Newbie blues

[hume]

I'm a new rider. Until three weeks ago I had only been on a scooter for about an hour. Three weeks ago I did my CBT on a scooter. Last week I did a conversion course for a geared bike. I absolutely loved it.

I know nothing about bikes and didn't want problems out on the road so I did my research and brought a new Honda CB125 R. Yesterday was my third day out on the road and for the first time I thought I should pack it in.

My main failings are I don't keep up with traffic and turning corners is erratic. I also barely remember to signal. The good news is my gear changes are getting better and I stall the bike less often.

As an aside a problem I've noticed with the bike is if on an uphill incline and I accidentally put the bike in neutral I can't seem to get the bike into first gear without having to rock the bike forward for a bit. Has anyone noticed this problem and is there a specific cause for it?

[GSTEEL32]

This is all relatively normal when you first start.

12hp 125cc's are rubbish. You'll be lucky to keep up with the seasons, let alone traffic.

You're probably running wide on corners. Experience will sort that out.

Your clutch sounds like it might not be fully engaging. If its brand new, take it back, as I'm not sure whether it's a hydraulic or cable jobby.

Get something more interesting than a Honda, it'll make you want to go out on it more often.

[Easy-X]

[Howling Terror]

[dynax]

I rode from Doncaster to Lincoln and back last Thursday, had no problem keeping up with traffic varying road conditions and speed limits, Xena is 12hp and heavy 172kg kerb weight, 125's are fun to ride, and going for another ride this afternoon somewhere, enjoy the freedom
____________________
Mike.
Bikes: Xena, Bridget,Florence
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmihUc0xXxYbR4_0l-F1FzA/videos?view_as=subscriber

[linuxyeti]

[Riejufixing]

[McHattrick]

[Analogkid]

If you are accidentally putting the bike in neutral when at a junction, lights etc, if your clutch is still pulled in it often won’t engage gear, instead of rocking bike, let clutch out and pull it back again and it should find the gear.

Remember keep the revs up, the bike needs to be revved, you'll think it's gonna break, it isn’t, it's not a car, keep in a lower gear than you currently are and progress in speed and round the corners will be better. My daughter post CBT wasn’t using revs enough, so we went out with some Bluetooth communicators on, I asked what gear she was in, she was in 4th when 2nd would have been more appropriate, once she had mastered that and when to apply throttle and safer cornering lines she was much more competent, we did 170 miles over 5-6 hours and she improved dramatically, remember the CBT is only a 1st lesson, go back to the school and pay for more training or go out with more experienced riders, hell even you tube would help, but whatever you do keep at it.

[kgm]

[hume]

[Easy-X]

[KevAmiga]

Hi, im new to road riding too, and like you I had problems with indication!

I found it became second nature once I had my hand knowing where the indicator switch was without looking for it.

And yeah, the cornering thing, that just gets better with experience, when your smoother etc.

Enjoy the ride (i know I am!!!)
____________________
99 ZX6R / 2015 Montessa Cota 260

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[hume]

From my worst day on Saturday to my best day on Monday.
Something I forgot to mention in my original post was I had misplaced my motorbike gloves when I did the conversion course. Since owning my bike I've been using a pair of work gloves. These are threadbare summer gloves with the tops of thumb, middle and index finger missing.

On Sunday I went out and brought the same pair of gloves I had on the conversion course. The difference in my riding is the difference between night and day. Proper gloves allow me greater control of the clutch and the throttle which gave me the confidence to signal, keep my speed up, use my mirrors and enjoy the ride to and from work.

It's such a relief not to look at my bike and think 'Your days are numbered' to now thinking 'We've only just begun!'

[dynax]

It's surprising that something as simple as gloves can make such a difference, glad all is well and your able to move on and enjoy your rides
____________________
Mike.
Bikes: Xena, Bridget,Florence
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmihUc0xXxYbR4_0l-F1FzA/videos?view_as=subscriber

[annemarie]

Also essential for me is carrying a spare pair of gloves in case you get caught in the rain and still have a long way to go. (Or you can just get waterproof gloves, I only ever use leather gloves cause it gives me a good control of the bike, but they soak through quick.)
____________________
HD Street 750, Honda CBF125

[GSTEEL32]

[dynax]

After riding to Lincoln and back last week i know for definate that i personally don't need more than a 125, my next long trip i plan to do is the east coast Brid or Hornsea
____________________
Mike.
Bikes: Xena, Bridget,Florence
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmihUc0xXxYbR4_0l-F1FzA/videos?view_as=subscriber

[seeyalater]

Although I dont have this issue or knew the solution, ive found this post so helpful in the fact the advice is it takes time and miles to feel good on a bike.
I felt so wrong on the cbt bike today and just thought how terrible I was, and did think how I was taking in the info AND getting used to a bike.]
Think its great the advice you guys all give. thanks

[kgm]

[Ribenapigeon]

I never found keeping up with city traffic a problem on my WR125. Just learn to keep the revs high. B roads are great fun as well and getting a corner "right" feels good whatever your riding.

To develop good riding habits try talking yourself through your ride, so, ssy to yourself "approaching junction to my right chrcj for car turning" "chanfing lane look over shoykder make indication cancel indication" etc.

[GSTEEL32]