New to the road.

[Wild Dog]

Everyone that i know when takes turn, do brake a bit with the rear brake. It just helps a lot.

A few tips:
1) Don't be aimless, this is not dirt, you may be driving for pleasure, but other people may be driving in a hurry. You need to have aware of any vehicle near you. Plan ahead

2)Try to avoid being "sandwiched between vehicles, it is speedy but can be dangerous.

3)Don't try to be smart and ignore a railway crossing warning. The train won't be able to stop in time.


4)When you are going to outrun another vehicle, check their side view mirror.
See if they are aware of you, if they are using the phone or any other red flag.
IE: If they are using the phone, they may not be aware of you, and they may lean to the left hitting you, when you try to outrun them.

5)Trucks have lots and lots of blindspot, again try to make eye contact with the truck driver using their side view mirror.
You will be amaze how many times a truck driver nodded back at me when making eye contact.

6)Don't ride at 100% or 110%. Not everyone is a racer in the street, hell most people can barely drive. What is obvious for you, may not for them.

7)Learn the limits of your brake in a safe environment. You need to know how far you can brake before the you lose control.

[Megadan]

I could say a lot, but most of it has been covered.

Advice for noobs.
1. Do all of your braking before the corner. Don't try to apply brakes at all.
2. Get over any fear of leaning the bike over. If you still enter that corner faster than you intended, lean into it more. If you can find a good empty lot, you can practice your leaning by doing figure 8's and circles at an increasing pace. It helps build confidence.
3. Practice smooth throttle controls. Herky jerky letting off that throttle while you are going too fast into that corner while you are trying to lean into it will be both counter productive to taking the corner by unloading the rear tire, which is the one you want to have grip most of all, but will also do so in a way that transfers the weight quickly. Smooth riding is the best riding.
4. Grip with your legs, not your hands. Your upper body should be relaxed and loose. This prevents other types of herky jerky inputs. Your hip and thigh muscles will get tired, sore, and maybe even cramp at first, but keep at it. Strong legs make a world of difference in how you ride.
5. Practice your slow speed maneuvers and shifting your weight around. Most bikes get laid over at speeds under 10mph.
6. Do not come to a stop directly behind another vehicle (expanding on what Wild Dog said). Offset yourself to one side or another. Being a pancake isn't something you want to aspire to be.
7. Practice emergency braking. Seriously. More importantly, practice emergency braking with smooooth brake input. You obviously want to brake as quick as you can, but clamping down on the front brake lever with a quick jerking motion is a sure way to end up starting your audition tape for superman.

8. Yolo?

[cheesy]

I can't stress the Basic Rider Course enough. Follow up with BRC2 and Advanced.

I've been riding over 50 years, way before the courses were available, and took the Advanced course a few years ago for grins. Ya know what? I found I developed a few bad riding habits over the decades. I also came away from the course with a few new skills. Never thought I could make that old 79 CX500 lean enough keep up with larger sport bikes in tight curves.

Also, ATGATT. I admit that I fudge that a bit when I'm on the bike with the pontoon on the right side, but never when I'm on two wheels. Sh!t happens in the blink of an eye. Just road rash is a slow and painful recovery.

[Its_not_a_honda]

May have already been mentioned. Drive like all other vehicles are trying to kill you. Keep this in mind at all times. Cagers are only driving with one hand on the wheel. The other hand has a cell phone. 90% of their attention is on that phone. Your motorcycle does not register to them. Even with eye contact, don't assume they see you. They are in a trance with that device. This along with all the braking, leaning, and throttle practice will help tremendously. Seat time will give you confidence as you go along.

[TxTaoRider]

Nearly as important as learning all the tips listed above, is remembering all the dangers that motorcyclists face when you're out driving in your car or truck.

[idle_purr]

For other newbies (pre-permit) search your states DMV website for their Motorcycle Manual. You can also search google for practice motorcycle permit test.

For anyone interested in registering for the BRC or BRC2 course you can use the following link to find one in your area. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED to have a permit to take this course, you can complete the course and then get your permit and license at the same time.

MSF Basic Riding Course

Here is the Manual used in the course (Great study to get familiar.)

One of the beauties of taking this course is that upon completion you can go to your DMV and get your license without the need to take the road test. You also get to ride a cool bike and learn from instructors, you can ask questions and will learn correct riding methods.

Here is a POV example of the riding portion of the course.



Stay Safe!

[idle_purr]

Just signed up for my Basic Rider Course with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Will be taking my classes May 1st, and 2nd. If all goes well I will be licensed in May sometime, then going on my journey to find Motocheez and do some riding.

[idle_purr]

Got my Motorcycle Permit today God help us all!!!

[idle_purr]

Passed my road test! What a privilege it is to have the freedom to cruise with confidence, on and off the road

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by idle_purr

Passed my road test! What a privilege it is to have the freedom to cruise with confidence, on and off the road

Congratulations!

Let’s hope there are some roads left to ride on after tonight. Ha ha ha.

I’m up this way now and roads are closed everywhere with flash flooding.

[Darkrider]

Just my 2 cents into all the great advice given here. This is something i learned early on in my own transition from Dirt to Pavement when i was a teen. (Yea...don't to what i did and go from an RM250 dirt bike to a CBR 900RR...BAD IDEA!!)..anyway....It was also something relearned when i returned to the street in 2006. "Assume that you are invisible to traffic and that they are out to get you." Because both points are most likely quite true! Especially in today's society of distracted driving and the like. But as pointed out you do have an advantage of transitioning from one style to another. The dirt bikes taught you the basics to handle a road bike. The road bike simply adds to them with the basics of survival on the street with the use of its extra controls such as turn signals and other lighting as well as its horn.

[wheelbender6]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Congratulations!

Let’s hope there are some roads left to ride on after tonight. Ha ha ha.

I’m up this way now and roads are closed everywhere with flash flooding.

Even after the waters recede, you may need a bike to get around until they can repair all the roads.

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by wheelbender6

Even after the waters recede, you may need a bike to get around until they can repair all the roads.

Hmmmm. Now that’s a good thing!