New rider confidence

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by Aerythus

How do you build confidence on a bike? The same way you get to Carnegie Hall.

They won't let you ride around on a bike in Carnegie Hall.

I've tried.

KeS

[TrainingWheelz]

Wow. Great responses. Thanks to everyone who replied. Seems like the consensus is clutch control and parking lot practice. I will get on that as soon as I get a chance. I can tell that this place will be a great resource for me.
I've been lurking here for quite a while and yesterday was one of those rough days where I felt like I had taken two steps back and nothing was working for me. I guess I just need to be patient and put the work in before I expect to make any real progress. Thanks again.

[kevin_stevens]

Go to someone who is an experienced rider and make sure your controls are set up properly. I'm amazed at how many riders don't do this, and certainly new riders may not know. Adjusting the brake and clutch levers to fall naturally in line with your wrists - they are almost always set too high - moving the engagement points in or out, taking excess slack from the throttle cable, and adjusting the shift and brake levers can make a huge difference in how the bike feels and your control of it.

Beyond that, yes, if you're doing slow maneuvering, you will almost always be balancing the clutch against the throttle and often against the rear brake as well. There is much more "normal" clutch slipping on a bike than in a car.

KeS

[max384]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

Go to someone who is an experienced rider and make sure your controls are set up properly. I'm amazed at how many riders don't do this, and certainly new riders may not know. Adjusting the brake and clutch levers to fall naturally in line with your wrists - they are almost always set too high - moving the engagement points in or out, taking excess slack from the throttle cable, and adjusting the shift and brake levers can make a huge difference in how the bike feels and your control of it.

Beyond that, yes, if you're doing slow maneuvering, you will almost always be balancing the clutch against the throttle and often against the rear brake as well. There is much more "normal" clutch slipping on a bike than in a car.

KeS

It never crossed my mind to do this until I wrecked my bike and my front brake lever got bent downwards. When I bent it back just enough to ride it home, it felt like it was in a more natural position. When I got new levers, I adjusted them so they fit more naturally. In hindsight, it was quite stupid of me to have never thought of this.

[OreoGaborio]

Forgot to mention... Riding in the Zone is a great book that kinda goes more in depth into the techniques taught in the MSF beginner course and beyond. It also gives you some good drills to practice or think about when you're riding. Very good resource for beginner and experienced riders alike.

[Papachristou]

Originally Posted by TrainingWheelz

Wow. Great responses. Thanks to everyone who replied. Seems like the consensus is clutch control and parking lot practice. I will get on that as soon as I get a chance. I can tell that this place will be a great resource for me.
I've been lurking here for quite a while and yesterday was one of those rough days where I felt like I had taken two steps back and nothing was working for me. I guess I just need to be patient and put the work in before I expect to make any real progress. Thanks again.

i was on youtube this weekend. they have a ton of drills you can practice on there. Ive been riding since i was 14 (im 29 now) I am far from perfect and am constantly learning. Listen to those with more experience and find a good group of people to ride with that dont push you. Ive been in some groups and they make fun of anything less than a liter bike or anyone who doesnt go 150 on the interstate and spend most of their time putting tire shine on their chicken strips . I wouldnt even put tire shine on my sidewalls!

[binx_19]

anyone mention find a big empty parking lot and practice?

[CBMiata]

Adjusting your controls will help a lot if you find yourself reaching for them a lot.

Also with low speed maneuvers make sure you can turn the bike consciously. Most of us do it without even thinking about. But when you really think about turning the bike and master it like that. You will become a lot more comfortable.

[slowsierra93]

What part of Arkansas are you from? Fort Smith area here.

Lots of good suggestions here. Measure out a box like from the brc and get good at doing it smoothly.

[termlifed]

Are you giving it enough gas? I dont know how your 250 is but I kept stalling on the 250's at the msf course I took because I was afraid of revving the engine up from a standstill.

[TrainingWheelz]

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

Forgot to mention... Riding in the Zone is a great book that kinda goes more in depth into the techniques taught in the MSF beginner course and beyond. It also gives you some good drills to practice or think about when you're riding. Very good resource for beginner and experienced riders alike.

Thanks for the tip. This book will be on my doorstep on Thursday with another book whose title escapes me for the moment.

[TrainingWheelz]

Originally Posted by slowsierra93

What part of Arkansas are you from? Fort Smith area here.

Lots of good suggestions here. Measure out a box like from the brc and get good at doing it smoothly.

I'm in Little Rock.

[Prier84]

Originally Posted by slowsierra93

What part of Arkansas are you from? Fort Smith area here.

Lots of good suggestions here. Measure out a box like from the brc and get good at doing it smoothly.

Just reading through forums looking for some local people just got into riding this season now that I've gotten good at it I'm looking to find people to ride with or find some good local hangouts for riders I haven't been in fort smith long you still live in fort smith

[johnnywha5]

Ride at your own pace. Don't let vehicles around you dictate how you are suppose to ride. If you have to take a turn slower than usual then do so. Stay in your comfort zone. When you're comfortable, you build confidence. When you're confident, you make smart decisions.

[JustSaying]

Originally Posted by Tony216

Give it time.

And look into lowering links to lower the hight of your bike.