LoL, First ride story

Hey everyone, a couple of weeks ago i posted a forum about me getting a bike and I ended up getting an 01 cbr 929 rr for $5400. Despite it being very big and powerful, I tried to ride it for the FIRST time last night and holy-poopcakes did she take off! I've never ridden a motorcycle before nor even touched one, also i'm still new to manual transmission both on cars and bikes. It had the jardine exhaust on it, which makes it even more powerful and loud. I got the hang of the clutch and first gear only and was riding at 10 mph in a parking lot. Other than that, I still can't get the feeling of going down on the gears and going back to neutral, its really hard to learn if you can't see what gear you're on when it doesn't show on the gauges. I must say, I ALMOST dropped it, but that was because i didn't even know how the how gear system worked! I tried to brake and stop while still on 2nd gear! It just kept dying down on me and i was like S#!T! I pulled a muscle just trying to hold it back up! LOL, im pretty sure everyone could relate with me, I guess you got to start off as a pure newb somewhere. Today i'm going to try it out some more, i'll come back and read on this forum, any helpftul tips orinput would be greatly appreciated. thanks! (PS: I'll post pics soon)

The best tip i could give you is to check your life insurance payments are up to date....

No really its a great bike but if it is your first one take it very easy and get out of 1st,2nd gear quickly or you will be getting some great views of the sky and tarmac in that order.
Best of luck....

I would recommend taking an MSF class since you are a first timer. They have bikes you learn to ride and shift gears, and if you drop it, it's not your bike that gets mangled. It will also make your confidence higher getting out on the road.

Just some friendly advice. DON"T TOUCH YOUR BIKE AGAIN TILL YOU TAKE THE MSF CLASS!!!!!
Ok sorry for the shouting. I just don't want to see you die. That bike can very easily kill you. Even in 1st gear. Don't mess with it. Your local MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) class will teach you all the basics. How to sit on the bike, how to walk the bike, shifting, turning, braking. All the basics you will need to be able to ride and steer. Please don't get on the bike again till you have a chance to take that class. We'd like to see you around these forums. I can't tell you how many people I know of started off like that and regret it for one reason or another. To make a point, my girlfriend wants to learn how to ride. I told her I wouldn't even show her anything till after she takes her MSF class. Once she takes that and passes it, i'll start to work with her.
If you are going to ignore our advice, please wear full gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, boots. It can and will save your life. Good luck and please don't take any of this as a flame. It's meant to help you be a better rider.

I know I know, everyones right! MSF MSF MSF, I'm dying to get into that class, but my god! the waiting list on that is august! So what I tried to do last weekend was tried doing walk-ins... and basically that means you have to wait 3 hours and MAYBE, just MAYBE, there might be an open slot available. Another walk-in showed up in line at 5:00 and waited till 6:00. I sure as hell want to take the MSF, its just not easy to get into a class thats limited to only 12 people. Classes starts tomorrow, i'm getting in line at 3:00. Thanks for the helpful advices.

Dude, I won't preach at you (the others did an excellent job) just give you a little info on your bike. In first gear your bike will exceed the speed limit of any state in the nation. Second gear is even faster. In first gear if you hiccup at the wrong time you're likely to be seeing stars. The faster a bike accelerates the more it tries to throw you off the back which means you end up giving it even more gas ... a vicious cycle.

I swear I'm not trying to bust your nuts ... this isn't some high fallootin club that you're not welcome in. Actually you're more than welcome but WHEN you fall off you're very likely to quit the bike club, and if you live, become a spiteful cager. And none of us want that.

Some advice for the parking lot sessions:

Honda has a booklet that shows you how to layout a course similar to the MSF with helpful practice exercises

COVER THE BRAKES - with your hand and your foot. If you goof and start rocketing skyward a tap on the rear brake can save your ass. But only if your foot is near the brake. Stuff happens very quickly.

Good luck dude!

Hay Man...
I hope you listen to all the good advice every one hear has said, But hear is a little more... Once you pass your MSF corse and wont to try your bike, go to your local highschool, and practice on the Grass, that way if you fall it wont kill you...

Take it slow, and you'll get it eventually...

In reply to (bubbeewuv0630) not...

Hay Man...
I hope you listen to all the good advice every one hear has said, But hear is a little more... Once you pass your MSF corse and wont to try your bike, go to your local highschool, and practice on the Grass, that way if you fall it wont kill you...

Take it slow, and you'll get it eventually...

With all that being said, welcome to the site, and congrats on the new bike. I am sure once you get used to it, you will be hooked forever.

Think you've had some invaluable advice from everyone here but one thing "Do not practice on the grass" as you will spend your time locating bits of your plastics. One blip of the trottle on tractionless grass will lead to costly repairs. Mate of mine started biking on a Yamaha YZF600 thundercat which i thought was too much and he had to pick it up off the road about 10 times in the first month so beware. What i did was rent a small capacity bike (250cc) for a week to get some miles and experience and most importantly save on the repair bills in the future. Have you any mates with smaller bikes that could let you take it for a few hours.

I presume then that your allowed to buy any bike you want without having passed a test? Over here, Ireland, you have to pass a theory and practical test and then your limited to a 33bhp machine for two years before you can get an unlimited licence.

Dude..all great advice above. I'll just share with you that I rode all last year on a Katana 750 (after not having been on a bike since college - about 13 years) and wanted to move up to something faster. I test rode a 929 and the power jump from a Katana made me too nervous. I wanted to be sure I was ready before moving to a liter bike (I have two young children..probably part of the motivation). So I decided to go with an F4i for now and it has all of the power and speed that I need. I'll probably move up to a 929 eventually. Enjoy it and respect the power of that bike. I think someone in this forum wrote to me when I was debating the 929 vs. F4i - "a 600 will try to kill you, a liter bike will kill you." Have fun and be safe!

hmm everything that needs to be said has, dang...

You say you're dying to get in the class....man you are dying to get a sneek peak at Jesus. I don't know you from Adam but I sure as hell know safety. Take your keys and give them to someone who wants to see you around for a little while longer. Take the MSF course!!!!!!! That's about the only part you got right in your initial entry...dying. Don't do it! We all have love for our fellow CBR riders...we'd love to hear good (common sense) stories. Take the course! MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF MSF...I THINK YOU GOT IT!

Welcome to da site bro! I almost got a 954 fer my first bike and everyone said it would be too much fer me. I rode it ONCE and about craped my pants! 929 pretty heafty bike too! But I'm gonna be like da rest of da folks and say take da course and take yer time! Keep da rubba side down bro!

I bought my 929rr 2 weeks ago and it is my first bike. I never took the safety course, but I do have my permit. All my friends are experiences riders, so they took me out the first few days. I had ridden 4 wheelers and dirt bikes many many times before, so the shifting was simple. THey had me start in a huge parking lot for a few hours with cones and obstacles, and within 3 hours, I was on the road leaning into corners. I am very comfortable on my bike now and I just put over 700 miles on my bike last weekend. RESPECT the power and tendencies of the bike and never run the rpm's up in the first two gears right away and you should be fine. I am scared of what my bike can do, but I'm not scared of my bike altogether because I am ultimately twisting my own right wrist. It's a nice bike, but just think about what the new 600 race bikes are doing now and how many beginners are going to get a 600 thinking it's more forgiving. I've put over 1000 miles on my bike in a week and a half and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Well, as I have staed before, I tried getting into the MSF class by waiting two hours in line, I couldn't get in. All the appointments showed up except 1, and the person that filled it was the person on the waiting list. Its so rediculous, i'll try again this week and see if i can get in. I'll have a tent and sleeping bag ride outside the door waiting for the riding coach to show up. In the mean time... all good advices, I thank you. But seriously, in the meantime, I'm going to follow the manuals instructions and practice with cones on the swerving. It's hard enough as is that i can't reach the ground. Just bought corbin seat and lowering links are on the way.

Dude, you are in Springfield!!???? I can come over some time and give you some pointers!! I am only 30 to 45 minutes away...........if I follow Illinois posted speed limits.....LOL!!! Shoot me an email sometime and maybe we can get together. I have been riding almost 20 years now so surely I could help you out in some way...??? Anyway, my email is shane_workman@insightbb.com


Later,
Shane

P.S. I am not an MSF instructor or anything but thought maybe I could help.

quote:

ORIGINAL: bubbeewuv0630
Well, as I have staed before, I tried getting into the MSF class by waiting two hours in line, I couldn't get in.

It's hard enough as is that i can't reach the ground. Just bought corbin seat and lowering links are on the way.

Ok, as said, stop trying to ride your bike before taking the MSF class. Look into other options. I know there are more then one place in your area that offers the MSF. Go to the MSF website and see where their certified classes in your area are. I know here in FL, there are motorcycle dealerships that offer the class, independent classes, local colleges offer the MSF class. Look around, you will be suprised when you see more then one place offering it.

DO NOT LOWER your bike. You can't handle your bike already. When you lower the bike you are changing and making the handling of your bike worse. Bikes are designed to perform and handle at a certain ride height. When you change that, you change how your bike handles. Honda spends alot of money testing and designing the bikes to perform at the specific height. Look into shaving the seat down, wear some boots with more of a bottom on them. The corbin seat should help some.

quote:

It's hard enough as is that i can't reach the ground. Just bought corbin seat and lowering links are on the way.

This thread is taking on the sickly smell of a "WIND UP" or "PISS TAKE". Carry a donor card and be of some us to the rest of us....

Hey bubbee,

From my minimal 3 and 1/2 year of riding, I know that taking the MSF class saved my butt several times.
I started out with the Ninja 500 (a good beginner bike) and worked my way up, I went from street to freeway to twisties.
If you really want to enjoy riding, you should get back in line for the MSF class.

Good luck and ride smart,

-TJ

HEY EVERYONE! I got into the waiting list as # 2 in line.. and I GOT IT YESTERDAY!! YES! its 3:00 in the morning, class starts at 7:45... can't sleep, too excited....I was so glad I got in, there were like 5 people waiting behind me, and I got nervous as each person enter the class room. THERE WAS ONE SPOT LEFT!!! Thanks for all the support and preaching about the MSF class, very useful information!

MSF ( we call it CARE here in Travis ) is a good idea, I dont know how to drive manual cars or bikes but I learned it in 2 days (but I'm still in the learning process), It was fun too so I suggest dont ride nor touch that bike before your finish with MSF - specially with all that power.The class will help you a lot, it sure sure helped me, never touched a motorcycle in my life but learned it, I'm not saying I'm good now because I'm still learning, (2nd day of MSF I called it quits, it didnt come natural for me to learn it, I'm taking it again next month, slowly I'll learn.. and the class is free anyway) but yeah good luck to you.

sadly no one has told me about the msf class. funny you said you pulled a muscle cuz the first time i got on mine about a month ago...i forgot i was on 2 wheels and didn't really try to walk it going out of first. so it slowly fell over and i tried holding it up..but it got past that lean point where it's just too late..so i tried holding and easing off slowly..well sure as shit i pulled my lower back and was hurting for 3 days.....

quote:

ORIGINAL: deleteduser

MSF ( we call it CARE here in Travis ) is a good idea, I dont know how to drive manual cars or bikes but I learned it in 2 days (but I'm still in the learning process), It was fun too so I suggest dont ride nor touch that bike before your finish with MSF - specially with all that power.The class will help you a lot, it sure sure helped me, never touched a motorcycle in my life but learned it, I'm not saying I'm good now because I'm still learning, (2nd day of MSF I called it quits, it didnt come natural for me to learn it, I'm taking it again next month, slowly I'll learn.. and the class is free anyway) but yeah good luck to you.

Your class is FREE~!! Our class here in South Dakota, for the car is like 300 bucks... and the motorcycle one I dont believe is too much cheaper! :S man... i wish it was free :(


Chris

Howdy , welcome to the forums



Better late than never