Going for my first ride alone in the morning

[Fifteen15]

I'm going for my first ride alone in the morning, and weirdly I'm pretty nervous. I passed my mod 1 and 2 about 2 weeks ago with only 1 minor, but that was on a 125. I will be on a 650 restricted and it's so much heavier. It's just a confidence thing, I'm worried that I'll drop it or have problems with slow control. So how was your first ride alone? Any advice?
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"Pain is weakness leaving the body, and blood makes the grass grow faster...but I'll wear my gear anyway"

[pinkyfloyd]

Your nerves will vanish when you get out onto the road. Take it easy until you get used to the bike. The SV is a V Twin and the engine braking and torque will catch you out if you arent ready for it. You dont need a lot of revs for Twins and the moment you release that throttle it will be like stepping on the back brake. The engine braking is that good on them the chances are you'll rarely use your brakes. I dont on my Twin.

The added weight will feel cumbersom when you get the bike off the side stand. I'm not the strongest of blokes but I can lug my 185KG bike off its side stand (and the lean is pretty steep on my stand) and when the bike is upright its fine. Remember your not supporting the weight of the bike, your holding it on its balance point. Bike could weigh 20KG or 2000 KG. As long as you dont tip it past its centre of gravity you'll have no problem holding it upright at lights etc.

Slow control you wont need as much. Its an important part on the tests but for real world riding its not as widely used. Slow moving traffic is about the only time you'll use it, so coming to roundabouts, lights and junctions is about it. Thats lots of normal riding between slow control.

My advice to you is get out for the day. Head out of town and into the countryside where there isnt as much traffic and enjoy the day. Dont worry about dropping the bike. If it happens then deal with it then. Dont worry about slow control. Its all over thinking and it will get better as you tune yourself into the bike.

I expect a reply tomorrow telling us how much fun it was and how you were worrying over nothing.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Rogerborg]

If you drop it, try and get it to land on a kitten to cushion the impact.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Fifteen15]

[whitedevil]

Where abouts are you? If you're near leicestershire i'll come with if ya want.
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[Fifteen15]

[whitedevil]

Yeah thats a bit to far dude. Im sure you'll be fine mate, just take it steady for a while and make sure you use good obs and plan ahead.
Work on your lines and smoothness and you'll get faster without even trying.
Most importantly, have fun.
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[Tsopo]

[TheSmiler]

First ride alone wasn't much really just a 10 minute run if that just to get used to riding on my own, did that route twice there and back with another 20 minute run afterwards.

From that I learned too be too cautious of the road but not over cautious quite fun. After that it was another 8mile run to local shop an few more runs like that.

You will most probably find that you will want to get a road map encase you get lost.. if you want to do a larger route.

Braking is the main thing that you lean though with observations close behind. Other than that its just trying to slow down for speed cameras
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[trikeschick]

I took my bike out for the first time the other night and went to the garage to fuel it up, visited two mates then home again. Was early evening and getting dark so only did about 12 miles. My OH came with me on his trike but I made him lead so I didn't feel like a learner. I did lots of stopping and starting, as I am trying to get a feel for the bike. I think because I did Mod 1 so many times, I am fairly comfortable on the weight (although I did mine on the GS500 so not to much difference going to the Hornet apart from the power!). It is the clutch, throttle control I need to practice. Feel a bit clumsy on changing up so need to work on my technique.

Have fun on your ride and take it easy
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"Light travels faster than the speed of sound, which is why some people appear bright until they speak"

[Fifteen15]

Just come home, it was amazing! I could only fit 2 hours in because I have other stuff to do, but I'll be out again asap. I kinda liked the engine breaking, so I didn't have to keep tapping the break. And you're right, the nerves went away after literally about 3 seconds. I stayed around the roads I know, mostly 30mph roads, then i went onto some twisties after I gained a bit more confidence. I have a few questions to ask but I'll make a new thread and a bit later, no time now.
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"Pain is weakness leaving the body, and blood makes the grass grow faster...but I'll wear my gear anyway"

[pinkyfloyd]

Great stuff. Glad you enjoyed your first big bike ride. May it be the start of many more.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.