[AwwsChwA]

I'm getting more and more comfortable riding 8) Today I was comin home from work and happened to notice that my grip on the handlebars, my posture, and my general awareness of all the cars n stuff around me were more relaxed than they've been before. I certainly wasn't careless, but I'm starting to get used to being on a motorcycle. I was even brave enough to take my left hand off the handlebar to wave at a passing rider on the freeway. I'm slowly leaving the rookie stage of my riding life

 

[LayinLo]

Its always a good idea to take your left hand off the handlebars. Especially when hitting the NOS button on those slow turbo-charged 'Busa's.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

Ain't it funny how we schloooowwwwllly learn something and then one day, wake up and say, "Hey, I'm getting better at this."

Now, a warning: When I had the "Hey, I'm getting better at this" realization, I mistook it to mean that I could relax a little more. I got a little too relaxed in a corner one Saturday and wound up spending a month or so putting the fairing back on the bike, after having to remove all of it to straighten that stinkin' bracket under there.

My point: Yes, you're getting better, but you're not good enough yet (neither am I at 17,000 miles).

P.S. Don't it just kill ya' . . . being a newbie and seeing Rossi doing wheelies on a wet track, sitting sidesaddle, etc.?

 

[87gsxrnut]

being a newbie and seeing Rossi doing wheelies on a wet track, sitting sidesaddle, etc

Squid.

- Nut

 

[Bluejeans]

Heck, I'm just glad to be past the white-knuckle stage...an occurence that just happened today, BTW...

I've logged a grand total of 147 miles in 4 days.

 

[AwwsChwA]

Heck, I'm just glad to be past the white-knuckle stage...

Man, can I second that notion. The first couple weeks I rode (especially on the freeway), both my hands were sore as hell.

 

[TL chris]

Don't squeeze hard and invest in some high quality gloves. Dish out a few more bucks and get some really good ones. Two benefits. 1. Very comfortable and good feel on the controls. 2. Protection. Obviously a good pair of gloves will stand up to a crash better than your own skin.

 

[LayinLo]

Heck, I'm just glad to be past the white-knuckle stage...

Man, can I second that notion. The first couple weeks I rode (especially on the freeway), both my hands were sore as hell.

If you'll do stand up wheelies, you don't have to hold on as tight...



j/k :lol:

 

[Bluejeans]

Don't squeeze hard and invest in some high quality gloves. Dish out a few more bucks and get some really good ones. Two benefits. 1. Very comfortable and good feel on the controls. 2. Protection. Obviously a good pair of gloves will stand up to a crash better than your own skin.

Got me some real nice italian leather gloves with gel palms. Full gauntlets and everything! Boy do they take a lot of the vibration out of the handlebars! They are a bit thick for summer riding though. They have a thinsulate lining. I really need to find a better summer pair.

 

[TL chris]

Good choice in gloves. Just make sure you try them on first to make sure they fit well.

 

[GIXXER-Mike]

AwwsChwA
Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:38 pm Post subject: Practice makes perfect

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm getting more and more comfortable riding Today I was comin home from work and happened to notice that my grip on the handlebars, my posture, and my general awareness of all the cars n stuff around me were more relaxed than they've been before. I certainly wasn't careless, but I'm starting to get used to being on a motorcycle. I was even brave enough to take my left hand off the handlebar to wave at a passing rider on the freeway. I'm slowly leaving the rookie stage of my riding life

Couldn't be said more plainer! I feel every letter of every word that you typed. I'm over all my kinks & pains & now the bike fits me like the kevlar gloves that I wear.

Still, I'd like to reiterate the 4 stages that a member of this forum wrote that I hold to religiously:
1. New Bike Nervousness (self explanitory)
2. FALSE CONFIDENCE (the stage you & I are in right now :lol
3. Wake-Up Call (often results in the injury or death of you or a friend :shock
4. Maturity (you ride for your personal satisficatiion & not onlookers/groups, etc.)

 

[TL chris]

Still, I'd like to reiterate the 4 stages that a member of this forum wrote that I hold to religiously:
1. New Bike Nervousness (self explanitory)
2. FALSE CONFIDENCE (the stage you & I are in right now :lol
3. Wake-Up Call (often results in the injury or death of you or a friend :shock
4. Maturity (you ride for your personal satisficatiion & not onlookers/groups, etc.)

I believe you can thank RowdyRed for that little piece of 'nollege.

 

[bhamon]

I'm glad I found this thread. I was starting to wonder why my back, neck, legs, and hands hurt after riding for an hour or so. I hope I can start getting more comfortable soon.

 

[Bluejeans]

:lol:

I know what you mean. I feel like I've joined a gym rather than bought a bike...same basic cost, I guess.

 

[Clint]

I rarely wander into this forum, but the compliment was nice. Thanks.

 

[SDSUsnowboards]

Apparently I gave the whole "my grips are way too hard and now my hands are sore" stage amiss. I need to agree with bluejeans though, My first two and a half hour ride was 3 days ago and I'm still feeling sore in the back. The day after the ride was the worst; my back, my neck and my forearms all felt like I worked out for the better part of the day. Maybe I need to find a better position... I usually ride up against the tank... it feels the most stable and secure, but I am noticing that going farther back in the seat feels better in proportion with how fast I'm going.

 

[tronbunny]

When the heck did I do a workout?

Newbie soreness is the pits.

Man, I really gotta take some Xanax or something.
I'm all tensed up in the upper back, neck, shoulders and upper arms...
Maybe meditation will work.

 

[Trapper]

screw xanax...

 

[LayinLo]

Get a massage from a beautiful woman. 8)

 

[GIXXER-Mike]

Re: When the heck did I do a workout?

Newbie soreness is the pits.

Man, I really gotta take some Xanax or something.
I'm all tensed up in the upper back, neck, shoulders and upper arms...
Maybe meditation will work.

As anxious as one can be I found that waiting a few days between rides really helps the soreness. Also, good messages help a whole lot :lol: .