New Riders Getting Negative Advise

[OreoGaborio]

Originally Posted by johnnywha5

I've read a lot of negative advise to new riders here. Also, I hear a lot of them from my friends and co-workers. One funny example is this friend of mine. He used to ride and he had an '03 R6. I'd always go to him if I have questions about riding. But everytime he would ask me if I had dropped my bike yet, or crashed it, or close to dropping it. As if he wants me to have an accident or something. If you're giving an advise to a new rider, please say something encouraging. You are not in a position to judge anybody about their riding skills because you don't know them. If you had crashed when you're just learning how to ride, maybe share something that would prevent the "new rider" from crashing. You're taking out the "riding is awesome!" aspect of the entire experience.

For the new rider. The only person that could tell you what you can and cannot do is yourself. Some new riders are naturally talented and some are not. Some are smart, and some are confused. Some are sure of themselves and some are foolish. And some just got "bigger balls" than others. Take the MSF course, ask advise from experienced riders and always think about "SAFETY FIRST!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Words of "discouragement" are a shitty rider's way of making themselves feel superior


There's a guy that I coach the MSF BRC with occasionally and I love working with him... he's a FRIKKIN RIOT!!! I've never met a more encouraging person in my life. The guy literally jumps up & down, claps and yells when a rider gets down a skill they've been having trouble with. I love it.

It's rubbed off on me a little... I've been known to high five my students from time to time.

I see FAR more people learn easier & faster from someone who's optimistic than someone's who's pessimistic.

[johnnywha5]

Originally Posted by Dem0nDuck

If you want good advice then here ya go. Take classes. MSF advanced and sportbike classes are good. Find a good trackday organization that has class time. These things will help you learn to corner better in a safe way. Remember where you are at all the time..... if your on the street ride slower and safer... if your on the track ride faster and safer. The things you can learn from trackdays are great if you get in a bind and could save your arse but you should not ride the street like it is the track.

Get the twist of the wrist books and video. Those will help you alot before you ever go to the track or whatever.

Remember that your rear tire will not break traction easy so if you rev the engine and pop the clutch you will end up with your bike riding you.

Always pretrip your bike.

Wear your gear (because there is a very high (almost absolute) chance that at some point you will crash .... problem is you will not know in time to throw on gear)

Cars are bigger and they will win in a fight.

The front tire does the majority of the braking .... and all of the braking in an emergency (because the rear will be off the ground).

Smooth throttle.

Smooth brakes.

Smooth transition in turns.

Smooth.

Miles miles miles miles... there is no substitute for miles.

Thank you sir! You're awesome!

[I-Jo]

A lot depends on your attitude. I know I am more pessimistic around people who are very icky and.confident as new riders.... Hot heads as it were. (and no I am not saying you are or are not... I haven't been at the conversation between you too) but if he perceives you as such... I wouldn't be surprised by that type.of reaction.

There is a certain amount of mistake making that goes on as a newb. But no one wishes it on someone ese. Some people truly are negative people.... If you don't like it... Find a new.riding buddy and spend a lot of time learning how to ride. Educate yourself and ride many many miles. Keep and open mind -.you can learn something from almost anyone... Even of its a simple... I don't ever want to.do what that guy did lesson.

Enjoy your ride and don't hang around negative people.

[johnnywha5]

Originally Posted by I-Jo

A lot depends on your attitude. I know I am more pessimistic around people who are very icky and.confident as new riders.... Hot heads as it were. (and no I am not saying you are or are not... I haven't been at the conversation between you too) but if he perceives you as such... I wouldn't be surprised by that type.of reaction.

There is a certain amount of mistake making that goes on as a newb. But no one wishes it on someone ese. Some people truly are negative people.... If you don't like it... Find a new.riding buddy and spend a lot of time learning how to ride. Educate yourself and ride many many miles. Keep and open mind -.you can learn something from almost anyone... Even of its a simple... I don't ever want to.do what that guy did lesson.

Enjoy your ride and don't hang around negative people.

Thanks I-Jo! But I don't have that attitude like you've described, I'm the complete opposite of it. I was expecting to learn from him but I don't. I've been teaching myself from the day I got my bike. Also, I've been trying to get other people to ride with me just to see how they handle corners but it hasn't happened yet. I ride every day to work and Saturday and Sunday. It makes my day fun and exciting!

[riverszzr]

Your learning can only go so far when you are trying to teach yourself....Especially when most people are unable or unwilling to actually self critique accurately. After 30+ years of riding I still cannot always self critique accurately. I still go to others to make observatins of my riding and make suggestions or point out mistakes etc....video of yourself riding(if you know what is proper) is well worth watching. For the money.....Kieth Code is by far the best learning experience you could ever get. I have been through all 4 levels a couple times dating back to the 80's.....nothing is more comp-rehensive than what you will walk away from that school with, nothing.....

I would avoid the guy you mention as being so negative. He was probably hugged too much or too little as a kid.....lol

[I-Jo]

Originally Posted by johnnywha5

Thanks I-Jo! But I don't have that attitude like you've described, I'm the complete opposite of it. I was expecting to learn from him but I don't. I've been teaching myself from the day I got my bike. Also, I've been trying to get other people to ride with me just to see how they handle corners but it hasn't happened yet. I ride every day to work and Saturday and Sunday. It makes my day fun and exciting!

I obviously don't know you... Or even how old you are. But there comes a point in your life where you will (or maybe you have) realize that there are certain people in your life that simple do nothing but complicate things or just bring a really negative energy to the table and they aren't worth the effort and you won't want to deal with them anymore. And that's absolutely Okay.

It sounds like this guy is one of those people. A dead weight. Nothing positive... No helpful learning tips... Nothing. I would minimize my interaction. I am willing to deal with certain mentalities or characteristics of I feel there is something to gain... But if he is adding.nothing to your life and not.teaching you I would just kind of side step him and make it a point to avoid him. life is too short to deal with bull shit and.constant negativity.

[Dem0nDuck]

Originally Posted by riverszzr

Your learning can only go so far when you are trying to teach yourself....Especially when most people are unable or unwilling to actually self critique accurately. After 30+ years of riding I still cannot always self critique accurately. I still go to others to make observatins of my riding and make suggestions or point out mistakes etc....video of yourself riding(if you know what is proper) is well worth watching. For the money.....Kieth Code is by far the best learning experience you could ever get. I have been through all 4 levels a couple times dating back to the 80's.....nothing is more comp-rehensive than what you will walk away from that school with, nothing.....

I would avoid the guy you mention as being so negative. He was probably hugged too much or too little as a kid.....lol

I agree Kieth Code school is great. Untill you get to do it though do yourself a favor and start out with the Twist of the Wrist dvd at the very least. It may not be a blockbuster but the content is very solid and might help you a huge amount. Plus there isnt many people that can honestly say they couldnt afford it. It is a good start.

[binx_19]

Personally if a new rider does not have resources for training available, the least he can do is get the book Riding in the Zone, it is by far the best all around book i have found. even has a DVD with it.

[I-Jo]

that was my first riding book- I loved it.

[bassjones]

Originally Posted by johnnywha5

Thanks I-Jo! But I don't have that attitude like you've described, I'm the complete opposite of it. I was expecting to learn from him but I don't. I've been teaching myself from the day I got my bike. Also, I've been trying to get other people to ride with me just to see how they handle corners but it hasn't happened yet. I ride every day to work and Saturday and Sunday. It makes my day fun and exciting!

Teaching yourself is a BIG mistake. You'll engrain some bad habits that will get you into trouble eventually, and will be hard to correct down the road. Learning from "experienced" riders is almost as big of a mistake. If they're a great rider, AND a great teacher, that can be good, but if they're a lousy rider with poor technique you'll learn wrong things. Your best bet is to sign up for MSF BRC and then take some track days with instructors.