and was slightly lost, not focused at all on the road. The next thing I knew was the car in front of me was stopping and going alot slower than I was. I used my brakes the hardest I've ever had to use them, and I will admit to thinking 'this is it, I've hit him', and in the last few seconds I almost closed my eyes. When they fully reopened I'd stopped about an inch from the back of the car but it taught me a very serious lesson to always anticipate the road ahead of me. As far as I know my front brake allowed that though.

I think the problem really comes into play on bigger bikes... Twin disc, twin caliper HUGE ones, which require even smoother attention (correct me if I'm wrong) but the ideal situation however is not to have to stop so quickly we question how the brakes will work, however its not always an option. On my 125 I never had an issue with the front brake the rear only ever locked once; on the E-stop in my mod 1 but thats another story .

On a final note, in his first 100 miles my brother had his first and only off jabbing at the front brake, on a 125.

[Frost]

[Bloke]

Your battery is dead. That's why nothing works unless your running the engine.

Your instructor is sort of right, using your front brake at low speeds (below 10mph) will tend to throw you forward and off balance and will be jerky. I gathered a minor for it on my full test. Use front brake until 10mph and then slowly ease off the front and apply the rear to stop smoothly.

Just like in a car they teach you to lift your foot as you come to a complete stop for smoothness.
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[jimspeed]

[ManInTheBox]

Thanks for the tips about the front brake, i guess i was just scared in case i locked the front wheel and took a header lol.

[Beelzebob]

Hehe just savour that 'first ride' feeling... I've been riding since April myself and just felt a massive rush when I was out on my bike for the first time.

Still get a rush going on it now, went out for a blast this lunchtime, in the warm sunshine - truly awesome

Just can't wait to bin the L plates and get a bigger bike...

You will get more confident in using the brakes the more you practice, I'm still learning how to brake properly 5 months on - grabbed the front brake today not thinking! But I won't do that again in a hurry... all about experience from here on in.

Ride safe
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'09 YBR 125 -> '92 XJ600 S Diversion -> '99 Hornet 600

"Stronger than your average female lifeguard"

[pinkyfloyd]

[Crystal Tipps]